Rosterman

My favorite all-time Tony Oliva memory is watching him pitch wiffle-ball at the Minnesota State Fair to youngsters who really have no idea who he is, although their dads (and especially grandpas) do.

I, too, was frustrated seeing short starrts (like in the majors) by so many in the minors. Then realized that they want the pitchers to build on "season-long strength" and to get innings in over the entire season. Going into spring training 2023 the Twins prospect pitchers, no doubt on the 40-man, will remain Balazovic, Henriquez, Enlow and Sands, joined by Varland, Canterino and Woods-Richardson.d. Sadly Canterino will get major league service time and be carrried all season on the 60-day. Enlow will be in AA working up his own innings. But there will still be five arms vying for a chance to pitch in the majors, hopefully more than half of them fulltime in 2024 and beyonb

The advantage of being traded to a non-contender...you can get a callup! Congrats to SPENCER STEER! https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/09/reds-promote-spencer-steer-top-prospect-tyler-mahle-trade.html

Watch him get a World Series ring!

I'll tell you what. What we have seen is a lot of new bodies play for the Twins, both in prospects and pickups. The Twins also, as of today still have 17 players on the IL-list, 17! A goodly potion of those COULD stay on the 40-man roster. Whew.

He saw that there was no way he would be called up, with Winder and Dobnak rehabbing, Moran added. The Twins need to find 40-man spots if they activate Dobnak, Winder and/or Ober. Be ineresting to see who picks him up for September.

Last season wanted them to push Balazovic to AAA St. Paul. This season, I wished they had returned him to AA Wichita to work out whatever he needed to work out. They have to keep him on the 40-man and hope for a rebound. Martin, we forget, is only in his second minor league season, skipping any play in the lowly minors (because he exccelled at collegiate ball). I think the Twins need to make a hard decision on where they wish him to play. Canterino, sadly, will need to be protected on the 40-man, but will miss all of next season.

TYLER DUFFEY could be pitching in the playoffs? Or maybe next week AGAINST the Twins! https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/08/yankees-sign-tyler-duffey.html

CHI CHI GONZALEZ signs with the New York Yankees, reports to AAA team. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/08/yankees-sign-chi-chi-gonzalez-jacob-barnes-to-minor-league-deals.html

I would've been extremely happy with Kiner-Falefa at shotstop. We would've had Rortvedt and Jeffers as catchers (although what would the state be of Rortvedt). Donaldson would've been at third. Going further back, we would've had two catchers (possibly) on the DH and no shortstop. Who would be playing shortstop if we didn't have Correa? Lewis was not considered ready. Amazingly we could afford Correa after striking out in free agent land. We got rid of a BIG longterm contract for a couple of shorter ones, and I won't complain about the play of Urshela and the smiles he brings to my face. And I find that Sanchez had played in a gutsy fashion, no doubt hoping for a decent free agent contract. Yes, we hope Lewis will be back, but will it be in June or July. WHo plays shortstop until then? The Twins could afford another year of Correa (perhaps). It all depends, longterm, how much money Correa wishes to make and to get it in writing. If something happened to Correa, the Twins would be on the books for $105m. The Twins still have to figure out a position for Martin, who is still a Top Prospect, not to mention the future Brooks Lee. And there are a couple more middle infield bodies to consider for the future. I enjoyed the season of Correa. He provided a bit of leadership, amongst the baggage of taunts from other teams. He plays hard. Remember that hitting, as a whole, seems down this season in both leagues. The Twins will only stay in the free agent hunt if they overpay. And soimetimes might be best to really overpy fo a season, than 3-4 seasons on one body.

I find the coverage exceptional. Nice gameday recaps. Links if we wish to vsiit the box scores, Correct players highlighted. Enjoy seeing who is pitching in upcoming matchups (when known), as well as following the daily results of the top prospects. Now if I could only get rid of that pop-up screen of usually a talking head on my phone, I wouldn't have to wait to get on my desktop to read the things more enjoyably. Again, the gameday recaps have been perfect. Not too short. Never too long. Good links to the players. A+!

Ober and Winder, both coming off the 50-day IL list, will be there somewhere, somehow. (Not to mention a decision on Dobnak, which would also involve a roster move). So the Twins have to remove three bodies from the curreent 40-man roster. Mahle looks to be back Sepotember 1, so he will jsut be an add from the roster expansion, but moving Sanchez to the bullpen for now. Plus the Twins signed Jewell for a reason, and Peacock has been pitching well.

