Roster Crunch? Who stays, who goes?

[Squirrel]

1 hour ago, stringer bell said:

There were three outfielders DFAed in the last 48 hours--Brett Phillips, Adam Engel and Aaron Hicks. It is possible the Twins might go out of the organization to back up Taylor.

I vote no to all three of those

[FlyingFinn]

2 hours ago, stringer bell said:

There were three outfielders DFAed in the last 48 hours--Brett Phillips, Adam Engel and Aaron Hicks. It is possible the Twins might go out of the organization to back up Taylor.

I will also vote no on these three.

I would rather give Contreras another shot. Castro can platoon with him in CF. Contreras has good #'s in St. Paul. Good defense, has speed, takes walks. Lets give him another shot to show that he isn't a AAAA player. The guy I would rather have is Michael Helman. Alas, of all the rotten luck for him, he is out with a dislocated shoulder.

[lecroy24fan]

I'm not even concerned yet. Castro is showing he can play a good enough CF and is getting hits at the plate as well. I don't want him out there daily but between him and MAT they're fine.

[Riverbrian]

12 hours ago, lecroy24fan said:

I'm not even concerned yet. Castro is showing he can play a good enough CF and is getting hits at the plate as well. I don't want him out there daily but between him and MAT they're fine.

In the past 7 days: 

Castro played in all 6 games and he led the team in AB's. 

25 AB

1 HR - 3 SB

.360 BA

.880 OPS

In the other 41 games: 

Castro had 51 AB's.

If he is only getting 51 AB's in 41 games... He has very little value to us. If Castro can't get playing time when the team is healthy and the scripted lineup vs. RH and the scripted lineup vs LH has taken our team straight to the bottom of most offensive categories...  Castro has very little value to us. 

However... now that he is playing... it seems that he may have some value to us. 

There are times when injuries make your team better.   

[LA Vikes Fan]

I don't think we need to go out and get an OF discarded by another team for the MLB roster. I think we've found the temporary platoon CF in Willie Castro.  Kepler can also go out there temporarily if Taylor's bat requires an IL stint. For now, I think Castro is taking over Gordon's spot as an OF first super utility guy. And, by the way, he's earning it with his play over the last week. 

If we want to see if Aaron Hicks has anything left, sign him and send him to AAA for evaluation. He's unlikely to get a MLB shot with his performance the last 2-3 years. so he might be willing to take that kind of a deal. If he won't, no big loss. 

[Jocko87]

22 hours ago, Squirrel said:

I vote no to all three of those

I mean, if Phillips could help in the bullpen?

[stringer bell]

49 minutes ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

I don't think we need to go out and get an OF discarded by another team for the MLB roster. I think we've found the temporary platoon CF in Willie Castro.  Kepler can also go out there temporarily if Taylor's bat requires an IL stint.  

I think you meant "back", but you might have been right the first time.

[stringer bell]

3 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

In the past 7 days: 

Castro played in all 6 games and he led the team in AB's. 

25 AB

1 HR - 3 SB

.360 BA

.880 OPS

In the other 41 games: 

Castro had 51 AB's.

If he is only getting 51 AB's in 41 games... He has very little value to us. If Castro can't get playing time when the team is healthy and the scripted lineup vs. RH and the scripted lineup vs LH has taken our team straight to the bottom of most offensive categories...  Castro has very little value to us. 

However... now that he is playing... it seems that he may have some value to us. 

There are times when injuries make your team better.   

As the season has worn on, Castro is getting more and more playing time and justifying that decision with more and more hits. He hasn't started a game at shortstop, but otherwise he has shown he is trusted everywhere and he hasn't let the club down in the field, to date. I've thought all along there is value in what he brings to the ballpark every day and it seems to be bearing out at this point. 

[Riverbrian]

51 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

As the season has worn on, Castro is getting more and more playing time and justifying that decision with more and more hits. He hasn't started a game at shortstop, but otherwise he has shown he is trusted everywhere and he hasn't let the club down in the field, to date. I've thought all along there is value in what he brings to the ballpark every day and it seems to be bearing out at this point. 

He's a switch hitter and he's been on the roster since opening day.

He got into a couple of games back to back this week against the Dodgers and then injuries got him 3 more games for 5 in a row and he did good during that stretch.  

