Alex Presley claimed off waivers by Astros

[ashbury]

Hard to believe they're going to start another season with no real back up for Hicks

 

There could be a waiver claim in the works. I *think* it's necessary to have an open spot when you make the waiver claim, not just wait and open up the spot if the claim goes through; that would explain the timing. The wait is due to there being the potential of another team ranking "higher" (in reverse order of standings last October) putting in a claim before the time is up.

[twinsajsf]

From Berardino:

 

With those moves, it appears the final roster spot will go to either veteran super utility man Jason Bartlett or 30-year-old slugger Chris Colabello, the reigning International League Most Valuable Player.

 

http://blogs.twincities.com/twins/2014/03/27/twinsights-chris-parmelee-alex-presley-also-placed-on-waivers/

Maybe there is still something else in the works.

 

Doesn't this actually mean that BOTH Bartlett and Colabello will make the 25-man roster, since Gardy has already said he will only take 12 pitchers North?

[S.]

Mastroianni is still stashed at Rochester, right?

Unless I'm forgetting something, which is certainly possible, we outrighted him to Rochester back in December?

[ScottyB]

Mastroianni is still stashed at Rochester, right?

 

I suppose that is some potential back-up should there not be anything else in the works.

 

Didn't Mastroianni just injure his wrist similar to Buxton?

[josecordoba]

I have to say that I have no problems with these moves.

 

1. I'm a bit confused by the Presley thing. Yet a guy like Presley should be fairly easily attainable in the future. If the Twins had Mastro rather then Presley would people really care. The Bartlett obsession is odd, but perhaps Gardy sees some value in the clubhouse that I wouldn't be able to measure. Bartlett on a 70 Win Team for a year is nothing to lose sleep over.

 

2. Parmelee's projections for a player with his skillset are brutal. He's a below average hitter with limited defensive value.

 

3. Diamond probably projects as a long-reliever type. They choose Deduno instead who has a better arm. This says nothing about Duensing being a better bullpen option.

 

I support these moves

[ericchri]

Mastroianni is still stashed at Rochester, right?

 

I suppose that is some potential back-up should there not be anything else in the works.

 

Was just thinking that. Wouldn't be surprised if they're looking for trades, with Mastro the fallback.

 

Or maybe it just means they're rolling with Buxton when Hicks gets hurt... :-)

[edavis0308]

There's just something about the fact that the outfield is a position of strength for our minor league system yet our current projected backup outfielders are Bartlett and Escobar.. if there isn't a move in the works it really just leaves you kind of shaking your head

[James]

Parmelee has cleared waivers.

 

It seems like the Presley thing is an odd move. He seemed to be a perfectly decent 4 OF for this year. I don't think he's a great player, but he was at least moderately capable.

[Highabove]

While in Florida, I was able to witness one of Bartlett's three spring training hits.

We were trying to figure out which would be a rarer sight. Witnessing a Bartlett hit or spotting an Albino Whale from the Beach.

[zwiefz]

If my math is correct, the Twins official website lists 25 players on active roster and 38 on the 40 man. So if both Diamond and Parmalle are removed that brings the numbers down to 23 and 36. Neither Kubel or Bartlett are listed on either roster yet. So even if both were added and Florimon started the season on the DL there would be plenty of room to add either Mastro or Ramirez to both the active and 40 man. Don't forget about Ramirez as an option for back up CF. He started out there last year and did well early on in spring training.

[Brock Beauchamp]

What is the 40 man roster at right now? 36? 37?

 

Wonder what they plan on doing with those open spots.

[LoganJones]

Toronto is supposedly shopping Colby Rasmus for starting pitching. Crossing my fingers.... Please?

Egad, no, not that punk, please.

[LoganJones]

There's a rumor that Gardy's still peeved at Hicks and is planning on an outfield of Willingham, Kubel and Arcia - what defense!

I assume this is a joke. Otherwise, you should check whoever told you that rumor for head injuries.

[Halsey Hall]

Didn't Mastroianni just injure his wrist similar to Buxton?

 

Mastro dove for a ball 2 days ago and hurt his wrist a bit, but today he was out here with a glove. He's not playing in one of the minor league games today, but told me he'll be fine.

[Halsey Hall]

Gardy, Bruno and Vavra were in the tower again today watching the minor league games. Gardy was here yesterday as well.

[maxisagod]

So they're going with 'flexibility' planning on having both Escobar and Bartlett be super Utility types.

 

And any offense they can muster With Colabello, Arica, Hicks and Kubel. I get what they're doing, I just wish there was better options to do it with.

[ericchri]

Although puzzling, in a sense it is nice to see the new willingness to cut some marginal players even at risk of losing them. I don't really anticipate it being the norm, but that was one of the things many of us were dreading, with rumors of Arcia getting optioned to AAA to keep guys like this around.