Expecting an add when rosters expand for Tyler. But a team would still have to clear a 40-man roster spot. You have to be lights out dynamite to expect this on short notice. But if no chance of getting to the majors, is it worth it for him to pitch for an AAA team for a month? I would think so, at least to

So, going into September the Twins may see the return of Dobnak, Winder, Ober and Maeda. That would mean four players have to be jettisoned, alone, from the 40-man roster spot. If Hamilton is added, someone has to go off the 40-man for him. Right away, Mahle will be coming back this week. SO he will probably be the pitcher add to the current roster. In limbo, you could write such names as Sanchez, Smeltzer, Megill, Pagan, and possibly Archer or Bundy if any of the returning in jurd guys would be capable of starting and pitching at least five innings. Unless if he rally shines, I don't see Dobnak coming back, and he could easily (I feel) be moved off the 40-man but still kept in the organization. Both Ober and Winder could pitch relief (which means they replace Smeltzer and Sanchez). I still want to see Moran added. Is Mahle replacing Sanchex or Smeltzer? So I doubt that Varland will land a 40-man spot this season. He will be added in the offseason.

The Twins outfield right now is Kepler, Celestino, Cave, Garlick with Gordon in reserve. Hamilton would provide depth. Hamilton will join Cave, Caleb Hamilton, Sandy Leon as players that could be jettisoned when Buxton, Jeffers and maybe Larnach return. So he would be a temporary roster add, at best. Depending if the Twins will feel a need to have a third catcher, or a runner. I expect him to be added come September 1. The Twins will probably designate Mark Contrereas for assignment.

It shall be all about the money. Is BUNDY worth $11 million? I would think not. He was a good bargain pitcher for half THAT amount. COnsidering the trouble the Twins were having in drawing interest from free agents. Glad we didn't get stuck with...Pineda. Is PAGAN worth $5-6 million? At this point, I would rather reinvest in Fulmer, if he is interested. Pagan is arbitration, so you have to pay him. If the Twins release him, I don't see him getting that, or even a multi-year deal, as a free agent. You can always carry a pitcher as a reclaim project, but the Twins had three that they couldn't trust in the end that promised better stats than they gave us. Two are gone (Duffey and Smith). Both of those pitched, I feel, better than Pagan, yet I don't miss either. As said, would reinvest the money in another. The Twins also have to take a hard look at DOBNAK shortly. He got bombed in his first AAA offering. Quite frankly, the Twins could run him thru waievrs and outright him to AAA St. Paul this season. Doubtful that anyone will absord his long-term contract. He would still be a abckup possibility going into 2023, but not eating a 40-man spot. I ee no reason to add him to the Twins roster for a run towards the post-season, especially with Peacock and Moran pitching better at St. Paul. It is all going to boil down to money. URSHELA has been a good player for the Twins this season. But can you take the $8-9 million you might have to pay him and put it elsewhere. Does he bring anything special to the table. Of course, that hunges on who plays first base (Arraez or Miranda). But the real question is the $35m of CORREA, that is one nice hunk of change. The Twins can afford another year of that dollar, and Correa may wish to build up his worth (is the shortstop market better for 2024 for him than next season...considering). When would Lewis be abck? Is Palacios are worthy write-in for much of a season? Should Lewis be groomed for shortstop or elsewhere, considering the Twins have Lee, Martin, DeAndrade on their top prospects list, too. Who knows if they will finally give up on Javier? And SANCHEZ is going to free up a hunk of change. Happily he is a free agent. Do the Twins attempt to bring him back, or will he be able to still demand $10m or so. PAGAN and BUNDY will both probably be gone. I'm not sure I would gamble that PAGAN would comeback strong to even be a tradechip if the Twins have a rough 2023. Lopez is the closer going fourth. Duran could be the future closer if the Twins don't try to make him a starter (would you?).

