Rosterman

My only hope on the availability of Michael Pineda, maybe for even less than the Twins signed him for in seasons past, is the lack of interest they got for him during the trade deadline. That, along, would've made me sign soon and fast once the season ended, if I was Michael. Unless his agent knows something I don't. The Twins also seem to have a dire need for a stopgap at shortstop. I don't see them moving Polanco there at all. Gordon could be a possibility. Wil they trust him? Is Lewis or Martin truly the shortstop of the future and at what point do you play them in 2022. Would you start either at short instead of Gordon out of spring training? Even Palacios hasn't had much AAA experience. The Twins have a lot of prospect rotation arms, but I just don't see any making a major impact in 2022 because al need to get their game up with innings pitched, as well as pushing past the fifth inning. How they do that fighting for time in St. Paul is Wichita will also be a delight to watch. But then, who comes out and pitches in the bigs.

Going into 2022 Celestino should prove worthy. EWxpect him to start and play everyday in St. Paul. The bigger question is how long does Buxton stay in center before rotating out to one of the corners.

Topps actually had very few assets as most of their products were licensed, so getting the next few years of the baseball card business in-house for this a amount satisfies Fanatics to get a jump start on their own business. Much of the mon ey will just go thru Topps and back out the door to honor licensing agreements already signed. Plus Fanatics now also owns the physical property of the negatives and other items, so they can reprint under new licensing agreements with MLB. Smart move overall for Topps, as basically the distribution network that made them thrive as card salespeople has all but expired. The new world is expensive graded and autographed and special items, virtual cards, and the ilk.

I like Rozek. But future closers? Whew. Always names like Slama. Remember him? Hildenberger, Curtiss, Chargois, Graterol. The Twins had a K-man named Deduno. Some of our best bullpen closers/arms were pretty bad rotation arms: Mahomes, Perkins, Hawkins, Guardado. Even Aguilera and Nathan started as starters. And if the Twins had given more of a leash to Hendriks. although that would've involved another four years on the major league team doing something. After 2020, Duffey might've been a closer possibility. The Twins never thought Crain could close. I thought Trevor May needed to be given a chance to fulfill that role. I picture Jorge Alcala having the stuff.

If the Twins add nothing more to the team's offense, and if Kirilloff looks good at first, Sano is the DH. Would be nice to get at bats at DH for Donaldson and Garver, and in retrospect might be nice then to play Sanoa t first and maybe even third base. Sadly, with Donaldson and maybe Arraez still on the team, I see Miranda starting the season in St. Paul. Sano has to mash. He has to show he is a bat and a DH that can play the field in a pinch. He would then be valuable for a National League team when trading deadline rolls around. But if he controls his stroke and mashes for the Twins, is he an Ortiz keeper with annual $15-20 million contracts until he no lonegr wants to play. As a fan, I need to see him overcome the situation where he comes up with men on base and one or two outs, and chases obvious low and outside pitches. He has to learn to eliminate that golf swing of his and make the pitches come more into his zone. Which means he has to make a hard push to stay consistently and constantly in the game. Will he be able to do this as a bench riding DH? Or do we jettison him and let him be another team's problem. Fist three months of 2022. If he comes around, and shows discipline that can carry over towards the future...keep him. if he doesn't, take what you can get before you just let him walk for nothing.

Cool. That has to be Doug Simons, who pitched for the Mets in 1991 and the Expos in 1992.

Like to keep track of guys from the team still in the game. Here's the one from last year! https://twinsdaily.com/forums/topic/49951-ex-twins-in-2021-where-are-they-now/

When the minor league season starts, will try and dig up ALL the guys on field staff and on the rosters for all the minor league teams that have former Twins.

