Article: Twins Add Six Players To 40-Man Roster

[Seth Stohs]

As is necessary every year at this time, the Twins had to add players to their 40-man roster today or potentially lose them in the Rule 5 draft. The Twins today added six players to the roster. They were pitchers Fernando Romero and Felix Jorge, outfielders Zack Granite and Daniel Palka, shortstop Engelb Vielma and catcher Mitch Garver.

 

Earlier in the day, we learned that Trevor Plouffe was placed on outright waivers and has become a free agent. Also, Juan Centeno was outrighted. Adam Brett Walker was also placed on waivers and claimed by his hometown Milwaukee Brewers. In a message to me, he called the news “Bittersweet, but exciting to be going home for sure.”Fernando Romero has the most electric stuff of any pitcher in the Twins system. He returned in May after missing about two years of playing time due to Tommy John surgery and a knee surgery. He works with an upper-90s fastball and a three-to-four-pitch mix (depending on the day).

 

No surprise that the Twins added catcher Mitch Garver to the roster. He has steadily moved up the Twins ladder while watching his stock improve as his work behind the plate has improved. He can hit, provide some power, and now he has become a good backstop.

 

Felix Jorge was left unprotected last year. After a strong showing in Ft. Myers, and a solid 11 starts in Chattanooga, they would not have been able to do the same this year. The lanky right-hander has a smooth delivery, making his 91-93 mph fastball jump on hitters. He attacks the zone and mixes three good pitches.

 

Defensive-whiz Engelb Vielma was also added to the 40-man roster. He missed time twice with injuries in 2016, but he hit enough to warrant inclusion on the roster. Defense is where he will make his money, but he’ll still need to show that he can hit enough.

 

Outfielder Daniel Palka hit 35 home runs in 2016 between Chattanooga and Rochester. Like Walker, Palka struck out a lot at AAA. He came to the Twins a year ago in exchange for Chris Herrmann. He was the Twins Daily choice for Minor League Hitter of the Year.

 

Zack Granite was the Twins choice for Minor League Player of the Year. For Chattanooga the outfielder hit .295/.347/.382 (.729) with 18 doubles, eight triples and four home runs. He also led all minor leaguers with 56 stolen bases.

 

Earlier in the week, I ranked the eligible playersin terms of likeliness for players to be selected. However, there are several players, as there are every year, who will have a chance to be selected in the Rule 5 draft at the Winter Meetings on December 8th. Players who would likely be the most vulnerable include catcher Stuart Turner, Pitchers left unprotected include DJ Baxendale, Aaron Slegers, Ryan Eades, Dereck Rodriguez, and Jason Wheeler.

 

The Minnesota Twins 40-Man roster is now at 39. They could add a player in the Rule 5 Draft if they choose to do so.

 

Feel free to share your thoughts on the Twins roster changes today.

 

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[Lee-The-Twins-Fan]

It's interesting they kept Danny Santana. I would have dropped him.

Once Granite makes it to the MLB team, it'll give the Twins an elite defensive outfield, with Buxton, Kepler, Rosario and the speedy Granite, with Palka possible too.

I look forward to seeing Vielma playing SS.

 

[Homer Hanky]

Really wish Santana would find a new home... 

 

What are the chances DJ gets taken? 

[BK432]

I echo the above commenters that I see little value in hanging on to Danny Santana, but they have protected the guys who matter most. Today is a victory, smart moves.

[Monkeypaws]

Excellent adds

[NIATwinsFan]

Yay, I was hoping for a open spot on the 40 man so that Twins could pick first in the Rule 5 draft. That is if they don't fill it with a trade or free agent. Makes sense, the new brain trust said in the Q&A when they were introduced that they explore all avenues for pitching. I hope they would take the best prospect regardless of position though. Or maybe they could use the first pick as a bargaining chip in a trade.

Time to start a Rule 5 thread. ☺

[Thrylos]

Grossman, D. Santana, Boshers, O'Rourke being there puzzles me.  I'd rather see Baxendale, Goodrum, and Wheeler (plus a spot) in those positions. 

 

Things will change by the Rule 5, but, I'd rather lose those 4, that the 3 I mentioned.

[Cory Engelhardt]

The twins do have the first pick in the rule 5 draft, right?

