3 Roster Moves the Twins Need to Make Right Now

[Mike Sixel]

17 minutes ago, darin617 said:

So what would .270 in the minors equal to in the majors? .200 or so. 

I would like to see them hitting at least .300 and playing every day.

.300? Wow.

[Mike Sixel]

11 minutes ago, Dave Lemke said:

Maybe he comes up and struggles and they send him back down. Maybe he gets hurt. Lots of things can happen. Biggest thing is he was already on 40 man. Jenkins and Culpepper are not.

 

 

But none of those are the plan. But yes, he's on the forty man, and I can only acknowledge that 100 times before it seems unnecessary to keep doing it. 

[Dave Lemke]

Lets talk about that 40 mam roster.  Currently its full. Are there some easdrops? Sure. Depending on your thoughts of players. I would say Rashi, Go and Gray would be the easiest. Unless a shortstop gets hurt, then he is the only shortstop on 40 man. Possibilities, depending on how much you like them would be Acton, Adams, Orze, Fedko. You could also drop Anderson, Roden or Wallner but my opinion is they wouldnt make it through waivers so you would lose them for nothing. So lets say they drop everyone but the last 3 off roster. That opens 7 spots and gives you 33 on 40 man. Now people want to add Jenkins and Culpepper. Gives you 35. Lets just speculate they either make playoffs and get eliminated in first round or even miss playoffs if that is your preference! 7 days after world series they need to add players on 60 day DL back to roster. That would be Lopez, Festa, Banda, Abel and Sands for sure. Paredes I could go either way on. That gets you back to 40. Jeffers and Minter would be free agents to get you back to 38. Now I would guess there are some prospects that need to be added to keep them out of Rule 5 draft. Also possibly some free agents to sign and you have 2 spots to do both of those thing with. Now if you would like to argue, go ahead! But at least detail who you cut from 40 man now and through the offseason to stay 40 man compliant. Jenkins and Culpepper won't need to be added until end of spring training 2027 if they make roster next spring. Go ahead and tell me the moves you would make. Include names, its not as easy as it looks to add them now!

 

[Mike Sixel]

2 minutes ago, Dave Lemke said:

Lets talk about that 40 mam roster.  Currently its full. Are there some easdrops? Sure. Depending on your thoughts of players. I would say Rashi, Go and Gray would be the easiest. Unless a shortstop gets hurt, then he is the only shortstop on 40 man. Possibilities, depending on how much you like them would be Acton, Adams, Orze, Fedko. You could also drop Anderson, Roden or Wallner but my opinion is they wouldnt make it through waivers so you would lose them for nothing. So lets say they drop everyone but the last 3 off roster. That opens 7 spots and gives you 33 on 40 man. Now people want to add Jenkins and Culpepper. Gives you 35. Lets just speculate they either make playoffs and get eliminated in first round or even miss playoffs if that is your preference! 7 days after world series they need to add players on 60 day DL back to roster. That would be Lopez, Festa, Banda, Abel and Sands for sure. Paredes I could go either way on. That gets you back to 40. Jeffers and Minter would be free agents to get you back to 38. Now I would guess there are some prospects that need to be added to keep them out of Rule 5 draft. Also possibly some free agents to sign and you have 2 spots to do both of those thing with. Now if you would like to argue, go ahead! But at least detail who you cut from 40 man now and through the offseason to stay 40 man compliant. Jenkins and Culpepper won't need to be added until end of spring training 2027 if they make roster next spring. Go ahead and tell me the moves you would make. Include names, its not as easy as it looks to add them now!

 

You expect people, in every post they make, to lay out their plan for the off-season? 

[Danchat]

15 minutes ago, Dave Lemke said:

Lets talk about that 40 mam roster.  Currently its full.

Y'know, I happened to be looking through the Twins Fangraphs Depth Chart earlier today wondering which prospects would need to be protected for the Rule 5 draft... I couldn't find a single one that I'd call a lock, which for most years is rare. The only ones I can see a real argument for is Yasser Mercedes and Sam Armstrong. Mercedes is only going to be 22 next year and hasn't crushed A+, I could see Armstrong being the only new addition to the 40 man.

16 minutes ago, Dave Lemke said:

Possibilities, depending on how much you like them would be Acton, Adams, Orze, Fedko.

Fedko, Acton, and Orze are easy DFA's. Fedko might not play next year if he did have an ACL tear, Orze will be out of options and there's no need to keep him around, Acton is just a guy. I'd hang onto Adams as he's shown some upside.

Conclusion, they have plenty of room to add to the 40 man roster.

