Rosterman

The Twins have a luxury of arms. Too many. Be interesting to see who they do add in 2019. I think they need to make hard decisions on the likes of Duffey, Curtiss, Slegers, Busenitz before going in the off-season. Additions by subtractions will happen. Priority #1 is to choose the pitchers that have a good chance of making the Twins in 2019. Any others will fight for 40-man spots with possible callups next season...and in the more distant future. Eades, like Baxendale, and before them Hurlbut, needs to move on, sadly. No chance with the Twins. This is when they should'be given him a look, and the Belisle roster spot makes one wonder. Even Luke Bard, who didn't have the best 2018, should be getting the Belisle innings. But like all of us here, we domn't make the real decisions, do we?

Polanco is considered a place-setter, unless he really takes off. He should've been a second baseman, but then you need to ask if that is the position for Nick Gordon. With Royce Lewis and Wander Javier coming up, the Twins real weakness is, perhaps, third base. Can Sano sustain a year at the position, or would he be better served as a DH who also plays some first. We all think Escobar should return. But would you trust him there for three years, and by then the Twins should have SOMEONE, ANYONE up to take his place. Decisions that have to be made. Right now, expect more patchwork for 2019. Maybe some promise in 2020. But the team of the future should be taking the field from prospects land, with a few free bodies, in 2021. Seriously, how many current names will be around the dugout and bullpen in 2021?

The impact of free agents coming here? Money usually wins out. Tehre are only so many jobs that pay x-amount of dollars. Sometimes you overpay. But, if you want a quality stopper, often the combination of money with a successful team will win out. As the Twins try and sign free agents next year, I would be more troubled that most all of their free agent signings were for trade bait. What makes this a positive at that someone could get traded to a more competitive team that didn't seem like in the hunt in the of-season, But you also fear that o-=ffield management and the players that surround you might keep your stats and future earning power at a lull. Remember, Perkins was once removed from the 40-man. He stayed and did well. Sure, Buxton's agent is mad because it has delayed a bigger payday. But so many factors enter into that big payday. Most important, actual production. How many players make their start at age 22, or 24, or 24-26. There are the special players, and we pretty much thought Buxton was one (as was Aaron Hicks). But a player needs to be more worried about NOT getting thru the arbitration years without raises (which means you bounce around to teams thinking you have potential). What is interesting in the long line of centerfielders the Twins have run thru since the leave of Hunter. Span, Gomez, Revere, Hicks. Will Buxton be added to the mix? Will that be his carer cycle? Great glove for a few years. Maybe an okay hitter, with a spurt at some point that gets him a bigger-than-the-norm contract> Right now, he has to worry about getting his head and body together to reclaim an outfield job in 2019.

Watch out Byron Buxton!

Does Mauer like playing guys at places on a whim? 1B Adrianza, Gimenez? Why NOT Vargas getting another look. Okay, not necessary, I guess. Is Joe Mauer a lock for 2019? Then we don't need to see Rooker. Tyler Austin, the second-coming of...Chris Parmelee? Remember his September a decade past? Sano at first, than who's on third. Us Dozier going to get any offers in 2019? Will Escobar break a bank? Can the Twins do better than either, or...

Well, looks like the Twins don't want to add anyone that they really don't need to add in advance (except Vasquez and Stewart). Would Vargas have been a choice instead of Petit, see what he does against a couple weeks of 1B/DH off the bench and if it would push the Twins in a no-Mauer decision? Chase needs to get a looksee to see if he is a keeper. Especially a try at long relief. Glad to see Curtiss get the nod. Means Willians and Gimenez won't be needed out of the bullpen anymore...wait, maybe both could be an...opener! Pitch to one batter, than move behind-the-plate for the rest of the game! Reality, I would've more enjoyed seeing Gordon challenged than Petit getting play. But... Will Pineda make an appearance this season? Otherwise, in the off-season the Twins need to find places for Castro, Mejia, Pineda on the 40-man. I would suspect that Ervin Santana could be 60-dayed. Zack Granite is the odd man out.

It's a message. The other question...where would Sano be if the Twins didn't need a man on third?

