Rosterman

Senior Citizens day on the mound in Chattanooga!

If the Twins play poorly the next two weeks before the All-Star break, I hope the powers-that-be start manning the phones. Coming off the break, the Twins have three games on the road in KC, then face the Jays and Red Sox, which should be a treat, before the Indians. Ten games or more behind come mid-month, are the Twins considered sunk?

Hildenberger threw only 24 pitches to nine batters, eight of whom got on base? At what point, getting only one out, does a manager say enough is enough?

There just doesn't seem to be soething right with the team. You can blame the front office, the manager, the players. But the field staff is supposed to at least try and get the best they can from the players. The front office is supposed to try and repair any problems from the players. The players need to stop thinking about future contracts. I look at Molitor and think...line-up construction. I have no answer, but something isn't working here. I see the age old problem that we even had with Gardy, leaving a starter in fo begin an inning too far. Having no rhyme or reason to bullpen usage. But I also wonder about clubhouse leadership. If players aren't going to do it, who does it?

So we keep Belisle, but put Jorge on waivers. We send down Busenitz, who isn't the worst ERA on the staff and keep...Belisle. We bring up a third catcher to do what, play the infield?,Heck, bring up Zack Granite and let him play centerfield until you decide to bring back Buxton. See what Granite can do. Jorge may have fallen behind in the possible rotation arms, but he still is better than (name your player currently on the roster). Somethings aren't making sense here in Twins land. Maybe the Cubs will think Joe Mauer is invincible at Wrigley and make a play for his bat to get them to the playoffs. Would Joe go to Chicago with a chance for the post season? A way to end a career, perhaps? Let's showcase Joe more the next two games!

Col weather start? DIsappointed in what he ended up taking in a contract? Not playing enough at first? Perhaps the Twins have no line-up construction and you can pitch hard and fast to him and he will swing and probably miss more often than not. How many pitches does he take? How many ball heavy counts has he had? Yes, the Twins have Vargas in reserve. He can't be as bad. Even though players stumble at AAA, sometimes they just need to try their hand at major league ball again, get excited to be receiving the meal money. ALso, can give Carter a chance, but doubt you'll see him on tap in 2019. But would almost like to see Vargas given one more shot, if someone grabs Logan Morrison as a bench bat. We already went thru Stassi and Buss in the minors. Again, line-up construction, lack of threats batting before or after you, can work into the equation. Look, even today...the Twins only got a half-dozen or so hits to go with their six runs. Offense is just terrible and is breeding a lack of offense.

in defense of the front office, they probably do have a plan. The plan became derailed a bit last year when the Twins had a flicker of competitiveness. Then, suddenly, the Dave St. Peter end pushes to keep the train going up hill, because rebuilding teams are tough to sell and the name of the game is fans in the stands. So, if you can build on a momentum that might not actually be there, you try your best to do so. The front office did. They put out feelers with $$$ for the top free agents. But unless they vastly overpay, why would someone come to Minnesota when they can play for a champion for the same amount of monies. But it derailed the longterm plan with a short one to keep momentum going and Twins Territory viable after a football season that saw The Super Bowl as well as a Vikings team that ALMOST made it. ALMOST is a word commonly heard in Minnesota. The front office is evaluating the talent from the former administration. They are giving long looks to the upper talents, like Sano and Buxton. That is what the new coaches and advisors and such were brought in to fix and motivate. But you can't motivate if the person isn't there. Or maybe the manager (and his staff) can in other ways. The reaity is that the front office is remaking the minor leagues, the "Twins Way" according to their own book. They [probably didn't want Molitor to begin with, but had to take him, and then how can you fire a "Manager of the Year." With Skinner at AAA, we see the potential replacement coming from outside, especially since all promising internal candidates were jettisoned this past offseason. Admit it, folks. The front office did good getting some decently priced free agents to keep the momentum going. The disappointment has been in the injuries, the fallback of major league guys who might still comeback in another season (or two), and the lack of leadership in the clubhouse. Who leads when your stars are potential free agents, your veterans are one-year rentals, and you got a bunch of guys who still haven't learned that all the natural talent in the world doesn't help if you don't work it on the field each and everyday. it's a new game, and if you don't cut it, someone is there to take your place.You need to play the game and be a baseball player to make the big bucks, get the big contract. You have to last the seasons. But, don't blame the front office entirely either. They wanted to build a team in their image and got sidetracked and the powers higher want to sell tickets, concessions and parking places.