[dxpavelka]

11 hours ago, strumdatjag said:

Culpepper and Jenkins would then accumulate service time throughout all the lost part of the 2027 season (list time due to labor strife in negotiations of the new CBA).   Bad idea.   

Good point.  Never a good idea to have good players in the lineup.

[mnfireman]

Everybody else called up their shiny, new toys (CLE, NYY, DET)....let's just do it

[mnfireman]

DFA Gray, 60 day IL Fedko. Add Culpepper and Jenkins and the Twins win the WS. Mark it down - 8/5/26, 2249 hrs

[Bangkok Twins Fan]

19 hours ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

Is Jackson the reason the Twins lost yesterday?   No.   If you can get Ryan back to his early season form,  find another elite starting pitcher to pair with Bradley and Ryan -  Get 4-5 hitters to get on a heater and the bullpen to all meld together and those 15-20 at bats that a different bench bat would be the difference in a world series so be it.  Otherwise we will be paying 3+ million or another 20th+ prospect to get another catcher like Jackson.   

I think the Twins need to keep Jackson, not only  because his production has been good this season, but also because we are one injury away from another catching crisis. I think he's a valuable backup, and one that COULD be a starter if needed. 

[DJL44]

9 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

It's a consideration. None of us know if it's a legitimate consideration... a large one or a small one. It's a consideration. How much weight do you place on CBA outcomes. It's a consideration.. This decision isn't a singular consideration. There are a bunch of considerations. 

A decision to purchase his contract 16 Months before R5 Status in December 27 is a big decision. To potentially have him free agent eligible at age 27 is a big decision. How to time his 6 years of control for the majority of his BEST YEARS. Should you do that if you could? Does that matter? Is he ready to rock right now!!!. Will he burn a couple of years getting ready? Does Scott Harris have the job security for 3 or 4 years to make a 3 or 4 years down the road decision on Clark or is it the length of his contract time table? Can the Yankees afford to not worry about such things? Nuance all over the place with the weight of sledgehammers.

With a Fedko... Oh Well... With a Jenkins... It's a big deal. 

 

They probably should sign Jenkins to a long term contract before promoting him.

[Riverbrian]

9 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

But yes, if you call him up, he plays every day. You do not platoon guys you want to be stars. Ever. 

I wouldn't platoon prospects period. 

However... the Twins will do this sort of thing.  

Walker Jenkins this year in St. Paul

vs Left Handers: 57 AB's - .554 OPS

vs Right Handers: 147 AB's - .917 OPS

The Twins have strip mined every single left handed hitting prospect since 2023... every single one. 

Jenkins not being platooned would be a breaking of recent precedence.  

 

 

[Riverbrian]

7 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

They probably should sign Jenkins to a long term contract before promoting him.

I agree... if they believe he is can't miss. Yes... Buy out a year or two.

If they do that... service time issues change 100%. 

[strumdatjag]

9 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

Good point.  Never a good idea to have good players in the lineup.

Actually, it’s better to have two good players in the line-up for over a season than to have them in the line-up for just 7 weeks. 

[MinnInPa]

pass on Wallner..put him out for trade for a bag of Chips.. he's blocking more talented players. I follow the Box scores for the Saints .. Jenkins rarely gets more than a hit .. is he really gonna help this year?? But, Culpepper...get him up here ..and play every day. Funny ..this team is not K-Kings much lately ..but, they just cant find the hits.. Martin just cant buy a hit... We need Buxton back desperately ..and hoping he goes on a tear..

[JD-TWINS]

21 hours ago, LA Vikes Fan said:

All interesting. I agree with Culpepper for Gray for sure for the reasons you stated. Jenkins for Roden also makes sense although I'm a little more hesitant. I think that we've given Roden a short but fair shot. The two nagging concerns are that Roden has hit the ball hard fairly regularly so you just think there may be more there and I question if Jenkins is quite ready.  This is Roden's last real shot with the Twins. Add to that the loss of rookie status if called up before 8/15 and I say we wait another 10 days for Jenkins and to give Roden a little more time. 

