Cutting Ties: Assessing Three Arbitration Eligible Players the Twins Should Move On From

Alcala has upside & completed his rehab assignment reported Oct. 1st. At that time they released Celestino to make room for Acala. It appears that decision was made so that Alcala could remain on the roster going forward.  I think that the Twins will give him a chance to produce next season before giving up on him.

Nick Gordon provides a lot of bang for the buck. I'd hate to think that he's washed up & would favor keeping him if there's enough room since he's a very athletic player that can handle multiple positions. He could replace Max in right field if the Twins decide to buy out his $10 mil contract or they could platoon him at 1B. He;s more versatile than Miranda.

By their roster move with Celestino, I would be shocked if they parted ways with Alcala.

I love Nick Gordon as a player but I suspect that he is the odd man out with the ascent of Willi Castro. I am sure (hopeful) he will catch on elsewhere. 

Agree with the above that it is likely Alcala makes it thru the winter on the 40-man.  Much of that will be based on the Twins knowledge of his actual physical condition.  Something we don't know.

Also expect that Willie Castro's play last year means Gordon is gone.  Only quesiton I have is whether or not there would be a market where the Twins could get something back for Gordon, or as part of a bigger deal?

I would keep Gordon abd Acala, and pick up options on kepler and Polanco.  In the very least they become trading chips

Drop Gordon and Luplow.  Keep Alcala but on a very short leash.  Needs to show some production from all the expected upside.  No need for Luplow, period.  Like Gordon, but I think his spot would be better utilized by others coming up.

Alcala stays, the other two go. Maybe Luplow and Gordon can find major league deals with other clubs, they deserve the right to find out.

If not, the Twins could possibly re-sign them on minor league deals .

Luplow does not get a 40 spot, Alcala does. Gordon may be placed on the 40 person now but dropped later.

None of these players are making enough money to be concerned about. The decision to keep them will revolve around whether they have someone they like better for the roster spot.

13 hours ago, DJL44 said:

None of these players are making enough money to be concerned about. The decision to keep them will revolve around whether they have someone they like better for the roster spot.

agreed. Which is why Luplow will probably go and Gordon and Alcala will get arbitration offers. We know they like Alcala and Gordon and $1M in arbitration is nothing in the big picture. It would be another matter if they were due to get $3M or $6M in arbitration, but they're not, so it's only going to come down to the 40-man or the 26-man spots. Right now, Alcala and Gordon have value, even with their injury season(s) and the Twins aren't going to dump assets until they absolutely have to.

Luplow will be non-tendered.  Acala I assume will be offered contract.  Gordon is the real question.  Castro basically took his spot last year, the super utility guy, but being Castro is switch hitter and better on defense, Castro has more value than Gordon in my opinion.  Yes, Gordon has shown some flashes, and I do think they will offer him a contract, but his roster spot is not safe.  

I would let Luplow go as stated... 

Would resign both Alcala and Gordon if the cost is only 1 mil per. In this cost conscious season until we get the TV deal done... 

I would actually find a trade home for BOTH Polanco and Kepler. They should have a market considering I believe are on the last year of their contract.  Both finished fairly strong so getting some cap relief and letting our system fill the spots really makes sense. Take the 20 mil saved with 2 mil and get some prospects or pitching in return... easier said than done but that would be my plan. 

5 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

I don't see them tendering Luplow, but probably try to bring him back on a minor league deal like they did with Garlick. I think Alcala gets another year to stay healthy and establish himself as a major league pen guy. I think Gordon gets tendered, and then it just comes down to what other moves they can make throughout the offseason.

While Castro likely has the first shot at the utility role next year, I don't know that his season is enough to say there's no need for Gordon and to be certain that Castro is this guy moving forward. Castro has an option left so being able to keep them both heading into spring wouldn't be the end of the world as you can see if Castro is looking like he can maintain another year of league average offense, or if he's going to revert back to who he was in 2021 and 2022. I'm not a big Gordon guy (don't think he can succeed with his swing rates), but Castro didn't do any better in 2023 than Gordon did in 2022. I hope neither of them has to play that big a role in upcoming seasons, but I know it's very likely one of them does.

Agreed.  Let's hope Martin comes up / plays well and diminishes their role.  

Dollars play a huge role here:

Alcala will be back.  Gordon will be back (though his grasp on a 40-man slot is extremely tenuous).  Cheap and potential roster fits (Gordon for his positional flexibility)

We all appreciate what Luplow did for the Twins, but he is the quintessential AAAA player that can be found at any point during the season.

2 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

I don't see them tendering Luplow, but probably try to bring him back on a minor league deal like they did with Garlick. I think Alcala gets another year to stay healthy and establish himself as a major league pen guy. I think Gordon gets tendered, and then it just comes down to what other moves they can make throughout the offseason.

While Castro likely has the first shot at the utility role next year, I don't know that his season is enough to say there's no need for Gordon and to be certain that Castro is this guy moving forward. Castro has an option left so being able to keep them both heading into spring wouldn't be the end of the world as you can see if Castro is looking like he can maintain another year of league average offense, or if he's going to revert back to who he was in 2021 and 2022. I'm not a big Gordon guy (don't think he can succeed with his swing rates), but Castro didn't do any better in 2023 than Gordon did in 2022. I hope neither of them has to play that big a role in upcoming seasons, but I know it's very likely one of them does.

I don't think the full question is whether Gordon and Castro are both able to play in the majors.  I think the issue is the value of the roster spot.  The Twins don't need both Castro and Gordon for the super sub role.  I'd easily choose Castro over Gordon (while hoping he catches on elsewhere) and make darned sure I'm keeping 40 man roster spots available for players with bigger upsides.  We've seen Gordon's and it's not that high.