I have no idea if he is going to take this stretch and run with it or if he is going to revert back. There is only one way to find out what he will do. The only thing that I know for sure is that we don't have anyone on the team that has taken a stretch and ran with it and we have given some long long long stretches to players that did very little with it while Castro mostly watched.   

My problem with Castro has always been this: The Twins were not turning to him to help when they needed help. Castro has no value if he can't get playing time with a team full of players hitting .210.  

This is his moment... It's overdue and I hope he is in the lineup tonight for 6 in a row. Let's see what he can do, that way we can let the players decide.    

  

 

[Mike Sixel]

This team really needs a spark on offense. And other than Lewis, I don't know where it comes from. Every player looks like the player they are (other than CC). 

[LA Vikes Fan]

24 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

He's a switch hitter and he's been on the roster since opening day.

He got into a couple of games back to back this week against the Dodgers and then injuries got him 3 more games for 5 in a row and he did good during that stretch.  

I have no idea if he is going to take this stretch and run with it or if he is going to revert back. There is only one way to find out what he will do. The only thing that I know for sure is that we don't have anyone on the team that has taken a stretch and ran with it and we have given some long long long stretches to players that did very little with it while Castro mostly watched.   

My problem with Castro has always been this: The Twins were not turning to him to help when they needed help. Castro has no value if he can't get playing time with a team full of players hitting .210.  

This is his moment... It's overdue and I hope he is in the lineup tonight for 6 in a row. Let's see what he can do, that way we can let the players decide.    

  

 

I agree. He’s 26 and this is basically his third year in the bigs. He hasn’t hit enough to stay, but sometimes guys don’t show what they have until they’ve been given some run. Frankly, he is hitting the best on the team right now outside of Kirilloff. I say let him play another week and see what you have. Maybe even consider leading him off. I doubt if we are going to catch lightning in a bottle, but one never knows.

[Riverbrian]

13 minutes ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

I agree. He’s 26 and this is basically his third year in the bigs. He hasn’t hit enough to stay, but sometimes guys don’t show what they have until they’ve been given some run. Frankly, he is hitting the best on the team right now outside of Kirilloff. I say let him play another week and see what you have. Maybe even consider leading him off. I doubt if we are going to catch lightning in a bottle, but one never knows.

Kyle Farmer didn't get any decent playing time until he was 30 years old.

What they are at age 24 and 25 doesn't have to be a permanent affliction. 

It can become permanent if his controlling team makes it permanent by refusing opportunity to turn the page. 😉 

[Jocko87]

17 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

Kyle Farmer didn't get any decent playing time until he was 30 years old.

What they are at age 24 and 25 doesn't have to be a permanent affliction. 

It can become permanent if his controlling team makes it permanent by refusing opportunity to turn the page. 😉 

Farmer is what Castro will be be as well.  If Farmer continues to get full time run, he will be exposed as the role player he is especially against RH pitching.  I love players like both Castro and Farmer in that they do all the thankless things that hold a roster together but when in a full time role they often disappoint.  This is an expectations problem rather than a player problem.  Let Castro get some run but don't be surprised when hes struggling 3 weeks from now.  Expecting either of them to be an average or better regular after years of track record that says otherwise is optimistic, even for me.

[Riverbrian]

25 minutes ago, Jocko87 said:

Farmer is what Castro will be be as well.  If Farmer continues to get full time run, he will be exposed as the role player he is especially against RH pitching.  I love players like both Castro and Farmer in that they do all the thankless things that hold a roster together but when in a full time role they often disappoint.  This is an expectations problem rather than a player problem.  Let Castro get some run but don't be surprised when hes struggling 3 weeks from now.  Expecting either of them to be an average or better regular after years of track record that says otherwise is optimistic, even for me.

I wish I could be as confident in these future assessments as you are.  

When if comes to Farmer and his track record. I would say... What track record? Can't really have a track record if you are not allowed on the track.  

The majority of Farmer type players become what you say because they are watching others get a track record.   

But... regardless if they revert back to a pumpkin in the future. I'll take the momentary production. It's better that watching those players put together an actual poor track record.  

