Rosterman

What is the perfect lineup construction for the Twins. Who should leadoff? If Kepler IS NOT the regular, should he be batting further down in the order. How long is the leash on Sano before sending him to the minors to work-it-out?

The Twins have a lot of minor league talent, currently on their 40-man, or who need to be protected next season, plus some promising depth, key word is promising. If the Twins continue, they need to make some decisions. How important are Gibson, Odorizzi, Pineda, Castro (and maybe Schoop and Cron) to the organization. Do they move them for more depth in the minors, and promote others from within. Or, suddenly, you could see the Twins not just subtracting some parts, but being a major buyer. If a Verlander was available come July, I would move the necessary pieces for a pitcher of that caliber. Heck, I would like to see the Twins take a flyer on Kimbrel if they can meet a price, as he only costs money. The Twins have some payroll. If they can swap out pieces for other pieces that may still be suitable for coming seasons, go for it. Again, they have the dept in the system. They have people like Littell, Gonsalves, Thorpe that need to come up or get passed by. They have Nick Gordon and Luis Arreaz but have a thriving Polanco, as well as names like Lewis and Javier in the minors. Once again, Sano will be a big decision maker. Is he the future, or has he reached his pinnacle of performance. Is he a third baseman or a first baseman. The Twins do need a topflight bullpen closer if the starters keep winning (and they have been impressive of late). They need to keep their power-in-the-field, but could possibly transition out Schoop if they think someone, anyone else, could play second base with the same (or slightly faster) skillset. Are they for real? Think they are. The division is weak. If they can tack on a few more games of a lead before the end of May, everyone better start believing, I want to see how the Twins market this team. I don't see The Target Field experience working anymore. Can they make games fun in some ways so people will come and enjoy the product on the field?

If Adams comes up, who is jettisoned from the 40-man. Man, the bullpen is full of waiver wire guys!

Who can come off the 40-man. Mejia needs to stay as long as injured. Ready to say goodbye to Moya? Any of Cave, Wade or Torreyes? Can Littell come out of the pen? Can Stewart come out of the pen? Do the Twins need...yes, they have run thru their bullpen pretty good in the last few games and Pineda pitches Thursday.

Man, Hildenberger heading to Rochester where he looks (with his Twins stats) to be the best pitcher on the roster. Reed needs work (both of them). Vasquez and Moya not showing anything. Maybe Littell gets the call to work out of the pen. The Wahoos have the better pitching! But Jay is stinking it up. Suddenly the though of Kimbrel looks pretty darn good. Or, are the Twins pulling off a trade )removing someone in the trade from the 40-man - Wade or Cave?).

Tyler Duffy. Why not? Mejia, what WILL happen to him. Perez is the lefty in the rotation this year and next. Is it bye-bye or does he become a minor league guy. Yes, when Sano returns, do you send out Hildenberger? You have to keep Willians now if Garver is down. What happens when Addison Reed returns? Do we need to see Moya up and throwing the the pen> The Twins bullpen...who would've thunk!?!

I compare the Wahoos to the Red WIngs and it is night-and-day right now. Wow. The pitching especially in AA-land. I do wonder if the Twins should promote Royce Lewis, just to push his skill set, and see if he is more challenged at the higher level. Of course, if still rehabbing, best to be in Ft, Myers. Nick Gordon is coming around...needs more at bats. But don't see much more coming out of Rochester. Was hoping some of the arms (Thorpe, Gonsalves, Littell) would be pushing for major league consideration. Still anothr couple of months to prove they are the future and push the Twins on making decisions on any of their free-agent-to-be arms. I'm hoping Rooker comes around. And can't wait to see if Sano can give us something, anything more than before.

So is there a pecking order for a team to claim a player on waivers? Does a "trade" override that claim no matter the team, since you are just transferring a player, so to speak, at that point. What is the salary difference between being a 40-man player in the minors and a straight minor league contract? Interesting that the waiver of "getting rid of salary" happens 30 days earlier than in the past. It will be interesting to see how the trading deadline works this year, especially in regards to salary dumps. I could easily see the Twins making any of their free-agent-to-be pitchers available (Gibson, Pineda, Odorizzi) but the flipside being that they could actually add an arm (first line) in the process, too, to remain competitive...someone they may want to have on the roster come 2020/2021.

