Roster Crunch? Who stays, who goes?

[RpR]

28 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

I hope nobody who buys a Saints ticket cares about the score at the end of the game. It's minor league baseball, which is VERY different from the Pohlads and the Twins. Most people go to Saints games for the sideshows (ball pig, ushertainers, Mudonna, corny promotions) and the beer.

So you are saying Saint fans are laut drunks?

[chpettit19]

1 hour ago, RpR said:

The Twins now have a minority ownership stake in the Saints,

 

Does Winning Matter?

Fans and front offices alike have long questioned whether winning at the minor league level has any effect on a player’s career and have failed to come to a consensus. Some say that winning in the minors is just for pride’s sake and causes no tangible change. Others insist that winning is enormously important.

Josh Norris explored this very topic a little more than a year ago and heard some really intriguing feedback.

We polled several front office members for their thoughts and received answers ranging from “no significant impact” to “winning definitely matters”. Yet despite the disagreement, one thing everyone mentioned was that the role of the minor leagues is a tricky balance between player development and winning.

A baseball operations analyst with an AL team said: “You’ll get a lot of different answers. I think that it does (matter), especially at the higher levels. The difficulty is, a lot of successful Double-A or Triple-A teams aren’t always prospect laden. A lot of Quad-A types populate winning high-minors clubs. So not over-prioritizing winning at the expense of having youth at those levels, even if they struggle a little, is the balance.”

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/quantifying-the-effects-of-winning-in-the-minor-leagues-on-player-development/

I don't know what this has to do with what I said. Is your belief that the Saints just randomly started playing Royce Lewis in CF last year when he was sent back down? Do you believe they randomly started playing him at 3B this year? Do you believe they are randomly playing Martin in CF, LF, and 2B? These decisions are made by the Twins organization. There is no debating that. The Saints obviously want to win, why wouldn't they? But the discussion was about Garlick playing 1B instead of Larnach. Your argument was that it was the Saints making that decision on their own because they felt Garlick was the better player. You are wrong. That is not how those decisions are made. The Twins FO tells the Saints, and all their minor league affiliates, where to play prospects. The coaches in the minor leagues are Twins employees. Gardenhire was assigned to the Saints by the Twins. Those coaches provide feedback, and suggestions, to the Twins FO, but the Twins FO is the one who tells them where to play guys.

[KirbyDome89]

On 8/9/2023 at 4:17 PM, SwainZag said:

The quicker everyone realizes that Gallo isn't going anywhere until AK comes back to this team the better.  The team isn't going to DFA Gallo to field a team without a player on the roster who doesn't have much playing time at 1B.  Farmer with his 171 innings at 1B isn't some huge upgrade against RHP than Joey is.

I know every post must include DFA Gallo somewhere, but it's really not going to happen until AK is back on the roster.

.157/.281/.361 with a 46% K rate since May, and that's mostly in "favorable," matchups. There's no law that says you must have a LH hitting 1B. How is swapping in anybody else with a pulse at 1B not considered an upgrade? You don't think Farmer (using your example) could at least post a similarly putrid slash line against RH pitchers and kinda hit LH pitching plus be decent defender? That at least raises your floor, so if you do call up that inexperience AAA bat, and they flop, you're no worse off. 

There's no rational defense for Gallo's continued presence in the lineup. All we can say is that the FO refuses to move on from him....

[tony&rodney]

Because I have no idea what Falvey thinks about the game of baseball or the philosophies of play, I cannot get myself worked up over the roster decisions or playing time. I just don't get what Falvey is trying to accomplish and so the signing and rostering of Joey Gallo becomes a symbol of my lack of knowledge concerning the Twins/Falvey. I do not harbor any blame or ill will toward Gallo. In fact, I have come to have considerable empathy for him as he works so hard but fails so often. Gallo clearly loves to play baseball. His play is front and center in the public eye which must be hard for him.

The Twins are a bit of an anomaly as they yo-yo just around .500 ball. Royce Lewis, Alex Kirilloff, Joe Ryan, and Byron Buxton will all need roster spots soon and I wouldn't care to guess who winds up back with the Saints. 

[USAFChief]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

I hope nobody who buys a Saints ticket cares about the score at the end of the game. It's minor league baseball, which is VERY different from the Pohlads and the Twins. Most people go to Saints games for the sideshows (ball pig, ushertainers, Mudonna, corny promotions) and the beer.

Seriously? Nobody cares about the score?? 

I'd wager almost everyone cares. Fans, ownership, management and players. 

Sure There are playing time considerations for actual prospects that get priority. The Twins help pay the bills. But the Saints don't exist solely for the sake of getting Brooks Lee 300 ABs. 

And they keep score when they play.

[jaimedude]

Thad Lavine is attached to Joey Gallo because he drafted him. He doesn't want to admit it was a bad signing and that Gallo was a poor fit for the Twins lineup. Frankly Twins fans are sick of his strike outs and lack of contact because outside of power threat he doesn't really bring anything to the table. The Twins will not eat the 11 million they spent on Gallo so we all know  we are stuck with this albatross, black hole of strike outs on the roster. Rocco keeps putting him in the lineup so Gallo is here to stay whether we like it or not. Because the whole line-up has struggled, someone usually takes the brunt of the heat, seems like Gallo is our guy for that.