 

 

[Jocko87]

7 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

I wish I could be as confident in these future assessments as you are.  

When if comes to Farmer and his track record. I would say... What track record? Can't really have a track record if you are not allowed on the track.  

The majority of Farmer type players become what you say because they are watching others get a track record.   

But... regardless if they revert back to a pumpkin in the future. I'll take the momentary production. It's better that watching those players put together an actual poor track record.  

 

 

Farmer and Castro both have roughly 4000 professional plate appearances.  Correa only has 5400 for comparison.  That's plenty of time on the track.  They both have two years where they were regulars and below average performers.  As Denny Green would say, they are who we thought they were. 

I do agree we should ride the hot streak but the way to ride the hot streak is to keep them in favorable positions.

[LA Vikes Fan]

5 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

I wish I could be as confident in these future assessments as you are.  

When if comes to Farmer and his track record. I would say... What track record? Can't really have a track record if you are not allowed on the track.  

The majority of Farmer type players become what you say because they are watching others get a track record.   

But... regardless if they revert back to a pumpkin in the future. I'll take the momentary production. It's better that watching those players put together an actual poor track record.  

 

 

You guys may be right that 3 weeks from now Farmer and Castro will be reverting back to pumpkin status. 3 weeks from now Lewis will (or should) be on the the 26 man roster, Taylor's back could improve if he gets 10 days on the IL, Kepler will be back, and Miranda may have rediscovered his magic. My point is that now Farmer and Castro are providing real value. Run them out there every day until that stops and then put them back into the reserve roles they were intended to be in.

Let's also avoid the other extreme, holding someone like Lewis down so a guy like Farmer can play every day. Lews should come up the first day he's eligible and play every day. He's hopefully the present and definitely the future. The division is down this year: this is the perfect year to give him (and Kirilloff, and Larnach) some real run while still having a chance to win the division. We can find ABs for Farmer 2-4 days a week in the IF, and I don't see a problem putting him in LF a day or two a week. He won't win a gold glove, but he's played a couple of games there before and if he can play a competent MLB SS, I have to believe he can hold down LF.  If we can ever get Buxton in CF 2-3 days a week, Farmer can DH or play SS/2B so Correa and Polanco can DH. 

Bottom line, give Castro and Farmer some run now while the ABs are available. They've shown AT THE MLB LEVEL that they can add real value in the back half of the lineup and on defense. Play them over Solano, Taylor, Kepler, and Julien. Get Lewis up here ASAP and see what he can do by playing him every day. This lineup needs help, bad, so give it the help we can. 

[Craig Arko]

Castro has been a big surprise to me. I’d keep him on the 26 if I can.

[stringer bell]

12 minutes ago, Craig Arko said:

Castro has been a big surprise to me. I’d keep him on the 26 if I can.

The other "26" thing about Castro is his age. Despite having more than 1000 big-league at-bats, he was born the same year as Kirilloff and Larnach.

[Riverbrian]

34 minutes ago, Jocko87 said:

Farmer and Castro both have roughly 4000 professional plate appearances.  Correa only has 5400 for comparison.  That's plenty of time on the track.  They both have two years where they were regulars and below average performers.  As Denny Green would say, they are who we thought they were. 

I do agree we should ride the hot streak but the way to ride the hot streak is to keep them in favorable positions.

Farmer:

2096 PA's in the minors in a loaded Dodger system. 

.294 BA

.789 OPS

1417 PA's in the Majors primarily with the Reds after the Dodgers traded him

.258 BA

.711 OPS

The majority of his major league AB's came in the last two seasons (1,112 AB's) with the Reds at age 30 and 31 and his performance in those two seasons was average to slightly better than average.  

I'll take average right now to replace the below average and while continuing to look for above average. 

 

[LA Vikes Fan]

1 hour ago, Jocko87 said:

Farmer and Castro both have roughly 4000 professional plate appearances.  Correa only has 5400 for comparison.  That's plenty of time on the track.  They both have two years where they were regulars and below average performers.  As Denny Green would say, they are who we thought they were. 

I do agree we should ride the hot streak but the way to ride the hot streak is to keep them in favorable positions.

