3 Roster Moves the Twins Need to Make Right Now

[1985Fan]

12 minutes ago, 90stwinskid said:

Then why not call up Culpepper and put Kreidler on the bench? Only thing you'd be missing is the LH platoon, but that doesn't seem very valuable considering the player batting LH. Baffling might be too strong a word, but I'd def say it's a head scratcher.

1.) It doesn’t look like KC is fully recovered from injury. 2.) As I’ve already stated, I don’t think it’s a good idea to throw a rookie into a starting role in a playoff chase. I think that’s too much pressure on a young player to perform AND spark the offense. 
I’ll look for KC and Jenkins if the wheels fall off the playoff chase or next year. The offense should come around if the pitching doesn’t immediately put them behind in every game. 

[chpettit19]

4 minutes ago, LA Vikes Fan said:

There you go. The Twins chose a path, they are trying to compete for the division title or a wild card spot in the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Many of us would have chosen a different path but that's the one they chose. Now make decisions based on that choice. Nothing is more of a "half measure" than choosing a lane and then not making moves that might make that lane successful. So let's quit worrying about what might happen if there is a substantial work stoppage in 2027. Let's not fear the risk of loss; let's focus on the possibility of gain. 

The only place you and I differ is that I think calling up Culpepper and maybe Jenkins could provide a spark and might help this team. It seems like you are a little less hopeful that will occur. Hey, you might be right; I certainly don't know enough to accurately predict what will happen. Having said that, I would call up Culpepper and Jenkins on 8/15, assuming they both continue to hit in AAA for the next 10 days, in place of Gray and Roden unless he all of a sudden one of them gets hot. If one of them does, then Jenkins comes up for the other. Keep Jackson for now, and his spot can be the spot you use to get Buxton on the roster. Buxton can join the roster for Gray if he's available before 8/15, but everything I read suggest he's going to be out at least two or three more weeks. All of this assumes that nobody else gets injured which is usually what happens to open up a spot. Let's all stop the handwringing and make some moves to see if this lane actually works. If it doesn't, at least we tried to make something happen rather than sitting around in limbo which is our usual state.

I won't be upset if they call them up. I don't think they're any sort of saviors at this point. I'd give Jenkins the better odds there than Culpepper. He hasn't looked great in the couple games I've watched him since he's returned (granted, super small sample size). 

I'm on the 8/15 train. All for calling them both up that day. Especially because I don't expect Kreidler or Roden to suddenly pick it up. Buxton is the X factor here. If he's back and Bell is hitting a little, they aren't going to put Jenkins in the OF to move Bell, Larnach, or Keaschall to the bench. Culpepper replacing Kreidler is a much more straight forward move. Or Jenkins replacing Roden if Buxton isn't back.

But I don't expect either to be some sort of savior from the jump. And them providing a spark or boost in energy is a nice though, but that's what the additions at the deadline were supposed to be. Hoffman was supposed to walk in and the guys were all supposed to go "we're in it now, boys! Strap in tight because we're going for a ride!" Didn't exactly have that effect yesterday. If they need rookies to provide a secondary boost 2 days after the deadline, I'm not sure I really buy this boost or spark hypothesis.

[howeda7]

32 minutes ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

Hamstringing from what.  Where is he holding us back.  Who are you calling up that is going to drastically make a difference in 15-20 at bats a month.  Jackson is a valuable asset in that he doesn't need constant reps because he isn't a young prospect and can still perform.  Granted I would have rather Jeffers not gotten injured and him to be called up after we were able to sneak him through waivers once.  The difference is at the beginning of the season there wasn't a big demand for legit catching options.  Right now there is still excess demand for catching.  

The cost to find someone equivalent is $3 -$7 million dollars on the free agent market or trade a top 20 prospect in the offseason.   Those are the options. We traded a 25-30th prospect this year for him, and he has now shown positive WAR in consecutive seasons.     

From having a functional bench. I like Jackson fine, but he also will cost $3-4 million in arbitration next year. So replacing him with a free-agent back-up catcher is likely a wash. 

[MapleGroveTwinsFan]

48 minutes ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

And as discussed Genao was already on their 40 man.   I really question whether people on this board even understand the potential implications.  

Prospects not currently on the 40 man,  if they are added and get a cup of coffee they will be unable to work with coaches in the offseason or play in the minor leagues next year if there is a lockout.   So players who have played a full season don't apply,  international prospects who were already on the 40 man don't apply.   

I am not saying we can't just say those risks are overblown, the players can work on their own in the offseason and the new CBA will likely get signed so have a mid to late April start date.   However you just can't ignore this issue either.  