[SD happy]

With Lewis supposedly coming back on Tuesday, it will be interesting to see what the corresponding move will be.     
Julien? Has been in a mini slump.             
Farmer? Good clubhouse guy. Versatile.   
Salano? Has had some big hits. Plays first base.                                                   
Gallo? Four hit game was big for him. Plays first base.                                          
Luplow? Has made a good impression first few games.                                          
Castro? Twins love his versatility. Maybe to the IL with his back.                   
Kepler? Maybe to the IL after foul ball to foot.                                                         
Wallner? One of the hottest hitters since AS break.

it will be really interesting if/when Kirililoff and Buxton come back.

[lecroy24fan]

Sands could be the one. With 3 off days in the next 8 they could put Keuchel in the pen for that stretch as the long man. Or it could be Keuchel.

[jorgenswest]

If I get to make the decision I would go with Keuchel. Both Gray and Lopez will get an extra day of rest even with a 4 man rotation. Maeda and Ober will enter their next start with an extra day of rest.

Luplow has an option remaining so he can be optioned when they need that 5th starter. They don’t need to plan for Buxton or Kirilloff yet.

[stringer bell]

September 1 allows the Twins to add two players, but there are a lot of players that could/should be available by that date. Alcalá, Gordon, Paddack and Miranda have all been out quite a while (Paddack and Gordon are on the 60-day IL). Miranda was optioned once this year, so an option to St. Paul would be pretty painless. Gordon doesn't have any options remaining, so if he goes on rehab he would have to be activated or DFAed. Space would have to be cleared to add back Gordon or Paddack.

Meanwhile Kirilloff and Buxton could be ready to be activated this month or early in September. Ryan's 15 days are up in less than a week, so all of them could be back. Lewis is set to be activated on Tuesday. 

I think Keuchel's days are numbered, but the position player crunch is severe. It would be on brand for the '23 Twins to DFA Gallo after he reached base on five consecutive plate appearances, including two homers. 

Usually, new injuries make space. Solano and Kepler both played today, so it doesn't look like either of them will go on the IL. Castro might end up on the IL due to his back issues and perhaps it will be determined that Correa would benefit from a minimum stay on the Injured List. 

The future transactions will be fascinating.

[SD happy]

1 hour ago, stringer bell said:

September 1 allows the Twins to add two players, but there are a lot of players that could/should be available by that date. Alcalá, Gordon, Paddack and Miranda have all been out quite a while (Paddack and Gordon are on the 60-day IL). Miranda was optioned once this year, so an option to St. Paul would be pretty painless. Gordon doesn't have any options remaining, so if he goes on rehab he would have to be activated or DFAed. Space would have to be cleared to add back Gordon or Paddack.

Meanwhile Kirilloff and Buxton could be ready to be activated this month or early in September. Ryan's 15 days are up in less than a week, so all of them could be back. Lewis is set to be activated on Tuesday. 

I think Keuchel's days are numbered, but the position player crunch is severe. It would be on brand for the '23 Twins to DFA Gallo after he reached base on five consecutive plate appearances, including two homers. 

Usually, new injuries make space. Solano and Kepler both played today, so it doesn't look like either of them will go on the IL. Castro might end up on the IL due to his back issues and perhaps it will be determined that Correa would benefit from a minimum stay on the Injured List. 

The future transactions will be fascinating.

Agree, 100%.

[LonelyseatinMOA]

anyone feeling a Correa 10 day might be in order? let Royce man SS for a while and see if some rest helps the plantar faciitis 

[stringer bell]

All reports are saying that Lewis will be activated today. Someone will have to be taken off the active roster. In order of probability, here are the possible moves (IMHO): 1) DFA Keuchel. 2) Option Luplow 3) Castro to IL 4) Option Sands 5) Correa to IL.

Are there any other roster moves possible to clear space for Royce? Discuss please.

[Mike Sixel]

7 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

All reports are saying that Lewis will be activated today. Someone will have to be taken off the active roster. In order of probability, here are the possible moves (IMHO): 1) DFA Keuchel. 2) Option Luplow 3) Castro to IL 4) Option Sands 5) Correa to IL.

Are there any other roster moves possible to clear space for Royce? Discuss please.

Gallo with polanco at first.....

[LA Vikes Fan]

On 8/13/2023 at 9:47 AM, SD happy said:

With Lewis supposedly coming back on Tuesday, it will be interesting to see what the corresponding move will be.     
Julien? Has been in a mini slump.             
Farmer? Good clubhouse guy. Versatile.   
Salano? Has had some big hits. Plays first base.                                                   
Gallo? Four hit game was big for him. Plays first base.                                          
Luplow? Has made a good impression first few games.                                          
Castro? Twins love his versatility. Maybe to the IL with his back.                   
Kepler? Maybe to the IL after foul ball to foot.                                                         
Wallner? One of the hottest hitters since AS break.

it will be really interesting if/when Kirililoff and Buxton come back.

