Former Twins 2023 tracking

[Shaitan]

Apologies if this already exists and I missed it,  but I enjoy this ongoing log each year.

I'll start it:

Ben Rortvedt out for at least a month.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/02/frankie-montas-ben-rortvedt-yankees-shoulder-surgery.html

[nicksaviking]

Huh, MLBTR lists 22 position players (and DH) left as free agents. Among them are Gary Sanchez and Miguel Sano who are two of the youngest free agents, and Andrelton Simmons, They list seven starting pitchers left, among them are Chris Archer, Dylan Bundy and Michael Pineda. Joe Smith and Hansel Robles are the former relievers. That seems like an awful lot of veteran players from the Twins the last two years that no other team wants. Five from last year's opening day roster, four of which were free agents.

Sergio Romo gets a pass, he was three years ago.

 

[Ryan Atkins]

Former Twins farmhand and ex-White Sox Daniel Palka has just signed with the Red Sox.

Red Sox Sign Daniel Palka To Minor League Deal - MLB Trade Rumors

[I wish the twins were good]

https://www.mlb.com/news/prelander-berroa-impresses-in-cactus-league-opener

Anyone remember this guy?

Twins gave him away in the Sam Dyson trade. He was only 19 in Elizabethton at the time, so still a ways away, but he'd look good in Ft. Myers right about now!

Giants subsequently gave him away just recently for Donnie Walton, which is considerably less defensible...

[Trov]

42 minutes ago, I wish the twins were good said:

https://www.mlb.com/news/prelander-berroa-impresses-in-cactus-league-opener

Twins gave him away in the Sam Dyson trade. He was only 16 at the time, so still a ways away, but he'd look good in Ft. Myers right about now!

Giants subsequently gave him away just recently for Donnie Walton, which is considerably less defensible...

My guess he was not highly touted at 16, but a low level signing, and he just developed very well.  It happens.  Maybe he becomes something great, or maybe he, like many pitching prospects, burns out quickly.  Pitching prospects one of hardest to project and they will rise and fall very quickly at times. 

[I wish the twins were good]

1 hour ago, Trov said:

My guess he was not highly touted at 16, but a low level signing, and he just developed very well.  It happens.  Maybe he becomes something great, or maybe he, like many pitching prospects, burns out quickly.  Pitching prospects one of hardest to project and they will rise and fall very quickly at times. 

Misspoke - he was 16 when they signed him in 2016, but 19 by the time they traded him from Elizabethton. He was a bit young for his level then, but really nothing that jumps out at you from his time with the Twins. Looks like he put it all together with the Giants, and good on them for spotting him. Why they would give him up for a now injured and about to be 30 utility player that can't hit... Giants haven't had a great year transactionally.

[Doctor Wu]

Looking like Rooker may make the Oakland roster to start the season. After being traded by the Twins, and then castoff by the Padres and Royals, might he have finally be ready for a starting role in the majors? I know it's only spring training, but Grossman is raking for the Rangers. And even Palacios might make the Tigers squad. Not saying that we miss any of those guys all that much, but it's nice to see them playing well. 

[stringer bell]

Onetime Twin Taylor Motter is going to open with the Cardinals.

[Doctor Wu]

Chargois is now with the Marlins and putting up good numbers in spring training games. 

[stringer bell]

Derek Law will open the 2023 season in the bullpen for the Cincinnati Reds.

[Dave Borton]

Trevor Hildenberger. Now 32, he was on last roster cut from Giants. Active in unionizing MiLB (owners accepted union without a necessary vote!), now on the Sacramento River Cats roster.

https://www.thenation.com/article/society/minor-league-baseball-union-bill-fletcher/

Plouffie is a co-host on podcasts Talkin' Live and Baseball Today.

 

Randy Rosario went to Cubs/Iowa/KC/Japan and now plays for the Saraperos de Saltillo in the Mexican League.

 

 

[Parfigliano]

On 3/26/2023 at 6:39 AM, Doctor Wu said:

Looking like Rooker may make the Oakland roster to start the season. After being traded by the Twins, and then castoff by the Padres and Royals, might he have finally be ready for a starting role in the majors? I know it's only spring training, but Grossman is raking for the Rangers. And even Palacios might make the Tigers squad. Not saying that we miss any of those guys all that much, but it's nice to see them playing well. 

Robbie Grossman like cockroaches and Keith Richards will always be around.

[Rosterman]

Dylan Bundy just signed a minor league deal with the Mets.

