Rosterman

The games have still been fairly close. It has been one or two pitches that have lost it, basically, for the Twins. But ALL those strikeouts. No runner advancement. The feelings that the batters get. It has to be demoralizing. Where is Tonkin, Perkins or Arcia four games into the season. Okay, the games are close, but still. Man, those strikeouts are mind-boggling!

So, they are fouling off pitches. But getting waaaay fooled on others. How do you fix that? At least Dozier is giving everyone looks at a lot of pitches. It can't continue, or can it?

Jepsen IS the 8th inning guy, with Abad, for now. May is a long guy. The games have still been close (except for all the danged strikeouts). But, yes, where is Arcia. But, hey, if we do let him go, he goes elsewhere. That's the long (and short) of it.

Arcia is 0-3 in game appearances. Nunez at least got in for a moment. Milone is waiting to pitch. Nolasco could've worked out of the bullpen instead of May, considering how far back he got pushed. Will be interesting to see how Tonkin deals with inactivity. As well as Perkins. If you wait for the Twins to get a lead in the 9th, Perk may be sitting out April!

Plus a dozen more tonight!

Liriano issue. First off, even though they carried him for his surgery years, there was some bad blood about service time. By trading Liriano, the Twins would've been able to enter the free agent market for the guy, not cut him. They did, but I believe they possibly low-balled him in $$$ and length of contract. I seem to remember that many of us were shocked that he got a multi-year deal and for the $$$ he received. Then Pittsburgh treated him well and he got some smarts to continue there. It seems to be all about money, and then comfort zone, these days. There is no "hometown discount" on any massive scale anymore. It is almost that there aren't teams anymore. Sure, teams develop players. But after a certain number of years, there is no loyalty...so a team is forced to make a hard decision before arbitration sets in, or just troll free agency. There's lots of "former Twins" in the system, who never played a day in a Twins major league uniform. That's for another discussion.

Interesting when you do look at, say, the Twins bench. You have three guys capable of playing the outfield. Two guys playing the middle infield. A backup for 1st base. And a catcher (that's counting the DH as a bench guy). When you cut down to 11 pitchers, you might carry that fielding specialist for the outfield, that fast pinch runner, or that single bay to pinch hit off the bench (think Thome). If starters consistently pitch into or thru the 7th inning, you can have a lesser bullpen. But if you need to use 2-3 pitchers every game, then you need the 7 bodies in the bullpen. (Ah, the old days of 250-300 inning starters and starters who would pick up a relief inning on their throwing days, and bullpen guys who pitched 100 innings easily.)

Interesting. Logan Darnell in the rotation. Thought he would be best for the bullpen longterm (like they are doing with Rogers). But I guess you do want to try and lefty backup starters if you can. I was just reading about the good old minor league days, where rosters at the high level were often filled with aging veterans to give them one more chance to play (and still collect a decent paycheck) and the real prospects did advance from the AA.

What is this fear of NOT giving a guy a contract. Last year it was Duensing, before that Burton. This year, it was Fien who should've been non-tendered. You always have to think replacement value, or at least having an open roster spot to shuffle minor league arms thru the process. Right now, the Twins 40-man roster is the tightest it has ever been. There is little room, especially when you WILL have to add names by subtraction next off-season. I like Casey, he has done a fine job for the Twins (shades of Matt Guerrier). But his time came last year. He could be replaced by the next Blaine Boyer. Maybe the Twins consider his $2.2+ million a bargain for someone who gives you a good idea of what he might contribute, and to act as that placesetter. But he has lost his job to, basically, Jepsen and even May...so he is third righty in line...a position that Pressly can easily fulfill for now.

Aaron Thompson, who had a horrible spring, was released to pursue other opportunities. The Rochester roster does look a little packed, and full of lefty possibilities.

He could be on the DL for the entire season. He will draw a MLB salary. The team MUST keep him on an active roster for at least 90 days, and it could be extended into next season, so you could comfortably activate him sometime in August, keep him around thru the end of the season, and play him again as the next season opens, if you choose. Right now you weigh how much you do want him and the salary he is taking, or offer him back to the Twins for a bargain and make him a Twins problem (albeit at a minor league salary), or do a deal which allows you to keep him and option him out when he comes off the DL and gets a reduced salary then until you are ready for him. Doesn't always make a lot of sense, but for now, Jones is getting paid very well for a job he may never ever have in the future.

That must be their answer to not having Zack Jones able to pitch. The former pitcher roster just gets more and more bizarre.

Yeah, Breslow, like Fryer, were la minute adds from spring training invites. Looks like Zack Jones starts the season on he DL (and gets major league money). Supposedly he could spend the whole season on the DL. If he doesn't get 90 days of active service time, he goes back. But at that point, an arrangement might just want to be made. Keeping the player disabled all season can be costly (full major league salary with no play) Of course, rehab time in the minors can happen.

