Article: Surprises Mark Twins Opening Day Roster

[puckstopper1]

 

So the plan to rest Mauer more early in the season is by carrying no one else as the back-up first baseman? I hope Danny Santana bought a first baseman's glove from Sports Authority's clearance sale last fall.

Agreed Wooly!  This is something I've been mentioning as well.  Without Park or Vargas on the roster, and with Castro also being a left handed hitter, (so Gimenez replaces him against tough lefties), it mean more Mauer.  Unless you play Grossman,  Santana (both who have not played first in MLB prior or Sano out of position.

[Deduno Abides]

I'm surprised by the strongly negative reactions. The biggest or only change from expectations a few days ago is that Mejia (or Duffey) made the team instead of Park. While I think that lowers the ability to rest Mauer, it's only for a few weeks, probably, and Mauer hasn't needed as much rest early in the season. Mejia is ready to be #5, Duffey should really strengthen the bullpen, and Park will be up soon enough if he hits in AAA like he did in spring training. It's not like these decisions will cause a loss of eight wins. In fact, there could be a theory that the slotting of Mejia and Duffey will have beneficial effects on other pitchers and cause an increase in wins.

[Taildragger8791]

 

If you can't trust 60% of your rotation to give you 5 innings, there are much bigger issues to be solved.

Too bad we shipped off a guy like Meyer for no reason, he would actually be a guy I would like to see compete for the 5th spot this year.

 

Alex Meyer, the one with a 7.20 ERA and 2.20 WHIP in spring training for the Angels this year? That Alex Meyer?

[Mike Sixel]

 

I'm surprised by the strongly negative reactions. The biggest or only change from expectations a few days ago is that Mejia (or Duffey) made the team instead of Park. While I think that lowers the ability to rest Mauer, it's only for a few weeks, probably, and Mauer hasn't needed as much rest early in the season. Mejia is ready to be #5, Duffey should really strengthen the bullpen, and Park will be up soon enough if he hits in AAA like he did in spring training. It's not like these decisions will cause a loss of eight wins. In fact, there could be a theory that the slotting of Mejia and Duffey will have beneficial effects on other pitchers and cause an increase in wins.

 

You know, meeting expectations is sometimes negative....

[Danchat]

My thoughts:

I actually like the 13 pitcher decision. Duffey belongs in the bullpen, and I like Mejia in the rotation. The rotation is bad enough so that they'll need 8 relievers.

 

Hate the Park decision. Everyone knows he deserves that DH spot. He better be back soon. Grossman as DH and Santana as 4OF is a bad setup. Not convinced Adrianza will replace DanSan when healthy.

 

This looks like another 90+ loss season. With the news about friction between the new regime and molly, it's incredibly clear molitor needs to go. Not a big fan of falvey/Levine so far, but I'm more concerned about how they draft and develop players. It's gonna be a long season.

[Taildragger8791]

 

The Gimenez move is baffling. Not sure why they don't trust JRM in a backup role.

 

I think of a little under .200 reasons why JRM wasn't entrusted with the backup role. The backup catcher spot is pretty far down the list of reasons this opening day roster confuses me.

 

I'll wait to get too riled up until games are played and we see how the roster shakes out over the first month. But I also don't buy into the idea that the opening day roster doesn't matter. As we found out last year the games count in the first week as much as they do in the last week. I'm going to be seriously disappointed if we start out losing big with a bunch of uncompetitive games, ending yet another season before April is over.

[bighat]

What a slap in the face for Park.  What this tells me is that Favine must think pretty very, very, VERY highly of Grossman.  Guess we'll see. 

[KirbyHawk75]

Seriously, we might DH Danny Santana? I cannot believe that at all.

 

I am very disappointed and confused that Park did not make the big league roster. I am guessing we will see him by June.

 

What is wrong with Vargas? What is his injury?

 

When you have a mediocre at best rotation, you have to have 13 pitchers on the roster which is frustrating, but the way it is.

