Burroughs Designated for Assignment

[Thrylos]

To make room for Butera

 

Which means that Morneau (likely, you know the Twins' doctors) is ok and will not go to the DL. This (other than the Butera call up) is good news on both counts.

[Top Gun]

What will be the Twins record be in May? 17- 11 would be great, even 500 would be ok.

[darin617]

What will be the Twins record be in May? 17- 11 would be great, even 500 would be ok.

Is it sad to say I will be happy with double digit wins? Let's hope for 19.

[Top Gun]

An MRI on Justin Morneau's left wrist revealed only inflammation and fluid buildup.

 

Good news, as Morneau will fly back to Anaheim Wednesday to rejoin the Twins. He's not expected to rejoin the lineup until Friday, but it sounds like a stint on the disabled list won't be needed. Morneau is batting .230/.313/.459 with four homers so far this season.

 

 

Source: Rhett Bollinger on Twitter

[Alex]

I know this is supposed to be good news since it means Morneau's injury isn't serious, but Twins will have 2 player bench for three days at least while still carrying 13 pitchers. Really?

[Boom Boom]

I guess I'd rather have a defensive catcher that can't hit than a defensive 3B that can't hit. But I'm not real comfortable with Plouffe as the backup infielder. Twins are going to need another infielder soon.

[Thrylos]

One thing that has to be noted is that DFAing Burroughs opens a spot on the 40-man roster (hopefully for an infielder), so an infielder might be coming next; just hope his name is not Nishioka (still on the DL in Rochester btw)

[whydidnt]

I know this is supposed to be good news since it means Morneau's injury isn't serious, but Twins will have 2 player bench for three days at least while still carrying 13 pitchers. Really?

I don't really get it either. If Mauer can't play they are left with just a 1 person bench? Have to assume Mauer can play, but if that's the case I don't understand why you need Butera. I think it shows the Twins have zero confidence in Franky tonight and figure the bullpen is going to be well used. That's the only explanation I can come up with at this point for keeping 13 pitchers, when you are down 1, possibly 2 hitters to begin with.

[Thrylos]

I don't really get it either. If Mauer can't play they are left with just a 1 person bench? Have to assume Mauer can play, but if that's the case I don't understand why you need Butera. I think it shows the Twins have zero confidence in Franky tonight and figure the bullpen is going to be well used. That's the only explanation I can come up with at this point for keeping 13 pitchers, when you are down 1, possibly 2 hitters to begin with.

Mauer the DH tonight. Plouffe and Buterror on the bench; Thomas RF, Casilla moved to the #2 spot.

[Alex]

I guess I'd rather have a defensive catcher that can't hit than a defensive 3B that can't hit. But I'm not real comfortable with Plouffe as the backup infielder. Twins are going to need another infielder soon.

If that's the choice and Mauer's hurt and won't be playing catcher, bring up Butera, fine. However, that's choice. If Morneau is out beyond Friday, they will yet have another situation where they should have put him on the DL. Even if you think they end up being right and he's ready to go Friday (I've very little confidence in that at this point), they are still carrying 13 pitchers.

 

It should also be noted that your comparison (Butera vs. Burroughs) not two players who can't hit. It's one player who can't hit and another who we could choose to DH for instead of the pitcher and not lose much. And, to be fair to Burroughs, a lot of his ABs (6) have been pinch hitting, so he's really had no opportunity for for any consistency and only logged 18 PA. Again, though, the choice didn't have to be, nor should have been, imo, between Burroughs and Butera.

[Guest USAFChief]

Remember when everyone was pretty pleased with the Twins bench? Way back in early April? Remember that? That was awesome.

[Alex]

Remember when everyone was pretty pleased with the Twins bench? Way back in early April? Remember that? That was awesome.

That's Spring Training numbers for ya....

[whydidnt]

Remember when everyone was pretty pleased with the Twins bench? Way back in early April? Remember that? That was awesome.

Sure was, we basically traded Revere, Hughes and Burroughs for Thomas and Butera. Not a net positive any way you slice it.

[spideyo]

Here's the deal though....within 10 days they can choose to put Burroughs back on the 40-man. Given how Franky has pitched so far, can you really blame them for wanting to keep their bullpen full tonight?

