Twins Sign Infielder Ronald Torreyes

Is there a trade or something happening? I'm just not sure we needed this. Low risk, but do we really need that many utility infielders?

I was pretty mesh about the Torreyes signing initially ,but when Dan Hayes tweeted that it was a split deal and he has an option remaining, I like it. He has an option left, so he could go down. He could compete with Adrianza for a utility infield job in 2019, and if he wins, Adrianza's contract isn't guaranteed. Also, one more year of Adrianza as a utility guy might make him a $2 million guy, in which case they can non-tender him and Torreyes does the same job in 2020 or $1.2 million instead. Also, Torreyes has hit a bit in the big leagues too, so there's certainly some talent there. 

Also, Adrianza had surgery on the labrum in his left shoulder in October.

Likely will not affect his fielding but perhaps it will have a negative impact on his offense.  We likely won't know until spring training.

Went thru most of last year with no infielders on the 40-man down at Rochester, until adding Pettit and another guy late in the year.  With Gordon and Arraez on the 40-man, but not really ready to be with the Twins, this gives them added depth.  Also provides competition for Adrianza.  Smart move. 

Expect they will carry more than 21 pitchers, thus, at least one position player will be departing.  My best guess is Granite will be first.  Additional pitcher signings will be tied to removing a pitcher from the 40-man, whether by trade or waiving player X.

Big Toe! 

One year contract, so they're planning on trading him in July.

This is a take I can't understand. Astudillo has done nothing but proven himself worthy at every level. He gets mocked because of his stature, but yet out hustled and out-performed nearly everyone on the Twins roster the final two months of the season. What more does he have to do?

 

No one will ever mistake him for a generational player. He is a guy worthy of playing time at the MLB level. Unless of course you're content with Castro's career .231/.311/.386 ... then by all means. Buh...buh.... pitch framing. Bleh.

 

Also, 90 losses don't happen because of one player.

Exactly.

100 ABs last year and only 2 walks, that's why his BA of .281 is not very impressive (.291 OBP). IDK, it just seems like there isn't much upside here.

Castro has a career .311 OBP. Would be good to let the kid get some ABs and see what happens.