FWIW, Belisle still has the best inherited runner/scored mark of any Twins reliever. Maybe his role should be coming in with runners on as opposed to starting an inning. Of course, his leverage usage is close to the bottom for the Twins.
With no DH, they have an automatic extra roster spot. They are also “only” carrying 12 pitchers. Meaning they start every game with 5 bench players. Two more than the Twins.
How would he have a choice? What is he going to do if he is callled upon in the 7th or 8th? Refuse to go in the game? That would be a breach of his contract.
The difference is that there aren’t any catchers in the top levels of the minors that need to be evaluated for potentially being a regular next year. There are 2-3 1b/dh types in AAA that should be evaluated: Austin, Wade and maybe Vargas.
I think it was June when I said that I can envision a scenario of Falvey going into Pohlad’s office and saying “We tried it with your guy, and here we are. Again. Decision time sir. Him or me.”
Scanning the transaction page, he was optioned out on the 2nd of July. So, that’s 95 days, give or take. Super two cut off is impossible to know for certainty until the season ends. But 2 years, +/- 150 days is likely a super 2 for sure.
There’s no such thing as a “reduced role” player in these days of 12 and 13 man pitching staffs. I think the Twins try like hell to bring Escobar back to play 3b, move Sano to 1b/dh and use Austin there as well. Austin can also play some OF to spell the regulars and I would expect Granite or Cave to be at the MLB level as a reserve as well.
Yeah, a team that has been sub .500 since mid April is going to all of a sudden play .700 ball for two months after trading away 2 of their 5 best relievers and 2 of their 5 most productive hitters.
Interesting to see who gets that roster spot. With Motter DFA last week, there are no other infielders on the 40 man. Did Motter clear? I guess he could come back. Are their any infielders actually doing well in AAA? Edit: Probably be Austudillo. Are his ten days up? Edit, part 2: No they are not. He was optioned on the 22nd. So, he’s ineligible until Thursday. My guess is they bring up an extra pitcher until then.
Oh yeah, Hughes. Still under $70 mil if Odorizzi and Grossman are tendered. Grossman is probably 50-50 (sad to say, he might still be the best bet as a reserve OFer). Odorizzi right now for me would be a non-tender. We’ll see if he finishes well. I just don’t see the logic of spending $8 mil for a 5 inning starter with a .5 bWAR when you might get better than that from Romero for $550 K.