Twins Add Pitchers Marco Raya, Travis Adams to 40-Man Roster, Leave Intriguing Prospects Eligible for Rule 5 Draft

I'm neither worried about losing any of the unprotected players nor concerned if we do.  

I forgot about Moran....he had some dominant stretches as a reliever....he's also had stretches where he can't throw strikes.  He's an interesting piece to fill the left-handed reliever role....

2 minutes ago, Danchat said:

Interesting, Nick had 10% odds on Adams getting protected, but now that I further examine the numbers I can see the logic behind it. He was solid his second time around in Wichita, and with his stuff hitting 97 MPH, I could also see him being a weapon if converted to the pen. And he's actually been durable, unlike a good chunk of our pitching prospects!

I get not protecting Rosario, he could get claimed in a Baddoo-like situation but I think he's a year away from needing to be added. Methinks Olivar is also a year away.

I don't see the worry with losing Moran, I'm surprised he wasn't a minor league free agent. He could have been claimed on waivers when he was outrighted. Not a big deal at all if we lose him, though they need to start adding lefty relievers in this organization. For that reason, it'd be nice to keep MacLeod.

10 percent shows these guys have no clue what's really going on

I don't see Babe Ruth and Willie Mays on the unprotected list.

They must think Adams will be worth using in the bullpen next season. If he's on the roster he'll get some innings. He didn't make the recent Twins Daily top 30 prospect list.

I'm way more interested in what other teams are getting rid of than what the Twins left exposed. The Guardians let Connor Gillispie go and he's as interesting as Adams.. 

Adding only 2 to the 40 man roster doesn't show much of the farm system.  Hopefully some of the before mentioned players, don't get lost.

I don't think Moran is much of a risk.  I can't imagine anyone adding him with the "hope" that he will be ready for spring training.  I think teams want more certainty.

I'm with DJL44, I'm really more interested in who the Twins might have an interest in now that all the names are out there.  I'm not knowledgeable enough to know who would be someone to go after.  Maybe TD will have a quick follow up with a list of 5 players who could be interesting targets.  If there are any interesting catchers I would think that's a no-brainer.  Or possibly a 1B.  

2 hours ago, Russ said:

Adding only 2 to the 40 man roster doesn't show much of the farm system.  Hopefully some of the before mentioned players, don't get lost.

generally not to many guys taken.  the real action takes place on the minor league portion.

9 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

I will judge this after two more years.  Rule V is not a quick win or lose. 

Whitlock might be the one of the few recent picks that worked but injuries are derailing him 

8 hours ago, Russ said:

Adding only 2 to the 40 man roster doesn't show much of the farm system.  Hopefully some of the before mentioned players, don't get lost.

The around 20 pre arb players on the roster would show much for the farm system 

I am a bit surprised that Moran wasn't added; however, the Twins certainly know how he is progressing.  Not protecting him seems like he may not have made appropriate progress.

The decision to add or not is not based on if you think they will eventually become an MLB player or contribute there, but will a team be willing to take them from you having to use a 26 man roster spot.  Rule 5 picks are commonly pitchers with high upside that normally do not have a 2nd pitch yet.  They can be stashed at back of pen.  Sounds like Adams is in that roll.  

The position players that were left off may be taken by a fully rebuilding team, A's or White Sox come to mind.  They may take someone hoping that the player can grow at the MLB level.  However, there is reason they were left off because the team does not think they are MLB ready nor will be for at least a full year or two. 

I have a feeling Rosario's shoulder is still bothering him.  His K rate is up and power is down over the last year.  Not a good combo for a hitter. 

Rosario and Olivar are probably safe as they both haven't played much above AA. I think they made the right moves as far as 40 man protection. I forgot Moran was still around. Hopefully he can come to spring training fully healthy and be one of the lefties we need. I still think we need to sign a LHRP with a good track record, but if Moran can put it together like Alcala did this year, our pen starts to look pretty solid.

Given this front office's track record of being geniuses when it comes to properly evaluating players within the organization (names that include Lamonte Wade, Rooker, Gil to name a few examples), I have every confidence that they chose the correct players to protect/expose.

I think part of what we're seeing is that it's difficult to take a position player in the Rule 5 draft with almost every team running a 13 man bench for position players in MLB. Unless your Rule 5 selection can come in and play at least some fairly early you're putting your squad in a bad position. Pitchers are much more likely to get taken if someone is in AA or AAA, might have some utility in the bullpen, and could serve as the 8th guy.

Winkel could get taken by a team who doesn't like their choices for a backup catcher and has nothing in AAA, but it seems unlikely. Olivar was a guy I was worried about a bad team taking and trying to stash for a season to send him back to the minors next season, but he's probably too far away from being ready to contribute especially since his catching skills need work. I thought they might protect Rosario, but since he's never played above AA, is a poor defender, and K-prone, it would probably be tough for a team to hang on to him for the full season on the 26 man.

Nowlin might get grabbed; I would definitely go there if I wasn't a contending team: he's left handed with some upside and could float in the bullpen all year for a bad team (CWS?) while the staff works on his stuff, command, etc and sends him back down next season. But he's probably behind Festa, Matthews, Lewis, Raya, Adams, and Morris in the starting pitching pecking order so it's probably not a great loss if someone takes a flier on him.

33 minutes ago, LambchoP said:

Rosario and Olivar are probably safe as they both haven't played much above AA. I think they made the right moves as far as 40 man protection. I forgot Moran was still around. Hopefully he can come to spring training fully healthy and be one of the lefties we need. I still think we need to sign a LHRP with a good track record, but if Moran can put it together like Alcala did this year, our pen starts to look pretty solid.

Moran is an interesting case, but he's also got a bigger contract, correct? Maybe a team would try to grab him in the Rule 5, put him on the 16-man and then send him to the 60-day IL at the start of the year? But it still occupies a precious 26-man slot at a tight time of year with a player that isn't going to contribute. I think it will be tough for a team to take a player with a history of wildness coming off a major injury to slot into the 26-man. 

Personally a little surprised to see Moran left unprotected.

This process always reminds me how much fans overvalue their own prospects.