Rosterman

You run a business to make money, or perhaps to take a loss for that business of offset outrageous profits from another that you own, or to grow a business so that it can be resold for a hefty profit. But ultimately, you do it to make money, pay employees, create cashflow. When cashflow goes down, you cut expenses as mucha s you can. When cash flow is high, you maybe pay dividends instead of reinvestment...why reinvest when you can get a public bailout when you need new facilities, or when the price of your limited edition franchise keeps going up, no matter how well they perform on the field (or at the box office). Baseball is unique. There are only so many toys for people to buy and play and they seem to generate funds and keep value. Explain that to me. 50% of revenue interested each season? Explain what happens when you make $200 million and spend $100 million on players on the field and $100 million on the organization. When you make $250 million, does the organization really spend another $25 million in front office/behind-the-scenes that they didn't spend before? The team needs advance money to play with. Then they have to market, and hope the people DO show up.....even when the sold seats sit empty, they do convicec advertisers that their message IS being scene. And the illusion of putting a team on the field that CAN appear competitive is just as good for amrekting as family entertainment as going all out and trying to BUY a winner. You have no idea if your team will be great or not. Because someone has to lose when two teams take the field. It depends on the mix in the lineup, the quality of that five-day rotation, if your bullpen is up to snuff...and are the other teams truly better. The Twins were in a division in which three teams were significantly worse than them in 2017. They also managed to squeak into the Wild Card. We all should be glad that the Twin Cities experienced meaningful baseball throughout the season. And the powers-that-be were pretty darn happy that they were getting full price for those tickets in the final games. Mauer was a p.r. boost to the team, and a decent marketing image. But he always absorbed a tremendous part of the payroll. He should've been outside the confines of payroll budget, as his contract was more marketing than player needs. What you call the franchise contract. How much you spend is a crapshoot. The butts you put into the seats give you ticket, concession AND advertising revenue. That is IF the butts are in the seats. The Twins front office DO know what they are doing, from the mess of different seat and game prices, to figuring out the profit margin for every hot dog or beer sold, to sponsorship tradeouts. Can't wait to see how the marketing ramps up AFTER the Super Bowl.

The public relations value to the franchise for many many years was priceless.

Duffey has found his key, the long-relief set-up guy. I have a sneaking suspicion that Trevor May COULD be developed into a closer!

Is he the special guy to come off the bench in a pinch-hit situation? But then who replaces him in the field. Is he better than Vargas? That is the decision the Twins really have to make. Is there then still a need for, say, Grossman? Longrange, all the names above (including Nap) could be gone anyways come 2019. So it is getting the right pieces. The elephant in the room, though, is Sano. Will he play third, or be starting his quest towards being a fulltime DH who COULD play third in NL ballparks. Of course, if we want to have the Twins spend money...they have the money for a temporary bench bat. But is he truly the msot versatile fit for the team. And they do need a first-rate starting pitcher...no more dumpster diving back-of-the-rotation guys instead of a quality arm.

Duke signing means Boshers is on the bubble more likely. Napoli signing would mean Vargas or Grossman could be on the bubble...probably Vargas sold to Japan.

Actually, how much money do major league coaches actually make?

Interested the additions from the academic world of baseball. You forget that coaching and managing doesn't necessarily have to involve playing the sport as a pro anymore. Lots of minor league coordinators as well as the former Twins on hand for experience drills.

Regarding Rule 5. You have to ask, is the person they take better than the person they may lose (or persons). And do you want to spend a year finding that out?

You have two guys who will be working together towards a common goal, building a championship team. They still have to sort out the front office, some organizational coaches and such. Looks like they are taking a hard look at the minors. Will be a tell if the upper rosters are full more of prospects than minor league free agents going forth. They still have to field a team and try to be as competitive as possible, and that will still create some roster changes going forth, and you can't fell a team 40-man with prospects going forth from a WIld Card, especially when the reality is that the team, as a whole, is still young. The big question is always money. Is there a dollar figure they are constrained by in the process of adding players? Can they write of contracts or even fail in a signing, but still have funds. As long as the Twins do win, the revenue stream is solid. They should be able to play with the big boys and push towards $140-150 million if the front office will gamble. The 55% operating expenses rule changes once the team hits around $190 in revenue.

