Roster Crunch? Who stays, who goes?

[LA Vikes Fan]

Fun win tiday, Ryan was outstanding. Here's a thought - can Lewis, Polanco, Kirilloff, or Julien play LF? Or better put, can Polo or Julien play LF, and will they let Lewis go to the OF (probably not) I'm looking for a way to give regular ABs to Lewis, Julien, Kirilloff and Polanco when  Polanco comes back in a couple of weeks. I'm also assuming Julien is still hitting well enough to warrant MLB ABs and Buxton is the DH 5-6 days a week without playing in the field.  

How about moving Julien to 1B in a platoon with Solano, moving Kirilloff to LF, and playing Polo at 2B? Alternatively, put Julien in LF, leave Kirilloff at 1B and Lewis at 3B. Don't think moving Lewis to LF helps unless we think Polo or Julien can handle 3B. This requires either Kepler or Gallo going with the other riding the bench a lot, both going to get Wallner up.    

[RpR]

7 minutes ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

Fun win tiday, Ryan was outstanding. Here's a thought - can Lewis, Polanco, Kirilloff, or Julien play LF? Or better put, can Polo or Julien play LF, and will they let Lewis go to the OF (probably not) I'm looking for a way to give regular ABs to Lewis, Julien, Kirilloff and Polanco when  Polanco comes back in a couple of weeks. I'm also assuming Julien is still hitting well enough to warrant MLB ABs and Buxton is the DH 5-6 days a week without playing in the field.  

How about moving Julien to 1B in a platoon with Solano, moving Kirilloff to LF, and playing Polo at 2B? Alternatively, put Julien in LF, leave Kirilloff at 1B and Lewis at 3B. Don't think moving Lewis to LF helps unless we think Polo or Julien can handle 3B. This requires either Kepler or Gallo going with the other riding the bench a lot, both going to get Wallner up.    

LOL, Twins want to win, not be the team with the worst fielding numbers.

[stringer bell]

Somebody will be sent down to make room for Maeda. My guess is that it is Headrick, but it could be Balazovic, Headrick or Ortega. 
 

Edit to add that I think it is likely that the Twins will do another bullpen game before we see Maeda throw twice on the road trip. 

[Jocko87]

10 hours ago, RpR said:

LOL, Twins want to win, not be the team with the worst fielding numbers.

SOooo, about that. I'm all for Julien and Miranda in left field.  Just run to the wall and throw it in.  Then go hit.  It's not optimal but its what we got.

 

[FlyingFinn]

15 hours ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

can Lewis, Polanco, Kirilloff, or Julien play LF?

Lewis and Kirilloff certainly can play LF. Rocco has said they want Lewis at 3B for the rest of the year (though a Correa injury could change that to SS). Polanco and Julien, no. Julien tried 3B and LF in the minors and the Twins have totally abandoned that thought. He is bad at 2B and worse at 3B and LF. With the Saints, Julien is not playing 1B so I don't think that is going to happen this year (and we do get worse at two positions defensively by taking Kirilloff from there). Buxton must hit as the DH or he is ultimately taking a good bat out of the lineup in Julien, when Polanco returns.

[Riverbrian]

1 hour ago, FlyingFinn said:

Lewis and Kirilloff certainly can play LF. Rocco has said they want Lewis at 3B for the rest of the year (though a Correa injury could change that to SS). Polanco and Julien, no. Julien tried 3B and LF in the minors and the Twins have totally abandoned that thought. He is bad at 2B and worse at 3B and LF. With the Saints, Julien is not playing 1B so I don't think that is going to happen this year (and we do get worse at two positions defensively by taking Kirilloff from there). Buxton must hit as the DH or he is ultimately taking a good bat out of the lineup in Julien, when Polanco returns.

2B is the only place that Julien can play?

That is a very particular set of skills. skills acquired over a short career. skills that will make him a defensive nightmare for fans like us. 

If you let him play 1B and Kirilloff OF now... that'll be the end of it, we won't look for Polanco injury just to get his bat into the lineup. If you don't let him play 1B and Kirilloff OF now... Kepler will bat, Gallo will bat and they will kill us. 