[jud6312]

Can't disagree with anyone added to the 40 today. And as others have said, just because guys like DanSan, O'Rourke, Grossman are there now it doesnt' mean they will be when the season starts.

 

Who is everybody questioning not being added?

 

After his return from the DL, Jones seemed to have good numbers and I was hopeful he'd be added. But maybe that injury will make people steer clear.

[Rosterman]

I'm sure we are all going to be mad with the Twins Rule 5 (and it may be losses) when we had names like Boshers and Grossman, not to mention a couple more borderline pitchers, still on the 40-man. t this point, with the bullpen of 2017, I would rather put stock in someone like Baxendale. But, we wait and see!

 

[Danchat]

I forgot about the Rule 5 Draft, the Twins can definitely fill that final 40 man spot with a solid guy.

 

So does anyone think any of our unprotected guys will get claimed? Any Zach Jones-esque guys?

[Thrylos]

 

After his return from the DL, Jones seemed to have good numbers and I was hopeful he'd be added. But maybe that injury will make people steer clear.

 

He is out for the season; shoulder surgery

Edited November 19, 2016 by Thrylos

[Seth Stohs]

 

Really wish Santana would find a new home... 

 

What are the chances DJ gets taken? 

 

People need to remember that the Twins can still make trades and sign free agents. If they sign free agents they need to DFA someone off the 40-man roster. They can't DFA the guys they just added, so they have to have some guys on the 40-man roster that can be dropped. Santana (in my mind) is certainly in that category.

[Seth Stohs]

 

The twins do have the first pick in the rule 5 draft, right?

 

Correct.

[Eephus]

Phil Miller has taken this opportunity to declare that he's tired of typing Adam Walker's middle name. "And Adam Walker, a corner outfielder who has hit at least 25 home runs in each of the past four minor league seasons, has been claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers."

 

I'm ok with Adam Walker from here on out.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Phil Miller has taken this opportunity to declare that he's tired of typing Adam Walker's middle name. "And Adam Walker, a corner outfielder who has hit at least 25 home runs in each of the past four minor league seasons, has been claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers."

 

I'm ok with Adam Walker from here on out.

 

First time I met him was in Cedar Rapids in 2013. I did ask him what he preferred, and he said Adam Brett Walker, so I'll always go with that... until he tells me differently.

[mikelink45]

We are in a new world - I know all that has been written about Plouffe, but I did not see him being released this early in the process!

I am hoping that we regret Adam Bret Walker.  I think we have underestimated his ability and it would be great to see him break out and prove the team wrong.  Good luck Adam.  

[kab21]

Stuart Turner is the surprise for me on this list. the Twins have no catching depth. I have always been a pessimist about Turner though. He kept getting mentioned as promising catching prospect but he has never been able to hit. Still he could have been a 30+ game backup or emergency depth when an inevitable injury happens.

 

lol at the Danny Santana comments. Why couldn't he be remotely competent hitter? His IF/OF up the middle versatility is quite useful on a roster with 4 bench players but he just can't hit. 

[beckmt]

Would rather have seen Thorpe kept, as I regard him as the most likely lost, you can always stash a pitcher on a bad ballclub.

I do not remember seeing Turner being listed in Seth's top 50, so I am guessing the Twins brass did not see enough progress either.

Santana may be one of the utility options if Dozier is traded, so he needed to be kept.  Rest where little surprise and were what I felt was the best line.

[Homer Hanky]

 

Grossman, D. Santana, Boshers, O'Rourke being there puzzles me.  I'd rather see Baxendale, Goodrum, and Wheeler (plus a spot) in those positions. 

 

Things will change by the Rule 5, but, I'd rather lose those 4, that the 3 I mentioned.

yeah.. why in the world are Santana, Boshers, and O Rourke still on the 40... *Grossman maybe but, id rather see Granite take the 4th spot... 

[jud6312]

 

Stuart Turner is the surprise for me on this list. the Twins have no catching depth. I have always been a pessimist about Turner though. He kept getting mentioned as promising catching prospect but he has never been able to hit. Still he could have been a 30+ game backup or emergency depth when an inevitable injury happens.

 

lol at the Danny Santana comments. Why couldn't he be remotely competent hitter? His IF/OF up the middle versatility is quite useful on a roster with 4 bench players but he just can't hit. 

