stringer bell

Rooker has been out for the better part of a week.

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.

I think that the Twins don't have a lot of room to make cuts from their 40-man roster, although they managed to outright Lewis Thorpe yesterday. That said, just about every year a non-roster player or two makes the team forcing another player or players off the 40-man roster. Even with the abbreviated schedule of games for this spring training, several non-roster players have seen a lot of action. I'll mention a few here and ask the faithful readers if they think there are others with a chance to go north with the team, or failing that, to get called up sometime during the season. Pitchers: Juan Minaya pitched very well for the club in 2021, but was non-tendered and then signed a minor-league contract after the lockout ended. Trevor Megill broke in with the Cubs last year and was unimpressive, but the big guy throws hard, so if he can find some command, he might get a look. Chi Chi Gonzalez has started two games this spring for the Twins after being signed. He last pitched (ineffectively) for the Rockies. It looks like throwing strikes is Gonzalez' bugaboo as well. Deven Smeltzer only pitched a few innings last year before being felled by injuries. He's not a hard thrower, but he's had a bit of success working as both a starter and multiple inning reliever. Not mentioned by anyone, but Jake Faria has looked pretty good in his appearances with the Twins this spring. He has thrown over 200 major league innings with the Rays, Brewers and D-Backs. Ian Hamilton was quite effective for St. Paul last year, but never got the call to join the Twins. Infielders: Former #1 overall pick Tim Beckham has put up good numbers in the spring training exhibitions. You don't become an overall #1 pick without talent, but you don't bounce around like Beckham has without some issues. Daniel Robertson has logged almost a thousand plate appearances, mostly with the Rays. He plays second, short and third. Curtis Terry made the majors last year with Texas and has seen quite a bit of time at first base. Outfielders: Jake Cave and Kyle Garlick both saw time with the Twins last year although both had their seasons curtailed by injury. Garlick bashed lefties and played acceptably in the field, but was felled by a sports hernia (IIRC) and Cave had chance for regular play, but was terrible at the plate and then injured, perhaps the injury affected his play. Lastly, Derek Fisher has played quite a bit of outfield this spring. He has experience with the Astros, Blue Jays and Brewers. I really don't think any of those I've mentioned will make the Opening Day roster, but I do think a couple might be recalled at some point in the season. All of the guys I've listed have at least a little big-league experience. Are there any others I've missed? Does anyone think that one or more of these players can break through and contribute?

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.

With the limit on using options to the minors, how does that impact extra players called up for doubleheaders? Will that count as an option if they are called up for one game and returned after? Perhaps off-topic I had a question about whether the first two draft selections of any year ended up being teammates as Correa and Buxton will be.

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.

Not exactly roaring out of the gates—Polanco .059, Kepler .167, Sanó.111, Sánchez .077, Urshela .133, Jeffers .083.

Lineup per espn: Buxton Polanco Correa Kepler Sano Kirilloff Sanchez Urshela Jeffers Ryan

Well, today's lineup might be what is on tap for Opening Day.

I doubt Dobnak is done for the year. However, whether he has surgery or not, he is going to miss a lot of time. The list of replacements for the current four starters (and one unknown) is pretty long with potential for each one to be a fixture in the rotation. We all know what happens more often than not when rookies face big-league hitters the first go round, but, as stated, there are 4-8 arms in the organization that could step forward and become key pieces for now and the future. Here's my list: Jordan Balazovic, Josh Winder, Cole Sands, Simeon Woods Richardson, Matt Canterino, Louis Varland, Jhoan Duran and Drew Strotman. I don't think Duran will be a starter in the majors this year, but I think he might be a bullpen arm as soon as Opening Day. By only acquiring two starters (neither top tier) the Twins seem to be betting that many of the young arms in their system (add Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober) will contribute as soon as this year.

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.

Chi Chi Gonzalez will probably be pitching in St. Paul if the Twins don't release him. Not enough strikes.

He did pitch an inning the next day, but was DFAed when the Correa signing was announced. Keeping not young bullpen guys on the 40-man is a challenge. The Twins risked Garza and he was claimed.

I just checked Gamecast today and it listed injuries to Alcala, Miranda and Rooker. I heard that Rooker had a minor issue, but this is the first injury news I’ve heard about Miranda and Alcala.