The front office did the right thing at the trade deadline. All players are eligible to come back to the Twins, if desired on both sides. Or the Twins can sign a bunch of players for limited contracts again while they wait for prospects to develop of players on the team to once again prove they belong. Sadly there isn't a lot of players other teams desire on the Twins. Two: Gibson and Rosario. Both need to be extended or you see what you can get and work towards 2020/2021. Berrios does need to be locked down. Is Austin the second doming of Chris Parmelee or the Real Deal. Mauer is a decision to be made. Really, who NEEDS to still be added to the 40-man. The list of guys going to Arizona is a list of those with "close to majors" potential. Sadly, Zach Granite is no where to be seen. Buxton - you either will be the next Aaron Hicks or one of the most expensive players ever in baseball. The choice is Byron's. The Twins hedged themselves for more of your play (as they did by shutting down Romero). Still a good 15 names on the roster that don't really need to be there. Can anyone name them?

I was hoping he might get a few more innings under his belt. Could he walk? Will the Twins cut ties with him anyways? He has fallen behind, sadly.

Does Mauer become a bench bat, say like Jim Thome, but can play the field more often than not? Questions. Is Escobar worth going after to fill a void at third base. If so, where do you move Sano. Fulltime DH/ Tyler Austin shows chops, but he also strikes out a lot and we must remember Chris Parmelee. So the Twins need to look at the combination of who plays 1B/3B/DH and be a bench bat. If Mauer DOES become a bench bat who can't play the outfield, you basically need to short your bullpen. Buxton...you need to produce. Have you> Will you? Yje Twins are buying that extra window to see if Byron CAN produce well in the next season or two which, if he does, MIGHT open up a trade opportunity, or if he does for two seasons, a BIG contract signing. A smart move by the front office? Maybe. Remember, Nuxton could also NOT break camp wth the team if he has a disaster in the spring. And the front office will show if the Twins go into true rebuild mode, looking ahead to 2020 and beyond. That takes some faith in the prospects. And there are outfielders who would replace Buxton (and perhaps Kepler) by then. But we also have to question the longterm growth of Rosario and Polanco, and WHO IS ON SECOND. Sadly we aren't seeing Nick Gordon get a taste in September...then some winter league ball somewhere, and a strong possible entry into spring training. Will the Twins sign an interm (like Escobar). Yjere is a lot of fluff on the roster, especially when your highest paid players are now Addison Reed and Jason Castro. Zach Granite also has to be crying...as he was behind Buxton in the mix...and Buxton fell out of the mix behind Grossman and JOHNNY FIELD!

Regarding service time: you have to reach arbitration OR free agency before you start cashing the big buck checks. Yes, this creates bad feelings on both sides, but the player needs to produce in the end, otherwise, looks like the Twins MAY have other options for the 2020 season and beyond at this point, It all works out in the end. A good season could mean a BIGGER longterm contract offer OR interest from another team. I worry more about how many millions the Twins have to dangle in front of Rosario who MAY BE unpredictable still at bat or in the field and what to do with Max Kepler, who produces just enough if the players around are stronger, but still..... THE OPENER concept is great if you want to get a lot of work from your pitchers the last month, especially when starters aren't reaching five innings anyways. But still, more careful consideration of potential matchups and such...AND CAN your starters function as relief pitchers. Of course, you then drag out a catcher because your well stocked bullpen is still overworked (where is Curtiss, by the way, if you NEED more arms to call upon). GOMENEZ, if he was available early, would've been a fine choice to have on the roster much earlier. But all those AAA catchers (Sawyer, Pocjardo, Graterol and the departed Rupp) have to wonder about what gives in the World of the Twins. 2019: Highest paid Twins right now are Addison Reed, Jason Castro, the Jake Odorizzi and Kyle Gibson, followed by Robby Grossman. What a group to build around!

