Rosterman

Yeah, the DL will probably have Vargas, Adrianza and O'Rourke on it to start the season, and the Twins would be wise to let Perkins ease back in and put him on the 50-day...because they can. Sure, they need a couple of roster spots. Boshers is a name that will be sent onto Rochester or elsewhere (all those non-roster guys will be taking up some space, unless the AA/AAA disabled list gatehrs some names). Interesting to have to choose between Tonkin and WImmers. The Twins have a bit invested in Wimmers, so it would be nice to see if he can be a presence for the next couple of seasons. Of course, all players ARE on a short leash, especially Danny Santana and Escobar. Surprised Drew Stubbs didn't take the offer. He didn't show alot in spring training that will get him a major league roster spot, and I would think he might've been on the ball enough to know that if ANY of the Twins outfielders start off badly, they could be demoted for regular playing time at AAA, as well as the possible injury angle, and he would've been in a decent position for first call-up. I'm trying to figure out what the Red WIngs rotation will be. Is Duffey better suuted for the rotation, or the bullpen. But, I imagine, he will be on a leash, too, as the twins watch the progress of Mejia and Berrios for immediate needs. I'm curious to see what Jason Wheeler does at AAA. And what position Yohan Pino is used in the minors. Too many names down on the farm. Kudos to Park for finding his swing and getting into the groove. Plus, the guy is actually autographing items for fans after last season where he had the most "certified" autographs on cards available of any player in the Big Leagues. But his signature has shortened significantly. I'm hoping Stu Turner comes abck, as the catching depth is really light in the minors...no extra bodies if someone goes on the DL at the moment. Can the starters come out of the gate strong? What will the bullpen really contribute? Talk about a bench...really...ask yourself WHY would you play any of these guys on a regular basis compared to promoting someone from the minors to take a position if there is an injury. And what will the line-up be...and can that line-up be set this week. No need to have those extra bodies in camp. Give a good week to your regulars...you have to win games in April, Twins, if you want fannies in the seats this summer!

Sadly, would pass...even though the Twins need a closer, but not sure if that could be Nathan. Do you need to spend that salary? Yet there is all this talk about having experience to help guide the young 'uns, and what more experience could you ask than a Joe Nathan, even as a setup guy in the bullpen. Except you don't need a teacher in the bullpen which will be full of guys who will not be here in 2018, let alone 2019. If your bullpen was Burdi, Reed, Chargois, Hildenberger, Bard, Melotakis etc., then he could be a grizzled/slick leader. But for Belisle, Kintzler, Rogers, Breslow, Boshers, whomever else...no.

Yes, I would take Turner back. But right now, the Twins have Garver at AAA, which is where HE NEEDS to start. They also have Gimenez or Murphy. Plus, Dan Rohfling is on THAT roster. They have Eddy Rodriguez, who might have to go to AA ball. Turner could slide into AA ball, too. The question is DO THE TWINS WANT to keep Turner and give him AND Garver games behind the plate, with the thought that BOTH will be holding the fort come 2019 and beyond...unless Ben Rotrvelt really churns it up. But the Twins really don't have depth at the high levels especially if something does happen to one of the two at the major leagues. And you can argue about Navarreto, Murray and Garcia and Silva being the next big thing. Turner, I feel, can be a good solid back-up catcher bench bat...maybe.

I was actually excited last year with the Twins coming out of spring training and it actually looked like they may have a rotation that was capable of going beyond 5 innings,and then it fell to pieces and Berrios didn't move boulders and we are where we are. The season starts in two weeks and we have to hope the rest of the division is weak. Again, last year thought it was going to be one of the tightest divisions in baseball myself, with like 7-10 games separating ALL the teams. But what did I know.

The big question is where are the Twins heding with offense players like Buxton, Kepler, Polanco, Sano, Rosario plus pitchers like Gonsalves, Berrios, Stewart and whomever else is in the mix. Will ANY of these guys fail, or be a longterm bargain, or do you also ry and trde them. Who is pushing any of these guys for a job. Right now,the Twins even seem to lack trdaing depth in the minor leagues if they wish to depend on growing from within. So the alternative is strictly to spend money, and probably spend big and hope you can move that BIG contract mid-term.

