Rosterman

KOREA HAS SET BASEBALL ROSTERS: BYUNG-HO PARK is still slugging the ball for another season after breaking his 3-year contract he signed with the Twins back in 2016. Glenn Sparkman, a former minor league free agent, is there. CHARLIE BARNES, a lefty who pitched some in 2021, is looking to thrive over there. Being a lefty, and the Twins short on pitching, was surprised when they removed him from the 40-man in the off-season. DREW RUCINSKI who pitched for the Twins in 2017, returns for his 4th season in Korea. BRANDON WADDELL who pitched for the Twins in 2019 and recently in the Cardinals organization before signing a Korean contract for the remainder of the 2022 season. AND TAIWAN HAS ANNOUNCED: Wilkin Rosario, who spent the 2019 season with the Twin's Rochester Red Wings. He has quite the international career, playing in Korea, Japan, the Dominican Winter Leagues. Mexico, after spending a decade in the Rockies system and playing at Coors Field. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/01/cpbls-uni-president-lions-sign-wilin-rosario.html

FORMER TWINS IN THE BROADCAST BOOTH DARRIN JACKSON (White Sox). Former Twins player 1997. C.J. Nitkowski (Rangers). Free agent signing 2005 released in sprint training. David Murphy (Rangers). Minor league free agent 2016. John Rooney (Cardinals). Former Twins announcer 1987, before long career with White Sox and Cardinals. Al Hrabosky (Cardinals). Unsigned 1967 draftee. MATT CAPPS (Pirates). Former Twins player 2010-12. JIM DESHAIES (Cubs). Former Twins player 1993-94. Pat Hughes (Cubs). Former Twins announcer 1983. RON COOMER (Cubs) Former Twins player 1995-2000. Mark Grace (Diamondbacks) was a 1984 unsigned draftee. He also does special analysis for select Chicago Cubs games. Ryan Lefebvre (Royals). Former Twins announcer 1995-98. Anthony Recker (Mets). Analyst for Major League Baseball Network. Minor league catcher 2017, part of Jaime Garcia trade. JACK MORRIS (Tigers). World Series Hero 1991. Former Twins announcer 2005-11, 2014-20. CRAIG MONROE (Tigers). Former Twins player 2008. JIM KAAT (MLB Network). Former Twins pitcher 1961-73. Former Twins broadcaster 1988-93. DAVID ORTIZ (Fox Sports). Former Twins player 1997-2002. A.J. PIERZYNSKI (Fox Sports). Former Twins player 1998-2003. And Nomar Garciaparra is a coattail Twin as he was part of the BIG 2004 four-team trade involving the Cubs, Red Sox, Twins and Expos that saw Doug Mientkiewicz leave. Nomar is a commentator for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

