Rosterman

You gotta remember that both pretty much missed a full year of play and have been thrust into the majors and holding their own. Yes, I can see Kepler (who is just slumping soooooo badly, and the guy works works and listens) Buxton and Larnach holding the outfield, and Kirilloff at first with Sano at DH. Not sure if Rooker can fit into the picture or if his ship ahs sailed with the Twins and he is destined to be the next Mike Restovich or Paul Sorrento. Both are playing well that a trip to St. Paul would be out of the question, unless they went into a terrible slump. And then, they will know what to work on and get back into the lineup come September to start big with the Twins in 2022.

Kyle Barraclough signs with the Twins after being cut loose by the New York Yankees. The Twins offered him a contract back in 2011, but he declined and signed with the Cardinals the following year. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=barrac000kyl

It seems like it will always be about money. If the Twins can't Pay Buxton and Berrios, then I hold little hope that they would splurge (and they could afford to do so) by paying Donaldson numbers for a VERY TOP of the line rotation arm, as well as getting a real bonifide closer. Otherwise, the roster looks pretty darn serviceable. Of course, Sano will still strikeout. Rooker may have passed his need by the Twins. Royce Lewis has to be considered the shortstop of the future (or is he). The Twins could open 2022 with around a $100 million payroll, 1/5th of it going to Donaldson. They may be okay, depending on how the young arms perform, which is why one hopes they can get a half dozen starts to Duran and Balazovic or maybe even barnes or someone else this season. But it all returns to how they handle Berrios and Buxton. Both can stay and play oin 2022, but if theya ren't signed longterm, I don't expect them to be back. The Twins can raid the dollar store and get an arm or two, or maybe spend a little more and bring back Pineda and Robles if not outbid in the fair market. Hey, maybe Jake Odorizzi, Hector Santiago, Ervin Santana will also be available. I know Bartolo Colon is! You have to spend money to win, usually on the best players available. You can fill in holes like the Twins did this season, but did they really get the best of the free agents who actually outshine the best they have on their own roster in 2021?

Dobnak is more on an in-play pitcher. If he strikes out as many as he walks, I'm happy. Robles could be a decent trade-chip. And like Pineda, let them enter free agency and see what you he'll sign for then. I'm sure he is happily looking at his work so far getting him a modest multi-year deal. Jackson is still in the bullpen mix. If the Twins can just jettison Shoemaker right now and get someone better in his place. And then you have to start getting at least five or more innings from Maeda, Happ, Dobnak. I wish we could push Over, but I can understand that risk. But at least I hope that means that if we move on from a couple of aging starters, we WILL SEE Duran And Balazovic for a half dozen starts each this season. Which would make me very happy going towards 2022. Gonna be interesting to see how the Twins play Kirilloff, Larnach, Buxton, Kepler, Sano, Cruz going forth! And as long as Simmons is around, Gordon is going to be sitting on the bench. At least work the guy into a late inning appearance. I want to see him steal bases...and continue to get hits! I am comfortable with a return to shortstop for Polancho, for now. Just think of the opportunity Royce Lewis is missing this season!

Going into 2022, and assuming Cruz is not back, you have Sano at DH and Kirilloff at 1B...assuming also that we keep Buxton. Garver can spell at both positions and also catch. The joy is that rather than a Cruz DH you also have Sano who can play 1B and 3B, and Kirilloff who can play the outfield. But do you keep Rortvedt as the second catcher (third). Of have him play everyday, and keep someone like La Tortuga? Of course, that also depends on your eventual infield makeup, if Gordon looks like a keeper, and if you need Mister play anywhere and anywhere, put the ball in play, don't walk, but also don't strikeout, and can be that blowout arm from the bullpen! (Man, making this guy sound like he should be the Twins All-Star player rep and the AL manager should play him one inning at each position - wouldn't that be a hoot - wait, he is at Triple-A now). Garver will be back and push Rortvedt back to the minors. The the Twins have to look at 2022. Garver still has time with the Twins and could replicate his 2019 for a season or two, and you also want him to catch to increase his own value for a trade or a job in the future. But the Twins duo of Jeffers/Rortvedt will be with us for the next half-decade, if not more!

Well, pretty good lineup with Sano, Simmons and Donaldson. Berrios would need to pitch a no-run game to win. Granted players are aching, but you NEED to field best players possible, or construct the best lineup possible, when you best pitcher is on the mound. Happily they won, and finally figured out how to get a guy on second with no outs home.