[Buddy Holly]

Was the real reason Park was sent to AAA, because Molitor and DaT couldn't agree on keeping Haley? Molitors compromise with the Whiz kids was to keep Duffey for long relief. DaT trying to work out a trade for Haley? His statement "short term" seems to indicate more moves before Monday. 

They need to find a defensive 4th outfielder on waivers.

[DocBauer]

I just threw up a little bit in my mouth.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Was the real reason Park was sent to AAA, because Molitor and DaT couldn't agree on keeping Haley? Molitors compromise with the Whiz kids was to keep Duffey for long relief. DaT trying to work out a trade for Haley? His statement "short term" seems to indicate more moves before Monday. 

They need to find a defensive 4th outfielder on waivers.

 

I can't see the OF thing happening, they have Grossman and Santana on the roster. Who would that additional OF replace?

 

It is certainly possible they are working on a Haley trade, but if so, why announce moves now?

[Mike Sixel]

 

I just threw up a little bit in my mouth.

 

better than on your monitor, or so I'm led to believe.

[Eris]

Related to JRM discussions.  Hicks loses right field position battle to Aaron Judge.

 

http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2017/03/yankees_aaron_judge_vs_aaron_hicks_the_final_argum.html

[clone52]

 

Let's recall, just 20 or 30 days ago, they DFA'd Park. In some ways, not letting ST change their mind is good...

 

As for not getting younger, Berrios and Chargois and Murphy are off the roster, two of whom were replaced by older players that won't be here in 2 years, maybe 1, maybe only a few months.

 

Here is who they added:
Castro, Gimenez, Belisle, Breslow, Haley, Mejia.

 

I don't think Gimenez, Belisle, and Breslow will be on the next good team this team fields. They aren't exactly young. Castro might be, but he's not spring chicken (to be clear, I like the signing, but he will be a backup in 2 years probably).

 

Haley is the annual rule V pick that can't be cut no matter how bad he is, even if there are guys in the minors about as good. We can hope that this time it turns out.

 

Mejia is the one young guy they really added, but his upside is number 4 starter, more likely he is a nice innings eater and a 4/5. 

 

So, where is the upside? Where are the risks? Where did they get younger? 

 

The fact that they are young has nothing to do with this FO, they inherited a young team. Where did this FO take a risk on a young player with upside?

 

Berrios and Chargois will be called up eventually.  The logic to send Berrios down made sense.  Need more innings.  The logic on Chargois is debateable.  On the one hand, you could just let him pitch in the majors.  On the other, you might run the risk of ruining him if he gets devoured.  What if he was having command problems with one of his pitches and just needed to work through it.  A few weeks in the minors makes sense.

 

 

[Taildragger8791]

 

Related to JRM discussions.  Hicks loses right field position battle to Aaron Judge.

 

http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2017/03/yankees_aaron_judge_vs_aaron_hicks_the_final_argum.html

 

As if it was even a competition when to pit Hicks against a 6-foot-7 275-lb slugger with the name "Judge".

[GP830]

 

Remarkable spring, almost like Greek tragedy.

 

Falvey tries to exile two soldiers from the old regime. Surprisingly, Park and Wimmers not only clear waivers but each has an excellent spring. Falvey's hubris blinds him to their success and they are sent to the bush.

 

Adrianze gets hurt, allowing his new favorite son DanSan to remain on the roster. Adrianze will be exiled for 30 days, after which Falvey may have him reinjured so that he remains in the bush. 

 

Falvey's lust requires a large harem of pitchers. Early on, Haley caught his eye. He paid a small price for him, though his previous owner required Falvey keep him nearby lest he be taken back. Usually, this means sending a different pitcher away. But Falvey loved pitchers, so he kept every one (except Berrios, the darling of the old regime and all the land).

 

Field General Molitor is unhappy with the new regime. Falvey is aware of Molitor's anger but cannot remove him for one year. Instead, he hires his old friend, Lieutenant Gimenez, to guard the harem.

 

But what will happen when the war begins?

 

End of Act I

 

Meanwhile at TD, the Greek chorus sings...

