Rosterman

Shades of Gardy. We started the four guys who are basically the bench players. We had a pretty strong bench for this game.

Both have three more seasons before needing a hard decision. And we can hopefully count on Correa to be the shortstop in the majors for those three, and probably four, seasons. Either could step in when the time comes. Bigger question is what is the depth chart for 2B and 3B. And where do guys like Lee, Lewis and Martin fit into the grand scheme of things, which means those three "studs" could be in positions for up to six seasons. A guy named Acuna could also be in the shortstop mix come 5-6 seasons from now. A good problem to have. But, yes, one will advance to Wichita if the Twins see fit to move Lee more quickly towards third base, for example.

First six games - 24 runs, 47 hits. Walked 18 times. Striking out only 46 times. But the name of the game is pitching - 11 runs (7 from the bullpen in 15 innings), 58Ks, only 16 walks (a quarter from Gray) and 34 hits in 52 innings. Whew.

I'm more frustrated that the entire Twins bench played ball in this game. I can understand replacing an "injured" Kepler. And Jeffers getting a start (he is hitting and threw out 2 of 3 stealers - yes). But, I'm sorry - quit playing guys totally out of position - Castro in the outfield when you had Gordon? We get to see the three batter rule work - for the hitting team. Relief pitchers are going to give up hits, yes. And be brought into face particular batters (although Thielbar wasn't brought in to face Arraez and did...wonders). Reminds me of the old Gardy afternoons when he would play the entire B-squad in a game, giving regulars the day off. And...the batting order! Just when I thought Rocco was working towards some consistency of who bats where and after whom.

A complete game in first start of season? What's going on there!?! Lopez returns to Miami. Will be an interesting watch. Trusting Pagan in a one-run game. Hope Duran is okay. Give him another appearance before returning to cold Minnesota, Rocco. Any news on Kepler? Wallner wants to play!

It could still be a major win for the Twins if he stays healthy and pitches well enough to be tradebait. Mahle is still young. Has deent stuff. The Twins could easily replace him mid-season with any number of rotation candidates (Ober for sure). What they could get in return? Probably not three prospects, but some system depth and promising player/s. Steer was ready, but not sure how he fit into the Twins plans with an abundance of infielders in the system that MAY not play the infield going forwards (Lewis, Martin) as well as possible landing places for Julien, Lee and Salas. Strand was interesting. Good bat, showing power. Could also play the field. A DH with a glove, at times. Or maybe the next Michael Restovich.

Canterino on the long-term IL? Listed on the future FCL roster, or will "injured" names still be added.

They will be changed as finalized before they start play end of this week. The Saints have begin. Just posted easy links that will allow you to stay on top of the players.

TWINS 2023 MINOR LEAGUE TRANSACTIONS ST. PAUL SAINTS ROSTER: https://www.milb.com/st-paul/roster WICHITA WIND SURGE ROSTER: https://www.milb.com/wichita/roster CEDAR RAPIDS KERNELS ROSTER: https://www.milb.com/cedar-rapids/roster FT. MYERS MUSSELS ROSTER: https://www.milb.com/fort-myers/roster FLORDIA COMPLEX ROSTER: https://www.milb.com/florida-complex/roster/474 End of Spring Taining Player movements: St. Paul Saints released minor league free agent catchers Chance Cisco, Grayson Greiner, infielder Dalton Kelly, and pitchers Locke St. John, Nolan Blackwood, Parker Bugg and Tyler Webb. Pitchers Jeff Hoffman and Danny Coulombe accepted offers with other teams. Wichita Wind Surge released pitcher Jordon Gore. Pitcher Ben Gross retired. Cedar Rapids Kernels: Pitchers Ryan Shreve and Bradley Hanner were claimed by other teams in minor league Rule 5 draft. Pitchers Jon Olsen and Derek Molina were released. Ft. Myers Mighty Mussels released minor league free agent infielder Nolan Machibroda and pitcher Lucas Sweany. Florida Complex released Isaiah Rivera and Ismael Perez. There are still some players unaccounted for on the rosters that are in limbo right now.

The Twins have to figure out WHO they might like to extend (Sonny Gray?). Otherwise, you do hope that ALL the pending free ageYou also have to look at Kepler and Polanco as being in the mix of cutting early ties.nts prove productive so, if players perform well at AAA, they become tradable for more than a bucket of balls - long-term prospect - I would put Solano and Madea into the trade for prospect camp. The Twins will have to make a hard decision when Polanco returns and especially if and when Kirilloff proves a need to come back to the majors. (I imagine Castro will go to the minors for Polanco, but Alex opens a can of worms). Mahle is still young and if halfway decent, could the Twins flip him to get back some of the minor league prospect product they traded top the Reds, which was significant at the time. You also have to put Kepler and Polanco into the picture. The Twins may have an immediate replacement in Julien at second base. At some point the Twins have to make a decision on where to play Lewis, what is the status of Wallner as a right-fielder, and if Martin is still a part of a longterm solution.

