Article: Twins Roster Projection 2017: Version 2.0

[Riverbrian]

Starters: It looks pretty locked in right now... Santana, Santiago, Gibson, Hughes and May. The Twins won't cut Santiago, Gibson or Hughes and the May saga needs to end.

 

I don't have a problem with Berrios starting in the minors... If he performs... he will be up soon because somebody is going to tweak something. 

 

But... Please... Please... Please... I beg Falvey/Lavine/Antony/Molitor/Some People to be extremely intolerant of poor pitching performance. If any of those guys are sitting with ERA's in the 5... DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT and be QUICK ABOUT IT. Don't just sit there and let it happen. 

 

Bullpen: It looks like Perkins may start on the DL so that means... Kinzler to close with Pressly and Belisle or setting up. Chargois will be next in line to one of those top three spots if he performs. Rogers is in and Haley will most likely be stashed here unless the Twins pull off a trade.

 

That leaves one spot to compete for in my mind. No idea who it will be but I assume he will most likely be left handed. 

 

Catcher: Castro and... I don't know. It's nice to have options. I've never seen him but I'm hopeful for Garver in the future so I hope he is the #1 in Rochester. I would love to see the Twins develop a catcher and Garver is that hope right now. I'd rather he play the lead role with the Red Wings instead of a backup role in Minnesota. 

 

2B/SS: Dozier of course at 2B and SS is the only real interesting spot to be determined.

 

If Polanco has "some people" still in the organization that doubt his ability to handle SS defensively... I think they are still speaking up. Why stop now because after all...  Polanco didn't prove anybody wrong playing SS in the bigs. If Adrianaza is the defensive talent that people say he is... I think the Twins may end up with him starting at SS with Polanco moving into a utility role. This decision will become easier to make if Polanco doesn't calm nerves with the glove down in Ft. Myers or if Adrianaza shows anything at all with the bat. If Polanco has any kind of sophomore slump at the plate... His defense won't save him either. 

 

IF/OF 25th Man utility spot: If Adrianaza comes north... this potentially moves Escobar into this spot and he replaces Santana... Escobar has played a little outfield so this wouldn't be totally crazy. If Adrianaza goes to Rochester... Escobar will be backing up in the infield and Santana is once again this guy. Kind of a catch 22... if you want Santana gone... cheer for Adrianaza... however... Adrianaza may push Polanco into less playing time. Go ahead and sing the song... "You can't always get what you want" You can't always get what you want" but if you try sometimes... 

 

OF: Buxton, Rosario, Kepler, Grossman. I'll go on record as saying... I sure wish we had a proven MLB'er to join this group. That's a lot of talent that has yet to establish itself. I don't think a proven MLB'er is gonna show up so that's the group. Grossman or Escobar/Santana will have to step into a spot if Rosario or Kepler tank and tanking can't be discounted. We are talking about youth here... it happens all the time. Clearly I am not part of the "they are going to lose anyway crowd". I'm part of the "Damn it... perform like your career depends on it" crowd. 

 

DH: If everything goes swimmingly with Buxton, Rosario or Kepler. Grossman hit enough to be strongly considered for DH duties and I'm not sold that Molitor is just going to hand that job to Vargas. I don't really want Grossman in the OF but I don't want him sitting on the bench after the way he performed at the plate. You don't cut one of your better 2016 bats and you gotta find him at-bats. I'll be watching how Molitor juggles this. Molitor has to do a better job in 2017 and I hope he lets the players decide on the field.

 

1B/3B: Mauer, Sano and Vargas -- Done Deal unless the Twins sign Morneau or something. Park has to earn his way back up and wait for injury or Vargas failure. 

 

I only see 3 spots open...

 

1. Bullpen

2. Backup Catcher

3. SS (Starter or Backup)

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Doomtints]

 

Is there any chance that Garver could take the starting role in the future (possibly late 2017 or 2018-2019)? Castro has his strengths, but if Garver could be an offensive upgrade and still be decent defensively he could be even more valuable. At the very least Castro shouldn't hit against lefties very often, his batting line is horrendous.

 

I think it's very possible.

[Thrylos]

I took a first cut at a projected Twins 25 man roster, using these 3 criteria:

 

• The new Front Office is looking for veteran leadership in the clubhouse
• Defense is very important for the new front office
• Players who chose to play in the WBC over fighting a position battle during ST, will be at a disadvantage

Here is the result, and it looks a bit different.  Of course without a single pitch or plate appearance in a game yet, I am sure that I will change my mind on the matter...

 

Again, this is not what I would do, it is trying to guess what the Twins will do...

Edited February 23, 2017 by Thrylos

[Det95Twins]

I don't see May getting the 5th starter position.  Berrios will start the season in AAA but will come up quickly.  He should be groomed to be a closer.  I think it ironic to call Adrianza a 13th hitter as he's never hit anywhere.  I'd keep Santana over Grossman because of his ability to play multiple positions and speed.  I think the Cleveland Connection will go with Gimenez over Garver.  I'd prefer to have Escobar at SS--at least he's adequate.  Polanco is an awful SS and can fill in for Dozier at 2B a few times a month.  It's time to put the most competitive team on the field and, for me, that means sitting Mauer.  A .270/10/65 guy with average defense has less upside than Park or Vargas, both of whom could hit 30-40 HRs and drive in more runs.  I'd go with a lineup of 1.  Buxton CF, 2.  Escobar SS, 3. Dozier 2B, 4. Sano 3B, 5. Park 1B, 6. Vargas DH, 7. Kepler RF, 8. Castro/Gimenez C and 9. Rosario LF.  SP are Santana, Hughes, Santiago and Gibson with Berrios called up early when a 5th starter is needed.