Rocco and his coaching staff, as well as the remake of the entire Twins minor league system, is an extension of the front office. They are trying to do soemthing different than the norm. All the pieces have yet to gel. How much more time do they ALL get is the question. Alot of collegiate-style coaching, heavy analytics, trying to second guess playing with strengths only rather than just playing...baseball. You have more coahces than ever before, even in the minors. A great development staff idea, but the names aren't staying around for some reason. Still a work in progress. I'm hoping this season ends on a very positive note. SHattered with injuries (10+ guys on the 60-day is wild........).

Holding the Giants to one hit until the end. But not able to do anything. first and third with no outs and first and third with no run. Anytime you get a runner to third in the extra inning, expect a walk. But not necessary to load the bases,

I'm curious to see how the Twins budget will playout for 2023. Total attendance hasn't been spectacular, averaging in the low 20s. You would think the Twins would be doing much better, especially with all the $5 seats available NOW and into September.

He is a great situational guy. He should be that second lefty in the bullpen now, instead of giving innings to Pagan and Megill. But he malso had options and was the go-to guy when you needed someone short-term, which worked against him as you ate up his up-and-down opportunities. Expect him to be added when the rosters expand. Peacock should also get a look, but at the expense of whom? The Twins will supposedly make room for Dobnak, Winder and possibly Ober. Heaven help us if we need to find a roster spot for Madea, too. Doubt if any would be the starter we need, although imagine any could replace Archer or Bundy, if the Twins want to go that route. The Twins have to evaluate their pitching staff hard, depending on where they are in the standings next week. Replace arms that are tiring, perhaps. Jettison players that have no future with the Twins and are on the 40-man. Every starter has to be evaluated at their potential to give the Twins a win in their last seven appearances. The Twins will carry nine arms in the bullpen...can they get their job done!

Some base stealers in the system. But recently signed Billy Hamilton will tell you that you can't steal a base if you don't get a hit or walk in the majors. Henriquez is still a keeper. We forget that he (like Balazovic) is still young. Have to keep them on the roster for another season. But I would try Henriquez out of the bullpen (or, do we send him to the Arizona Fall Leagu - can we - as a starter?).

The current team is still very much active with nearly 40 games left of play. It will hopefully be exciting playing half of those games against inter-division rivals. 2023... Correa makes a decision and the Twins either have a lot of money to spend, or just some money to spend. Rotation: Ryan, Gray, Mahle, Maeda. WInder, Ober, Paddack seem to be keepers. Prospects: Return of Balazovic, Sands, Enlow, Varland, Woods-Richardson. Bullpen: Duran, Jax, Alcala, Lopez, Moran, Pagan. Possible returns: Thielbar, Coulombe, Megill, Romero, Stashak, Fulmer. Prospects: Sisk, Henriquez. Would like to see them pick up a real arm or two, not the scrap heap of minor league free agents. Lopez will determine closer status in September. Duran is our closer of the future if he can stay healthy. Yes, the Twins need a catcher, determine who will play shortstop, and be nice to have a solid bench bat. The outfield is a mess if you look at Kirilloff/Buxton/Larnach...all coming off injuries. Who plays first? Arraez is not the slugger you want at first, but holds the bag well. He is not also the sluffer you want at DH. The Twins have to make a decision on Urshela for another season. Not a bad guy to keep as the bench bat to join with, say, Gordon and Celestino. Again, shortstop - Palacios until Lewis returns (would be nice if Palacios was up right now). Boy,m look a the Twins Top Prospects list, they have a bunch of shortstops (no catchers, though). 2022 has showcased a lot of talent that could be the Twins future for the next few seasons, opening up spaces to trade a Kepler or Polanco before their contracts expire. I like the farm system and hope the Twins push more on their draft class and also players in the current system. Helman and Julian are interesting to watch. Is Wallner on the cusp? WIlliams and Isola possible catchers? Is Camargo a keeper or gone? There will be a good crop of pitchers hitting AA next season that could advance early to AAA. But we have all winter to think about 2023. Let's enjoy having a competitive team that is still playing above .500 ball and in the mix.

Picture this: A playoff outfield of Garlick, Hamilton and Cave!

LUKE FARRELL returns to the major, getting a bullpen job with the Chicago Cubs. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/08/cubs-to-select-luke-farrell.html

I would play Celestino or Gordon in centerfield and I would go ahead and bring up Matt Wallner, adding him to the 40-man early. He can't be any worse than Cave of Beckham at this point. Also, Palacios. A backup shortstop now that could also be a stopgap if Correa opts out.