I think you may have the wrong Castro. MLB.com says Willi Castro has 1083 ABS, 1176 plate appearances.  He's just turned 26 in April. He's never had more than 413 ABs in any MLB season. He may never be a competent MLB starter but he's young enough and it's early enough in his development that there is at least a chance he could become more than his stats said he was coming into this season.  

[mnfireman]

5 minutes ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

I think you may have the wrong Castro. MLB.com says Willi Castro has 1083 ABS, 1176 plate appearances.  He's just turned 26 in April. He's never had more than 413 ABs in any MLB season. He may never be a competent MLB starter but he's young enough and it's early enough in his development that there is at least a chance he could become more than his stats said he was coming into this season.  

I believe he also including minor leagues, he said professional PA's, not MLB.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I think the Twins need to drop to 12 pitchers.

The starters are doing really well, and going deeper into games, and some of these back end bullpen guys are pitching once a week. When the next position player is ready to come back, send a relief pitcher to AAA.

[stringer bell]

On 5/22/2023 at 3:30 PM, Hosken Bombo Disco said:

I think the Twins need to drop to 12 pitchers.

The starters are doing really well, and going deeper into games, and some of these back end bullpen guys are pitching once a week. When the next position player is ready to come back, send a relief pitcher to AAA.

Only five innings from two of the top three starters pretty much defeats this thought. With the nicks to Correa and Gallo the Twins were playing with a two-man bench, one of whom was Vazquez. 

The Twins have roster decisions to make on Friday. 1) Correa--he's missed two games and it appears his foot injury is worse than originally reported. 2) Gallo--fought to stay on the active roster when he got injured in the home opener and likely doesn't want to go on the IL for a tight hammy. The Twins played him at first to save his legs and held him out today. 3) Kepler might be available Friday, which would provide too many left handed corner OFs. 

If Correa needs to go on IL, would the Twins consider bringing back Miranda? He's not hit at St. Paul, but there aren't many options left without going off the 40-man. 

[Riverbrian]

9 hours ago, stringer bell said:

Only five innings from two of the top three starters pretty much defeats this thought. With the nicks to Correa and Gallo the Twins were playing with a two-man bench, one of whom was Vazquez. 

The Twins have roster decisions to make on Friday. 1) Correa--he's missed two games and it appears his foot injury is worse than originally reported. 2) Gallo--fought to stay on the active roster when he got injured in the home opener and likely doesn't want to go on the IL for a tight hammy. The Twins played him at first to save his legs and held him out today. 3) Kepler might be available Friday, which would provide too many left handed corner OFs. 

If Correa needs to go on IL, would the Twins consider bringing back Miranda? He's not hit at St. Paul, but there aren't many options left without going off the 40-man. 

We are about to face 9 right handed starters in a row.

What we have is too many right handed corner outfielders. 😉

If Correa goes on the DL? 

Uff Da

Well... Polanco and Gordon are already out. So... that was a cannonball rolling right through the infield.

And...we are facing 9 right handers in a row and what do we have to work with. Farmer, Solano, Julien and Castro. 

Miranda is the only option on the 40 man roster. Any other move requires surgery. 

Who do you drop? Gordon to the 60? 

Once you find a spot.

Severino is the only guy hitting the ball.

A SS instead of 3B? Helman and Martin are hurt. So... Perez? Soto? 

I know this is where a lot of people will call for Brooks Lee. 

Brooks doesn't have to be added to the 40 man until Dec 25. Do we really want to start his clock this early? 

It has to be Miranda. Poor Helman... this was probably his moment. 

Who goes off the 26 man... when Kepler returns? 

 

[Riverbrian]

OK... What do we have. Assuming no other injuries and we should never assume that. 

Lewis possibly returning on Monday? 

Correa possibly heading to the DL. 

That looks like a simple 26 man roster spot switch but we will have to get through the weekend. So we will need a rental. 

Lewis is coming off the 60 day so someone will have to go off the 40 man to accommodate. 

Who is that guy? 

 

Kepler coming back soon? 

Gallo... Who knows is current health status but he is still on the roster. 

That would be a simple roster spot switch but maybe Gallo doesn't need extended time off. 

Someone will have to go down to clear 26 man room for Kepler if Gallo is OK. 

 

The options are pretty limited. 

Gordon to the 60 to make room for Lewis on the 40. 