Versatile, yes. But he's not particularly good at any of those positions either.

[DocBauer]

yeah.. why in the world are Santana, Boshers, and O Rourke still on the 40... *Grossman maybe but, id rather see Granite take the 4th spot...

 

Not sure I have THE answer, but my answer would be two fold:

 

1* As Seth stated, you need guys on the roster you can delete via trades and FA signings, and you can't delete guys just added.

 

2* The Twins still need to field a competent team next season. Arguements could be made against keeping D Santana, but Boshers actually pitched pretty well when healthy, and O'Rourke has been solid when used right. Grossman has a useful bat.

 

Of course, a month from now, this could all be a moot point anyway.

[DocBauer]

I get not protecting Turner. He still has some potential as a hitter...some power, doesn't completely stink as a hitter, makes some contact, reportedly works counts, etc...but even playing a premium position, I doubt another team drafts him or stashes him all season.

[Miraclebat]

 

Versatile, yes. But he's not particularly good at any of those positions either.

Agree!  Terrible infield defense and would anyone disagree that he is average to below average in the outfield?  Never really hit in the minors.  Except for a good 2-3 month run 2+ years ago, never hit in the majors.  This is a head scratcher.

[Miraclebat]

 

We are in a new world - I know all that has been written about Plouffe, but I did not see him being released this early in the process!

I am hoping that we regret Adam Bret Walker.  I think we have underestimated his ability and it would be great to see him break out and prove the team wrong.  Good luck Adam.  

Not seeing the sense in the outright release of Walker.  Toss him into a trade (if any) and he could have been the difference in making the trade or not.  The fact that he got gobbled up right away might lead one to believe that others thought there was value there.  It is all about what OTHER teams think ....in trades.

[The Wise One]

 

Not seeing the sense in the outright release of Walker.  Toss him into a trade (if any) and he could have been the difference in making the trade or not.  The fact that he got gobbled up right away might lead one to believe that others thought there was value there.  It is all about what OTHER teams think ....in trades.

Pretty limiting on trades for Walker. If waivers go through AL teams first, nobody wanted him.  5 NL teams also in need of power and players passed.

[GMinTraining]

 

Pretty limiting on trades for Walker. If waivers go through AL teams first, nobody wanted him.  5 NL teams also in need of power and players passed.

Piazza went through 62 rounds before somebody drafted him.  Just takes one team.  That being said - Hopefully he continues to mash while dropping his K rate.   He's never not mashed is what he has going for him despite the claim that he will eventually stumble -

"The pitcher friendly Florida State League will eat him up" - yet he hit 10 more homers than any other player in the league and 20 more rbi.

 

"The minor league's best pitchers talent wise are in AA" - yet he hit 31 home runs and 106 rbi to set Chattanooga franchise records.  (21 home runs in the 1st half of season and before those talented arms got promoted to AAA)

 

"The pitchers in AAA know how to pitch and he won't be able to sustain his power numbers as they hit their spots against him" - yet he finishes 2nd in AAA in home runs (27) and 3rd in rbi.

 

Just saying - It only takes 1 club to truly believe in you.  Good luck ABW II

[Mr. Brooks]

Pretty limiting on trades for Walker. If waivers go through AL teams first, nobody wanted him. 5 NL teams also in need of power and players passed.

I don't believe waivers go by league anymore now that the season is over.

[BK432]

 

People need to remember that the Twins can still make trades and sign free agents. If they sign free agents they need to DFA someone off the 40-man roster. They can't DFA the guys they just added, so they have to have some guys on the 40-man roster that can be dropped. Santana (in my mind) is certainly in that category.

 

Yeah, thanks for this reminder. I would guess a couple trades could happen before Rule 5, so if you don't have guys you can DFA you're kinda screwed.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Grossman, D. Santana, Boshers, O'Rourke being there puzzles me.  I'd rather see Baxendale, Goodrum, and Wheeler (plus a spot) in those positions. 

 

Things will change by the Rule 5, but, I'd rather lose those 4, that the 3 I mentioned.

 

Tad bit surprised about Walker, but then again, I pretty much expected his name on this list next year. 

 

These guys can get DFAd at any time, though, correct?  The biggest challenge this week was protecting the guys that needed protecting.  No reason to DFA a guy when you only need to clear 6 spots for the Rule 5.