Article: BREAKING: Harper, Austin, Astudillo Make Opening Day Roster

[cardsfan]

This is happening to a lot of teams signing mid-level relievers. BP has to be rebuilt every year and you need a certain amount of luck.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

But, from the medium-term perspective, a guy can't just be shoved to the more remote part of the bullpen and used only in blowout situations while he works out his problems. He has to be replaced by another pitcher, and either goes to the IL, or to AAA if he has options remaining, or else will have to be disposed of in some manner. Or else, a 12th pitcher is brought in, probably at the cost of losing a position player to waivers, or else at the cost of putting a useful position player like Cave or Astudillo at AAA.

 

We won't go with 11 pitchers for very long in any case, but when we go to 12 the same logic will apply, because the trend has been toward 13.

Generally, though, it seems like they weren't moving regular guys into that 12th or 13th mopup spot -- they mostly just rostered 12th or 13th quality guys to begin with (the Rule 5 guys, Hughes, Breslow, etc.).

 

Going down to 11 is still good, but I don't think it means regular guys have a notably shorter leash.

[SomeGuy]

 

Is Reed truly injured or are they stashing him?

He hasn't pitched since 3/14.  I would say there is something there for an injury.

[MN_ExPat]

To me, and minor league 30 year old making the team is not a great story. Kimbrel in the pen..... now that would be something to get excited about. And I just never get the fascination with chubby ball players..... but then when I look at the audience..... maybe they just like to see someone more like the beefers watching. And Hildenberger? Seriously?

 

Snark much?

[RatherBeGolfing]

 

Snark much?

 

Is he/she wrong?

[killertwinfan]

 

Yeah, I don't have much hope for Reed; but, at $8.5MM, you have to give him more chances than you might like.

I agree. We can't give up on him, but it's not like we don't have the money to go out and sign another $8 bust either.  

[ashbury]

Generally, though, it seems like they weren't moving regular guys into that 12th or 13th mopup spot -- they mostly just rostered 12th or 13th quality guys to begin with (the Rule 5 guys, Hughes, Breslow, etc.).

 

Going down to 11 is still good, but I don't think it means regular guys have a notably shorter leash.

The word "scholarship" was bandied about during the end of the Terry Ryan era. That's kind of what you're describing with the guys you mention - extenuating circumstances where patience might be rewarded with good performance later on in the season. Patience, scholarship, long leash - I think we're talking about the same thing, give or take.

[MN_ExPat]

Is he/she wrong?

The comment was not really a matter of “right” or “wrong”. Just poking a little fun for the vitriolic nature of the original comment since Spring has only just now Sprung .

Edited March 26, 2019 by MN_ExPat

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

The word "scholarship" was bandied about during the end of the Terry Ryan era. That's kind of what you're describing with the guys you mention - extenuating circumstances where patience might be rewarded with good performance later on in the season. Patience, scholarship, long leash - I think we're talking about the same thing, give or take.

Okay.

 

Because I don't think this roster necessarily represents a departure from any of that. We haven't cut anyone with "scholarship" and I don't think this roster suggests a shorter leash/scholarship for Hildenberger or Reed (any more than their poor 2018 seasons would have shortened it).

 

Honestly, it could just be a simple matter of Reed (or even Magill) being hurt, and not wanting to expose Austin to waivers yet, rather than any kind of strategy to make the pitching staff lean and shorten leashes.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Is Austin on the Opening Day roster in the hopes that they can sneak him through waivers in a few weeks when all of the other MLB rosters should hopefully be set with no room for anyone to claim him? Unless Cruz or Cron go down or struggle mightily in April, his redundancy makes him the first on the chopping block come either Sano's return or Perez's move to the starting rotation. 

I suspect this too, yes.

 

I think Austin would be claimed if he went on waivers now, or even if he cleared, he could elect free agency (since he's been outrighted once before) and probably find a decent spot to land on a minor league deal.

 

But if we wait a few weeks, other rosters will be set, and he's probably less likely to be claimed, and less likely to find an appreciably better minor league deal than simply going to Rochester.

[JD Green]

Here's to Austudillo needing to out run his helmet countless times! If they bat him in front of Buxton, then he will have to have the awareness there could be a helmet laying on the ground somewhere in front of him!

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

If Lucas Duda can get claimed and make a opening day roster, Austin will the second he hits waivers. I mean Duda is going to the Royals, take that for what it is.

