40 man roster- August 2018 edition

[goulik]

The Twins currently have 40 men on the 40 man roster but two of those are 60 day DL’s. So here’s my game:

 

Who should be added to the 40 man roster, like, now. Give a name or two and your arguement(s) for why they and not someone else should be added and presumably make MLB appearances this year.

 

I will go first:

Nick Gordon. We just created a hole in the middle of our infield by trading Escobar and Dozier for Forsythe and Sano. Forsythe is saying the right things but let’s be honest, he’s not gonna be here long and his numbers are terrible since his trade to the Dodgers. Get the kid up and let him take some hard knocks so he’s ready to fight for a spot in the Spring. I know his AAA numbers have not been good enough but seriously, Forsythe and Adrianza?

 

Your turn, Go!

[Rosterman]

Okay, I was just thinking about this and looking at some of the names the Twins MIGHT have to add in the off-season. Names like Kohl Stewart, Tyler Jay, LaMonte Wade, Nick Gordon, Jake Reed, Brent Rooker (no need to add, by the way), Nick Anderson. Really, there aren't as many in the high minors that require adding that I would fear losing in the Rule 5. Oh, that new guy Jorge Alcala would also have to be added. The ptential of any of the above names, except Nick Gordon, starting the season on the major league roster at this point are probably slim to none, although ALL could see playing time in 2019.

 

The Twins could take another looksee at the following: Juan Graterol as an additional catcher (there really is no need to bring up anyone playing at AA or below, including Brian Navaretto, who would have to be added, perchance, to the 40-man in the off-season as I suspect he is a six-year vet - correct me if I am wrong). You might also want to take a look at Luke Bard, Kennys Vargas and D.J. Baxendale (a southpaw) who can all walk after this season anyways. 

 

Better yet is looking at the current 40-man. You have two empty places, but you might just keep one open because Pineda looks like he will be coming back, at least when roster expand come September. And it looks doubtful that either Rochester or Chattanooga will be playoff bound, even though they could just fill rosters with guys from lower levels...of which there are now too many with the recent addition of nearly 10 folks in trades.Okay, August question marks. There is a slim chance that the Twins could trade or allow to walk to a claim Logan Morrison and Fernando Rodney, just to escape the salary. Even Ervin Santana could be in the same boat. Of course, a reason for keeping ALL three around is that you can roll over options with them if you wish. But you also have Tyler Austin, who will be out of options in 2019 and will be the 1B/DH/OF candidate for the roster. He will have to be up in September.

 

Same could be said of Addison Reed. If the Twins wish to escape his $8 million next season (highest paid player), they could also allow him to be claimed and NOT get much (player to be named later) in exchange. Of course, will be interesting to see what else happens in August now that you can always throw international signing bonus money into a deal.

 

There are two fellows, possibly three, that the Twins really don't need taking innings or at bats from anyone. You can talk about Bobby Wilson and his veteran presence behind-the-plate. And the fact that he is just taking up roster space THIS year and that Jason Castro will return next year and there are NO catchers in the wings to take his place. So for that fact alone, you keep him to the end of the year? You also have Willians Astillido, still a youngster of sort with a bat and the ability to play every position (it seems) and maybe even pitch (okay, I made a joke). You also have Matt Belisle, the closer in waiting if the Twins get rid of Rodney. To say that I would rather stick with Rodney than chance Belisle says something about Belisle. Why is he here taking innings from Busenitz or Curtiss is beyond me, both of whom shall be here for the month of September. Come September, do we want Logan Forsythe (or Ehrie Adrianza_ playing second or Nick Gordon up here getting his feet wet. And don't tell me we need to add back in Taylor Motter and Gregorio Petit.

 

Other pitchers that the Twins have to view and make decisions on before the off-season are Taylor Rogers, Tyler Duffey, Matt Magill. All three could very well be gone and not missed. All three will probably stay on the 40-man, as you do need potential names to drop if you sign a free agent. All three will line-up against any other "minor league free agents" you search out and sign for the Red Wings in 2019. Are they on the bubble? Will Duffey get some reps? Maybe those Belisle innings.

 

That leaves those wealth of starting arms: Romero, Gonsalves, Littell, Thorpe and...Aaron Slegers. An enormous number of roches here. But not enough innings. Maybe it will be time to shut down Romero. We got a look and can like. Gonsalves needs to get a couple of starts just to see how he looks. Littell and Thorpe can start 2019 in Rochester (unless they push in spring training). We need to make a decision on Slegers, if he can do long relief or what. Those Belisle innings look more valuable now, as well as work you give to Duffey or Rogers or Magill. And we also have De Jong. Keep or let walk (shades of Forsythe). Is he worth a 40-man keeper thru the off-season. More on that it a minute.

