Interesting to listen to the KFAN interview of Derek Falvey this AM. Take away that stuck out to me was early in the interview. He said that while everyone is hyper focused on the 25 that head North, it is important to build a roster of 30-35 MLB ready players that you will end up using throughout the year.

Also two players that stuck out as he got to know the team: Gibson and Mejia

 

 

QUICK NOTE: You can listen to that segment on-demand https://www.iheart.com/show/139-Paul-Allen-KFAN-FM-1003/?episode_id=28071173

 

 

 

Interesting to listen to the KFAN interview of Derek Falvey this AM. Take away that stuck out to me was early in the interview. He said that while everyone is hyper focused on the 25 that head North, it is important to build a roster of 30-35 MLB ready players that you will end up using throughout the year.

Also two players that stuck out as he got to know the team: Gibson and Mejia

 

given that 1-2 (? I think?) of the RPs have options, and only 1 of the SPs does, how will that work, exactly? DanSan is out of options, so you can't send him up and down without losing him (hahahahaha). They have no OF depth that is as good as the 3 starters, who would they call up? There are no 3B in AA or AAA. Both catchers on the roster are veterans with no options. Mauer can't be sent down.

 

So, who and how, would they send players up and down, given the actual construction of the 40 man roster?

That strikes me as an obvious point.

 

There is nothing more overrated than the opening day roster. Front offices build for 162.

 

That strikes me as an obvious point.

There is nothing more overrated than the opening day roster. Front offices build for 162.

True dat, but when you look at the roster...in particular our pitching staff...it seems pretty clear that we will have to score a lot of runs to win games.  So, knowing that, why send the guy who can send it into the seats (Park) to AAA?  Robbie Grossman at DH?  I don't see that producing many runs.  I get the "built for 162" thing, but when you start off 0-9, the other 153 are pretty meaningless.

 

True dat, but when you look at the roster...in particular our pitching staff...it seems pretty clear that we will have to score a lot of runs to win games.  So, knowing that, why send the guy who can send it into the seats (Park) to AAA?  Robbie Grossman at DH?  I don't see that producing many runs.  I get the "built for 162" thing, but when you start off 0-9, the other 153 are pretty meaningless.

Another terrible start will ruin my summer. (edit) Again.

Edited March 30, 20179 yr by BoofBonser

There is nothing more overrated than the Opening Day roster. That's why, including Dozier, it's ok to carry five middle infielders on the 25-man.

 

So, no.

True dat, but when you look at the roster...in particular our pitching staff...it seems pretty clear that we will have to score a lot of runs to win games. So, knowing that, why send the guy who can send it into the seats (Park) to AAA? Robbie Grossman at DH? I don't see that producing many runs. I get the "built for 162" thing, but when you start off 0-9, the other 153 are pretty meaningless.

It's definitely a bad roster. Not sure Park moves the needle that much.

Grossman could easily be the best DH option anyways. He hit .828 last year with an elite OBP.

 

Grossman could easily be the best DH option anyways. He hit .828 last year with an elite OBP.

 

I actually agree with this take. I have my doubts, but it is possible.

 

Grossman could easily be the best DH option anyways. He hit .828 last year with an elite OBP.

Could be a true statement.  I wonder if you asked an opposing pitcher who they would rather pitch to, Grossman or Park what they would say?

I haven't listened to the interview, and more than likely I never will.... My friends back home (not Twins Daily members) that have listened to the interview couldn't be more turned off by the Twins this season. They have a lot of anger to overcome with casual fans.... 

Edited March 30, 20179 yr by Vanimal46

 

It's definitely a bad roster. Not sure Park moves the needle that much.

 

Probably more than Grossman, D Santana, Belisle, and Breslow. But what do I know? 

Well, according to Reusse (insert comment bashing PR here), the players were shocked and "rolling their eyes" when the news came in about Park.  Perkins said in all his spring training years, this one was the biggest shock because "his swing looks way better".

 

This much I know...when the clubhouse is questioning the front office decisions, it's not good.

 

It's definitely a bad roster. Not sure Park moves the needle that much.

Yes it is...so, if we put on our GM hat and ask ourselves this question - Given the fact that the roster is bad and that we are probably going to lose a lot of games, doesn't it makes sense to keep the players that will put the most butts in the seats?

 

Everybody digs the long ball...no one digs the long reliever.

Edited March 30, 20179 yr by gocgo

 

PA interviews Flavey

Derek Falvey, or Flavor Flav?

He was on with Mackey and Judd as well this morning and said a lot of the same things. 

 

 

 

That strikes me as an obvious point.

There is nothing more overrated than the opening day roster. Front offices build for 162.