Wallner is a very tough one. He is hitting now in AAA and has hit MLB pitching before. Still, two MAJOR issues with Wallner. The first is he had a huge hole in his swing the upper inside quadrant of the strike zone which made him an easy out. Has he solved that or is he just feasting on lesser pitching and likely to hit .150 in the Bigs again? The second is where do you play him? Bell is actually one of our better hitters right now so the DH spot is only available 1, maybe 2 games a week. There's no way to sugarcoat this, Wallner is a lousy OF. He lessens the defense every time he plays out there. It's even worse when out CF who covered for him is hurt and we really don't have another one, at least not yet. We are in that part of the year where pitching and defense tends to trump offense so Wallner is a big risk. He also doesn't hit LH pitching so he doesn't solve our primary weakness. Maybe platoon him in RF with Martin now, but what do we do when Buxton comes back? We certainly don't want to give Wallner playing time over Keaschall, since Keasch just had a .909 OPS in July and is off to an even hotter start in August (he is the best hitter on the team right now and should be hitting in the 2 hole, but I'll save that rant for another thread). Larnach has seized the LH corner OF spot on the team and squeezed Wallner out. I'd hate to be the starting pitcher and look out to the OF and see Larnach, Keaschall, and Wallner. Ground balls only that day.      

So, on balance, I would call up Culpepper now for Gray and play him in a 60/40 SS platoon with Kriedler. I'd wait until 8/15 and if Roden hasn't gotten hot, switch him out for Jenkins. I just don't think there's a place for Wallner on this roster for this year absent another injury or maybe 2 since Jenkins is first OF up. He waits to try to win a DH job for 2027 or maybe an offseason trade. Sucks for Wallner, but he played himself into this position.  

I think they typically show 9 boxes for differing areas of the Zone. Matt has at least 4 5 holes. I’m typically way down on him because I think he’s a head case…… 3 times now over 4 years (hurt in ‘25) he’s gone down in middle of the season and eventually torn up AAA pitching. A guy can’t have 4-5 months of Spring Training every year. He can’t be terrible and then be good due to lack of ability ….. so, I think it’s between his ears. Maybe not focussed - maybe a little lazy - no confidence?

That said, they need offense & Roden is not the answer…….. Wallner or Jenkins when they return to Minneapolis.

To me, Wallner has about a 15% chance to remain a Twin and have any success. He needs to do whatever physical regimen and dietary approach that Larnach has adopted - has to be more mobile or he cannot stick.

[Riverbrian]

21 hours ago, MapleGroveTwinsFan said:

Here is a few

Max Clark 21 (Det)
Colt Emerson 20 (Sea)
George Lombard 21 (NYY)
Kevin McGonigle 21 (Det)
A.J. Ewing 21 (NYM)
Cooper Pratt 21 (MIL)
Konnor Griffin 21 (PIT)
Didier Fuentes 21 (ATL)
Samuel Basallo 21 (BAL)
Bryce Eldridge 21 (SFG)
Luis Lara 21 (MIL)

There is a difference between players already on the 40 man who are promoted and players not on the 40 man whose contract was purchased and I'd also add that there is a difference between those who got extensions. 

Contract Purchased: 

Clark 

Lombard

Ewing

Fuentes

 

Contract purchased and signed to an extension

Emerson - 8 year deal for 95 Million 

McGonigle - 8 years - 150 million

Pratt - 8 years - 50.75 Million

Griffin - 9 years - 140 million

Basallo - 8 years - 67 million (Last year)

Lara - 7 years - 31 million. 

 

Promoted (Already on the 40 man)

Eldridge: 

 

If the Twins sign Jenkins to an extension. Purchase and Promote.

If they don't. His readiness and future service time matters. 

 

 

[Riverbrian]

I also believe that 40 man and 26 man roster limitations require a chronological pecking order. 

I believe that it's essential to develop superstar talent if you can but I also believe it's important to develop average talent as well. I think it's possible that leapfrogging players can cause the loss of average player development and we have struggled to develop average which leads to us signing average at 4 to 7 million dollar prices. 

If you are going to commit to development. You need to reduce the spillage. 

For example: 

I realize that his injury is a large issue. So strictly for example purposes... If he was healthy... Erod is the guy with alarm bells going off. Already on the 40 man... Highly ranked and his options are going away. We need to get a look at this guy. 

If healthy... Erod before Jenkins. I acknowledge again that injuries make this example moot. 

The book hasn't been written on Roden either yet. 

And of course... Wallner. I know that many are done with Wallner.

I'm not done with him.

If you are going to leap frog Jenkins over Wallner and just toss Wallner aside. I'd feel more comfortable if Jenkins was at least offensively out performing Wallner in AAA. For the season he hasn't out performed Wallner at the plate. For the past 30 days... he hasn't out performed Wallner at the plate. 

Even Ben Ross is out performing Jenkins in AAA at the plate for the season and also in the past 30 days. 

I'd love to see Walter Jenkins in uniform as soon as possible but... he's got to out perform other options who are already on the 40 man first. 

