Article: Roster Cuts, Keystone Cops & Never Saying Never

[John Bonnes]

To quote Halsey Hall: “Holy Cow!” It was a big day in Fort Myers with early roster cuts, an exciting win over the Blue Jays, and of course the big Brian Dozier contract. Let’s catch up on all of them, notes style.

 

Twins Make Roster Cuts

Innings and at-bats are a very valuable commodity. As split-squad games end and as the regulars need more innings to prepare for the season, that commodity becomes scarcer and scarcer.This drives a lot of the cuts that happen towards the end of spring training; the coaching staff just doesn't have room to play a guy, so why keep him in camp? When Stephen Pryor was optioned to Rochester on Monday, Twins General Manager Terry Ryan talked about that. "We had him on the trip [sunday] and he didn't pitch," explained Ryan. "Now it's time. We have to get him going. So we're sending him across the street."

 

The same thing happened today when six more players were removed from the spring training roster. Over the weekend, the Twins needed some extra bodies in camp. They had a split-squad game on Saturday, so they needed to field two teams. On Sunday and Monday they played games in Jupiter and Clearwater, two of the longer road trips they face. A lot of veterans don't go on those trips, so that opened up at-bats and innings for other players.

 

(Incidentally, two people who always DO make that long road trip are the Twins manager and the Twins general manager. Talking to Terry Ryan the other day, he feels very strongly that if he's going to ask the kids to ride three hours across Florida for a game, he should go too, and he says each of the Twins managers since Tom Kelly has felt the same way. Ryan says he has never missed one as GM of the Twins.)

 

So cuts were expected today, and they included relief pitcher AJ Achter, second baseman James Beresford, outfielders Eric Farris and Jose Martinez, first baseman Jose Martinez and catcher Tyler Grimes. You likely don’t recognize most of those names. Only Achter was on the 40-man roster and pitched with the Twins a little last September. Terry Ryan was impressed by Achter this spring, saying ""I think he fared well here," summarized Ryan. “He's behind a couple of other guys but he did a nice job. You'll probably see him through the course of this season at some point, because he's one of those guys that will get down there and get to work."

 

 

Fifth Starter Notes

The Twins revealed yesterday how they're going to handle one more round of "tryouts" for the fifth starter role. The problem was that both Tommy Milone and Trevor May last pitched on Saturday in split-squad games. So both were scheduled to pitch Thursday, but there was no split-squad game. One could pitch in the AAA game, but that would indicate that he was on the outside looking in.

 

Instead, the Twins are bumping May back to Friday. That day's starting pitcher, Phil Hughes, will pitch in the AAA game. So it looks like we'll see May, Milone and Mike Pelfrey starting consecutive games on Thursday through Saturday. That will surely be the last chance for them all to make an impression before final roles are determined.

 

 

Midseason Form

Nick wrote earlier this spring about how much more comfortable Joe Mauer looked playing first base. In today's game, he and Danny Santana turned two 3-6-3 double plays. It was fun to watch.

 

 

Center Field Competition

In the center field competition, Jordan Schafer started in center field and hit his first home run of this spring. It's also notable it came against a southpaw, against whom Schafer has struggled his whole career. Molitor recognized it and talked about it, but thinks Schafer has made improvements against both sides. “The big key for him offensively has been the mechanical changes he has made which has calmed himself down in the batter’s box. It’s a more controlled swing and seeing the ball a little bit longer, but still having enough bat speed to catch it up front.”

 

Eddie Rosario pinch hit for Schafer in the bottom of the ninth with the winning run on second base and drove him in with a single to left-center field. “He’s a guy, for me, that likes those moments,” revealed Molitor after the game. “He’s not intimidated. He watched the guy. He knew he was throwing a lot of off-speed pitches. He kept it in the middle of the field and delivered.”

 

Molitor also talked a little bit about Rosario’s defense in center field. He recognizes Rosario isn’t the best option there defensively, but sounds like he’s comfortable with Rosario as a center fielder due to everything else he brings to the table. “I think he’s more comfortable in center and left than right,” said Molitor. “He doesn’t have the speed of [Aaron] Hicks or Schafer, but I think the fact that he understands the pitch-to-pitch importance, and with how he’s progressing his game - offensively and on the base paths and defensively - he’s obviously good enough to play out there, we think.”

