Rosterman

It all depends on how much salary is absorbed by either side in a salary dump candidate. Sometimes a team wants the promise of the future, instead of also rans and guys that another team has yet to see fit to put in their plans. Plus, a team also looks at where they are strong and weak in their own system. You don't need a Twins top shortstop (or middle infield) prospect if you have one or two of your own. You trade for system weakness/depth. And who can play today. Who can break the lineup tomorrow. And who will be on your team in 2021 or beyond!

The thing is, you have to drop someone from the 40-man if you want to bring him to the majors. So, who will NOT be in the plans for 2020: Moya, Vasquez, Gonsalves, Romero, Hildenberger, Littell, Smeltzer. Thorpe, Stewart? Of course, you could trade any of those guys. But, at this point, I would put more stock in any of them than a minor league free agent. Of course, you can jettison names like Parker, Harper, Magill or Moran from the major league roster, too. You already put Torreyes into limbo somehow without losing him. So the only position players on the bubble are Wade or Cave. Youa re not getting rid of Willians. Wow. Just realized how much fluff might be on the Twins roster. Maybe some of these names can be involved in a trade \package for someone who will be on the roster, too, in 2020 and beyond.

I am sad to say I gave up at the top of the 13th and told my wife "The Twins lost." and went to bed. Little did I know they would get their ffirst walkoff win, probably an hour later! Kudos to Garver behind-the-plate. Yes, getting picked off third was a rookie mistake (or can a coach also get some blame). Nevertheless, a wonderful game. Two things, though: Miguel Sano. All the talent in the world, but he just swings, and pitchers know where to throw the ball to get him to swing. What would happen if management forced him to NOT swing at the first two pitches...no matter what? Well, he would, at worst, be in the same hole he seems to put himself in, or he may be staring at a two ball count forcing the opposing starter to throw a real strike. Blake Parker. Not sure how much more I can stand watching him twitch and pump. He escaped last night. But from a wonderkind, to making me wish for the return fast of Hildenberger. The Twins have a bunch of glasses waiting to break: Morin is pure situational matchup. Duffey is still a scare. Magill is not who I stand-up-and-cheer when he enters a game. Kudos to Littell. Now who takes the shuttle back to Rochester, or are the Twins hoping for a GREAT start from Gibson and could use May and Harper and possibly Rogers tonight. A real battle of a game. Glad the Twins won this one and the Indians are still 10 games back. I start to shake when I think of it being a 9 game lead, or 8, or 7, or 6. Hey, we got a home run! Streak starts over! Bench for Thursday: Garver, Schoop, Sano (or maybe one of those three switches out with Cruz).

Well, you make it to the majors as a starter or a bullpen arm. We forget names like Eddie Guardado, LaTroy Hawkins, Glen Perkins amongst others were initially rotation guys. And if your stuff shines, you can be a closer candidate. Littell is still so young (there are guys close to age starting their careers at Eliz right now). Now, fix Romero!

Is the Eliz Twins showing older players? The Twins system, on the lowest levels, is well-stocked. Hoping for the day when they don't have to fill AAA with minors free agents that also trickle down to the AA-ball level, too.

I didn't understand the parting of ways with Nick. I would rather keep my own prospects than have guys like Morin, Adams and Magill. Give guys a shot. Glad Eades got a look. Wish Baxendale would get one also (although it's been a tough year). Of course, the Twins still have to trust Moya and Vasquez. You never know. See Curtiss left the Angels when offered free agency after his latest move off the 40-man. Not sure would grab a $42 mil contract from Miami. Hey, are the Nationals looking to move their $100+ million owed ace? Would that be a dice to roll? The Twins need a frontline starter with control. They also need two dependable bullpen arms. When talking just money, they could've solved this dilemma shortterm recently. Now, they would have to give up 8-11 prospects (players) to get the job done. They do have the depth at some positions. Sadly, as a competitive team, their own free agents available for trade have to be kept, in some ways, although I might take offers on Schoop )Gordon and Arraez available to replace) and Castro (get Willians back in the fold) if someone threw something at me. I wish Pineda was turning it around a bit more, and trust he might be a viable option to keep next season if he wishes to stay. Right now, I wish the Twins HAD rolled on Gibson and Odorizzi, both of whom doubled their value over what they couldv'e received during the off-season.