 

[nicksaviking]

17 hours ago, 1985Fan said:

You may not like this roster, but as flawed as they are in your eyes, they played their way into contention. They forced management to be buyers. I know three consecutive losses are discouraging, but it’s too soon to panic now. Yes, calling up rookies to save the offense is a desperation move. 

They haven't been over .500 since what, May? They haven't played their way into contention, other teams have simply played their way out. This is not a championship caliber team, they need to start taking steps and focusing on what can be a championship caliber team next year. That means getting the higher ceiling young players ready to play and contribute next year.

[1985Fan]

22 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

They haven't been over .500 since what, May? They haven't played their way into contention, other teams have simply played their way out. This is not a championship caliber team, they need to start taking steps and focusing on what can be a championship caliber team next year. That means getting the higher ceiling young players ready to play and contribute next year.

I think they haven’t been over .500 since April…. It’s three days since trade deadline. Making a 180 degree pivot now would be really schizophrenic. They’re still only one game out. Not time to pivot yet. Stay the course and keep pushing. 
Pushing for the playoffs is not preventing preparation for next year. Jenkins and KC are getting in their FIRST full season at AAA. That’s not stunting their development. Other players on the roster, like Keaschall, Martin, Roden, Larnach, et al are being tested under some pressure. We’ll see how they perform and learn if these guys are part of the future or not. Thats part of the process for next year. 

[chpettit19]

12 hours ago, Dave Lemke said:

Lets talk about that 40 mam roster.  Currently its full. Are there some easdrops? Sure. Depending on your thoughts of players. I would say Rashi, Go and Gray would be the easiest. Unless a shortstop gets hurt, then he is the only shortstop on 40 man. Possibilities, depending on how much you like them would be Acton, Adams, Orze, Fedko. You could also drop Anderson, Roden or Wallner but my opinion is they wouldnt make it through waivers so you would lose them for nothing. So lets say they drop everyone but the last 3 off roster. That opens 7 spots and gives you 33 on 40 man. Now people want to add Jenkins and Culpepper. Gives you 35. Lets just speculate they either make playoffs and get eliminated in first round or even miss playoffs if that is your preference! 7 days after world series they need to add players on 60 day DL back to roster. That would be Lopez, Festa, Banda, Abel and Sands for sure. Paredes I could go either way on. That gets you back to 40. Jeffers and Minter would be free agents to get you back to 38. Now I would guess there are some prospects that need to be added to keep them out of Rule 5 draft. Also possibly some free agents to sign and you have 2 spots to do both of those thing with. Now if you would like to argue, go ahead! But at least detail who you cut from 40 man now and through the offseason to stay 40 man compliant. Jenkins and Culpepper won't need to be added until end of spring training 2027 if they make roster next spring. Go ahead and tell me the moves you would make. Include names, its not as easy as it looks to add them now!

 

I think the most straight forward response here is that if you're selling the story that you're a playoff contender and you're trying to win a wild card spot or a division title, you don't worry about offseason 40-man decisions. Especially when you're talking about 2 players/spots. 

A second response is that this team can't get or stay above .500. "We have too many 40-man quality players" is not a real strong argument there. 

Third is that I count at least 18 guys on the current 40-man that aren't crazy hard to move on from or will be free agents unlikely to sign back here. Acton, Adams, Anderson, Festa if his arm is toast (he'd be 19 then), Funderburk, Go, Kremer, Ober, Orze, Paredes, Rashi, Rogers, Jeffers, Gray, Fedko, Martin, Roden, Wallner, Bell. The Dodgers find a way to fit guys onto their 40-man and they have a little more talent than the Twins. Now, not everybody I listed are guys they'd just immediately non-tender or DFA, but they are guys that aren't crazy to consider. 

I don't think it is hard at all to add Jenkins and Culpepper to the 40-man. This team is so far away from having to make hard decisions on the 40-man. The Dodgers are dropping guys like Banda from theirs because they have so much talent. I don't even know who Taylor Rashi is. The Twins are lightyears away from having a 40-man problem.

[MapleGroveTwinsFan]

1 hour ago, Riverbrian said:

I also believe that 40 man and 26 man roster limitations require a chronological pecking order. 

I believe that it's essential to develop superstar talent if you can but I also believe it's important to develop average talent as well. I think it's possible that leapfrogging players can cause the loss of average player development and we have struggled to develop average which leads to us signing average at 4 to 7 million dollar prices. 

If you are going to commit to development. You need to reduce the spillage. 

For example: 

I realize that his injury is a large issue. So strictly for example purposes... If he was healthy... Erod is the guy with alarm bells going off. Already on the 40 man... Highly ranked and his options are going away. We need to get a look at this guy. 

