Rosterman

You need variety. Look those cereal snackpacks. Sadly, you also have one or two that nobody really wants to see on the mound.

The whole point of Simmons, known to be a weaker hitter, was defense, combining him with Donaldson at third, Polanco at second, and Buxton in centerfield. Donaldson gave us 91 games. We know how Buxton fared. Also, the Twins were probably hoping for much more from Dobnak (a ground ball pitcher) as well as Happ and Shoemaker needing sparkling defense behind them. If the Yankee rumors of wanting the defensive Simmons, I wonder why the Twins didn't pull the plug. Come 2022 the Twins need to focus on players playing their position. Who's on first? Is it Sano or Kirilloff. Or is Kirilloff in the outfield until Larnach plays his way back on the team. Is Garver the main catcher, or does he get bats as a DH (or 1B guy). If he is going to play elsewhere, then the Twins will need a "third catcher." Is Donaldson prepared to play all-the-time at third, or better suited to split time at DH. If so, then who plays third - Arraez, or Miranda? Right now the Twins have three potential guys who can DH when the time happens, or play a position on the field. Sadly, Cruz is strict DH. Although it would be nice to follow him on his remaining two-year run to reach 500 home runs, sadly the Twins can probably do without him - unless they decide to move any or Sano (replaced by Kirilloff), Donaldson (replaced by Miranda), and Garver. Heck, I say move all three and hope you get a closer and a strong candidate for the top of the rotation, and bring back Cruz. If the Twins do tank again, someone will take Nelson off your hands yet again for a couple of dynamite prospects. I was disappointed in the Twins bot getting Balazovic to the majors, and NOT having a looksee at Strotman. They allowed Barnes and Jax to flounder, so much so many of us naysayers wonder why they would hold a 40-man spot, then we go back and look at the numbers of names like Perkins, Hawkins, Eddie G, even Vila when they first came north to Twinsland. Even if the Twins wave a blank check in front of the top arms, I suspect none of them would come to Minnesota if they get massive offers elsewhere. So, the Twins have to explore a trade. Or maybe they will get lucky on a Rule 5 choice (sic).

Pineda will look at offers, I'm sure. What makes me see him not going elsewhere for too much is that no one kicked in the Twins door to grab him at the trade deadline. So the questions are: incentive with a decent base, or a multi-year contract offering some assurance of him finding a home. But I wouldn't be the first one to knock on the door, accepting that he will hopefully ask the Twins to counter any offer he does receive, unless he knows that they won't.

The Twins could definitely package players, including Rule 5 eligible guys. Especially if a proven arm comes back in the process.

Its the rules of arbitration. Unless you can work a team friendly longterm deal, the player has an advantage going into arbitration. Would the Twins have loved to resign Eddie Rosario for what the Indians signed him for? Of course, probably. Remember that ALL teams but the Red Sox passed on Ortiz, and the Red Sox got him for less than the Twins would've been able to sign him for. That alone, that he passed thru waivers with other teams, speaks of his value at the time. Arbitration doesn't allow you to cut a player's salary, especially because of lost games due to injury. It always gives a raise of sorts. If you wish to compare Buxton to the Oritz situation in any way, it is that one has a tough time looking at Buxton's track record and saying you want to throw an enormous amount of money his way. Yet there seems little need for Buxton to sign for little or nothing in the grand scheme of things. And the potential to play elsewhere, on a winning and competitive team, is always in the minds of players and their agents. Ortiz as NOT an everyday player, even at DH, and the Twins felt the need to move on. Ortiz was thrown into play where a team suddenly ahs control...take this salary offer or leave it, return to the minors, rebuild from there. That he found a home in Red Sox land and continued to play, largely on decent one-year contracts, and thrive is GOOD for David. Again, back to Rosario. The Twins didn't see him as a $10 million dollar outfielder. They thought he could be replaced. He wasn't. But they couldn't sign him for less.