Melville and Dean are back in the majors. Like to also see how former minor league guys are doing, that the Twins didn't feel deserving of giving a callup. Totally missed that John Curtis made it back to the major for a moment.

I'm thinking weather can be a factor, and just getting a handle on how much time he needs to get loose. Nice to have a long arm, especially for, say, a blowout game, or a short start, especially to relieve a right-hander. I say give him another dozen appearances before bringing up Moya. Or go ahead and slot in Moya instead of Magill or Morin.

I'm hoping for some Sano magic. They can't keep hitting Garver leadoff. Why not send Buxton to the top of the order and see if he can sustain ... anything. Rosario is so hot and so cold, it gives me shivers. Gonzalez is off to a slooooooow start. Considering he was basically the bench bat and replacement guy. Glad the Twins had Cave and Astulido around for awhile. Not sure how the Twins are pulling this off, homer friendly team on the field. So many holes, in some ways.

The Twins will ride this out a little. They need a top-flight bullpen guy and probably another consistent arm. They could trade for a frontline starter. They then have to make hard decisions on the future of Pineda, Gibson and Odorizzi with the team. Given the Twins, they will see another 4-5 starts from each before doing anything major. You have to look hard at the minors. Who do the Twins have that need to be added to the 40-man. Who do they currently have on the 40-man that have little or no chance of making the Twins longterm. Where do they have too much depth in the minors (i.e. fate or Gordon, Javier and Lewis, for example).

I want to see someone step up this year from the farm club, if not two guys. Which means it will be highly interesting to see how the Twins play the trade deadline with Pineda, Gibson and Odorizzi. None of the three were a MUST extension sign, although we needed to see Pineda. So you have to weight in and their worth for bringing back talent against how secure you feel elevating a Gonsalves or Stewart of Thorpe to the majors and hoping they can keep the team competitive. Of course, the Twins could also be buyers themselves. which would make any of thre three truly expendable. Nice that Perez is holding down the lefty end of the rotation. A nice thing to have.

If they can add two more dynamite arms to this mix. We have Moya and then Reed (either) in the wings. Right now, looks like the Twins may have a rotating spot or two in the 'pen.

The Twins need to find strength in their rotation. That's Job #1. The guys have to get into the sixth or beyond. Period. Our bullpen is solid, once you can match them up to a certain order of use. The line-up is fine. Would like to see some better baserunning overall. Man, you weigh in what a good Sano would be like in this mix.

This is the season that will showcase both. Where they stand in the organization. Enough to be added, late in the season, to the 40-man and get one of the valuable September callup spots. Or do the Twins wait until mid-202 and then do the negotiation. I don't see either coming to the majors this season, with Nick Gordon needing a looksee first, and also the roadblocks currently in the outfield (with Raley and Rooker in the wings).

Gonzalez remains valuable because of his contract and skills. Astulido goes \back to the minors to work on catching, especially if Garver hits, because Willians will be the next great backup. Sano produces or is optioned out with a chance to redeem himself again. Hope he isn't the next Oswaldo Arcia. But who knows. I almost picture them sending out Cave (because of options) and keeping Adrianza until they are certain about Sano at third.

Need to stretch some guys out at Rochester. And also see what do have. Worried that Odorizzi would be a five inning pitcher. Hopefully Pineda goes deeper. Not sure about the greatness of Perez. I would almost start Mejia at this point, but sure Perez will be the first option. There are at least placesetter arms. But, why or why did you throw a rookie into a bases loaded situation? What might've happened if you ahd used Taylor Rogers for that one batter?

So, will Odorizzi be able to pitch more than five innings ever again? Bases loaded, you need one out...bring in the callup! Huh? Willians grounds out...alot today! Perez, Odorizzi, Gibson....I guess the Twins really needed to sign a good starter as well as a solid bullpen arm so we can use Parker as a non-closer. Vasquez makes the shuttle ride back to Rochester? Will the snow be removed for ALL seats for Friday's game?