EX-TWINS On 2022 Major League Field Staffs MARCUS JENSEN (A's coach). Former Twins player 2000. DUSTIN HUGHES (A's coach). Former Twins player 2011. JOE ESPADA (Astros coach). 1998 Rule 5 Draftee, returned to original team. JASON KANZLER (Astros coach). Twins prospect 2013-15. JEREMY REED (Angels coach). Minor league free agent 2011. PAUL SORRENTO (A's coach). Former Twins player 1989-91. PHIL NEVIN (Angels coach). Forrmer Twins player 2006. BOBBY WILSON (Rangers coach) Former Twins player 2018. SETH CONNER (Rangers coach). Minor league coach 2021. DAVE McKAY (Diamonbacks coach). Former Twins player 1975-76. MIKE FETTERS (Diamondbacks coach). Former Twins player 2003. MIKE REDMOND (Rockies coach). Former Twins player 2005-09. JOSH BARD (Dodgers coach). Unsigned 1996 draftee. AARON BATES (Dodgers coach). Minor league player 2011-12. DANNY LEHMANN (Dodgers coach). Minor league prospect 2007-13. ANTOAN RICHARDSON (Giants coach). Minor league free agent 2013. J.P. MARTINEZ (Giants coach). Minor league prospect 2004-07. Twins minor league coach 2015-20 DEREK SHELTON (Pirates manager). Twins bench coach 2018-19. QUINTIN BERRY (Brewers coach). Minor league free agent 2017. JASON LANE (Brewers coach). Minor league free agent 2013, released in spring training. DAMON HOLLINS (Royals coach). Minor league free agent 2001. PEDRO GRIFOL (Royals coach). Minor league prospect 1991-95. ALLAN de san MIGUEL (Royals coach). Minor league prospect 2005-11. LEE TUNNELL (Reds coach). Former Twins player 1989. JEFF PICKLER (Reds coach). Twins coach 2017-18. HOWIE CLARK (White Sox coach). Former Twins player 2008. A.J. HINCH (Tigers manager). Unsigned 1995 draftee. MATT BORGSCHULTE (Orioles coach). Twins minor league coach 2019-21. RICKY BONES (Nationals coach). Minor league free agent 1998. HENRY BLANCO (Nationals coach). Former Twins player 2004. JEREMY HEFNER (Mets coach). Twins scout 2017-18, coach 2019. JAMES ROWSON (Marlins coach). Twins coach 2017-19. RON WASHINGTON (Braves coach). Former Twins player 1981-86. PETER FATSE (Red Sox coach). Minor league coach 2019. JASON VARITEK (Red Sox coach). Unsigned 1993 draftee. ALEX CORA (Red Sox manager). Unsigned 1993 draftee. ANDY FOX (Red Sox coach). Minor league free agent 1993, released in spring training.