If healthy... Erod before Jenkins. I acknowledge again that injuries make this example moot. 

The book hasn't been written on Roden either yet. 

And of course... Wallner. I know that many are done with Wallner.

I'm not done with him.

If you are going to leap frog Jenkins over Wallner and just toss Wallner aside. I'd feel more comfortable if Jenkins was at least offensively out performing Wallner in AAA. For the season he hasn't out performed Wallner at the plate. For the past 30 days... he hasn't out performed Wallner at the plate. 

Even Ben Ross is out performing Jenkins in AAA at the plate for the season and also in the past 30 days. 

I'd love to see Walter Jenkins in uniform as soon as possible but... he's got to out perform other options who are already on the 40 man first. 

 

If the requirement is that a 21 year old must out perform a former major league player that is 28, or even a 25 year career minor league player (5 seasons) with a lifetime OPS of .739 then the Twins (because other teams don't do this) are screwed. Because if that is the case how do they ever give their young prospects at shot? Because it is very likely the next Wallner, Keirsay, Fedko Stevenson, Sabato, Roden, Martin, outperform him in AAA at the beginning of next season and him not being on the 40 man, means somebody else gets a shot? I mean why waste a year of service if older players are doing better or on the 40 man, is that what you are saying? Then they put him on the 40 over the 27 winter and he gets action in 28? 

IMO the plan should have been when he got healthy (earlier in the year) get him the majors and if he is what we hope he is offer him a contract similar to the ones you mentioned in another message, but they didn't they gave the job to the mid to late 20's guys (larnach did well at least in a platoon role) and they rest didn't and they have been scrambling with others ever since.

[Riverbrian]

14 minutes ago, MapleGroveTwinsFan said:

If the requirement is that a 21 year old must out perform a former major league player that is 28, or even a 25 year career minor league player (5 seasons) with a lifetime OPS of .739 then the Twins (because other teams don't do this) are screwed. Because if that is the case how do they ever give their young prospects at shot? Because it is very likely the next Wallner, Keirsay, Fedko Stevenson, Sabato, Roden, Martin, outperform him in AAA at the beginning of next season and him not being on the 40 man, means somebody else gets a shot? I mean why waste a year of service if older players are doing better or on the 40 man, is that what you are saying? Then they put him on the 40 over the 27 winter and he gets action in 28? 

IMO the plan should have been when he got healthy (earlier in the year) get him the majors and if he is what we hope he is offer him a contract similar to the ones you mentioned in another message, but they didn't they gave the job to the mid to late 20's guys (larnach did well at least in a platoon role) and they rest didn't and they have been scrambling with others ever since.

It's not a requirement... it's current team context. I know that many are done with Wallner... I'm not done with Wallner. I don't believe he is a hopeless case and even if all we get is two more decent years out of him at age 29 and 30. There is value in those decent years.   

We need young players beyond Jenkins. I'd like to avoid unnecessary spillage of other players who are also necessary even if they become simply average players. We have talent on the 40 man roster that need opportunity with clocks already ticking as opposed to clocks that we purposely start the ticking on. In my mind that matters. 

Now in regards to feeling better if Jenkins was out performing Wallner. It's not a requirement but Yes I would feel better about it. it would provide more justification for the leapfrog.   

Prepping Jenkins for 2027 in 2026 doesn't fix 2027 by itself. It's one guy when we will need multiple guys.

Yes we need the quality of one player but we also need the quantity of average young players as well. 

There has to be time related pecking order... because all of our prospects are time sensitive. 

 

[killercarewoliva]

On 8/5/2026 at 11:25 AM, thelanges5 said:

Feels like they have to do something. The offense has been lifeless since returning from the All-Star break.

I feel bad for wallner but I just don't think he's going to hit that well. it's a major League level and he plays poor defense. Jackson a great teammate who can hit the crap out of the ball this year. he still hits even though he rarely gets to play when he plays he hits and his defense is not that bad. so stop and think. there's a strong chance that Jeffers is going to get offered big money, so Jackson May well be very much needed next year and I would not hesitate to play him. not a good idea to designate this player. not at all. good gosh. Yes, 100% on everything else.

[killercarewoliva]

Just now, killercarewoliva said:

I feel bad for wallner but I just don't think he's going to hit that well. it's a major League level and he plays poor defense. Jackson a great teammate who can hit the crap out of the ball this year. he still hits even though he rarely gets to play when he plays he hits and his defense is not that bad. so stop and think. there's a strong chance that Jeffers is going to get offered big money, so Jackson May well be very much needed next year and I would not hesitate to play him. not a good idea to designate this player. not at all. good gosh. Yes, 100% on everything else.

