Mastroianni Outrighted

[Jeremy Nygaard]

With the Twins making the signings of Pelfrey and Suzuki official, they've also announced that Darin Mastroianni has been outrighted to AAA. This shouldn't come as a huge shocker; Mastro should remain in the organization and get a NRI to Spring Training.

[Dman]

That was pretty much predicted on this board after the Suzuki signing. I can't imagine two many teams that would be interested in picking him up but you never know. I like Mastro but his future here looks bleak anyway.

[Nick Nelson]

I'm surprised. If you assume that the season-opening OF plan is Willingham in LF, Presley in CF and Arcia in RF, Mastro would have made tons of sense as 4th OF, since he'd be a good complement to the LH-hitting Presley in center and could fill in at the corners to upgrade the defense at times.

 

That he's been pulled from the 40-man roster suggests that he is no longer in the club's immediate plans. He was a pretty nice fit as 4th OF in 2012. It seems that the ankle problems last year have really lowered his standing.

 

I've got to imagine the Twins are looking hard for another OF at this point because they can't possibly have full confidence in Hicks and outside of him Presley is the only CF (and above-average defensive OF) on the 40-man.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

That fact that the press release says he was outrighted means he already cleared waivers. This appears to be his first outright assignment, so he shouldn't be able to refuse it (and become a free agent) as far as I know.

[Chance]

My question is, who spells Presley in center if Hicks can't break camp with the club? What is or Centerfield depth? I thought he was the best option to be taken off the 40.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

He'll still only be a phone call away (as of now). Ideally, the 4th OF can play CF, but they went a long time last year without doing that (and I think many of us wondered about it). I still think Mastro competes for that 4th OF/CF job in Spring Training, the pitching log-jam will have to work itself out and that will create roster spaces when the 25-man has to be set.

 

As much as I like Mastro (and I really do), you can find a spare-part OF just like him at almost any time on the waiver wire.

[nicksaviking]

That fact that the press release says he was outrighted means he already cleared waivers. This appears to be his first outright assignment, so he shouldn't be able to refuse it (and become a free agent) as far as I know.

 

Yeah, how many threads have we discussed who gets DFA'd and no one caught word that one actually happened. How do the Twins keeps this stuff so cloak and dagger? No one from another front office saw the DFA listing and leaked it to any kind of media member? Did none of the Twins beat guys ask who was getting DFA'd, or did the front office simply refuse to answer?

 

Is there some centralized DFA process that is open to everyone to view but no one bothered reporting the lowley Darin Mastroianni?

[Alex]

 

I've got to imagine the Twins are looking hard for another OF at this point because they can't possibly have full confidence in Hicks and outside of him Presley is the only CF (and above-average defensive OF) on the 40-man.

 

I wouldn't be so sure about this, but I hope you are correct.

[cmathewson]

I think they'll give Hicks another shot. But I didn't think it would be right out of ST.

[Danchat]

No surprise here, however, I suspected Colabello would be DFA'd. Maybe they feared a team will claim him.

[DuluthFan]

While not ideal, Arcia could play center for a game or two to give the starter a breather. He did play some in the lower minors. And of course, there is always the possibility that Hicks is the 4th outfielder. Hicks could also play well enough to earn the starter's job with Presley as the backup.

[Halsey Hall]

Bummer

 

He was so fired up last year down here about the season, and then lost it to injury. I'll bet he's been working all off season, and fired up about this one too. I give him a good chance to make the team this spring anyway. He'll certainly give it all he's got.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Berardino is reporting that Mastro signed a split-contract last month. This should also help explain how Fryer's spot isn't 100% secured.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Yeah, how many threads have we discussed who gets DFA'd and no one caught word that one actually happened. How do the Twins keeps this stuff so cloak and dagger? No one from another front office saw the DFA listing and leaked it to any kind of media member? Did none of the Twins beat guys ask who was getting DFA'd, or did the front office simply refuse to answer?

 

When you DFA someone you have a 10-day window to remove the player from the roster, the first seven generally to work out a trade before placing on the 72-hour waivers. You can skip the trade window, if you want, and place a player on outright waivers immediately, which I'm sure is what the Twins did here. You don't always know a player was placed on waivers until they're claimed, while you do typically hear that a player is DFA'd right away.

[oldguy10]

Danchat, I hardly think any team would fear losing Colabello, in fact most would welcome it. What is the fascination with him anyway? He is already thirty years old and simply cannot hit MLB pitching nor can he play decently in the field either.

[beckmt]

I think this is all about that more moves may be coming. Twins are just clearing roster spots, so players may be added without having to move a player immediately. I agree that the pitching staff will be sorted out in ST and at least a few will be removed from the 40 man roster.

[Dman]

Danchat, I hardly think any team would fear losing Colabello, in fact most would welcome it. What is the fascination with him anyway? He is already thirty years old and simply cannot hit MLB pitching nor can he play decently in the field either.