Well, because he is on the 40-man, Garver would be the catcher of choice at the moment. The question is will he get enough playing time behind-the-plate. Garver will be given every chance to break camp, as a bench player. If he can produce with the bat, than the question comes do they use him as a bat and in the field more often than not, and a third catcher on the roster would then be a necessity. The Twins have no catchers at Rochester. Look for them to sign at least one more backstop, as your Chattanooga choices include Brian Olson and Brian Navarreto. The Twins will want some depth to choose from (who remembers them signing Eddy Rodriguez last season) and they do need to break camp with at least a viable option at AAA that could hold a 40-man spot for the season and not risk loss everytime they send him up and down. More names will happen. The Twins, by my calculation, signed around 36 minor league free agents alst season. Might be something of a record, especially considering how many of them did see 40-man roster time on the pitching staff.

The Twins pretty much allowed all of these guys to walk: Minnesota Twins (19) RHP: Henry Centeno (Hi A) | Chris Heston (AAA) | Kam Mickolio (AAA) | Yohan Pino (AAA) | Dereck Rodriguez (AA) LHP: David Hurlbut (AAA) | Ryan O’Rourke (AAA) | Matt Tracy (AA) C: Carlos Paulino (AAA) | Davinson Pimentel (DSL) 1B: Matt Hague (AAA) | Jonathan Rodriguez (AA) | Andy Wilkins (AA) 2B: Tommy Field (AAA) | Niko Goodrum (AAA) SS: Leonardo Reginatto (AAA) OF: J.B. Shuck (AAA) | Ryan Strausborger (AA) Plus Alex Wimmers, Anthony Recker and Drew Rucinski. Read more at https://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/minor-league-free-agents-2017/#CPPCfUXPi3fVUXls.99

Did Graterol use up a couple of his minor league seasons already> Twins have to protect him from the Rule 5 after 2019?

I know they are on tap for the posting money or whatever, but since he asked to be released from his contract to return home...I don't see how the Twins owe him the remainder. If so, they can ask him to stay and play.

So much depends on the pieces the Twins choose to add. Sure, they need at least one solid TOP starter, which should be their biggest drive. They need a veteran bullpen arm, but it could be a backend guy if you see promise in the rookies, and you are better likely to get some value signing a 2-3 free agent (with the option to trade them if you, by chance, tank). They do need a bat...can the guy play the outfield AND an infield position? The bigger question. Mauer extension and how much? Will the Twins extend Brian Dozier and what plans for him? Can they do something with the Hughes salary, or is insurance the best bet, for now.

I still always have a tough time with this 55%. When the Twins spend, say, $98 million, they still manage to run the front office, manage the minor leagues, do signing bonuses and such with the 55% allocated for those expenses. If they suddenly are able to spend, say, $120 million on payroll, where does that extra $20 million go that they can now spend on...operations. Or is it to further pay down the Target Field debt (which I understand is nearly clear). At some point, a cap happens on operational expenses, so if the Twins would, say, make $300 million in revenue in a season, what would prevent them from spending $200 million on payroll instead of a max of, say, $160 million or so. They have to be happy with 2017. Attendance didn't dive. Season ticket sales might've been down, but the flip side of that was that fewer seats were available from STubHub, and the Twins were able to maximize many walk-up sales...plus it also meant overall concessions had to be betetr than the previous season when many of those September seats were paid for, but sat empty and the lines were short at concessions.

Stewart has been bypassed. Reed was a question that I would enjoy hearing an answer, but the need to protect relief...well, is Reed better than, say, Boshers...or Pressly? Have four open roster spots (considering names you COULD drop for free agent acquisitions) is what I found...amazing.Which means the Twins do feel comfortable with some roster moves to fill their holes. And, ultimately, I was a bit uncomfortable having 10+ roster spots on the 40-man filled with players who MAY NOT possibly contribute much in 2018, especially if there is a smidgen of thought that the Twins, in a division where they are currently ahead of three teams, can win or go Wild Card. Sure, they need two starters, a solid bench bat/utility guy, and more comfort in the bullpen. And they have to answer the questions on what to do with Mauer, Dozier, Hughes and, possibly, Sano.