[FlyingFinn]

3 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

If you don't let him play 1B and Kirilloff OF now... Kepler will bat, Gallo will bat and they will kill us. 

Which is why many are saying, get rid of Gallo and Kepler and let's sink or swim with Larnach and Wallner (slight drop off defensively but, as reported elsewhere on TD, Kepler's defense is nothing special this year).

[Riverbrian]

1 hour ago, FlyingFinn said:

Which is why many are saying, get rid of Gallo and Kepler and let's sink or swim with Larnach and Wallner (slight drop off defensively but, as reported elsewhere on TD, Kepler's defense is nothing special this year).

Finn, Outfielders will Come, Finn

They'll come to left field for reasons that they can't even fathom. They'll turn up in right field, not knowing for sure why they are doing it, they'll arrive as innocent as children, longing for the opportunity to be better than Kepler and Gallo. Of course, you won't mind if the occasional ball lands on the grass, you'll say it's only .750 OPS per person. They will out hit Kepler and Gallo without even thinking about it. For it's offense that they have and opportunity they lack. 

Ohhhhh, Outfielders will come Finn, they most definitely will come. 

 

[jorgenswest]

Seems like some moves coming based on watching game but not yet hearing any reports.

De Leon must be headed to IL. They will need an arm to come back. Did Ortega leave yet?

Is Buxton headed to IL? That would be u fortunate timing with his recent bat. Wallner or Larnach?

Julien seems so far from playing a passable 2B. I even question whether his throwing action is even fixable. He must have had it in college where they also moved him around looking for a home. Does he need to go to AAA and find another position? You just can’t miss on double plays. Those misses cause long innings and the need to go to the bullpen sooner. His double rate in the minors was so poor and I question whether it can ever improve to a passable level. 

[FlyingFinn]

13 minutes ago, jorgenswest said:

De Leon must be headed to IL. They will need an arm to come back. Did Ortega leave yet?

Is Buxton headed to IL? That would be u fortunate timing with his recent bat. Wallner or Larnach?

Julien seems so far from playing a passable 2B.

Ortega did go to St. Paul and pitched 2 innings tonight.

Yes, Julien is really bad at 2B. Such a good bat (not tonight) but he better practice 1B. Otherwise, he is a DH only. He costs the team numerous runs with his D at 2B. Arraez looks like a gold glover compared to him.

[Major League Ready]

5 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

Sands up, Winder down. Pagan still on the roster for some reason.

Sands has been quite good recently.  I am looking forward to seeing if whatever he is doing translates to success with the ML club.  I did see him pitch recently and it looked to me like the same pitches with better command, but we shall see.

With Thielbar out and Lopez being unreliable, Pagan remains in the top 8 at least in the eyes of the FO.  Hopefully, Lopez gets it together and we get Thielbar back.  Anyone know the story with Alcala?  The Pagan situation has the same downfall as the OF situation.  Let's invest those innings on someone that has a chance to help the team long-term.

[LewFordLives]

Now the question is what happens when Polanco comes back? Do they send Wallner back down or do they pull the plug on Kepler or Gallo?

[stringer bell]

7 hours ago, LewFordLives said:

Now the question is what happens when Polanco comes back? Do they send Wallner back down or do they pull the plug on Kepler or Gallo?

Could be Julien, too.

[RpR]

19 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Could be Julien, too.

Probably Wallner; right now Julien's bat is keeping him up.

[jorgenswest]

Maybe Kirilloff with Gallo or Julien at 1B

[stringer bell]

11 minutes ago, jorgenswest said:

Maybe Kirilloff with Gallo or Julien at 1B

I don’t like it, but that’s a possibility. Kirilloff needs to get it going to stay in the lineup. 

[LA Vikes Fan]

Well, we have the answer for how to play Julien and Polanco at the same time. Polanco is going to play 3B during his rehab. If that works out, where does Lewis play when he comes back 2 weeks thereafter? LF?

