Article: Twins Make First Roster Cuts

[Seth Stohs]

Late on Friday afternoon, the Twins announced that seven players have been sent across the parking lot to minor league camp including some of the organization's top prospects.The Twins optioned three players. Right-handed pitcher Kohl Stewart and left-handed pitchers Lewis Thorpe and Andrew Vasquez were optioned to Rochester.

 

Catcher Ben Rortvedt and outfielders Alex Kirilloff, Brent Rooker and Luke Raley were all assigned to minor league camp.

 

There are rumors that there could be more transactions over the weekend.

 

The Twins spring training roster currently stands at 52 players including six catchers (3 non-roster), 14 infielders (4 non-roster), seven outfielders (no non-roster) and 25 pitchers (8 non-roster).

 

With the starting rotation relatively set, Stewart and Thorpe are able to go to minor league spring training camp and start getting prepared to make starts when the minor league season starts on April 4th.

 

Vasquez is a bit of a surprise though Taylor Rogers and Adalberto Mejia are likely givens to make the Opening Day roster and Gabriel Moya is also a contender. Lefties Tim Collins and Justin Nicolino also remain in big league camp.

 

The four non-roster players all were given opportunity to play while they were in camp. Rooker hit two long homers and had a triple in spring training. Raley had two doubles and a triple among his five hits. Alex Kirilloff had five hits. Rortvedt went 2-for-8 with a double.

 

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[tarheeltwinsfan]

I am a little surprised about Vasquez.  However I think the signing of Perez, coupled with a good spring showing by both Perez and Mejia made it necessary to store Vasquez in the minors, even though he has little, if anything left to prove there. Not sure that it necessarily means Moya beat him out. We shall see.

[ashbury]

No minor league options get exercised until Opening Day, correct? So cuts like Stewart can be undone if conditions change drastically? These early moves are just clearing the decks so that the harder decisions are done with a little more clarity.

[Seth Stohs]

Vasquez had a month in AA and a week in AAA before the call up. He was amazing last year, but depth is good. Mejia being out of options probably a factor.

[Otto von Ballpark]

No minor league options get exercised until Opening Day, correct? So cuts like Stewart can be undone if conditions change drastically? These early moves are just clearing the decks so that the harder decisions are done with a little more clarity.

A player has to spend 20 MLB regular season days on optional assignment in order to burn an option year. So yes, this could effectively be "undone" anytime between now and April 15th or so.

 

Stewart and Vasquez each have all 3 of their option years remaining at this point, though, so I don't think it's much of a concern.

[rdehring]

Not surprised about Vasquez, or any of the others on the 40-man.  Isn't it normal to try to get the guys they know won't be on the opening day roster optioned early in spring training?  Isn't one reason that if they were to be injured before being optioned they would make the MLB minimum rather than whatever their minor league salary is while on the DL?

[Otto von Ballpark]

Isn't one reason that if they were to be injured before being optioned they would make the MLB minimum rather than whatever their minor league salary is while on the DL?

That money is pocket change to the Twins. I think service time while on the MLB DL is a potentially bigger concern -- a pitching prospect on the 40-man who hurts his elbow in big league camp could get a year of service time just for surgery and rehab. Although even that's probably not a big deal for Stewart/Vasquez level prospects.

 

Probably just clearing opportunities for those more likely to make the team. (And it appears they want Stewart to start in AAA rather than compete for the MLB pen right now.)

[Rosterman]

You do want to cut players on the 40-man who won't make the majors sooner rather than later. If something happens to them and they become injured, you are obligated to keep them on the disabled list for a certain period of time, allowing them to not only make major league pay, but then having to option them back to the minors once their rehab is done. Be interesting to see who is in the next round of cuts. Picture Gonsalves, Arraez, Wade and Gordon. Moya and Littell could also be in this group if the Twins are deciding to have Romero and Mejia fight for bullpen spots down to the wire.

 

Remember, these guys can ALL be called back to play games as spring training continues.

 

The Twins do have a number of 40-man guys on the bubble that they will probably keep up as long as they can and play the possible injury game (Duffey, Austin, Reed, Torreyes, Magill) all who could be lost or removed from the roster when the time comes.

[rdehring]

 

That money is pocket change to the Twins. I think service time while on the MLB DL is a potentially bigger concern -- a pitching prospect on the 40-man who hurts his elbow in big league camp could get a year of service time just for surgery and rehab. Although even that's probably not a big deal for Stewart/Vasquez level prospects.

Probably just clearing opportunities for those more likely to make the team. (And it appears they want Stewart to start in AAA rather than compete for the MLB pen right now.)

Hadn't thought of that, spycake.  Certainly a bigger concern than the $$$.

[Twinsfan12]

Alex and Ben did well in their first real taste of the big leagues...Rocco was impressed by both. Too bad Royce was hurt. It will be fun watching these 3 amigos work their way to Target field together. All 3 are a big part of the Twins future...along with many others in the minors that look good. Not only does the 2019 Twins look good, but the Future looks bright also.

[BJames]

"The Twins do have a number of 40-man guys on the bubble that they will probably keep up as long as they can and play the possible injury game (Duffey, Austin, Reed, Torreyes, Magill) all who could be lost or removed from the roster when the time comes".( From Rosterman) . I think all but Torreyes would get picked up by someone.  So, What do we do with Duffey, Austin and Magill. I'm ready to let Duffey go.  I'd keep Magill and Austin to start the year, but on a short leash.  We do have some good talent at AAA and AA ready to come up.  One guy I would look to DFA is M Reed Outfielder.  We've got Cave and Wade as back up plus Alex Kirilloff, Brent Rooker and Luke Raley. 

[HrbieFan]

Nicolino has looked pretty good this spring. As of now I'd take him north over Magill

[cardsfan]

You may want to add a couple from other rosters.

[DocBauer]

Mild surprise on Vasquez, but the numbers are what they are, and his AAA time is small.

 

Wouldn't be surprised if he's a factor before the year is done.

[Thrylos]

 

 

Gabriel Moya is also a contender.

 

Moya has been sidelined with shoulder/back ailments since after his only outing.  I doubt that he will start the season with the Twins.  DL  (or whatever they call it now) is likely.

[highlander]

I was in Vegas last week. Bought a ticket that Twins win their division.

[Otwins]

I bought one also.  I have a little over 3-1 odds. 3.1 to be exact

[Vanimal46]

I was in Vegas last week. Bought a ticket that Twins win their division.

Next time you want to waste money you can give me $20 instead

[blindeke]

 

"The Twins do have a number of 40-man guys on the bubble that they will probably keep up as long as they can and play the possible injury game (Duffey, Austin, Reed, Torreyes, Magill) all who could be lost or removed from the roster when the time comes".( From Rosterman) . I think all but Torreyes would get picked up by someone.  So, What do we do with Duffey, Austin and Magill. I'm ready to let Duffey go.  I'd keep Magill and Austin to start the year, but on a short leash.  We do have some good talent at AAA and AA ready to come up.  One guy I would look to DFA is M Reed Outfielder.  We've got Cave and Wade as back up plus Alex Kirilloff, Brent Rooker and Luke Raley. 

 

Torreyes has an option.

[Vanimal46]

 

How does Duffey still have options left?

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

How does Duffey still have options left?

Duffey has only burned option years in 2016 and 2018 so far, so he still has one left. In 2017, he was on the MLB roster the whole season, and in 2015, he wasn't added to the 40-man until August, so he wound up spending fewer than 20 days on optional assignment.