Rosterman

Old School. Pitchers will never ever go deep again. The days of complete games, and even getting full credit for a shutout are long since past. Sadly. Thru the first third of the season, the Twins have ben extremely lucky. All their starters will pitch just south or north of 25 games, if we hold to the current path. The Twins have been able to field a six-man rotation pitching like they were a five. All the starters, except for Gray, were expected to implode if pushed past 150 innings. Guys rotating thru injury and COVID lists, plus the ability to short start the season thru mid-June with an enhanced bullpen, has given the Twins a slight edge in that regard. The guys have been able to build up endurance. The bigger question is can the bullpen sustain, following Rocco's pre-game schedule of who does what, when. If starters can barely pitch into the sixth, the days of bullpen arms pitching multiple innings without rest inbetween, or a bullpen arm pitching 2-3 and maybe four days in a row, are done and gone. We are seeing 100 mph pitchers happening a tad more frequenbt. As long as batters suffer with pitcher changes (even the sad "must face three batters rule seems a joke"), and you have the ability to actually find relief arms that can pitch 40-50 outings, managers will short the starters and increase use of the pen. Especially if you have a pipeline to the minors. Sure, there are restrictions now where a guy has to stay down 10 days. But that doesn't stop you from rotating guys off the 40-man, especially now as the season progresses and you can bring in a fresh arm (with experience) that you may only need once or twice before sending on their way (Cotton). The only flipside of the Twins is that they are pretty much stuck at seven rotation arms right now. Winder is still injured and could thrive as a long man, if you can afford a roster spot - again - for a guy who is pushing it to go four innings, be it as a starter or out of the pen. WInder needs to stretch out as a starter at St. Paul. Bundy is NOT a gem. If they need an 8th, the choices are Henriquez, Balazovic and Sands...none of whom are performing well, and shows the problem of putting unknown prospects that still need minors time on the 40-man. And, final point - fans are fickle. We yell if a guy loads the bases and is allowed to try and get out of an inning. We yell if he is pulled too soon in a close game and a pitcher thrtows a home-run ball (which happens more than not). We scream that they pay too much time looking at iPads and video. Yet as long as a manager wins, all is forgiven. Even when we can also blame the front office for not giving us 100% workable, always a win, pieces of players.

Just called up his stats, and his total career line looks pretty good if it was one season of ball. Boy, he sure doesn't strike out. But 16 homers in 170+ games and 500+ at bats. Even a stolen base. Plus, as shown above, he can be the emergency pitcher!!!!! https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/astudwi01.shtml

I think the bigger concern is the pen imploding. All those free agent arms sitting in St. Paul aren't looking too good to even considering rotating in - Angulo, Sanchez, Ramirez, Gonzalez (we saw him - a vet starter - only give us three against Toronto), Bashlor, Viza, Jurado, Patricka. Wood is a project at the training camp. Newbie Thornburg should've pushed any of the previous mentioned name to free agency. Derek Rodriguez probably gets another go, as the Twins hjave been giving Cotton. Not sure if Minaya sticks. But the current bullpen is destined to be worn thru and through. Duran could (and should) be the closer. But he, too, can only pitch so many innings. Plus learning to be a pressure pitcher in an environment where every win is important can be daqunting to even the msot experienced vet. We might feel better that Alcala, Stashak, WInder (as a bullpen arm), and Coulombe will come back strong. We also haven't seen overuse of Cano, Moran, and Hamilton yet. ALl three could be destined for the second-half bullpen fulltime after working out some kinks in St. Paul. The Twins will eventually have a four-man bench. Kirilloff MIGHT push out Miranda. Celestino will probably push away Garlick. I almost wish we could afford to send Jeffers to St. Paul for a month or so, but there is no notable replacement down there (Morales is interesting, but more as a bench bat and third catcher). I wish Jair Camargo was further along. For all the "Twins team" stuff that seems to radiate from Rocci and the staff, I would like to see some consistency in the batting order and an understanding of where guys bat and play on a regular basis. Although I loved seeing Gordon getting hit, making a balk, stealing a base...this is what your super-sub does to make it worthwhile to replace a lineup regular. I think the rotation MIGHT just work out in the end. It has, thru various injuries, been a decent six man rotation - thus spredaing the workload that all guys might only need to start 25 games during this season. Add in another dozen starts from the likes of Winder, Sands and - fingers crossed - Balazovic, the Twins may be solid and have a BIG jumpstart on a super rotation for 2023. Especially if Madea can come back. The secret is: sooner guys can pitch into or past the sixth, the better. It would be nice to have another Jax in the pen for 2-3 innings. And we lose an arm come late June (which means the shuttle may be busier between St. Paul - but we will need a couple of rotating door 40-man spots to make it work). It hurst when you don't clobber teams like Detroit and Kansas City. But if the Twins can hold their own in the recent run against the East and Seattle, we can breathe a sigh of relief and just worry about where the team is come All-Star break.

