Rosterman

Man, the Year of the Pitcher, when they changed the ball and batting averages fell and people accept that you can possibly win a batting title again and not hit .300. Of not have a .300 hitter on a team at least (Go Twins!). The Twins rotation was pitiful. Besides refusing to pitch five innings at a time, can you heap much praise on Happ or Shoemaker as free agent saviors? Naw, they have been sent elsewhere (where they are actually pitching better, shades of Lance Lynn). It was the year Smeltzer and Thorpe were going to shine and show they belonged in the rotation, if not the pitching staff, along with Dobnak (shades of Joe Mays and Nick Blackburn) who got a longterm deal but could be waivered out and unclaimed because...of the salary the Twins gave him. Jax and Barnes reminds you that many rookie pitchers have tough times in their first partial major league season and might find better luck in the bullpen., Speaking of the bullpen, Colome stunk up in the beginning sending the Twins into a spiral when it came to extra inning games. He was basically the 26th man and didn't draw any trade interest thru mid-season (shades of Michael Pineda not being wanted), and now he seems to be bucking for an extension from the Twins. I would almost rather see Duffey given a chance at closer, he will be here in 2022. But the other mess of musical chairs: Burrows, Barraclough, Garcia, Gibaut, Law, Vincet, Garza, Minaya, Coulombe, Farrell, Stashak, Thielbar. At the least we flipped Robles. And other teams saw interest in Waddell and Shaun Anderson (go figure). What to do about catching. Jeffers has gone the season hitting around the line of such famed Twins catchers as Jerry Zimmerman and Phil Roof. But he has power punch. Calls a decent game. And his backup Ben Rortvedt makes us dream of Drew Butera. The Twins improved their infield, with Polanco moving to second, Simmons at short, Donaldson at third base and Sano holding down first. Problem is, Sano has 14 errors in 94 games. Polanco has made 14 errors in 93 games, Simmons 11 in 115 games, and Donaldson has played 78 games and made 12 errors. Infield has been the finest moment for the Twins, with Arraez playing 33 games at 2nd (7 errors) and 41 at third (7 errors) besides making 4 in leftfield. Astudillo has played C, 1B, 2B, 3B. They kept him out of the outfield. But his value is that he can catch, which he really hasn't done...or be that bench bat, but can you do better? Nick Gordon has made 7 errors in 18 games on the infield, but only 1 in 26 games in centerfield. The outfield has been a disaster. Left field has seen the Twins use Garlick, Larnach, Arraez, Refsynder, Rooker, Gordon, Cave. Humm....how many also played in right when Kepler wasn't playing well? And who was our centerfielder when Buxton was hurt? Kiriloff did 33 games at the corners, but also 25 at first base. When you start looking at the Twins roster, the only guys that played their position ONLY were Donaldson, Jeffers and Rortvedt, Blankenhorn and Riddle. Even when Tzu-Wei Lin was up for a game, this guy played the outfield, a position he usually only played after tolling in the infield. Amazing that the Twins didn't get Cruz in the field this year! One hates to single out players with a "stink up the game" list. You really don't need to do that as is it really fun to rag on players, when their stats usually speak for them. And, at times, it is a team effort. That is what we saw in 2021...a team effort. New baseball, extra inning/double-header strange rules, lots of injuries, strange managing but it does really work when most of the time a player is standing right where a ball is hit. Go figure that. Except in the case of...Our Twins!

A shutout! A SHUTOUT! AGAINST THE INDIANS!

WQho can go from that mighty bullpen so we can see Moran. And maybe Hamilton? Of course, the Twins want to give work to Pineda and Colome, sicne both will be such fantastical parts of the team going forwards. Can't wait to see the roster decisions when Thorpe and Smeltzer return!

"Hi, my name is Roy Hobbs. They told me you need some help." "How old are you son." "Younger than that coach, but older than you, Manager." "Can You Hit?" "Only if I can use my own bat, and if one of your guys is on the mound pitching." "We got a former Twin on most every team. Be ready to suit up...Roy, is it?" "Sure is." "Pretty good looking for a ballplayer," "Well, then make sure they get in real close with the camera for my at bats!"

