Waiting on November 18

[Riverbrian]

I won't make suggestions because I am not qualified to determine who the Twins will need to protect from Rule 5 on November 18. 

Just saying... it's a big day. The decision made on this day will determine exactly how many 40 man spaces are available for additions. Therefore determining how many players they NEED to trade. 

I could be way off but in my opinion... there are quite a few names who should be taken off the 40 man roster to create space.

Before you get into the debatable names to remove. There are the no doubters.

McCusker - They didn't utilize him last year... Don't know why they would utilize him last year. 

Miranda - Out of options... I can't see them giving him a 26 man spot to keep him after last seasons performance in St. Paul. 

Misiewicz - If building an entire bullpen requires his presence. We got problems. Age 30 and 16 professional innings in the past 3 years. 

Hatch - I think he has potential even at his age. He actually threw fairly decently for Shelton in Pittsburgh... But... a low strikeout guy in the bullpen isn't where my hopes and dreams lie in this new bullpen so I think he is guy you let go. 

Fitzgerald - I like him. He certainly didn't hurt the team in limited opportunity last year but, the club didn't really consider him for lineup duty so why would they consider him going forward. His presence on the roster isn't required.

Keirsay - This team does not need a specialist. This team needs special players. Holding a 40 man spot for someone utilized as a defensive replacement or pinch runner would be disgustingly misguided. Quit trying to Frankenstein a team together. Commit to youth and talent. Utilization has already shown the world that they don't belive in Keirsay's abilility.   

Kriedler - Yeah they signed him. Doesn't mean he should keep his 40 man spot. He is not the future for the MInnesota Twins. 

Then you get into the debateable names like:

Gasper - I know most of us would say goodbye. I know most of us don't like his catching skill. However... I assume that they are working on his recieving skils. Catching is a problem and that catching problem might keep him on the 40 man at least temporarily. 

Outman - I think he's a lock for a 26 man spot for the simple reason that they traded for him. I know that most of us have our finger on the eject button but I think we have to get used to the idea that he will be reporting to major league duty out of spring training. 

Larnach - I know others are willing to debate this but it's not a debate for me at all. I don't even think twice... He keeps his 40 man and 26 man spot until players start to show that they can out hit him. They can reassess the OF/DH situation after this year. For now... He is one of 5 hitters on this current roster that have actually out hit the average MLB player and I think one of those 5 (Jeffers) should be a strong trade consideration so he could be one of 4 players left. 

Tonkin and Cabrera - I don't know... I just don't know. We have nearly an entire bullpen to rebuild. How many can you toss a side. My instinct is to toss them because they should be easily replaceable. 

Laweryson and Ohl and Adams - Young players with potential. I'd ride these guys over Tonkin and Cabrera. Would anybody scoop them up if they were sent into the wind? I don't know. 

Pareda - Who is he? Does he matter? Right now... I'd say... Yeah he matters since he is currently #2 on the depth chart. Until you find a sensible replacement catcher for a 40 and 26 man spot. Can they just send him packing? 

Julien - Out of options? I believe so. He will need a 26 man spot or you just let him go. If you give him a 26 man spot. That will either bounce Clemens off the roster or mean a full commitment to Julien as the 1B and trying to acquire someone with a more potential. I still believe the guy can hit but rolling with him at the 1B spot is a dangerous without a net move.  

Anyway... November 18th is a big day and it will provide clues on how the rest of the off-season goes. 

[Cory Engelhardt]

Of the players you mentioned, the only 2 I think can still be on the 40 man are Pareda (they don't have other catchers ready on the mlb roster, and he can be solid depth at St. Paul) and Ryan Kreidler. I think Kreidler sticks as well for a couple of reasons. Those reasons are mostly me reading tea leaves, but...

1) Played in Detroit's system and did make his debut in Pittsburgh this year. Shelton certainly knows him.

2) Riley Greene, Detroit left fielder, is quoted as saying that Kreidler was one of the best ss's Greene had ever played with during his baseball career. His bat has mostly stunk so far, but if he does have the ability to be a backup SS defensively, then I think he has a spot here.

 

Generally, I think they'd work hard to also bring Ryan Fitzgerald back as a minor league free agent. 

[lecroy24fan]

Well Lawyerson is gone now so there is one open spot.

[stringer bell]

I agree that we will have a much clearer view of the team's immediate future on 11/18, although I think a lot will happen between then and Opening Day. @Riverbrian named all six of the guys who were DFA'd with only one being claimed, but there will be more to come I'm sure.

I predict the Twins will claim somebody, most likely someone almost all of us have never heard of. An example of such a player is Dom Nunez, who had seven at-bats with Cleveland last year. He is a catcher who hits left-handed and if he's a good defender, he would check a lot of boxes for the Twins needs as a backup catcher where an opportunity surely exists. 

 

 

[Riverbrian]

11 hours ago, stringer bell said:

 

An example of such a player is Dom Nunez, who had seven at-bats with Cleveland last year. He is a catcher who hits left-handed and if he's a good defender, he would check a lot of boxes for the Twins needs as a backup catcher where an opportunity surely exists. 

 

 

I've read that Nunez is a solid receiver. He certainly hasn't shown he can hit. I would be Ok if they staffed the catching position with DFA's like Nunez so they can concentrate on... commit limited resources to... other positions.