EX-TWINS IN THE FRONT OFFICE! RETIRING: President of the Phillies and former Twins GM Andy MacPhail (1985-1994) and his special assistant Terry Ryan (Twins GM twice and basically with the organization from 1994-2016 after starting as a minor league player 1973-76) announced that they are leaving baseball at the end of 2021. Fond memories of both from Minnesota Fans! CHARLIE MANUEL (1969-72) is a special assistant to the general manager of the Phillies. SAM FULD (2014) is now the General Manager of the Philadelphia Phillies. SHANE BOWERS (1997) and Tommy Field (2016-17) are both scouts. Jack McKeon is now a special assistant to the GM of the Nationals after an illustrious career with the Royals, Padres, Astros, Reds and Marlins on the field and in the front office. People forget he started as the AAA manager for the Twins back in 1962-63. MIKE PAGLIARULO (91-93) is a special assistant to the general manager. Jeff Harris (1995-2000) and Greg Hunter (1995) are scouts. BILLY BEANE had a movie made about him (Moneyball) and was a highly regarded Mets prospect traded to the Twins in 1986 and sent packing the next season to Detroit. He became a Scout with Oakland in 1990 and rose to their highest decision-making job. Offers pour in, but he stays with the A's. CHRIS PITTARO, who played with Beane in Minnesota, has been a longtime scout and special assistant in the A's organization since 1991. DEREK LEE (1993) is a scout. CRAIG BRESLOW (2017) is assistant general manager and vice president of pitching for the Cubs. RANDY BUSH still gets mail with the Cubs, who he joined in 2005 after college coaching. He played for the Twins from 1982-1993. He was the Cubs interim general manager in 2011. Now a senior advisor to the team. BOB TEWKSBURY is some sort of Mental Issues coach with the Cubs. BOB GEBHARD is still in the game working as a special advisor in the St. Louis Cardinals front office. A Twins pitcher in 1971-72, he also played for the Expos and then worked with the farm system, joining MacPhail as assistant general manager of the Twins from 1987-91. He was then being named General Manager of the Rockies from 1992-99, and the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2005. RANDY FLORES (2010) is assistant general manager and director of scouting. Longtime Twins trainer Tony Leo is now a trainer with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He started with the Twins in the minors in 1998, and was the Target Field trainer in 2018-19 seasons. Andrew Lorraine (2004) is a scout. Tim Costic (92-94) is a scout Houston Astros. DENARD SPAN (2008-12) is a special assistant in operations with the Rays. DAVID ORTIZ (1997-2002) is a special assistant to the general manager of the Red Sox. LUIS TIANT (1970) continues his association with the club as a goodwill ambassador. Matt Tracy (1979) is the pitching development coordinator for the Blue Jays. RENE TOSONI (2011), SAL BUTERA (1980-82, 87) and Bud Smith (2005) are scouts for the Blue Jays. LEROY PURDY SMITH (1986-90) is a chief scout for the Mets. EDDIE BANE (73-76) is a senior scouting advisor. J.J. Putz (1998 unsigned draftee) is a special assistant to the president/CEO of the Diamondbacks. Erubiel Durazo (2006) is special advisor to the president of the Diamondbaacks. RICK DEMPSEY (1969-72) is a community ambassador for the Orioles after a long career in their broadcast booth. JIM THOME (2010-11) is a special assistant to the vice-president/general manager of the White Sox. Paul Gibson (1982 Rule 5 draftee) is the director of pitching performance for the Royals. Blaine Boyer (2015) is a special assistant in baseball operations. Chino Cadahia (1979-83) is a special assistant in player development. RUSTY KUNTZ (1983) is a special assistant to president in quality control. Gary Wilson (1998) is national pitching supervisor of scouting. Tim McIlvaine (2004 Twins prospect) is the Angels director of scouting. JEFF CIRILLO (2206) and KEVIN JARVIS (1997) are scouts. QUINTON McCRACKEN (2001) is special assistant to baseball operations and player development with the Brewers. JOHNNY GORYL (1962-64; also coach 1968-69, 79-80; minor league manager 1966-68, 1970-1978; Team manager 1981-82) is still doing special duties with the Guardians (Indians), who he joined in 1982 as a coach and spent more decades in player development. Tim Belcher (unsiged 1983 first round draftpick) is a special assistant to baseball operations. MINNIE MENDOZA (1970) is an advisor for Latin American development. BOBBY KORECKY (2008) is a scout for Seattle. Kevin Fox (minor league free agent signed 2009 but released in spring training) is a Seattle crosschecker. LARRY CASIAN (1990-94) and James Moulton (1990 unsigned) are scouts for the Giants. John Barr (1988) was a former east coast scouting supervisor for the Twins and is now senior assistant to baseball operations for the Giants. DOUG BERNIER (2013) is the Rockies game plaanning coordinator. Mike Ericson (1992) is a scout for Colorado. Lots of names from the Twins past minors in the Cincinnati Reds Scouting Dept. Gary Glover (2004), Ben Jones (1992-96), Jeff Schugel (1983-85), Rich Bordi (1977 unsigned). Matt Gaski (2010) is the international crosschecker. Rex dela Nuez (1989-93) is the team crosschecker. Mike Misuraca (1989-96) is a scouting supervisor. JACK CRESSEND (2000-02) is a crosschecker for the Dodgers scouting team. Cody Martin (unsigned 2010) is a scout for the Atlanta Braves. TYLER ROBERTSON (2012-13) is a scout for the New York Yankees. Pedro Castellano (1997) is a scout for the Detroit Tigers. Mike Venafro (2007) is a scout for the San Diego Padres.

