Rosterman

What happened to Joe Cronin. Is Alex Schick still around, as well as Muren? Christian Cavanass get released? I saw that Shane Kennedy and Cam Booser both retired.

There is something to be said about who plays at AA and who plays at AAA. It is always good to have some more veteran minor league players on hand, who can step into a longer term playing role (AAAA guys) if the call comes from the majors. You can argue that it is better for young players to stay closer to their age group while still developing, although once you do reach the majors you are facing guys with a decade of age difference. Any word, Seth, on the different minor league guys starting the day on the disabled list, and do they work out at Ft. Myers or stay with their home teams in Chattanooga, Cedar Rapids or Rochester? Still interested in seeing who is called in to be the fifth starter and who leaves the Twins bullpen. Thru the first five games, Molitor has basically ignore a couple of pitchers, so you can argue the need to carry that extra bullpen arm, and the possible need, instead, for someone who can consistently pitch multiple innings if a starter does falter once every five games or so. Talk about a good-looking team. Rooker got the advancement. It would be nice if the Twins did push Kirilloff and Lewis a bit more and had them at Ft. Myers, in the wings, waiting for a call to Chattanooga, too. But there is something to be said about playing against your peers.

Here's a way to look at the Twins roster, Class A and above. https://twins.baseballcarddatabase.com/rosters/2018

Interesting. That's a lot of money to pay for a guy who may be on the downswing. Yes, he may be comfortable at Rockies land, so you are, in a sense, rewarding him for what he has done for the team already. Should the Twins do the same? A monster start by Dozier means they could get something for him in mid-season, assuming Polanco or Gordon are ready to advance and become the future for the Twins middle-infield, at least until Escobar leaves and Lewis and Company arrive, too. I conisdered Dozier an almsot more valuable asset to invest in than, say, Joe Mauer. Joe Mauer continues to be the elephant in the room. If you resign Mauer, he plays first or he is the designated hitter. If you sign Dozier for the equivalent of what you might have to pay Mauer on a year-to-year, you get a guy who can still play second next season, probably even beyond. And he could rotate into playing first base, being a designated hitter, and possibly even pick up a third baseman or outfieldes glove in an emergency. Plus he shows the power you want from the designated hitter position going forth, and he could continue to be the Face of the Franchise, so-to-speak, in years 3-5 of a contract. The question is: How much. Is Dozier worth $100 million? I would say no, but like our Minnesota ownership, I am also cheap. Would Dozier give us five years for $60 million? I bet he'd rather try the free agent marketplace. But then he will be walking away (more than likely) from a qualifying offer and he MIGHT not find takers for three years at $15+ million a year. Or, maybe he will. But the Twins would at least get a compensatory pick...which again, at the tradeline, is probably what they would also get for Brian, unless they would take another free-agent-to-be off the hands of another team (along with a prospect). I shake my head at the Blackmon deal. That shows that a player needs to strike, when they can, after a big season. The guy is good, but would another team have poney-ied up the same. Dozier. Dozier. The Twins had the chance to make a longer-range decision on Brian that might've extended him two years beyond today in the off-season before last. They could've dangled something, anything....but not sure what this off-season. But, in the end, Dozier would be a fool not to try free agency. Happily he will play hard and, if he stays healthy, will be a benefit for the eam. Although batting him third and maybe having him hit home runs with men on base would be a nicer choice than all these leadoff dingers!

But they went and purchased a couple of other guys to give them depth somewhere other than catcher. Part of the reason for the sale...he is behind and would be a minor league free agent in another season, I believe, and is still only an A or A+ ball catcher this season.

We just have to wait and see. Like Tuesday, when it was snowing, the temperature was quite wonderful and it was a great snow for kids to play (although a bit wet). Yes, it was snowing...so you really couldn't playball because of visibility, at times. The factors that always come into play...keeping warm and healthy. How hard is the field. How slippery is the field, the ball. Dirt plays different than the grass. Unlike football, you really can't rub the ball dry or change it out all the time. How do the fingers work with the cold. How much moisture can the uniforms (and shoes) absorb. We know the groundscrews and clubhouse guys will be keep really busy, that players will take Vita C, that the lights will hopefully give warmth. There are some wind tunnels in the stands, especially up high, at Target Field. But there are places for fans to warm. Often the worst is the long walk to the car if you choose to park off-site. i My only thought for future schedulers, keep the early weeks of games between the divisions, so you can more easily make them up as the season happens. You can make some exceptions for teams in warmer climes (and also...NOT to play those team in Texas, let's say, in July, who can't schedule a makeup game). You have to admire Target Field. They can hose down the stands with 110-degree water and it drains. The field (except the warning track) drains well. You have a lot of heat-generating lights (yes, they don't work if it is really really cold). And the real secret to staying warm as the hometeam? Make you you don't spend a lot of time out on the field!