A new Baseball Year Has Begin. Spring Training MAY be coming up in less than two months. But, as a lockout continues, 40-man rosters have been set for all teams. There are still free agents looking for work, and Rule 5 draftees to be added to rosters. I suggest we wait until camps break in April to see who is in the minor league systems for real, although there have been many minor league free agent signings of former Twins, some foreign departures, and the Twins will probably have many names still cut from their organization that will end up in what is now called Indy Ball leagues. ***PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ADD NAMES IN COMMENTS AS OFF-SEASON & SEASON PROGRESSES*** FORMER TWINS WITH OFF-SEASON MAJOR LEAGUE CONTRACTS RYAN PRESSLY (Astros). The Twins grabbed Ryan as a Rule 5 player in the 2012 draft from the Red Sox. He pitched from 2013-18 with the Twins, then was traded to the Astros for Jorge Alcala and Gilberto Celestino. LAMONTE WADE (Giants). Signed by Twins in 2015. Played for team in 2019-20. Traded to Giants in 2021 for Shaun Anderson. JAKE ODORIZZI (Astros). Began his career with the Royals in 2012. Traded by the Rays to the Twins for Jeremaine Palacios in 2018. Pitched for three years and became a free agent, signing with the Astros in 2021. AARON HICKS (Yankees). Drafted by Twins in 2008. Played centerfield from 2013-15. Traded to Yankees in 2015 off-season for John Ryan Murphy. JOSE BERRIOS (Blue Jays). Signed by Twins in 2012. Pitched for Team 2016-21. Traded to Blue Jays in summer 2021 for Austin Martin and Simeon Woods-Richardson. BRUSDAR GRATEROL (Dodgers). Minnesota Twins Prospect 2014-19 playing with Team in 2019. Traded to Dodgers in spring of 2020 with Luke Raley and future draft pick consideration (Dodgers chose Clayton Beeker with the slot pick) for Kenta Maeda and Jair Camargo. EDUARDO ESCOBAR (Mets). Signed by White Sox 2006. Traded to Twins in 2012 along with Pedro Hernandez for Francisco Liriano. Played for Team 2012-18. Traded to Diamondbacks in 2018 for Ernie de la Trinidad, Jhoan Duran and Gabriel Maciel. Traded by Diamondbacks to Brewers in 2021. Signed as free agent with Mets in off-season. JASON CASTRO (Astros). Was signed as a free agent and played with Twins from 2017-2019. He previously played six seasons for Houston. He signed with the Angels, played for the Padres, and came back the Astros last season. ROBBIE GROSSMAN (Tigers). Signed by Pittsburgh in 2008. Played for Astros in 2013-15. Signed and released by Indians and signed by Twins in 2016 playing for them until 2018. Signed as free agent by the A's in 2019 and the Tigers in 2021. JONATHAN SCHOOP (Tigers). Signed with the Orioles 2008. Played for the Brewers in 2018. Signed as a free agent by Twins in 2019 . Became a free agent signing with the Tigers in 2020. RICH HILL (Red Sox). Signed by the Cubs in 2004. Pitched for the Cubs, Orioles, Red Sox, Indians, Angels, Yankees, A's, Dodgers, Rays and Mets. Pitched in minors for Nationals and Cardinals rehabbing. Signed as a free agent with the Twins in 2020. In 2022 will mark his third stint with the Red Sox. LANCE LYNN (White Sox). Signd by Cardinals in 2008, pitching for them 2011-17. Signed as a free agent by the Twins for 2018. Traded during 2018 season to New York Yankees for Luis Rijo and Tyler Austin (and cash). Signed by Rangers for 2019 season and traded in 2021 season to White Sox. KYLE GIBSON (Phillies). Signed by Twins 2009 and played for Team 2013-2019. Granted free agency in 2020 and signed with Rangers. Traded to Phillies in 2021. ZACK LITTELL (Giants). Signed by Mariners 2013 then traded to Yankees organization. Traded to Twins along with Dietrich Enns for Jaime Garcia in 2017. Pitched for Team 2018-20. Signed as a free agent with the Giants for 2021. TREVOR MAY (Mets). Signed by the Phillies 2008. Traded to Twins in 2012 with Vance Worley for Ben Revere. Played for Team 2014-20. Signed in off-season 2020 as Free Agent with Mets. C.J. CRON (Rockies). Signed by Angels in 2011. Played for Angels and Rays. Waiver claim by Twins for 2019 season. Signed as free agent with Tigers for 2020 and Rockies 2021. J.T. CHARGOIS (Rays). Signed by Twins in 2012. Major Leagues in 2016. Waiver claim by Dodgers in 2018. Also pitched for Mariners. MATT WISLER (Rays). Signed by Padres in 2011. Pitched for Braves, Reds, Padres, Mariners organization. Waiver claim by Twins for 2020 season. Waived by Twins in off-season and claimed by Giants for 2021 who traded him to Rays. LIAM HENDRIKS (White Sox). Signed out of Australia by Twins in 2007. Pitched for Team in 2011-13. Waiver claim by Cubs in 2013, then also Jays and Orioles. Pitched for Royals, Jays and Oakland before signing as free-agent with White Sox for 2021. TYLER KINLEY (Rockies). Signed by Marlins in 2013. Claimed in Rule 5 draft by Twins in 2017 and returned to Marlins in 2018. Waiver claim by Rockies from Marlins in 2019. BRANDON WADDELL (Cardinals). Signed by Pirates in 2015. Waiver claim for 2021 season by Twins. Waiver claim by Orioles then also Cardinals in 2021. TRAVIS BLANKENHORN (Mets). Signed by Twins in 2015 and played on Team in 2020. Waiver claim by Dodgers in 2021, and also Mariners, and then Mets.'' FORMER MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS DEOLIS GUERRA (A's). Signed by the Mets in 2005. Traded to the Twins in 2008 along with Carlos Gomez, Philip Humber and Kevin Mulvey for Johan Santana. Never got call to majors. Signed as a free agent with Pirates in 2014. Played for Angels, Rangers, Brewers, Phillies and A's organizations. AKIL BADDOO (Tigers). Minnesota Twins Prospect 2016-2020. Claimed in 2020 Rule 5 draft by Tigers. TYLER WELLS (Orioles). Minnesota Twins Prospect 2016-2020. Claimed by Orioles in 2020 Rule 5 draft. NICK ANDERSON (Rays). Signed by Twins in 2015. Traded to Marlins in 2018 for Brian Schales. Traded by Marlins to Rays in 2019. LUIS GIL (Yankees). Minnesota Twins Prospect 2015-2017. Traded in spring of 2018 to Yankees for Jake Cave. SAM CLAY (Nationals). Minnesota Twins Prospect 2014-2020. Signed as a free agent with the Nationals in 2021. LEWIN DIAZ (Marlins). Minnesota Twins Prospect 2013-19. Traded in 2019 to Marlins for Chris Vallimont and Sergio Romo. LUKE RALEY (Dodgers). Signed by Dodgers in 2016. Traded to Twins along with Logan Forsythe and Devin Smeltzer for Brian Dozier in 2018. Traded by Twins in spring 2020 along with Brusdar Graterol and a draft pick (Clayton Beeker) for Jair Camargo and Kenta Maeda. JAYLIN DAVIS (Giants). Minnesota Twins Prospect 2015-2019. Traded to Giants in 2019 along with Prelander Berroa and Kai-Wei Teng for Sam Dyson. JAKE REED (Mets). Minnesota Twins Prospect 2014-20. Waiver claim Dodgers in 2021. Also waiver claim by Rays and Mets. BROOKS RALEY (Rays). Signed by the Cubs in 2009, he reached the majors, then was claimed by the Twins in 2014. The Angels claimed him when the Twins put him thru waivers. Spent time in Korea. Played in the majors with the Reds and Astros before signing with the Rays in the 2021 off-season. HUASCAR YNOA (Braves). Twins prospect 2015-17. Part of the deal that brought Jaime Garcia to the Twins for a week in 2017. JHOULYS CHACIN (Rockies). Signed by Rockies in 2004. Played in majors or minors for Rockies, Diamondbacks, Indians, Angels, Padres, Brewers, Red Sox. Signed as free agent with Twins in 2020. Almost considered for play, but cut when the shortened alternative site minors rosters were picked. Then signed with Braves, Yankees and back to the Rockies.