FORMER TWINS WHO ACTUALLY PLAYED ON THE MINNESOTA TWINS ROSTER AND ARE STILL IN BASEBALL! PITCHERS: LANCE LYNN (White Sox), LIAM HENDRIKS (White Sox), RICH HILL (Red Sox), HANSEL ROBLES (Red Sox), J.T. CHARGOIS (Rays), MATT WISLER (Rays), JOSE BERRIOS (Blue Jays), SERGIO ROMO (Mariners/Jays), MARTIN PEREZ (Rangers), JAKE ODORIZZI (Astros/Braves), RYAN PRESSLY (Astros), BRUSDAR GRATEROL (Dodgers), SEAN POPPEN (Diamondbacks), ALEX COLOME (Rockies), TYLER KINLEY (Rockies), ZACK LITTELL (Giants), KYLE GIBSON (Phillies), TREVOR MAY (Mets), JOHN CURTISS* (Mets), TAYLOR ROGERS (Padres/Brewers), MICHAEL PINEDA (Tigers). CATCHERS: MITCH GARVER (Rangers), JASON CASTRO (Astros), KURT SUZUKI (Angels), BEN RORTVEDT (Yankees). INFIELDERS: JONATHAN SCHOOP (Tigers), JOSH DONALDSON (Yankees), MARWIN GONZALEZ (Yankees), NIKO GOODRUM (Astros), ANDRELTON SIMMONS (Cubs), C.J. CRON (Rockies), EDUARDO ESCOBAR (Mets), EHIRE ADRIANZA (Nationals/Braves), OUTFIELDERS: ROBBIE GROSSMAN (Tigers/Braves), AARON HICKS (Yankees), LaMONTE WADE (Giants), EDDIE ROSARIO (Braves). DESIGNATED HITTER: NELSON CRUZ (Nationals). ADDED TO MAJORS DURING 2022 SEASON: ANDREW VASQUEZ (Blue Jays/Giants), RALPH GARZA JR. (Rays), ROB REFSNYDER (Red Sox), J.T. RIDDLE (Reds), CHASE DE JONG (Pirates), KYLE BARRACLOUGH (Angels), AARON WHITEFIELD (Angels), ILDEMARO VARGAS (Cubs/Nationals), TAYLOR MOTTER (Reds), WILLIANS ASTUDILLO (Marlins), BRENT ROOKER (Padres/Royals), CHI CHI GONZALEZ (Brewers/Yankees), TOMMY MILONE (Mariners), SHAUN ANDERSON (Jays), TYLER CLIPPARD (Nationals), IAN GIBAUT (Guardians), TRAVIS BLANKENHORN (Mets), DEREK LAW (Tigers), JOSE GODOY (Pirates), LUKE FARRELL (Cubs/Reds), YENNIER CANO (Orioles), JHAREL COTTON (Giants), BEN RORTVEDT (Yankees). TRADED TO TWINS: AARON SANCHEZ (Nationals), TYLER THORNBURG (Braves), JORGE LOPEZ (Orioles), TYLER MAHLE (Reds), SANDY LEON (Guardians), MICHAEL FULMER (Tigers), AUSTIN DAVIS (Red Sox). SUSPENDED: HECTOR SANTIAGO! *players opening season on injured list. And CONTINUE ON for a list showcasing all former Twins, Major and Minor Leagues, still playing ball or coaching somewhere, as well as (an added special bonus) unsigned draftees - players that "got away" by the Twins - still participating in Major League organizations. And – COMING SOON! Former Twins in the Foreign Leagues and Independent Baseball!! ORGANIZATION LIST OF FORMER TWINS MAJORS/MINORS & FIELD STAFF. A look at Former Twins and Organizational Players in other organizations. Includes guys who played in the minors and, as an added bonus, unsigned Twins draftees that are playing for other teams. * Players Who Were On A Twins Major League Roster in CAPS AMERICAN LEAGUE CHICAGO WHITE SOX LIAM HENDRIKS – Pitcher LANCE LYNN – Pitcher Mark Payton - Outfielder (unsigned) Major League Staff: HOWIE CLARK (c). Minor League Players: D.J. Burt. CLEVELAND GUARDIANS IAN GIBAUT - Pitcher SANDY LEON - Catcher Major League Staff: VIC RODRIGUEZ (c). Minor League Players: Cade Smith (unsigned), Jonathan Engelmann (unsigned), IAN HAMILTON. KANSAS CITY ROYALS BRENT ROOKER - Outfielder Major League Staff: Pedro Grifol (c), Allan de san Miguel (c), Damon Hollins (c). Minor League Players: .Brad Peacock. Minor League Staff: BRIAN BUCHANAN (c), STEVE LUEBBER (c), ANDRE DAVID (c), Mike Tosar (c), Jason Simontacchi (c). DETROIT TIGERS JONATHAN SCHOOP – Infielder Akil Baddoo – Outfielder ROBBIE GROSSMAN – Outfielder MICHAEL PINEDA - Pitcher DEREK LAW - Pitcher MICHAEL FULMER - Pitcher Major League Staff: A.J. Hinch (m) (unsigned). Minor League Players: J.T. Perez, NICK VINCENT, Marcus Solbach, Logan Shore (unsigned). Minor League Staff: Doug Bochtler (c), Billy Boyer (c), Dax Fiore (c). BALTIMORE ORIOLES Tyler Wells – Pitcher Marcos Diplan - Pitcher JORGE LOPEZ - Pitcher Jake Reed - Pitcher YENNIER CANO - Pitcher Mike Baumann - Pitcher (unsigned) Major League Staff: Matt Borgschulte (c). Minor League Players: Xavier