Yep, itching is going to be the killer. We currently have three guys - Colina, Balazovic and Duran - who were supposed to get a shot in 2021 and now we hope they get a shot sometime in 2022. We have Enlow who MAY need to be protected but is still a good year away from major elague action. Those are keeps, all. And then we have names like Smeltzer, Thorpe, Stashak who are all disabled in many ways, and throw in Dobnak who we can eliminate from the 40-man, but still keep, because no one is going to grab his contract, or if they do...some might turn cartwheels. But this will all be repeated in another few days when we digest the many names needed to be pitchers for the Twins.

Observations .He still is one of the current better arms (remember when he was a starter waaaay back in 2015 and actually looked good in 10 games before sucking in 2016, switching to the pen and really sucking in 2017 and 2018, before finding himself). How long can that happen? No one seemed to be kicking down the door at the trade deadline. He will still be cheap in 2022. I would've been trying him in the closer role rather than Colome the past month, unless the Twins are really thinking they want Colome back. Pitchers get old...sometimes fast. Because it takes a lot of work to constantly spot your stuff, mix-it-up, and be prepared for action any and every day.

A player on a 40-man roster, when removed, either becomes a free agent, is claimed on waivers, or clears waivers and you can send them to the minors if you wish and they are under contract. The Twins have 20 position players currently on the 40-man. Two are on the 60-day IL. Expect Rortvedt, Jeffers, Garver to stay, as well as Sano, Kirilloff, Polanco, Arraez, Donaldson, Gordon as infielders. Larnach, Buxton, Celestino, Kepler as outfielders. That's a magic 13, with two doomed to go to the minors. Cave will be arbitration bound. Rooker is younger and can play 1B, the corners, and DH. The Twins have no set DH for the moment. The importance right now of Garlick and Refsynder depends on the stock you put in Kerrigan or Contreras as possible outfielders. Both can be grabbed in the Rule 5, but doubt that they will be. The Twins need to add Royce Lewis and Jose Miranda. They also need to make a decision on Trey Cabbage. I believe Jermaine Palacios and Wander Javier could walk if they wish. The Twins will no doubt be on the hunt for experienced catchers to play at AAA, be interesting to see who they go after. Jair Camargo has lots of play for his young years and can leave the organization after next season. Caleb Hamilton is also on the bubble. You have to ask the necessity of Willians Astudillo to stay on the 40-man. Will some team grab him? Part of his value is that he can be catcher. The trick is knowing you have some guys like Kerrigan, Contreras in the minors. That you can sign Drew Maggi to another minor league contract, as well as B.J. Boyd, and quite possibly Refsnyder or Garlick. Again, you do keep a couple of fringe names on the 40-man, players you can jettison if you need to add a free agent (and hopefully not Brandon Waddell). I expect 18 names of the above being kept, with three being minor league adds. Last year the Twins signed some 33 people to play at AA/AAA minor league ball. Let's see how active they are this year, or can they at least get more prospects in St. Paul.

The Saints had 37 position players pass thru their dugout. Of course, that includes rehab assignments. What is more remarkable, 42 pitchers took the mound, 23 names that played with the Twins.

Shows how fleeting and rough the life of a baseball player can be. He had a great opportunity last season and got injured. Then, bam, he had to prove he could play again in sprint training, and besides fighting against prospects like Larnach and Kirilloff, he was up against some minor league free agent signings in the likes of Refsynder, Garlick and Broxton, all who outplayed him in spring training. Then a miserable minor league start and suddenly is is looking at being overtaken in the outfield pecking order by a horde of others. He couldn't just DH this year as the Twins resigned Cruz. Sano is still the go-to for first base, as Kirilloff will have to prove he is ready for full return in 2022. Which still makes Rooker a more valuable keeper battling Cave or Refsynder for a 40-man spot. Is his spot more valuable for him, as a potential backup to anyone in 2022 with an option left, or do the Twins see if he can be a viable free agent and find a new home. He, sadly, just seems the be the 27th guy on the roster at the moment. He does hold value if anything happens to a corner outfielder, first baseman or DH roster guy. But he doesn't outshine anyone else that could also fulfill those positions.