And, remember, six-year minor league free agents can negotiate higher salaries, and 40-man roster guys are also paid more. Players will hopefully get better nutrition at home parks, and decent money on the road. The off cost is still having housing that you basically sleep in for half the season and the cost of that. Again, sleep in as you can go to the park and use workout facilities, hang in the clubhouse if you like, et al. And your apartment sits vacant while you are on the road. Past minor league players have to be shaking their heads that this didn't happen when they were...struggling.

And it is all about the pitch count of the bullpen arms, too. Now ALL these used guys COULD pitch Saturday. I noticed the Royals are carrying three lefties in the pen, which would've been a nice choice for the Twins to do, too. It was a 2-run opener, and I would've been sitting on the edge of the chair if Rocco had brought in either Sands or Pagan. Now, we wait and see.

It was a beautiful game. base runners and good piching. Nice plays in the field.

Coulombe had an opt-out with the Twins if another team puts him on their 40-man. Became an Oriole today.

Danny Coulombe leaves Twins for a roster spot with the Orioles. Once minor league rosters are set, I'm doikng a look at ALL the former Twins in majors/minors - plus coaching - similar to last year!

Guys who played in 2022 not on any rosters: Gary Sanchez, Miguel Sano, Tyler CLippard, Brandon Kintzler, Tomas Telis, Beau Burrows, J.T. Riddle, Luke Farrell, Andrelton Simmons, (Jason Castro and Kurt Suzuki retired, I believe). Kyle Barraclough, Wilson Ramos, Andrew Albers (played in WBC). Ralph Gazza Jr. Hansel Robles, Danny Santana, Nick Vincent, Michael Pineda. Chris Archer, Cody Stashak, Joe Smith, Tyler Thornbuerg, Tim Beckham.

Dylan Bundy just signed a minor league deal with the Mets.

Spring training is all about working, developing and getting into shape for the season to start. You can try different things, with may show negatively in performance in games. But Madea does look like he is ready for a full season. Now, can he give us 25-28 starts at least and 150 innings.

Jeffers holding runners will be the key. Vasquez should offer improved defense. Always say someone has to make the 27 outs in a lineup. A couple of positions you NEED the best you can get in defense.

Lots of minor league free agents cut loose. Catchers Grayson Greiner and Chance Sicso have been released from St. Paul, along with pitchers Locke St. John, Nolan Blackwood, Parker Bugg and Tyler Webb. 2019 10th-round draftee right-hander Ben Gross, who played for Wichita last season, retired.

Base stealing is a skill. A some point, some players (like, perhaps Buxton) will refrain from doing something they could probably do very well because it does have injury concerns. Be interesting to see where it goes in 2023. I have monitored and the Twins have been threatened with at least one steal per spring training game. Most of the Twins steals have come from minor league players. Julien and Martin would be the two biggies. Michael Helman also went 40/45 in stolen bases as an infielder/outfielder at two levels last season. The big thing is that the guy has to get on base. Also, can argue having a guy like, say, Helman on the bench who could pinch run for the guy on second in the tenth to possibly take third before an out happens. Which ahs become a BIG apt of the game these days. And, the topper, you still have to have a batting order to construct around the "base reunner." If he gets on abse, can the next guy advance him. Is the next guy a hitter that will allow the base runner to easily get to third.

You don't lose money if your investment continues to increase in value. But you do lose money if you have to pay interest on borrowed money that far exceeds your income for the year. Also, 50% of $300 million is $150 million. When the Twins had a payroll of $100 million, how much different are the "operating costs" from that day compared to, say, today. How does Kansas City get more TV money than...The Twins?

I think it may be mroe about the timing. The Plus: it got people excited about baseball worldwide before the season began. Especially if you continue to want baseball to be recognized outside of a few countries. Another Plus: The quality of play is on par with the majority of spring training games. Yes, some grizzled retirees may be setting foot on the field, but equally as many all-stars. Big Plus: You see a real love for playing the game. Competitive for something other than the next free agent contract. If there is a minus, it happens in the middle of spring training, when players are fighting for placement in them minor leagues, or a chance to win a major league job. Spring training is not just a time to get in shape (most players are in shape, now, by the time they arrive). But a time for guys to play together, learn routines with fellow teammates, become a team over the weeks of spring training so they can hit the season running. You can't do it in the fall, after the seasons end, because it will conflict with the playoffs and ALL the teams in that mix. It would be great if it could, though, giving minor league guys something other than Arizona Fall League or Winter League to compete with others, but the guys who couldn't play would be the ultimate top teams in each league. Can you do it BEFORE spring training begins, kicking off baseball the day after The Super Bowl (or a week later for some time to get going). Talk about a showcase for many players who might be looking to continue a career. Or get a jump start on spring training. Enlightenment. Who gets paid, by whom, and where does the money flow for this competition?

Can Miranda play first, if he can't play third. That is my fear now, that Miranda will jsut become a bat. With Julien and Wallner the 40-man names at St. Paul, there isn't much room for another injury without a major roster move. Especially if that move would need to add a catcher for an injured backstop. Waiting to see where Henriquez and WInder end up. On the short-term or long-term IL. This could've been a BIG CHANCE for Henriquez to start his major league career!

And Wichita is the Twins AA team, which was a newly showcased franchise with a new field that was to open during the COVID season.