Rosterman

Akil would still be starting in AAA for the Twins. If he wasn't taken. Remember that. And, as others say, we shouldn't get to excited about any player. It takes a helluva a lot of at bats, hard work, and the wanna be a major league guy to succeed in baseball. Injuries also play a part. We were excited about Kirilloff last season. We salivate looking at the improved work of Celestino and Larnach, both unexpected for this season. We hope Ober and Ryan and Winder will be mainstays.

The Twins should have a good idea of their "prospect" depth by the trade deadline, and see who is blocked, who is excelling and increased their worth, as well as who they might have 40-man issues in the future. At the trade deadline, the Twins MAY need to trade for a topflight temporary starter (say Grienke-like). Part of the issue is we still don't know how Bundy and Archer will pan out over the next 10 starts, and people like Ryan, Winder and Ober still need to stay at an inning limit, but also be able to pitch in a post-season if it comes to that. Rotation choices from the minors are slim or none, both with the question marks of what we have on staff (Rodriguez, Gonzalez, et al), or also in need of innings (Sands, Balazovic, Henriquez and I doubt the Twins will add anyone from the current AA staff unless the team overall tanks). Sadly the next need would be a closer, better than Pagan. Again, the Twins could do a rental. You'd like to think that if they can keep winning, attendance will skyrocket and they could push their payroll more towards $150 million. But they need someone like Taylor Rogers, who the team already deemed too expensive (although we are p[aying his salary msotly for this season). Hopefully the dust settles on the team as a whole. Can they live with Sanchez and Jeffers as catchers or do they need to bring in another body? Would the Twins be willing to go after a pure designated hitter (reunion with Nelson Cruz, perhaps) or stick with what they have. There is not a lot of wrangling room on the 40-man roster once everyone comes back healthy. You'd think Sano can go on the long-term, but he would come abck before season's end, creating those problems. Dobnak could return, as well as Alcala. Players on the bubble remain: Romero, Vallimont, Strotman, Godoy, Garlick. Dobnak could be outrighted as I doubt anyone would pick up his salary without him showcasing himself more in AAA ball once he is eligible to return. Again, Acala, Sano, maybe Maeda would dip into the above. The Twins themselves could become traders, but more than likely the pieces departing would just be replaced by upgrades. Smith, Thielbar, Bundy, Archer could all be pieces. Even Pagan and Stashak...as you might want to replace with better bullpen arms. The worry is how musical chairs in the Twins bullpen will pan out, as well as keep the team in competition. You'd think Moran and Cano will be mainstays at some point. The team has to stay healthy. We have to see how they play against really good teams (like the Dodgers showcase showed). You can't let teams like the Orioles and Royals beat you either. Right now the front office is worried about May results, as they want to go into the summer with a team to sell and to fill the stands and move concessions (one forgets the real importance of baseball play by the front office at times). Will they just want to stay competitive and "show" a chance for the post-season, or go all in, yet still not lose ALL the prospects that can make or break the team in the next 2-3 years. The Twins have a lot of names in the minors that may never find space on the 40-man, and better to move them now for pieces to keep you in the winner's circle than just see them walk...or stagnate.

Calvin Faucher, who the Twins shipped along with NELSON CRUZ to the Rays, got the call to the majors. Taking the place of RALPH GARZA JR. , who was farmed out for the second time. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/05/rays-recall-calvin-faucher-option-ralph-garza-jr-to-triple-a.html 1 quick games for Calvin, then back to AAA - with a 45.00 era. In other news, Akil Baddoo was demoted by the Tigers. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/05/tigers-option-akil-baddoo-to-triple-a-recall-rony-garcia.html

Sad to see Ryan Mason cut loose by the Twins. Not sure if he would've been a Rule 5 grab, but had hoped that he would get at least a cup of coffee with the team, after all the work he has put in since being drafted.

He will forever be a utility player in the Twins system and will stay around until arbitration when he may become "too expensive" for his role, compared to othre alternatives. Not sure if he will ever get the chance like a Hocking, Adrianza or Punto to be the regular when someone goes down with an injury. The sad fact that the Twins NEED to play him in the outfield show how shaky the organization currently is in outfield depth, although they shouldn't be. But, in the end, would you play Gordon in any position permanently? That is the true evaluation of his worth to the team. At least with Arraez you would happily give him second, third for a season or more, and would be comfortable pluggintg him at first or the outfield if you feel the dire need for his bat.

