stringer bell

Lewis almost certainly will start the season in Wichita.

Gordon is out of options. If he is to be sent to the minors, he has to be exposed via DFA and could be claimed by any team.

Pretty much the way I see it. If Sánchez seldom or never is the DH, then it is fine to go with two catchers. Sánchez will most likely be catching at least twice a week and to pay him what he will make for catching twice a week is well, a waste. I expect he’ll DH at least occasionally, necessitating a third catcher. As I mentioned upthread, I would hope the Twins can tweak both their active and 40-man rosters before Opening Day. Adding an experienced and sound defensive catcher and a right handed three-position outfielder who is a plus defender would be the two areas to upgrade. Nick Gordon is no better than a third option at second, short and center. While I like his speed and versatility, he is superfluous, if the Twins have to sacrifice him to get a better bench fit, they should go for it. I feel the same way about Rooker, who also isn’t an asset against LH pitching (reverse platoon splits).

Arraez, Godoy, Larnach, Gordon could and should all make the roster. Assuming Sanchez serves as the DH at least a quarter of the time, the need for a third catcher ratchets up and Godoy fills the bill. For Larnach, getting playing time would depend on having one of three right handed hitters not in the starting lineup--Jeffers, Sanchez, Sano--which would be a pretty good bet against right handed pitching. Gordon is serviceable in center field can fill in at shortstop as well and is out of options. Nick does provide speed off the bench if the Twins are looking for a pinch runner. If there is no need for a third catcher (that is that Sanchez seldom is the DH) then Celestino is a logical choice to provide better defense and speed and a right handed option at the corner outfield spots, as well as a backup in center field. I would hope that the Twins could improve their options for their bench. Cutdown time is coming for all teams and many players will be DFAed when the rosters are reduced. Finding a right handed outfielder who could provide a platoon edge in left and who could cover center field short-term would be ideal as would be adding a fourth option at catcher.

Fangraphs states that Rooker has not one but two options remaining, so that shouldn't be a consideration, The other players of note with no options remaining are Gordon and Cotton.

Rooker hasn’t played for about five days since suffering a mild injury. In the meantime, Larnach is playing well. I can certainly see Larnach starting most games in left against right handed pitching, with one of Sanó, Jeffers or Sánchez on the bench. Unless Celestino or a non-roster guy makes the team in the scenario I’m envisioning, all of the Twins corner OFs would be left handed hitters.

I think Larnach is the eventual right fielder for the Twins, with Martin becoming the left fielder perhaps as soon as this year. That would leave Kepler as the odd man. I hope Kep has a good season and raises his trade value.

I've projected Godoy as a third catcher making the club and I would expect Sanchez to DH occasionally. If the Twins don't DH Sanchez frequently most of the DH at-bats would go to Sano, with Kirlloff then getting more duty at first base. I see no role for Rooker on this team, particuarly since he had reverse splits as far as hitting left handed pitching. Celestino is the best fit for backup outfielder (RH hitter, center field capable, decent running speed and defense), but the question is whether he (and the Twins) would be better served by him getting playing time at St. Paul.

There's a news item about Larnach today, as well. I think he'll break camp with the team and get plenty of starts in left field. This does leave a real gap in terms of backup outfielders, but i think there's room for Larnach and Kirilloff on 2022 Twins team.

I think Larnach will make the team out of Spring Training and I think he'll get quite a few starts in left field, with Kirilloff at first base. His 2021 season did change after the HBPs and the injury to his lower leg. I think he has go some to restore the luster, but he's off to a good start.

Somewhat surprised that Thorpe wasn't claimed, but everyone is crunched for 40-man room.

Well, he's been an All-Star as often as Correa. I guess that shows that All-Star appearances aren't an exact indication of how good a player is. I see he had thoracic outlet surgery, same as Phil Hughes. How many pitchers have recovered and thrived after such a surgery? Better to have someone than no one, but I have my doubt how well he will do. I'm guessing they thought he has more in the tank than Cueto. I am wondering who gets taken off the 40-man roster to make room for Archer.

Stolen bases are overrated, but speed is not (IMHO). Arraez should be the starting 3B most often against RH pitching. Kirilloff should be in almost every day. Sanó and Sánchez are lousy defensive players, so they should DH most often.

Palacios seemed to take a quantum leap last season, so if he were to do the same thing this season…… maybe he could be an impact major leaguer. Someone may have mentioned this before, but I googled Palacios and he was listed at 6-0 and 145 pounds. I am not going to win a lot of prizes guessing weights, but I’m guessing he is north of 180 now. It points out the pitfalls of signing teenagers—they physically mature so differently and unpredictably. For every Nick Gordon, there’s a Miguel Sanó.

Maybe in 2023. Arraez and Martin both look like top of the order guys to me and there is a pretty good chance that Martin will make his debut this year.

I was thinking the same thing. Correa and Buxton could be two of the very best players in all of baseball and either could exceed 7 or even 8 WAR.