Basically, the Twins didn't see him capable of contributing in the 2018 season at this point. A lot of the arms were give this looksee by the new management, and the other reality is WHY do you protect a lot of bullpen arms (maybe Jake Reed should've been the exception) if "failed" starters can be just as valuable out of the pen. What it kinda shows is that current powers-that-be kinda disagree with the direction the former regime took in drafting relief pitchers. Stewart will need to prove himself out of the gate at AA ball to see if he can get a callup, at some point, to AAA. But in the scheme of things, he stats behind Jorge, Romero, Gonsalves, Thorpe and Littell. And there are a couple of other names that may pass him. If no one claims him, he has to show life or go thru the whole process again. Another team MIGHT just draft him because of the investment the Twins made. But you do have to weigh him against any and all other Rule 5 choices out there. The decision is someone worth holding onto in a re-build process, or someone who has a better chance of cracking the major league roster in 2018, if not 2019 fer sure. My only complaint in all of this is that the guys THE TWINS DIDN'T PROTECT were all valuable tradechips during the summer, then...and how many could've been packaged for, say, a Verlander...instead of placing them in minor league limbo and destroying their trade value as any team can grab them for the Rule 5? Of course, some do have trade value if another team thinks a lowly team may snatch them, and they want them and have the 40-man space. Wasn't it just yesterday that the Twins future bullpen looked to be Reed, Melotakis, Chargois, Burdi, maybe Zack Jones, possibly Mike Cederoth...and di I leave out a prospect name or two? Was going to be hard-throwing, strikeout heavy crew, too. Instead, we have...Hildenberger, Curtiss. Moya, Busenitz, Hackimer, Jay and possibly one of the Anderson guys.

If you sign a free agent starter, then Slegers (or maybe Mejia) is designated for assignment. If you sign a power bat, then you consider removing Vargas or Grossman, depending on what other positions the bat can play. If you sign a bullpen arm, Boshers would go (I would keep Enns at this point). You still have Adrianza as a possible "move" player on the roster, and of course Pressly. I would gamble that no one will take Diaz or Stewart at this point. I'm torn on Thorpe. Still young. But so much promise there. But the Twins need so much depth in the minors. No catchers at AAA right now. Counting the people sent down in spring training from the 40-man, you would be bringing up "just" prospects, unless you sign some veteran talent for the minors...and then, again, you have to have the possibility of working them onto the 40-man. At best, the Twins open the season with Chargois and Hughes on the 60-day disabled list. At worse, Sano might also be there, which raises the question of who plays third or is the designated hitter (comfortable with Vargas/Grossman and Escobar...or do the Twins REALLY need another bat or two.).

The fear is signing him to a longterm contract. And then we have the Guzman factor. When you make all-the-money-in-the-world what is the incentive to be a superstar. Of course, if you are a superstar, you make even more money. The David Ortiz factor. At what point do you question the monetary worth of the player compared to arbitration or possible free-agent salaries, and you let him move onto another team,not realizing that the player may/will stabalize and become a longterm solid player, at least as a designated hitter. What is the depth in the organization. if he does DH, can he cut down on strikeouts and can he run the bases. Shades of Jason Kubel, you don't want someone limping on and off the field constantly. Again, depth. Who plays third base in 2018 (Escobar?). What is the longterm look at the hot corner come 2019 and beyond. Sano has to watch his weight. Has to watch his conditioning. Has to work extra hard at the plate as teams have s much video review these days. Can he escape bad habits? Will he WANT to play, even if there is pain?