Gotta figure who stays on the 40-man roster. Going down the roster: Smeltzer - is he injury free? Can you get him back on a minor league contract or where he go elsewhere. Thorpe - out of options and really didn't get a chance to prove himself as a starter or bullpen arm. Perhaps he becomes the next Hendricks, because he is out of options and the Twins will move on. Perhaps not. Would you open the season with him or Barnes or Smeltzer as a lefty starter (or possible pen arm). Griffin Jax - Totally on the bubble. The Twins tried him briefly out of the pen in the beginning and have given him every opportunity to shine as a starter. Are there teams salivating to sign the guy, probably to a minor league pact? Jorge Alcala - showing great potential as he finishes the seson. WIll be back. Closer prospect? Taylor Rogers - Left-handed setup guy who can also close, but let's get a real closer. He stays, Tyler Duffey - Another good setup arm. I remember when he was a top starter prospect back in 2016. He stays. Cody Stashak - may have injured himself out of a roster spot. Would have to pas thru waivers. Of course, another team may not gamble. Or he would be the next Zach Littrell. Picture the Twins removing him. Caleb Thielbar - Age may be working against him for one of the beloved roster spots. That no one grabbed him from the Twins at the trade deadline means something (cheap and dependable). You can never have too many left-handed arms, but the Twins have two - Jovani Moran, who will stay, and Danny Coulombe, who is a tad younger and has shown his worth. He could be on the bubble if roster spots become precious. Luke Farrell - this year's Matt Wisler, but cheaper because he missed so much time. Like Thielbar, he could be a keeper as you need a couple of names to move about if you sign a free agent. Excited about him? Not in the least. Alex Colome - seems the team is giving him so many opportunities to up his value, but to whom - not to the Twins unless they pick up the option. Will Alex see a demand for his services? DO we want to see him back as a closer? Is he a decent setup man? Like many, would rather see the team move on. Juan Minaya - the guy ahs been a sweet surprise and has worked himself into an off-season job. He can pitch multiple innings. Nothing exciting, and will have to prove himself all over again in spring training, but is a solid bullpen keeper for now. Ian Gibaut - The Twins gave him a shot in 2021. Maybe enough to get him to come abck on a minor league contract for depth in St. Paul. Nick Vincent - Hasn't been given a lot of chances. Age works against him for the "new" Twins, but that doesn't mean he won't resign if offered a minor league contract. Edgar Garcia - along with Jason Garcia and Alex Schreff are outside organization pickups, None in dire need of a 40-man spot, but names to keep in the organization as depth. Kyle Barraclough - The Twins are giving this unsigned draftee who shined for a few seasons elsewhere some opportunities as the season winds down. His 4-5 appearances in the final days will be a deciding factor if he is kept on the 40-man, or will become a minor league free agent. He is working himself into a temporary keeper spot right now. Ralph Garza Jr. - The guy has shined, in a middle of the bullpen way. He is young, a good strikeout arm, and seems to be a fine pickup. I picture the Twins keeping him on board for now. Beau Burrows - Another guy that may stay with the Twins for minor elague depth because they gave him a shot, and St. Paul used him as a starter. We'll see. John Gant - Is a bit safer than he was in Cardinal-land, who didn't want to go to arbitration with him. I would love to see him stay in the bullpen, but he is an option to start. Edwar Colina will stay on the 40-man as there is too much promise there...the question is can he be major league ready for some innings before mid-season 2022. It is hard to keep 40-man spots full of injured players (we already have Madea filling one for 2022). Jordon Gore is an interesting case. Seems the Twins are keeping the converted infielder at AA with the hopes of maybe sneaking him thru the Rule 5 and having him workout at AAA ball in 2022 before making a roster decision. Might be another guy that gets away to another team. Ryan Mason is one of those middle-inning multi-inning arms that is not spectacular but seems to get the job done and could be lost to the Twins if not protected. He may not be ready out of spring training, but could play into the bullpen, or becomes one of those journeymen that ends up shining elsewhere (Chargois, Curtiss, Guerra, maybe Hildenberger, whatever).