Weekend rental Miranda to the 26 -- Correa to the DL to make room for Miranda. Has to be Miranda otherwise we are dropping someone off the 40 man roster just for a potential short term rental with Lewis arriving on Monday.  

It should be Garlick that goes down for Kepler. Garlick would be a pylon on the bench with the string of right handers that are on the horizon. Maybe 2 or 3 pinch hit AB's in the next 9 games is the most we could expect and then they probably need to burn a defensive sub for Garlick if he hits. Castro would have to be held out of the lineup for that specific Garlick replacement duty. Toronto has one left hander in the pen (Mayza). Houston has 1 left hander in the pen (Long Man Mushinski). Cleveland has one lefty in the pen (Hentges... he's from Minnesota... he won't try hard because he wouldn't want to hurt us). Garlick will be a pylon. The Righthanders are coming and this platoon thing seems to be important to Rocco regardless of how everyone is hitting.  

Yes, sending Garlick down creates that Gallo, Kirilloff, Kepler, Wallner left handed thing. So they could send Wallner down for Kepler but keep in mind... Garlick will be gathering dust.      

Lewis comes up on Monday. Need to send someone down. This is where it should be Garlick if Wallner is sent down. I don't like the idea of calling up Miranda with an immediate expiration date. But if it's Garlick going down now you got that Farmer, Miranda, Lewis right handed thing.  

Julien should be safe until Polanco gets back because he is left handed and at least hitting a home run every 13 AB's.  

Whatever they do... I'll tell you this... They would have a much easier time figuring things out if Buxton could play some CF. Because the DH spot could be used for that left handed thing problem or that right handed thing problem.    

Although... I want to be clear... I don't personally think that the left handed or right handed thing are problems. WE NEED HITTERS. 

  

[stringer bell]

6 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

OK... What do we have. Assuming no other injuries and we should never assume that. 

Lewis possibly returning on Monday? 

Correa possibly heading to the DL. 

That looks like a simple 26 man roster spot switch but we will have to get through the weekend. So we will need a rental. 

Lewis is coming off the 60 day so someone will have to go off the 40 man to accommodate. 

Who is that guy? 

 

Kepler coming back soon? 

Gallo... Who knows is current health status but he is still on the roster. 

That would be a simple roster spot switch but maybe Gallo doesn't need extended time off. 

Someone will have to go down to clear 26 man room for Kepler if Gallo is OK. 

 

The options are pretty limited. 

Gordon to the 60 to make room for Lewis on the 40. 

Weekend rental Miranda to the 26 -- Correa to the DL to make room for Miranda. Has to be Miranda otherwise we are dropping someone off the 40 man roster just for a potential short term rental with Lewis arriving on Monday.  

It should be Garlick that goes down for Kepler. Garlick would be a pylon on the bench with the string of right handers that are on the horizon. Maybe 2 or 3 pinch hit AB's in the next 9 games is the most we could expect and then they probably need to burn a defensive sub for Garlick if he hits. Castro would have to be held out of the lineup for that specific Garlick replacement duty. Toronto has one left hander in the pen (Mayza). Houston has 1 left hander in the pen (Long Man Mushinski). Cleveland has one lefty in the pen (Hentges... he's from Minnesota... he won't try hard because he wouldn't want to hurt us). Garlick will be a pylon. The Righthanders are coming and this platoon thing seems to be important to Rocco regardless of how everyone is hitting.  

Yes, sending Garlick down creates that Gallo, Kirilloff, Kepler, Wallner left handed thing. So they could send Wallner down for Kepler but keep in mind... Garlick will be gathering dust.      

Lewis comes up on Monday. Need to send someone down. This is where it should be Garlick if Wallner is sent down. I don't like the idea of calling up Miranda with an immediate expiration date. But if it's Garlick going down now you got that Farmer, Miranda, Lewis right handed thing.  

Julien should be safe until Polanco gets back because he is left handed and at least hitting a home run every 13 AB's.  

Whatever they do... I'll tell you this... They would have a much easier time figuring things out if Buxton could play some CF. Because the DH spot could be used for that left handed thing problem or that right handed thing problem.    