That was beautiful and oh so sad. It lacked the DanSan's Oedipal tendencies towards Molitor and Falvine but I suspect that's Act II?

[Mike Sixel]

 

Berrios and Chargois will be called up eventually.  The logic to send Berrios down made sense.  Need more innings.  The logic on Chargois is debateable.  On the one hand, you could just let him pitch in the majors.  On the other, you might run the risk of ruining him if he gets devoured.  What if he was having command problems with one of his pitches and just needed to work through it.  A few weeks in the minors makes sense.

 

I was responding to the comments that they didn't get younger, nothing more or less than that. a 103 loss team got older, not younger. The youth on this roster were all inherited. that's all that post was about. 

[Circus Boy]

 

Was it Falvey or Levine who said earlier in spring, "we will carry 12 pitchers."

It seemed like a firm decision at the time.

 

Have to remember that a couple of our guys are only half the pitchers they used to be.

[GP830]

 

That was beautiful and oh so sad. It lacked the DanSan's Oedipal tendencies towards Molitor and Falvine but I suspect that's Act II?

DanSAntigone would have been a good name for me to use, but I missed the opportunity. Maybe someday.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Have to remember that a couple of our guys are only half the pitchers they used to be.

 

So, it is like FTE at work? 12 employees working 75% of the time is only 8 FTE? cool!

[Respy]

Well, um, well...sigh.  One of my biggest concerns for this season was the development of Sano.  And I was hoping we could put a power threat behind him for protection.  With Vargas out for the foreseeable future...then...?  I think Molitor is still tinkering with lineups, but seeing Jason Castro hit behind Sano today is extremely disappointing.

[Respy]

Plus, chicks dig the long ball!  How am I supposed to ever get my wife interested in baseball if we don't get to see any Park Bangs?

[drjim]

 

I was responding to the comments that they didn't get younger, nothing more or less than that. a 103 loss team got older, not younger. The youth on this roster were all inherited. that's all that post was about. 

 

They should get older. Their young core wasn't going anywhere and it all aged a year. Trading someone like Dozier would have made them even older. Santana likely too.

[Doomtints]

Twins won't be playing a game in a warm city until the 24th. As Molitor suggested, having 13 pitchers on the roster is only temporary.

 

If having 13 pitchers reduces the misery of the players playing in the cold and thus reduces the misery of the Twins W-L record, Molitor will be touted as a genius. 

 

Temps in the 40s and 50s aren't a big deal to us, but the team has been in Florida for the past few months.

 

As for Park starting in the minors, raise your hand if you didn't predict that happening. All of the moves over the past few months pointed in this direction. 

 

As for Santana/Escobar still being around, sure it's not great. But again, we all should have predicted it.

 

 

Edited March 30, 2017 by Doomtints

[Doomtints]

 

 

Plus, chicks dig the long ball!  How am I supposed to ever get my wife interested in baseball if we don't get to see any Park Bangs?

 

Not many balls will be flying out of the park when the temp is 48.

[Don't Feed the Greed Guy]

Baseball's equivalent of punting on first down.

[Mike Sixel]

 

They should get older. Their young core wasn't going anywhere and it all aged a year. Trading someone like Dozier would have made them even older. Santana likely too.

 

trading Santana and putting Mejia or Berrios in his place as the plan would have made them older? 

 

Let me be more clear, the people this FO added are older players, not younger players. I'm not sure how I failed to make that clear, but hopefully now I have. This FO added older players, not younger players. And they tried to sign a 30 something DH, to make it even older.

[Respy]

I just realized that the Twins are playing the Red Wings tomorrow.   So, think Park will be playing?  I'm not sure how they usually construct these minor league spring training lineups.

 

 

[Respy]

 

Not many balls will be flying out of the park when the temp is 48.

 

I see 58 for Tuesday.  Gorgeous!

[alarp33]

 

Not many balls will be flying out of the park when the temp is 48.

 

Back to back posts, 1 where your assertion is its cold so lots of pitchers are needed (even though there are two off days in the 1st 8 days), and then the 2nd post says you can't hit home runs if its cold.