Jump to content
Bailey Ober takes the bump as the Twins try to halt the losing streak. Come join the discussion! ×
Twins Daily
  • Create Account
  • Twins News & Analysis

    Replacing the Twins Veterans After the Deadline

    Cody Christie

    By Cody Christie

    If the Twins trade away veterans on expiring contract, they are going to need replacements until season’s end. Here is some of the roster shuffle that will occur as veterans are dealt.

    Image courtesy of © Jordan Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

    Twins Video

    Injuries are obviously impacting multiple players listed below. In a perfect world, the Twins would be able to trade away all their veterans for valuable pieces, but almost nothing has gone perfectly for the Twins in 2021. That being said, here’s some of the roster shuffle that will occur over the next month.

    DH: Miguel Sano Replaces Nelson Cruz

    Miguel Sano seems destined to be the team’s DH throughout the remaining years on his contract. There are only a handful of contending teams that need help at DH, but the most logical choice might be the AL’s best team. Brent Rooker is another possibility to get some DH at-bats in the season’s second half. At Triple-A this year, he has an .861 OPS with 10 home runs and three doubles and it seems like he’s become Minnesota’s forgotten prospect. Moving Sano off first base also allows Alex Kirilloff to start getting more consistent reps at first, which is his expected long-term defensive position.

    SS: Jorge Polanco Replaces Andrelton Simmons

    Minnesota is likely hesitant to move Polanco back to shortstop, but the team’s other options are limited. Royce Lewis was supposed to be the heir apparent, but he’s out for the year. He likely won’t be ready at the beginning of 2022, so the Twins will be players in the best free agent shortstop class in baseball history. There are some benefits to moving Polanco back to short. This allows the team to get a longer look at Nick Gordon as the team has kept him on the active roster over Gilberto Celestino and Willians Astudillo. At Triple-A, J.T. Riddle has gotten most defensive starts at shortstop, but he only has .675 OPS and he’s not part of the team’s long-term plans.

    SP: [Break In Case of Emergency] Replaces Michael Pineda

    This is going to be the toughest spot to replace, because Twins pitching has be historically bad this season. Minnesota has already added Randy Dobnak and Bailey Ober to the rotation, but where does the team turn to next? Top pitching prospect Jhoan Duran was put on the IL this week with a strained right elbow, so it doesn’t seem likely for him to pitch bulk innings at the big-league level this season. Jordan Balazovic, the team’s other top pitching prospect, has allowed 10 earned runs in 14 innings so far in 2021. Charlie Barnes and Griffin Jax can be given longer looks as rotational options, but these aren’t the exciting prospects fans have eagerly been waiting to see.  

    RP: Jorge Alcala Replaces Hansel Robles

    Outside of Taylor Rogers, Robles has been the team’s most consistent reliever. To take over his late inning role, I’m all on board the Jorge Alcala train. He’s been working on increasing his changeup usage so he can be more effective versus left-handed batters. He has the potential to be a late-inning shutdown arm and the team needs to give him the opportunity to prove if he can sink or swim in this role. Minnesota’s bullpen will need an overhaul for 2022, but the team can use the rest of 2021 as a tryout for players in different roles.

    Can these play better than the players they are replacing? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

    MORE FROM TWINS DAILY
    — Latest Twins coverage from our writers
    — Recent Twins discussion in our forums
    — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email

    Cody Christie is a Twins writer and content contributor. His writing can be found exclusively at Twins Daily and his voice can be heard on radio stations throughout the Upper Midwest. Outside of the Twins, he is a father, high school teacher, and avid runner.
    Follow Cody Christie on Twitter: nodaktwinsfan

    Follow Twins Daily For Minnesota Twins News & Analysis

     Share
     Share
    Go to articles

    Recent Twins Articles

    Recent Twins Videos

    Community Blogs

    • Twins Win Green Glove For Earth Day
    • Minnesota Twins Re-Instate Royce Lewis from 10 Day IL and make a flurry of roster moved

    Forum Topics

    • Twins (Ober) vs Rays (McClanahan): 4/25/26, 3:10pm
    • Alan Roden Injury Thins Twins' Outfield Depth

    Twins Top Prospects

    Marek Houston

    Cedar Rapids Kernels - A+, SS
    The 22-year-old went 2-for-5 on Friday night, his fourth straight multi-hit game. Heading into the week, he was hitting .246/.328/.404 (.732). Four games later, he is hitting .303/.361/.447 (.808).
    View All Top Prospects
    How Can I Watch Minnesota Twins Games (Twins.TV) on Television or Online Streaming In 2026?