I completely understand the consequences, my point was other teams called up up guys that are 21 and in a similar or same situation as the twins with 40 man spots and the upcoming lock out (when others said that doesn't happen) Doesn't matter if that was May, June, July, or August the outcome is the same no? Minus the rookie status and  I personally wouldn't call either up right now and blow their rookie status. But I would call them up the day that doesn't affect that. 

As for the risk of the CBA (which I agree is real) doesn't that have to be weighed against the risk of not knowing what they have and are forced to sign the next round of Bell, Gallo, Bader, France, Santana and on an on? 

The Twins seem to go into every year with unknowns at many positions, which requires them to sign older not so great players to cover those spots because they don't seem to give them a chance until it is the last resort.  

Is there one fielder that locked down a spot for this team in the last few years (minus the injured Buxton) or has it been shuffling the deck chairs with the same basic people with similar results? 

[howeda7]

3 minutes ago, MapleGroveTwinsFan said:

I completely understand the consequences, my point was other teams called up up guys that are 21 and in a similar or same situation as the twins with 40 man spots and the upcoming lock out (when others said that doesn't happen) Doesn't matter if that was May, June, July, or August the outcome is the same no? Minus the rookie status and  I personally wouldn't call either up right now and blow their rookie status. But I would call them up the day that doesn't affect that. 

As for the risk of the CBA (which I agree is real) doesn't that have to be weighed against the risk of not knowing what they have and are forced to sign the next round of Bell, Gallo, Bader, France, Santana and on an on? 

The Twins seem to go into every year with unknowns at many positions, which requires them to sign older not so great players to cover those spots because they don't seem to give them a chance until it is the last resort.  

Is there one fielder that locked down a spot for this team in the last few years (minus the injured Buxton) or has it been shuffling the deck chairs with the same basic people with similar results? 

This is a good point as well. I think we all expect Jenkins and Culpepper to be on the opening day  2027 roster and in the starting line-up. It would be nice to have seen them against ML pitching for a bit beforehand. 

[howeda7]

22 minutes ago, LA Vikes Fan said:

There you go. The Twins chose a path, they are trying to compete for the division title or a wild card spot in the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Many of us would have chosen a different path but that's the one they chose. Now make decisions based on that choice. Nothing is more of a "half measure" than choosing a lane and then not making moves that might make that lane successful. So let's quit worrying about what might happen if there is a substantial work stoppage in 2027. Let's not fear the risk of loss; let's focus on the possibility of gain. 

The only place you and I differ is that I think calling up Culpepper and maybe Jenkins could provide a spark and might help this team. It seems like you are a little less hopeful that will occur. Hey, you might be right; I certainly don't know enough to accurately predict what will happen. Having said that, I would call up Culpepper and Jenkins on 8/15, assuming they both continue to hit in AAA for the next 10 days, in place of Gray and Roden unless he all of a sudden one of them gets hot. If one of them does, then Jenkins comes up for the other. Keep Jackson for now, and his spot can be the spot you use to get Buxton on the roster. Buxton can join the roster for Gray if he's available before 8/15, but everything I read suggest he's going to be out at least two or three more weeks. All of this assumes that nobody else gets injured which is usually what happens to open up a spot. Let's all stop the handwringing and make some moves to see if this lane actually works. If it doesn't, at least we tried to make something happen rather than sitting around in limbo which is our usual state.

What's the significance of waiting until 8/15? They could be 6 games under .500 by then at the rate things are going.

[Edmond Dantes]

Nice article. I agree with all the suggestions. This should be Wallner's last chance, though. 

 

[chpettit19]

5 minutes ago, howeda7 said:

From having a functional bench. I like Jackson fine, but he also will cost $3-4 million in arbitration next year. So replacing him with a free-agent back-up catcher is likely a wash. 

What bench function are they missing by having him? 3 catchers are absolutely not ideal, but what could the Twins be doing differently with a different bench piece?

To stick to the moves suggested here, are these reasonable lineups?
Vs RHP
Larnach- LF
Jeffers- C
Bell- DH
Clemens- 2B
Lewis- 1B
Lee- 3B
Keaschall- RF
Jenkins- CF
Culpepper- SS
Bench- Wallner, Martin, Caratini, Kreidler

Vs LHP
Martin- LF
Jeffers- C
Lewis- 1B
Bell- DH
Clemens- 2B
Keaschall- RF
Lee- 3B
Jenkins- CF
Culpepper- SS
Bench- Wallner, Larnach, Caratini, Kreidler

Those are their current most used lineups against righties and lefties with Jenkins and Culpepper added.

What regular moves are they making with that team instead of having Jackson for Wallner? How often are you benching Bell, Jenkins, Larnach, or Keaschall for Wallner? When is Wallner playing? This assumes you don't plan on having Jenkins be a platoon player. But, even if you did, Wallner isn't playing against lefties, Kreidler is.

