Rosterman

Twins get JOHN ANDREOLI from the Phillies for outfield depth at St. Paul. https://www.mlb.com/player/john-andreoli-607430 He was once a Twin back in 2019 when they traded Michael Reed to the Giants for John's contract. And then he was sent in a minor deal to the Mariners later that season.

Plus, he can sacrifice bunt....right?!?

You start with short starts. I guy can't throw more than 100 pitches. But at what point is it okay to throw 85 or 90...and we shouldn't totally judge a pitching performance on the number of pitches. A bullpen guy can come out and throw 25-30 pitchers and still be standing on the rubber looking at men on base, and you leave him in to work it thru...because the other guys aren't on the cycle to pitch today. The Twins have 14 frickin' pitchers. Even in the best of times, you never had that many. And you also seem to have a revolving door between AAA, even when they are out-of-town. And the slightest hick-up makes a guy inactive. If there is one positive, the Twins have been pushing their guys, often, towards more than one inning. That will really be fine if starters can give you six for sue and a 7th as a bonus (way to go, Smeltzer). What the Twins lack is consistent role players, or dependable arms that can pitch consecutive days, be it short, or maybe long. Smith was that crafty guy who could get you out of an inning. Megill may be that guy, too. Off-season, the writing was written-onthe-wall ragrding Duffey and Caleb Thielbar. If you could get something out of them while revalutaing the bullpen, it would be a plus. But it doesn't help when Coulombe, Alcala, Stashak go down. Well, maybe it does. We get to see more Moran. And maybe Cano will adjust and come back stronger than ever, of become the next...Anthony Slama. The Twins lack a real closer. They do have some good strikeout artists. They have decent put-the-ball in play guys. Actually, if they would improve on Duff and Thielbar, get a solid rotation going, and have arms like Jax/Winder/Smeltzer in relief right now (although the more we continue in the season, I'm feaering Bundy and Archer are 2022's Happ and Shoemaker light). I am taken aback that they are now monitoring throws in the bullpen. Charts and graphs and video and all is fine, but start talking to the guys...well, I guess you do because a zit popped on my butt and threw off my balance and I need to come out of the game, and if infected, go on the disabled list.

I keep thinking of the good thoughts we had on other St. Paul pitchers, like Ryan Mason, and currently Jordan Gore (not to mention "lights out" Yennier Cano). Plus Bryan Sammons. My question is, for COVID replacements are they required to pull ONLY from the AAA roster?

I can't quite figure out why the play against the Royals seems to be so tough. Yes, the Twins are 6-4 against them so far. The Royals pitching is a run-and-a-half worse overall than the Twins. Go figure.

Well, we discovered who was next. Interesting, looking at the bigger picture...the Twins have 18 position players on their 40-man. One is out long-term. If and when rosters expand to 13 required position players, that leaves the Twins with four able-bodied repalcements in the minors. Right now that is Kirilloff, Godoy, Miranda, Contreras. But looking over the minor league guys at St. Paul, and even Wichita, I really am hard-pressed to see who I would switch out for, say, Godoy or Contreras. The retrun of Cave? I imagine and of THE OTHER FOUR catchers at St. Paul could suitably replace Godoy (so that is questionable no-brainer). You don't want to advance lower level minor elague guys before you have to...let them get some exposure against AAA pitching. And you don't want an under-developed player holding a 40-man spot before they have to (are we going to see Balazovic or Enlow this season? Sands is far from ready, sadly. If you aren't going to use them, why are Strotman and Henriquez holding down valuable spots?)

Right now, he is a good, solid 26thg player. SImilar to what Willians Astudillo brought to the team. He can play a lot of positions in a pinch. Only Gordon has some speed. The problem is that teams have been carrying that extra pitcher as the 26th player. So you have a three person bench, which is largely a catcher, and outfielder and a bat or infielder. It is nice to have a bat, and a speedster. That is THE luxury the 26th roster spot gives you. Is he a longterm solution for the Twins anywhere? Chances are - no. He is being bypassed as a regular But until the Twins farm system produces just another bench guy, or if the Twins decide to go the free agent route and search out another, say, Ehire...he is still young and offers a variety of skills. Gordon may still feel he is better than being a bench role player. But the benefit is that he has to show this on the field.

I can understand the need in baseball to have a bit of tension on outfield walls so the ball bounces, rather than dies at the track. Pretty gutsy to throw a guy into a position he hasn't played in the big leagues (and not all that much period) and not really walk thru the outfield, test the wall for "sponginess" and all. The Twins can't afford to carry bench bats and pitching arms that can't play in the field, period. 8 games in the next week. They need every able body to do their rotate to positions you wouldn't believe these guys are playing. Like who backs up Arraez now, at first...even though the guy is looking good at the bag! There isn't a lot down on the farm. Kirilloff should be back, since Miranda is gone. Celestino is in the wings. Contreras and Godoy, bless their hearts, should NOT be options) oh, no - that leaves...Cave!). So looks like Minaya is the COVID replacement and stays until Ryan comes back, and hopefully he does pitch that final game in Detroit.