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments



    Featured Comments

    Mahoning

    Mahoning 305

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    Rooker is a terrible outfielder; Larnach is not too great either. They better hold onto Buxton and hope that the train of misfortunes has reached the station. Rocco doesn't seem to know what to do with Gordon, suggesting that he doesn't really have a position. But he sure can run. I'd rather see him in the lineup every day than Simmons because . . . what future does Simmons have? Are we waiting for the 15-game winning streak?

    insagt1

    insagt1 1,661

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    Seems to me the Twins issue is not with the position players. Its the pitching. And finding those diamonds in the rough is difficult.

    Would they trade Sano? Will they give up on Kepler and Simmons? With Buxton, will his injuries prevent the big payday that is expected? Is he happy staying a Twin? (reading the tea leaves, he sure doesn't sound real happy with Rocco)

    Will Kirilloff make it thru the season without needing surgery? He's a very important cog. Will Donaldson go?

    I think Twins need to find a regular spot for Gordon and Arraez going forward. Find out if they have a future in Minnesota. They are certainly decent talents.

    Is Jeffers ready to be the #1? Can Garver bounce back...maybe not as a catcher.

    Celestino and Rooker definitely NOT ready for prime time in 2021. How high are the Twins on those two?

    Any reason to keep Colome? Happ? Is Robles reliable enough?

    2021 may be a lost cause, but are we to also expect 2022 to be the same...as a 'rebuilding' year? Do the Twins really need to rebuild? Or just tweak and hope they couldn't possibly be as unlucky with key injuries next year? The bullpen has cost us a lot of games this year. Focus on that.

     

    DocBauer

    DocBauer 22,263

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

    #1] Barnes has been promoted more aggressively than I ever expected. I just can't believe this is convenience simply because they needed a AAA arm. Not NOW, but you have to consider giving him a shot before the year is done. Maybe Jax as well. There will be holes and opportunity. 

    #2] Winder is just about ready for a AAA stretch promotion and a late season audition. Don't hold him back. Let him get his feet wet, much like Ober, and take some lumps if necessary, and get him ready for 2022. Hopefully the same for Duran if his injury is mild. Really hoping Sands will be OK and get at least a 2nd half at AAA.  There are a trio of RP at Wichita that need to move up, at least after the draft, and get AAA work with the idea of at least progressing. 

    #3] Play Gordon, and play him at SS as well. You see enough in him to protect/keep him. SSS notwithstanding, you are seeing potential and ability at this point, worthy of keeping him on the 26 man roster. Athletically, he would seem to have the ability to play SS. He was drafted as a SS. He has continued to play SS in the minors as well as ST just this year. He supposedly doesn't have the arm to be a pure SS. And yet, he continues to play SS in the minors and ST. Could an offseason of gaining his weight and strength back help his arm as well as his bat? 

    I fully appreciate the idea of a contending team, or even a team shooting for .500 plus thinking Polanco is the 2nd best SS option. But aren't we now coming in to the evaluation and development phase for the rest of the year? How can you possibly play him at SS at AAA and ST, and then believe in his athleticism enough to transition him to CF with ONLY practice time and NOT also play him at SS to see what you have?

    I am NOT saying I believe Gordon is a starting ML SS. But I believe the ability is there to be at least a viable backup option there. If not, if he truly stinks, then why has he been playing the position in the first place the past few years? 

    Let the kid play 2B/SS/CF and see what you have. This is the perfect time to see who he is and might be. If you don't,  NOW I begin to wonder what the FO and coaching staff are thinking. 