At some point, can prospects perform as well as any number of players currently on the roster: Dozier, Morrison, Grossman, Wilson, Motte and some not on the roster like Sano and Buxton, not to mention arms like Lynn, Odorizzi, Belisle, Rogers, Duke even Pressly. If the Twins are down 10 games with no chance at even a wild card challenge you have to say "If the guys aren't guaranteed a spot in 2019, then they should be available" and an emphasis should be placed on seeing the players that MIGHT contribute to 2019 and beyond so you can then go into the offseason with a shopping list. You will buy salary relief, you will stock the system, and you will probably be playing to NO walkup sales and lots of empty season ticket seats.

Well, quite a few of those offensive minor league free agents didn't work out too well this season, Ramsay joining Buss, Heisey, Stassi, Featherstone, Myles Jay, Jermaine Curtis and the gone in spring training Aybar and Sanchez. Nice to see they are moving others into place.

In order to sell, you have to have something someone wants to buy. At some point, the Twins need to move pieces for anything pissible so they can advance pieces that may reflect the future. Dozier, for one. If he moves on to another team, if they don't offer him an extended contract, the Twins could explore bringing him back. But right now, the Twins need to elt Dozier go elsewhere so they can play someone else in the position and evaluate the need for next season. Eduardo Escobar. Could be a keep at the right price. 2-3 years? A valuable guy to have as a bench replacement. He does better playing everyday, notably at one position, than occasional play. At what point does he become too expensive to keep around? That is the question. Not sure if anyone would blow-you-out-of-the-market with a pristine trade deal. Joe Mauer. Either he is going to retire at season's end. Or the Twins will have to make a decision. I doubt he would accept a trade. but you never ever know Do you entertain offers on any of the Big Three in the outfield? Eddie Rosario is probably the most valuable guy you have on the team. According to numerous posts, we all marvel at the way the guy's bat makes contact with the ball and wonder how it is sustainable in the longrun. And his fielding prowess is griped about constantly. Do you trade him and hope there are dark horse candidates for replacement coming soon (Wade, Granite, Cave). When Buxton comes back, is Grossman of any value, as we can easily replace him with any of Granite, Cave, LaMarre. Speaking of Buxton, him or Kepler have short-term value in trade to a team, or long-term value in an easrly contract extension? I see Sano spending the remainder of the season in the minors and if he dominates, will get a September call and the Twins will evaluate him as a first baseman or dream of him as a lifetime designated hitter. Or, he may be the next Oswaldo Arcia. In the pitching department, Lance Lynn is marketable, for a prospect. Since he is a one-year rental and seems to be a one-year rental, better to let him go and then come abck with a contract offer (if the trading team doesn't extend). Kyle Gibson COULD be your msot valuable trading chip from the rotation with one year of (high) arbitration value remaining. Ervin Santana, if an when he returns, will have to showcase value, but probably would get a waiver claim and low-level minor league prospect in trade as August rolls by and a contending team MIGHT need a veteran ar, Fernando Rodney can be snatched if a closer goes on the brink for ahyone. You take a deal and hope you get a Wilson Ramos value back. You might say you deserve it. The Twins could dangle many arms: Rogers, Duffey, Reed, Duke, even Pressly. Basically their overworked bullpen will probably just get more overworked and damaged as July rolls to an end. You look that there has to be replacements in the minors for the whole group. SOme will have rocky moments. But even the "starters" like Slegers and Mejia could slip into long-relief roles. ANy of the above guys could be easily replaced next season. Which brings to mind the BIG question! If you are not in competition to take the division (the wild card is out of the question)...you look to move anyone you WILL NOT PROTECT on the 40-man roster next off-season, and ANYONE who is destined NOT to be a part of the 35-man roster fer sure come spring training 2019 end. You use the guys who are more than likely going to walk for possible depth pieces in the organization. You stay away from other 41st players on teams for the moment, you got enough of those yourself. You say one helluva a lot of money so you can BUY big in the offseason, actually spend on solid players, rather than bargain deals. Speaking of bargain deals, Logan Morrison could also be moved. Hey, return Kennys Vargas to the 25-man for season's end? Or Chris Carter. Not that either would be a part of long-term plans with the way they are hitting in the minors. But can they produce equal numbers that Mirrison has pounded for half-the-season? But just be aware that the Twins will get little and possibly nothing in return, except 2018 salary relief, and the chance to advance the careers of some of their prospects. o