If the Twins carry only three outfielders plus Kirilloff, I think Larnach wins out. He homered again today (no. 2) and he would be in line for quite a few starts in left when Sánchez catches. Celestino profiles better as a backup OF, but if Larnach is given more than a couple starts a week, I’d prefer to see him in the lineup.

After the lockout, big trades and a huge free agent signing (who knew Joe Smith would be available?), the Twins are zeroing in on Opening Day 2022. They will carry 28 players for the month of April, allowing additional ramping up for pitchers. I don't claim to all-knowing, but I have listened to and watched Twins baseball since Calvin moved the team to Met Stadium. The roster I'm predicting will include 15 pitchers, about as many as the Twins used in some full seasons in the 60s. Okay, here goes: PITCHERS: 15--Five starters, three openers/multi-inning, seven bullpen. Starters--Sonny Gray, Dylan Bundy, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Josh Winder. Comment: There is still a decent chance that the Twins will add a rotation piece either by trade or free agency. I hope they do. This would appear to be the year that a pipeline to the majors is established with prospects graduating to fill rotation spots long-term. Openers/Multi-inning relievers--Griffin Jax, Lewis Thorpe, Jhoan Duran. Comment: This is the group impacted positively by the expanded rosters. All three have been primarily starters since coming to the Twins organization. Due to ineffectiveness and a closing window, Jax and Thorpe have been designated relievers (Thorpe is also out of options) and Duran is coming back from a season where he logged less than 20 innings. Duran is a top prospect who might have 2022 as a bullpen year and then return in 2023 as a starter or he may become a full-time reliever now for the balance of his career. Bullpen--Jharel Cotton, Jhon Romero, Tyler Duffey, Joe Smith, Caleb Thielbar, Jorge Alcala, Taylor Rogers. Comment: Cotton and Romero are pure guesses for two spots in the bullpen. Cody Stashak and Jovani Moran are also candidates among the rostered pitchers. A non-roster guy or two could be a candidate to take a spot, but the Twins have a stacked 40-man roster for now. In particular I've liked what I've seen out of Juan Minaya since midsummer of 2021. Barring injury, at some point in 2022 he will be pitching for the Twins. I just don't think he will be there on Opening Day. CATCHERS: 3-Ryan Jeffers, Gary Sanchez, Jose Godoy. Comment: Godoy makes the club as a third catcher because I think Gary Sanchez will be used fairly often as a DH. Rocco doesn't overuse catchers, he'll basically alternate Jeffers and Sanchez behind the plate, but if Sanchez is DHing as much as 25% of the time, having a third catcher would make sense. Godoy appears to be functional, but not a candidate for everyday play. INFIELDERS: 6-Miguel Sano, Jorge Polanco, Luis Arraez, Carlos Correa, Nick Gordon, Gio Urshela. Comment: Top prospect Jose Miranda doesn't make it here, although after last year's breakout, he really should. I've listed Kirilloff as an outfielder, he'll also get a lot of time in the infield. Gordon might log some time in the outfield as well. Four players at second, short and third--Arraez, Polanco, Correa, Urshela--should cover almost all the starts leaving Gordon without much playing time. Sano will DH a considerable amount. OUTFIELDERS: 4--Alex Kirilloff, Trevor Larnach, Byron Buxton, Max Kepler. Comment: Brent Rooker misses the cut here in my estimation due to his lack of flexibility and fielding deficiencies. Larnach is the better defender and hits left handed. If the Twins are using Sano at DH (and Kirilloff at first) it opens considerable playing time for Larnach in left field. I also wouldn't be surprised to see the club pick up a right handed outfielder, who can run and play defense to add to the Opening Day roster.

Should the Twins look for a veteran to fill the fifth spot? With what is left on free agent market, I don't think it is a considerable upgrade. So IMHO the question becomes what is the best for the player? I don't think Winder would be damaged beyond repair if he was sent down after struggling. Does he give the team a better chance to win than anyone else? I don't know, but I certainly could be convinced that he is the best option. The Twins do have a lot of near-ready talent in the upper minors. They will probably have to cull the herd a bit which probably gives them impetus to trade prospects for an established starter. I can endorse such a move, but what the current front office hasn't done is choose the right people to let go. They will have lots of guys to plug in to try and stick in the rotation.

I think Celestino would be fine if Buxton has a disabling injury. The more time before this happens, the better. Unless the Twins make a trade of prospects for player, they are going to have 40-man issues I think.

Old people unite! ?

Nothing unexpected. My question would not only be where Martin will be playing, but what position he will play, particularly since there are other options at AA and AAA.

Okay. I have composed a simple Google Doc which covers the month of April for Twins Game Thread introductions. It is a week short of a whole month, so it is pretty close to filled for the coming month there may be more willing volunteers than dates available. That probably will change in the coming months. https://docs.google.com/document/d/133Kk515FAq_Hl74qSsD9HKsYBFtkNqEMByWvvYtBKmQ/edit

Hasn't it been determined there will be 28 to start the season? That was the announcement that accompanied the "ghost runner" news.