Rosterman

If Joe Nathan can't make the cut, not sure if Glen can.

I seemed to remember Jason Bartlett expressing interest to return to the Twins as a systems coach. Never happened.

Thoughts about OPENERS. There seems to be a certain mindset amongst some starters that they do need to "start" a game, especially if they have a pregame routine. But can they just keep throwing in the pen? Also, the opener would face the first 3-5/6 batters. Part of the charm is that the "real starting pitcher" would make their start, facing the weaker part of the order, while they find the plate. Plus then the 1-2-3 batters would have to adjust to a whole 'nother pitcher, especially if you are from the school that your first two baeetrs in the order have the capability of making a pitcher throw 4-6 pitches at least so the players watching from the dugout can get a read on the arm on the mound. (WHich is why Luis Arraexz is a great leadoff hitter). And if you had two of these guys, capable of starting every third day (and maybe being available on other days to face a couple of batters), it would work because you should have at least two starters who want to start and can get you into a game. Using an opener, especially in the case of the Twins, might mean an Ober can go more than five innings. And, if can keep the lead, also get a win, which you don't when you have a short start. If there was one plus for still having Wisler on the staff, he could be a crafty opener, as well as a bullpen arm. But the whole reasoning is that the real starter will face a weaker part of the order...why have Jax pitch thru the order, then the starter gets to face the tough guys all over again anyways...might as well have him start and bring in a bullpen arm. Or, the real reason is that you hope the "real starter" will go further with his 100 pitches if he doesn't have to face the first 5-6 batters right away. Now with 8-man bullpens, you can basically have a guy be an opener, if you have guys on limited innings/pitch counts, of which the Twins have a whole slew for '22.

Well, if he had gone to college, then ALL of his past efforts would've been in that arena. Basically the same age as Austin Martin, and they both would probably be at the same level of play if Royce hadn't lost the last two years. That being said, if Lewis IS the shortstop of the future still, he will probably start at AA just to work on batting adjustments, while Palacios and Martin are the shortstop options at St. Paul. with Martin MAYBE getting refs in a crowded outfield situation there. Of course, if Miranda is in St. Paul, that complicates things even more on how plays what positions. Because Royce cannot spend all season at AA Wichita. He can't spend part of all of 2023 at St. Paul. That's when you start talking about fallen stock. But if he is to play at AAA, he needs a position to play. The Twins HAVE to be in a rebuild mode, I'm sorry. They will have to find time in the majors for Martin, Miranda, Lewis (not to mention Larnach, Kirilloff and Celestino).

Be lucky to catch half the games in 2022. Can he play first? Of course, Sano is there right now and Kirilloff is a better longtertm choice. Sano is always the guy messing things up. Do you keep (and extend) Sano as your DH of the future? Donaldson is also a roster problem. How many games does he play at third base. Is he your part-time DH. Suddenly, where does Garver play if he is a part-time aging catcher. If anyone is looking for a catcher, especially coming out of spring training, he could be a prize trade chip. I would not fear to make a trade.

Pressley was a strange commodity. He was a cheap Rule 5 pickup. He was entering his 30th year, still had one more year of arbitration, but the Twins didn't seem to need him, or feel he was worth a longterm committment. Let alone if he had pitched that way for the Twins as he did for Houston, would the Twins have made him one of their highest paid bullpen arms ever. Which makes you wonder: Why don't the Twins keep their own arms? Was Trevor May worth what the Mets paid? Would Pressley be a good longterm investment? Should the Twins sign Taylor Rogers to a multi-year expensive contract? Alcala will have a good year in 2022. Will it be a great year? Can he get into a mindset that might make him a potential closer? I felt the Twins were hoping that Alcala might be a rotation arm, rather than a bullpen arm. I'm also not totally sure about the reasoning behind Celestino, who was still quite raw and young. Future centerfield option if Buxton became too expensive, perhaps? Remember, if Buxton had full seasons, but put up the average of his part-time numbers, he would be commanding a lot more in arbitration. Would the Twins have done that? Regarding Baddoo vs. Celestino. Interesting that the Twins felt the need to add eitehr to the 40-man. Both were young. Both had not played above A+ ball. Looking at Baddoo and coming off an injury, that was a major gamble for the Tigers to take. Baddoo would've been at High-A and maybe AA for the Twins in 2021. Celestino would've spent all that Twins time he had at AA in 2022, but because of the outfield need got the quick advance to AAA, then the Twins, then seemed fruitless to send him back to AA ball...and he shined at AAA, compared to the other jumper Larnach, who could've easily gone back to AA. Is there something that doesn't allow major league guys to drop back down to AA anymore, unless on a rehab assignment? I rad soemthing about AA guys not being able to jump directly to the majors. What gives. At best, the Twins would've had the remainder of the season and the next with Pressley...because he would've tested the marketplace. Alcala has showed worth already and has at least four more seasons with the Twins. If he can dominate and become a closer, he could be that arm investment that the Twins have yet to make for their bullpen for a half-decade after that. Assuming he would want to stay with the Twins. Celestino will start at St. Paul and show if he can be a good fourth outfielder if the call comes, or a replacement at either corner in seasons ahead, showing power and speed. Solid trade for the Twins.