I could see him being the second catcher next year if Garver can handle 130 games behind-the-plate. If something happens to Garver, you can always call up a shared position player. So, in that sense, you may not lose much if he can call a decent game. That he can also play in the field in a pinch is a plus. I wish I knew better if he can come off the bench and put that ball in play in a positive way (fly ball or non-double-play). Right now, he is better served in the minors as the Twins have two outstanding catchers and no place for him to get other at bats. At Rochester, he has an opportunity to showcase what he can do if he plays everyday, with most of the calls behind-the-plate. Hope he shines!

No rentals. No. You need to get a starter with control. Otherwise, you let our guys walk and spend on a couple next season. Bigger decisions will be Rosario, Sano, Buxton and anyone else that may not want to sign for the Twins terms. The Twins could be movers and shakers bigtime in the offseason. Shake up the roster. The guys will never have more value than they do right now and for many it may be their fluke season before coming down to earth. Wish the Twins were in a position to trade Odorizzi, Pineda and Gibson. Talk about some returns here.

Who on the 40-man will be here in 2021? Romero, Gonsalves, Littell, Thorpe? Raley and Rooker? Which one do you keep. Does one replace Cron in 2021? Does either replace Cruz in 2020? Are Weil and Diaz true prospects? Is Sano your third base guy of the future? Or first? Easily 5-7 spots open up in the off-season. But the bigger question: sign Rosario, Sano, Buxton? You MUST sign Berrios. Wander Javier is interesting. What happens when a guy misses a season. Do you add him early to the 40-man or hope there is enough interest to make him a top part of any apckage. After all, you still have Arraez, Lewis, Gordon and the recent 1st round draft pick for middle infield. Blankenhorn also is a keeper in advance, who knows what you will do with Sano and with Gonzales for another year, you don't have to decide. Pitching rich? Piss poor bullpen for now. You lose 3/5s of your rotation to free agency. Maybe you pick up someone in trade for a couple more years. Do you extend Odorizzi or Gibson? Will Pineda be better next year? You want to keep Griffin Jax. You can afford to trade Alcala/Duren or Graterol. You can also move Littell, Gonsalves, maybe Thorpe. Are they being passed in the prospect chart? Looking at the guys right now, do you see any of them pitching for the Twins in 2021? The Twins need a front line rotation arm. It would then allow them to trade a back end rotation arm. They also need a closer. And another lefty out of the pen (no, Mejia is not our savior). They could add thee bodies and knock 9-11 guys out of the system. Next year they have to repalce Castro (maybe). Willians? They have to repalce Schoop (Gordon, Arraez?). If they don't control Rosario and Buxton, then we have Alex K. and Larnach in the wings, amongst others. The system is pretty darn flush!

So the transport to Rochester continues. What new arm will arrive for the KC opener tomorrow?

Troll the Indy Leagues!

Something is wrong with Parker. I'm sure the league will quickly catch up to Eades. Wish Moya and Vasquez had something. See that Philadelphia signed the free agent John Curtiss. I'm sure the management will troll the Indy Leagues for some hunger projects. I want to see Trevor May become the new closer, but he failed pitching back-to-back today. Littell is in relief, his road to the majors. Still worry about the rotation, too. Happily Pineda and Gibson need to stay hungry for contracts next year, somewhere else, I'm sure. I question if it is wise to invest in Odorizzi bigtime for the future, but he will get some kind of payday in 2020. What's up with Gonsalves? Will anyone be able to jump from AA to the Twins?

I'm thinking Parker is done and Magill is close behind. Gotta find a couple of relief arms!

Well the Turtle will have to wait. Twins have two strong catchers for this season. Maybe next season he will be the fulltime reserve. Willians best bet is to catch as much as possible! What to do with Nick Gordon in the scheme of things. Is there a place for him in Minnesota? Cave is still a fine prospect (more so than Lamonte Wade?). Rooker is coming into his own. Raley is in the mix. But where do you plug them in. Of course, the Twins still have to address longer term concerns with Berrios, Rosario, Buxton and Sano. When do they do that...and it will mean a lot to the future of the organization and what bodies are available. While we are at it, what ha[[ens with Odorizzi, Gibson and Pineda. All three can walk after this season. Would you be willing to gamble a 3-4 year deal for any of them? How much would you throw at Odorizzi, even though he is a 5-6 inning starter? Excited always about the future Twins. A couple of nice catching prospects. They seem to have some future choices for first base (Sano again). The infield depth is starting to rise. They are strong with outfield candidates. There has to be some arms for the rotation and more for the bullpen. Or do you trade for one/two solid bullpen arms, and also go after that bigtime veteran starter?