Have ahd busts from a decade of draft picks. Numerous trades have gone south, where we thought we were getting the futue (especially in pitching), but didn't. Free agency was played safe, or overpaying for basically replacement level guys, instead of taking the big plunge (not to say that is the end-all, as it is a risk, too). And Sano. Can he improve? Will he become the next Oswaldo Arcia? Did the Twins miss out on possibly trading him this past off-season for some value? Of course, players can still turn around. We hope Buxton and Kepler find the light. We hope Polanco is something.

The Capps trade was bad as Ramos would've been the perfect catcher to take Mauer's place and still be catching today (albeit out a year with an injury). He was heir apparant and would've taken over duties sooner rather than later. Goodrum showed potential and if you stayed in-house would've been the good backup infielder. That cpre of centerfielders that departed: Gomez, Revere, Span and Hicks. Sadly, we basically got NOTHING in return for them that could be contributing to the team, which is a shame, unless Trevor May really comes back. Shows how much stock you should put in prospects. Rosario will come back to earth, but why the Twins allowed him to pass into waivers is beyond me. Also, was sad the Twins didn't break camp with John Hicks and allowed him to go thru waivers, too.

You use him as much as you can, while he is hot, and still a solid commodity. He might develop into a trade piece, he might need to be around again next year (shades of guys like Matt Guerrier). Or, he may be another Matt Belisle. Wait, he is far from that. Either way, he is a piece of coal that is a temporary diamond. Count yourself blessed that you have him even pitching long relief, while guys like Segers, Mejia, Curtiss, Moya, Busenitz waver around in the minors waiting for their chance, or Tyler Duffey waiting for his return.

Was somewhat sad to see the Twins cut ties with Featherston. He had a great spring. But when you slump in AAA ball and there are better prospects in the wind....yet the Twins advanced Motter who was hitting the same at AAA. And who can explain the call of Bobby Wilson. Of course, both have major league experience, which always means that the professional AAAA guys have a much harder road to follow to get to the majors.

Zack Jones was one of those arms, like Chargois and Melotakis and a couple more guys, who were going to be the new foundation of the bullpen. Just reminds you that the road to the majors is very very difficult. Even when you egt drafted as a Rule 5 with a shot at the majors. He's 27, would be a minor league free agent, strikes out a ton of batters but walks too much poundage on the bases. It becomes a look at "how valuable is that roster spot" and "who can better fill it" -- even if it might be filled by someone still older and from outside the organization. Quite frankly, the Twins start looking at their own prospects right now and if thy are about to become minor league free agents, do you bother to roster them if you aren't going to 40-man them, are they worthwhile enough to gamble that they will resign with your organization, or do you just let them go and search out similar prospects in the same boat from other organizations in the off-season. We all somewhat scream about the number of AAAA-type guys an organization signs, but the system is working to not lock players into an organization forever. If the 40-man is full, and you have shown ability, they is the Rule 5 which allows another team to pluck you away. Otherwise, after x-amount of seasons, you are free to move to another system where blockage to AAA or even the majors is slimer than the organization that has youngsters pushing you. Good luck to Zack. He has the stuff, just needs the control.

Gonna have some pressure to move some of these guys up to Cedar Rapids, perhaps in a month, when some action happens on the Kernels roster (and thus other rosters).

Rodney, Duke, Belisle all are trade chips. Addison Reed could be the vet holdover. At what point do you take the plunge with Busnitz, Curtiss, Moya and anyone else on the 40-man (Slegers) to see if they can stick, or be jettisoned in the offseason when the 40-man will have to protect the next crop of arms. And that's not counting the possible deserving looks THIS season of Anderson, Reed and Bard, to name a few more. If the Twins are treading water with what they have, they can tread water with what they MIGHT have, too.