Who the Twins haven't advanced Miranda, Hamilton and Moran is beyond me. Also, might as well let Strotman come up and get clobbered. Learning experience for a future Twin. You are letting Jax take his lumps. I was hoping to see Balazovic for at least one game. Less than two weeks of Wichita ball left. Will he come to Saints land to end the season. For some reason, not excited about the return of Pineda,

Vinny Nittoli will be the next call-up and will get us out of the central cellar! Make My Words!

The good news is Simeon Woods-Richardson threw 40 pitches on scoreless ball in his first start for the Twins. He only walked three batters. Struck out two and...well...humm.....wait....was he playing the role of opener? I'm thinking if the Saints want to return to their winning ways, they have to make a deal with the Minnesota Twins to get Andrew Albers and Griffin Jax back into their rotation. Hummm...let us bring Balazovic up to the Saints for a day, and then trade him and Strotman to the Twins.

They never really do. Giving a Donaldson contract to a starting pitcher? They had their chance with Berrios, maybe last off-season. And, why would someone come to Minnesota...now. Look at expensive arbitration pitchers that other teams may not want to keep (Boyd at Detroit). The Athletics have pitchers they don't want to pay. Even as a one-year rental, it all depends what you need to give up in trade. Otherwise, comeback pitchers (been there, done that). Albers, Gant, Thorpe, Smeltzer, DObnak with Ober in the wings is the 2022 rotation. My call! St. Paul has Stortman, Ryan, Sands, Jax, Barnes.

ting to feel bad for Strotman. A 40-man spot on the pitching rich Rays who suddenly find themselves with some arms they would rather keep. To the Twins, a wide-open starting field, and I'm sure he is pressing himself to shine, and sometimes that works against you. Seeing other arms go to the majors (including Albers who was not on the 40-man). And some of those arms NOT doing well in the long-run (Jax and Barnes). Strotman needs a chance as much as anyone. Get him a couple of starts in the majors. What's the worse he can do...give up 10 runs in five innings? That would be a lot of pitches and a learning experience. Maybe he can pitch five innings with one bad three run inning. That is a learning experience. The same can be said for the bullpen. Hamilton and Moran both have to be wondering just what do they have to do to get a call to the majors after watching Garcia, Vincent, Burrows, Barraclough all added and basically discarded. Wouldn't the Twins want...keepers? Sure, the Twins have found some life in Gibaut, Garrza, Farrell, Minaya, Coulombe. But who are the two best relievers in St. Paul for msot of the season. The guys are hungry, and start to make mistakes, and then the front office finds excuses not to call them up.

Whoever the Twins sign, they need the ability to eat innings. Odorizzi was lucky to go five in a game. Pineda isn't giving full seasons. Can the Twins find at least one workhorse that can push towards 200 innings and a couple of guys who can reach and go past 150 innings. Most of the rookies will be pressed to go 100-120 innings in their next go around (Duran, Balazovic, Enlow, Canterino with Sands, Strotman, Jax, Ober, Barnes, Ryan on the higher end of that spectrum).

I picture Kirilloff being the perfect 1st baseman. Wonder how Miranda will do at third, Arraez seems to have a weak arm for throwing across the diamond. Once again, what to do with Sano. (Or Donaldson). Right now, the Twins are a mess. Are you going with power strikeout pitchers, ground-ball pitchers, fly-ball pitchers? They know not what they have. The Twins seemed with the Simmons and especially Donaldson to want to shure up the ground ball defense for Dobnak and others like him. Only works if those guys pitch.

Buxton is making that $80 million Twins offering look tempting to himself!

Speaking of incredible hair, remember Taylor Motter. now hoping to come abck with the Red Sox? https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/taylor-motter-of-the-seattle-mariners-flips-his-hair-after-news-photo/670931828

Moran needs to be protected, bigtime. He was eligible for the Rule 5 last season, but wasn't taken. He ahs shined at AAA ball and deserves a chance. Cano, now he doesn't need to be protected at all. Old at 27, but just three years in the system. Was hoping Erik Manoah was going to continue to shine with his advancement. That's why you advance pitchers, challenge them. Ian Hamilton continues to be rock steady, but overlooked. Some other names lower down to watch are Donny Bentley, Zach Featherstone, Osiris German and Zaquiel Puentes!

I saw we use an opener in the opening game, followed by Ober...who could possibly get the win if he only pitches four stellar innings (or three) and the bullpen doesn't blow it.

