The 25th man

[ppearson50]

So I assume one of Robbie Grossman, Zach Granite or Kenny Vargas makes this team as a bench player.

So far Robbie is struggling to an 0 for 17 spring.Vargas is likely trying to catch on with another team. He is 5 for 17 with three doubles but also has struck out seven times. Granite is 3 for 18 with a double and an RBI. 

If Grossman doesn't turn it around, I predict Granite because I don't see Vargas playing the outfield and we already have three guys who can also play first.

But leaves us pretty thin at AAA if we need to call someone up if someone gets hurt since both Grossman and Vargas are out of options. 

 

 

[Riverbrian]

 

So I assume one of Robbie Grossman, Zach Granite or Kenny Vargas makes this team as a bench player.

So far Robbie is struggling to an 0 for 17 spring.Vargas is likely trying to catch on with another team. He is 5 for 17 with three doubles but also has struck out seven times. Granite is 3 for 18 with a double and an RBI. 

If Grossman doesn't turn it around, I predict Granite because I don't see Vargas playing the outfield and we already have three guys who can also play first.

But leaves us pretty thin at AAA if we need to call someone up if someone gets hurt since both Grossman and Vargas are out of options. 

 

Granite is the only guy on your list with options remaining. Granite has probably already secured his living arrangements in Rochester. 

 

Right now... I think Molitor will give us clues by who he plays in the OF.

 

Grossman is locked in at the 24th spot. 

 

For the 25th spot... If he plays Adrianaza in the OF (and he has) that's a clue that he will be 25th guy.

 

If he gives Morrison a start or 2 in the OF during spring training... that gives Vargas a sliver of hope at being the 25th guy. If Morrison does nothing but 1B in Ft. Myers. Vargas is gone unless there is an injury to Morrison or Mauer. 

 

Wild Card... Twins go with 13 Pitchers. That could mean Grossman and Vargas are out. 

 

Granite... He's in Rochester... Unless there are injuries. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ppearson50]

If Grossman doesn't do much in Spring Training and Vargas has no position flexibility both are probably gone.  Then they go with 13 pitchers again and call up Granite any series they think they need another bat. That probably makes the most sense but it is a super thin bench to start the season. Is Aybar in this conversation as well. Does he play outfield or hit much?

[Physics Guy]

Granite is in Rochester. Adrianza is 24th man because of uncertainty with Sano. Grossman makes it over Vargas because he is a better OF than Morrison (I think). Vargas is redundant with Morrison on the roster.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Granite is the only guy on your list with options remaining. Granite has probably already secured his living arrangements in Rochester.

 

Right now... I think Molitor will give us clues by who he plays in the OF.

 

Grossman is locked in at the 24th spot.

 

For the 25th spot... If he plays Adrianaza in the OF (and he has) that's a clue that he will be 25th guy.

 

If he gives Morrison a start or 2 in the OF during spring training... that gives Vargas a sliver of hope at being the 25th guy. If Morrison does nothing but 1B in Ft. Myers. Vargas is gone unless there is an injury to Morrison or Mauer.

 

Wild Card... Twins go with 13 Pitchers. That could mean Grossman and Vargas are out.

 

Granite... He's in Rochester... Unless there are injuries.

it sounds like Molitor wants to start the season with a 4 man rotation.

 

So the bench would be Garver, Grossman, Adrianza, Escobar.

 

My prediction is Hughes if healthy is the Swing Man and eventual 5th starter. if he Isnt healthy still 60 day DL, if he’s healthy but ineffective give Kinley back and stash Hughes as the low leverage guy

[Platoon]

I think Brian is right. Granites options virtually doom him. And if the leash is short enough on the survivor of this contest, that's the best one can hope for. I imagine it will be RG. Switch hitter, OF, and OBP. But the thought of him still being on the roster doesn't exactly make me perky. His only somewhat positive is OBP, which has suffered as of late. He can't throw, can't run, and his defense will require an enormous amount of walks to carry. A good baseball team should have no room for a R. Grossman. But I fear we will.

[Shaitan]

I'd be shocked if they cut a familiar veteran (Grossman) based on Spring Training games. If he looks equally bad on practice field, maybe.

 

I'd say the 25th spot is between an extra pitcher and the second back-up infielder. As someone already said, it mostly relies on Sano's status.

 

Most teams don't cut vets until May. Granite is in AAA until then.

[nicksaviking]

It would be nice to see Logan Morrison get some games in the outfield. A ) to see if it's a feasible possibility. B ) to show Grossman and Granite that they better bring their A game if they're going to make this team.

[Rosterman]

Sad that we can't get anything for Vargas, who would be best served (moneywise) to go to the Far East.

 

Grossman is the better off-the-bench bat, assuming you are playing your regular three in the outfield.

 

Aybar, I can't quite figure out THAT signing. Is he better than Andrianza? Or even Featherston? That is the swing position. Assuming Sano opens the season playable, do you really need TWO guys who are alike as back-up infielders?

 

I'm more worried, still, about the rotation. Cut Hughes. Don't keep Sanchez. Put Mejia in the minors. Spend $15 million for a more known arm.

