Seth Stohs

With the possible exception of Gordon, none of the rest of these guys would play SS in at least the first half of 2022 and some of them for a year or three.

I would think someone, maybe even the Tigers, would give him an MLB contract.

On Friday, teams had to make their 40-man roster additions. Along with adding players, teams usually have to let players go in order to make room for more. At least one of those players should be on the Twins radar, again. Last offseason, the Twins made the decision to move Jorge Polanco to second base. They wanted better defense at the shortstop position. With that in mind, the Twins signed Andrelton Simmons to a one-year deal. It didn’t go well. While Simmons provided the solid defense, he did very little with the bat. His .558 OPS was over .100 lower than it had been in all but one of his previous nine MLB seasons. His previous low was .617 in 2014. Even after his rough 2021 season, his career OPS of .683 should make the Twins consider bringing him back on a much lower contract, maybe in the $3 million range. courtesy Byron Buxton Instagram However, there was a shortstop that became available due to Friday’s roster transactions. One would be a player returning to the organization that he spent nearly a decade in and made his big-league debut with. Let’s discuss both, and then in the comments you can tell me if this player should be considered. But before that, I want to point out that my personal opinion is that the Twins need to spend available dollars this offseason on pitching. So while I would love to see the Twins grab one of those big-name, big-dollar free agent shortstops, I’m going to assume that they won’t and that they will spend big on pitching. (maybe not a fair assumption, but one that I will go with for this article.) Niko Goodrum According to MLB Trade Rumors, Niko Goodrum was projected to make $2.9 million in 2022 through arbitration. He wasn’t going to get that coming off of an injury-plagued 2021 season in which he hit just .214/.292/.359 (.651) with 11 doubles and nine home runs. He had several stints on the Injured List with calf and groin injuries. In the Covid-shortened 2020 season, he hit just .184/.263/.335 (.598) with seven doubles and five home runs. These two seasons have been rough for Goodrum offensively, no doubt, but still 10-20% better than what Simmons provided in 2021. That’s obviously a low bar. So why would I personally be interested in bringing Goodrum back to the organization where he debuted in 2017 and went 1-for-17 (.059) in September. He signed with the Tigers and had two really strong seasons. In 2018, he hit .245/.315/.432 (.749) with 29 doubles and 16 homers. In 2019, he hit .248/.322/.421 (.743) with 27 doubles, five triples and 12 homers. He stole 12 bases in 2018 and 2019, and 14 bases in 2021. Goodrum will turn 30 early in spring training 2022. While the upside may be somewhat limited and include a lot of swing-and more,, there is also great athleticism, tools, speed and power with Goodrum. The Twins drafted and signed Cartier “Niko” Goodrum out of high school in Georgia in 2010. Jorge Polanco had signed a year earlier. The two climbed up the organization ladder together. Goodrum played mostly shortstop while Polanco played shortstop. Could the keystone combination exist again? In 2020, Goodrum was a finalist for an AL Gold Glove at shortstop. He is a natural shortstop with good range and a strong arm. If the Twins signed him and told him to prepare to compete for the team’s starting shortstop job, he might be a terrific choice. Hey, if the other choices right now include a return of Simmons, then I would certainly support giving Goodrum a shot. What would it cost? I would think a one-year, $1.5 to $2.0 million would do it, especially if he was given the opportunity to start most days at shortstop. If he’s given an opportunity to start most every day at shortstop, it’s likely he would just want a one year deal, hope it goes well, and enter free agency again after the 2022 season when it isn’t the greatest free agent shortstop class ever. Because of the dollars, it would be a low-risk deal. Because of his defense, speed and power potential, there is a chance for reward. If it doesn’t go well, he can finish the year as a utility player, capable of playing seven positions (yes, all better than Willians Astudillo). If Royce Lewis is deemed ready-to-go sometime in 2021, Goodrum can become a utility player. In addition, Goodrum might have interest in a return because he has several former teammates from his minor league days with the. He played over his years with Byron Buxton, Miguel Sano, Jorge Polanco, Max Kepler, Mitch Garver, Tyler Duffey, Taylor Rogers, and Tommy Watkins was a coach and manager. An added bonus is that Goodrum has always been great in the community, going back to his Twins days when he was a Harmon Killebrew Community Service Award recipient in 2013 with the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Many times the concept of “Bring Back the Gang” gets a negative connotation. Sometimes that is fair. Other times, it just makes sense. If healthy, Niko Goodrum can provide really good defense at shortstop, some power at the plate and speed. Yes, that comes with some injury risk and a lot of strikeouts. But at the price tag, it is certainly worth strong consideration. So what do you think? Should the Twins consider a reunion with Niko Goodrum? View full article