 

My point is that Austin has about 0% chance of clearing waivers at any juncture. Doesn't matter if they try to sneak him through today, tomorrow or in 3-6 weeks when Sano gets back.

I wouldn't say 0%. Imagine if someone last year said, "the Twins keep signing Matt Belisle -- there's no way reliever X will go unclaimed" yet I'm sure some reliever X's went unclaimed. The Twins acting irrationally with Belisle, and the Royals with Duda (the Royals signed him last year too), does not necessarily mean that every player we fans see as equal or better than Belisle or Duda will likewise get claimed/signed.

 

FWIW, Vargas cleared waivers (on his second attempt) last spring. Exact same age as Austin is now, with virtually the same career MLB OPS/OPS+. Pretty similar career AAA OPS figures at the time too (Vargas .815, Austin .834). I prefer Austin's power skill over Vargas's slightly better K% and BABIP, but I wouldn't say it's enough to guarantee Austin would get claimed. (I don't think it's a guarantee he'd clear either, though.)

 

A big factor is being out of options. Once Austin has spent a few weeks on the Twins bench, unless he is raking in those limited ABs, it will make it harder for another team to claim him as compared to now, because they won't have the luxury of getting him up to speed in spring training or minor league games -- he'd have to go straight onto the MLB roster immediately.

[sckelm]

 

Is Austin on the Opening Day roster in the hopes that they can sneak him through waivers in a few weeks when all of the other MLB rosters should hopefully be set with no room for anyone to claim him? Unless Cruz or Cron go down or struggle mightily in April, his redundancy makes him the first on the chopping block come either Sano's return or Perez's move to the starting rotation.

 

 

 

I would guess that Austin, Cron, and Nelson Cruz get almost the same number of plate appearances over the first couple of weeks. Cruz only has 26 plate appearances thus far in spring training, so he will likely get a few more off days early than we would expect to see later in the year. Austin is swinging a hot bat right now, so keep him up here until he cools off.

[nicksaviking]

This roster looks destined to see lots and lots of transactions. Sounds like a fun summer as long as I can separate myself from getting overly attached to anyone.

 

Barring injury, the full list of players I am relatively confident will be on the 25-man come August 1st:

 

Max Kepler

Jorge Polanco

Jose Berrios

[snap4birds]

 

 

But if we wait a few weeks, other rosters will be set, and he's probably less likely to be claimed, and less likely to find an appreciably better minor league deal than simply going to Rochester.

Unless some team has an injury to a 1B/DH right about the same time that the Twins need to clear Austin off the MLB roster.  Sometimes, it's just dumb luck.  

[Don Walcott]

Breaking News!! Astudillo just walked!!

[nicksaviking]

Even if Austin does go unclaimed, doesn't he have the ability to refuse an assignment since he's already been outrighted?

 

If I were the Twins and I was going to remove Austin from the 25 man, I think I'd be more inclined to do so when it is MORE likely that he'll get claimed, I'd assume then there would at least be a market for him and they could get something in return.

 

If he makes it through waivers, does he really want to stay here when he's still staring at Cron, Cruz, Sano, Gonzalez, Garver, Austudillo, Cave, Rooker, Wade and Weil all dreaming to take his at bats this year?

[bird]

 

Then we're sending you to Rochester. See you in September, maybe.

 

 

Should we pitch in and buy the good doctor a windbreaker as a parting gift? 

 

Stick around, Doc. You're a treat.

[DocBauer]

Should we pitch in and buy the good doctor a windbreaker as a parting gift?

 

Stick around, Doc. You're a treat.

I was going to blame auto correct for the use of the word "options". But I'm starting to like it and think I'll claim it as tongue in cheek and deliberate. Lol

 

Size L for the windbreaker please.

[yarnivek1972]

Is Austin on the Opening Day roster in the hopes that they can sneak him through waivers in a few weeks when all of the other MLB rosters should hopefully be set with no room for anyone to claim him? Unless Cruz or Cron go down or struggle mightily in April, his redundancy makes him the first on the chopping block come either Sano's return or Perez's move to the starting rotation.

If not Austin, what other hitter would you rather have, even if only a couple weeks?

 

Torryes? Wade?

[Mr. Brooks]

 

 

 

I would guess that Austin, Cron, and Nelson Cruz get almost the same number of plate appearances over the first couple of weeks. Cruz only has 26 plate appearances thus far in spring training, so he will likely get a few more off days early than we would expect to see later in the year. Austin is swinging a hot bat right now, so keep him up here until he cools off.