[Jocko87]

4 minutes ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

Well, we have the answer for how to play Julien and Polanco at the same time. Polanco is going to play 3B during his rehab. If that works out, where does Lewis play when he comes back 2 weeks thereafter? LF?

Three guys for two spots should work itself out.  On lefty, one switch and one righty.  Rocco will be in heaven.  I would guess Castro loses most in the playing time but he may have to play more outfield if its Wallner going down.  Solano and Farmer spot in, maybe Farmer stands in the outfield a bit?  They said it was part of his package coming in but hasn't happened. 

I personally don't expect them to move Lewis until the offeseason at soonest. 

[FlyingFinn]

11 minutes ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

Well, we have the answer for how to play Julien and Polanco at the same time. Polanco is going to play 3B during his rehab. If that works out, where does Lewis play when he comes back 2 weeks thereafter? LF?

Dream - Buxton in CF.

Reality - a rotation of Lewis, Polanco, Julien, Buxton at 3B, 2B and DH. Julien would skip the LH's though I don't like it when they "teach" the rookies that they can't hit certain pitchers.

[stringer bell]

Assuming no new injuries, here are the players in consideration for the active roster before the end of the season. Currently injured players with best-guess return date. Pitchers:  P. López, Gray, Ryan, Ober, Maeda, Keuchel,  Thielbar (August 1), Stewart (August 10), Moran, Sands, J. López, Balazovic, Ortega, Pagán, Jax, Duran. Position Players: Vázquez, Jeffers, Kirilloff, Julien, Correa, Farmer, Lewis (August 15), Polanco (August 1), Solano, Gallo, Taylor, Kepler, Castro, Wallner, Larnach, Buxton. By my count that is 16 pitchers for 13 spots and 16 position players for 13 spots. 

The three pitchers to cut (IMHO) would be Sands, Ortega and Jorge López, I guess. The three position players to be sent down--Wallner, Larnach and Gallo (DFA)? 

I didn't list Nick Gordon, Gilberto Celestino, Jose Miranda, Headrick or Winder.  Gordon and Miranda are currently on major league Injured Lists. I would assume the Twins would add Gordon only after September 1, since he can't be optioned. I also assume injuries will take care of some of this roster glut, but this does point out how difficult making a move at the deadline will be. Players the Twins want to keep in Minnesota will be optioned or DFAed unless they trade someone from the 40-man roster.

[Mike Sixel]

16 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Assuming no new injuries, here are the players in consideration for the active roster before the end of the season. Currently injured players with best-guess return date. Pitchers:  P. López, Gray, Ryan, Ober, Maeda, Keuchel,  Thielbar (August 1), Stewart (August 10), Moran, Sands, J. López, Balazovic, Ortega, Pagán, Jax, Duran. Position Players: Vázquez, Jeffers, Kirilloff, Julien, Correa, Farmer, Lewis (August 15), Polanco (August 1), Solano, Gallo, Taylor, Kepler, Castro, Wallner, Larnach, Buxton. By my count that is 16 pitchers for 13 spots and 16 position players for 13 spots. 

The three pitchers to cut (IMHO) would be Sands, Ortega and Jorge López, I guess. The three position players to be sent down--Wallner, Larnach and Gallo (DFA)? 

I didn't list Nick Gordon, Gilberto Celestino, Jose Miranda, Headrick or Winder.  Gordon and Miranda are currently on major league Injured Lists. I would assume the Twins would add Gordon only after September 1, since he can't be optioned. I also assume injuries will take care of some of this roster glut, but this does point out how difficult making a move at the deadline will be. Players the Twins want to keep in Minnesota will be optioned or DFAed unless they trade someone from the 40-man roster.

I agree with that, but the Twins will keep Lopez and send down Balazovic....they've shown all year that VETERANS is the answer ....even if the youth are nearly ALL playing better. Heck, Julien would still be in AAA if Polanco hadn't gotten hurt a second time. 

