Prospective Twins Opening Day Roster--Pro Football Playoffs Edition

[stringer bell]

Pro football playoffs start tomorrow and thus far the Minnesota Twins have done next to nothing to improve their roster. They have added three right handed relief pitchers, none of whom are guaranteed to make the Opening Day roster, and added zero position players. Pitchers and catchers report in less than five weeks. While I am confident the Twins will make an acquisition or two, the most I can hope for is someone who makes tChe starting rotation and a capable right handed hitter. Here is my guess for an Opening Day roster with comments:

Pitchers: Starting rotation (5)--López, Ober, Ryan, Paddack, Varland. Bullpen (8)--Balazovic, Winder, Alcalá, Funderburk, Thielbar, Jax, Stewart, Durán. Comments: This is assuming health for all players. I expect Balazovic makes the team or is traded, either for a non-roster prospect or another out-of-options player. I picked Winder to go north mostly because he's had the most major league success of the candidates. I doubt Staumont will be both effective and healthy and Jensen is a lottery ticket. I think it is now or never for Alcalá as a Twin.

Catchers: (2)--Jeffers, Vázquez. Comment: Barring injury, this is the tandem. I guess there is still a chance that Vázquez is traded.

Infielders: (7)--Kirilloff*, Polanco, Julien, Correa, Lewis, Farmer. Miranda. Comment: Farmer is still likely traded before Opening Day. Without an acquisition of a right handed hitter, bounceback candidate Miranda makes the team as a platoon 1b with the ability to play third base. Polanco is still on the trade bloc, as well. 

Outfielders: (4)--Castro*, Kepler, Buxton, Wallner. Comment: The oft-injured Buxton is listed here as the center fielder. The Twins might still bring is an alternate like Michael A. Taylor, If the price is right, Kepler could be traded. 

*--Infielder who can play outfield or outfielder that can play infield.

This roster has no room for either Trevor Larnach or Nick Gordon, who IMHO are both major league talents. Injuries could well provide a roster spot for one or both. I also think a strong spring could move Austin Martin in front of Gordon, because he hits right handed and has more speed and would project to be a good on-base guy. Spring training will probably determine who is in the bullpen. If Staumont is truly healthy, he could be a really good pickup. Matt Canterino is a wild card. He could be a rotation candidate or temporary bullpen arm or he could be too rusty and spend the bulk of 2024 in the minors. Adding a starter is probably priority #1 for the Twins, which could move Varland to a bullpen role or to St. Paul. 

IMHO, this roster has much more depth on the position player side. If the Twins aren't going to sign a significant free agent, they probably will trade from position player excess to get more pitching. If Farmer is traded, Castro is the backup at short and third . If Polanco is traded, Julien is the regular at second, and one of Martin or Gordon probably is on the team as a backup second baseman and center fielder. I'm assuming good health for Kirilloff, as well. The Twins lack of activity in adding a first baseman seems to indicate they think a healthy AK will be ready for the season.