Why on earth would a DH need days off?

I mean, maybe in the middle of 20 straight, just to reset mentally. But, there are plenty of built in off days early in the season.

[ChrisKnutson]

Nice to see Harper, Cave, Adrianza, Astudillo, and Austin rewarded for their strong spring performances. However, a big question remains, who survives the first month?? IMO, Astudillo is the only guarantee, and if that’s the case then what happens to the rest when Sano returns, Wade outgrows AAA, (if) Reed gets his sh*t together, and Romero gets accustomed to pitching out of the pen, etc?? Because I’m pretty sure other teams would love to have Austin’s power, Adrianza’s versatility, Harper’s (and Magill’s) breaking stuff, and Cave’s everyday potential. While this is a good problem to have, I just hope that we don’t let these assets waste away in minors, or walk for nothing. I mean, M. Reed netted us the 13th fastest player in the MLB last year, so I have to imagine these guys could possibly bring back something of reasonable value, whether that be raw lower level prospects, or trading up for a league average bullpen arm.

[Thegrin]

I was thrilled to see both Austudillo & Austin make the roster.  Austin should share 1b equally with Cron.

Cruz doesn't have to play everyday. Cave should get lots of time in the OF.  Austudillo and Gonzales can be played around the field.  Schoop can give up a day to each of them.  It can be done where all of them are in the lineup 4 or 5 days of the week until someone else gets hurt. Lets pray that Baldelli can find the best place for each of them to get there times at bat. 

[old nurse]

 

Indeed; I should have qualified with 65+ IP .  At least their teams were smart enough not to trot them out as much as the Twins trotted him out.

50  or more vs  73. Meh.  Not that big of difference.   Much has been posted here about Molitor's use of the bullpen. About half of Hildenberger's negative value came in the second half of the season when Molitor used him 2 days in a row. So yes Hildenberger should have been used less. Not because he is an awful pitcher, but he was an overused pitcher.

[old nurse]

 

I was thrilled to see both Austudillo & Austin make the roster.  Austin should share 1b equally with Cron.

Cruz doesn't have to play everyday. Cave should get lots of time in the OF.  Austudillo and Gonzales can be played around the field.  Schoop can give up a day to each of them.  It can be done where all of them are in the lineup 4 or 5 days of the week until someone else gets hurt. Lets pray that Baldelli can find the best place for each of them to get there times at bat. 

There should be no need to rest a bat only player like Cruz.

[h2oface]

 

Snark much?

 

I tend to, but not here. Just straight forward for this one. I am tired of so called good stories. I want a good story that brings a winner, not a passing novelty that costs us games.

[yarnivek1972]

I was thrilled to see both Austudillo & Austin make the roster. Austin should share 1b equally with Cron.

Cruz doesn't have to play everyday. Cave should get lots of time in the OF. Austudillo and Gonzales can be played around the field. Schoop can give up a day to each of them. It can be done where all of them are in the lineup 4 or 5 days of the week until someone else gets hurt. Lets pray that Baldelli can find the best place for each of them to get there times at bat.

No, I suppose he doesn’t “have” to play everyday. But, the Twins want to try to win, right? He’s very likely the best overall hitter on the team. Why wouldn’t you want him in there as much as possible?

[MN_ExPat]

 

I tend to, but not here. Just straight forward for this one. I am tired of so called good stories. I want a good story that brings a winner, not a passing novelty that costs us games.

Fair enough

[Rosterman]

Yes, what kind of playing time with all those of days.

 

But the Twins also DON'T need that many pitchers. They have two guys capable of long relief (at least) in the pen.

 

The hopes are that Pineda and Odorizzi will be able to get you into the sixth inning sooner rather than later. Although that will be decided soon.

 

The Twins MAY have a better chance of sneaking Austin thru waivers, especially if he doesn't show anything in the first 4-5 weeks of the season. Again, though, glad we have him as an alternative if something would happen to Cron or Cruz. Better him than nothing. Especially with Conzalez handling third.

 

Heck, I would like to see Nick Gordon start the season if Polanco goes in the DL. Just saying...give fulltime reps to the future, rather than the reserve.

[Vanimal46]

Then we're sending you to Rochester. See you in September, maybe.

Doc could really use an opener... He has a tough go of it the third time finishing a paragraph!