Roster Crunch? Who stays, who goes?

[Vanimal46]

 

[Vanimal46]

2 guys in the pen now that can go multiple innings for sure. I like the move so Alcala can reset himself in AAA. He’s been very spotty with the command. 

[TwinsDr2021]

2 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

2 guys in the pen now that can go multiple innings for sure. I like the move so Alcala can reset himself in AAA. He’s been very spotty with the command. 

and that is why I was calling for Ober to be the long man and Alcala in AAA. Oh well, Ober must have done something real bad to be passed over again.

[stringer bell]

Good for Farmer. Nasty cut on his lip there, but it looks like he should be able to eat somewhat solid food. I presume Castro would be the choice if Farmer is back.

SWR and Polanco back on the big league team, with Julien and Alcala sent to St. Paul. I'm surprised it is Woods Richardson and I'm wondering about his role. He could be the designated long man and if not used in that role, he could start on Sunday. Or maybe Ober or Varland will start on Sunday regardless. Woods Richardson hasn't been effective at St. Paul.

There's no place for Julien right now and even a couple more days at Triple A move his service time down below a year so that the Twins would have six more years of team control. Alcala's pitches are up and velocity is down, and I wonder if he'll end up on IL instead of St. Paul's roster. Two weeks in the minors gives the Twins another year of team control on Alcala as well.

[Cory Engelhardt]

7 minutes ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

and that is why I was calling for Ober to be the long man and Alcala in AAA. Oh well, Ober must have done something real bad to be passed over again.

Ober's most likely going to start on Sunday. That would be his regular turn, and so far the listed starter for Sunday is tbd.

[Squirrel]

9 minutes ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

and that is why I was calling for Ober to be the long man and Alcala in AAA. Oh well, Ober must have done something real bad to be passed over again.

Ober will be up to START not be in the pen. They have an open spot Sunday, and I'm guessing he comes up? And either Maeda to the IL or Headrick down

[stringer bell]

1 minute ago, Squirrel said:

Ober will be up to START not be in the pen. They have an open spot Sunday, and I'm guessing he comes up? And either Maeda to the IL or Headrick down

Or maybe SWR? I don't think the Twins want to lock Woods Richardson in the long man role long term. Right now, since no one has gone on IL, they can't bring back Sands and there are no multi-inning guys on the 40-man. Headrick probably isn't ready to pitch tonight, so they need someone to fill that long role. 

[chpettit19]

1 minute ago, stringer bell said:

Or maybe SWR? I don't think the Twins want to lock Woods Richardson in the long man role long term. Right now, since no one has gone on IL, they can't bring back Sands and there are no multi-inning guys on the 40-man. Headrick probably isn't ready to pitch tonight, so they need someone to fill that long role. 

I don't think they'd swap out Alcala for SWR today if they're expecting SWR to start Sunday. Would be wasting a roster spot for 2 days for no reason. I'd think they'd bring up a "real" reliever and not a guy who they won't use for 2 days.

[stringer bell]

5 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

I don't think they'd swap out Alcala for SWR today if they're expecting SWR to start Sunday. Would be wasting a roster spot for 2 days for no reason. I'd think they'd bring up a "real" reliever and not a guy who they won't use for 2 days.

My original thought was that SWR would be the long man today and tomorrow and if not used in that role, he could start on Sunday. Others are commenting that it will be Ober's day to pitch on Sunday and that he would start then. On reflection, that makes sense. Also, on reflection, the choices on the 40-man roster to be a long man are really limited and Richardson would be available to go long until Headrick is ready to pitch. 

[chpettit19]

1 minute ago, stringer bell said:

My original thought was that SWR would be the long man today and tomorrow and if not used in that role, he could start on Sunday. Others are commenting that it will be Ober's day to pitch on Sunday and that he would start then. On reflection, that makes sense. Also, on reflection, the choices on the 40-man roster to be a long man are really limited and Richardson would be available to go long until Headrick is ready to pitch. 

That's kind of my guess is that SWR is long man insurance until Sands can come back (I've lost track of what day that is) or Headrick is ready to go again.

[stringer bell]

Polanco is back in the lineup, but Kepler is hitting leadoff tonight. It might be tough to hit tonight with the temperature a toasty 36 degrees at game time and an 11 mph wind. I still think the Twins manage five or more runs while Mahle gives them six good innings. My prediction 7-3 Twins.