[DocBauer]

Barring injury, or suspension, the player roster is set. Grossman is the 4th OF initially, and that's not a bad thing. Granite opens in Rochester and is first man up.

 

Aybar is insurance and won't be around long, IMO, unless he's willing to play at Rochester with am opt out date.

[Dantes929]

 

I think Brian is right. Granites options virtually doom him. And if the leash is short enough on the survivor of this contest, that's the best one can hope for. I imagine it will be RG. Switch hitter, OF, and OBP. But the thought of him still being on the roster doesn't exactly make me perky. His only somewhat positive is OBP, which has suffered as of late. He can't throw, can't run, and his defense will require an enormous amount of walks to carry. A good baseball team should have no room for a R. Grossman. But I fear we will.

I've heard this before and yet Butera and Punto have been to the WS.   If you look at most good team's rosters almost all of them have guys like Grossman that get a few hundred at bats.    In fact the Twins were a pretty good team last year mainly because of their offense and Robbie got 456 at bats.     He has some value but I would prefer that value get about half the at bats as last year.   I also wish it came with better defense.   

  Backups aren't really supposed to make you perky.   I never thought "Sweet!  Al Newman is starting today"    Granite actually does move the needle a little bit that way which is why I prefer him.     

[Mr. Brooks]

I wish they wouldn't even keep track of ST stats.

I really hope that they don't even play a tiny role in any decision.

This is just for guys to get warmed up for the season, the stats mean absolutely zero, IMO.

[jkcarew]

Remember that we have two left-handed hitting corner outfielders...one of which had horrific splits last year (and not great the year before).  The 4th outfielder is going to called on to start against tough lefties...not a handful of time, but dozens of times.

 

Forget about Morrison being an option in the outfield.  Not going to happen.

 

With regard to Grossman...a 28 year-old coming up on 2000 MLB plate appearances is not going to be cut based on spring training at-bats.  He'll be cut if/when there is a better roster fit/option.  There is a high likelihood that the answer to that question (in April) is going to be no, there isn't.

[Shane Wahl]

It really isn't that Granite's options doom him. He did nothing for the Twins last year and clearly needs more time in AAA. 

[lukeduke1980]

Is there a chance that to honor Gardy's re-entrance to the Central that we carry 3 catchers?  Castro, Garver, who's the other - Bobby Wilson?

[Richie the Rally Goat]

 

Is there a chance that to honor Gardy's re-entrance to the Central that we carry 3 catchers?  Castro, Garver, who's the other - Bobby Wilson?

because the bench isn't short enough?

[Deduno Abides]

Is there a chance that to honor Gardy's re-entrance to the Central that we carry 3 catchers?  Castro, Garver, who's the other - Bobby Wilson?

Can you believe that Chris Herrmann, JR Murphy and Anthony Recker are all battling for Arizona’s third catcher slot? At least one of them may be available at the end of spring training, if another head is wanted for Rochester.

[TheLeviathan]

I would bet on 13 pitchers.

[jkcarew]

 

I would bet on 13 pitchers.

Adrianza started in LF in today's game, which featured mostly starters.

 

Looks like it will come down to two of the following three choices...

Grossman (or Granite...but probably Grossman)

Adrianza

13th Pitcher

[ThejacKmp]

 

It would be nice to see Logan Morrison get some games in the outfield. A ) to see if it's a feasible possibility. B ) to show Grossman and Granite that they better bring their A game if they're going to make this team.

 

I don't even want to see the Twins contemplate this. Logan Morrison hasn't played out there in years and he wasn't an asset back then. He should only play OF in an emergency during intraleague play.

[raindog]

Dave St. Peter reported this post. 

[ThejacKmp]

 

It really isn't that Granite's options doom him. He did nothing for the Twins last year and clearly needs more time in AAA. 

 

This.

 

And he's redundant. Your bench should fill needs starters don't hit. Granite's OF defense is redundant since he's not markedly better than any of the current starters. His LH bat makes no sense from a pinch-hitting perspective - on days the Twins face lefties and then get righty relievers, he would be behind Mauer/Kepler/Rosario/Morrison bench guys. His base running is okay but Adrianza and other middle infield depth can handle that.

 

Grossman is not a perfect player, nor is Vargas. But both make more sense as they fill the need for a right-handed platoon/bench bat. And Grossman makes sense as a RH OF platoon option with Kepler/Rosario taking over in late innings for defense.

[Physics Guy]

I am going to say this again. Adrianza is not on the chopping block. He was a valuable depth player last year and does not have options remaining. With Sano either being suspended or questionable to play every day at 3B, they have to keep two IF on the bench. The 25th spot comes down to Grossmann, Vargas and Granite probably ranked in that order. The team needs 5 starters so infrequently in April that they don't need 13 pitchers.

[stringer bell]

Spring Training stats don't matter. The Twins have seen Grossman for most of two years and know what he bring to the table. Unless there's an injury or suspension the bench is Grossman, Arianza, Escobar and Garver.

[yarnivek1972]

If Sano is suspended to start the season, one wonders how willing the Twins are to start the season with only one reserve infielder. That could put Aybar on the roster with 12 pitchers. And it would likely buy time at the mlb level for Vargas or Granite.