Thanks for the wonderful memories. I wish the Twins would do something like this more often before games, remember the legacy of players that made the franchise. The players that played in the sixties are diminishing. Fondly remember this Mudcat Grant moment at the Harmon Killebrew celebration.

Nope, he got the right player. Traded to the Twins with catcher Russ Nixon for Dick Stigman. Rosters were expanded at the beginning of the season and Schilling sat on the bench, cut by Sam Mele in May after never getting in a game and decided to retire rather than go to Triple-A. So, like at least a half-dozen other players (including two this past season - Drew Maggi and Tomas Telis), was on the major league roster but never played a game for the Twins.

Nice piece in MLB TRADERUMORS about the outfielder that got away from the Twins last spring. Nope, Eddie was already gone when the Twins decided not to go to arbitration. Akil Baddoo couldn't find any room in the inn and somehow got grabbed by the Tigers and played in the majors in 2021. Looking for some pitching help, the Twins flipped another guy who walked more than he struckout. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/12/the-giants-picked-up-a-productive-outfielder-in-an-under-the-radar-deal-last-winter.html In the end the Twins got to see major league action from prospects Gilberto Celestino and Trevor Larnach before sending them across the rivr to St. Paul. There also gave major league service time to pickups Kyle Garlick and Rob Refsnyder. They gave some at bats in the end to Brent Rooker. And somehow when shot on ourfielders managed to find time out there for infielder Nick Gordon and Luis Arraez.