A few former Minnesota Twins are playing across the diamonds of Major League Baseball this summer. The overall roster will seem less than stellar. But kudos to all who made the cut. It seems the Twins have been especially good in creating backup catchers and centerfielders. Catchers A.J. Pierzynski (Braves), Drew Butera (Royals), Chris Herrmann (Diamondbacks), Wilson Ramos (Nationals) and Eric Fryer (Cardinals). Infielders Danny Valencia (A's), J.J. Hardy (Orioles) and Chris Colabello (Blue Jays). In the outfield a slew of former Twins centerfielders: Ben Revere (Nationals), Denard Span (Giants), Sam Fuld (A's), Aaron Hicks (Yankees), Carlos Gomez (Astros). And designated hitters David Ortiz (Red Sox) and Kendrys Morales (Royals). Not too many former pitchers made the cut, especially starters for the rotation: Matt Garza (Brewers), Mike Pelfrey (Tigers), Francisco Liriano (Pirates), R.A. Dickey (Blue Jays), Vance Worley (Orioles), Pat Neshek (Astros), Jeff Manship (Indians) and Liam Hendriks (A's). Two former Twins are managing teams: Chip Hale (Diamondbacks) and Pete MacKanin (Phillies). And quite a few former players are coaching this season: Henry Blanco (Cubs), Lee Tunnell (Brewers), Rick Sofield (Pirates), Roberto Kelly (Giants), Rusty Kuntz (Royals), Paul Sorrento (Angels), Tim Teufel (Mets). As well as Jacque Jones and Chris Speier (Nationals), Don Cooper and Mark Salas (White Sox), Dave McKay and Mike Fetters (Diamondbacks), Marcus Jensen and Ron Washington (A's), and Vic Rodriguez, Bob Kipper and Carl Willis (Red Sox). Minor league rosters have yet to be released, but expect to see any of the following still looking for a return to the majors:,Alexi Casilla, Matt Carson, Rene Rivera, Scott Diamond, Lester Oliveros, Sam Deduno, Anthony Swarzak, Yohan Pino, Alex Presley. Pedro Florimon, Chris Parmelee, AJ Achter, Andrew Albers, Matt Capps, Neal Cotts, Josh Roenicke, PJ Walters, Doug Bernier, Shane Robinson, Blaine Boyer and Josmil Pinto. Possibly booked, again, for independent call are names like: Caleb Thielbar, Rene Tosoni, Sharon Martis, Erik Komatsu, Sean Burroughs, Pedro Hernandez and the hanging around forever Lew Ford. Will have a list compiled as well of former Twins minor league guys, in a future positing. Minor league rosters haven't been set. Then later on, independent league rosters will be set. And, we still have Joe Nathan, Justin Morneau, Kyle Lohse and possibly even Johann Santana looking for a chance to comeback!

I think or am hoping he will start off extremely hot (going to be interesting to see if Molitor will do some consistent lineups). I also believe he will work hard, especially LEARN that you take pitches in major league ball and he'll start drawing more walks than expected. Going from Korea to spring training to Target Field and other major league stadiums will be an adjustment. Just remember, he hasn't played in these parks. But let's give him a Big Ovation his first times at Target Field!

It will be interesting to watch the development of Hicks in anotehr uniform. Remember, Murphy is still young. Younger than the other potential backups in the system. If he is being groomed to take over the catching spot, it was a big spring training for him...learning The Twins Way and working with a whole new group of pitchers. Happily he will be able to grab a starter or two to be the regular backstop for, and move up the at-bat pecking order from there.

Looking at the Mets trade for Santana, I think the rumor was that the Twins, at that time, wanted Pelfrey. They might've also considered Gee. But ended up with Humber, and the issue there was that he was about to be out of options and become more costly in arbitration....think it was the need to keep him on the 40-man, plus lackluster stats at Rochester, that spelled his doom. Yes, he did pitch that perfect game, which made him an autograph collectors delight. Pitched in Korea last season. Wonder if Park took him long once or twice.

Interesting about Cole Johnson. He seemed to be on a track as A POSSIBILITY, but again, the numbers just didn't blow you away and if there wasn't room for him at Rochester, better to let him walk and find a spot elsewhere.There was little chance of him landing on the 40-man roster this season. And after the year he will be a free agent. Good luck to him. Plus, the Twins released Joe Benson!

Other numbers aside, Nolasco did win five games in eight starts last season. So, if the bats produce, he can win. The chances of someone grabbing Tonkin were slim to none, because of the spring performance. But, yes, the Twins would've lost Arcia and.or Santana. Ad barring injury, both Pat Dean and Tyler Duffey are the first on the list of rotation callups, unless the Twins switch May back into the rotation and bring up Strong, O'Rourke or Rogers. Being on the 40-man ahs advantages. Not being on the 40-man (Berrios) means it cane be a long minor league summer. The Twins don't really have a lot of wiggle room in adding players to their 40-man this season.