It may have nothing to do with learning that he had been Designated for Assignment by the Twins, but Willians Astudillo is making headlines in the Venezuelan Winter League for throwing a sucker punch in an in-game benches-clearing brawl on Friday. Teammate Tomas Telis, who played for the Saints in 2021, was also involved. In an awful scene on the baseball field in Venezuela, a couple of former Minnesota Twins will likely face suspension. After Marlins pitcher Luis Madero, pitching for Lara, hit a batter with a pitch, benches cleared. As the teams were coming together, Willians Astudillo ran in from the third base line and sucker-punched Madero, clocking him in the head with a punch. Tomas Telis, the batter who was hit by the pitch and one of the Twins best Triple-A players since 2019, came in and kicked Madera while he was on the ground. Last week when the teams played, Madera was involved in another benches-clearing brawl. On Friday, the Twins announced that "La Tortuga" had been designated for assignment or release to make room on the team's 40-man roster. Since making a great first impression in 2018, Astudillo has not hit much for the Twins. It will be interesting to see if any other organizations had claimed Astudillo and how this event may alter those decisions. In eight games, Astudillo was hitting .281 for Caribes. His young brother, Wilfred, is also on the team. So is former Twins outfielder Oswaldo Arcia who, at 30, is hitting .143 through 14 games. Tomas Telis had played in 122 MLB games between 2014 and 2018 when he signed with the Twins. In 2019, he hit .330 for the Rochester Red Wings. He was at the Twins alternate site in 2020. He hit .296 with 12 homers for the St. Paul Saints this season. He already had over 100 plate appearances for Caribes when this happened and is hitting .435 with 12 doubles and three homers in 22 games. A quick twitter search for "Willians Astudillo" contains tweets in Spanish from baseball fans that are not supportive of Astudillo. Google Translate allows me to try to interpret what these fans are saying. Some simply write that they would like to see the league use Astudillo as an example and suspend him for a long time. Others have responded by saying things like Astudillo deserves a baseball to the head. One writes that Astudillo should face criminal charges, that this goes beyond "sports" saying he is a danger to others. Obviously this goes completely against the reputation that Astudillo had in the eyes and minds of most Twins fans. He was La Tortuga. He's got the big smile. He's always having fun. And, to throw out an opinion, it is likely that is the real Willians Astudillo and his actions from Friday night were a brief lapse in judgment. As we know, that is no excuse and still needs to have consequences. Will update if and when more information becomes available. View full article

Just the Rule 5 draft... They can't be claimed. They aren't minor league free agents. They're still with the Twins until they decide they aren't. Only way they're lost is if they get taken in the Rule 5. Also, up above, some have said that Goodrum was Rule 5d from the Twins. No, the Twins DFAd him and he became a minor league free agent and signed with the Tigers.

Interesting thought, but I just don't see that as possible. just 9 players beyond the 26-man roster... With the Twins injury situation in 2021, they would have run out of people.

There are LOTS of other players on the 40-man roster currently that can come off the roster when free agents are added, or they need them.

Jax is a whole 10 months older than Barnes... Jax has a good slider and some fastball velocity. I like Barnes too, but he's got to really be pinpoint with his velocity. That's an easy choice. Jax shouldn't be considered for DFA at this point. Now, Thorpe vs. Barnes... that's an interesting decision. Thorpe is a few months younger, but the velocity concerns are still there. My assumption is Jax will start in AAA and get time in the Twins bullpen. Barnes will likely make a whole bunch of starts in St. Paul. Thorpe will likely make starts for some other organization's AAA squad...

Palacios and Severino still have a real shot at impacting this team... Neither is likely to be Rule 5d. And, there are several others who are still on the 40-man roster that the same thing can be said of. Also, Cave's deal isn't even guaranteed. If he's released before the season starts, he only gets a portion of it.

Just added some short quotes from Lewis, Miranda and Enlow...

Cave likely signed for a very low contract. With OF like Larnach and Celestino and possibly even Kirilloff needing some time at the beginning of the season, they keep him around. Not sure what it means for Buxton, if anything. As guys prove themselves ready, the contract is low enough to just drop. That's a minor note in today's story, by the way... the Six adds are the big thing.