I would like to add that carotini although very good player, he hasn't been hitting lately so it wouldn't hurt to give him a little break and play. Jackson More to see how he does

[MapleGroveTwinsFan]

12 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

It's not a requirement... it's current team context. I know that many are done with Wallner... I'm not done with Wallner. I don't believe he is a hopeless case and even if all we get is two more decent years out of him at age 29 and 30. There is value in those decent years.   

We need young players beyond Jenkins. I'd like to avoid unnecessary spillage of other players who are also necessary even if they become simply average players. We have talent on the 40 man roster that need opportunity with clocks already ticking as opposed to clocks that we purposely start the ticking on. In my mind that matters. 

Now in regards to feeling better if Jenkins was out performing Wallner. It's not a requirement but Yes I would feel better about it. it would provide more justification for the leapfrog.   

Prepping Jenkins for 2027 in 2026 doesn't fix 2027 by itself. It's one guy when we will need multiple guys.

Yes we need the quality of one player but we also need the quantity of average young players as well. 

There has to be time related pecking order... because all of our prospects are time sensitive. 

 

As Twins fans we worry about the 40 man and losing prospects every year, and it turns out rarely to be an actual issue, The FO has done IMO a terrible job of roster building they end up with a few spots on the 40 man that are basically unplayable and end of chasing their tails though out the year. 

What I don't like (and hasn't been working) is having prospects pile out in the high majors (some even on the 40 man) while the teams continue to sign and play average major league players. Then they spend time trying to get them to figure out instead of just moving on. I mean right now how many unknown outfielders (or average at best) are on the 40 man? Fedko, Gonzalez, Martin, Mendez, Roden, Rodriguez, Wallner. 

I get and understand having one or maybe two young guys you have to put on the 40 man to protect from losing them (Mendez/Rodriguez/Erod for example) but with that they will go into next season with them still unknowns and might have to another one or two, and since they have no idea on those players they will be required to keep one or more of Larnach/Martin/Wallner/Roden and/or sign outfielders or have Jenkins pass them and still not give them a chance. It is terrible roster construction and this has been the case the last few year. 

As for Wallner being done or useful I don't really know, but I do know having them both him and Larnach on the roster at the beginning of year was not the right move, since neither can hit lefties and have taken up two 40 man spots all year. If the Twins think Wallner has something left, get him up ASAP and see, if he does then don't sign Larnch or sign and trade like Polanco. If he doesn't try and trade him this off season or DFA this winter. 

The Twins are really not that far away from really competing, but at the same time they aren't because of so much complete unknowns on the 40 man. 

 

[chpettit19]

11 minutes ago, MapleGroveTwinsFan said:

As Twins fans we worry about the 40 man and losing prospects every year, and it turns out rarely to be an actual issue, The FO has done IMO a terrible job of roster building they end up with a few spots on the 40 man that are basically unplayable and end of chasing their tails though out the year. 

What I don't like (and hasn't been working) is having prospects pile out in the high majors (some even on the 40 man) while the teams continue to sign and play average major league players. Then they spend time trying to get them to figure out instead of just moving on. I mean right now how many unknown outfielders (or average at best) are on the 40 man? Fedko, Gonzalez, Martin, Mendez, Roden, Rodriguez, Wallner. 

I get and understand having one or maybe two young guys you have to put on the 40 man to protect from losing them (Mendez/Rodriguez/Erod for example) but with that they will go into next season with them still unknowns and might have to another one or two, and since they have no idea on those players they will be required to keep one or more of Larnach/Martin/Wallner/Roden and/or sign outfielders or have Jenkins pass them and still not give them a chance. It is terrible roster construction and this has been the case the last few year. 

As for Wallner being done or useful I don't really know, but I do know having them both him and Larnach on the roster at the beginning of year was not the right move, since neither can hit lefties and have taken up two 40 man spots all year. If the Twins think Wallner has something left, get him up ASAP and see, if he does then don't sign Larnch or sign and trade like Polanco. If he doesn't try and trade him this off season or DFA this winter. 

The Twins are really not that far away from really competing, but at the same time they aren't because of so much complete unknowns on the 40 man. 

 

Aren't you essentially arguing what @Riverbrian has been saying? Jumping Jenkins over the guys you listed while he isn't outperforming them just adds to the problem you say they have (and I fully agree it's a big problem of theirs). Maybe I'm misunderstanding, but you seem to be saying the same thing. 