 

That said, Rosario hasn’t played in center field since Thursday. From this morning’s lineup, it looked like he would play center field in the later innings, but he didn't, only coming into the game in the bottom of the ninth.

 

For what it's worth, Molitor sounded like he was much happier with his center field options after today's game than he sounded this weekend.

 

 

The Veterans Get Into The Act, Too

Besides getting a lifetime’s worth of financial security, Brian Dozier also got a home run on his first pitch today, giving the Twins an early lead. Later, as the friend to whom I was talking was disparaging the Torii Hunter signing, Hunter deposited a hanging off-speed pitch into the bleachers.

 

 

Ouch

Brian Duensing was hit in the thigh by a comebacker in the seventh inning and had to leave the game. “That’s something that is going to tighten up very quickly, so I had to get him out of there,” explained Molitor. “I think he’s going to be fine. He’s going to be a little sore.”

 

 

The Game

Oh yeah, there was a game that the Twins won 6-5 in the bottom of the ninth after blowing the lead in the top of the ninth. There were a lot of highlights, but there were also several times when they went into full-blown Keystone Cops mode. In the regular season, this would have been a thriller. In spring training, it just looked sloppy.

 

 

One Last Dozier Note

If you’re looking for a recap of the Dozier contract, start here, but I could do a whole second story with all the talk there was after the press conference. Instead, I’ll limit myself to one conversation I had at the end with Damon Lapa, Dozier’s agent. It deserves to be transcribed and published in its entirety, and if I have time later I will, but I wanted to touch on one point specifically. I asked about the possibility of the Twins getting an option year on one of Dozier’s free agency years, because I sensed Dozier’s side really wanted to hit free agency on time.

 

Q: How dead set against an option year in free agency were you guys, or was that something that was somewhat on the table, but it just didn’t work out?

 

A: You never say never. I think you look at anything in the context of the entire offer. So something in the back of the contract that would function as a team option – you don’t strictly rule it out, but you look at it in the totality of everything that is being offered. And in this case, through our discussions back and forth, this proposal just made sense not to attach anything to the back end. But as far as the future, you have to look at every negotiation and the player’s particular situation.”

 

When someone says “You never say never” I usually means “damn near almost never.” So to me that translates as: “If we were going to give a team option for a year of free agency, then we weren’t going to be giving big potential savings.”

 

Personally, I feel the Twins made the right choice. I would rather get Dozier a little cheaper for the next few years than get an option on him when he’s 31 years old. Better to cross the bridge when one comes to it. And for what it's worth, it doesn't sound like Dozier or Lapa are opposed to looking at that in the future.

 

Click here to view the article

[HitInAPinch]

“He’s a guy, for me, that likes those moments,” revealed Molitor after the game. “He’s not intimidated. He watched the guy. He knew he was throwing a lot of off-speed pitches. He kept it in the middle of the field and delivered.”

 

To me, that speaks volumes about Eddie Rosario.  He'd be my starting CF.

[Thrylos]

re: "Keystone Kop moments".  Kinda amazed that Hunter did not get 2 Es in that play (over-running the ball, moving runners to second and third & throwing at RF after that fact, allowing a run to score and moving the other runner to second.)  That was the one "ER" for Graham.

Hamburger did his own dramatics late at the game (with JD Williams a perfect supporting act,) but thankfully Liam Hendricks and Bobby Korecky did their team in

[ashbury]

 

re: "Keystone Kop moments".  Kinda amazed that Hunter did not get 2 Es in that play (over-running the ball, moving runners to second and third & throwing at RF after that fact, allowing a run to score and moving the other runner to second.)  That was the one "ER" for Graham.

Are you sure it was Hunter? I think Williams was in, by then.

[Hrbowski]

I wouldn't be surprised if Schafer won the starting job.

[Yossarian]

I've never understood why more split-squad games aren't scheduled early in Spring Training.  I'm sure I'm missing something subtle here, but when you've got 60 or so guys in camp, why not double-track them?