 

He didn't have great success in the majors but then again lots of players struggle when they are brought up for the first and even second time. The numbers he put up in AAA were impressive and he was named MVP of that league as well. I don't think there are too many prospects that accomplish that ever. As for age several teams just invested 5, 6 or 7 years in 30 year old free agents so I hardly think his time has run out yet. Personally I think a lot of teams wouldn't mind having a guy like that in their system.

 

Chris Colabello (30) of Framingham, Mass., hit .352 with 24 home runs and 76 RBIs in 89 games with the Rochester Red Wings. He finished the season first in the International League in batting average, slugging percentage (.639), and on-base percentage (.427) en route to league MVP and Rookie of the Year honors. The Minnesota Twins signed the first baseman as a Minor League free agent in February 2012.

 

 

[Mike Sixel]

This mean willingham is in the field......I assume. Great plan, signing fly ball pitchers, with this defense.

[stringer bell]

I don't think outrighting Mastro means that he won't be the fourth OF to start the season. It simply means that he was expendable enough to get through waivers. Mastroianni needs to prove that he is all the way back from his injury. this move does mean they won't designate a pitcher who may or may not get through waivers, so most likely all the guys on the 40-man will get a chance to compete for a spot on the Twins' staff.

[howieramone1406390264]

This mean willingham is in the field......I assume. Great plan, signing fly ball pitchers, with this defense.

 

Mike, believe it or not when you're revamping a starting rotation, the most important consideration is not your outfield defense. Regardless, there are some on this board who feel our outfield defense will be very good in the not too distant future.

[johnnydakota]

He'll still only be a phone call away (as of now). Ideally, the 4th OF can play CF, but they went a long time last year without doing that (and I think many of us wondered about it). I still think Mastro competes for that 4th OF/CF job in Spring Training, the pitching log-jam will have to work itself out and that will create roster spaces when the 25-man has to be set.

 

As much as I like Mastro (and I really do), you can find a spare-part OF just like him at almost any time on the waiver wire.

Yup dont need a backup centerfielder on the 25 man roster , but you need to carry 3 catchers and Joe Mauer , you know just in case we lose our DH for a couple of at bats

[Thrylos]

I still think that Hicks makes the team out of Spring Training. Not much sense in keeping him at AAA as a 24 year old.

[Dman]

Yup dont need a backup centerfielder on the 25 man roster , but you need to carry 3 catchers and Joe Mauer , you know just in case we lose our DH for a couple of at bats

 

I agree that three catchers is too many but I think they wait until spring training to sort it out. There could be trades yet as well. I think Mastro is the right move as he has always had trouble hitting so could be replaced by almost anyone if needed. Hopefully Hicks figures things out sooner rather than later.

[Alex]

I still think that Hicks makes the team out of Spring Training. Not much sense in keeping him at AAA as a 24 year old.

 

I think he still needs at bats everyday and it's not a good idea to have him struggle out of the gate.

[edavis0308]

Does no one think Hicks will begin the season as starting CF with Presley as 4th OF?

[Riverbrian]

I'm surprised and not surprised at the same time. And Wow... Is that a weird sensation.

 

I'm tired and wide awake at the same time. I'm Jumbo and Shrimpy.

 

I know Maestro is just a phone call away but I can't shake this concern about our team speed. I'm not talking about stolen bases... I'm talking about speed. Weather you take a base or not... I'm a big believer in team quickness in the majority of the facets of the game.

 

Mastroianni can't provide all the speed we need by himself but still... We could end up with the slowest roster since the game was played on yet to dry cement.

[stringer bell]

Does no one think Hicks will begin the season as starting CF with Presley as 4th OF?

I don't. Hicks' stock was raised by a strong 2012 and enhanced some more by a very good spring training. Now he's coming off a very disappointing 2013 and I don't think any performance in the spring can play him onto the Twins squad as the center fielder. With success at AAA, I expect him to be a regular in Minnesota by midseason, with Presley assuming the more natural role of 4th outfielder.

[edavis0308]

I don't. Hicks' stock was raised by a strong 2012 and enhanced some more by a very good spring training. Now he's coming off a very disappointing 2013 and I don't think any performance in the spring can play him onto the Twins squad as the center fielder. With success at AAA, I expect him to be a regular in Minnesota by midseason, with Presley assuming the more natural role of 4th outfielder.

 

I should have clarified I didn't necessarily think that was what was going to happen... just throwing another option into the ring that didn't seem to have gotten mentioned at all (and probably for good reason)

[Dman]

Does no one think Hicks will begin the season as starting CF with Presley as 4th OF?

 

The 25 man is a mess. Until that clears Hicks will stay in AAA.

[cmathewson]

I'm sure the Twins want Hicks to win the starting center field job out of spring traing. I just can't figure out what he can do to win it. He can't play better than he did last spring. He can't play any worse than he did in April. What can he do to convince them he's ready? I doubt he can do anything in ST. It'll have to happen at Rochester.