Moore, Ricky Ramirez, Cade Povich, Juan Nunz, Juan Rojas, Chris Vallimont. Minor League Staff: Cody Asche (c), Alan Rail (c). BOSTON RED SOX RICH HILL – Pitcher HANSEL ROBLES - Pitcher J.P. Martinez – Outfielder (unsigned draftee) ROB REFSNYDER - Outfielder Jaylin Davis - Infielder AUSTIN DAVIS - Pitcher Major League Staff: Alex Cora (m) (unisgned draftee), Andy Fox (c), Jason Varitek (c) (unsigned draftee), Pater Fatse (c) Minor League Players: DANNY SANTANA. Minor League Staff: PAUL ABBOTT (c), BOB KIPPER (c), Lance Carter (c) (unsigned), Joe Cronin (c), Corey Wimberly (c). NEW YORK YANKEES JOSH DONALSON – Infielder AARON HICKS – Outfielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa – Infielder MARWIN GONZALEZ - Infielder Luis Gil - Pitcher Luke Brad - Pitcher BEN RORTVEDT - Catcher Major League Coaches: Collin Theroux (c). Minor League Players: TYLER DUFFEY, RYAN LAMARRE. Minor League Staff: Selwyn Langiagne (c), Sergio Santos (m). TAMPA BAY RAYS J.T. CHARGOIS – Pitcher MATT WISLER - Pitcher Chris Mazza - Pitcher Luke Raley - Outfielder Brooks Raley – Pitcher RALPH GARZA JR. - Pitcher Dusten Knight - Pitcher Calvin Faucer - Pitcher Luke Bard - Pitcher Minor League Players: AARON SLEGERS, Nick Anderson,. Minor League Staff: Brady Williams (m), Jamie Nelson (c), JEFF SMITH (m), Frank Jagoda (c). TORONTO BLUE JAY JOSE BERRIOS – Pitcher ANDREW VASQUEZ - Pitcher George Springer – Outfielder (unsigned draftee) Casey Lawrence - Pitcher SHAUN ANDERSON - Pitcher SERGIO ROMO - Pitcher Minor League Players: Stevie Berman. Minor League Staff: Matt Hague (c). OAKLAND A's Deolis Guerra – Pitcher Major League Staff: MARCUS JENSEN (c), DUSTIN HUGHES (c), PAUL SRENTO (c). Minor League Players: Gabriel Maciel, Tyler Watson, Dalton Sawyer (unsigned). Minor League Staff: Jason Hart (c), Don Schulze (c). SEATTLE MARINERS SERGIO ROMO – Pitcher TOMMY MILONE - Pitcher Minor League Players: FERNANDO ABAD, ANDREW ALBERS, Chris Mazza, Anthony Vizcaya, Prelander Berroa. Minor League Staff: Eric Farris (m). TEXAS RANGERS MITCH GARVER – Catcher MARTIN PEREZ – Pitcher Taylor Hearn - Pitcher (unsigned draftee) Major League Staff: BOBBY WILSON (c), Seth Conner (c). Minor League Players: Kyle Cody (unsigned), WILSON RAMOS, Drew Strotman, EDWAR COLINA, Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoa (unsigned), HOUSTON ASTROS JAKE ODORIZZI – Pitcher RYAN PRESSLY – Pitcher JASON CASTRO – Catcher NIKO GOODRUM – Infielder Major League Staff: Joe Espada (c), Jason Kanzler (c). Minor League Players: Joe Record, Alex McKenna (unsigned). Minor League Staff: GREGORIO PETTIT (m), Mickey Storey (c) (unsigned), Michael Thomas (c). LOS ANGELES ANGELS KURT SUZUKI – Catcher KYLE BARRACLOUGH - Pitcher AARON WHITEFIELD - Outfielder PHIL NEVIN - Manager Zack Weiss - Pitcher Major League Staff: Jeremy Reed (c), DREW BUTERA (c), Matt Biancuzzo (t). Minor League Players: Trey Cabbage, B.J.Boyd. Minor League Staff: Ray Olmedo (c). NATIONAL LEAGUE CHICAGO CUBS ANDRELTON SIMMONS – Infielder ILDEMARO VARGAS - Infielder LUKE FARRELL - Pitcher Minor League Players: STEPHEN GONSALVES, John Hicks, Andrew Romaine, Greg Deichmann (unsigned). Minor League Staff: Marty Pevey (m), CHAD ALLEN (c), MICHAEL RYAN (m), MIKE MASON (c), ARMANDO GABINO (c), Enrique Wilson (c), D'Angelo Jimenez (c). CINCINNATI REDS J.T. RIDDLE - Infielder TAYLOR MOTTER - Infielder TYLER MAHLE - Pitcher Chase Anderson - Pitcher (unsigned) LUKE FARRELL - Pitcher Spencer Steer - Infielder Major League Staff: LEE TUNNELL (c), JEFF PICKLER (c). Minor League Players: Justin Nicolino, DEREK LAW, IAN GIBAUT, Stephen Hajjar, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Chase Petty. Minor League Staff: CORKY MILLER (c). MILWAUKEE BREWERS Kolton Wong – Infielder (unsigned draftee) CHI CHI GONZALEZ - Pitcher TAYLOR ROGERS - Pitcher TYLER THORNBURG - Picther Major League Staff: Quinton Berry (c), Jason Lane (c). Minor League