Ober is it, for now. Which is WHY is is important that the Twins also let Strotman and Balazovic also get starts at the major league level in 2021. Gives them a good idea of what to work with over the winter (perhaps in Winetr Ball). And those two are on the 40-man. The killer was that going in 2021 we had Dobnak, Thorpe and Smeltzer as the reserves. Dobnak has a lot to prove this final month. But he is also in the position of being removed from the 40-man, but still kept in the organization and come back in the spring (shades of Perkins, maybe Balckburn and Mays of old). Both Smeltzer and Thorpe could be claimed, or just walk away if moved from the 40-man (unless the Twins care enough to do a Dobnak contract with either of them, too). We have seen Barnes, who is in the mix and a lefty. We have seen Jax and Ryan, both in the mix. We know we can find guys like Albers (and maybe even retain Albers on a minor league contract (you pay them more than 40-man roster contracts, who knows if they will stay). The Twins want to think of Gant as a starter. Going into 2022 they have Strotman on the rise (again, pitch him a few games in September). Balazovic and Duran are on the horizon, but for how many innings. Is Colina a starter or bullpen arm. They elevated Bryan Sammons to AAA to see what he can do as he is Rule 5 eligible and a lefty. Winder is a prospect on the rise. From AA they have Sands (Rule 5 eligible), the recovering Enlow, Simeon, and due for AA ball to start 2022 Canterino. Yes, they need a free agent ace, and another good innings eater. Pineda is a choice? Well the good news is no one kicked in the door to obtain him at the trading deadline, so his stock may have fallen. Cheap is a happy word in front office land. On a side note, on a post about Twins finding too many band-aids for their rotation, I did a quick look at 20 years of top of the rotation (innings) starters, and the 50+ games names of bullpen arms. You gotta love the memories of the name, but you see the same mistakes made over and over and that the Twins develop arms, but since Santana - no to Supermen. We just aren't getting innings, from developed pitcher or high-end rentals. Motivated me to look back at 20 years of Twins pitching. 2020: Berrios (53), Dobnak (45), Maeda (66), Hill (38) and our main arms in the pen: Clippard, Duffey, May, Romo, Rogers and Wisler squeaks in. Before this, let's look at 100+ inning for starters and 50+ games for bullpen. 2019: Berrios (200), Gibson (160), Perez (165), Odorizzi (159), Pineda (146). Bullpen: Duffey, Harper, Rogers, May. 2018: Berrios (192), Gibson (196), Lynn (102), Odorizzi (164). Bullpen: Rogers, Pressly, Addison Reed, Hildenberger. 34 pitchers used in the season. 2017: Berrios (145), Gibson (158), E. Santana (211). Bullpen: Belisle, Duffey, Pressly, Rogers. Team high 36 pitchers on the club that year 2016: Duffey (133), Gibson (147), Nolasco (124), E. Santana (181). Bullpen: Kintzler, Tonkin, Rogers, Pressly. 2015: Gibson (194), Hughes (155), May (114), Milone (126), Pelfrey (164), E. Santana (108). Bullpen: Boyer, Duensing, Fien, Perkins. 2014: Correia (129), Gibson (179), Hughes (209), Milone (118), Nolasco (159). Bullpen: Burton, Fien, Duensing, Perkins, Swarzak, Thielbar. 2013: Correia (185), Deduno (108), Diamond (131). Pelfrey (156). Bullpen: Burton, Fien, Duensing, Roenicke, Thielbar in at 49. 2012: Diamond (173), Liriano (100), Blackburn (98). Swarzak and Duensing (109) both started and relieved. Bullpen: Bennett, Burton, Perkins. A season that might rival 2021...25 arms used of little memory. 2011: Baker (134), Blackburn (148), Duensing (161), Liriano (134), Swarzak (102), Pavano (222). Bullpen: Perkins, Capps, Burnett, Mijares. 2010: Baker (175), Blackburn (161), Liriano (191), Pavano (222), Slowey (155). Bullpen: Crain, Duensing, Guerrier, Rauch. 2009: Baker (200), Blackburn (205), Liriano (136). Bullpen: Crain, Guerrier, Mijares, Nathan. 2008: Baker (172), Blackburn (193), Bonser (118), Perkins (151), Slowey (160), Hernandez (139). Bullpen: Crain, Guerrier, Nathan, Reyes. 2007: Baker (143), Silva (202), Santana (219). Bullpen: Guerrier, Nathan, Neshek, Reyes, Rincon. 2006: Bonser (100), Liriano (121), Radke (152), Santana (233), SIlva (184). Bullpen: Crain, Nathan, Reyes, Rincon. 2005: Lohse (178), Mays (156), Radke (200), Santana (231), Silva (188). Bullpen: Crain, Nathan, Rincon, Romero. 2004: Lohse (194), Silva (203), Mulholland (123), Radke (219), Santana (228). Bullpen: Fultz, Rincon, Nathan, Romero. 2003: Lohse (201), Mays (130), Radke (212), Reed (135), Rogers (195), Santana (158). Bullpen: Guardado, Hawkins, RIncon, Romero. 2002: Lohse (180), Radke (118), Milton (171), Reed (188), Santana (108). Bullpen: Guardado, Hawkins, Jackson, Romero. 2001: Milton (233), Radke (226), Mays (233). Bullpen: Carrasco, Guardado, Wells. 2000: Mays (160), Milton (200), Radke (226), Redman (151). Bullpen: Guardado, Hawkins, Carrasco, Wells, Travis Miller. The days of pitchers hitting 200+ innings seems a far reach, let alone have a rotation that can each pitch 100+ innings (can't wait to see 2021 breakdowns). One more call up and the Twins break the record of number of pitchers used in a season. Hard to think about the early days when the whole season was handled by 1965 (15), 1967 (12), 1968 (14), 1969 (15), 1970 (13), 1971 (14), 1972 (16) pitchers. I guess people didn't get injured, and I also believe was the era of 4-man rotations, and a total staff of 9. Plus the closer pitched multiple innings. And, as Bert will tell us, more complete games!

