Article: Twins Cut Four More, Roster Set

[Seth Stohs]

You can view the page at http://www.twinsdaily.com/content.php?383-Twins-Cut-Four-More-Roster-Set

[DAM DC Twins Fans]

Disappointed that Dozier is not on roster. I understand--if not playing everyday in majors, play everyday in Rochester. But disappointed just the same. Hope and pray that Dozier is starting SS in Minnesota by my birthday (June 3)...just like Nat fans here are expecting of Harper. The thing that really scares me is the bullpen...

[ScottyB]

First, when does the clock start ticking on Marquis' time on the BL - he has up to 7 days. When he comes off, I think Burnett will be the first sent down for more seasoning. When Baker comes off the DL, Hendricks will be sent down to get starts at Rochester - he'll be up & down this season (ie doubleheader starts with 26 man roster option and rotation injuries). Dozier will be the starting shortstop no later than trade deadline, with Caroll moving to 2B and Casilla to UI. Burroughs could be traded to a true contender at that time. This will be the best all-round Twins bench in years - maybe since the early 90's. Depending on starting pitching, the Twins have a shot at being well over .500. My prediction is that the Twins will surprise, a close 3rd place, Detroit, KC, MN, Cle, CWS.

[ossieO]

So Casilla is the backup shortstop. Has he played any shortstop this spring? I don't remember seeing it in the boxscores.

 

I still wonder if they're looking for a utility infielder on the waiver wire, who would replace Burroughs.

[John Bonnes]

I'm good with most of this, but I think it's a mistake to not have Fien & Manship in the bullpen ahead of Gray and Burnett. I understand they would lose Gray, but that isn't much of a loss. And Burnett is becoming the new Capps - a guy with a Rasputin like power to convince them he's somehow better than he performs. (And he may be, but I'd like to see it in AAA, first.)

[minn55441]

I really don't have a problem with the roster, but did Burroughs outplay Dinkleman this spring? Burroughs had two extra base hits all spring. 2 doubles. Dinkleman had a homer and 5 doubles. I think Dinkleman is more versatile in the field. Honestly I haven't seen either play much so far this spring, but just looking at the numbers it doesn't appear that this was the slam dunk for Burroughs as everyone has talked about.

 

Don't get me wrong, it's a great comeback story and I'm happy for the guy, but are we a better team with him on the roster rather than Dinkleman?

[Seth Stohs]

Minn - I'm with you on the Burroughs/Dinkelman situation. Dinkelman played very well. He is more versatile defensively... just as much power (which is to say, not a lot). They're interchangeable, I think.

[mnfireman]

The bullpen will be at least a half season revolving door, todays favorites are tomorrow scapegoats. The rotation will be as or more interesting as the bullpen, right now Pavano is living on two years ago, but pitching for a new contract should be a good thing. Liriano and Blackburn as Jekyl & Hyde will play out all season, hopefully they are good at the same time but bad at different times. Baker is a known quantity - 18 to 23 starts, most of them quality ones and Marquis will be hoping for speed on the field behind him to catch everything being launched around Target Field. As far as batting orders, playing time, late inning subs, Gardy is going to have to earn his paycheck this year. How he handles Morneau/Parmalee/Plouffe/Doumit @ 1B/RF/DH and properly getting Revere to cover Willingham for late inning defense without compromising the offense will be interesting. Carroll & Casilla @ SS & 2B could very well flip flop or Dozier could move Casilla out of the starting line-up by May 1. Expect some growing pains early that may pay big later!

[siouxjv]

I am fine with it all for the most part. I am not much of a Burnett fan, but I'll leave to those who know better to make his case for him. As for any fringe players who did/did not make the team, let's face it, guys are going to get nicked up. As is the case with most seasons, we are going to see plenty of flight numbers to and from Rochester

[jimbo92107]

Memo to Brian Dozier: Keep a suitcase packed and cab fare in your wallet.