What is Jackson really stopping them from doing? Again, 3 catchers is not at all ideal. But what is he stopping that is so bad they should just DFA him and essentially guarantee he's claimed?

[howeda7]

6 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

What bench function are they missing by having him? 3 catchers are absolutely not ideal, but what could the Twins be doing differently with a different bench piece?

To stick to the moves suggested here, are these reasonable lineups?
Vs RHP
Larnach- LF
Jeffers- C
Bell- DH
Clemens- 2B
Lewis- 1B
Lee- 3B
Keaschall- RF
Jenkins- CF
Culpepper- SS
Bench- Wallner, Martin, Caratini, Kreidler

Vs LHP
Martin- LF
Jeffers- C
Lewis- 1B
Bell- DH
Clemens- 2B
Keaschall- RF
Lee- 3B
Jenkins- CF
Culpepper- SS
Bench- Wallner, Larnach, Caratini, Kreidler

Those are their current most used lineups against righties and lefties with Jenkins and Culpepper added.

What regular moves are they making with that team instead of having Jackson for Wallner? How often are you benching Bell, Jenkins, Larnach, or Keaschall for Wallner? When is Wallner playing? This assumes you don't plan on having Jenkins be a platoon player. But, even if you did, Wallner isn't playing against lefties, Kreidler is.

What is Jackson really stopping them from doing? Again, 3 catchers is not at all ideal. But what is he stopping that is so bad they should just DFA him and essentially guarantee he's claimed?

Once Buxtion is back, I'd like the line-up to be:

-Buxton CF

-Keashall RF

-Larnach DH

-Jeffers C

-Clemons 2B

-Lewis 1B

-Lee 3B

-Jenkins LF

-Culpepper SS

 

Bench: Kriedler, Martin, Caratini, Bell. 

 

 

[HarmonK03]

2 hours ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

I could say you are narrowly focused on this year for a game or two, and not next years team.  My entire premise of the trade deadline is this isn't a good enough team period to buy with.    If you want to cheaply do it fine - I wouldn't call what we did at the deadline cheap.   Although we only gave up 1 high upside arm - and 1 high ceiling/low floor international prospect.   

The issue is you have a short term horizon view and thats why you have the philosophy on dropping Jackson - and bringing up Jenkins and Culpepper.   There are downsides though.  What happens if Jeffers or Caratini gets hurt.  Who are you filling in his spot with?  We have no one else at the level of Jackson.  The issue with Jenkins and Culpepper is if there is a long lockout that can't continue to work out at the facilities or play in the minor league system until its resolved.   I don't know what the right answer but I do have concerns and My horizon goes out further than the next month or two like you.    

I am looking at both this year and the future.  There are always catchers available that can be signed to be the backup for this year if needed and during the offseason if Jackson is claimed.  He is not that irreplaceable.

The Twins are saying they are contenders, it that is so you bring somebody up that might help you win that game or two as that may make the difference in the playoffs or not.  They need to backup their talk with actions.

Bringing up Jenkins and Culpepper can help this year and also starts the learning curve for them this year instead of next year.  Other teams are not concerned about the potential lockout why are the Twins.

[chpettit19]

2 minutes ago, howeda7 said:

Once Buxtion is back, I'd like the line-up to be:

-Buxton CF

-Keashall RF

-Larnach DH

-Jeffers C

-Clemons 2B

-Lewis 1B

-Lee 3B

-Jenkins LF

-Culpepper SS

 

Bench: Kriedler, Martin, Caratini, Bell. 

 

 

When is Martin playing in this scenario? Assuming you aren't platooning Jenkins, Bell DHs for Larnach against lefties and Kreidler plays 2B for Clemens. Pinch running is a thought, but the sprint speed for Martin is 27.8 f/s (60th percentile) while the sprint speed for Jackson is 27.7 f/s (58th percentile). Martin would never be a defensive replacement. 

Are you ready to lose Jackson for .1 f/s sprint speed? I just don't think Jackson is actually blocking anything meaningful.

[HarmonK03]

1 hour ago, jorgenswest said:

Using slash stats in a sample short of beyond a full season to predict future slash stats is unwise. Roden has solid contact numbers. He has an above average xwOBA behind only Jeffers, Larnach and Buxton. It his 50 plate appearances he is taking good at bats and striking the ball well. Everything points to the next 50 being better.

You are forgetting about his stint with Toronto last year at the beginning of the season.  He was horrible and was sent down.  He may have missed his window, he is going to be 27 before next season, he is aging out of prospect territory.

[HarmonK03]

1 hour ago, TJSweens said:

Culpepper for Gray should be done immediately. Culpepper looks ready and Gray is as worthless as goose s*** on a pump handle. 

Since that frees Kreidler up to play CF, I would wait on Jenkins. Walker looks like he has a few things to iron out yet.