If Jenkins were absolutely lighting AAA on fire, it would make sense to jump him over everyone and get him into the MLB lineup as they do their best impression of trying to compete for a playoff spot. But he isn't. And the guys already on the 40-man are outperforming him. Handing him a spot "on scholarship" (as folks around here like to say) just because people want him to be good just means the guys already "piled up" at AAA stay piled up at AAA.

I don't disagree with this premise. Many of us have been saying for years the Twins need to do a better job at getting answers on guys before they're out of options and hitting arbitration. I'm totally on board with that. But the team is "trying" right now. They just bought at the deadline to at least sell the story they're making a push for the playoffs. You can't do that and then turn around and call guys up just to get answers on them. They need to play their best 9 as often as possible until they've decided they're out of it. For the record, I wouldn't have followed their path and would be getting answers on Roden, Wallner, etc. But it's not the path they chose. And another one of their big problems is not picking a path and following it. Switching paths 3 days after the deadline would be a bad strategy, too. 

They've picked their path. They need to give it a go for at least a few weeks before they switch to just getting info on guys.

[Riverbrian]

12 minutes ago, MapleGroveTwinsFan said:

As Twins fans we worry about the 40 man and losing prospects every year, and it turns out rarely to be an actual issue, The FO has done IMO a terrible job of roster building they end up with a few spots on the 40 man that are basically unplayable and end of chasing their tails though out the year. 

What I don't like (and hasn't been working) is having prospects pile out in the high majors (some even on the 40 man) while the teams continue to sign and play average major league players. Then they spend time trying to get them to figure out instead of just moving on. I mean right now how many unknown outfielders (or average at best) are on the 40 man? Fedko, Gonzalez, Martin, Mendez, Roden, Rodriguez, Wallner. 

I get and understand having one or maybe two young guys you have to put on the 40 man to protect from losing them (Mendez/Rodriguez/Erod for example) but with that they will go into next season with them still unknowns and might have to another one or two, and since they have no idea on those players they will be required to keep one or more of Larnach/Martin/Wallner/Roden and/or sign outfielders or have Jenkins pass them and still not give them a chance. It is terrible roster construction and this has been the case the last few year. 

As for Wallner being done or useful I don't really know, but I do know having them both him and Larnach on the roster at the beginning of year was not the right move, since neither can hit lefties and have taken up two 40 man spots all year. If the Twins think Wallner has something left, get him up ASAP and see, if he does then don't sign Larnch or sign and trade like Polanco. If he doesn't try and trade him this off season or DFA this winter. 

The Twins are really not that far away from really competing, but at the same time they aren't because of so much complete unknowns on the 40 man. 

 

I don't think we are far off. 

I agree... I get tired of seeing the pileup on the 40 man roster with limited 26 man opportunity to relieve it. 

Something isn't right with our development because other teams are spitting out at least average players more frequently and we are filling the same holes over and over again. 

I'll never call a situation a log jam. I'd like to see a log jam... that would be wonderful. I'd love to be able to trade actual superfluous talent. That isn't happening...therefore any log jam is inaccurate and more than likely self created. 

I simply contend and will always contend that you can roster 13 players and let them compete for playing time and some of us will be surprised by the results.  I struggle with letting a vet on a one year deal be average when there should be someone near ready in the farm system who can do at least the same making the minimum who can take what they learned and apply it to future years.

And this is what I believe is the core issue with our development.

The players you list. 

Fedko - I don't know if he has a shot or not. I know he won't have any chance at all if he is limited to 16 AB's playing once a week versus left handed pitchers. You can throw him away right now if that's what he is being strip mined for. 

Gonzalez... If you call him up. Let him play... Let him learn. His AAA numbers don't support a call up but he's been called up once and he played a game and then watched the action. That is making no progress.

Martin ,,, I think he is a good player but you can toss him right now. A short side platoon specialist on a team that needs to develop is practically worthless. The Twins have stopped fully developing Martin and have strip mined him.

Mendez... May not be his time yet but hopefully that time comes. If he gets placed on the 26 man roster. Play him. 

Roden... He is here now and he is being strip mined for parts. His ceiling is Larnach.

Rodriguez... His time is now. Get Healthy

Wallner... His time is also now. Fix him and lets see if he is fixed. 

Bottom Line: I believe with all my heart that you can find enough playing time for the players who are earning playing time. I believe that you should use all 26 man spots for identifying talent. I hate that we are basically utilizing 10 position player spots with Jackson and Gray barely playing and Martin short siding. We have absolutely no margin for error or any margin for injury. 

An injury in our infield would be a problem. A player going into the tank on the infield would be a problem. 