You choose and develop your own prospects. You gamble and sign them longer term sooner rather than later. If they excel, they become a very lucrative trading piece in the greater scheme of improving your team today, not tomorrow. Play carefully the free agent game. Get guys that will work on the team, but are also tradable (sellable) assets. You can never ever have too many prospects, and if you carefully chart the progression of players, you know that you suddenly have 10-12 rotation arms who you need to protect, but can only really keep seven and you start moving them accordingly. By the time a player has been 2-3 years in your system, you know if they will be followers of your team dynaamics, if they have "social" issues or not, and if your development staff stays on tops of things, you create and use their value, again, sooner rather than never. Prospects are wonderful to play with. It's just trying to not be in a "I have to move this guy or he will be leaving" stage. The Rays, like the A's, don't play the servicetime delay game. They are happy to use a player as long as they can, and then make the higher salary someone else's problem. We all complain, like in Twins-land, that the Twins don't make the move from being the central leader to a take-it-all-in-the-postseason team. Well, there is only one big winner, one small winnder, and two afterthoughts in that environment. It is a game of chance. Job one IS to be competitive, put fans in the stands, and...sadly...make money.

Wonderful wonderful way of bringing back baseball film memories. I always wondered what it would be like if you actually did have co-ed players on major league teams. Someday. Of course you leave out any of the singing fellas from Take Me Out To The Ball Game and Damn Yankees. Someone has to smuggle Lola into the locker room to give Annie a run at supplying concessions to the team.

With all the young arms, I would love for the Twins to have a tandem of, say, Thorpe and Jax able to pitch 2-3 innings up to every other day (once thru an orer at least) as there are so manya rms that will have a 100 pitch limit or five innings, which ever comes first. If, and that is ONE BIG IF, the Twins look like a competitive team, they need a bonifide closer who can work continuous days and get the job done. Flat out period. They have wo fine setup men in Duffey and Rogers. They have Thielbar (and Coulombe) as an additional lefty. Can Stashak come back? Is Garza the eal thing? Who is Cotton? Moran is a hottie. But do you start him at AAA. This was a decision I felt the Twins blew bigtime in 2021. You bring the guy up to face major league pitching. If he stinks, he can go down and work and then come back up. Why the Twins felt the need to drag out Barraclough, Law, Albers, Gibault, Vincent and others in a losing battle. Hey, I thought Minaya would at least stick, but who knows how the minds work at Target Field. The Twins will have some 40-man roster worries. If they move in Cano, they have to keep him unless he totally stinks. Names like Hamilton, Sammons, Mason, Smeltzer can get a chance and be jettisoned....forever....if they turn bad. But you have to have a swinging door roster spot. Oh, I forgot Alcala. I think the guy has closer potential. If the Twins are in a rebuild, I would work him into the role. If not, he is another flame arm for set-up duties. You need a real closer. Left and righty setup guys. A long relief pitcher, luxury if you can have two who aren't the same. Great if you have a ground ball pitcher and can afford a spot. Nice if you have pitchers that throw strikes rather than walk batters. You can match them up against power bats and trust they will win the battle. A real luxury is having a good "bad fly ball" pitcher. And utilize that light rail service between Target Field and St. Paul Saints land. Only the price of a train ticket and the guy can still sleep in his regular bed at nite.

Spring training will be interesting. Barring the signing of free agent pitchers, Thorpe and Jax will be given opportunities. If they fail, you have to evaluate bullpen potential or cut bait. If to the bullpen, chances are they will start that in St. Paul. Strotman has the most innings and comes from AAA. They will look at him, but also wants to see if he can further adapt to the Twins system of play. Winder needs innings. Could be a mid-season callup. Balazovic wiill start in St. Paul, might get hammered, but should make the team in 2022. Duran will be interesting. If there is a rotation logjam at St. Paul, he might just start the season at AA ball to get into the regular swing. Ober, Ryan, Bundy. Hopefully at least a Pineda with a fifth spot offering a rotation of arms, all that will be hard-pressed to complete 150 innings next season. Canterino and Sands might be the surprise hits for 2022 and the future. 40-man roster decisions will have to be made.