Twins signed free agent Tyler Thornburg and assigned him to the Saints. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/thornty01.shtml He had made nine appearances out of the pen for the Braves this season. He has pitched for Milwaukee, Boston and Cincinnati since making his major league debut in 2012.

It is/was NOT just our government. COVID is worldwide. See Canada for an example of how one country is still reacting. Even when vaccines were first introduced, the hope was that we would get 85% or so of the country vaccinated. Knew there would always be holdouts. And it can be doctored ordered, or just personal choice. Some choice give you limitations, others more freedom. You needed to be vaccinated to participate in the Olympics, as well as travel back then. Like flu shots, vaccinations aren't a cure. Doesn't keep you from getting whatever. Might lessen the symptons to a state that you don't know you are sick (like cough syrups kep you from coughing in public until you open your mouth and talk with a raspy voice). Be glad we can enjoy arena events again! Now everyone go shower in the locker room and, no snapping towels, okay!?

No, although CONTREAS IS ON THE 40-MAN. Basically they could've added back even Cotton and not send him thru waivers again when sent back.

Hamilton has only pitched 12 innings so far. That he has stayed with the Twins system into his third season means no one wants him, or the Twins really like him. He ahs to watch the walks. Has improved on those a bit this season. The Twins are getting a lucky look. Maybe they can get him into two game situations over the weekend and really evaluate him for the future. He was originaly signed in the 2020 off-season and put on the 40-man roster back then.

I'm looking forward to the return of Joe Ryan, and Correa. Also Winder and Alcala at some pooiint (although who will be gone). Can Buxton play regularly in centerfield and start hitting again? When will we see Alex Kirilloff, and will he be at first. Then what happens to Arraez? And will Chi Chi no-hit Toronto?

I find the Kepler case interesting, as it was mandatory for awhile to be able to travel to or from Europe for awhile during the past couple of years.

Contreras, on the taxi squad, gets the call. Celestino is also travelling with the team and working out.

I masked up when I started to read the comments.

Celestino has been approved for reinstatement. Is travelling with the team to Toronto, but still is...weak. Contreras is also on the 40-man roster. So the Twins aren't getting a look at another player for free, so to speak. Here's hoping the Twins get two looks at Hamilton on the mound. The guy has the stuff and has been lights out this season with St. Paul, albeit only 12 innings pitched. He seems to have cut down on his walks just a tad. Chi Chi was signed when the Twins couldn't make 40-man roster adds, and the underlying seemed to be that he would've been signed as a 40-man guy. The Twins get the benefit of a major league looksee on a potential backend starter. Out of all the "vets" at St. Paul, Gonzalez and Derek Rodriguez seem to be the major two that could contribute to the Twins in a pinch. Rodriguez did for three innings before being sent out for a fourth earlier this year. Cano also was added to the pen in place of Grayt, so the pen should be solid for the three gamnes, although we don't have a closer (wait, we DON'T have a closer, okay). I'm hoping Joe Ryan can make a rehab appearance at St. Paul this weekend, so he can, at least, pitch a game against the Yankees, or at least start the Tampa Bay series. I was hoping he would've been back from COVID to finish the Detroit series.

The winner is actually Jose Berrios. He knew what he wanted, pretty much laid out the starting point for a contract, and the Twins balked. They traded him to Toronto. He pitched well for Toronto and they didn't balk, seeing that they could lock him up for 7 years for an amount many pitchers his age would get for five seasons. The Twins wouldn't do that. But if they had kept Berrios, he would have to pitch in 2022 like it would be the best season of his life...if he wanted big free agent monies. The flipside is that, yes, Berrios is facing clubs with more expensive payrolls. Martin is only in his second pro season. He may be good, but is he super great to make the jump to the Big Leagues that fast, coming from metal bats in college town? Plus, the was going to be an opportunity for him to settle into a position (or two) at AAA level, while the Twins sorted out the Royce Lewis issue (can he hit, is he our TOP prospect)m as the TYwins also sit on the bubble of the Correa contract and where to play Lewis, and also Martin, next season and for years to come. Looks like Martin can also bring the speed game to the Twins. What I like about Woods-Richardson is that he does seem to be growing as a pitcher. Working on areas that gave him trouble, developing better command. Both should make it to St. Paul once the Twins draft players that push everyone else up a rung in the minor league ladder, and when the Twins choose to cut bait with many of the fledging minor league free agents populating the roster in St. Paul.

So who from the Saints were seen walking the lobby of a DETROIT hOTEL TODAY?

Well, we lost with Pagan, so it all evens out in the end. Pitchers have ups and downs. Hendriks was horrible his first few games, but is now pretty solid. Ultimastely, if Rogers had stayed ith the Twins - THEY STILL NEEDED A REAL CLOSER. AND THEY STILL...DO!

You can't win games when you don't score runs, or even get hits to try and do something on the bases. Sad to say that kansas City and Detroit somehow had better pitching than our Twins. And our pitchers did pretty decently. 15 games - 8/7. 68 runs scored, 61 runs given up...against the lowly teams in your own division.