See what the off-season has to offer. And let's give NICK GORDON at least a good looksee for the final month of the season. See if he MIGHT be ready in 2019 mid-season. Or if major league life sparks him up a notch. And if he will take coaching. This is probably the most important season eending assessment the Twins need to make (besides maybe doubling up on rotation arms for the final games...nine arms in a six-man rotation). Yes, we want to hit .500. But we also want to get a jumpstart on 2019 and see who SHOULD be considered a mainstay for future seasons (not just placesetters).

There really are now NO starters that need to be added to the 40-man and the names we see on the 40-man will comfortably make the Twins and staff Rochester in 2019, without additions. Am I comfortable with that group? Yes. But they need major league experience, a chance to shine in spring training, and the Twins need to figure out their offense in 2019...who is at first, what we have at third, I don't know who is playing second, and what is the DH rotation...not Grossman, I hope.

What is the fate of Kennys Vargas? Why not challenge Brent Rooker with a Rochester advancement. Only a couple mror weeks of minor league play.

Remember that Mejia also needs to be worked into the mix. The Twins have a lot of potential starters on their 40-man. And, yes, it might be nice to give Lewis Thorpe a taste of the major leagues. Baxendale and Bard need to be given a look...if the Twins feel the need to keep either around in 2019. Otherwise they will surely walk. The number of guys THAT HAVE TO BE PROTECTED on the 40-man this off-season is around 5-6 at the max. Those places will easily be had by saying goodbye to aging vets or free agents. But, yes, piggyback games. The guys who really need to start as starters (Berrios and Gibson and Odorizzi) should continue to start games. Guess that means that there is no place in the mound crew for Ervin in the remaining days of 2018.

Gorssman for Field. Stewart will be replaced by some starter ready (Goncalves, I hope). Yes, will anyone claim Addison Reed and his $8 million or Ervin Santana? Time to cut bait. Sadly, Lamonte Wade will have to wait until next season, unless the Twins cut bait with Granite. But abck to Stewart...he will remain on the 40-man. But 2019 will be his decision year for sure. See if Thorpe passes him quickly in the pecking order. Anyone else notice that the Twins have 12 starters on their 40-man+ at the moment?

The only reason to dangle him in waivers is salary releif. If they are going to eat all but the major league pro-rated minimum anyways, I guess you keep him. Let him be a free agent and revisit in the off-season. You would choose him, say, over a return of Dozier or add back Escobar? But I still think it is imperative that the Twins do promote Nick Gordon for September and let him playa s many games as they can swallow at the major league level just to see what he MIGHT give them either at the beginning of the season, or after x-months of service at Triple-A in 2019. If he is truly overmatched and the Twins wish to move on, they can. But right now, he is the future. The Twins, as they stand, aren't looking for a couple of pieces to be a contender in 2019. They can sign a few guys for limited contracts to supplement the delayed arival of some prospects, but rest assured that if the Twins opened the season with starting rotation made up of 5 of the 10 guys currently on the 40-man, and maybe add a vet arm to the bullpen and think abouta a possible vet bat not named Mauer to the regular roster, could they at least play ball comparable t their team this year and out-compete KC, Chicago and Detroit. Probably. If the pitching prospects (Goncalves, Romero, teamed with Berrios and Gibson and one of Odorizzi, Pineda, Littell, Mejia...you might have a decent chance at becoming another Cleveland, in 2020.

The flip side, and I'll play devil's advocate here, is that TARGET FIELD and the revenue stream it created was supposed to mean the Twin's COULD keep their own free agents, rather than letting them continuously walk to greener pastures (remembering the off-season exodus of Hunter and Cuddyer and Nathan as well as needing to trade off Morneau and Liriano because we couldn't sign them, or didn't want to resign them. Even the memories of the early trade of Santana (shades of a nicer Knoblauch) because they Twins couldn't offer him $120 or so million (only $110...and wasn't Hunter maxed out by the Twins at $75 instead of the $90 he got from California?). Yes, a new stadium was meant to KEEP your own free agents. Hey, MAYBE Mauer will be back! (At a discount).