 

Then we have Robbie Grossman, our designated hitter, and the underdog in the minors, Zach (or is it Zack) Granite...not even the card companies can get it consistent. The speedster had a wasted year in the minors. Enough promise to be a keeper, or is he being passed by. Should he get a look in September (we couldn't do it for Adam Walker or Dan Palka in years past). Or just let him fade away to some other organization.

 

So, I don't see many 40-man necessary adds. Nick Gordon is about it. Maybe another catcher for a looksee that you don't have to keep. If there is a third name for September...well we can find it from the above list (Willians, Belisle, Forsythe,)

 

Do Luke Bard, D.J. Baxendale need a look in a Twins uniform? Should we care anymore about Kennys Vargas? Or do we move on and let these guys find life elsewhere.

 

And then, for the off-season, we have Joe Mauer. His roster spot will open, but probably be filled, at some time, by Joe Mauer...who will probably see what anyone else might pay him compared to the Twins and the Twins will have to match (or come close). Can he be a year-by-year? Do they still want him?

 

More than enough bodies to look at from the 40-man. Have to give innings to Trevor May to see if he's a keeper or to possibly define a role going forth. And haven't even considered a place for Buxton in the scheme of things. 

 

Let's just say that there are at least 14 names on the 40-man (current) that don't NEED to be here come spring training 2019. That's a lot. The Twins might need to only add 7 or 8. They could still grab 4-5 free agents, like they did this year, to temporary make them a possible better team (and let me say, I thought the signings this season were solid signings and expected better results than reality).

 

I'm also curious to see the coaching staff new manager Joel Skinner will have helping the Twins move forth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Monkeypaws]

I'll take a shot at year end subtractions:

 

Belisle

Wilson

Forsythe

Morisson

Granite

Grossman

*Astudillo

*Slegers

 

*if necessary

[Thrylos]

 

I'll take a shot at year end subtractions:

 

Belisle

Wilson

Forsythe

Morisson

Granite

Grossman

*Astudillo

*Slegers

 

*if necessary

 

+ Mauer who is a free agent

+ Santana ditto

[mikelink45]

 

I'll take a shot at year end subtractions:

 

Belisle

Wilson

Forsythe

Morisson

Granite

Grossman

*Astudillo

*Slegers

 

*if necessary

No arguments with this list.

[Vanimal46]

For this year I would add LaMonte Wade ASAP and give him all of Grossman's PAs. Always been a fan of his approach at the plate, consistently drawing more walks than k's.

 

He's struggling of late, but he's 24, and can be controlled through his age 31 season. Grossman shouldn't be considered an OF option anymore.

[South Dakota Tom]

You can leave off the long-term minor league guys (who we'll either sign for depth at the upper levels or not), but I can't begin to do this exercise without knowing who needs to be added or lost.

 

Looking at the existing 40-man sitting at 38, I assume that Castro and Pineda will be added (and while one thing doesn't equal the other, I'll say those two fill us up to 40 on the roster).   So we drop Belisle, Wilson, Astudillo, Forsythe, Morrison, Grossman, and Granite, opening up 7 spots.   

 

Santana is a question mark (and if he doesn't get back to 92-93 by the end of the season, I certainly decline the option and then it is a crap shoot whether he will still be here), though I'm not sure the Twins want to roll with Berrios, Gibson, Romero, Odorizzi, and Pineda, or the depth of Gonsalves, Littell, May, Slegers, Mejia and potential of Stewart, Thorpe and Graterol and some other guys who could push from AA or above in a half-season isn't a completely bare cupboard.    Seems to me that still gives us plenty of space to add free agents or guys we might actually lose if we don't add.

[Mike Sixel]

Right now? The first baseman they just got, move him to MN and cut Morrison.

 

Lamonte Wade.....move him to MN, cut Grossman.

[goulik]

Right now? The first baseman they just got, move him to MN and cut Morrison.

 

Lamonte Wade.....move him to MN, cut Grossman.

This guy gets this game. Yeah, right now not after the season... (though I’ve enjoyed that discussion also)

[goulik]

For this year I would add LaMonte Wade ASAP and give him all of Grossman's PAs. Always been a fan of his approach at the plate, consistently drawing more walks than k's.

He's struggling of late, but he's 24, and can be controlled through his age 31 season. Grossman shouldn't be considered an OF option anymore.

He may have a better arguement than Gordon given his numbers and we need to know what he’s got at this level because he’s getting squeezed out by so many other Out fielders.

[rdehring]

My concern isn't between now and the end of the season, rather who gets added and who doesn't come November.

 

I understand that Alcala does not need to be added.  That leaves me with 2 MUST adds, Graterol and Gordon.  Then there are 3 more that the Twins may see as MUST adds, Wade, Wiel and Arraez. 