On Friday afternoon, the Minnesota Twins announced that they have added six players to their 40-man roster (four pitchers and two hitters). To make room, the team also had to remove several players from the roster. Top prospect Royce Lewis and 2021 Minor League Hitter of the Year Jose Miranda headline the additions. In addition, starting pitchers Josh Winder, Cole Sands, Blayne Enlow and Chris Vallimont were also added to the roster. Despite missing the entire 2021 season with a torn ACL, Royce Lewis was an easy choice to add. The #1 pick in the 2017 draft (and current Twins Daily #1 prospect) remains a top prospect in the organization as well as in all of baseball. He participated at the Twins alternate site in St. Paul in 2020. Lewis should start the 2022 season at Double-A Wichita and from there we’ll just see how his knee and his swing and his glove respond. It's possible that Lewis ends the season with the Twins. Following the announcement, Lewis said he is excited. "It means a lot! I really appreciate any sort of opportunity." And after a lost season and lots of recovery, he added, "Always great to hear any good news!" Jose Miranda was a second-round pick in 2016 out of school in Puerto Rico. He’s always had good power potential and contact skills, but things really came together in 2021 when he hit a combined .343 with 30 doubles and 30 home runs between Wichita and St. Paul. Depending on other offseason moves, Miranda should start the 2022 season in St. Paul, hopefully continue mashing and be ready for an opening at third base, or second base, or first base with the Twins. Miranda was the Twins Daily #6 prospect in August. After hearing the news, Miranda told Twins Daily, "It means a lot, especially after a lost season last year. (I'm) excited and pumped for what the future holds, and this makes me want to work harder!" Josh Winder broke out in 2021 as well. After impressing coaches at Instructional League a year ago and at big-league spring training this year, he was fantastic in Wichita before starting out strong after his promotion to St. Paul. He pitched in the Futures Game before being shut down with shoulder issues. Assuming health, Winder may be competing for a big-league job in spring training. He’s likely to start in St. Paul but could be ready for The Call whenever needed. Winder is Twins Daily’s #11 prospect. Winder was the team’s seventh-round pick in 2018 from VMI. Two rounds earlier, the Twins selected Cole Sands out of Florida State. Although he missed a few starts with minor injuries, he had a terrific season in Double-A Wichita. Sands should start 2021 in St. Paul and could be ready by midseason. Sands is the #19 Twins Daily prospect. Chris Vallimont had an ERA over six and he walked far too many batters in 2021, but the former Marlins prospect was added to the 40-man roster because he has electric stuff. While there may be questions about if he’ll be a starter long-term, the worst case is he can be a strong bullpen arm. Vallimont is the Twins Daily #25-ranked prospect. Blayne Enlow was certainly a more difficult choice, but the team decided to believe in the future of their 2017 third-round pick. His potential, even as he continues to rehab from his May 2021 Tommy John surgery, remains very high. In 2021, he was throwing harder, mixed all of his pitches and was missing a lot more bats than he previously had. If all goes well, maybe he is making rehab appearances in June or July. If things go well and he continues to progress, he could debut by the end of the 2023 season. He ranked #17 on Twins Daily's prospect list. After hearing the news, Enlow told Twins Daily he's "just getting started." The goal, of course, is to avoid a situation like a year ago when the Twins lost Akil Baddoo to the Tigers and Tyler Wells to the Orioles. Both not only made their team out of spring training, but they both became important contributors. Last year, due to Covid, there were no minor league games in which to evaluate players. At least this year, they have game video and stats and more with which to do their evaluations. But, that doesn’t make all of the decisions easy. Here are several players at risk to be lost in the Rule 5 draft. Austin Schulfer is a potential Rule 5 pick. As a starter in 2021 in Wichita, he was touching 96 mph with good secondary pitches. Again, he might end up a reliever, but there is certainly potential in his right arm Others who could be at-risk to be selected in the Rule 5 draft include shortstop-turned-pitcher Jordan Gore who was Twins Daily’s Right-Handed Relief Pitcher All Star for his work in Cedar Rapids and Wichita in his first season on the mound. St. Paul Saints relievers Ian Hamilton and Ryan Mason are also now eligible to be Rule 5d next month. Both found success in Triple-A in 2021 and could contribute in the big leagues when called upon. Other relievers that could be selected include lefties Kody Funderburk and Zach Featherstone, along with recently-acquired Alex Scherff. Utility players are often taken in the Rule 5 draft. The Twins could potentially lose Jermaine Palacios (who re-signed with the Twins quickly this offseason), Michael Helman (who broke out power this year while playing six positions well), and Yunior Severino (former big-time prospect who hit well when he joined Cedar Rapids late in the season). In addition, Mark Contreras was left unprotected after hitting 30 doubles and 20 home runs, mostly in Triple-A St. Paul in 2021. He could be a team’s fourth outfielder right now if selected. For more information on the players added or left unprotected, click here. In order to make room, the Twins dropped several players from their 40-man roster. While the players added to the 40-man roster are very excited, the players removed from the 40-man roster are on the opposite end of the excitement spectrum. The Twins have signed OF Jake Cave to an MLB deal. They outrighted LHP Devin Smeltzer and outfielder Kyle Garlick to Triple-A St. Paul. Lefty Charlie Barnes and C/IF Willians Astudillo have been DFAd. The 40-man roster is now at 40. Jake Cave was a very productive fourth outfielder for the Twins in 2018 and 2019. Over those two seasons, he hit .262/.329/.466 (.795) with 27 doubles and 21 homers in 163 games. Over the past two seasons, he has played in 118 games and hit just .202/.263/.332 (.595) with nine doubles and seven homers. His OPS+ over those two seasons was just 64. As an arbitration-eligible player, it is likely that he agreed to a deal at the Twins terms. Willians Astudillo (aka, La Tortuga) has been a fan favorite since he was first called up to the Twins and his .355 in 29 games in 2018. He has spent time with the Twins each of the past four years, but taking out that first season, he hit just .251/.278/.382 (.659) in 138 games since the beginning of the 2019 season. That is an OPS+ of just 77, 23% below league average. Will he clear waivers? Will there be a team that thinks his ability to stand at five positions, as well as squat behind the plate, provides value? Kyle Garlick was claimed by the Twins before spring training in 2021. His ability to his left-handed pitching gave him and chance and he took full advantage of it. He hit well against southpaws, until he got hurt. He tried to rehab and come back, but he ended up having surgery on a sports hernia. He was drafted in 2015, so he could become a free agent. Devin Smeltzer made an impressive first impression in his debut in 2019. He tossed six shutout innings in his big-league debut against the Brewers and had a 3.86 ERA over 49 innings. Unfortunately, he pitched to an ERA over six in just seven games in the shortened 2020 season. In 2021, He was hurt after just one appearance and missed the rest of the season (though he did toss 4 2/3 scoreless innings). He cleared waivers. Charlie Barnes made nine appearances (8 starts) for the Twins in 2021, usually spot starts, he went 0-3 with a 5.92 ERA. However, he went 6-4 with a 3.79 ERA in 16 starts for the St. Paul Saints, so I'm sure the Twins hope that he passes through waivers unclaimed and they can outright him to Triple-A. Let's discuss the Twins additions and subtractions from the 40-man roster. View full article