At some point you just eat the remaining salary of people that will not be abck next season. Give those innings and at bats to someone else. Go with a six-man rotation, if you must, to see Goncalves, Romero, Littell and Stewart as part of the mix. You already have to pencil in Pineda, too. You have to have a look at Gordon at second base. You need to see Tyler Austin at the plate,m and maybe even advance Bent Rooker...if nothing else have Rooker play the remainder of the season at Rochester now that Austin is up here and Vargas is probably a lost cause. YOU DON'T HAVE TO PLAY OUT CONTRACTS, YOU JUST HAVE TO PAY OUT CONTRACTS if you can't move the pieces. And, when you look at the bigegr picture, we will probably see that once Molitor can figure out a lineup (he ahsn't yet, so I guess we shouldn't be too surprised)...any new pieces might perform as well as jettisoned pieces. Santana and Lynn haven't been lighting up the game for the Twins. Rodney made saves a nail biter. Dozier may be hitting now, but he certainly didn't in the past. Press;y (like Hildenberger) was overworked. Morrison is having a career year...the other way. Escobar is truly missed. But even Mauer makes you question just how much you wish to pay him for 2019. So that is why we HAVE to see what the system can give us. On the radio earlier today was talking about going out and getting quality free agents for ALL these positions. NO - ADMIT IT - REBUILDING THE TWINS and it got derailed when a glimmer of hope materialized last year (it wasn't THAT GREAT of a season, folks). We have to do it all again in 2019. And young guys will egt more of a chance and other young guys may be pushed a bit. Maybe. Still haven't figured out a front office that still favors waiver wire claims, will give work to Forsythe and Wilson, and...try their darndest to put an upbeat spin on everything. Okay, who IS the leader in the clubhouse. Not Ervin, from what I can read.

A million dollar bonus baby. A year away from returning to the minors. Still not a bad return ffor the future. But who closes? Hildenberger has been overused. We still have Curtiss and his stuff in the minors. But I'm voting that we make TREVOR MAY the closer for the remainder of the season and see if he can handle it, assuming we do have games to close. Still to move: Morrison and Santana, and maybe Addison Reed.

This is a player that DID HE GET A CHANCE WITAH THE TWINS. Is he a better backup than, say, FIeld or Grossman, or even Wilson? You can have him as the third catcher. Actually, I would like to see him right now in place of Morrison. But chances are he will NOT get a September callup for some unheard of reason and drfit away to another organization.

Is there a logjam happening? Would the Twins be better off jettisoning people ike Santana, Morrison, Bobby Wilson, Forsythe, maybe seeing if someone grabs Addison Reed, not to mention a couple of bullpen arms just so you can move 3-5 people up NOW from Rochester, then same number from Chattanooga to Rochester etc. etc. Is it worth it for players to play at a higher level for a copuple of weeks?