Sadly, Chargois, with all his potential, will probably get bumped to the minors. Man, what a miserable bullpen. Capable guys, but they have to notch it up to be real shut-down guys. The 5th starter spot is still up for grabs. Sadly, we really wonder who from that lsit will be around in 2018. Can agree with the lineup AND the bench. Not the best bench. But not sure if I do want to carry Vargas. We don't have a comfortable power replacement for Sano at third if he is the DH. That's where we have some shakiness. Polanco has to make the roster and play and I hope he does well, a well as the outfield...which if they play to their potential will be superstar land. Of course, we all wonder what Joe Mauer will do in 2017. I'm so torn between THAT 25-man roster, who filling it with even more rookies. I'm not sure the roster you present will win 70 games. But a roster of prospects might lose 100 again, sadly.

I'm worrying more about where the extra 15 guys on the 40-man and the 22 invites to spring training will find a home at AAA and AA ball and where the Twins of the Future will end up. At some point (soon) the minor league vets need packing papers to find jobs elsewhere (or go to the indy leagues) and the Twins need to give competitive playing time to their real prospects. That I wouldn't miss most of the names mentioned above shows just how weak the Twins are in pieces that NEED to be on the roster and that ANY OTHER TEAM might want. Except for Trevor May, ALL the names above will not be here in 2018. That's what is truly scary. And I don't really see any of them creating any value as a trade possibility (maybe Breslow at best) and even then, we would just get back someone that needs protection from another team.

The thing is, for every minor league roster vet you add, you have to subtract someone. Be it in the rotation, the bullpen, catcher, or that extra bench bat. Who are the three-four guys (barring having a couple open the season on the 60-day) do you risk losing. The present to get some possible wins to get the fans excited -- which is the Twins #1 worry starting the season -- or do you stay put and rebuild and suffer the losses (or possible surprises) of guys playing on the field who will be here again next year and even the year after that. You know the young guys WILL be here sooner rather than later.

You cut first from the 40-man of guys who have pretty much no chance of making the team in case of injury during spring training. If in major league camp, they go on the major league disabled list. Minor League free-agents aren't in that category, as well as other minor league guys. You will see players shuffle over at times from minor league camp to offer some depth during spring training. But right now, you don't want to pay them a major league salary if injured.

We have to see who is patched into the bullpen. Lineup construction is a key. Less strikeouts. Putting the ball in play. Runners moving. Strong starts from the big 4. Not just five innings anymore, especially with the bullpen, which needs to stay at 7 and not climb to 8.

What is scary is looking waaaaay ahead. Who on the current 40-man roster do you expect to be here in 2019. Who in 2020. After you eliminate about half the names at the least, then you start looking at the prospects that will make the call this season (few) or in 2019 (many) and 2020 (hopefully everything is pretty set). Then you figure out the revenue you will have fielding the current team and the team of 2018 and who you might be looking at as a free agent, or better yet trade some of these prospects that MAY not pan out for the expensive guys early. Man, I look at the 62/63 names that opened spring training camp and the list that I expect to be here is 2018: Berrios Chargois Hughes Jorge May Mejia Melotakis Romero Rosario Santana Castro Garver Dozier Mauer Polanco Sano Vielma Buxton Palka Granite Kepler Gonsalves Reed Slegers Gordon Hey, I have my 25-man roster! For 2018.

The assumption is that they get $99 from you. How many games you go is up to you. If you want a seat, certain games DON'T have an usher at the entrance to every upper level, and unless they really become anal and you don't look like you belong, you should be able to sit...unless the Twins come out of the gate without a loss for two weeks or more. I'm not sure how this goes into the books when figuring out the cost going back to MLB and the visiting team, but you do want bodies there for the sake of concessions. That's a given. Concessions take a hit with season ticket no-shows, But still not sure how the Twins will deal with less butts in the seats in this 2017 season...unless, of course, they make baseball exciting and if they can find a brand player. Not sure if Dozier is the guy, yet, still. Mauer sure ain't anymore. Still waiting for that Twins commercial that I'm in in which Bung-Ho Park hits a homer. That was a bad advertising investment by the Twins!