[jokin]

 

Are you sure it was Hunter? I think Williams was in, by then.

 

JD played the 8th and 9th when the Jays scored their runs.

[mikelink45]

This was one of those columns where I read what was written, thought about it and came away as confused as I began.  Rosario - Hicks - Shafer.  I like Rosario, it sounds like Molitor likes Rosario so only Shafer and Hicks are playing center!  I want Rosario, but I will go to bed totally confused and hope for better in the future.

[jorgenswest]

There is a small chance that Schafer will find some of the promise once projected for him. Brady Anderson, with the help of steroids, did it at his number of plate appearances. It is hard to find many others, but it is worth a shot until June 1. I have to believe that by June 1 one of Hicks, Rosario or even Buxton will be ready to take over. Meanwhile they can be on the watch for another fourth OF type to be DFA'd or go with Robinson as the fourth OF.

 

Schafer and Nunez are the kinds of chances a 90 loss team should take.They can close the book on Nunez soon, but Schafer is worth a two month shot.

[jokin]

 

This was one of those columns where I read what was written, thought about it and came away as confused as I began.  Rosario - Hicks - Shafer.  I like Rosario, it sounds like Molitor likes Rosario so only Shafer and Hicks are playing center!  I want Rosario, but I will go to bed totally confused and hope for better in the future.

 

He seemed to like Schafer, as well.

[Seth Stohs]

I look at it at this point as a 50/50 chance between Hciks and Schafer to be the primary starting CF.

 

I think it all depends on if they feel Hicks can benefit from AAA time. I won't be surprised at all if they go with Schafer as the starting CF with Robinson as the 4th OF.

 

I think Rosario has almost 0% chance of making it for Opening Day, but he's assured that he'll go to Rochester to start the season. He'll likely play LF if Hicks goes down too.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

This was one of those columns where I read what was written, thought about it and came away as confused as I began.  Rosario - Hicks - Shafer.  I like Rosario, it sounds like Molitor likes Rosario so only Shafer and Hicks are playing center!  I want Rosario, but I will go to bed totally confused and hope for better in the future.

i like the optimistic idea of Rosario, but what if he struggles? How will the Twins respond? Quick hook to triple a, or ride it out like Hicks, or somewhere in between? There's a lot of uncertainty there, but the upside of having Rosario with some good MLB experience' being the CF for as long as needed and being the defensive replacement for Arcia in the late innings, or moving Arcia to DH or RF and taking over left when Buxton comes up is really appealing. Realistically, Rosario needs more minor league seasoning before becoming a regular big leaguer.

[Dantes929]

I am not convinced Hicks will ever hit major league pitching from the left side.  What would you consider necessary for him to hit as a lefty in the minors to call him up in June?   Would hitting .280 convince you he is capable of hitting .260 in the majors?   What if he only hits .250 as a lefty in the minors?  I doubt that will convince anyone he can hit .250 in the majors and rightly so.    If he does not bat .280 in the minors and next years outfield is Buxton, Rosario and Arcia then you have wasted his best commodity of platooning against lefties at the time of 2nd most need.    #1 need MIGHT be in a pennant run where he comes in as a platoon guy but what are the odds of the Twins being in a pennant run and that is assuming that Rosario or Buxton don't already own the spot.   Besides which the best odds of them being in a pennant race in the first place is for the players to be used optimally and I don't know how anyone can look at the splits and say the best short term answer for center is not a platoon of Schaeffer/Hicks.    

[stringer bell]

I'd agree with Dante above except for one thing--70-75% of starters throw right handed.  The right handed half of a platoon is a bench player.   Delaying/ending Hicks' development for ten starts the first quarter of the year isn't the right thing to do for a guy with Hicks' tools.  Shane Robinson is a bench player.  If the Twins choose to start Schafer, using their best outfield defender as both Schafer's platoon partner and the fourth outfielder makes good sense.

 

I believe Eddie Rosario is the best prospect among the four center field candidates, but I suspect his future will be in left field.  I hope he gets the first chance to replace Schafer, if it goes that way.  The experience he would gain will be valuable no matter what position he plays this summer. 