We learned in mid-September that Twins pitcher Griffin Jax had been named the 2021 MLB winner of the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award winner. On Thursday night, he received the honor in a virtual ceremony. "The Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation is proud to honor Minnesota Twins pitcher Griffin Jax,” Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation Founder and President Peter J. Fertig said. “Griffin has served his country honorably, becoming the first professional athlete in Major League Baseball to come from the United States Air Force Academy. His service to our country, like Bob Feller’s, serves as a reminder that service above self is still as important today as it was in years past." Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller enlisted in the military after Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941. This award recognizes those who share Feller’s commitment to serving the United States. The award began in 2013. When Griffin Jax was the Twins third-round draft pick in 2016, he became the highest-drafted player ever from the Air Force Academy. On June 8, he became the first Air Force Academy graduate to play in the big leagues. He remained on active duty in 2019, and he maintains the rank of Captain in the Air Force Reserves. His wife Savannah is a Captain in the US Air Force. She was deployed to Afghanistan just last year and was scheduled for another deployment in 2021. In an MLB.com article by Do Hyoung-Park, Jax said, "I think my job is stressful, but hearing what she has to do, and all that stuff, I've got it easy." In a pre-recorded acceptance aired online on Thursday night, Jax remained humble and thanked many including the Twins for nominating him. It's clear his entire family has strongly supported the military, not only in words and funds, but with active duty. "It is a huge honor. As a fellow serviceman, I understand the sacrifice and duty that one must embody as a serviceman. While I serve more in the recruitment role as a reservist, I understand first-hand, watching what my wife does on a day-to-day basis, and my two brothers, both Air Force Academy graduates and in pilot training, and their spouses as well. I watch how they embody themselves in the morals and the sacrifices they take on daily. I just want to give them a shout out as well because they are the true reason this award exists. Past Bob Feller Act of Valor Award winners 2013: Justin Verlander 2014: Nick Swisher 2015: Jonathan Lucroy 2016: Brad Ziegler 2017: Darren O’Day 2018: Sean Doolittle 2019: Ian Kennedy 2020: Craig Stammen The 2021 winners include: 1. National Baseball Hall of Fame Award: Joe Torre, Major League Baseball 2. Major League Baseball Award: Griffin Jax, Minnesota Twins 3. United States Navy Chief Petty Officer Award: ACC (AW/SW/IW) Joshua A. Sawyer, Naval Air Station Fallon, NV 4. United States Marine Corps, Jerry Coleman Award: First Sergeant, Daniel P. Best, Support Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) Support Battalion, III Marine Information Group 5. Peer-to-Peer, Sea Command Award: USS GERMANTOWN (LSD 42) Junior Enlisted Association, Sasebo Japan. 6. Peer-to-Peer, Ashore Installation Award: Training Support Center, Great Lakes, IL Chapter of the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) 7. Bob Feller Fellowship Award: Galen Odell, Emerson College According to the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation says on its website, “Each honoree possesses the values, integrity, and dedication to serving our country that Bob Feller himself displayed.” Over 500 MLB players have served in the military, including 37 Hall of Famers. Congratulations to Griffin Jax and the other recipients tonight! More on Griffin Jax: Get To Know: Twins RHP Prospect Griffin Jax (January 2017) Jax Debuts for Kernels (July 2017) Griffin Jax's Baseball Career Resumes (May 2018) ERA to MBA: The Many Talents of Griffin Jax (May 2021) Prospect Retrospective: Griffin Jax (June 2021) Trio Hinting at Twins Pitching Pipeline (August 2021) View full article