    Thegrin

    Thegrin 857

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    Firstly. If the Twins take 3 of 4 from the Indians they will have a .500 record for June. A positive July will put them in the playoff picture, and they won't want to trade these vets.

    Secondly. The eye test says that Sano has become a pretty darn good First baseman. If Donaldson were to go, let Sano play 3rd. I bet he will do fine if he plays everyday.  :)

    LA Vikes Fan

    LA Vikes Fan 8,116

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    Two thoughts. Replace Simmons with Gordon until he shows you he can’t play shortstop and then move over Polanco. I’ve been advocating on other threads to trade Josh Donaldson even if it’s just a salary dump and includes money, and that would create a place for Arraez to start every day. Regardless, it’s a developmental year so let’s play Gordon at shortstop for 30-40 games and see if he can play the spot. We need to know.

    Next, why trade Robles? Let’s re-sign him for something like two years/$6 -$9 million. He’s not going to fetch a huge return and frankly is more valuable to us as a quality bullpen arm than he’s likely to be to anybody else. Keep him and between Rogers, Robles, Alcala, and Duffy, we actually have the outlines of a decent back end of a bullpen.

    Trade Cruz, Donaldson, Simmons and, if he’s healthy enough, Pineda. Replace them with Sano/Garver/Rooker/guys getting the day off in the field, Arraez, Gordon, and Barnes/Winder/Duran, respectively. Trade Happ if you can find a taker. Keep Colome In the hope that he rebounds to what he used to be since he has an option at the end of his contract and we aren’t going anywhere anyway, and it doesn’t look like he’s blocking anybody. Trade Kepler if the return is there. Get some relief innings for Cano, Ian Hamilton, Andrew Vasquez, and Moran in the second half.

    The rest of this year could be fun and productive if we get with the program and develop our guys/evaluate talent.  Let’s get this party started!

     

     

    RpR

    RpR 3,665

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    From 2010 to 2018 the twins only had two respectable years; in 2019 it was quality veterans that were a big reason they did as well as they did.

    Odds are all  the hype of bring up blah, blah, blah because he looks good in the minors will just be return of 2011 to 2018 , at best.

    I want to a winning or at least .500 team not year, after year, after year of losing while miracle dudes from the minors are mediocre most of the time.

    darwin22

    darwin22 1,987

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    On 6/23/2021 at 10:00 AM, Alex Schieferdecker said:

    The best starting pitching prospect still standing in the Twins organization is Josh Winder.

    If the team moves Pineda, they should certainly give Barnes a look because he's been pitching well in AAA, but Winder ought to be right behind him after what he's done in AA this year.

    In terms of relievers, Ian Hamilton, Danny Coulombe, or Yennier Cano from AAA will merit looks, as will Jovani Moran from AA.

    Alex:  Spot on with your analysis.  Winder has nothing left to prove at AA as he's made 10 starts---9 of those with 2 ER or less allowed.  Barnes should be given first opportunity quickly followed by Winder.  I've personally seen enough of Thorpe so I'd like to see what Cano and Moran could offer.  Moran might take a little longer as I think I noticed he was recently placed on IL.  Having seen Moran pitch recently in Wichita------he's got some filthy stuff which hopefully will play at higher levels. I also don't see any downside to bringing Hamilton and Columbe (sp) up as I've seen little to be impressed by Jax and others.

    Johnny Ringo

    Johnny Ringo 525

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    Folks, don't get too excited over moving Cruz, Simmons, Pineda and Robles. Remember all other 29 teams already had a shot at them. You will get VERY little in return. Any major leaguers offered in exchange will look like food at closing time at a mall buffet.  Sano can't be traded because of his contract. Ditto on Donaldson. Kepler, Buck, and Berrios are what teams want, especially Jose but I suspect none will be traded. Berrios is a tough one for the FO. By all accounts, he has Cole and Bauer salary numbers on his mind. That sets up a game of chicken for the respective parties as the deadline looms. 



    Create an account or sign in to comment

    You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

    Create an account

    Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

    Register a new account

    Sign in

    Already have an account? Sign in here.

    Sign In Now

×
×
  • Create New...