Going all the way back. TWINS DRAFTEES WHO DIDN'T SIGN BUT PLAYED IN THE MAJORS: 1960s: Eddie Leon, Del Unser, Frank Brosseau, Steve Garvey, Charles Scrivener, Tommy Moore, Roger Freed, Al Hrabosky, Jake Brown, Craig Skok, Ken Szotkiewicz. 1970s: Rick Burleson, Ron Cash, Dick Ruthven, Dave Stegman, Pete Falcone, Warren Cromartie, Rick Peters, Jerry Maddox, Eric Show, Paul Mirabella, Marty Castillo, Steve Christmas, Vance McHenry, Jamie Allen, Joe Charboneau, Rick Bordi, Edwin Rodriguez, Bradley Lesley, Dave Leeper, Tony Fossas, Steve Bradley, Ralph Citarella, Mike Couchee, Randy O'Neal. 1980s: Mike Fuentes, Steve Ellsworth, John Marzano, Steve Davis, Ralph Bryant, Greg Mathews, Tim Belcher, Bill Swift, Oddbie McDowell, Clay Parker, Joe Bitker, Mark Grace, Mike Benjamin, Mike Schwabe, Dan Smith, Craig Paquette, Aaron Sele, Derrick White, Tony Urbani. 1990s: James Moulton, Tim Davis, TJ Mathews, Gary Matthews, Craig Dingman, Kelly Dransfeldt, Travis Lee, Danny Kolb, Emil Brown, Jason Varitek, Lance Carter, Brian Lawrence, AJ Hinch, Robert Ramsay, Matt Kata, Mike Lamb, Josh Bard, Mike Gosling, Kevin Thompson, Brian Slocum. 2000s: Aaron Heilman, Paul Maholm, Daniel Davidson, Jason Vargas, Adam Lind, Jeff Clement, John Gaub, Garrett Mock, Travis Metcalf, Steve Pearce, Yonder Alonso, David Herndon, Charles Leesman, Andy Oliver, Chase Anderson, Mickey Storey, Seth Rosin, Aaron Barrett, Adam Cnley, Mario Hollands. Recently: Cody Martin, Mark Payton (White Sox prospect), Andrew McCreery, James Marvel, Taylor Hearn, Sam Hilliard, Mike Baumann, Kyle Cody, Blake Cederlind, Greg Deischman..... I also like how the Twins go after unsigned draftees and trade or sign them late. Some notables: CHuck Baker, Pat Light, Chris Heston, Clete Thomas, Matt Macri, Jesse Orosco and recently Kyle Barraclough. Plus they have Elliot Soto currently in St. Paul. How would the Twins success have been over the years if they ahd signed Steve Garvey, Mark Grace, Tim Belcher, Jason Vargas, Adam Lind amongst others?

You'll see quite a few in the first post in this link started on April 8. Always amazed at "The Twins That Could've Been."

We forget that he needs to play everday. Just to build up the strength and endurance. Will he make it thru an entire season after absically sitting out two years? I am comfortable with him just getting glimpses of life in the major leagues in 2022. And hope the Twins bring him up to play everday if a regular goes down. I just wish rosters could be expanded bigtime in September like in the past. Even a player riding the bench in that month is a learning experience. I was surprised when the player's union didn't fight this...more salary for minor league players.

Thge next big move is switching out Kirilloff for Miranda. Even though Miranda is hitting a tad better, I would rather see him work it out in St. Paul and play first base regular, if that is a position you'd like him to play. Although I still do see Miranda as the third baseman of the future. St. Paul seems to be playing Steer at second, and Palacios is holding down third. Right field at Target field is a tough spot, but the Twins are on the road come Monday. You want the strongest bench you can possibly have, especially with a doube-header in play. Give Kepler the rest if you need to do so. Yes, Celestino will be back in the next week. I would rather have 4-5 games of Lewis in the line-up right now and then make a decision on who to send back (that extra pitcher). Jeffers and Sanchez will tandem catching duties on the double header and one will play the day before, and one the day after. I'm more curious as to whom the Twins will recall to pitch the double-header. I doubt Ryan will be back until at least the day after (I hope Ryan is throwing as looks like he will be a part of the series against the Yankees). I hope he gets his warmup game against the Tigers.

The CHicago White Sox go into the long Memorial Day Weekend with NO GAMES on Friday or Memorial Day Monday? What gives?