I would trade Sano in this situation, as well as Donaldson, if possible.

A man currently without a position and you would like better alternatives if he were to play shortstop, first base,, left field or third base. You have years, at best...but he might become to expensive for you in his arbitration climb. Does he have his most return back to you now as a trade piece, especially if combined with another player? And, if looking for a .300 hitter on a regular bases...isn't that why Buxton was signed?

On the flip side, a certain percentage of minor league free agents don't make it thru spring training. But the Twins are a far cry from the near 40 they signed to play last season.

Yes, it would be nice to have a somewhat dependable workhorse. No, can the Twins field (let alone hit) behind him. He will make his starts, but is that enouigh inspiration for the young arms. Would he be a clubhouse plus or a minus. Be better than Donaldson, except for the pitching end of the game? The Twins have the money and could, no doubt, blow him away with a decent one-year contract. The plus for Grienke now is to sign a good salary with someone, anyone, and make himself suitable for a mid-season trade to someone who is going to the playoffs, rather than try and make that gamble in the off-season. But you are only as good as your teammates, and are the Twins fielding a team that will help him, statistic-wise. Will the Twins be competitive? Are they in rebuiild? They need a shortstop stopgap, an answer in left field, and starters who can pitch 30-3 games and get past the fifth inning. Also would be nice to have a real closer, but really can draw a pass on that if you aren't going to win many games. Yes, I would gamble on a wizened old arm like Grienke, and even Lester before he retired. But, sadly, I don't see Zack being Mr. Minnesota-nice as a team spokesperson, or in the clubhouse. It would just be throwing money away. But I could think of worse arms to throw money at, too. 30 starts, 170-190 innings. You need to give him 3-4 runs to win a game. And close it out with a decent bullpen. Better than, say, taking a trade flyer (again) on Odorizzi, the 4.2-5.1 innings a game wonder?

It was a good depth call as the Twins basically have no first base prospect unless you consider Miranda a first baseman, or Andrew Bechtold, who might still start the season at Wichita. Roy Morales and Caleb Hamilton are catchers that saw a lot of first base action. Of course, Curtis could also translate into the designated hitter. But there is also an over-abundance of outfielders for the roster (when you look at 10 names from the Twins roster will be at AAA/AA ball). Celestino and Larnach will probably start at AAA. Sadly, so will Miranda, as well as Royce Lewis and/or Austin Martin (Not on the 40-man). Rortvedt will also be the AAA catcher in all likelihood. And maybe Rooker will also end up back in St. Paul. I found it interesting that this transaction ws just posted on major league trade rumors, considering the signing happened back at the end of October and was briefly mentioned in another streaming post on this site.

Interesting on Kris Bryant. You would think he would go for an opt-out after the most two seasons, if he can put up the numbers. Otherwise, a bargain.

Nothing against ANY of the number retirements. Hrbek was the local boy who did really good. Baseball Hall of Fame numbers? Sadly not close, but a strong presence for the Twins as a player and a Minnesotan. He is one of the top players in our history, as was Jim Kaat, who overshadowed ALL of his fellow pitchers in that same time frame as A MAN of the organization. Others have been given legacy in the Twins Hall of Fame. Kaat is deserving of a number retiring. As is Hrbek, Carew and everyone else.