That explains WHY you keep Hughes on the 40-man. Insurance reasons. You jsut have that one less spot to play with, and hope he qualifies for the 60-man come spring break. It is my understanding that anyone you add to the 40-man CANNOT be easily dropped before spring training,unless involved in a trade. Once spring training happens, they can be put on waivers and exposed. I believe it is to STOP lots of musical chairs during the of-season. So if you have 7 guys to add, they pretty much are stuck with you into spring training. So you need the Boshers or Grossmans to remove if you sign a free agent. That''s a lot of starters on your list. Two coming off injury season, and six who would more-or-less start in the minors, unless a miracle happens. If the Twins don't see them making the major league club, maybe guys like Kohl Stewart won't be protected, although the Rule 5 is a great way to grab some teams high-draft-price minor league prospect for a song if you can find a roster spot for them. Same with Lewin Diaz. You want to burn a couple of option years before he even gets a major league at bat? Of course, where do you have to advance him to keep him from the minor league portion of the draft. Lewis Thorpe is an interesting question?! Melotakis already went thru waivers, so WHY add him back on the 40-man. Unless someone does grab him, you have him for another season. If you lose him, you probably have others to advance past him. There is not a lot of depth on the Twins immediate 40-man. Do they need a third catcher (right now, Rochester has zilch catchers). Which brings to mind the 12-15 minor league free agents the Twins will likely sign and how do you move them in-and-out of the roster without sending anyone you protect thru waivers. You can hope for 1-2 guys on the extended DL (Chargois again, probably Hughes). But the starting 25 is there and quite a lot of minor league prospects. The Twins may have to dangle a prized prospect or two (Nick Gordon, for one, and possibly someone from the 40-man - Jorge, Romero, Gonsalves) and try to grab an already signed or team protected player fr a couple of seasons, as it seems logically that NO ONE commanding big bucks (Lynn, Cobb, Davish) will come Minnesota's way unless they blow them out of the market with a too long contract or overpriced 2-3 year ticket. Boy, the 40-man looks good, but pretty darn week. Who is the 5th starter. Do you want Grossman and Vargas sharing DH duties, or is one gone by keeping an extra pitcher, and who is that from the whole mess of relief talent. Curtiss and Moya got the looks, but do need more seasoning. Reed, Burdi and Bard are questionable, still, with Reed being closest because he did pitch somewhat at AAA (as did Curtiss). And if you add a bat, a starter and a relief arm, who goes. You already cut some of the slack. Well, all the slack. So cutting anyone you added can hurt more than it should.

You need a workhorse pitcher who will keep you in the game. A better Ervin Santana. A guy who does slot as a true #1 starter. You need a long relief specialist. You also need someone like Kintzler, who can get a ground ball. And then you need power relief. You have to address Mauer and Dozier now. And you have to figure out if Sano will play more games at third than in the DL or at DH. If he can play third, you get a right-handed guy who can hit and also DH and also play the field. You start positioning your minor leagues guys to make a splash in 2018 and be ready for the majors in 2019. You hope your three outfielders improve even more, and wonder if Granite is the better choice as a bench guy.

Well, we know Bartolo COlon won't have the staying power of Ortiz. Belisle is old, too. Will Drew Rucinski and Ryan O'Rourke put together years similar to, say, Swarzak, Duensing and Nesxhek? Before we reclaim Tonkin, we might want to get back Kris Johnson. So often a player prices themselves out of the contracted usefulness (you can only cut them 20% or so) or you flat out don't want to pay them (which happened to Ortiz) compared to other healthy guys you have on roster. Could the Twins have flipped Belisle or Gimenez during the trading period? Santiago WAS a tradechip until he came up lame. Colon got a lot more chances than he really deserved. I think that like Adam Walker the year before, the Twins should've at least had a major league looksee at Palka. Heston had one inning with the Twins. Wimmers signed abck last year hoping to catch on, which he did. Be interesting to see where he lands. I would like to see DIllon Gee return as the longman, possible spot starter.

So there's potentially 17 pitchers better than who the Twins are letting walk. I wonder where Slegers would fit into this mix. Yes, you hope they sign one of these guys to be the back-up to the back-up starters in the rotation, considering the varied names the Twins threw out there in 2017 - Wilk,Turley, Wheeler, Slegers, Tepesch, Enns, Melville not to mention Heston being grabbed. Are any worthy of grabbing and putting on the 40-man, ahead of the Littell, Gonsalves, Enns, Slegers, Eades, Jorge, Romeros currently in the system, not to mention Stewart? Think not. Will pass.

He was one of those prospects (like Tim Lahey) that might be on the cusp of being a major league pitcher at some point, but age and working up thru the organization could mean that he is bypassed, although with injuries and such, you never know. Good for him to continue on with another organization. Again, I always wonder, is there not a thought in the back-of-the-mind of the front office that this was a tradeable prospect, perhaps, in part of a bigger deal during the summer? Hate to see the Twins lose guys and get nothing in return. But, of course, the Twins have the ability to sign potential prospects from other organizations, too. Shows how there is only so much room for talent on the 40-man, or in an organization as a whole.

Looks like the Twins may be taking a hit on all those minor league free agents they have. Rodriguez is an interesting loss. The Twins were pushing him, but transforming from a position player to a position player hurt him in the ultimate pecking order. Again, this is a prospect that yelled "trade me" last season. Waiting to see if the Twins lose Perez. The Red Wings roster looks pretty slim right now. Of course, most of their roster will be on the Twins 40-man this season, I imagine. Or at least a comfortable percentage.