 

Now that I think about it, forget the cab fare. I'll drive you from the airport to Target Field myself.

[dave_dw]

I really don't have a problem with the roster, but did Burroughs outplay Dinkleman this spring? Burroughs had two extra base hits all spring. 2 doubles. Dinkleman had a homer and 5 doubles. I think Dinkleman is more versatile in the field. Honestly I haven't seen either play much so far this spring, but just looking at the numbers it doesn't appear that this was the slam dunk for Burroughs as everyone has talked about.

 

Don't get me wrong, it's a great comeback story and I'm happy for the guy, but are we a better team with him on the roster rather than Dinkleman?

I think this is a move based on Burroughs upside. He's got at least twice the ceiling that Dinkelman has with pretty much the same floor. All and all, the last hitter off the bench shouldn't have too much effect in a season anyway.

[diehardtwinsfan]

I'm not sure I get the Burroughs move as much... If it's upside, let him figure it out in AAA and force his way there. I also don't get Burnet. I loved his minor league numbers before he hit the bigs, but he's been a wreck pretty much ever since. I think he would have been best served by being optioned to AAA to work on things in a lower pressure situation.... That said, there's good reason to be excited. Most of the question marks on this team are looking positive.

[Thrylos]

The 25-man roster is (almost) set. The 27-man is

When Marquis and Baker return a couple of pitchers will go down (probably Hendriks and Burnett, so that much about the Burnett not deserving to make the team. He really did not make it...)

 

Burroughs (now that he made the team) is out of options. So is Gray. And with Burroughs and Burton making the team, the 40-man roster is full, unless they take Nishioka off (and they should)

 

My gut feeling is that Gray will be this season's Dusty Hughes... he will ride onto sunset sometime in May (or April) I think that one of the current AAA arms might eventually replace him.

[Seth Stohs]

You're right, Thrylos, the 27 man roster really means that 2 players will move down when Baker and Marquis move up.

 

There is no "upside" with Burroughs. He's like 33 or something, no power, but does take good at bats. That's no a knock. He is what he is, which is a decent 25th man and pinch hitter.

 

Gray won't be this year's Dusty Hughes at all. Hughes made the roster by putting up a great ERA and "fooling" people into thinking he was pitching well. Gray has pitched good most of the time, but he doesn't have the flashy numbers, so if he does fail and gets sent out, it won't be as disappointing to those who think spring numbers mean something.

 

I agree with all of the comments about Burnett. I'll continue to support Burnett, but he should be the first reliever sent down.

[Shane Wahl]

Burroughs' career minors slugging is .445 and Dinkelman's is .396. Also, Burroughs walked more than he struck out in the minors, I believe. Dinkelman is nowhere near that. Dinkelman is a good guy to have at AAA for flexibility as players move up through the system. NOT for the Twins.

[Raven]

I think the quality of the at-bats came into play. Burroughs was really becoming a tough out later in spring training while Dinkelman had a few ugly outs. Just a guess but it might have been one of the deciding factors. I think we're pretty fortunate that it came down to a choice between these two. It'll be interesting to see how Gardenhire handles this new mix to start the year.

[whydidnt]

Pretty much what has been predicted here previously. I don't see any reason for Burnett to have made the team. It makes no sense and shows a real lack of quality pitching in the system. As for Burroughs vs. Dinkelman. Neither has a track record of being very good offensively, and I'm not sure either is really that great with the glove either, so I'm not really sure why either of the is on the team. I guess as a 25th man, it's not the end of the world, but I'd rather see some sort of specialist - a pinch runner, a slick glove, etc. in this spot.

[LaBombo]

Eight relievers.

 

Eight.

 

Relievers.

 

 

Quantity, wave goodbye to quality. We won't be seeing him again for awhile.

 

And four bench players to back up a bunch of guys who couldn't stay healthy if you froze them in carbonate. What could go wrong?

