Article: Twins Being Forced into Good Decisions

[Ted Schwerzler]

It’s the middle of July and the Minnesota Twins own a healthy six game lead atop the AL Central Division. Rocco Baldelli’s club is fresh off a series victory over the Cleveland Indians and the big-league team looks to be trending toward a clean bill of health. As the active roster gets back to optimal strength there’s no shuffling of deck chairs to be had for this squad.You can probably assume that any team as good as the Twins have been is doing little in the form of bringing in warm bodies. Years past have seen the Twins forced to make roster moves defined by monotony, and promotions have come far more often from necessity than born of merit. Gearing up for the stretch run it seems Derek Falvey has this squad in a place to flip the script.

 

C.J. Cron and Eddie Rosario have both missed time prior to the All-Star break. As they return to the big-league lineup only Luis Arraez falls into the category of minor league position player. That’s not indicative of talent at all, but reflective of his option status and the ability to be sent down without recourse. It’s in scenarios like that however, that Twins players have positioned management to having to make difficult decisions.

 

Arraez currently owns a nine-game hitting streak, has posted a .955 OPS through 108 plate appearances, and has developed a newfound level of versatility. He’s playing better than starting second basemen Jonathan Schoop, and the door left open by a starter owning just a .763 OPS (.667 with RISP) is going to make a manager think twice.

 

Similarly, the bullpen was a group that came into the season with serious question marks. To date they’ve been the fifth best unit in baseball and have stepped up by getting contributing performances from names like Morin, Harper, Duffey and Littell. Here, decisions loom large. Because of the results posted by contributing members there’s going to be some tough conversations. The first shoe to drop was a Mike Morin DFA this afternoon. Despite good surface numbers the secondary stuff had him toward the bottom of the pecking order and a decision was made.

 

The reality for the Twins is that these difficult decisions come from a place where the organization certainly wants to be. You rarely see a full 25-man roster experience a clean bill of health at the same time. For Minnesota that point could be coming soon and having a level of uncertainty regarding who loses his spot is quite the impressive reality.

 

On top of health there’s almost no denying that this club is going to make some big-league acquisitions. Whether in the rotation, bullpen or both, there’s going to be at least one arm brought in. Adding to the strong performances already at the disposal of Baldelli and Wes Johnson, the group will be bolstered by a high-level reinforcement. This too will take away the job of a player currently performing above average for a club trending towards 100 victories.

 

What the Twins will need to convey as this roster transformation takes place is a positive message. No player is going to be in favor of losing his spot but understanding the greater goal and realizing that a new contribution could simply be around the corner is a must. Recent seasons have shown us Minnesota going to the next-man-up option because the initial choice flopped. This time around next-man- up is going to be a player who’s already shown his chops and be expected to come in competitively from the outset.

 

Good teams are often built from a place of depth. No organization wins a World Series or makes a postseason run relying on just the 25 players starting on the Opening Day roster. The Minnesota Twins are a good team and the front office has developed the depth to make such a run a distinct possibility.

 

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[blindeke]

Don't forget DFA'ing Mejia

[Danchat]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Schoop land on the IL after tonight, so the carousel of injuries continues.

 

I would like to see one of the mashing AAA hitters to come up... one of Davis, Wiel, or Rooker would be nice. This lineup needs an injection right now, and maybe one of these kids can bring it.

[Aerodeliria]

Arraez's 9th inning AB--being stuck with Schoop's 0-2 and working a walk--was a heck of an AB for the Twins. They almost pulled the game out of the hat. I'd prefer to see Arraez in every game possible until he at least goes into a slump (although I prefer to see him in the one or two slot because of his patience at the dish).

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Arraez's 9th inning AB--being stuck with Schoop's 0-2 and working a walk--was a heck of an AB for the Twins. They almost pulled the game out of the hat. I'd prefer to see Arraez in every game possible until he at least goes into a slump (although I prefer to see him in the one or two slot because of his patience at the dish).

He has been playing in almost every game since his recall so you're already getting that wish.

 

Twins fans: Play Arraez more!

 

Twins: *plays Arraez in 19 of 21 games, starting him in 17 of said games*

 

Twins fans: Play Arraez more!

 

Twins: Seriously, are you even watching the games?

[tarheeltwinsfan]

 

He has been playing in almost every game since his recall so you're already getting that wish.

 

Twins fans: Play Arraez more!

 

Twins: *plays Arraez in 19 of 21 games, starting him in 17 of said games*

 

Twins fans: Play Arraez more!

 

Twins: Seriously, are you even watching the games?

Play Arraez more.

[Tomj14]

 

He has been playing in almost every game since his recall so you're already getting that wish.

 

Twins fans: Play Arraez more!

 

Twins: *plays Arraez in 19 of 21 games, starting him in 17 of said games*

 

Twins fans: Play Arraez more!

 

Twins: Seriously, are you even watching the games?

I was hoping they pinched hit Arraez in the 4th for Sano

[jz7233]

 

I wouldn't be surprised to see Schoop land on the IL after tonight, so the carousel of injuries continues.

 

I would like to see one of the mashing AAA hitters to come up... one of Davis, Wiel, or Rooker would be nice. This lineup needs an injection right now, and maybe one of these kids can bring it.

Rooker is on IL, Davis, Wiel and Stashak are the ones I want to see. I think we have seen plenty of Cave and Schoop already.

[jz7233]

 

I was hoping they pinched hit Arraez in the 4th for Sano

I was hoping they pinched hit Adrianza in the 9th for Schoop if they pinched hit Arraez in the 4th for Sano since there is only one Arraez on the roster. We just can't get enough of Arraez in the lineup!

[Shaitan]

Arraez is safe until Austudillo is back.

 

Even then, I wouldn't be surprised to them keep him and demote Tortuga.

[twins1095]

 

I wouldn't be surprised to see Schoop land on the IL after tonight, so the carousel of injuries continues.

 

I would like to see one of the mashing AAA hitters to come up... one of Davis, Wiel, or Rooker would be nice. This lineup needs an injection right now, and maybe one of these kids can bring it.

 

Lucky for you/us Rooker just went down with an injury last night as well!  /s