Players: Moises Gomez, Marcus Walden, Brian Navaretto. Minor League Staff: Patrick McGuff (c). PITTSBURGH PIRATES Blake Cederlind – Pitcher (unsigned draftee) CHASE DE JONG - Pitcher JOSE GODOY - Catcher Major League Staff: DEREK SHELTON (m). Minor League Staff: Eric Munson (c), Matt Ford (c), Yorman Bazardo (c). ST. LOUIS CARDINALS Minor League Players: BLAKE PARKER, Ryan Holgate (unsigned), Kevin Marnon, Griffin Roberts (unsigned). Minor League Staff: Jose Leger (m). ARIZONA DIAMONBACKS SEAN POPPEN – Pitcher Major League Staff: DAVE MCKAY (c), MIKE FETTERS (c). Minor League Players: JUAN GRATEROL, JUAN CENTENO, Drew Stanikiewicz. Minor League Staff: Gil Velazquez (m) ORLANDO HUDSON (c). COLORADO ROCKIES Jhoulys Chacin – Pitcher ALEX COLOME – Pitcher TYLER KINNEY – Pitcher C.J. CRON – Infielder Sam Hilliard – Outfielder (unsigned) Major League Staff: MIKE REDMOND (c). Minor League Players: Nate Hadley, Ryley Widell. Minor League Staff: MARK WILEY (c), SAMUEL DEDUNO (c), Doug Linton (c). LOS ANGELES DODGERS BRUSDAR GRATEROL – Pitcher Tyler Anderson – Pitcher (unsigned draftee) Major League Staff: A.J. Hinch (m) (unsigned), Josh Bard (c) (unsigned), Danny Lehmann (c). Minor League Players: BEAU BURROWS, HANSEL ROBLES, Jake Reed, TOMAS TELIS, Jonny DeLuca (unsigned). Minor League Staff: BOBBY CUELLAR (c), Jair Fernandez (c). SAN DIEGO PADRES TAYLOR ROGERS - Pitcher BRENT ROOKER - Outfielder Minor League Players: Nick Burdi, Ian Krol, BRANDON KINTZLER, Luke Westphal, Daniel Camerera. Minor League Staff: SHANE ROBINSON (c), Mike McCarthy (c). SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS LAMONTE WADE – Outfielder ZACK LITTELL – Pitcher JHAREL COTTON - Pitcher ANDREW VASQUEZ - Pitcher Major League Staff: Antoan Richardson (c), J.P. MARTINEZ (c). Minor League Players: TREVOR HILDENBERGER, Kai-Wei Teng, Patrick Bailey (unsigned). Minor League Staff: GAVIN ALSTON (c), Dan Runzler (c), Ryan Vogelsong (c), Mike Couchee (c). ATLANTA BRAVES EDDIE ROSARIO – Outfielder Huascar Ynoa – Pitcher EHIRE ADRIANZA - Infielder JAKE ODORIZZI - Pitcher ROBBIE GROSSMAN - Outfielder Major League Staff: RON WASHINGTON (c). Minor League Players: MICHAEL TONKIN, Benjamin Dum, TAYLOR MOTTER, Jacob Pearson, Landon Leach. Minor League Staff: Mike Maroth (c), Danny Santiesteban (c), Luis Ugueto (c). MIAMI MARLINS Brian Anderson - Infielder (unsigned draftee) WILLIANS ASTUDILLO - Infielder Max Meyer - Pitcher (unsigned draftee) BILLY HAMILTON - Outfielder Major League Staff: JAMES ROWSON (c), Eddy Rodriguez (c). Minor League Players: Lewin Diaz, Tristan Pompey (unsigned). Minor League Staff: SCOTT ALDRED (c), GREG COLBRUNN (c), YOHAN PINO (c), GENE GLYNN (c), Jesus Merchan (c). NEW YORK METS TREVOR MAY – Pitcher EDUARDO ESCOBAR – Infielder JOHN CURTISS - Pitcher TRAVIS BLANKENHORN - Infielder Sam Clay - Pitcher Jake Reed - Pitcher Major League Staff: JEREMY HEFNER (c). Minor League Players: J.T. RIDDLE, Tom Hackimer, TZU-WEI LIN, Daniel Palka, Luke Ritter (unsigned). Minor League Staff: Robbie Robinson (m), Jerome Williams (c), Kevin Boles (c), TIM TEUFEL (c), Eduardo Nunez (c). PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES KYLE GIBSON – Pitcher Vinny Nittoli - Pitcher Minor League Players: Aaron Barrett (unsigned), James Marvel (unsigned), DREW MAGGI, RONALD TORREYES, Daniel Robertson, McCarthy Tatum (unsigned), Colton Eastmann (unsigned), Dalton Guthrie (unsigned). Minor League Staff: Joe Thurston (c), Rafael deLima (c), CHRIS HEINTZ (c), ADAM EVERETT (c), LES STRAKER (c). WASHINGTON NATIONALS NELSON CRUZ – Designated Hitter EHIRE ADRIANZA – Infielder Anibel Sanchez – Pitcher TYLER CLIPPARD - Pitcher Sam Clay - Pitcher AARON SANCHEZ - Pitcher ILDEMARO VARGAS - Infielder Major League Staff: Ricky Bones (c), HENRY BLANCO (c). Minor League Players: CHRIS HERRMANN, JUAN MINAYA, Jake Irvin (unsigned). Minor League Staff: MATT LECROY (m), Tim Doherty (c), Joe Dillon (c).