He chose not to stay with the Twins organization, who actually needed another year to look at him as a pitcher before assigning him a 40-man spot. But, if you think back, he maybe saw himself blocked and decided to go elsewhere. As a minor league free agent, you have the choice to grab a contract elsewhere, which might pay you more than you were going to make staying in an organization. A low cost investment, although I'm starting to see ALL the rotation spots already filled up at both AAA and AA ball (barring in juries) for next season, with everyone needing toi push their inning total. Of course, he may be a better gamble than, say, Andrew Albers for a looksee. But unless he can transform into a long relief arm, I don't see him getting anywhere with the Twins.

He's more valuable than being a utility player. The only way to keep him is as a stopgap, if you move Polanco to short and play Arraez at second. Or if you want him to be your leftfielder NOW. Otherwise, his next best position might be third, but you should give Miranda the chance to play that position. He is only good in left because he can get on base, but could quickly be replaced by almost anyone else for defense and power as the season progresses. If Polanco is the one-year stopgap at short, then you face the question about what to do with Arraez for 2023, if Lewis or Martin progress. The Twins have so many questions. What does Donaldson bring to the team now and do you move him. How bad is an infield with Polanco and Arraez up the middle, and does it matter if you aren't winning and basically trying out pitchers. Is he a strength in getting a good return if combined with another player (Kepler, Garver, Sano, Donaldson) and/or a prospect. I sadly don't see Arraez holding up over the long haul, but feel he can carve a nice career with a lowend team, and can slide into the utility role as he ages and you have the roster flexibility. But right now, he will keep getting more expensive the more he plays, until he becomes a free agent because you won't pay his arbitration wants in salary.

I'm hoping Ryan can be a rotation arm. But, at worse, he could have lights out closer skills.

Going into 2022 Celestino should prove worthy. EWxpect him to start and play everyday in St. Paul. The bigger question is how long does Buxton stay in center before rotating out to one of the corners.

Topps actually had very few assets as most of their products were licensed, so getting the next few years of the baseball card business in-house for this a amount satisfies Fanatics to get a jump start on their own business. Much of the mon ey will just go thru Topps and back out the door to honor licensing agreements already signed. Plus Fanatics now also owns the physical property of the negatives and other items, so they can reprint under new licensing agreements with MLB. Smart move overall for Topps, as basically the distribution network that made them thrive as card salespeople has all but expired. The new world is expensive graded and autographed and special items, virtual cards, and the ilk.

I like Rozek. But future closers? Whew. Always names like Slama. Remember him? Hildenberger, Curtiss, Chargois, Graterol. The Twins had a K-man named Deduno. Some of our best bullpen closers/arms were pretty bad rotation arms: Mahomes, Perkins, Hawkins, Guardado. Even Aguilera and Nathan started as starters. And if the Twins had given more of a leash to Hendriks. although that would've involved another four years on the major league team doing something. After 2020, Duffey might've been a closer possibility. The Twins never thought Crain could close. I thought Trevor May needed to be given a chance to fulfill that role. I picture Jorge Alcala having the stuff.

If the Twins add nothing more to the team's offense, and if Kirilloff looks good at first, Sano is the DH. Would be nice to get at bats at DH for Donaldson and Garver, and in retrospect might be nice then to play Sanoa t first and maybe even third base. Sadly, with Donaldson and maybe Arraez still on the team, I see Miranda starting the season in St. Paul. Sano has to mash. He has to show he is a bat and a DH that can play the field in a pinch. He would then be valuable for a National League team when trading deadline rolls around. But if he controls his stroke and mashes for the Twins, is he an Ortiz keeper with annual $15-20 million contracts until he no lonegr wants to play. As a fan, I need to see him overcome the situation where he comes up with men on base and one or two outs, and chases obvious low and outside pitches. He has to learn to eliminate that golf swing of his and make the pitches come more into his zone. Which means he has to make a hard push to stay consistently and constantly in the game. Will he be able to do this as a bench riding DH? Or do we jettison him and let him be another team's problem. Fist three months of 2022. If he comes around, and shows discipline that can carry over towards the future...keep him. if he doesn't, take what you can get before you just let him walk for nothing.