I can't get excited about the idea of Wallner coming back. As has been pointed out already, Wallner has a serious hole in his swing. Major league pitching exploits it in way that AAA pitchers cant.

Kriedler is not a CF and can not hit enough.  You would hold back Jenkins for Kriedler that makes no sense.

[chpettit19]

5 minutes ago, HarmonK03 said:

I am looking at both this year and the future.  There are always catchers available that can be signed to be the backup for this year if needed and during the offseason if Jackson is claimed.  He is not that irreplaceable.

The Twins are saying they are contenders, it that is so you bring somebody up that might help you win that game or two as that may make the difference in the playoffs or not.  They need to backup their talk with actions.

Bringing up Jenkins and Culpepper can help this year and also starts the learning curve for them this year instead of next year.  Other teams are not concerned about the potential lockout why are the Twins.

What is Jackson actually blocking? What are the lineups and bench situations you'd like to see, and when is everybody playing?

There aren't catchers available right now. It's why Ben Rordvedt returned an arm with MLB time under his belt already. If they were going to lose Jackson, they needed to trade him. Losing him for nothing 2 days later is awful roster management.

But my real question is, what is he actually blocking? I assume you aren't hoping Jenkins or Culpepper are platooned, so they're everyday guys. What is the bench role that Jackson is blocking?

[RpR]

2 minutes ago, HarmonK03 said:

Kriedler is not a CF and can not hit enough.  You would hold back Jenkins for Kriedler that makes no sense.

That is Your opinion, not what stats show.

[HarmonK03]

1 hour ago, bean5302 said:

Emma has to spend 90 days on the active roster to eliminate the 4th option year. 
3/9-5/5 = 57 days
7/28-8/30 = 33 days = 90 total

He's not getting a 4th option unless he goes back on the 60 day IL soon.

He is still on rehab, so he is not on the active roster yet.

[HarmonK03]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

Having Jackson on the roster lets them pinch hit with Jeffers or Caratini every single game. They should be using that roster move more often.

Caratini has fallen off the cliff hitting and is not a viable pinch hitter, so that option should be taken off the table.

[strumdatjag]

3 hours ago, laloesch said:

That's why they haven't been promoted yet.  I can understand the Twins perspective on that, but still it's frustrating.  And to be completely fair both Culpepper and Jenkins have missed significant time this season.  I think the Twins don't start the clock on either one of them this season which stinks because us fans want to see them.

Someone asked me whether this is true about service time.  I have just seen this idea posted here and presumed it’s true.  
I have not looked at the rules myself (that would be a real snoozer!). 

[Patzky]

37 minutes ago, MapleGroveTwinsFan said:

I completely understand the consequences, my point was other teams called up up guys that are 21 and in a similar or same situation as the twins with 40 man spots and the upcoming lock out (when others said that doesn't happen) Doesn't matter if that was May, June, July, or August the outcome is the same no? Minus the rookie status and  I personally wouldn't call either up right now and blow their rookie status. But I would call them up the day that doesn't affect that. 

As for the risk of the CBA (which I agree is real) doesn't that have to be weighed against the risk of not knowing what they have and are forced to sign the next round of Bell, Gallo, Bader, France, Santana and on an on? 

The Twins seem to go into every year with unknowns at many positions, which requires them to sign older not so great players to cover those spots because they don't seem to give them a chance until it is the last resort.  

Is there one fielder that locked down a spot for this team in the last few years (minus the injured Buxton) or has it been shuffling the deck chairs with the same basic people with similar results? 

That Correa dude.. guess a locked down spot is reserved for the big stars.

[HarmonK03]

9 minutes ago, RpR said:

That is Your opinion, not what stats show.

He can stand out there, but we nearly had one collision a game with him there, he was not taking charge.  And his bat is not good enough to be a regular.

[HarmonK03]

54 minutes ago, 1985Fan said:

1.) It doesn’t look like KC is fully recovered from injury. 2.) As I’ve already stated, I don’t think it’s a good idea to throw a rookie into a starting role in a playoff chase. I think that’s too much pressure on a young player to perform AND spark the offense. 
I’ll look for KC and Jenkins if the wheels fall off the playoff chase or next year. The offense should come around if the pitching doesn’t immediately put them behind in every game. 

Two doubles today and a triple last night with 4 runs scored and 2 RBI's doesn't sound like he is still recovering.

[Patzky]

Still no lineup posted and the Royals have had theirs up for hours .. hoping praying refreshing..

[chpettit19]

2 minutes ago, Patzky said:

Still no lineup posted and the Royals have had theirs up for hours .. hoping praying refreshing..

Does this mean you're hoping and praying for these moves today? The Saints are playing as we speak and Culpepper and Jenkins are both playing. These moves aren't happening today.