Happily CAVE gets to play everyday now in St. Paul. I guess the alternative was advacing Cave as the 4th outfielder. Again, who gets removed from the 40-man for this action. The dreaded 40-man roster game. Now only 12 spare parts in the minors!

The question is was Rogers coming back strong? Is he a true closer, or just a setup man, albeit a solid lefty arm. As setup, he an be replaced. We have Moran. The Twins maybe felt he was being paid too much. But they sent along money. Basically were going to send out Rooker, and if waived OFF the 40-man, would they have lost him for nothing, which they would've done if they added Garlick. They got a starter that may still hit his prime. A solid mid-relief guy. And someone for the farm. The Twins still don't have a closer. Which they still didn't have with Rogers, this year or last. I just wonder if they could've expanded the trade bigtime. Taken, say, Hosmer and $15m, plus catcher Luis Campusano - and given them Gary Sanchez and Griffin Jax and Drew Strotman (or both) in return, and keep the extra $6m.

Can ARCHER AND BUNDY shine enough to be tradebait no matter how good they may be? I would sell if the opportunity arises, no matter their numbers, IF the prospects are pushing in minor league land. Like the relief corps, I wouldn't be afraid to pull the plug if a guy isn't giving the team what it needs. You want to be competitive, you can't let guys "work thru it." They produce or the next in line gets to see how hungry they are for a major league paycheck. All the pitchers are cheap enough that any "walk" is a no-brainer in eating a salary. JOE RYAN, if he doesn't cut it going 5+ innings has CLOSER written all over him. And he could be a great one, ala Nathan. ARRAEZ will get at bats. DH is an open spot if you can't play both catchers in a game. Some time at third. Some at second. Have the guy bat second behind Buxton. POLENCO put up offensive numbers rivaling the more highly paid Correa. I don't know the best spot for him in the batting order. GORDON has to hit and field and run if he wants a job, any job, in the future. People will be pushing him. At some point he becomes a journeyman, which I don't really see happening, or finds a home on a rebuilding team that lets him play everyday and sink or swim. Is SANO the DH of the future. We can dream that he is the next DAVID ORTIZ and sign him for $15m a year for the next decades. If only he stops chasing low and outside. Works the count. And gets continuous discipline. Otherwise, KIRILLOFF will get play at first base as the DH rotates between anyone and everyone that needs a day off in the field. Which is good for Celestino to get at bats which has to be a better thought than Rooker or Garlick. KEPLER has to be looking at pressure to produce with Larnach in the wings (and don't forget about Wallner). Of course Martin & Lewis are also hopefuls, as well as Miranda.