 

[Rosterman]

Guys who played in 2022 not on any rosters: Gary Sanchez, Miguel Sano, Tyler CLippard, Brandon Kintzler, Tomas Telis, Beau Burrows, J.T. Riddle, Luke Farrell, Andrelton Simmons, (Jason Castro and Kurt Suzuki retired, I believe). Kyle Barraclough, Wilson Ramos, Andrew Albers (played in WBC). Ralph Gazza Jr. Hansel Robles, Danny Santana, Nick Vincent, Michael Pineda. Chris Archer, Cody Stashak, Joe Smith, Tyler Thornbuerg, Tim Beckham.

[FlyingFinn]

7 minutes ago, Rosterman said:

Cody Stashak

He surprises me from this list. When healthy, he is at least worthy of a shot in AAA to see if he can help out an MLB team.

[cheeseheadgophfan]

Sanchez really surprises me.  His price tag must be too high, but some of the catchers that will apparently make clubs seem like lesser players to me.  He wasn't "terrible" for the Twins last year as a second catcher......

 

And wow!  How quickly Sano's career seems to have gone in the tank?  Amazing that someone wouldn't take a chance on him.

[Shaitan]

Sanchez and Pineda surprise me.

The others...not so much. Various health or age concerns with many.

[stringer bell]

Sandy León released today by the Rangers. 

[Rosterman]

Danny Coulombe leaves Twins for a roster spot with the Orioles.

Once minor league rosters are set, I'm doikng a look at ALL the former Twins in majors/minors - plus coaching - similar to last year!

 

[Brandon]

10 minutes ago, Rosterman said:

Danny Coulombe leaves Twins for a roster spot with the Orioles.

Once minor league rosters are set, I'm doikng a look at ALL the former Twins in majors/minors - plus coaching - similar to last year!

 

I’m surprised the Twins didn’t start the season with him instead of Cole in the pen.  I hope this doesn’t come back to bite.  

[SoDakTwinsFan]

5 hours ago, Rosterman said:

Dylan Bundy just signed a minor league deal with the Mets.

 

I remember when not that long ago bundy was a top pitching prospect in all of baseball for the Orioles.  

[Jocko87]

10 hours ago, stringer bell said:

Sandy León released today by the Rangers. 

I am interested if he would take a minor league deal.  A little extra cash would do it and he would be a great influence and emergency option. 

[Doctor Wu]

14 hours ago, stringer bell said:

Sandy León released today by the Rangers. 

That was a bit surprising. He was playing a lot of spring games for the Rangers, and his stats looked pretty good. I suppose they are hoping that Garver is able to catch more this year. 

[IndianaTwin]

I don’t know if this fits here, but this is way cool.

A couple years ago at a pre-COVID Twins Fest, he was posing for pictures with every kid in sight, including holding babies.

 

 

[Shaitan]

16 hours ago, Jocko87 said:

I am interested if he would take a minor league deal.  A little extra cash would do it and he would be a great influence and emergency option. 

Twins Bench Coach 2024.

[Mill1634]

Leon re-signed with the Rangers on a MiLB deal

[BSLinPA]

Couldnt help but notice that the Guardians acquired 6'5" lefthanded SP Steve Hajjar from the Reds earlier in the week.  

[Doctor Wu]

On 3/29/2023 at 4:54 AM, IndianaTwin said:

I don’t know if this fits here, but this is way cool.

A couple years ago at a pre-COVID Twins Fest, he was posing for pictures with every kid in sight, including holding babies.

 

 

Way cool indeed. Reading about the Romo "farewell" outing in spring training was also nice. Seems like a good guy. 

[nclahammer]

On 3/27/2023 at 10:50 AM, davidborton said:

Trevor Hildenberger. Now 32, he was on last roster cut from Giants. Active in unionizing MiLB (owners accepted union without a necessary vote!), now on the Sacramento River Cats roster.

https://www.thenation.com/article/society/minor-league-baseball-union-bill-fletcher/

Plouffie is a co-host on podcasts Talkin' Live and Baseball Today.

 

Randy Rosario went to Cubs/Iowa/KC/Japan and now plays for the Saraperos de Saltillo in the Mexican League.

 

 

Always liked "Hildy", ever since I saw him pitch for the Twins in Cedar Rapids.  Sat next to him for half and inning during a spring training game in Port Charlotte in 2017 while he had a clipboard and was charting pitches (he would end up pitching the last inning and getting the save.)  He was very nice, chatted about his days in A ball, and signed a ball for me (still have it.)  Trivia note, his roomate in college and A ball was Michael Theofanopoulos, and combined their last names had 26 letters, which I think may be an all-time franchise record for roommates in this obscure stat. 

[stringer bell]

Because I'm feeling witty this AM, I'll post this: Our favorite online employment service, (ex-Twin) Ehire Adrianza has made the Atlanta Braves Opening Day roster. Congrats to him! He's carved out quite a career.