We supposedly thought we had a lot of outfield depth, and Larnach wasn't even on the 40-man yet. And, guess what, we do., Which is why Baddoo wasn't protected (who knew someone would take a gamble on an oft-injured guy who has only limited AA at bats). It was Wade or Cave. I would've gone with Wade in the end as a potential fourth outfielder, although I wonder how spring training would've panned out for him where a bunch of minor league free agents were high in the pecking order. I felt Anderson was a good pickup. My question here is WHY? Why was he removed from the 40-man? Who are the Twins replacing him with? If they need a 40-man spot, you can get rid of Colombe or Shoemaker. Right now, I would rather see Jax and Anderson on the team pitching equally as bad as either of those two guys. And, at some point, you will have a 40-man spot open up when Buxton returns and the Twins have to make a decision on Garlick and Refsnyder.. Plus, I totally expect Happ and Simmons to be gone sooner rather than later. And the Twins best trading chips that some other team MIGHT want are Pineda, Robles and Cruz. Robles ahs been fine, but I don't trust the need to bring him back in 2022 (or you just might like to resign him, or Pineda, when the players search out a free agent contract). I hate the thought of trading Cruz. I think he is a fine bench and clubhouse presence, but at some point the Twins will have a crowded outfield and have to figure out where to play Larnach, Kirilloff, Buxton and Kepler, along with Sano. So Sano to DH might be in the offering for the remainder of this season. Yep, Wade was a loss, but doubt he would be an outfield starter in the future and the Twins are still looking at a prospect logjam depending on what becomes of signing Buxton. But nice the Twins are giving away players other teams want. At least the front office is spending mon ey at the Dollar Store signing such minor league guys as: Juan Minaya, J.T. Riddle, Tsu-Wei Lin, Jordan Milbrath, Justin Washington, Ryan Horstman, B.J.Boyd, Matt Mullenbach, Erik Manoah, Adam Lau, Sherman Johnson, Rob Whalen, Andrew Albers, Brandon Koch, Daniel Descalso, Nick Anderson (no, not the pitcher), Jason Garcia, Wilbis Santiago, Bobby Milacki. Robinson Leyer, Kevin Broxton, Chandler Shepherd, Drew Maggi. Wow, talk about prospect blocking!

Colome. We expected him to be the closer allowing Duffey, Rogers and Robles to be set-up guys. There is NO REASON to have him on the staff just to pitch an inning in games we have already lost. That's a spot for a Rule 5 pickup (who can hopefully pitch multiple innings). Shoemaker, well, we expected something rather than absolutely nothing. Dobnak I can cut a little slack. He should never have been kept as a bullpen arm. Send him to the minors TO START period. Especially now. Why is he on the roster. He should be back at work on a regular basis getting his 80-100 pitches a game and figuring out how to control his...whatever.,..in St. Paul. I was hoping more from Griffin Jax. I would actually like to see him given the opportunity to start a couple of games. See if he can do better from the beginning of a game rather than get typed as a potential long-relief guy. He's another guy that if the Twins would waiver him off the 40-man, I expect he would be picked up by someone else...now.

Anthony Swarzak returns with The Royals. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/06/royals-select-anthony-swarzak.html

The Twins lose Shaun Anderson to the Rangers on a waiver claim. They got him for LaMonte Wade during the off-season. Wade ahs been a pleasant surprise for the Giants. Not that, in reality, the Twins don't have an abundance of outfielders that they could lose Wade and also the earlier Baddoo. That is, if the string of outfielders stay healthy. Once Buxton and Kepler return the Twins will be faced with how to find playing time for four outfielders. And AAAA guys like Garlick and Refsnyder may be out of luck. And who knows the future of Jake Cave.

Ramos for Capps? One, didn't expect Butera to be main catcher in 2011. And after two more seasons behind the plate, didn't totally expect Mauer to move to first base. Would he have produced for the Twins? Been a better option than Suzuki, before he himself became more of a free agent and toured baseball. How many seasons would he have worn a Twins uniform in the end?

The Twins are taking it easy with Ober. He itched 100 innings back in 2014 un college, but 75 is his tops in the minors, and not many at all in 2019/2020. So they are hoping to get 15 or so starts out of him? Maybe the Twins need to use an opener? That way he could start by pitching to the middle of end of a lineup. And also get a win!