I'm counting some 54 players on the FCL roster, and 35+ on the Ft. Myers team. A helluva a lot of players already on the complex grounds. Where do they all stay? Do some come over from the DSL league. Now if it will only stop raining down there.

First, the Twins thought they were going to be competitive, so they went after some minor league free agent bullpen arms as possible reclamation projects. Instead, they should've kept Wells, but in all likelihood felt he was going to start in the minors and that no team would open the season with him. Same could be said for Baddoo. He was behind like six outfielders. Even Celestino was considered ahead of him for advancement to the majors and Celestino only made the jump beause of so many injuries. That the Twins ended up with Refsnyder and Garlick as replacements for Rosario for a good aprt of the year, because Larnach needed much more seasoning and Kirilloff went down. The Twins would've started Baddoo at AA ball. The killer for the Twins is that they watched three pitchers: Colina, Balazovic and Duran. All three sit on the 40-man and out for part or all of the season. All considered possible contributors to 2021. Now we wonder if and when they will contribute in 2022. Doubt any of the three will open the season on the roster. The joys of baseball is that you have to make hard decisions. Yes, the Twins made some hard decisions, but, again, they were thinking of being in play in the division and could only allow x-amount of spots for unproven rookie talent. If they knew they would lose, perhaps 90-games, they might've taken a different trak. Be interesting to see what this off-season brings.

So sad he didn't get in a game, although he still is on the 40-man (and getting an increased paycheck for the final two weeks in St. Paul).

If you wish to have a pitcher give up multiple runs in an inning, why didn't you plan on Strotman to come up, take some lumps, and learn. Or maybe he would've shined. Farrell IS NOT an opener. An opener is a distinct pitcher. Just like some starters ARE NOT relief pitchers (*out of the gate). Of course, we have 11 bullpen arms right now, so the Twins are deciding who NOT to carry on the 40-man.

Why not start Maggi? Will he be a Twin still this coming week? Great story, but right now he is with Telis, Schilling and a couple of others as Twins that never played a game!

The Twins are in a great situation for pitchers like Moran. They can let them see how their stuff work, come out and give some advice. The pitcher sees that maybe the coaches and team knows what is going on. Then the pitcher can continue to work and learn. I'm sure it has been a great learning experience for Griffin Jax. Charlie Barnes, too, as well as Bailey Ober. Trevor Larnach also got the experience, as did Gilberto Celestino. The Twins have had to rely on Ryan Jeffers learning and performing on the job. It is what the players do in the off-season now, and how they come to spring training and go from there. I would also like to see Drew Strotman get his chance on the mound against major league competition. That is what the month of September should be all about for future Twins. Miranda, can he come out and play, too? Move Cabbage and Balazovic up to pitch with the Saints if need be. Advance some guys from Cedar Rapids to Wichita. Then Ft. Myers to Cedar Rapids. Yes, minor league w/l totals or playoffs are important, but also experience for potential major league players in the long run.

Hey, here it comes. Low and outside!

You love it when an organization does this. Griffith did it in the old days, give the oldtimers looking for one last chance a few more games towards a pension plan. The flip side, it is still a 40-man spot. Or a 28-man roster spot. Will Gant, Refsnyder, Garver, Thorpe still come back for one more harrah! Plus, Simmons is on his temporary leave. The Twins still can use a fifth official starter. I hope he starts Sunday! Get him that one game. Then can decide if wants to return in 2022. We forget that minor league free agents do get decent pay most of the time, as well as extra pay for every day on the 40-man roster.

Sano Garver Donaldson floating thru DH duties. Miranda sharing time at 3rd. Kirilloff at first. Question is who is at shortstop, and who do we carry as catchers/spare infielders. Rotation is Thorpe, Jax, Dobnak, Ober and Ryan with Smeltzer in the wings with Barnes. I see 75 wins from this group easy! (If they pitch at least five innings a start).