Well, the need a fifth starter, as Ryan would probably do a rehab in St. paul so he can pitch against the Yanks or at least start against the Rays. Yes, the joy is that with the restriucted players they can add non-40 man, I believe. Which means we may see Chi Chi or Rodriguez. The Twins could pull a whopper and add Cave for the weekend, because you can send them back (hey, aren't we paying Cave a hefty sum anyways to play in St. Paul)? But first, let's win today. With the Twins playing nine against Kansas City and Detroit, I was hoping for 7-2, or 6-3 at the worst. That's been shot to heck! How can we lose series against "weaker" teams?

Enjoyed this look at a way to combine arts and sports. Kudos to the Twins for letting the guy roam and paint!

The Twins so need Sano back!

I keep wondering what the line-up would do if Sano was in it!?!

MLB Trade Rumors finally noted this... https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/06/twins-sign-hunter-wood-to-minor-league-deal.html Wood is in training camp at Ft. Myers. Not sure how far or where he will end up as the season progresses.

What a...strange...linup. Garlick leadoff? Well, we will see. Good bench for the game, That is always important. Havcing the right guys watching the game with the manager: Kepler, Arraez and Buxton. Might learn soemthing watching from the dugout rather than being on the field.

What we are looking at, again, is who is going to give us 25 starts this season. Who is going to give us 30? Because of the starting depth that the team has, it should be a pretty decent season to get significant workload to ALL the pitchers. Injuries, short starts and all for the first quarter of the season is actually working to the Twins advantage. First off, WInder. Although I would like to see him start, he did what was called upon - started when needed due to injuries to others, and was a greaty piggyback on a short start. I picture that he will go back to St. Paul when the time comes to start on a regular basis. Archer and Bundy. Both are projects. We hope Bundy will hit 30 starts and 150 innings. Looks like he could easily do that. The rub is: will he just do it? Can he produce some better numbers overall? Can he make himself, by chance, a tradable commodity come the end of July? Archer should be the long-relief guy, pitching 3-4 innings every 3-5 days. He has 9 starts and 34 innings. His contract basically calls him a starter, not someone to follow an opener. Not someone to just get some innings. Will he be the odd guy out in the mix? Has he given ANY thought to becoming a dominating relief pitcher, even working towards being a closer? Smeltzedr has earned a spot in the rotation. One, he is left-handed. Two, he is pitching the innings. Will the league catch up to him (shades of Martin Perez discussed in another post). Or will he be successful longterm? You owrry that he can perform a full season with this many innings. He only threw 104 in 2019, and over the past two seasons only 20, which he has far surpassed alread. Ober and Ryan - be happy if both pitch 30 starts and 150 innings. Both should be capable of hitting those thresholds. And both have missed starts already this season. Gray - is working his own schedule. Is already starting the season slow, might have another disabled list stint. Somehow, with 7 starters (8 counting Sands) the Twins have MANAGED TO HAVE a five-man rotation. The pain is the top couple at AAA are stinking up the mound. Balazovic is a disaster. So much so I wouldn't even want to trust him in a double-header just to give him a taste of the majors. Strotman has become a bullpen arm, but hasn't adjusted like Griffin Jax, who by the way threw more pitches than six of the 7 starters. Henriquez is also a candidate, he is quite young, and is also overmatched. And unless the Twins are really desparate, I don't see them opening a 40-man spot for just a spot start or two with any of the AA guys of not: Canterino, Varland, Woods-Richardson - all three SHOULD advance to AAA but probably not the Twins before mid-September, if they can come to the roster even them. Enlow and Legumina will fill out the season at AA with longer-term hopes, for now. And the Twins do have Derek Rodriguez and Chi Chi Gonzalez begging for a shot back at the majors. Can the Twins find a way to rotate them in and not lose anyone off the 40-man. The Twins have 7 starters. Winder will probably be the odd man out. But that will still give them six and, eventually, a bullpen of 7. One has to be a viable pen option, and all the remaining have to always pitch five innings, preferably six...or the bullpen arms will be worn out.

Christian-Encarnacion-Strand - how bad was his May compared to his April?

If all of this COULD happen, the Twins would be unstoppable. I hope they do move on from a couple of veteran starters who have inning limits. I am hoping they pitch well enoiugh that a "lesser" team will at least trade a low level prospect for them. I had hoped better from Sands and Balazovic in St. Paul. Looks like they need a full season. Disappointed in Strotman. Henriquez is overmatched and should be cycled back to AA ball. Now I just hope the Twins will advance up to three prospects out of Wichita by mid-season to get their work against better batting. Although, right now, the Twins look interesting going into 2023: Ryan, Ober, WInder, Smeltzer. Whew. Throw in Madea coming back. You will still have Gray. And Paddack will be in the wings by mid-season (hopefully). The joy is that the next 4-6 arms in the pipeline will ALL have pitched at least 100 innings in 2022, if not more.