 

If my understanding of the rules is correct, in the next ten days Morneau could end up retroactively on the DL, they could dump a pitcher, they could send Butera back down, or make any other move that frees up a spot on the 25-man and then put Burroughs back on without any consequence (assuming he isn't put on waivers right away).

[stringer bell]

OK, we're talking about two games. I suppose Morneau can be a defensive replacement as soon as tomorrow. If Mauer is ready to catch by Friday, Sweet Drew could be sent down then, perhaps replaced by Dozier. Carroll was moved out of the #2 hole, is demotion to utility status next? If Dozier is not promoted they could promote a utility type (Hollimon, Florimon or even Nishioka) and if they get by Fragile Frankie's start without burning the whole bullpen, they probably can demote a pitcher, although there really isn't one that has been consistently bad in the bullpen.

[Thrylos]

If Dozier is not promoted they could promote a utility type (Hollimon, Florimon or even Nishioka) .

Hollimon and Nishioka are on the DL

[whydidnt]

Here's the deal though....within 10 days they can choose to put Burroughs back on the 40-man. Given how Franky has pitched so far, can you really blame them for wanting to keep their bullpen full tonight?

 

If my understanding of the rules is correct, in the next ten days Morneau could end up retroactively on the DL, they could dump a pitcher, they could send Butera back down, or make any other move that frees up a spot on the 25-man and then put Burroughs back on without any consequence (assuming he isn't put on waivers right away).

Are you sure about this? It doesn't make sense. If teams could put the player back on the 40 man without consequence wouldn't the Twins just DFA Mourneau and add him back on Friday when they determine his long term status? It would seem to be a huge loophole. Teams could carry just a couple starters and have the other 3 DFAd and just brought back for their turns, right? I think once you DFA a guy, you have to either waive, trade or release him. If he clears waivers you could re-sign him, but I don't think you can just decide to add him back to the roster without doing one of the other 3 things first.

[spideyo]

Well dammit, it appears that I have been suckered by incorrect wikipedia information. It DOES say on wikipedia that they can return him to the roster, but it doesn't appear that any other source mentions that option.

[Alex]

Are you sure about this? It doesn't make sense. If teams could put the player back on the 40 man without consequence wouldn't the Twins just DFA Mourneau and add him back on Friday when they determine his long term status? It would seem to be a huge loophole. Teams could carry just a couple starters and have the other 3 DFAd and just brought back for their turns, right? I think once you DFA a guy, you have to either waive, trade or release him. If he clears waivers you could re-sign him, but I don't think you can just decide to add him back to the roster without doing one of the other 3 things first.

To be DFA'd you'd have to clear waivers first. The reason he needs to clear waivers is that he is out of minor league options. So, if he clears waivers he can then be assigned wherever. I'm not sure about the 40 man roster spot. I think if he's got a ML contract I don't think he can be removed 40 man can he?

[Riverbrian]

Sean is a recovering drug addict, singles hitting third basemen who is currently not hitting singles. I don't believe anyone will be knocking at the door during the waiver period. Just a hunch.

 

Rochester will be his next stop. Unless he decides to go back to his Las Vegas Nicolas Cage impersonation from a few years ago.

[CDog]

Sean is a recovering drug addict, singles hitting third basemen who is currently not hitting singles. I don't believe anyone will be knocking at the door during the waiver period. Just a hunch.

 

Rochester will be his next stop. Unless he decides to go back to his Las Vegas Nicolas Cage impersonation from a few years ago.

Wow. That didn't seem like your style. Yuck.

[Bark's Lounge]

Wow. That didn't seem like your style. Yuck.

My sentiments exaxtly.

[Riverbrian]

Remember when everyone was pretty pleased with the Twins bench? Way back in early April? Remember that? That was awesome.

We had options albeit not amazing options but better options than 2011 and now we have next to none and we just got through April. If May continues at this pace our Roster will have 14 pitchers and 4 catchers and 6 people who may go on the DL but end up just missing a week here or there. What the hell happened... The TR and Gardy show need better writers because this plot sucks.