Celestino will get play as the Twins really don't have a DH and Kirilloff will get split time at 1B when Sano is the DH. Plus, he can spell Buxton and Kepler well. Yes, would like to see him play ahrd everyday, but he did pay his dues well at St. Paul last season. He's also a decent base-runner. Betetr than putting Gordon or Arraez out there, who can also funnel thru the DH position. With six starters and his disasteroius last outing, Jax is really not an inning eater plus for the Twins at the moment. His job, now, is to be a bonifide long-relief guy at St. Paul. She you can take regular calls for 2-3 innings. Have no idea who will close for the Twins. And be interesting to see what happens May 1 when two guys have to go back to the minors.

Looks like still have to cut a pitcher. Who?

Besides TAYLOR ROGERS and BRENT ROOKER now being Padres, former minor league pitcher Chris Mazza is back with the Rays. And HANSEL ROBLES has been added to the Boston Red Sox roster.

The Twins need starter innings in the grand scheme of things. You can pretty much say that April will be full of 3-4 inning runs by starters, so with careful management of the pitching staff, the Twins may actually win some games depending on piggy banking of pitchers. Remember, Ober and Ryan MAY NOT be capable of 30+ solid starts. The Twins hope Bundy AND Archer will take up some of the early season slack. Happily the April expansion of pitching rosters have given teams the ability to really stretch out proespects, and for the Twins that means that Ober and Ryan CAN probably pitch for the full season, push up against 150 innings at the least. Paddack is a sold addition to the team going forward (moreso than Bundy and Archer). The Twins get Maeda back, hopefully, in 2023 (if not September of 2022). Gray is still around for another season. No matter how we look at the grander scheme of things, Balazovic, Winder, Sands, Henriquez, Enloow all need to be workhouses - in the minors. In a pinch the Twins can call up Strotman or use Jax (if he isn't cut today). Dobnak is somewhere in the mix along with Smeltzer. And looking forwards to 2025 you still have Ober, Ryan, Paddack...a couple of the above names, as well as Varland, Canterino, maybe Sammons, Woods-Richardson. I'm thinking the front office is being clever, as well as planning for the longterm. Yes, the Twins needed a closer last year and, in the early months, Colome wasn't the guy. Rogers is a set-up guy. The Twins have Thielbar and Coulombe right now. Moran is in the wings.