 

So that's 5.  There shouldn't be a problem opening 5 spaces for the above must add players.  But then we have 3 players who will be eligible for the draft for the first time.  They are Jay, Vasquez and Anderson.  There are others, but those are most at risk in my opinion. 

 

Then we have another 4 players who were eligible in previous seasons and not drafted who may be considered this time around.  They are Stewart, Reed, Navarreto and Diaz.  Probably a good argument for Stewart and Reed.  

 

How many get added this year?  Well, that's the $64,000 question, although I doubt most of you remember that program back when that was a lot of money.  I can see 7 easy spots opening and as many as 11.  But they will also need a couple for free agent signings, you know guys like Eduardo Escobar.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Oh, that new guy Jorge Alcala would also have to be added.

I think some sources are incorrect about this. Alcala isn't Rule 5 eligible until 2019. He signed at age 19, but after the 2014 season was finished, and he was only 18 on the preceding June 5th. So he's not eligible until his 5th Rule 5 draft, starting in 2015.

[Elliot]

Part of improving depth in the minor league system is the yearly loss of players like Randy Rosario, Niko Goodrum, and Jeremy Palka via rule 5 or waiver claims. You cannot keep them all. This is where you trust the talent evaluators for the team. There was a lot of hand wringing over the loss of a couple of minor league relievers last year and now I cannot even remember their names. Same will be true this year. We hate to see people go that we have followed as they climbed the ladder with the Twins, but there are a lot more like them in the same situation with other teams (ie Ryan Presly). I have to believe that a few who have stalled out, such as Kohl Stewart, will be left unprotected again. Losing potentially good players is a sign of a healthy system and sure beats being able to protect every player with potential.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Rule number 1: Never add someone to the 40 man unless you plan on calling him up.

 

Gordon is required at the end of the season, but unless they are planning on putting him in MN for the rest of this season, adding him to the 40 man will cost them an option. That's bad options management.

 

If they aren't planning on giving anyone a look, then those spots remain empty. If I were to add someone, it might be a guy like Nick Anderson, as I could see giving him a bullpen run for the rest of this season.

[Kelly Vance]

 

+ Mauer who is a free agent

+ Santana ditto

They will both be back next year.  Joe will retire as a Twin in 2021 and have his jersey retired. Erv will want to make it up to the Twins for this busted year so if the Twins exercise the option, he will get a chance to make it right.  If he is still able to go 93 mph, he is a #2 or #3. You don't just let those alpha male pitchers walk. 

[whosafraidofluigirussolo]

Gordon is required at the end of the season, but unless they are planning on putting him in MN for the rest of this season, adding him to the 40 man will cost them an option. That's bad options management.

 

 

This is true through 8/31. September callups don't burn an option.

[jud6312]

Wild card time ... Nick Burdi.

 

Nearing the end of his rehab assignment and Pittsburgh's still in it. Can they afford to hide him when they're still technically in it?

 

(One can dream, right?)

 

Barring that, I'd like to see Reed and Stewart get a shot.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

This is true through 8/31. September callups don't burn an option.

 

correct. I was simply pointing out that there's no way I'm adding Gordon right now. He certainly isn't deserving of it, and he'd likely be sent back down or not played. Come September, I'd definitely add him. 

 

Based on the title of this thread, I assume it's about August.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Wild card time ... Nick Burdi.

 

Nearing the end of his rehab assignment and Pittsburgh's still in it. Can they afford to hide him when they're still technically in it?

 

Burdi has 2 more weeks of rehab, but TJ surgery guys are eligible to apply for up to 30 days extra rehab too. They could also reset his rehab with a week's break, like we did with Ervin Santana earlier this season.

 

And they just have to extend it to Sep. 1st, when they can activate him with expanded rosters even if they don't plan to pitch him. (Assuming they can bump someone else from the 40-man at that time.)

 

If not returned, Burdi would still need MLB time next year to satisfy his Rule 5 requirements. About 2 months, if he gets activated Sep. 1 this year.

 

Personally, I am not convinced Burdi is worth all that much trouble, though. Seems like minor league relievers with his profile are a dime a dozen these days.

[jud6312]

So, who guessed Oliver Drake and Johnny Field?

 

In hindsight, it was the obvious moves for them to make.

[Otto von Ballpark]

If someone wants to make a list of potential Rule 5 protections, this is a good resource:

 

https://www.rosterresource.com/mlb-minnesota-twins/

 

Just look for everybody with "Dec. 18" in the Options or Rule 5 status column. With the aforementioned exception of Alcala, who seems to be mislabeled.

 

Also consider "R5" for repeat eligibles (like Kohl Stewart).