+Three Factors in 40-man Roster Decisions on who to call to the show. One: Status. On the 40-man roster or not. Worthwhile to add (if it looks like they will break the roster in 2019, why not). Two: Do ypu want to pay the guys (could be an extra $20,000 payday for anyone added in September) plus you have to house them on the road et al. Three: Who is REALLY deserving and will contribute, compared to just sitting on the bench and getting a taste of major league life. With a team in a sorta rebuild move, there is ABSOLUTELY NO REASON you can have 40 players on the team in September...especially if you STOP giving innngs to anyone that will not be here in 2019 (i.e. closer, first base, designated hitter, outfielder rotation, a couple of bullpen arms, an aging catcher). That's 7 bodies for sure, not counting cutting back on the actual duty of those people who have overpitched (Hildenberger) or don't need to play to cement their roster spot (some of the regulars, plus Grossman and Adrianza). Gonna get #1 out of the way right away. NICK GORDON. Not deserving as he has taken a nose dive. But you need to see just how bad he can play (or good). It goes a long way into making a decision on second base or shortstop in the coming season. If he looks overmatched and MAY NOT be the second coming at second, then you know. Stashing him in the minors and hoping he shines is not the game to play. Playing him is the game. Santana either has it in his next three starts or doesn't. Then, and people will complain, go with a six man rotation and let us see Goncalves and Romero up here. If Romero has limited innings, then also look at Littell. You also have Pineda coming back. If the purpose is to SEE arms, you go with the minor league rotation of late, letting a bullpen guy start a game, then short runs by starters. Thorpe doesn't have to be seen, although you are eating away at his 40-man time. The Twins have Duffey and Busenitz and Curtiss in the minors. You can see what the front office thinks of the duo...they would rather throw Drake, Belisle and are happy with Magill. So, you either let them come up and show their stuff (all three have been deserving in their minors work). You also need to make decisions on Baxendale, Reed, Bard and Anderson. A couple of them can walk at season's end. All look like they are capable of being on a major league staff. Why not see if they can be on a Twins staff. But still, that's 7 bullpen arms who could contribute and 3 rotation arms, plus you still want to give May work. Maybe entertain those offers for Rodney and Addison Reed with seriousness. Willians Astilludo? Extra catcher to keep on the 40-man (do we have to add Navarretto in the off-season). Possible bench bat. Can he DH? Who's on first. Joe Mauer is a free agent. You DON'T have to resign him. But who do you play. You got two guys, Tyler Austin and Brent Rooker. One out of options next year, the other an aging prospect that might be slightly overmatched jumping from AA to the majors. But...whynot. See what you have. Do you need to find a 1B guy in a rebuilding team? Are they capable of outperforming this year's DH? Will Miguel Sano stay at third? Ansd we still have three more guys on the 40-man to make decisions on their fate. Aaron Slegers. Long relief, a starter we want to give a 40-man spot to for another year? Chase De Jong...who is cut from the same cloth as Slegers. That extra starter, a possible multi-inning right-handed pitcher. Do you keep him on the 40-man. And then we have Zack Granite, a miserable season, but still probably playing as well as Byron Buxton who MAY NOT see the light come September himself. Is Granite just roster fluff. Taking up a space and never to be seen in Twins-town again like Adam Walker and Dan Palka? And Lamonte Wade...who is an off-season add as Cave and Grossman are not going anywheres. So six starters, adding in Goncalves, Romero and Littell with Santana disappearing. Bringing up Duffey, Busenitz, Curtiss and adding in Bard. ALso promoting DeJong and Slegers. Taking away innings from Reed, Rodney, Hildenberger, Rogers...in other words, give them a game a week and a September vacation. See if Willians can catch. Play Nick Gordon for 25-30 games and just SEE what he can do. Have Rooker and Austin rotate with Mauer at 1B and DH. Sadly say goodbye to Logan Morrison. Gorssman, Forsythe, Reed, Field, Wilson, Belisle, Drake, Magill...what ether names SHOULD NOT be in the plans for 2019? Think 2019 and beyond! Think WHO CAN break with the team out of spring training (I don't see Thorpe doing that, or needing to do that).

If the Twins truly are in a rebuilding mode, they have to look at WHEN they want to be competitive...is it 2020 or 2021 or 2022. You take into consideration the logical advancement of all your current priospects. You take into considertion that they may have one-two seasons of average baseball before they start to take off. Do you do it in 2019 fer sure, when losing won't matter and the quest for a high draft choice is the main target, with players getting on-field experience. But on the flip side, they use up service time and have the potential to become a free agent that much earlier, especially when you are dealing with guys 20-21-22 and you make them multi-millionaires with lots of prime years. Assuming that they do play well and don't just disappear into the mist of springtime. I would like to see Royce get a September callup next season, starting his 40-man roster time perhaps a bit early. I would like to see him in spring training challenging for a job, but maybe NOT taking it untli mid-season 2020. But then, if that was my plan, I would also be pushing Nick Gordon to get experience the remainder of this yer and to use next season as an opportunity to see if he is a longterm guy somewhere on the field. Kriloff, Lewis, Rooker are all guys I think we can fast trak. Also Graterol would be a pitcher I would do the same.

Two things. You want the player to be their best in a season from now, at the least, to benefit the Twins most, as well as a couple of seasons after that. Second, the player will have to want to play in Minnesota. You can argue that the Twins have overspent on many of the free agents they have signed, including Santana, Nolasco, and the ilk. SHould he Twins go all out and get the BEST free agent possible? Rather than overpay what someone else might underpay?