You have to hope Canterino can push towards 100 innings period this year. Yes, he needs to expand and show that he can possibly get thru an order, say, a third time. Unless you want him to be a bullpen opener. But if the Twins need a bullpen arm to advance from AA, they only need to look at Schulfer, Scherff, Sisk or Sammons...who need to advance to St. Paul pronto and decisions made about keeping them on the 40-man come of the off-season. Canterino, the team never rushes to add players before they have to...it seems. He doesn't need a 40-man add this year.

Can the Twins use an opener for Archer? Or maybe combine him with Bundy for one game? Starting games doesn't do much good if you can't pitch a quality start.

Jake Cave is on fire and due to come back to Minnesota soon, right?

Well, it seemed that Duff was the go-to guy and that, in all liklihood, Rocco was hoping he would close out the game with two innings of work. Otherwise, if you were going to close with Duran, he would be up prepping for the ninth. Joe Smith only threw three pitches the day before, too. But you should be able to see that Duff was struggling. The game was close. And then, the 8th. Even when Sanchez reached first base I would've put Gordon in to run. You need one run to keep the game going. (Although, refresh my mind, how does the DH rule work these days? The current DH can move to a position, but then you MUST use a new bat each time that position comes up in the order for the rest of the game?)

Alex Colome 1-0 3.79 in Coors Field, with a couple of saves.

Maybe bat Buxton 9th for now? One less at bat?

So many of the minor league free agents on the Saints staff have imploded. Ian Hamilton is still the only non-roster guy that should be under considerataion. Derek Rodriguez is pitching well as a starter. His one Twins appearance was marred by Rocco keeping him in one inning too long when it wasn't necessary. Balazovic and Henriquez should both be switched out with starters prospering at AA Wichita, for the moment. Or we jsut let them take their lumps? Cole Sands is also overmatched. WIll he be this season's Charlie Barnes? Strotman has been a disaster in relief and probably will be the next arm to go from the 40-man roster. Will the Twins make a roster move (Godoy and COntreras are both 40-man expendables at this point) and bring up Chi Chi Gonzalez to start in the double header? They did sign Hunter Wood, who is working out at FCL camp. Not sure why he didn't sign anywhere in the off-season. His stats show some promise. He is coming off of an IL-stint last season for "elbow discomfort." https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/woodhu01.shtml Coulombe is coming back this weekend, I imagine. Maybe WInder will be back next week.

No team will take him unless he produces bigtime in the minors. He will be free for the asking come 2023.

The LOCKOUT didn't help. Coming off a losing season, which was coming off a no-fan 2020, doesn't help. As a lifelong Twin Citian, I don't feel safe taking the lightrail right now, leaving my car pacrked in a light rail lot or on a Minneapolis city street. I also don't want to walk from what was once my favorite inexpensive parking lots off Washington, or by the Orpheum. I did park in the ramp when went to the Dodger series. The weather has not been delightful. There are bargains to be had, but when you add up tickets, parking, food...it ain't cheap. But you can get a cheap ticket season ticket plan and then sit pretty much anyplace where there are empty seats. How have the Twins been marketing baseball, above and beyond the Bally coverage? COVID is, sadly, keeping them from getting players out into the community. There doesn't seem to be the coverage we expected in the past on WCCO. Where is the ads? Still trying to sell Target Field rather than the team (who is the face of the team sans Buxton, and he still needs to build into that position). People are still trying to figure out how to spend their spare change. And with summer upon us, everyone will be asking for it...and gas will keep you local (which could be good for the Twins) or people just don't care about baseball as much as they did in 2019. 2020 hurt the game with the worthless short season. 2021 was a disaster for selling the Twins. The Lockout almsot killed baseball for many - greed is still in the minds of many who love the game or just view it in passing.

Not sure what to make of Balazovic. Maybe they needed to start him in AA ball after he started the season on the injured list. Henriquez is another guy who should probably be pitching at AA ball. Still young. Alex Schreff is putting up some decent numbers at AA Wichita. Along with Austin Schulfer, he should make the jump to AAA soon. I also hope the Twins take an AAA look at Bryan Sammons before losing him as a minors free agent. Twins signed Hunter Wood. Pitched well for Cleveland, Texas and Tampa Bay. Sad to see Vallimont grabbed by the Orioles. You win some, you lose some. And you can't keep everyone.

The Twins signed Hunter Wood to a minor league contract and will work him out of the FCL complex. He has pitched 71 games, mainly out of the bullpen, for the Rays, Guardians and Rangers. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/woodhu01.shtml

Two Questions: Can the Twins stretch nout ALL their rotation arms to get them thru the season and into the playoffs, if necessary. And, what to do with Sano if and when he comes back.