This just in from MLBTRADERUMORS. A list of the worths of team ownership, according to Forbes. Owners are mostly billionaires. Players are now millionaires, with a few player contracts approaching the worth of some owners. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/12/mlb-owners-net-worth.html To some of us who enjoy sitting in the upper deck and going to dollar dog games, you wonder how much is enough! Yes, we pay. That pay should be spread evenly amongst 1 owner and 160 players and front office and development staffs on each team...as the Twins LIKED to say 55% max for the players, the rest to run the team..

Who have the Twins lost in the Rule 5 Draft? Seems the Twins weren't a HIGH PROSPECTS organization for many of the drafts, not losing any players. *notable players lost in minor league portion of the draft. 2020 - Tyler Wells, Akil Baddoo 2017 - Nick Burdi, Luke Bard 2016 - Stu Turner 2015 - Zach Jones 2014 - Sean Gilmartin 2011 - Shooter Hunt* 2009 - Jose Lugo 2006 - Kevin Cameron, LeVale Speigner, Justin Jones* 2004 - Angel Garcia 1998 - Walker Chapman 1997 - Alan Mahaffey 1995 - Kimera Bartee 1992 - Kerry Taylor 1990 - Doug Simons 1984 - Jim Weaver 1974 - Doug Clary* 1972 - Jose Arcia* 1971 - Brant Alyea, Dick Rusteck* 1969 - Mike Sadek, Rich Donnelly* 1968 - Moe Ogier 1967 - Sandy Valdespino, Hank Izquierdo* 1966 - Orlando Martinez 1964 - Pete Magrini*, Fred Scherman* 1963 - Reggie Smith*, Rudy May*, John Donaldson*, Rob Gardner*, Steve Jones* 1961 - Rod Kanehl* 1960 - Jack Baldschun

This is an interesting recap. Quite a few actually did play for the Twins. https://www.mlb.com/news/twins-rule-5-draft-history Plus: 1969 - Hal Haydel 1967 - Bruce Look (besides Jim Holt) 1963 - Bill Fischer (notable losses by the Twins were Rudy May and Reggie Smith) 1962 - Charlie Keller 1961 - Bruce Swango, George Banks, Georges Maranda (besides John Goryl) 1960 - Gerry Arrigo, Gary Dotter

You just never know. Injuries can sure curb a career (Romero) and it could do the same for Thorpe who had a ride, again, last season. Otherwise, list pretty good about those who did at least get to the majors. Littell had that dynamite season as a starter. Felt the Twins gave up on him too soon (he did pass thru waivers). When it came time FOR HIM to find a new home, he grabed the chance, at a loss for the Twins. Of course the Twins signed Brandon Waddell instead, as well as Ian Hamilton, and made a 40-man spot for Ian Gibault. I still don't know why the Twins kept Cave instead of Wade. I was surprised someone gambled on Baddoo, as the Twins would've had the guy stuck at High-A with a smidgen of playing time at AA if he ahd stayed with the Twins. Rortvedt was actually ahead of Jeffers for a moment there. That guy has cannons in his arms. Now can he swing them into the bat? I do wish the Twins had given Gonsalves the same chance they gave, say, Barnes and Jax. Not that he ahs done much anyways. And Blankenhorn. Teams much see something: he was woth four organizations in 2021 - Twins, Mets, Dodgers, Mariners. What is interesting is that Lewis and Javier have yet to get a taste of the majors. Javier up for Rule 5 again (and could've been a minor league free agent and give the Twins a $3.5 million loss by just walking away).

So how fast does it adjust to every batter for height differences, or leaning too far in with butt back?

TOMAS TELIS has signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers. He was a possible go-to catcher at AAA for the Twins the past two seasons. He actually did get the call as a COVID replacement player for a very brief moment, officially on the Twins 26-man roster in 2021. No at bats.

BUCKY GUTH. A shortstop the Twins could use now. 3 games, 3 plate appearances. .000 batting average. Came over from Atlanta and spent four years in the Twins system. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=guth--001cha

DANIEL PALKA is still playing and signed a minor league deal with the Mets. The Twins traded Chris Herrmann for him in the winter of 2015. Had a couple of decent minor league seasons, then a waiver claim by the White Sox for 2018, and he had a shining year (with too many strikeouts) before becoming a minor league regular. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/12/mets-daniel-palka-agree-to-minor-league-contract.html