Seth chats with Minnesota Twins LHP prospect and 2021 3rd round draft pick Cade Povich about his baseball career, getting drafted out of Nebraska, his pitches and much more. View full video

Yes, he would need to be added to the 40-man roster... and I think the 60 Day IL is available right around when spring training starts.

Left-handed pitcher Cade Povich was the Twins third round pick this summer out of the University of Nebraska. Fair to say that he made a strong first impression with the organization. Join us live today at 12:00 pm (central) and send us your questions on the Twins Daily social media platforms, Twitter, Facebook or YouTube pages. Cade Povich grew up in Bellevue, Nebraska, a city on the south side of Omaha. He went to South Mountain Community College for his first year of school. He went 10-1 with a 1.52 ERA. In 2020, he returned to Nebraska, heading southwest down I-90 to Lincoln. He made four starts for the Cornhuskers that year due to the COVID shutdown. However, in his 21 1/3 innings, he struck out 26 batters and walked just two. He spent that summer playing for the infamous Savannah Bananas! He returned in 2021 as the team's ace. He made 15 starts and tossed 81 1/3 innings. In that time, he walked 22 and struck out 88 batters. Following the season, the Twins used their third-round draft pick on the southpaw. Upon signing, he went to Ft. Myers. He made one, two-inning appearance in the FCL and then pitched in three games for the Mighty Mussels. Combined, he walked two and struck out 19 batters in 10 innings. He gave up just one earned run. After the season, he impressed more people at the team's Instructional camp. Join us as we go live at 12:00 pm central time. We will discuss his baseball background, talk about his pitch mix, and get to know him a little bit. You can also participate by sending your questions. We'll cover a ton of topics over about 20-25 minutes. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Please watch LIVE today at 12:00 pm (central time) on the Twins Daily Twitter, Facebook or YouTube pages live. You can even ask questions in the comments below or on those platforms during the show and we'll ask them. Subscribe to the Twins Daily podcast on Libsyn, Apple iTunes or anywhere you download podcasts. For more on Cade Povich: Follow him on Twitter at @Cpo22. Follow him on Instagram at @cadepovich. Click here for Twins Daily articles on Cade Povich. Previous Episodes Click here to see more previous episodes of Twins Spotlight. Episode 36: Jose Miranda Episode 37: Kala'i Rosario Episode 38: Bailey Ober Episode 39: Simeon Woods Richardson Episode 40: Josh Winder Episode 41: Tyler Beck View full article

One of three intriguing starting pitcher trade options on the Athletics, Frankie Montas may be the clear target. He’s young, electric and under control for two more seasons. View full video

Coulombe and Minaya have past MLB success and performed well this year. Also, both are potential candidates to get DFAd soon... If Hamilton gets through the Rule 5, then the option situation doesn't come into play. The nice thing about him is he's still just 26. He had a nice mid-season stretch, and he's got some upside. This is a good example of how only being able to add 2 players to the MLB roster in September hurt guys like this. Obviously getting Moran up to the big leagues was the priority.