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25 man roster 2015


Shane Wahl

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Unlike any year in recent memory, I believe at this point in mid-December, the Twins likely are done with any meaningful acquistions that could contend for the 25 man roster. I just don't see the gaping roster hole that would make for a constant concern in the coming months. Sure, the Twins could sign another pitcher, another OF, and another catcher, but none of these potential signings seem vital to the health of the team. The starting rotation is finally in a position of surplus with an actual mix of pitchers vying for the 5th spot in the rotation who all have upside. This hasn't been the case for a very long time for this team. The bullpen is deeply crowded, especially with potential overflow from those starting contenders. The OF is going to consist of Torii Hunter, Oswaldo Arcia, Aaron Hicks, Jordan Schafer, Chris Herrmann, Daniel Ortiz, and Danny Santana as a backup to that as the starting shortstop (with Eduardo Nunez in the mix too). As far as catching goes, the Twins bought into Kurt Suzuki and have Josmil Pinto to be a backup for the time being. Eric Fryer manages to maintain his presence. Herrmann adds depth there if they just give him the chance. And Stuart Turner is waiting in the wings (Sept. callup perhaps).

 

So the Twins are looking at something like:

 

Santana, SS

Mauer, 1B

Hunter, LF (still believing in this move to LF)

Vargas, DH

Dozier, 2B

Arcia, RF

Plouffe, 3B

Suzuki/Pinto, C

Hicks, CF

 

With some combination of Suzuki/Pinto, Escobar, Schafer/Herrmann/Ortiz, Nunez/Romero/Beresford also serving as bench players.

 

The pitchers:

 

Hughes

Santana

Gibson

Nolasco

Milone/Meyer/May

 

Milone/Meyer/May

Darnell/Thielbar

Tonkin

Achter/Oliveros

Duensing (apparently)

Fien

Perkins

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I fully expect May or Meyer in the rotation as the #5. Based on his time with the Twins late last season, and his general improvement as he got acclimated, I'd put May in the lead. Meyer could get his ML feet wet in the bullpen initially, though I could also see him pitching every day at Rochester in the beginning, to keep himself stretched out and on a regular turn. Vice versa with May potentially.

 

Pelfrey is in the pen or simply gone. And I have doubts the team will, or needs to, keep both Duensing AND Milone. Not with Thielbar around, Darnell really close, and Thompson as a possible as well. In fact, I still think the Twins make a move for a CF, one of the LH's may be included. (Insert Duensing comment/joke here)

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so this means Bats in the Pelfrey somehow lands on the 60 day DL to begin the season?  I'm good with that!  I'm also fine with Hicks starting in CF to begin the season.  They brought Hunter in to mentor, so let him start mentoring.  If Hicks still can't figure it out, at least we gave him every opportunity. 

 

As for Santana, I hope he stays at SS all year.  It's time to see if he can play there.  If he fails miserably, we have another candidate to play LF next year, next to Buxton.

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I'll take a stab at this.  Meyer will start the year in AAA.  May may be there as well but I think he'll get a long reliever role to break in with less pressure as long as Millone doesn't implode or get hurt in spring.  The bullpen is the hardest to predict due to so many options.  I am going to list in order of positions not an actual batting order.

 

Starting 9:

1B Mauer

2B Dozier

SS Santana

3B Plouffe

C Suzuki

RF Hunter

CF Hicks

LF Arcia

DH Vargas

 

Bench:

OF Schaeffer

IF Escobar 

IF/OF Nunez

C Fryer (yes I prefer Pinto or a bat but I don't get everything I want)

 

Rotation:

Hughes

Santana

Gibson

Nolasco

Millone/ May

 

Bullpen

Perkins

Fien

Deunsing

Theilbar

Pressley

Pelfry

May/ Oliveros/ Tonkin/ Achter/ Graham (more candidates than I can remember off the top of my head). 

 

If May makes the rotation I don't think Millone will end up in the pen unless there is a trade of someone else.  If May makes the rotation it will be a battle of all the other candidates for the last spot. 

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Can Pelfrey be sent to AAA to see if he can either get on track as a starter or convert to a reliever? As injury prone as the poor guy has been, I wonder if he could become a decent reliever and stay healthy by putting fewer innings on his wing.

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I see Milone as the likely #5 starter. The end of last year aside, he has been a pretty effective pitcher. The last 2-3 spots in the pen will be interesting to see play out in spring training. If I had to guess, May and Meyer start out in the minors as starters while we see how Milone and Nilasco come out of the gate. So, maybe the pen is Perkins, Fein, Duensing, Theilbar, Pressly, Tonkin, Graham with Achter, Oliveros, Pelfrey at the ready in AAA. 

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I agree Millone is the likely starter unless something happens.  I think its 50/50 May could start the season in the pen.  I guess that may be at Pelfry's expense.  I hadn't thought that through all of the way.  I do think Meyer will start in the minors.  I don't think they should move him to the bullpen unless the just cant throw more pitches and consistently get through 6 innings a start.   Maybe if there is a need in the pen and he isn't progressing with his consistency then try him in the pen. 

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Meyer could get his ML feet wet in the bullpen initially, though I could also see him pitching every day at Rochester in the beginning,

Wow, with you in charge Meyer would reach his innings limit by the end of April :)

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I'm confused who is actually on the bench for your 25-man roster. If you're making a prediction, at least tell me exactly what you're predicting, then tell me the guys who just miss.

 

I'm even less clear who you think will be starting and or in the pen. I think I counted like 30+ names in total.

 

Please help!

 

I like the following:

 

Starters:
Suzuki

Mauer

Dozier

Santana

Plouffe

Arcia

Hicks

Hunter

 

Bench:

Pinto, Schafer, Escobar, Fryer

 

Rotation:

Hughes

Nolasco

Santana

Gibson

May

 

Bullpen:

Pelfrey

Fein

Perkins

Meyer

Duensing

Pressley

Tonkin

Achter

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