[LA VIkes Fan]

SWR is probably in only as an emergency long man or for mop up innings since today was his day to start in St. Paul. My guess is that he goes down for Sunday's starter, probably Ober. 

Having Julien up was fun but he seemed a bit overmatched. It's probably good for him to get a taste of MLB life, and then go and work on some things at AAA. He'll be back before the season is over absent perfect health on the MLB side. 

[ashbury]

Farmer looking badass in that video.  I guess he's thinking, "hell NO, Castro, you can't just have my job."

[DJL44]

16 hours ago, Squirrel said:

Sounds like Kyle Farmer will be back soon, too ... for Castro?

I read he needs four root canals next week so probably a little while longer.

[Squirrel]

5 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

I read he needs four root canals next week so probably a little while longer.

Yeah, I read that, too, the next day after I posted his message above. I can’t even get past one, let a,one four

[Irishman]

17 hours ago, stringer bell said:

Surprised about SWR. Not shocked that one of Alcala, Moran or Pagan was sent down or DFA. 

Why was Pagan not sent down?   IMO Pagan is terrible reliever.  I am not fond of Pagan at all.  That one baffles me most.  Twins shouldn't have sent E. Julien down.  

[wabene]

17 hours ago, Squirrel said:

Sounds like Kyle Farmer will be back soon, too ... for Castro?

 

 

Ok now I'm on the Kyle Farmer bandwagon big-time. 

[stringer bell]

9 minutes ago, Irishman said:

Why was Pagan not sent down?   IMO Pagan is terrible reliever.  I am not fond of Pagan at all.  That one baffles me most.  Twins shouldn't have sent E. Julien down.  

Pagan--yes please, DFA him (he can't be "sent down"). On top of removing a totally unreliable reliever, a DFA for Pagan would open another 40-man roster spot.

Julien--No place for the guy to play. Buxton is DHing for at least the next ten days and probably longer. Polanco is the second baseman. 

[stringer bell]

A few days ago I was defending Miranda in this thread. My patience is now officially being tested. Could the Twins send Miranda down when Farmer is ready and roll with Castro, Farmer, Solano as 3B and utility options?

[wabene]

Agreed ^^ Miranda needs a reset. 

[Craig Arko]

6 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

A few days ago I was defending Miranda in this thread. My patience is now officially being tested. Could the Twins send Miranda down when Farmer is ready and roll with Castro, Farmer, Solano as 3B and utility options?

I would guess Castro is optioned when Kiriloff is activated, and either Miranda is optioned or Gorden DFA’d when Farmer returns.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I sometimes mention load management for guys like Taylor and Miranda. It’s not an entirely joking question. Miranda’s 9th inning result last night was unfortunate but it was just one at bat. I would not option him but it sure looks like he needs a day off or some time at DH. 

[chpettit19]

From everything I've read about Miranda's development, swing decisions has always been what holds him back. That 9th inning swing decision was terrible. Guy is struggling to find the plate and you swing at a first pitch fastball off the plate on your hands? 

I also don't remember him swinging so hard as often last year. He's swung himself to his knee multiple times already this year. I don't know that he has to go to AAA, but he does need a reset of some sort. He's had a few games where he's driving the ball to right center like last year, but then you get games like last night where he's flying open, swinging out of his shoes, and either missing or just topping it to 3rd. They've dropped him down to 7th in the lineup today so maybe that gives him the chance to settle down and get back to his old self where he's using the whole field.

[FlyingFinn]

1 hour ago, stringer bell said:

Could the Twins send Miranda down when Farmer is ready and roll with Castro, Farmer, Solano as 3B and utility options?

I don't think he is striking out that much. But he is not a guy that you want hitting ground balls all over the place. That is what he is doing rather than elevating the ball. With his lack of speed, this is turning into way too many double plays. Sounds like Farmer is having a bunch of root canals done. Between now and when Farmer is ready we'll see if Miranda can find that power stroke again. Is that spring training shoulder issue affecting his hitting instead of fielding, probably not?

[ashbury]

21 hours ago, stringer bell said:

Good for Farmer. Nasty cut on his lip there, but it looks like he should be able to eat somewhat solid food.