I want to believe that Nolasco wants to shine. He wants to earn his contract. He wants to pitch well, because the Twins might make him available, no matter what, to a contender. He knows he will pitch this season. He knows the Twins will consider keeping him around (shades of Joe Mays) in some capacity next season if they can't find a partial contract buyer in the least. Plus, if he wants to continue itching onward, with a multi-million dollar contract, he has to produce. If he is injured, that's not his fault. But let us just hope that the huge contracts of Hughes and Santana pay for themselves, or the powers-that-be will never ever sign a pitcher to a longterm contract again.

So Tonkin made it.

This is always a tough call. Of the three you mention: Tyler Duffey HA been working on a better pitch assortment. He knows he has to add some stuff if he wants to stay in the majors. Given a bad spring by one or two starters, he would be in the rotation, but the $$$'s owed win out. Will Duffey get another chance with the Twins? Will he flame-out at AAA. I think he did what he was supposed to do this spring, but the stars were allined with him. As it stands HE WILL BE THE FIRST GUY called up (no, Berrios is not on the 40-man) and will have to pitch like he has never pitched before (although he already did that at the end of 2015) to get a job anywhere in the majors. Glen Perkins. He can still get guys out. You don't have to throw the fastest. Yes, his seasons may be numbered as the Twins closer, but lets face it...no one has stepped up to challenge him this, or possibly next, season. And he is a lefty and as long as he has juice and craft, he will have a job somewhere as long as he wants. Maybe not as a closer. But... Kurt Suzuki. Well, he was available in 2014 but it seems the leagues passed on him. Why the Twins gave him the contract. Well, who else. A.J. WAS a possibility, not jsut once, but twice, but went elsewhere. The pain is the Twins blew it when they let Ramos go (the though was Mauer would still be catching) and Pinto tanked to be just a hitter. And now the shelf is somewhat bare. You are allowed one light hitting guy in a lineup, and it may be Kurt or Mr. Murphy this year. It is a weak position for the Twins, but Kurt is a gamer, played many many innings in 2016. We may argue about his call of pitches or ability to throw out runners, but everyone warms up in spring training differently. Watch him be dynamite in the opening months, and hopefully the Twins do have a couple of comparable fallbacks after that. I would say the biggest bust is Oswaldo Arcia. I don't know what happened last season when he became damaged goods in the minors. Had very high hopes when he reported to spring training early. But he just doesn't seem to get it. Only 24 or so, he still has years and the talent. But like the other bust, Kennys Vargas, who has to have a dynamtie showing at AAA, and even then he won't be the backup first baseman on call if something happens north...Park will just move over and someone who is hitting and a bench body will eta the call. A couple of lefties had ALL the opportunity to shine and become long-men in the bullpen. Logan Darnell did the switch from starter to bullpen last year, but sat out the last month on the major league roster with an illness. That the Twins were able to keep him and let him try again is a positive. Taylor Rogers was also a name to watch, a dynamite starter last season who could've anchored a spot in the bullpen, but didn't. He will work out of relief, so his name is still in the wings, at least until 40-man rosters are set next season. Max Kepler IS NOT a bust. He is a bonafide prospect. He could've pushed and made the decision making tougher, but a lackluster spring shows he does need more seasoning. This will be his year in the minors. He pretty much ash to make the majors next season. Special Kudos to the team of Quentin and Sweeney who did everything right, but discovered that there was no room in the inn and, seriously, looking at the 40-man roster, not to many names that would make them a quick callup (barring a 60-day disabled list injury). The Twins were a good pfaor minor league free agents a few years ago, but with the wealth of needed-to-protect prospects, you aren't going to be giving that veteran names major league playing time as you did in the past.

That 40-man roster is just SOOOOO tight. And it will probably be Tonkin because players without options tend top be given a longer leash than those without (like O'Rourke, for example). Let the season begin.

Buxton starts the season and bats ninth? Or lead-off? Arcia is the bat off the bench. In a pinch, Nunez and Santana can supposedly play the outfield, too. Tonkin gets the magic coupon and stays on the roster. But if he doesn't produce, and the Twins need to flip out Buxton for, say, Mastro, then Tonkin is the odd body to go. Barring an injury, the Twins really don't have many names to remove on the 40-man roster. Tonkin is one. Pat Dean is another. Then you start getting into Landa, O'Rourke, Pressle, Graham, Rogers or letting go Fien if he doesn't stay consistent. Or even Polanco or Vargas. But besides the first two mentioned, you pretty much WANT to keep everyone else, barring a trade. (The Twins have some hard 40-man decision for 2017). So picture some of the raw talent pitchers seeing action if someone goes on the short-term DL. And Polanco, Vargas and Kepler are it for minor league position player call ups!

Is Park getting time at first base just in case. We always have injuries and get to shuffle people around. But, in regards to Sano, would you rather see him or Arcia in the outfield. And the true Sano test is yet to come. The right field overhang at Target Field, playing the outfield in major league stadiums under the lights. And Plouffe is an asset. It is just trying to figure out his worth to others, or worth to the team. He is going to be expensive next season. SO do you try and sign him long term and keep him here or what.