Front offices intentionally start out with a sub-optimal roster?

 

Pray tell, why?

 

Front offices intentionally start out with a sub-optimal roster?

 

Pray tell, why?

 

To preserve depth to make it through 162 games and not blow through it on April 1. To give out of options guys one more shot. To hold on to minor league signings.

 

Have you never observed this before? This is boring, run of the mill roster construction done by every team every year. And the outrage is the same every spring training. Every spring training.

 

To preserve depth to make it through 162 games and not blow through it on April 1. To give out of options guys one more shot. To hold on to minor league signings.

 

Have you never observed this before? This is boring, run of the mill roster construction done by every team every year. And the outrage is the same every spring training. Every spring training.

 

Maybe not being one of the 5 worst teams in baseball for 6 years, and rebuilding as fast as Houston or the cubs (and likely the Phillies and maybe the Braves, and possibly the White Sox) would help with that outrage since TD started...

 

Maybe not being one of the 5 worst teams in baseball for 6 years, and rebuilding as fast as Houston or the cubs (and likely the Phillies and maybe the Braves, and possibly the White Sox) would help with that outrage since TD started...

 

Good point. They should fire the General Manager.

 

Good point. They should fire the General Manager.

 

fandom is emotion driven and completely irrational on its face. Expecting people not to be disappointed, after the last few years, with this roster, that seems irrational to me. 

 

I don't really care who the GM is, I care if the team is good or not. 

 

fandom is emotion driven and completely irrational on its face. Expecting people not to be disappointed, after the last few years, with this roster, that seems irrational to me. 

 

I don't really care who the GM is, I care if the team is good or not. 

 

Why wouldn't people be disappointed? I'm disappointed.

 

But isn't that a different point than a specific question of why a team would start with a sub-optimal roster on opening day?

 

Why wouldn't people be disappointed? I'm disappointed.

 

But isn't that a different point than a specific question of why a team would start with a sub-optimal roster on opening day?

 

could have sworn I was reply to the outrage on TD.....let's check the tape!

 

your quote:

And the outrage is the same every spring training. Every spring training.

 

my response:

Maybe not being one of the 5 worst teams in baseball for 6 years, and rebuilding as fast as Houston or the cubs (and likely the Phillies and maybe the Braves, and possibly the White Sox) would help with that outrage since TD started...

 

To preserve depth to make it through 162 games and not blow through it on April 1. To give out of options guys one more shot. To hold on to minor league signings.

 

Have you never observed this before? This is boring, run of the mill roster construction done by every team every year. And the outrage is the same every spring training. Every spring training.

Keeping Danny Santana is not "preserving depth." Santana will need to be waived later, just as he would today. Keeping Santana is a choice made that he provides the best opportunity to win.

 

13 pitchers, Park to AAA, Haley kept simply because he's a rule 5 guy, Hughes ...these are not decisions made with an eye toward the future.

 

Keeping Danny Santana is not "preserving depth." Santana will need to be waived later, just as he would today. Keeping Santana is a choice made that he provides the best opportunity to win.

13 pitchers, Park to AAA, Haley kept simply because he's a rule 5 guy, Hughes ...these are not decisions made with an eye toward the future.

 

I agree with you on Santana. I don't understand why he is on a 3 person bench.

 

could have sworn I was reply to the outrage on TD.....let's check the tape!

 

your quote:

And the outrage is the same every spring training. Every spring training.

 

my response:

Maybe not being one of the 5 worst teams in baseball for 6 years, and rebuilding as fast as Houston or the cubs (and likely the Phillies and maybe the Braves, and possibly the White Sox) would help with that outrage since TD started...

 

You cut out the part of my quote which provided the context. Veteran move.

Some reactions to this "news" seem a bit overwrought. There may be more here than meets the eye, such as undisclosed minor injuries, transactions involving other teams, matchups in early games, etc.. Also, it seems to me that rosters moves made 2 weeks or so into the season stand a better chance of retaining a player that is being removed from the 40 man roster. I definitely understand the frustration of the years of losing. I do like some of the thought processes in play here as they suggest it is not business as usual. Mejia as the 5th starter, Grossman (high OBP) vs Park (SLG), a new pitch for Tonkin, a consideration of Duffey as a bullpen arm, etc. I am not saying I agree with all of it but to me it is encouraging that there is a willingness to do things unconventionally relative to the former process known as the "Twin's Way".

Derek Falvey, or Flavor Flav?

Some know-it-all moderator fixed the spelling in the title and ruined your joke.

Settle down folks...we ain't even started yet!

I hope you don't mind if I take a short sabbatical from TD, since my Tar Heels are playing in the Final 4 Saturday and hopefully Monday night.