[gocgo]

What kind of a message does this send to the guys struggling to make it to the big leagues?

 

When a guy that didn't play ball last year comes into ST, starts off 0-23 and and finishes with some pathetic batting average and still makes the team, it sends the following message: what you do in ST doesn't matter. it's a good ol' boys club and if you aren't in the club, your going back down to the minors.

[zwiefz]

mlbtraderumors says Bartlett has been added to 40 man per Phil Miller

[edavis0308]

I get the willingness to cut marginal players as being refreshing and all... but... at the expense of a 35 year old middle infielder that is going to be used in the outfield for the first time in his career...? Does not compute.

[Craig Arko]

It does mean Arcia and Hicks will be playing every day. That's what people were asking for.

[golfboy1]

I have to say that I have no problems with these moves.

 

1. I'm a bit confused by the Presley thing. Yet a guy like Presley should be fairly easily attainable in the future. If the Twins had Mastro rather then Presley would people really care. The Bartlett obsession is odd, but perhaps Gardy sees some value in the clubhouse that I wouldn't be able to measure. Bartlett on a 70 Win Team for a year is nothing to lose sleep over.

 

2. Parmelee's projections for a player with his skillset are brutal. He's a below average hitter with limited defensive value.

 

3. Diamond probably projects as a long-reliever type. They choose Deduno instead who has a better arm. This says nothing about Duensing being a better bullpen option.

 

I support these moves

 

All 3 players performed poorly this spring & are not a big lose but it's still hard to believe they would go with Bartlett & Kubel over them. I mean, those 2 guys have no future beyond now & I can't see them being worth anything in a midseason trade.

 

Presley has underperformed but now we are stuck with one OF who can play ML level defense & he hasn't proven he can hit. I hope there is some sort of future move coming.

 

I don't mind the Diamond & Parmelee moves. I'd rather give Colabello a chance over Parmelee . Diamond has been passed by others & Parmelee hasn't ever been able to hit a good fastball.

[DaveW]

I think this opens the door to bringing in Morales or Drew.

[JB_Iowa]

It's official:

 

 

• Dustin Morse ‏@Twins_morsecode 4m
  Jason Bartlett has made the team. He will serve as a super utility. #MNTwins
   
   
   
  And it IS insane.
   
  I can only think this means that Gardenhire is under a heck of a lot of pressure to win this year.
   
  Makes me want to barf.
   
   
  

[DaveW]

All 3 players performed poorly this spring & are not a big lose but it's still hard to believe they would go with Bartlett & Kubel over them. I mean, those 2 guys have no future beyond now & I can't see them being worth anything in a midseason trade.

 

Presley has underperformed but now we are stuck with one OF who can play ML level defense & he hasn't proven he can hit. I hope there is some sort of future move coming.

 

I don't mind the Diamond & Parmelee moves. I'd rather give Colabello a chance over Parmelee . Diamond has been passed by others & Parmelee hasn't ever been able to hit a good fastball.

 

Saying Kubel has no future is a bit disingenuous, he is only a season removed from a 30 HR .833 OPS yeah.

 

Bartlett...whatever, he sucks now but maybe the Twins see something in him. I still think they end up bringing someone else in for the 25th spot and put Bartlett in AAA

[Dave T]

Diamond -- good riddance. Presley -- showed nothing this spring. Parmalee -- got beat out by Colabello. I don't have a problem with any of those moves.

Bartlett didn't win the job; Gardy gave it to him. My reaction is, it's time to put Gardy on waivers as well. Don't be choosing incompetent veterans as bench players. If Bartlett is any good, let him prove it in AAA. My hope is, Mastroianni proves it in April and is up here in May.

[ashbury]

I think this opens the door to bringing in Morales or Drew.

 

Unlike other roster moves, I don't think you have to open up a spot days in advance for these FA.

[S.]

I can only think this means that Gardenhire is under a heck of a lot of pressure to win this year.

Unfortunately for him (and for us), I don't think Bartlett is going to provide much help in that regard.

[josecordoba]

It's official:

 

 

• Dustin Morse ‏@Twins_morsecode 4m
  Jason Bartlett has made the team. He will serve as a super utility. #MNTwins
   
   
   
  And it IS insane.
   
  I can only think this means that Gardenhire is under a heck of a lot of pressure to win this year.
   
  Makes me want to barf.
  

 

The development of guys like Arcia, Hicks, Pinto, Gibson, and Meyer will have way more to do with the Twins won/loss record than Jason Bartlett or Kubel. While I'm not a fan of really having either around, they should ulitmately determine very little regarding Ron Gardenhire's job status.

[tobi0040]

It does mean Arcia and Hicks will be playing every day. That's what people were asking for.

 

I can't argue with that. Arcia is definitely a stater on a 2015 team. Hicks is either going to be good enough for a corner spot, or traded. But playing him will help us find out which of those two makes the most sense.