Notebook: If the Shoe Fits ...

[Andrew Luedtke]

Happy Pitchers & Catchers report week, Twins fans! We've officially made it to the start of Spring Training. In an eventful Monday, Feb. 15 edition of the Offseason Notebook, we have lots to discuss. The Twins sign Matt Shoemaker, announce Minor League invitees to camp, and an update on Big Sexy?

Image courtesy of © Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Happy Pitchers & Catchers report week, Twins fans! We've officially made it to the start of Spring Training. In an eventful Monday, Feb. 15 edition of the Offseason Notebook, we have lots to discuss. The Twins sign Matt Shoemaker, announce Minor League invitees to camp, and an update on Big Sexy?

Twins sign SP Matt Shoemaker to 1-year/$2M deal

Today, the Twins upgraded their rotation by signing Matt Shoemaker. Shoemaker will likely compete with Dobnak for the fifth spot.

https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/1361442210215063556

He’s battled injury issues his whole career and has only thrown 88 innings since 2018, but when on the mound, he has been productive. He owns a career 3.86 ERA and there’s plenty of reason to believe in some upside. Check out an article by Andrew Thares where he dives into this and more, here.

TD writer, Matthew Taylor also noted some intriguing numbers on his splitter.

https://twitter.com/MatthewTaylorMN/status/1361445197276733448

Could Wes Johnson and the rest of the staff unlock more potential from Shoemaker?

All in all, the Twins rotation depth chart figures to consist of:

Maeda

Berrios

Pineda

Happ

Shoemaker

Dobnak

Smeltzer

Thorpe

A definite improvement from what this looked like just 4 weeks ago.

Twins announce list of non-roster invitees to camp

The Twins announced that they will be inviting 18 players on minor league deals to Spring Training.

You can see the full press release below.

https://twitter.com/morsecode/status/1361356064889982982

If you like prospects, you’re in luck! Seven of the 18 invitees are on the Twins top-10 prospect list. Keep following along as we count down to #1. Nick Nelson just profiled camp invitee and our #9 prospect, Matt Canterino.

https://twitter.com/dohyoungpark/status/1361359725670117383

If you want a little baseball action on this cold day, check out Tom Froemming’s video highlights of some of the players included on this list.

Reliever market continues to thin out

Over the weekend and into today we saw some possible Twins bullpen targets come off the free agent board. It’s unknown that even after signing Matt Shoemaker if the Twins are still in the market to upgrade the team, but nonetheless, something to monitor.

Here we go:

Yusmeiro Petit and #OldFriend, Sergio Romo sign one-year deals in Oakland.

https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/1361127415699939332

LHP Justin Wilson signs with the Yankees. Wilson was rumored to be on the Twins radar.

https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1361457492849475588

Additionally, RHP Keone Kela and Mark Melancon signed with the Padres. Like Wilson, Melancon was rumored to be connected to the Twins.

If interested in seeing the up-to-date unsigned free agent relievers, check out this handy tool via Fangraphs. From Dan Hayes of The Athletic (subscription required) article last week, a few names left on the board that the Twins have “checked in” on are RHP’s Tyler Clippard, Ian Kennedy, and Shane Greene.

More #OldFriend’s find homes

Speaking of former Twins, it looks like some more ex-players found homes today.

C.J. Cron agreed to a minor-league with the Colorado Rockies.

https://twitter.com/RockiesClubInfo/status/1361360094764523522

Blake Parker has signed with Cleveland.

https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1361482940346224642

And, who doesn’t love a Big Sexy update? Looks like the ageless wonder is going to pitch in 2021. He’s 47.

https://twitter.com/hgomez27/status/1361476102674333700

That's a wrap on an eventful Monday night in Twins territory.

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You can follow Andrew Luedtke on Twitter here.

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[AceWrigley]

When I click on the photo of Bartolo it takes me to Twitter where I am greeted by the message; "The following media includes potentially sensitive content."

 

I can only assume that his burrito count is high in roentgens or what ever unit one uses to measure burritoness and Twitter is just protecting my delicate sensibilities. How wonderful.

[Danchat]

 

When I click on the photo of Bartolo it takes me to Twitter where I am greeted by the message; "The following media includes potentially sensitive content."

 

I can only assume that his burrito count is high in roentgens or what ever unit one uses to measure burritoness and Twitter is just protecting my delicate sensibilities. How wonderful.

Twitter must know his nickname is Big Sexy!

[saviking]

Shoemaker is an excellent low risk, high reward pickup .. Wonder if his ancestors were shoemakers

[Shaitan]

I don't know how significant his injuries have been, but I feel like Cron deserves an MLB contract.