Well suddenly looks like Kepler could be the 4th guy by season's end, if Larnach AND Celestino continue to put up numbers. Kirilloff was the first base candidate for the future. Miranda is in the mix. But with DH as a rotating spot for the likes of Arraez, Sanchez, Miranda, Kepler, Celestino and even Gordon, Twins seem to be getting pretty set for the future. Of course, there's always the next season.

Sad to see that the Twins and Saints sent RYAN MASON packing. Had hopes for Ryan, even an addition to the 40-man in the off-seasoin (he would've been Rule 5 eligible). Not sure what went wrong in his five relief appearances in St. Paul. Maybe he still isn't conquering the BB hurtle. Or just the numbers game. But always sad when homegrown talent gets walking papers while the roster is full of AAAA guys who sometimes seem to have a longer leash, for some odd reason. Good luck, Ryan. Hope you egt picked up by another major league organization this spring. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mason-000rya

St. Paul Saints released Ryan Mason. Thought the guy had potential. https://www.milb.com/player/ryan-mason-663390 The Saints added Roy Morales who had been on the Development Roster at Wichita. He can hit, he can catch, he is a guy to watch! Dylan Thomas, who has basically been injured all last year and started this year on the IL, was released. https://www.milb.com/player/dylan-thomas-682250

Yeah, he was a speedy prospect that lingered too long in AA ball, and was moved about at the Twins discretion. Got four games and stole a base in the majors. Still only 25 and from Australia. I imagine it will be a short stay, but good for Aaron. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/05/angels-to-select-aaron-whitefield.html

KYLE BARRACLOUGH has been called up by the Angels. Barraclough is one of those rare Twins. He was drafted by the team back in 2011 but didn't sign, instead signing with the Cardinals. He spent time in the majors with the Marlins, Giants and Nationals and was in the Yankees system, before joining the Twins and getting in 10 September games and 13 innings, winning two games and striking out 18 while walking 8 with a 5.54 era. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/05/angels-place-kurt-suzuki-on-injured-list-select-chad-wallach-kyle-barraclough.html

I was hoping that with the4 COBVID replacements, the Twins could've gone outside the 40-man for at least a week. A look at Cano. Perhaps a start for Smeltzer (I think Gray REALLY needed one more start and in St. Paul). I feel Kirilloff would be better served right now, with the way Celestino and Larnach are hitting, and Kepler at least holding his own, to get comfortable in St. Paul, and also take reps at first base. Rather than sit on the becnh here. The Twins could still use that extra bullpen arm as pitchers just make it past the fifth inning, in msot cases, if lucky...still. But we all have to be salivating with the rotation arm popeline, to say the least. And, if nothing else, some of those arms become bullpen arms. Moran looked good. Duran is holding his own, just has to realize that it is a lot of work to be a major league pitcher and you have to do your homework and practice.

Ernie Yake promoted to Saints from Ft. Myers. Minor League free agent Cole Sturgeon promoted from Wichita to Sains, as Jake Cave goes on inactive list. Casey Legumina and Osiris German moved from Cedar Rapids to Wichita. Orlando Rodriguez joins the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Brandon Lawson released.

He is missed, and he is relaible, as he is showing in San Diego. But the Twins got a decent return with no guarantee that they could resign him (although they are eating his salary this season). I always considered him a better set-up choice than closer, but what do I really know? On the plus side, he should get a BIG contract for multi-years in 2023, if he keeps this up and the Padres win.

Didn't someone say you can't hit home runs in Camden anymore? Well, you can sure ground into double plays. And three baserunners getting thrown out at an advancing base doesn't win you games.

Ernie Yake jumps again (he did this last year, too) from the low minors to the Saints. Shades of Jimmy Kerrigan in the past.