The Twins have to be bold, and make some changes to send a message. If the guy building your house starts to put in beams crooked and use fewer nails, do you keep him on the job because you signed a contract? Pay him for the work he ahs done, and get someone else!

I can see lesser pay at the minor league camp level, especially if you basically do provide food and lodging. But it still should be much better than they pay for short season ball, and players should be paid for all time spent at the complex, be it fall instructional, spring training, whatever. Pay should rise as one goes thru the system, and also how many years you spend playing organized ball (I do believe that six-year free agents who sign do better than most of their AAA counterparts. I do applaud he Twins for paying all their minor league players last season!

Sweat and sunscreen. You can cover the pitcher in sunscreen, but don't allow him to itch or touh any other part of his body, I guess. I remember the rumors of the day when a ball in play came back to the pitcher with an added substance from one of the fielders.

I was not overjoyed with the free agent signings, although they did seem to plug holes and when looking at the bigger picture, the team looked competitive, if you were banking on a return to 2019 numbers for the offense and a trust that the staff could continue to make bullpen arms shine. I was a bit disappointed in the offense during spring training, but saw lower numbers across the teams. Both are still dealing with a need to love certain assets from the prev2021 will be a major setback. But it is also a timerm? Is it just money? If it isn't, then why can't the team overpay, so to speak, to keep own developed players. 2021 is a MAJOR setback. But it is also an opportunity. To see what one has. Maybe push the development envelope a tad more. We don't need to see Dollar Store purchases on the roster. Really don't. And if we continue to tank, you just have to stop dragging out the mush because you purchased it and you would rather look like you are enjoying filling the bowl with it instead of just dumping the stuff and going with a more promising breakfast.

Let's go really big and package Buxton AND Berrios as a trade package. Now that is something that could bring a major return. When dealing mid-season, will the player get the other team where they wish to go. Trade value for a Buxton or Berrios also hinges on the need/ability for the trading team to resign them to a longer contract, or taking a gamble that their current season might increase the trade value of the player going into the free agent season. Otherwise, you are just getting a rental. Sadly, if it is all about money, you better start signing the next crop of players early to get those extra years under the team's belt, or you will be known as a team that can't afford to play in the big leagues. Dollar store dumpster diving for diamonds that might look impressive for a moment or two is not the direction you want to take a team, u nless you are constantly banging out top prospects.

Jax is learning. I wish they would let him at least start a game.

Wilson Ramos designated for assignment by the Tigers. The shakeup in Detroit starts. When will it happen in Minnesota. Ramos was an up-and-coming catching prospect who was traded by the Twins for Matt Capps back in 2010. Since then, he caught 919 games in 12 seasons for five teams,

I would so agree that it actually did look like a competitive and servicable roster. And spring training was NOT horrible. So, what the devil happened! Talk about imploding!

Yep, some serious 40-man issues. A reason that they sometimes keep the guys at AA or below for the whole 2021 season. Unless total rebuild mode, you could argue of Lewis would be major league ready come 2022. From the pitchers you list, would you advance any to the team this year for some experience, and have them spend most of the season at AAA. Once you add them to the 40-man, you risk losing them if you remove them. But I don't see any big demand for free agents to sign with the Twins for 2022 and doubtful that 1-2 big names would make much of a difference.

Always a delight in his TwinsFest visits, although his handlers started to get a bit pushy in the end.