 

This team needs direction and I'm not sure they know what direction to go in the short term. Benefit of the doubt that the long term plan is rock solid.

 

On the outside it looks like too many cooks right now. TR is making a fruit salad and Gardy is convincing him that it needs Oregeno or something.

[Bark's Lounge]

My sentiments exaxtly.

Oops. "Exactly".

[Bark's Lounge]

We had options albeit not amazing options but better options than 2011 and now we have next to none and we just got through April. If May continues at this pace our Roster will have 14 pitchers and 4 catchers and 6 people who may go on the DL but end up just missing a week here or there. What the hell happened... The TR and Gardy show need better writers because this plot sucks.

 

This team needs direction and I'm not sure they know what direction to go in the short term. Benefit of the doubt that the long term plan is rock solid.

 

On the outside it looks like too many cooks right now. TR is making a fruit salad and Gardy is convincing him that it needs Oregeno or something.

There is no need to get upset, We can all watch the Twins for **** sakes and angel food cakes, but in truth, the Twins are 6 feet under.

[Riverbrian]

Wow. That didn't seem like your style. Yuck.

Yeah, that was a left turn. To keep the left turn going to 360 degrees. I was just making an aggressive point that this was a pretty safe DFA. Ill be surprised if the Orioles are a looking for a phone number.

 

I like Sean... I'm seriously pulling for him. Hope he keeps clean and I hope baseball helps him do just that. I want someone on the roster to push Velencia but that concept doesn't work if the only PA's he gets are cold off the bench against upper 90's closers.

 

Its May 1 only... Hughes 10 at bats and Burroughs 17 at bats and they are gone. The bench has been cleared and up comes Butera with his .178.

 

Meanwhile... Only 3 Twins have an on base percentage over .325. So the obvious answer is cut the guys with 27 at bats combined. This is messed up. How big a finger is needed for this dyke.

 

I lost a little faith today. I'm gonna have to try and walk it off. Right now I'm just left turning until I'm dizzy.

[StormJH1]

I can't be "upset", really, with giving up on a player that never figured to have a significant role (same way I felt about Hughes), but I'm a little confused by it. What was the number, 18 PA's? And about a third of those were pinch hits. Granted, there's a good chance he'd be hitting .220 or less with average defense had he played everyday (or even only against righties). But we never really gave him that chance. It just seems like guys like Mike Lamb and Tony Batista got longer looks than Burroughs did, and those were better teams than this one.

 

I'm not one of those guys that says "cut Valencia", but I applaud them for at least trying to press him a little by threatening a platoon situation. But that strategy ended before it ever really started, apparently.

[Gernzy]

Biggest suprise is we only have one 3B in Valencia. Carroll could get some time over there, might mean another infielder coming up.

[Top Gun]

Time to pickup Bobby Abreu and get a real bat in the lineup.

[Riverbrian]

I can't be "upset", really, with giving up on a player that never figured to have a significant role (same way I felt about Hughes), but I'm a little confused by it. What was the number, 18 PA's? And about a third of those were pinch hits. Granted, there's a good chance he'd be hitting .220 or less with average defense had he played everyday (or even only against righties). But we never really gave him that chance. It just seems like guys like Mike Lamb and Tony Batista got longer looks than Burroughs did, and those were better teams than this one.

 

I'm not one of those guys that says "cut Valencia", but I applaud them for at least trying to press him a little by threatening a platoon situation. But that strategy ended before it ever really started, apparently.

I agree with you completely. In the end... Burroughs doesn't matter... The odds were against him. He isn't George Brett. In the end... Drew Butera doesn't matter... He won't play much.

 

What I'm walking off is the cutting of players who didn't play which has led to the cementing of players who are not performing. I'm losing faith because of that.

 

Im also walking this off. Somewhere in this thread... Someone mentioned that Burroughs could have been sent to AAA out of spring training. This is a spot on assessment. He was signed to a minor league deal.Burroughs made this team for a reason and 17 at bats later the direction changed again.

 

And here comes Butera. The backup catcher insurance meanwhile we have no insurance at the other positions.

 

I just lost some faith in the front office and it really has nothing to do with Burroughs as a player.