If the Twins had gone into total rebuild mode, jettisoning their salaried starters and throwing an all rookie staff out there, Jason Wheeler would've made it for quite a few starts. You can argue if he is a better choice than Duffey, who should probably be in the bullpen, but with the arms in the wings the Twins have so many on-the-edge players that MIGHT get an opportunity in another organization, but probably not the Twins. All the guys mentioned above could depart the Twins and PROBABLY (sadly) not be missed. How time passes you by, or you are replaced at the higher level and kept back because of some minor league veteran contract, of which the Twins have many this season -- be interesting to see how THAT shakes out. You always hope guys like this might get a glimmer of a chance and would thrive...because it is make the majors NOW or not.

I would play musical chairs after the first 30-40 games of the season. Praytell DON'T let your hot arms totally start at Rochester until the weather becomes more inviting. And there is nothing wrong with Ft. Myers, too. But the Twins do have a lot of pitching decisions to make. Too many minor league free agents taking up space this season...so far!

Tyler Duffey is also in the mix. And the topper is that the Red Wings rotation will be filled with guys that will probablyu never make the Twins (outside of Berrios) and how long will they block any advancement of guys from AA. Of course, since Santiago was an arbitration salary, the Twins could still release him and just be on the bubble for 20%? Am I right, or wrong on that? Combined with an uncertainity on Hughes, and Gibson needing to show something, the Twins rotation is still in shambles. In some ways, I see the Twins trying to field a somewhat veteran team hoping for a fast start out of the gate and trading some of the vets either way and not fielding any prospects until they have convinced people to invest in various season ticket packages. Rochester AND Chattanooga rosters are currently full, and there's still 15 guys to place somewhere on the 40-man roster!

This can be outrageous. Really. Which is why you draft and develop pitchers. But, what ever the market will bear. Those bench guys, too, are getting expensive...if you want predictable quality play.

I would argue that Grossman is a lock. The Twins will probably go with three bench guys and keep a longman/starter (May, Haley, Hughes). Escobar can also play the outfield. But Santana is out of options. The catching situation is a mess. And who won't the Twins keep (Santana, Grossman) if they need to add anyone to the 40-man. Did you know that back in the 60s roster out of spring training were at 28 until May 15th. The most notable casuality of all of this was Chuck Schilling, who came to the Twins from the Red Sox in the Dick Stigman trade. He sat on the bench for all that time with NO playing time and then was sent to the minors and chose to retire instead.

I still would love to know THE REAL STORY behind the Park signing. First off, the Twins won the bidding rights by basically being the only bidder for his services. Were they playing lip-service to the fan base by being in the mix for what appeared to be a power swinger from Korea, only to have it backfire when noi one else thought the aging rookie was work the posting fee. Then the Twins made what could best be called a lowend offer to Park to playlongterm for the team AND HE ACCEPTED. Did Park know something the Twins didn't know? Plus the fact that you did pass him thru waivers and no one claimed him. Yes, the posting fee is a big eat anyway you look at it. If the Twins could shed the rest of his contract, it would've been a bonus for the new regime. Not to say that Park CAN'T REBOUND. But when you look at the bigger picture, do you want him or Vargas, is Sano the DH now or in the near future. It was a bad move and if the Twins were posturing for the sake of making themselves look competitive in the international market, than there was something wrong with the front office system bigtime. But moving on...spirng training AND THE FUTURE has begun!