That's my concern.  If he's lost much weight, and my guess is he has, then he's going to need time like it was spring training all over again, to get into game shape.  He seems to be a tough guy but self-discipline will only carry an athlete so far.  A 60-day IL stint still seems like it's not out of the question after a beaning like that.

Now watch him prove me wrong and start playing again on May 2.

[jorgenswest]

Without off days and entering the Yankee series I don’t think they can afford to push back Maeda’s start. They should IL him and go with Ober until Maeda can come back. They will need that additional arm from St. Paul.

[Jocko87]

On 4/22/2023 at 12:42 PM, ashbury said:

That's my concern.  If he's lost much weight, and my guess is he has, then he's going to need time like it was spring training all over again, to get into game shape.  He seems to be a tough guy but self-discipline will only carry an athlete so far.  A 60-day IL stint still seems like it's not out of the question after a beaning like that.

Now watch him prove me wrong and start playing again on May 2.

I'd have to think a rehab assignment would be warranted at a minimum.  Maybe he can feel comfortable in simulated ABs but I'd hate to take my first swings back in the big leagues after that.  That could get close to 60 days total and give a lot of flexibility on the rest of the roster.  I have to assume that within a month he will be ready to play somewhere.

For the overall roster the crunch is about to get real if Kirillof keeps hitting.  Farmers absence eases it a bit but we start running into skillset issues as all the lefty corner bats are looking healthy.  I would assume Castro for Kiriloff but after that it might be time for a tough decision on Gordon. 

I have a tough time keeping up with which long reliever/spot starter is up as I don't much care.  Ober, Varland, SWR, Headrick, Winder and a bunch of bullpen names are on auto-rotate based on pitch counts etc. and I don't look at that as a roster crunch per se.  We are a few root canals away from a real roster crunch where someone looses a job of the hitter side. 

[stringer bell]

Kenta Maeda is apparently good to go for his next start. With that news, the Twins can send Bailey Ober back to St. Paul and add another bullpen arm. However, their choices are limited. Due to the 15-day time limit on an option, Alcala, Woods Richardson, Varland and Sands are not eligible to be recalled at this point. That leaves only two active pitchers in the minors, Jordan Balazovic and Trevor Megill, who can be recalled and are on the 40-man roster. Josh Winder has more than a week remaining in his allotted rehab time, but he could be recalled as well, however he pitched three innings yesterday at St. Paul. 

The other move the Twins could make would be to clear a 40-man space and recall someone not on the 40-man roster. Sands and Megill would be candidates to be removed from the 40-man and Ronnie Henriquez still isn't pitching and could possibly be moved to the 60-day IL. 

[stringer bell]

With the encouraging news about Alex Kirilloff, a topic that has been talked about off and on is back on. The Twins appear to have four left handed hitting players to man three positions--first base and the two corner outfield positions. Kirilloff and Joey Gallo can play first base and both corners, Trevor Larnach can play both corners and Max Kepler has settled in as a right fielder. Kirilloff and Larnach have options. Gallo and Kepler are both on the last guaranteed year of contracts. So far, Kepler has hit poorly, Larnach has hit better than Kepler and Gallo has done well, while Kirilloff is rehabbing in the minors and hitting very well. What should the Twins do? And what do you think they actually will do?

[Riverbrian]

21 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

With the encouraging news about Alex Kirilloff, a topic that has been talked about off and on is back on. The Twins appear to have four left handed hitting players to man three positions--first base and the two corner outfield positions. Kirilloff and Joey Gallo can play first base and both corners, Trevor Larnach can play both corners and Max Kepler has settled in as a right fielder. Kirilloff and Larnach have options. Gallo and Kepler are both on the last guaranteed year of contracts. So far, Kepler has hit poorly, Larnach has hit better than Kepler and Gallo has done well, while Kirilloff is rehabbing in the minors and hitting very well. What should the Twins do? And what do you think they actually will do?

What they should do?

They should call KIrilloff up to the big club to see if he can help jump start the offense. Somebody will get hurt and placed on the DL... I don't know who will get hurt. 

If nobody is injured. Send Castro down to AAA. 

What will they actually do? 

Someone (don't know who) will tweak something and Kirilloff will take his 26 man roster. 

If nobody is injured. I think they will stash Kirilloff in AAA until someone is injured.