It seems St. Paul is carrying an abundance of players (over 30 "ACTIVE" at the moment) and just added Cole Sturgeon and Ernie Yake to the mix. Also, players replacing COVID players don't necessarily have to be on he 40-man roster, right? Why use an option if you really don't have to use an option? That would speak well for guys like Curtis Terry or Devon Smeltzer or any number of AAA arms (Chi Chi time!). Correa having swollen fingers may create the opportunity we all want to see for Lewis, although I would hate to be without Correa for 10-15 days. The great news is that Winder looks to get another start. Gray gets a rehab in St. Paul. And Balazovic is close to returning to St. Paul.

Would assume this is the case...although if you have COVID, do you fly Charter with the team, or forced to stay in Baltimore? Anyways, worried about Correa and wrist, shoulder, fingers ball game today. We may see Lewis sooner than we ever expected!

No worries. The issue always with college players (both pitchers and hitters) is the metal bats. Gotta get used to them, how the ball comes off them, etc. Plus, once you start going up-up-up in the minors, the competition rises, too. You may be hot stuf in your high school or collegiate league, but suddenly you are playing against, for the msot part, people of equal quality. Which is why you have minor leagues, folks.

Is the leash on vets going to be as long as it was for Happ and Shoemaker? Of course, I worry more about where the Twins will be and what the rotation will look like going into August. Remember that Ryan, Winder, Ober are not booked as workhorses. Of course, will we be seeing more of Sands, and Balazovic by then? Is Smeltzer a probably? Anyone wonder about Dobnak? But, again, you just can't send WInder, Ryan and Ober down to the minors to rest unless you have roster spots to replace them. And you can't just pitch them in the bullpen...who do you rid yourself of? We all hope the Twins are playing the same ball as we enter the final week of July and they MUST go after a workhorse (Grienke).

FERNANDO ABAD leaves the Mexican League and signs a minor league deal with the Mariners. He pitched in relief for the Twins back in 2016 with decent results in 39 games before being traded to the Red Sox for Pat Light. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/05/mariners-sign-fernando-abad-to-minors-contract.html

First 24 Padres games. Taylor Rogers has 10 saves (out of 16 wins by the team). 11 appearances, 10.2 innings. 10 K, 1 BB, 4 hits. 0.00 for the season. Looks like on the road to a HUGE payday for 2023.

I like that the group of starters are getting together EVERY game and talking about how players were approached, and discussing the work of each other. With so much video and analytics, the game has changed. Yet you are still at the mercy of the game. Ryan Tuesday night. Pitching well, but getting bad breaks. Hitting batters. Trying to stay in the groove or get back in the groove. It doesn't take much to lose it for a half inning these game days. The flip side is that with the masive use of the bullpen, a tough situation can be corrected (or oft made worse) by a fresh arm. Smtih getting the double play. Thielbar throwing a strikeout. All is well. And you still need a pitching coach keeping everyone on the same organizational page.

Even Kirilloff was a first baseman in training. If I hated anything about the Mitch Garver trade, it was that I thought Garver could be a good fill-in when needed at firstr base, and always give you the luxury of a DH bat who can also catch in a pinch. Can Miranda play first base? It does take a skill set. A lot of workj with infielders. You have to hope they throw the ball straight for those double plays. How far can you stretch. Can you grab the ball on a short hop. All while keeping a foot on the bag. That is always the rub...foot placement seems to be job one, because if you can't make that out...well....... Terry was signed for depth. He could be a last chance pick, if push comes to shove. But, in hindsight, if Arraez can play the bag...his bat is valuable. Would Gio be better at first, with Miranda and Arraez playing third mroe often than not? Well, depends on Kirilloff. Right now it looks like Larnach is doing evreything possible to be in the outfield. No need to give up on Kepler, although he could be tradable. Is Celestino going to develop in the majors or get a chance to play everyday in the minors shortly. So looks like Kirilloff will HAVE to be a first baseman. But until we know the "state of the wrist" the Twins have to think ahrd about the position in 2023. Is Gio someone to groom in that direction more than Arraez, for example. Again, it takes a certain skillset to be great at first base on the field. But so many first baseman are just...adequate...performing the routine plays with enough comfortable ease that you can blame mistakes on other parts of the field.

Well, the Twins now get to see how they can fare without worrying where and how to play Sano. The end of an era that promised so much!

Duran got the save! Jax looked good!