Could a Non-Roster Hitter Help the Twins Roster?

[Melissa]

I’m guessing that the photo of the Astros player at the top of the article is Goodrum? 

SO, once again ( and again) I ask the TD leadership to please, please add captions to photos, especially when they’re not the most well known and recognizable players.

does anyone here know how to send in suggestions like this to the TD staff? My repeated requests have never even been acknowledged.

[Doctor Wu]

9 hours ago, Melissa said:

I’m guessing that the photo of the Astros player at the top of the article is Goodrum? 

SO, once again ( and again) I ask the TD leadership to please, please add captions to photos, especially when they’re not the most well known and recognizable players.

does anyone here know how to send in suggestions like this to the TD staff? My repeated requests have never even been acknowledged.

I was also mystified by that photo. Why is this Astros player featured in the article. But yes, I think you are right: Goodrum was very briefly a member of that team, and nobody else mentioned in this article was with Houston (apart from Robbie Grossman, many years ago) so it must be him. But I agree: all of these articles really should have captions with the photos. Great site otherwise!

[Riverbrian]

Not sure why the list was limited to three.

Brooks Lee is a Non-Roster Invitee.

One or two of the NRI pitchers will probably be needed. 

Limiting the discussion to the list. 

Prato - .990 OPS over 299 AB's. Michael Helman was hurt but he showed power and speed while he produced ,902 OPS in 118 Plate Appearances with the Saints. Compare those numbers to Brooks Lee - .731 OPS over 168 PA's. If either Prato or Helman repeat those numbers this year... I don't know how you can justify keeping them out of Target field.  

Niko Goodrum has a career .816 OPS against left handers. I think the front office will consider that. 

 

 

[Trov]

None of these make the roster barring a 60 day DL stint of a position player.  Even then I find it unlikely that any of these will take that spot right away.  They will have to put in work at AAA before they get a spot on the 40 man. 

[DocBauer]

On 3/3/2024 at 8:08 AM, JD-TWINS said:

Where’s Martin in the mix…….he was the 13th guy 2 weeks ago on many TD generated rosters?

Sorry so late to respond, but kinda missed you here.

I agree that Martin is in the conversation for playing time in 2024. Maybe a lot! Though I don't believe he was necessarily the 13th man before the Margot trade. In fact, with a good spring, that spot MIGHT have been Larnach's to lose as a part time corner OF and DH.

But the OP itself is about NON ROSTER players who might make a difference. And Martin is on the 40 man already, getting time at St Paul after an abbreviated 2023, and just a call away.

[DocBauer]

15 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

Not sure why the list was limited to three.

Brooks Lee is a Non-Roster Invitee.

One or two of the NRI pitchers will probably be needed. 

Limiting the discussion to the list. 

Prato - .990 OPS over 299 AB's. Michael Helman was hurt but he showed power and speed while he produced ,902 OPS in 118 Plate Appearances with the Saints. Compare those numbers to Brooks Lee - .731 OPS over 168 PA's. If either Prato or Helman repeat those numbers this year... I don't know how you can justify keeping them out of Target field.  

Niko Goodrum has a career .816 OPS against left handers. I think the front office will consider that. 

 

 

OK, so my opinion is a chance to pick on Brian. 😜

Not REALLY, of course, just a chance to agree and ramble a bit.

As a 40 man roster, right NOW, Zack Weiss is really the only "easily removable" guy, even if he offers a little intrigue. And you're right that there are a couple of pen arms not listed here that might pay dividends at some point. Goodness knows we've seen the shuttle run at different times the past few years between St Paul and Target Field. And despite the depth that's been brought in, sometimes guys just don't perform. And we've also witnessed the DFA game where a guy is back at St Paul after the usual waiting period. Although, I have to say, there's enough "interesting" arms already on the 40 man...Funderburk and Alcala especially...that I'm not sure we're going to see the same kind of busy shuttle runs we've seen in the past, barring a rash of injuries or just awful performance.

Position player wise, the trade for Margot and lost opportunity due to injury in 2023, despite great production, has pushed Helman down a notch. Prato, not quite so much, but he's still MOSTLY an INF, and the depth there is pretty crazy good. With all due respect to him, Goodrum is probably a "break glass" option.

While the OP SHOULD have gone 5 deep and probably included Duarte and Henriquez as options, I've already commented on the 40 man depth regarding pitching depth as of NOW.

But, unfortunately, knock on wood as much as you want, injuries and crazy stuff just HAPPENS. I have a lot of faith in Castro. But what if suddenly reverts to his Detroit days, or gets hurt? IS Martin the guy you bring up? Or do you find room for a more versatile Helman, or maybe Prato, to fill that role? What if an OF gets hurt for 60 days? (Baseball gods forgive me for even suggesting that). It's just nice to know there's a handful of guys NOT on the 40 man who have enough talent to come up and fill a spot if needed with the ability to not embarrass themselves or hurt the club.

And I write all of that looking around for some solid hardwood to wrap my knuckles on until they hurt.

[Riverbrian]

8 hours ago, DocBauer said:

OK, so my opinion is a chance to pick on Brian. 😜

Not REALLY, of course, just a chance to agree and ramble a bit.

As a 40 man roster, right NOW, Zack Weiss is really the only "easily removable" guy, even if he offers a little intrigue. And you're right that there are a couple of pen arms not listed here that might pay dividends at some point. Goodness knows we've seen the shuttle run at different times the past few years between St Paul and Target Field. And despite the depth that's been brought in, sometimes guys just don't perform. And we've also witnessed the DFA game where a guy is back at St Paul after the usual waiting period. Although, I have to say, there's enough "interesting" arms already on the 40 man...Funderburk and Alcala especially...that I'm not sure we're going to see the same kind of busy shuttle runs we've seen in the past, barring a rash of injuries or just awful performance.

Position player wise, the trade for Margot and lost opportunity due to injury in 2023, despite great production, has pushed Helman down a notch. Prato, not quite so much, but he's still MOSTLY an INF, and the depth there is pretty crazy good. With all due respect to him, Goodrum is probably a "break glass" option.

While the OP SHOULD have gone 5 deep and probably included Duarte and Henriquez as options, I've already commented on the 40 man depth regarding pitching depth as of NOW.

But, unfortunately, knock on wood as much as you want, injuries and crazy stuff just HAPPENS. I have a lot of faith in Castro. But what if suddenly reverts to his Detroit days, or gets hurt? IS Martin the guy you bring up? Or do you find room for a more versatile Helman, or maybe Prato, to fill that role? What if an OF gets hurt for 60 days? (Baseball gods forgive me for even suggesting that). It's just nice to know there's a handful of guys NOT on the 40 man who have enough talent to come up and fill a spot if needed with the ability to not embarrass themselves or hurt the club.

And I write all of that looking around for some solid hardwood to wrap my knuckles on until they hurt.

The simple act of inclusion on the 40 man roster suggests that a pecking order has been established by the front office. Helman and Prato will most likely have to wait behind Miranda, Martin, Severino and Larnach. 

I think it could be argued that Prato was our best hitter in St. Paul last year? 

Prato was better in AAA than Martin, Severino and Larnach. Actually his numbers were better than Julien and Wallner in St. Paul. 

If Prato produces around .991 OPS again.

I think he will earn the right to budge ahead in the queue for a 26 man spot.