Edited March 25, 2015 by stringer bell

[Paul Pleiss]

I sure hope Joe Mauer can find success in 2015. I can't handle another season reading Mauer haters complain on Twins Daily.

[Thrylos]

 

Are you sure it was Hunter? I think Williams was in, by then.

 

Williams did the thing with Hamburger.  The first one was earlier

[USAFChief]

Williams did the thing with Hamburger.  The first one was earlier

Pretty sure the only run scored by Toronto whie Hunter was in the game came on a HR off Noasco. Pretty sure that wasn't Hunter's fault.

[Platoon]

I like Rosario, and he definitely has a future here. But he has not really "forced" himself into the lead in CF. On this team at this time I would start Hicks in CF. Hicks has done the up and down thing often enough. He is old enough that it's time to finalize his standing and value. Whatever it may be. It also gives you a respectable, but not great defensive center fielder. Would Shafer be a little better? Maybe, but for him and Robinson there really is no upside. It is what it is. Hicks can go up, but not really down. This team is not contending, so take that chance, back him up with Shafer, and do whatever with Robinson. Rosario goes down for needed experience and waits for the corner OF to shake itself out.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Pretty sure the only run scored by Toronto whie Hunter was in the game came on a HR off Noasco. Pretty sure that wasn't Hunter's fault.

You are correct, according to MLB Gameday.  Williams replaced Hunter to begin the top of the 8th, and shortly thereafter Graham/Hamburger allowed their runs.

[stringer bell]

I like Rosario, and he definitely has a future here. But he has not really "forced" himself into the lead in CF. On this team at this time I would start Hicks in CF. Hicks has done the up and down thing often enough. He is old enough that it's time to finalize his standing and value. Whatever it may be. It also gives you a respectable, but not great defensive center fielder. Would Shafer be a little better? Maybe, but for him and Robinson there really is no upside. It is what it is. Hicks can go up, but not really down. This team is not contending, so take that chance, back him up with Shafer, and do whatever with Robinson. Rosario goes down for needed experience and waits for the corner OF to shake itself out.

Here's my thing. If no one has forced themselves into the starter's spot, why Hicks? Due to his failure/disappointment the last two years, I think he has forfeited being the incumbent or the default. As a matter of fact, because of his performance in the last two spring trainings and non-correlation to his performance in the regular season, I think he has to show that he has quantifiably and verifiably improved. I don't believe the team can afford to enter the season saying "we can't compete" or "wait 'til next year". I want the best 25 players going north, but sometimes the best player is the one who fits the vacancy. Aaron Hicks doesn't fit a vacancy as backup OF/platoon CF. I agree that Rosario remains a long shot to claim CF, but IMHO he has shown something that indicates that he might be able to skip AAA after being pedestrian at AA. I'd send Hicks down with the message that he has to prove himself to get a third shot. I'd probably send Rosario to Rochester as well with a similar message.

[dxpavelka]

 

I sure hope Joe Mauer can find success in 2015. I can't handle another season reading Mauer haters complain on Twins Daily.

Pretty sure you're going to hear those paste-eaters even if Mauer puts up an MVP season.

[jokin]

 

Pretty sure the only run scored by Toronto whie Hunter was in the game came on a HR off Noasco. Pretty sure that wasn't Hunter's fault.

 

You are correct, according to MLB Gameday.  Williams replaced Hunter to begin the top of the 8th, and shortly thereafter Graham/Hamburger allowed their runs.

 

This is correct.  Unless Hunter pulled a Jose Canseco and the ball bounced off his helmet over the fence, he' off the hook.

[Dr. Evil]

I'm sorta pulling for Rosario in center field with him moving to a corner outfield spot down the road. I wouldn't mind if they took a little pressure off Hicks and made him the 4th outfielder for the time being. Let him settle in there for a bit. Long term I think he will be the 4th OF anyway.

[ashbury]

 

Pretty sure the only run scored by Toronto whie Hunter was in the game came on a HR off Noasco. Pretty sure that wasn't Hunter's fault.

A failure of Mentorin', I'd call it.