Okay, what are the Twins doing about the offense. Mauer, Polanco and Buxton will be back. I guess that solves the need to keep Cave/LaMarre. A pitcher will probably have to go. And maybe it will be BOTH LaMarre/Cave with Grossman as the backup. That sends chills of anticipation. But then we have "where to play Escobar." Of course, Mauer at DH, Sano at 1st, Escobar at 33rd. So Grossman is the bench bat with Adrianza and Wilson (until Rupp gets the call). Maybe we need a veteran clubhouse guy to rally the clubhouse, the dugout, the bench. The bullpen seems to have their mentors up the wazoo at this point. Anyway, the Twins are still one-up in the pitching department and the Belisle leash may be short (or a month, at the most). Yes, though, it sends a message to the Duffy's at Rochester..."why not me, again" as well as the future building blocks in an overstuffed 40-man pitching roster (couldn't Slegers fill this role, will Mejia ever see the majors again...who will depart when the Twins do have to add names like Reed and Bard and Anderson to the 40-man roster? Further complications when you have to shuffle the deck for Ervin Santana. Oh, yes, Trevor May is out there, still working on returning. And he will return!

Can agree, but unless Bencomo is a sure thing for a call up, Enns may still have some lefty vibes in his arm. Neither are on the 40-man, so it is somewhat moot. But, yes...Bencomo might be a better short-term investment.

Overuse of bullpen. Cycle in some new guys from the minors, soon.

Dozier is the question. At the rate of his play, he might be ucky to match Trevor Plouffe for a one-year contract after leaving the Twins. I don't see anyone even knocking at the door to trade for him in his walk season. Coaches HELP players, but players must also HELP themselves. I have always noted that Max Kepler seems to be an extremely hard worker. But he still only can do so much with his talents. But he seems a gamer each and every day he plays. You have also seen changes in the bullpen. But still, with so much film and people tracking pitches and stuff, you really need a game/batter plan to get people out. Coaches are there to work and remind, but they can't hit and pitch for you. There is a lot of head games going on, and the level of play in the majors is so high these days. Line-up construction, roster construction, building a system of replacements/reserves in the minors, looking 3-5 seasons out...that is the job of the front office in tandem with the field manager. Something isn't meshing with the Twins. Disconnect between the front office and the field? Too many players not working on their skillset? When you play ball, you are playing a game that most of us die to play for fun. You also like to produce,m and you want your fellow players to produce as well so you challenge. If anything, the Twins HAVE played challenging games, have stayed in the hunt thru the final out as much as possible. But losing such events can take a toll. Is there a true team leader?

Motter is because they are not sure Petit will be able to return to Rochester. But, yes, at some point the Twins need to start removing fluff and moving on from potential free agents and AAAA guys and letting the young 'uns play ball. Gordon, Wade both would need to be add ons to the 40-man. Same with Anderson. Man, the Twins seem rich in pitching, with the young guys just needing some innings (and a chance to fail). Gordon COULD spark the offense. Especially if whomever puts together the lineup can figure out a lineup that works.

Rosario, if he has a career year, you test his market for a trade. Don't wait, like they did on Delmon Young. Extend players, you can still wait until arbitration Year One to start that negotiation...when both sides do have a better idea of what Year Three MIGHT bring. Gibson is a trade piece. If he holds. As are ALL free agents. Yes, I would, though, extend Escobar. If Mauer doesn't return and Sano sees more time at first, Eduardo can bridge the gap until you find a new third baseman, plus he can play other positions. The question is cost. And if the Twins are tanking, you trade Eduardo and then negotiate to bring him back. I think he does love it here. And, again, if Sano goes to 1B/DH, you can pretty much promise him a season as a starter at third base. I don't see many other teams doing the same. The Twins do have a strength in the outfield. But, besides Granite and maybe Wade, are all two seasons out at best. So, you can part with one of the three...and, again, would vote for Eddie!

The batting order and the batting averages makes me shudder. What can be done to jumpstart the offense.

There shouldn't be a BIG rush on May. If you can afford that 8th bullpen arm, which may ne a necessity because of overwork, go ahead. But if you can option him to Rochester and let him get abck up to speed, no hurry until you start sorting out sellable assets as July rolls around. I picture Santana will be more than fine once he gets the work in. Finger is a lot different than arm or shoulder. He just has to shake off the rust, and hopefully the desire to be brilliant as he enters the free agent market again for one big contract will make him a light in a pennant run. Yes, the adding of Santana back in will be a mess...who goes and who stays. But things have a way of working themselves out (poor performance, disabled list, etc.). Sadly, if May stays at Rochester, means someone has to go, Yes, there are minor league free agents on the bubble, as well as vets like Baxendale and, perhaps, Slegers. Santana will involved a 40-man roster decision.