I'd rather see Lewis get serious competition for playing time then giving him oodles of playing time while his OPS is in the low .600's. 

[Riverbrian]

13 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Aren't you essentially arguing what @Riverbrian has been saying? Jumping Jenkins over the guys you listed while he isn't outperforming them just adds to the problem you say they have (and I fully agree it's a big problem of theirs). Maybe I'm misunderstanding, but you seem to be saying the same thing. 

If Jenkins were absolutely lighting AAA on fire, it would make sense to jump him over everyone and get him into the MLB lineup as they do their best impression of trying to compete for a playoff spot. But he isn't. And the guys already on the 40-man are outperforming him. Handing him a spot "on scholarship" (as folks around here like to say) just because people want him to be good just means the guys already "piled up" at AAA stay piled up at AAA.

I don't disagree with this premise. Many of us have been saying for years the Twins need to do a better job at getting answers on guys before they're out of options and hitting arbitration. I'm totally on board with that. But the team is "trying" right now. They just bought at the deadline to at least sell the story they're making a push for the playoffs. You can't do that and then turn around and call guys up just to get answers on them. They need to play their best 9 as often as possible until they've decided they're out of it. For the record, I wouldn't have followed their path and would be getting answers on Roden, Wallner, etc. But it's not the path they chose. And another one of their big problems is not picking a path and following it. Switching paths 3 days after the deadline would be a bad strategy, too. 

They've picked their path. They need to give it a go for at least a few weeks before they switch to just getting info on guys.

I agree with one addition. They still need to decide who their best 9 are and yes play them as often as possible when they do.

We are not there yet. Competition is still required. 

[MapleGroveTwinsFan]

20 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Aren't you essentially arguing what @Riverbrian has been saying? Jumping Jenkins over the guys you listed while he isn't outperforming them just adds to the problem you say they have (and I fully agree it's a big problem of theirs). Maybe I'm misunderstanding, but you seem to be saying the same thing. 

If Jenkins were absolutely lighting AAA on fire, it would make sense to jump him over everyone and get him into the MLB lineup as they do their best impression of trying to compete for a playoff spot. But he isn't. And the guys already on the 40-man are outperforming him. Handing him a spot "on scholarship" (as folks around here like to say) just because people want him to be good just means the guys already "piled up" at AAA stay piled up at AAA.

I don't disagree with this premise. Many of us have been saying for years the Twins need to do a better job at getting answers on guys before they're out of options and hitting arbitration. I'm totally on board with that. But the team is "trying" right now. They just bought at the deadline to at least sell the story they're making a push for the playoffs. You can't do that and then turn around and call guys up just to get answers on them. They need to play their best 9 as often as possible until they've decided they're out of it. For the record, I wouldn't have followed their path and would be getting answers on Roden, Wallner, etc. But it's not the path they chose. And another one of their big problems is not picking a path and following it. Switching paths 3 days after the deadline would be a bad strategy, too. 

They've picked their path. They need to give it a go for at least a few weeks before they switch to just getting info on guys.

Yea I wasn't try to argue with him (except maybe on that a 21 year old has to outperform at 28 year out in AAA to be called up. 

Obviously the Twins think they have their best players up to compete and aren't worried about the future based on how they aren't giving any of their prospects on the 40 man a chance. (I think pretty much everybody probably thinks that way) So it is weird to worry about the future in one hand and then completely ignore it on the other hand seemingly year after year. 

I mean one of our top prospects and one of the leagues top prospects next year either has to stay up all year regardless how he performs or needs to be traded or DFA's, Sure he has been hurt a lot but there have been times he has been healthy and needed to be moved up no matter how well he was playing in the minors. 

All my frustrations come from this year and the last few with just how terrible the roster construction has been not on other peoples comments.

[Mike Sixel]

4 minutes ago, MapleGroveTwinsFan said:

Yea I wasn't try to argue with him (except maybe on that a 21 year old has to outperform at 28 year out in AAA to be called up. 

Obviously the Twins think they have their best players up to compete and aren't worried about the future based on how they aren't giving any of their prospects on the 40 man a chance. (I think pretty much everybody probably thinks that way) So it is weird to worry about the future in one hand and then completely ignore it on the other hand seemingly year after year. 

I mean one of our top prospects and one of the leagues top prospects next year either has to stay up all year regardless how he performs or needs to be traded or DFA's, Sure he has been hurt a lot but there have been times he has been healthy and needed to be moved up no matter how well he was playing in the minors. 

All my frustrations come from this year and the last few with just how terrible the roster construction has been not on other peoples comments.

They think Gray is their best player? They need new scouts.