De Jong. Will he get another opportunity or is he gone from the Twins. Tough world, baseball. You get a chance. Did he show more than enough to keep a roster spot by actually getting thru the inning?

It's a long season, and an even longer first month. Will be interesting to see if anyone grabs Austin and if they don't the decision Austin will have to make about being a free agent. Interesting that the Twins took Chase DeJong, who was scheduled to pitch today, instead of Littell, who was scheduled to pitch tomorrow. The only evil I see of DeJong is that if they have to send him back down, he gets waived off the 40-man and goes thru the whole mess again. Guess it gives the Twins an open roster spot to play musical chairs with pickups and such. I mean, will DeJong be around when Magill or Moya or Reed come back? What to do with that third catcher. Garver is hitting. Can he play as a regular (will have to in 2020). Is Willians a suitable backup? Can you get anything for Castro? Right now, you can carry three. The decision is who plays third - Adrianza, Gonzalez or Willians. I vote Willians playing every single day if you can plug him in somewhere. The guy is hot hot hot. You don't have to make a decision until the return of Sano. By then, you get to decide who goes, be it hire, Cave or that third catcher. What gives! Two games in a National League park and you can't use Cruz as a pinch hitter for the pitcher?

Personal catchers for personal starters. AT some point, you ask would Garver be better served catching everyday at AAA. Especially working with the starters of the future. If you are going to be playing Castro 2/3s of the time. Willians is such a unique player, though!

A little light this year, with former Minnesota Twins making major league rosters. Catchers: Kurt Suzuki (Nationals), John Ryan Murphy (Diamondbacks), Wilson Ramos (Mets). Infielders: Brian Dozier (Nationals), Eduardo Nunez (Red Sox), Niko Goodrum (Tigers), Logan Forsythe (Rangers), Eduardo Escobar (Diamondbacks). Outfielders/DH: Aaron Hicks (Yankees), Robbie Grossman (A's), Kendrys Morales (A's). Pitchers: Neil Ramirez (Indians), Liam Hendriks (A's), Fernandy Rodney (A's), Anthony Swarzak (Mariners), Lance Lynn (Rangers), Randy Rosario (Cubs), Brandon Kintzler (Cubs), Zach Duke (Reds), Tyler Kinley (Marlins), Francisco Liriano (Pirates), Pat Neshek (Phillies). Lots in on-field staff: Manager: Ron Gardenhire (Tigers). Coaches: Tom Prince (Pirates), Chris Gimenez (Dodgers), Mike Pagliarulo (Marlins), Chili Davis (Mets), Mike Redmond (Rockies), Lee Tunnell (Reds), Jeff Pickler (Reds), Joe Vavra (Tigers), Rick Anderson (Tigers), Steve Liddle (Tigers), Chip Hale (Nationals), Henry Blanco (Nationals), Don Cooper (White Sox), Phil Nevin (Yankees), Paul Sorrento (Angels), Marcus Jensen (A's), Dave McKay (Diamondbacks), Mike Fetters (Daimondbacks), Ron Washington (Braves).

It is so good that this still exists in minor league towns. Most players really only need a sleeping room space, and the possibility of laundry and some cooking. But the life of a minor league player does revolve around the stadium, which is a healthclub in some ways (shower and locker facilities), fresh air on the playing field, and hopefully relaxation space. The other pain of minor league life is that you don't need a place for half the season when you are on the road. And it is nice to have the ability to pack up and leave when a call comes (up or down) and not have to worry about complicated leases and such. I'm also sure most players do contribute something to the host family budget. Yo always wonder about cars. In this day and age, having a place to park can be complicated, let alone what happens when you suddenly get called from Florida to Rochester. How do you move the car.

Yes, the Twins have some players that should be getting some experience, and perhaps some overmatched time, at AAA instead of the flurry of minor league free agents. Shows how rich the Twins system is of potential major league players, although still looking for that top end pitcher. I so hope that if someone goes down at second or shortstop the Twins let Gordon come up and play everyday and keep the bench guys as bench guys. Gordon is close and now that he is eating up 40-man time, needs to get the at bats at the major league level before returning to the minors for adjustments. Who is the future catcher, though?