I guess you can criticize a player when the outfield plays in, hoping to throw a runner out at the plate, and the guy tries to hit a home run.

Remember, it was the Orioles. Good calling by Castro and Garver, though. Yes! It is Wonderful!

Both. Berrios, less than 10 pitches average an inning, what gives? Show Me The Power!

I'm still not sure with the lineup construction. Would Morison be better served at cleanup. Should Buxton leadoff...or do we play him deep inthe order as just a warmup. Is Sano cleanup or #5. Why is Rosario cleanup. Hildenberger had a tough spring. Moya is a rookie. So is Kinley. The Twins have to make a fast decision on all three of these guys at some point. A competitive team can carry one new guy (stinker) for a season, but not necessarily three...at least right out of the loop. AAA is where you pitch to keep getting experience. Major league is the real deal. They have started to see mroe film on Hildenberger and he ahs to adjust. The question is, who do you rotate back in. Duffey? Do you take a chance on Romero of Sleegrs at long relief, although both are also technically rookies. Of course Hughes coming abck, or someone coming up in 10 days to start will send Moya or Hilenberger back to the minors...that's a given. So w give these guys 10 days to prove they need a bigger chance in the majors.

Gibson was good. Wild enough to confuse the hitters. Workhorse coming out of spring training. Glad he didn't stay in and throw 160 pitches, though.

Minor league starting pitchers: Dietrich Enns, Tyler Duffey, Myles Jaye, Fernando Romero, Aaron Slegers, Adalberto Mejia, Stephen Goncalves, Kohl Stewart, Ryan Eades, Lewis Thorpe, Zack Littell, Felix Jorge, Omar Bencomo, Randy LeBlanc. That's 14 for 10 spots. Maybe 12 if you went with a six-man rotation. But doubt that will happen. Four have to go to High A, which is also stacked with starters.

They took a flyer on him last year,kept him on the roster all season, but he really was an extreme backup catcher. He is probably second in line to get a recall, so no loss if someone else claims him (and needs to stash him on a 40-man). The Twins, sadly, don't have that extra roster space, and you have to ask is he a better choice now than Garver, It's a decision the Twins faced when they kept Garver over Turner. And the well is full at AAA and AA right now and,assuming we still have one more season of Castro, a secondary catcher for the longterm isn't needed until 202, when we will see if any of the guys in High A-ball are ready to advance to the big leagues as a backup then (or do we job in an AAAA guy with Garver doing most of the catching). The tell is HOW MUCH CATCHING DOES GARVER DO IN 2018. I hope at least a third of the games, in some capacity (starter, late-inning replacement).

Levi Michael reached Prospect #8 in 2012,according the the Sickels list. Was honorably mention in 2013, then struggled. Travis Harrison was #9 in 2012, #11 in 2013 and 2014, then disappeared, too.

They also have a lot of pitchers to shuffle around, compared to position players. Especially starters.

Odorizzi pitched so well. But the Twins also have 8 relief pitchers that could pitch...and probably should've considering the day off Friday. Saw the bench. A pinch runner, a guy with decent on-base. Would you have made BOTH changes? I still want to see Buxton bat higher, moving Dozier to the #3. Have Sano hit 5th or 6th, depending on how you feel about Rosario (but no Rosario 4th). I would actually put Escobar 9th, leading into the lineup turnover. So, Paul Molitor on line-up construction and use of bullpen. Two areas I hated the "Manager of the Year" book in 2017.

If your Twins job in the past was catching or coming out of the bullpen, you found a spot on another team in 2018. Former Twins catchers playing ball are Kurt Suzuki (Braves), John Ryan Murphy (Diamondbacks), Drew Butera (Royals), Wilson Ramos (Rays) and Rene Rivera (Angels). Relievers coming out of the pen include: Matt Belisle (Indians), J.T. Chargois (Dodgers), Anthony Swarzak (Mets), Brian Duensing (Cubs), Brandon Kintzler (Nats), Pat Neshek (Phillies), Blaine Boyer (Royals), Kevin Jepsen (Rangers), Liam Hendriks (A's) and Alex Meyer is on the Angels longterm disabled list. Not that other positions aren't represented. Former centerfielders Aaron Hicks (Yankees), Carlos Gomez and Denard Span (Rays). Infielders Eduardo Nunez (Red Sox), Danny Valencia (Orioles), Pedro Florimon (Phillies) and Niko Goodrum (Tigers). Kendrys Morales (Blue Jays) is still designated hitting. And a few former starting pitchers found teams: Hector Santiago (White Sox), Jaime Garcia (Blue Jays), and Francisco Liriano pitching for new Detroit Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire. That's the lineup of former major league Twins so far. Unless Bartolo Colon does get the call on April 2nd. Be figuring out minor league guys once rosters are set.