Ah, wait. The other totals were when the Miracle were a High-A team. The record was broken by an A-ball team, now playing with a share of short-season folks that normally would've been with Elizabethton in the past, and facing similar players.

I know they want to see if Moran can get thru a batting order, or that's the only explanation I see having him pitch, sit, pitch, sit, then come out yet again. He's a lefty. Is he that good that he faces everyone well and cane have his routine broken by stretches between innings? At some point, the Twins need to think of a way to get starters to pitch five complete innings. That would be a major step in the right direction, and it just ain't happening with Ober, Jax, Barnes, Gant, Albers. Maybe it is time to see if Jax can be used in long or multi-back-back-to-back days of relief. Bring up Strotman is you wish to elt pitchers learn by getting battered and staying in the game. Surely this is the "learning experience" of the current field staff and front office calls for the team.

If you look at the progression of Gil, he was Rule 5 eligible each of the past two seasons, but was still in the low minors. Even this year he started at AA and progressed to AAA. Nothing really outstanding there, but enough for the Yankees to looksee because they needed to add him to the 40-man come the off-season or he would probably walk elsewhere. If Gil had not lost a season of play so early, who knows. Now he ends up in option land. The fact that he is only 23 works well in his favor, and that the Yankees did push to see if he can contribute. Compare that to the Twins who have Balazovic languishing at AA ball, even when injured part of this season. This was a guy who was going to pitch AA/AAA ball and get a looksee by the Twins this year. The difference between the Twins and Yankees is that the Yankees tried a rookie in a positive year for their team (although looks like they are just missing the playoffs) while the Twins are running thru a list of old standards for some odd reason, rather than give big league time to a few more guys who might be on the roster, still in 2023-24-25. Is Jax a better pitcher, or Barnes, for getting major league innings out of the way this year? Even Ober. Plus getting a chance to work with major league coaches and try things in the majors. Cave gave the Twins a need, especially with Buxton going down each season. But at some point he becomes too expensive in arbitration. He will still find work (ala Grossman). Have to see what happens to Gil in the end. But at some point, he seemed too rough and too many years away to keep in the system, especially in a Twins system where they like pitchers to be much older before coming to the major leagues.

So next year we have Strotman, Balazovic, Duran, Winder, Sands and who else starting at AAA St. Paul? Barnes still there? Jax? Anyone else at AA deserving of a bieegr push?

It is always a question of how much you can afford to lose vs. overpaying for lesser production. Big budget teams can have tens of millions released, waived or on the disabled list. The Twins can afford to have $10-20 million not producing, and they bite-the-bullet when names like Mauer or Donaldson are getting overpaid compared to expectations, but at least they are on the field. I often have little problem over paying home grown talent, since you have gotten lower-payroll production out of them in the first place. It's why he Twins should've kept players like Cuddyer, Nathan, Hunter...even Santana and Koskie, when they went for greener pastures. You pay them because of their past, present and future worth as franchise people. It's why many of us hated Jack Morris and his one-year of taking a check, but the results were, in the end, more than worth it. Too often a franchise gets caught in a budget crunch, so to speak. But is it really a budget crunch? I go back to the 55%. I'm sorry, a team spending $150 million on payroll as 55% of their budget isn't paying the from office equal to a team spending 55% on payroll from their $500 million budget. And, the years you underspend vs. ... well, baseball is in a financial mess but somehow they seemed to weather the disaster of 2020 for dollars, and the lighter pocketbook of this season, too. In the end, franchises keep going up-up-up in value, something Carl Pohlad was fully aware as he always borrowed other's people money against his team. If players won't come to Minnesota unless we overpay them, and the players we are overpaying are not really worth overpaying to come to town, then why not overpay our own bright prospects who have been a aprt of the system and then the club for 4-5-6 years.