Paddack IS NOT a starter in decline., His best years MAY be ahead. The Twins went into the off-season looking for a closer. They didn't get one. Roger is good, a dynamite set-up man who can ALSO close. But..... The Twins now have Coulombe and Thielbar from the left side. Moran is in the wings. Yes, there is a logjam in the rotation. I picture, at least in May, the Twins doubling up one of the rotation spots to see how Bundy and Archer fare. You have that luxury with the expanded pitching staffs. Still, the Twins need to make a roster move to add, say, Garlick. What pitcher goes - we are on the edge of our seats. Stashak looked bound for the IL, but that dosn't remove him from the 40-man. Is Jax optioned off (going thru waivers). Romero? Of course, the bigger question is "who goes come May 1" from the Twins piching staff. That is going to be one helluva a waiver wire day. As for closer...humm, would the Twins be so bold as to offer up the job to...Duran? The Twins have to pitch well and win in April. That is the table setting for the whole season, and it rests on a strong bullpen and a lights out closer. Always felt Alcala had the stuff (and he still may, shades of promise I ahd for Trevor May and before that Jesse Crain). But we can't have a COlombe-April again.

JOHN CURTISS signs with the New York Mets. They will add him to the 40-man, then put him on the 60-day IL for the season. To make room for him, they designated frormer Twin TRAVIS BLANKENHORN off their roster. See if someone claims him (he had a 2021 where he appeared on four major league rosters and four Triple AAA rosters.

Seth just posted the Ft. Myers Mighty Mussels roster and a lot of over 20 guys on that roster who should advance fast thru the system...if there is room for them at the major league level. Without Elizabethton, players are forced to stay in the Instyructional League (and there are close to 50 players at the complex) to play in-house games. But ALL the guys at Ft. Myers should be knocking on Cedar Rapids doors this season, and ALL should make the jump next season if they don't bomb out.

There's a lot of age. Looks like a graduating class from college ball! I know we lost the 2020 minor league season. A lot of these guys will definitely be pushing towards High-A as the season progresses...and the Twins prospects, as a whole, should be glad minor league teams have to plan for hosuing.

Sadly when they make the final roster decisions it will be looking towards May when they have to cut two guys. A lot of players will be thrown into the system come that day. Someone like Garlick would get to go thru waivers (as will Rooker, of course). Do you want to see what Rooker can do in a month, with Garlick in reserve, or jettison Rooker now. Also looks like Stashak will open on the DL. What two pitchers are on the bubble for a demotion come the end of April,. And do you thiunk the Twins will add a third catcher, with Sanchez doing msot of the DH work?

A dozen years in the Big Leagues. Getting a call to do what he does best season after season after season. He came over to the Twins waaaaaay back in 2007 for Luis Castillo. He caught the Francisco Liriano no-hitter. His father, Sal, played for the Twins and still scouts. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/04/drew-butera-retires.html

MICHAEL PINEDA was sent to the minors by The Tigers!

The vets are solid placesetters in case of emergency, and easily recycled out if you need to advance someone from AA before or by mid-season. Last season, where the Twins actually had more minor league free agents at the upper level, was a better opportunity to give "prospects" a taste of major league action. They didn't. If the Twins are in the mix, the msot action MAY just happen with advancement to AAA ball. That being said, Canterino, Funderburk, Sammons, Schulfer, Bechtold, Martin, Wallner could've all started the season at AAA/ That missed 2020 season has aged the minor leagues considerably.

Remember that minor league guys lost a year!

Hummm...where is Ronnie Henriquez in all this mess. And Thorpe seems to have...disappeared? I hope Balazovic's injury isn't serious.

Twins get Campusano, Snell, Myers, Hosmer and $30 million dollars. Send them Sano, Sanchez, Strotman, Jax and Rooker.

No way. The guys they drafted last alone will be prime players in 4-5 years of minor league service time. By then, you are starting to think about trading the Ryan Ober Lewis guys because they might be overpriced. The problem the Twins MAY face is 40-man roster issues. They kinda have that right now, too many NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME guys, and those that need a shot aren't fulltimers yet because of lack of innings, or because the Twins keep filling the upper levels with minor league castoffs. Wichita has a great team. Cedar Rapids is full of promising players. There's a lot that will be getting reps at Ft. Myers, or still young in the FCL playland.

The Twins have a helluva a lot of PITCHING PROSPECTS. They need to get them innings, and see how they handle the majors. They broke in Ober and Ryan last year. Should've looked at Strotman and given Balazovic at least the ALbers innings. The sad part is that ALL the guys are half-season rotation arms at this point. You hope Archer and Bundy are here only for part of the season and the Twins can cycle in any numebr of arms to get them exposure before deciding on who breaks camp next year (remember, Maeda MAY be back). Enlow, Sands and Centenio are all winners. varland shows promise. But will these arms be established for 2023, 2024, or 2025.