Interesting what the cash was. They did give him a nice bonus. International money perhaps?

Well, a new pitcher is reminded that you don't walk the #9 hitter with a .200 average. He had a tough first inning, and a gem of the run for the rest of the game, until the 7th. Maybe pushing him one too many with a well-rested bullpen and people like Duffey able to pitch multiple innings. Tough loss. But you do have to lose occasionally. Good for the rookie, but probably not enough to keep him from going back to the minors when Pineda returns.

Good move. But it sparks the question where does he play at Rochester and what will be the longterm fate of Nick Gordon. With Polanco heating up, either Aaraez or Gordon could be tradebait. Willians could go back to the minors as he has options. Could catch more. No dynamite callup at that position at AAA ball right now. Anyone know the potential fate of Lamonte Wade?

Decisions to have. And you still have no room in the dugout for Wade or Cave, not to mention Stewart. What has become of Moya and Vasquez? Will Mejia fit back in?

Is it the bullpen or bullpen management. How do you let Matt Magill get five guys on base and not do something...sooner. You got the arms (Duffy didn't pitch in the series at all). Yes, I like the idea that no one has set duties. Your supposed closer can come in and get the lights out for one batter. No need to stretch him another inning, is there? Sure the league stat guys will catch up on the pitchers, and the Twins have no flamethrowers in the minors that they want to see (what happened Jake Reed and Tyler Jay). Can they sign Kimbrel for something outrageous for 100 games. Will they trade off prospects for a proven arm or two that they can still keep another season? Are we happy with six inning starts from the rotation rather than pushing them...except they are getting days off!

This is his year to prove consistency, listening to coaches, and showing that he wants to be more than the next Delmon Young or Oswaldo Arcia.

Yes. Of course. But the thought still lingers. Even if the Twins play .500 ball the rest of the season, it will be one fine season. The key, as we see, is to dominate series. There is still a lot of ball to be played, but watching soldout crowds cheer and have fun actually staying in the stands to watch the game is...simply...wonderful. It is what baseball is all about. Sun, fan experience, home runs. The new Boys of Summer shine!

Unbelievable!

The bigger decision is will the Twins do anything with their own pending free agents: Castro, Schoop, Cron, Gibson, Pineda, Odorizzi. Who do they swoop in a sign for an additional season or not. Wish that the Twins AAA stock didn't fall so far so fast. Still have hopes for Gonsalves and Thorpe and Littell and Stewart. Look at their value today compared to last year. Any acquisition of a new player usually includes someone near major league ready. Those are the Twins pitching names not on the roster. Raley and Rooker would be the hitting prospects that other teams might consider. Which brings us to Buxton and Sano. Can the Twins sign them up longer term and should they. Not to mention Rosario. If the Twins decide on Buxton and Rosario, then it makes Larnach and possibly Krilloff available, amongst other. Same with the infield. Polanco is the real deal and signed for long term. Aareaz has shown spunk. Does that make Nick Gordon available? Is Royce Lewis really untouchable? Wander Javier is a prospect to be had. The Twins have quite a few names at A_ and below that they can package in deals, some who have to be considered for advancement and 40+man consideration. But the Twins also have to think ahed to 2020. Will they be without Gibson, Odorizzi, Pineda? Schoop and Cron and Castro? Who replaces these people from the minors or otherwise? You hate to shake up a winning team if it is still winning, but if you can replace one of the starters, at least, with a top flight name, you do it and hope you can get some pieces. The Twins should go after Kimbrel at this point. It would be a plus move for this season, and if you can can get a second option year, all the better.

Sad for Austin Adams. You have a led like that, throw strikes. No need to walk anyone, let alone get the bases loaded. The bullpen should be set for the homestand. Whew! Unbelievable. If anything, the Twins starting pitchers suffer from sitting on the bench too long and too often!

So with Polanco hitting and signing an extension, what is the fate of Gordon? We all say Polanco is a second baseman, although he never plays there. In the wings are Lewis and Javier. Arraez is a plus guy, but he also has some limitations, depending on construction of the team. But right now, him and Willians are very very entertaining and producing. Sad to see them both go back to AAA at some point.