Missed it, Seth. Ober was the key. The lone effective starter on the staff who, sadly, only pitches five innings and usually doesn't get the decision. The off-season will be interesting. Names that the Twins have designated, yet went unclaimed. Should the Twins still do the same and hope they can woo guys back with minor league contracts (maybe do it now, like Tampa Bay did with Slegers). Pay Minaya, Garza, Thielbar, Coulombe, Hamilton, Gibaut bigger contracts to maybe end up at St. Paul - much better than 40-man roster money. Of course, they could be grabbed in the Rule 5. But like the decision that COULD be made on Dobank (depending on how he pitches), teams would rather pass than pay. One inning can kill a bullpen arm (like if Duffey didn't strike out three guys, that bases-loaded by Minaya could've been three runs easily). Since our rottion is now Ober, Jax, Ryan and pray for rain, the bullpen looks interesting. Rogers, Duffey, Alcala. Thielbar, Coulombe, Minaya, Garza, Gibaut, Gant, Farrell are all still in play. But, really, could you live with names like Moran, Cano, Mason in place of any of the minor free agents signed? Gonna be some tough questions, and hope the Twins don't get pillaged in the Rule 5 or minor league free agent marketplace Amazingly, we aren't talking about people like Thorpe, Smeltzer in the future of the Twins. Let alone Colina. Interesting note: the Twins could've advanced Duran to the major league roster to clear up a 40-man space by then putting him on the 60-day for September, but didn't.

I think Trey is eligible to be a minor league free agent. The 2020 non-season kept him back in the organization, but also prevented him from being grabbed in the Rule 5. He blossomed this year, so I wonder if the Twins will take a flyer on him to add to the 40-man. Truth be told, he should move up to St. Paul for the month and Miranda to the Twins.

Solid first two innings. 17 strikes. 4 balls. Then that interview. Okay, fine......at least wasn't talking to mom when the home run was hit. I liked the analysis, where he was throwing fast balls strictly thru the order, so he could come back and surprise everyone he next time thru, except he started to pitch a bit tricky, which led to a walk and a bunch of 3-ball counts in the third, and a higher pitch count. Trust your stuff (and your mix) and the fielders. Refysnder almost blew it trying to catch the double in the third, but Buxton was in the right place. An thank goodness the base runner fears Buxton's arm, what an awful throw...but the runner balked and stayed at third. Not that it mattered. After showcasing uniforms on all the bases the previous night, the Twins wanted to end this game early to fly sooner to Florida, I guess.

