Twins Minor League Report (8/15): With System Surging, Another Monster Lurks in the Dominican

[DJL44]

11 minutes ago, Dman said:

I don't see the Twins adding them especially with the 40 man as tight as it is.

I see several players on the 40 man who I am not sure are worth keeping (Canterino, Winder, Duarte, Dobnak, Severino, Kirilloff, Okert after his arbitration raise) and more who will be gone as free agents (DeSclafani, Richards, Margot, Farmer, Santana, Kepler, Thielbar). I count 16 pitchers and 14 position players as must-keeps. That leaves 10 spots to decide who is worth keeping in the long run.

[Dman]

44 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

I see several players on the 40 man who I am not sure are worth keeping (Canterino, Winder, Duarte, Dobnak, Severino, Kirilloff, Okert after his arbitration raise) and more who will be gone as free agents (DeSclafani, Richards, Margot, Farmer, Santana, Kepler, Thielbar). I count 16 pitchers and 14 position players as must-keeps. That leaves 10 spots to decide who is worth keeping in the long run.

I agree Richards, Margot, Farmer, and, Kepler are gone at the end of the year.  Not quite as sure about Santana but if they are keeping Kiriloff and they want a place for Jullien then I guess they let him walk. He also might cost more next year given the season he is having. Have to wait and see on that one IMO.

Duarte, DeSclafani aren't really on the 40 man right now (60 day IL) and likely won't be added back on.  Stewart and Topa are on the 60 day IL and will need to be added at the end of the season. so that's two more spots that will be filled at the end of the season.

If they were going to take Canterino off the 40 man I think they would have done it by now. They haven't so I assume they give him one more year to see where his arm is at.  Kiriloff is a tough one.  No idea what they will do but I assume if there is room they will keep him on the 40 man.  Same with Winder.  While he hasn't been that good this year he just started having some success at the MLB level. He's close so they might want to keep him.

Dobnak will end up going through waivers and they will take him off the 40 man at the end of the year if not sooner to save a spot.

Severino still has a good bat and it's better than anyone they would need to protect in Rule V he isn't going anywhere.

I am hoping they can trade Okert for something, but I don't know if they can.  I think his spot is in danger but again it depends on how tight the 40 man gets. For as bad as Okerts are they are better than Funderburks and Thielbars so there's that. The Twins don't really have an elite Lefty so don't count Okert out just yet. 

Thielbar is finally starting to look his age and while still serviceable with his injuries being more frequent and his level of play more variable I think they might cut the cord, but we'll see.  I know they really like him.  They might want to hang onto him and see how he looks this spring.

I don't think the Twins likely see the same level of space that you do.

 

 

 

[DJL44]

8 hours ago, Dman said:

If they were going to take Canterino off the 40 man I think they would have done it by now. They haven't so I assume they give him one more year to see where his arm is at.  Kiriloff is a tough one.  No idea what they will do but I assume if there is room they will keep him on the 40 man.  Same with Winder.  While he hasn't been that good this year he just started having some success at the MLB level. He's close so they might want to keep him.

Severino still has a good bat and it's better than anyone they would need to protect in Rule V he isn't going anywhere.

I am hoping they can trade Okert for something, but I don't know if they can.  I think his spot is in danger but again it depends on how tight the 40 man gets. For as bad as Okerts are they are better than Funderburks and Thielbars so there's that. The Twins don't really have an elite Lefty so don't count Okert out just yet. 

Thielbar is finally starting to look his age and while still serviceable with his injuries being more frequent and his level of play more variable I think they might cut the cord, but we'll see.  I know they really like him.  They might want to hang onto him and see how he looks this spring.

40 man roster spots are finite. If they decide they like Canterino, a pitcher who never pitches because he is chronically injured, instead of keeping MacLeod or Adams that is the decision they will need to make. I would rather have the pitcher who actually pitches in games over the one who only throws in rehab sessions. If they keep Canterino over MacLeod or Adams then their talent evaluators believe that neither pitcher has a future in MLB.

If they decide they like the long-term potential of Severino (who is blocked in MLB) over Olivar (a catcher, a position where they have no depth) that is another decision. For that matter they will need to compare Severino to the near-term value of Holland or Keirsey who both outplayed him in AAA. I assume they shopped Severino at the trade deadline to see what they could get. It is telling if no other organization will offer anything good in return for your prospect.

Thielbar shouldn't get more than a minor league deal. He's having a bad season and turning 38 isn't going to make it better. Okert should probably get traded for cash or an A-ball prospect. The Twins need to upgrade their LH relievers, not stick with this underperforming group for another season.

[Doctor Wu]

On 8/17/2024 at 12:37 AM, Tom Froemming said:

I added that after seeing the initial feedback. I also relayed the request to include names going forward to the editing staff.

Thanks for following up on that, Tom!