Thanks for the wonderful memories. I wish the Twins would do something like this more often before games, remember the legacy of players that made the franchise. The players that played in the sixties are diminishing. Fondly remember this Mudcat Grant moment at the Harmon Killebrew celebration.

Nope, he got the right player. Traded to the Twins with catcher Russ Nixon for Dick Stigman. Rosters were expanded at the beginning of the season and Schilling sat on the bench, cut by Sam Mele in May after never getting in a game and decided to retire rather than go to Triple-A. So, like at least a half-dozen other players (including two this past season - Drew Maggi and Tomas Telis), was on the major league roster but never played a game for the Twins.

Wonderful wonderful way of bringing back baseball film memories. I always wondered what it would be like if you actually did have co-ed players on major league teams. Someday. Of course you leave out any of the singing fellas from Take Me Out To The Ball Game and Damn Yankees. Someone has to smuggle Lola into the locker room to give Annie a run at supplying concessions to the team.

With all the young arms, I would love for the Twins to have a tandem of, say, Thorpe and Jax able to pitch 2-3 innings up to every other day (once thru an orer at least) as there are so manya rms that will have a 100 pitch limit or five innings, which ever comes first. If, and that is ONE BIG IF, the Twins look like a competitive team, they need a bonifide closer who can work continuous days and get the job done. Flat out period. They have wo fine setup men in Duffey and Rogers. They have Thielbar (and Coulombe) as an additional lefty. Can Stashak come back? Is Garza the eal thing? Who is Cotton? Moran is a hottie. But do you start him at AAA. This was a decision I felt the Twins blew bigtime in 2021. You bring the guy up to face major league pitching. If he stinks, he can go down and work and then come back up. Why the Twins felt the need to drag out Barraclough, Law, Albers, Gibault, Vincent and others in a losing battle. Hey, I thought Minaya would at least stick, but who knows how the minds work at Target Field. The Twins will have some 40-man roster worries. If they move in Cano, they have to keep him unless he totally stinks. Names like Hamilton, Sammons, Mason, Smeltzer can get a chance and be jettisoned....forever....if they turn bad. But you have to have a swinging door roster spot. Oh, I forgot Alcala. I think the guy has closer potential. If the Twins are in a rebuild, I would work him into the role. If not, he is another flame arm for set-up duties. You need a real closer. Left and righty setup guys. A long relief pitcher, luxury if you can have two who aren't the same. Great if you have a ground ball pitcher and can afford a spot. Nice if you have pitchers that throw strikes rather than walk batters. You can match them up against power bats and trust they will win the battle. A real luxury is having a good "bad fly ball" pitcher. And utilize that light rail service between Target Field and St. Paul Saints land. Only the price of a train ticket and the guy can still sleep in his regular bed at nite.

Who have the Twins lost in the Rule 5 Draft? Seems the Twins weren't a HIGH PROSPECTS organization for many of the drafts, not losing any players. *notable players lost in minor league portion of the draft. 2020 - Tyler Wells, Akil Baddoo 2017 - Nick Burdi, Luke Bard 2016 - Stu Turner 2015 - Zach Jones 2014 - Sean Gilmartin 2011 - Shooter Hunt* 2009 - Jose Lugo 2006 - Kevin Cameron, LeVale Speigner, Justin Jones* 2004 - Angel Garcia 1998 - Walker Chapman 1997 - Alan Mahaffey 1995 - Kimera Bartee 1992 - Kerry Taylor 1990 - Doug Simons 1984 - Jim Weaver 1974 - Doug Clary* 1972 - Jose Arcia* 1971 - Brant Alyea, Dick Rusteck* 1969 - Mike Sadek, Rich Donnelly* 1968 - Moe Ogier 1967 - Sandy Valdespino, Hank Izquierdo* 1966 - Orlando Martinez 1964 - Pete Magrini*, Fred Scherman* 1963 - Reggie Smith*, Rudy May*, John Donaldson*, Rob Gardner*, Steve Jones* 1961 - Rod Kanehl* 1960 - Jack Baldschun