 

If M&M/Span are healthy enough to add ten wins over 2011, that gets the Twins to a pythag of 95 losses in 2012.

 

On second thought, why not audition half the journeyman relievers in baseball and lose a couple extra games due to limited bench options? It's already pretty much a lost season.

[Riverbrian]

I'm Optimistic like every year at this time. Pitching is a little worrisome and I still don't understand why Willingham can't play RF. I liked the lineup with Revere starting in LF. His speed and defense is a plus. Yeah the arm thing but we will need guys who can go get it in the OF. We have pitch to contact pitchers.

[Shane Wahl]

Pretty much what has been predicted here previously. I don't see any reason for Burnett to have made the team. It makes no sense and shows a real lack of quality pitching in the system. As for Burroughs vs. Dinkelman. Neither has a track record of being very good offensively, and I'm not sure either is really that great with the glove either, so I'm not really sure why either of the is on the team. I guess as a 25th man, it's not the end of the world, but I'd rather see some sort of specialist - a pinch runner, a slick glove, etc. in this spot.

A. If Waldrop wasn't hurt, Burnett wouldn't be up. B. Whoever the last reliever, he is going to be sent down when Baker or Marquis comes back. Burnett is on the 40-man roster right now so he makes sense for this temporary role.

[Shane Wahl]

Eight relievers.

 

Eight.

 

Relievers.

 

 

Quantity, wave goodbye to quality. We won't be seeing him again for awhile.

 

And four bench players to back up a bunch of guys who couldn't stay healthy if you froze them in carbonate. What could go wrong?

 

If M&M/Span are healthy enough to add ten wins over 2011, that gets the Twins to a pythag of 95 losses in 2012.

 

On second thought, why not audition half the journeyman relievers baseball and lose a couple extra games due to limited bench options? It's already pretty much a lost season.

8 relievers with 4 starters. It's still 12 pitchers. Of course that is generally gratuitous, but maybe not for April. We'll see what they do after that.

[Shane Wahl]

I'm Optimistic like every year at this time. Pitching is a little worrisome and I still don't understand why Willingham can't play RF. I liked the lineup with Revere starting in LF. His speed and defense is a plus. Yeah the arm thing but we will need guys who can go get it in the OF. We have pitch to contact pitchers.

I agree totally. Not just pitch to contact pitchers, but pitchers who give up fly balls. I haven't heard much around here other than me talking to myself about Willingham's inability to move to right field being totally ridiculous. I do wonder how this is going to play out. If this really is a no-way-Jose (Gardy!) kind of thing, or if he would still be willing to be a professional baseball player and move to right field later. If this is the case in the long term, I would rather have Revere at Rochester and trade him later in the year (assuming he does well there).

[CDog]

I still don't understand why Willingham can't play RF.

I've seen a lot of this claim, despite never having seen anyone from the team claim this was the case. When the announcement was made that he'd be the left fielder, the reasons given were all about other players and not about Willingham.

[LaBombo]

Eight relievers.

 

Eight.

 

Relievers.

 

 

Quantity, wave goodbye to quality. We won't be seeing him again for awhile.

 

And four bench players to back up a bunch of guys who couldn't stay healthy

if you froze them in carbonate. What could go wrong?

 

If M&M/Span are healthy enough to add ten wins over 2011, that gets the Twins to a pythag

of 95 losses in 2012.

 

On second thought, why not audition half the journeyman relievers In baseball and lose a couple

extra games due to limited bench options? It's already pretty much a lost season.

[luckylager]

Yep. No use watching.

[Riverbrian]

I've seen a lot of this claim, despite never having seen anyone from the team claim this was the case. When the announcement was made that he'd be the left fielder, the reasons given were all about other players and not about Willingham.

The only thing that makes sense was Doumit to RF based on Morneau to DH and therefore Willingham to LF. Burroughs making the team took out Towles and that means the backup catcher cant DH. Either way... Grady just benched a guy in Revere who could steal 50 bases.