[wabene]

28 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Assuming no new injuries, here are the players in consideration for the active roster before the end of the season. Currently injured players with best-guess return date. Pitchers:  P. López, Gray, Ryan, Ober, Maeda, Keuchel,  Thielbar (August 1), Stewart (August 10), Moran, Sands, J. López, Balazovic, Ortega, Pagán, Jax, Duran. Position Players: Vázquez, Jeffers, Kirilloff, Julien, Correa, Farmer, Lewis (August 15), Polanco (August 1), Solano, Gallo, Taylor, Kepler, Castro, Wallner, Larnach, Buxton. By my count that is 16 pitchers for 13 spots and 16 position players for 13 spots. 

The three pitchers to cut (IMHO) would be Sands, Ortega and Jorge López, I guess. The three position players to be sent down--Wallner, Larnach and Gallo (DFA)? 

I didn't list Nick Gordon, Gilberto Celestino, Jose Miranda, Headrick or Winder.  Gordon and Miranda are currently on major league Injured Lists. I would assume the Twins would add Gordon only after September 1, since he can't be optioned. I also assume injuries will take care of some of this roster glut, but this does point out how difficult making a move at the deadline will be. Players the Twins want to keep in Minnesota will be optioned or DFAed unless they trade someone from the 40-man roster.

I agree with all of this except J Pez will still be here next year and the Twins will act accordingly. Look at the stuff and then gaze at Pagan for your proof.

[stringer bell]

I would also add that Ortega has pitched every bit as well as Balazovic, with slightly better underlying numbers. It would seem that Rocco has used Jordy Blaze in the higher leverage situations, however.

[FlyingFinn]

Have to laugh - we are listing pitchers to send down if everyone comes back and we are NOT listing Pagan (and I actually agree).

[Vanimal46]

Joey Gallo was a 4.7 bWAR player in 2021. Even though I hate his style of hitting, it made sense why Falvey chased the upside. Nothing wrong with gambling on 2022 being a fluke and rebounding back to a 3-4 WAR player. We could have kept him for a playoff run, or flip him for a decent return…

Whelp, that hasn’t happened. He’s a replacement level player, and time is up. Do the right thing, Falvey. 

[LA Vikes Fan]

The expected move happened. Ryan to the 15 day IL, Keuchel up to replace him. I think this will help Ryan be more effective when he returns. Looked like he had a pretty dead arm although the designation is a groin strain. Not sure what Keuchel will bring but he deserves the shot as the most productive AAA pitcher in the last month. 

[LA Vikes Fan]

Well, now what do we do with Solano spraining his knee? Hard to believe that's a day to day thing. By the way, "sprained knee" is often the diagnosis until the MRI shows a torn meniscus or ligament damage.  maybe we cut Lewis" rehab short and get him back up?

[chpettit19]

19 minutes ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

Well, now what do we do with Solano spraining his knee? Hard to believe that's a day to day thing. By the way, "sprained knee" is often the diagnosis until the MRI shows a torn meniscus or ligament damage.  maybe we cut Lewis" rehab short and get him back up?

Selfishly I hope they keep Lewis in AAA through Saturday cuz I'm going to the game and would really like to see him and Lee play next to each other. Beyond that I think it would come down to how long he's really expected to be out for. How bad is the injury? Where's Alcala at on his return? Can we 60-day him and give one of the older AAA guys who aren't on the 40-man a tryout for a couple weeks? Which of them can play 1B so are even an option? I just don't like that this likely leads to more Gallo.

[FlyingFinn]

40 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Can we 60-day him and give one of the older AAA guys who aren't on the 40-man a tryout for a couple weeks? Which of them can play 1B so are even an option? I just don't like that this likely leads to more Gallo.

Chris Williams is the obvious candidate. If he can't get called up now as the RH hitting 1B, when would he ever get called up (though he was in a 5 for 36 slump before last night's game when he went 2 for 4 with a HR).

[SwainZag]

18 minutes ago, FlyingFinn said:

Chris Williams is the obvious candidate. If he can't get called up now as the RH hitting 1B, when would he ever get called up (though he was in a 5 for 36 slump before last night's game when he went 2 for 4 with a HR).

Like chpettit said above, how do you make room on the 40 man for him?  If you can 60 day IL Alcala, then great.  If he plans to return this season, someone is going to have to be DFA'd.