Although... I want to be clear... I don't personally think that the left handed or right handed thing are problems. WE NEED HITTERS. 

  

That's a pretty accurate view of the roster comings and goings, noting that someone else will probably get nicked in the meantime. I think Correa's status is the most pivotal. If he is put on IL, he will miss his reunion visit in Houston, probably the only "away" park where he wouldn't be booed.  

A Gallo IL stint would allow easy activation for Kepler (easy in that no one would be demoted). Kepler's case is another one where a judgment call was made to place him on IL and now it has been two weeks and there is no certainty he'll be back on Friday. While I agree with Brian's take that Garlick will be spending lots of bench time, if Kepler is activated for the Blue Jays series (and Gallo isn't placed on IL), I think Wallner will be sent back to St. Paul. 

I think there are two options for transfer to the 60-day IL--Gordon and Alcala--so making a spot for Lewis shouldn't be too difficult. Making a spot on the active roster would probably be sending Miranda back, unless there is another injury. 

[Riverbrian]

1 hour ago, stringer bell said:

That's a pretty accurate view of the roster comings and goings, noting that someone else will probably get nicked in the meantime. I think Correa's status is the most pivotal. If he is put on IL, he will miss his reunion visit in Houston, probably the only "away" park where he wouldn't be booed.  

A Gallo IL stint would allow easy activation for Kepler (easy in that no one would be demoted). Kepler's case is another one where a judgment call was made to place him on IL and now it has been two weeks and there is no certainty he'll be back on Friday. While I agree with Brian's take that Garlick will be spending lots of bench time, if Kepler is activated for the Blue Jays series (and Gallo isn't placed on IL), I think Wallner will be sent back to St. Paul. 

I think there are two options for transfer to the 60-day IL--Gordon and Alcala--so making a spot for Lewis shouldn't be too difficult. Making a spot on the active roster would probably be sending Miranda back, unless there is another injury. 

Agreed... Although... I'll say it. 

Injuries have a tendency to paint yourself into a corner but this righty/lefty matchup thing is the factory that is making the paint and Byron Buxton at DH is buying the paint.   

 

[Riverbrian]

58 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

Agreed... Although... I'll say it. 

Injuries have a tendency to paint yourself into a corner but this righty/lefty matchup thing is the factory that is making the paint and Byron Buxton at DH is buying the paint.   

 

 Edit - Correction: Injuries are the factory making the paint. The Right//lefty matchup is buying the paint. Buxton at DH is painting yourself into a corner.

I had to get that straight... I didn't want anyone confused by it. 😎

[Azviking101]

On 4/25/2023 at 4:28 PM, Mike Sixel said:

They literally just replaced a guy, from depth. They have plenty of depth. The bullpen has been well above average this year 

Looks like I was right

[LA Vikes Fan]

Two keys for me. First, get Lewis up on May 29, especially if Correa needs 10-15 days for his foot. Second, do NOT demote Wallner; play him every day while we are facing RH starters. Let's see what these two guys can do and if they can be the necessary reinforcements this season. Let's find that out now so we have some intel before we hit trading season. How? Demote Garlick if Kepler is ready and keep Wallner. Promote Lewis if Correa or Gallo has to go on the Il.. If not, promote him Monday and demote/DFA Garlick (if Kepler is still out), Solano or Julien. If Polanco is ready, either Julien, Solano or or Castro goes - I would keep up Castro and DFA/demote Solano. Unlikely that there's much of a market for Solano at his age and he's a one year guy anyway.   

My overall point is let's find NOW if the MiLB/new guys we have can help us this year.  That's Lewis, Castro, Wallner, and Kirilloff. I don't think Julien is quite ready yet and his defense is just... not good. Keep the other 4 up at the expense of guys like Solano and Garlick, and move Kepler if you need to in order to create room. 

How do we create ABs? Here's an idea - play Buxton in LF, not CF, 3-4 of days a week to open up the DH spot. Less balls to LF, less injury risk. Have CF be mostly Castro, with Taylor doing what h we brought him here to do - play CF against LH pitching  and in late inning defensive situations. Gallo can DH to rest his hammy and Wallner can play RF or vice versa. We can get a preliminary read on Wallner over the next 10 days and we can get Lewis acclimated. Let's do it.