Both Vasquez and Berman will be min or league free agents, so they could walk if NOT placed on the 40-man during the off-season., Vasquez ahs the ability to hit a lot of batters. And is probably behind others for the lefthanded prospect spot at this point. Berman may not be a lights out catcher, but the Twins will undoubtedly lose Telis from AAA and Hamilton from AA. Players may have a tendency to resign with a new organization if they are handled well the last month. Players will pretty much walk if hey are being passed over when a possible advancement could be had, and there is depth pushing behind them. The Twins aren't strong in catching right now. Kyle Schmidt made a two-level jump to St. Paul, partly because Rortvedt was called up and Telis is playing more first base. Yes, it probably could've been a straight cash deal, but basically is a soon-to-be-gone player for a soon-to-be-gone player. The Dodgers COULD use Vasquez in the playoffs as he is dynamite against lefties. Will wait and see. Both both will be looking for work in the off-seson. If Berman can hit above the Butera-line, he could stay with the Twins for another season. Look to see him get lots of action in St. Paul.

Stevie Berman. Shades of missing out on Drew Butera. Well, maybe Vasquez will get to throw for the major league Dodgers and be in the playoffs. Kudos to a fine lefty who only had a distant opportunity with the big ballclub. One less pitcher to still call up in 2021.

I want to thank the Minnesota Twins team for standing out in the field and letting us see their uniforms of the day! This was better than a fashion show as the plays could stay stationary once they got to a base with no need to go full circle!

Looks like the Twins cleared a 40-man roster spot by outrighting Edgar Garcia. They need to do another when they bring back Dobnak on Friday, supposedly. Of course, Madea could be moved to the 50-day IL since it looks like his season has ended. Rotation: Ober Ryan Jax Dobnak Gant (although I want to see Albers also get a chance). The Twins DO need to figure out a way to see Strotman this season. And it would be nice if Balazovic would get at least a start (or two) for a taste of major league life. I guess it all depends on how Dobnak and Jax do the next couple of times out. Jax could be optioned back to St. Paul and help them end their season, as could Dobnak...who has to be playing to stay on the 40-man. He still has potential, but due to the contract he signed he does give the Twins flexibility to remove him if he is just so-so, and still work to get him back to the team (while off the 40-man) for 2022 and beyond.

I can't get excited about MOST of the minor league free agents the Twins signed and have been shuffling thru the pen. They were minor league in-season free agents for a reason, and more than likely will remain so once all teams start cutting players and adding prospects. The Twins need to make decisions on Stashak, Smeltzer, Dobnak (who can be designated off for #'s sake and still stay a Twin as it is doubtful anyone would pick up his contract - remember Nick Blackburn). Also, Gant, Thorpe, Garcia, Jax, Barnes, plus Astudillo, Cave and Gordon. These are tried and true organizational talent. Not stunning, but developed and you know what to expect, or not. I' m an arm chair general manager, have a couple of open roster spots. Am I salivating if any of these names appear on the waiver wire: Albers, Thielbar, Farrell, Law, Colome, Minaya, Coulombe, Gibaut, Vincent, Garza Jr., Barraclough, Burrows (we know no one cared already), Garlick, Refsnyder...not to mention Gilmartin, Shepherd, Leyer, Nunn, Nittoli, Boyd, Burt, Manoah, Johnson, Koch, Garcia, Harvey, Maggi. Vasquez. Would we rather find spots for: Hamilton, Moran, Kerrigan, Contreras, Miranda, Winder, Cano, Mason, Sammons, Ryan, Cabbage, Lewis, Schulfer, Sands, Enlow, Vallimont, Gore, Lujan, Funderburk, Beck and Waner Javier? Granted, we don't need to worry about a bunch of these as they are lower in the minors, but if any of the above are gone, they are gone. But the minor league free agents are still sustainable to be kept if you pay them enough and convince them to sign a minor league invite to camp. The bigger question is, of ALL the names that I listed in this post - who makes the Twins a better team, a more competitive team in 2022, and would actually take the playing field and contribute at what salary cost. How many are solid placesetters. Who has real value to a rebuilding team in the shortterm How many are longterm assets.

Donaldson's worth is all about his play in the field and his bat. Just gotta keep healthy. Colome almost threw away the game, literally when you watch him bounce balls around the plate. I guess the Twins want him to get a BIG contract in 2022, and it will probably be from them.