Levi and Travis Harrison, both. Sad.

Happily there are options so the Twins CAN run a shuttle between Rochester and Minnesota, depending on the overall effectiveness of the relief corps, without having any 40-man roster troubles. You have to pitch Rodney to see if he can be you best (for now) option as closer and keep worth as a possible tradechip, especially when you have someone that CAN take his place. You could say the Twins do have an embarrassment of riches, especially if you look at a number of names NOT on the 40-man who won't get a shot in 2018 unless some bodies move out of the bullpen (and roster).

You have to blame the offense. The Twins offense was light, but Baltimore was even worse. Like people say, mistakes win the game. If that strikeout had held. Interesting use of the bench. Lose Morrison and Buxton for an extra inning game. Molitor could've really played the matchups, and had Rogers as the pitcher to go more than an inning (or so) but didn't./ Two lefties sitting in the pen. With an off day Friday, all eight arms were eligible for some throwing. 161 more to go. Nice job by Odorizzi.

The changeover is remarkable, as well as how many guys actually do play for years and years in the minors (shades of Levi Michael) and never get the call from one organization. Considering the Twins have 10 players on their roster that didn't open the season with them last year shows you that no job is safe. Yes, many a career is a lot shorter than one may think in this sport.

Rodney got us out of the inning. Should he have started the next? Will Molitor figure out how to manage a bullpen this year?

Either Dozier isn't just that GREAT, or he is vastly undervalued. Considering the Twins couldn't trade him for anything of significance. Of course, the Twins were hoping to see some stability in a great start of the year for Polanco, which isn't existing. When they take a look at Gordon is the next qustion. And the fate of Escobar as he heads into free agency himself is the bigger question. We don't know the type of monies either side might be throwing out or thinking about. And that is the Big Question. 2-3 years with an option. Two good years with an option? Is he worth $10 million a year? Someone said the Twins could always make a qualifying offer, but that is pushing Dozier towards Joe Mauer territory. Is the team still cheap? Sure, they dangled more than $100 million to Davish, or so we were told. But they basically got GREAT deals on solid players, smart front office, rather than overpaying for competent players, like the front office of past. Dozier COULD be a trade chip if the team goes south. If they do go south, then it is more of a chance that they don't spend monies like this year. But...time will tell. I always felt Dozier would be a decent addition to the team for a few seasons, either transitioning into the Mauer replacement for a season at first, or being a designated hitter who can play a few positions in the field, value in its own way. He still has power, has speed. But I do wish they started the season with Buxton leading off, Dozier hitting 3rd, Morrison or Sano sharing 4th/5th.

I picture the Twins starting rotation going a tad deeper into games than in the past (meaning they only need a 7-man bullpen) and winning between 70-75 games amongst themselves. Of course that only happens if the batter outscore the other team. Career years from Gibson and Santana (both eyeing free agency), solid dependable work from Lynn, Berrios will shine, especially early in the season, and Odorizzi will be the surprise. Again, it all depends on Paul Molitor finding the correct lineup and sticking with the players and no major injuries on that end. I'm happy for the potential bullpen depth. If we lost in the beginning, I hope it isn't just because of closer Rodney.

Somehow, "Circle Me Dick" doesn't have the same ring, as I say it with an eye-patch and a peg leg and a parrot on my shoulder. I think it is mainly because of the inconsistency of Bert's broadcast schedule. But it was one way to bring fans more into the mix (those of us who remember "Fans in the Stands) in the 60s. The Winner's Circle is a one-shot thing, as are many of the fillers that can't get on television between innings because of a lack of control over the scripting/performers. Of course, those of us who go to the game seem to be stuck with "Blonde Cam": as well as "Shirtless Guys Being Drunken Fools Cam." I can stomach "Kid Cam" and "Bad Dancer Cam." But Bert's Circle will be missed. A modest amount of interaction between a pro and the fan, not to mention an occasional fun game story....amazing how many people over age 90 do come to a Twins game.