You want to play, you accept an offer that gets you to training camp and maybe get some innings. You pretty much only make the roster if there is someone on the 6-day disabled list, which may happen with BOTH Perkins and Hughes. If you don't sign, you don't get a chance to show your stuff off. Problem is, the Twins have a lot of guys in the free agent minor leagues marketplace this season, when they should really be challenging many of their minor league prospects WHO MIGHT see action this season with innings. Of course, the roster is so full of fluff, that it will then be more of a challenge for O'Rourke, Boshers, even Rogers and probably Tonkin to keep a job. There is veteran depth and there are too many vets taking up minor league roster spaces. The Twins might be pushing on the level of having too many replacement players holding the future in the wings, unless we consider the Lookouts the main place to jump rom the minors to the majors.

There's sure a mess of names to fill in the blanks. Perkins. Kintzler Belisle Pressly Rogers are all givens. O'Routke Chargois Tonkin are in the mix Have to decide about Duffey Haley. We also have Boshers Light Baxendale Miller Reed Wimmers at Rochester People like Zach Jones Hildenberger Bard Burdi Melotakis Peterson shouldn't be at Chattanooga. And then look at the rotation mess at Rochester: Greenwood Pino Rucinski Turley Tracy Tepsch Huribut Vogels Wheeler Mejia not to mention Gonsalves Jay Stewart And the Twins can't put together a dominant bullpen or rotation...yet!

I was thinking Pat Light would be up to be a free agent himself if he chose, which was one of the reasons the Red Sox dealt him to the Twins...they had no place for him on their own 40-man. But not sure the reasoning behind this 40-,am acquisition, unless they hope to flip him to the minors themselves.

The bigger question is who failed in the signings of Park and Toshi. How can you improve your Asian-market scouting to actually egt players that will contribute. That's where the questions lay. Heads should roll on the decision to make the signing in the first place. Did the Twins get skunked by making an offer thinking they were going to be out-offered and ahd to eat crow, so to speak, in the end, which they tried NOT to do by low-balling the guy with a contract. Did we have any business going after the guy in the first place? At this point, I would rather have Plouffe at third and Sano as a fulltime DH, but the only way we could've signed Plouffe for under-market was to DFA him back in August, and who knows if he would've come back our way.

The Twins NOW had a backlog of catchers at AAA. Unless someone doesn't work out...or they go to AA...which would be a tragedy if Garver loses out to Murphy. The bigger question is would the Twins want Turner back if he doesn't stay with the Reds. Designating Park was a big move...because basically the Twins had invested $12 million in the guy that they wouldn't see back on a waiver claim. I would take the grab if I was a rebuilding or lower run team with Park. He could turn out to be a slugger. Vargas over Park? Yes, it seems strange, since BOTH have options to go to the minors. But I bet Vargas would be claimed if he was designated for assignment. What scares me is that the Rochester roster is pretty full right now, as is Chattanooga. Where do the 15 extra bodies on the 40-man go? The Twins have taken a flyer on an awful lot of minor league free agents this round: Miller, Tepsch, Vogelsong, Giminez, Tracy, Gonzalez, Shuck, Hague, Paulson, Rucinski, Centeno, Castro, Turley, Gamache, Roriguez, Strausborger, Pino, Rohlfing plus re-siging Greenwood, Reginatto and anotehr Rodriguez. Throw veteran Park down there and you got too many non-system prospects taking up spaces.

Injuries happen. What makes it tough is when the derail people who are using up their options or coming up on arbitration issues. The Twins have been a bit unlucky in those areas. Part of the blame has to be put on players, too. Sometimes WE whine when they complain about any ache or pain. But better to be careful than sorry in the long run. Yes, it is a competitive profession. Always someone younger, cheaper, maybe even better on the horizon. One little things can end your career or send you into minor league free agent for life limbo.

I think he is in a holding pattern. See if Berrios is the real deal, if May can start. We still have Santana. Gibson could rebound. We have Hughes under contract. And need to have a good looksee at Gonsalves and Stewart and a few others. And, supposedly, there is a whole hsot of bullpen arms that have to be better than the ones we currently have on the roster. It is rebuilding time. This year is critical. The offense has to find its place. People are playing for jobs. He has shown that he is not afraid to cut salary. And if you are a prospect, the world is yours if you show your stuff and work with the Twins system. But there will be a lot of empty seats at Target Field and closed concession stands.