When vets are putting up bad numbers, and youa re losing, might as well let prospects take their bumps and use it as a learning tool. You can at least send the prospects down to work it out in the minors between call-ups. Which is what is needed with Dobnak. You hope to get at least a couple more years out of his newly signed contract. But he needs to start on a regular basis and work it out at AAA. Of most importance to the Twins: The Future of Buxton and Berrios. We gave them Target Field so the team could keep their own free agents. You can afford to overpay for homegrown talent if they have produced for you now and in the past. How much, that is always the question. The Twins have a problem, though. Kirilloff and Larnach are here to stay. Kepler is not going anywhere until his numbers rise, but the Twins will soon have four outfielders. Sadly stories like Rfsnyder and Garlick are out-of-luck, but either should be able to still find a job in the majors for the year. What to do with Nick Gordon. Too few at bats, but he ahs given the Twins more of a base-running threat than they have seen in years. If you had to choose, right now, between Arraez and Gordon, who would you pick. And that is still giving fulltime field work to Polanco and Simmons. ANyone give us soemthing for SImmons? Willians Astuldillo may be the odd man out again. He is lovable. He can play all positions, but when Garver comes back we got catcher covered. Kirilloff can play first base. Gordon and Arraez cover the infield and outfield. Is "The Turtle" out of options? The Twins need to make major blowouts in the pitching staff. Just cut loose some guys - Shoemaker, Colombe. Your bullpen: Taylor, Duffey, Robles, Jackson (amazing), Alcala. Your rotation: Berrios, Pineda, Happ, Ober, Maeda. I want you to give Jax a couple of starts to see if that is his forte. Happ and Pineda need to be gone for the msot value you can get if they produce a couple of quality outings. I fear that their stock may continue to tumble and all you get is a roster spot and minor salary relief. We have Thielbar and Thorpe injured in the wings, still. Although counting on Caleb for 2022 is not in my crystal ball. Smeltzer is still on the radar. The Twins could run out Ian Hamilton if a roster spot appears. That is the issue now. Anyone you remove from the roster you will probably lose (except Minaya). At what point does Duran get the call? Is there a major purge? Garlick, Rfsnyder, Astudillo, Simmons, Colombe, Pineda, Shoemaker - 7 name ptffutttt! Followed by Happ, possibly Cruz ad maybe Thielbar in 30 days! Make decisions made on Buxton and Berrios. It shouldn't be hard to exchange numbers to see a reaction. Who do you add (and keep) on the 40-man. Of course, hard decisions on that include players that need to be protected come the Fall, and that can actually learn from getting some time in the major in 2021 and possibly break camp to the majors in 2022 and stay! The Twins continue to hit the slush pile. Garca, Milacki, Anderson, Descalso, Whalen, Koch, Johnson, Lau, Milbrath, Horstman, Boyd, Mullenbach, Manoah, Washington are all castaways the Twins brought to the island to go with Broxton, Shepard, Pena, Tomscha, Leyer, LaFlor, Maggi, Albers, Mooney - all placeholding spots for future prospects developed by the organization. I am seeing too much time spent shopping at the Dollar Store than actually making hard decisions on the future of the team!

Yes. But the numbers ended up working in favor of Littell. Twins also gave up on Hendricks, too. Sometimes your best minor league starters will do better out of the bullpen. And players have ups and downs. I always thought Trevor May was the closer option for the future. Deolis Guerra also ran out of options. Could he have been that backend bullpen arm earlier for the Twins? With rosters now at 26, you can carry that extra arm, or funnel them back and forth from AAA ball, as long as options do remain. Of course, we also have the case of Nick Anderson, deserving of protection by the Twins but... And Curtiss and Chargois were also top minor league guys that got away when they didn't produce right away for the Twins, as needed. But then you also have names like DeLong, Harper, Adams, Moran, Hildenberger, Magill, Parker, Eades, Poppen, Stewart, Wisler, Gearrin, Moya, Slegers, Reed, , Kinley, Busenitz, Mejia, Drake. What is frustrating is when the Twins search out the slush pile and disregard their own prospects.

Astudillo may just come down to the game of numbers. Same can be said for eventual destination of Garlick and Rfsynder. Trevor and Alex should be here to stay. Alex can play first. Kepler and Buxton aren't going anywheres. Gordon is an interesting choice. Can also play short. He ahs given the Twins a potential running game. Question is, can he get at bats as long as Simmons is on the team. Him and Arraez can also fill in the outfield. Sano is not going anywhere. The question is, can they (should they) trade if an offer comes Simmons, and even Cruz. And you have to ask WHO from the whole mix you expect to see on the roster in 2022, which is either a rebuilding year around a new crop of players, thus plugging in B-level free agents, of you do make a splash keeping Buxton and Berrios on the team, move Sano to DH and make Alex the 1B. Would you trust Polanco and Gordon at shortstop and Arraez and Gordon at second? Gotta make a big splash with pitchers. Dobnak, I guess, is worthwhile sending back to AAA to start as regular as possible. Everyone else who pitched today should not be on the roadtrip. Sorry. Colombe, Shoemaker, Pineada. You have to make a couple of 40-man spots. And I would give Jax a couple of starts in the scheme of things.