DFA Keuchel. We don't need a 5th starter until 8/26 with the off days. Ryan will be back by hen and Varland creates depth.  Keuchel goes through waivers and if he clears (likely?), back to St. Paul for more depth.

[mnfireman]

42 minutes ago, LonelyseatinMOA said:

anyone feeling a Correa 10 day might be in order? let Royce man SS for a while and see if some rest helps the plantar faciitis 

That would be a good idea and makes a lot sense, especially since it can be back dated to start Sunday. So it probably won't happen. 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

On 8/15/2023 at 10:19 AM, stringer bell said:

 1) DFA Keuchel. 2) Option Luplow 3) Castro to IL 4) Option Sands 5) Correa to IL.

Are there any other roster moves possible to clear space for Royce? Discuss please.

It was 3) Castro to IL.

I think we all expect today will be Keuchel’s last start, good bad or indifferent. Ryan is already back with the Twins to throw his next bullpen and will apparently come back off the IL when his turn is up again. DFA’ing Luplow seems like a not difficult thing to do. Same with optioning Sands/Winder. However, I missed this new Correa injury, unless people are just responding to another bad streak at the plate. 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I heard the radio guys talking about Buxton has been doing some significant work in center field, for his return. So that’s a big thing to keep an eye out for soon.

I shake my damn head, but only because the 7 dimensional chess plan to have him ready for the postseason may be coming to fruition. 🙃 Another angle to that is Michael Taylor is kind of growing on me, in a good way. 

[Mike Sixel]

4 minutes ago, Hosken Bombo Disco said:

I heard the radio guys talking about Buxton has been doing some significant work in center field, for his return. So that’s a big thing to keep an eye out for soon.

I shake my damn head, but only because the 7 dimensional chess plan to have him ready for the postseason may be coming to fruition. 🙃 Another angle to that is Michael Taylor is kind of growing on me, in a good way. 

Taylor is 30th in fwar among CF.....

[Vanimal46]

5 minutes ago, Hosken Bombo Disco said:

 

I heard the radio guys talking about Buxton has been doing some significant work in center field, for his return. So that’s a big thing to keep an eye out for soon.

 

I’m happy to read this. This should have happened in June but better late than never. 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

15 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

I’m happy to read this. This should have happened in June but better late than never. 

Honest question: would you rehab Buxton in St Paul? Gladden seemed to say Buxton should be sent out, too St Paul or the Ft Myers complex, but I don’t think I agree. What say you?

[Vanimal46]

1 minute ago, Hosken Bombo Disco said:

Honest question: would you rehab Buxton in St Paul? Gladden seemed to say Buxton should be sent out, too St Paul or the Ft Myers complex, but I don’t think I agree. What say you?

I’m with you and lean towards no rehab assignment. He’s not going to learn anything there. Just get him healthy enough to play CF and let it ride as long as they can. 

[mnfireman]

19 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

I’m with you and lean towards no rehab assignment. He’s not going to learn anything there. Just get him healthy enough to play CF and let it ride as long as they can. 

I think he needs a handful of games in AAA to get his timing down and get game reps in CF.

[Squirrel]

25 minutes ago, Hosken Bombo Disco said:

Honest question: would you rehab Buxton in St Paul? Gladden seemed to say Buxton should be sent out, too St Paul or the Ft Myers complex, but I don’t think I agree. What say you?

Yes ... St. Paul, for a few games anyway, not for an entire rehab assignment. Not sure how that works, but it's what I'd do

[NotAboutWinning]

34 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

I’m with you and lean towards no rehab assignment. He’s not going to learn anything there. Just get him healthy enough to play CF and let it ride as long as they can. 

A rehab assignment would allow Buxton to play 2 or 3 innings a couple of times to work up to game form. It would be difficult to manage that in an MLB game.

[Vanimal46]

41 minutes ago, mnfireman said:

I think he needs a handful of games in AAA to get his timing down and get game reps in CF.

We’re running out of time to actually do this. 2 or 3 games maybe then get him to MN. 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

To start, I feel like Buxton can be worked into big league games an inning or two at a time. Late in games they are winning big. Ramp him up that way. By the end of September he can be playing full games. 

[Squirrel]

Do we dare to hope?

 

[Craig Arko]

20 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

Do we dare to hope?

https://Twitter.com/danhayesmlb/status/1696253346124894455?s=61&t=39ibQUsQ38rSycFU5pFAHA

 

 

The Force will be with you, always.

[LA Vikes Fan]

Andrew Stevenson and Brent Headrick are the 2 9/1 call ups for the Twins. Miranda goes to the 60 day IL to make room for Stevenson on the 40 man. Not sure this is what I would do but you have to give Stevenson credit for tearing up AAA better than anyone else, including Prato and Martin. Stevenson has a .916 OPS, 16 Hrs, 44 steals. I only wish he was 26, not 29, and that he hit RH rather than LH. Still, better in CF than Taylor against RH pitching and Taylor's bum hamstring is starting to hurt his fielding. It's time for someone else in CF. Castro is still gone and Joey Gallo is not the answer to this or frankly any other question unless it's who got the DFA.