4 Options for Twins' Final Bench Spot

[Shaitan]

 

Does Cave have options?  If not, he is the 26th man as Astudillo must still have an option or two.  A big spring from Wade could see him enter the discussion.  Doubt any of the big prospects would be considered as the Twins will want to see them playing every day.

If Cave is out of options, I'd say he's guaranteed a spot at this point.

 

He's been extremely hot/cold and I don't like his strikeouts (or defense, though that's more fixable). If he can hit as a role player, he's an okay piece on the bench. If he plays like last April-May, then no thank you.

[jkcarew]

Don't get some of the comments regarding Cave. He's a fourth outfielder. He catches the ball when it's hit to him and he has a 111 career OPS+...last year he was 112. Meanwhile, we think Buxton is about to become Willie Mays...his OPS+ last year was 114.

 

Likewise with LaMonte Wade. Beside the fact that his SLG is exceptionally poor...there were 7 guys at Rochester last year that had better OBP than he did. One of those was...you guessed it...Cave. Meanwhile, they're both left-handed and can't play center field. I can only chalk it up to the eternal desire for something new/different.

 

IMO, if not Cave...then someone like Dyson who can be a defensive substitution late in games, and play a legitimate center field once a week or so.

[Rosterman]

At this point, no need to go outside the organization. Gonzalez is a suitable backup for many a position. Kepler can move to center. Willians gives you a lot of position strength including catcher, plus he does put the ball in play. ight now the Twins have outfield strength. Who needs to play most everyday at Rochester (Raley, Wade, Celestino?). So, Cave could be a possibility, but I don't see the need to have him and be forced to play him unles someone does go down with an injury...but if that is a longterm issue, then I would add someone like Kirilloff for everyday use...if later in the season. But no need to go add other names if they aren't going to play.

[Ruven]

The Gardenhire Rules for Roster Building insisted upon a third catcher on the 25man even in the absence of major league caliber talent at the position. Had to have three catchers. Had to.

 

Gardy is gone, and Rocco rules, so there’s no requirement to keep a third catcher. But a third catcher is essential with a 26man roster when the starting catcher, Garver, is first and foremost a hitter whose stick will be utilized at DH on days off from the wear and tear behind the plate. Having a third backup that doesn’t eliminate Garver as a DH in a game when the backup-starter has to be replaced, whether due to injury, heat exhaustion, a pinch hitter, runner, or whatever, is not a necessity, but I don’t see how Rocco says no to it as an option. All that flexibility is a good thing when you’re the one making the decisions.

 

Astudillo will be on the roster.

[joefish]

"Not a Cave Fan at all....we have to be able to do better."

Are you a fan of Sano playing 1b?

[beckmt]

The Gardenhire Rules for Roster Building insisted upon a third catcher on the 25man even in the absence of major league caliber talent at the position. Had to have three catchers. Had to.

Gardy is gone, and Rocco rules, so there’s no requirement to keep a third catcher. But a third catcher is essential with a 26man roster when the starting catcher, Garver, is first and foremost a hitter whose stick will be utilized at DH on days off from the wear and tear behind the plate. Having a third backup that doesn’t eliminate Garver as a DH in a game when the backup-starter has to be replaced, whether due to injury, heat exhaustion, a pinch hitter, runner, or whatever, is not a necessity, but I don’t see how Rocco says no to it as an option. All that flexibility is a good thing when you’re the one making the decisions.

Astudillo will be on the roster.

Cruz will DH 6 days a week, sano will dh the 7th, no need for Garver to DH

[Greglw3]

 

Would any of these options be better than Rooker, a RH bat that plays corner OF, if has a good spring training. Cheap and available,

I like Rooker a lot and he hut very well at Rochester. It seems to me he is MLB ready and they’d do well to give him chance.

 

[DocBauer]

I could get behind Pillar if Cave were traded. Veteran RH bat and quality CF option who would allow Kepler to pretty much stick to RF, even with Buxton out or taking a day off.

 

I wish Cave were more natural in the OF, particular CF. He makes some really nice plays and also has some ridiculous flubs. It almost seems like he just can't always judge/track the ball. But I'd still stick with him over Pillar at this point. He's younger, has a better bat, and there is still room for modest improvement.

 

It's got to be him or Astudillo for the last spot.

[specialiststeve]

Actually am pretty sure that they will add a pitcher for the last spot. Adding the pitcher allows the Twins especially early to mix and match guys to get through the early part of the season when pitchers tend to not go as long. 

 

I would actually see Nick Gordon to make a push for the 26 spot also  as is 24 years old and we need to see if he is going to contributor or have him move on. Not going to light it up but may as well see if he got game as they say. 

 

[USAFChief]

Pillar makes a lot of sense.

[Mr. Brooks]

Actually am pretty sure that they will add a pitcher for the last spot. Adding the pitcher allows the Twins especially early to mix and match guys to get through the early part of the season when pitchers tend to not go as long.

 

I would actually see Nick Gordon to make a push for the 26 spot also as is 24 years old and we need to see if he is going to contributor or have him move on. Not going to light it up but may as well see if he got game as they say.

They aren't allowed more than 13 pitchers on the roster.

New rule when the 26 man roster was introduced.

[specialiststeve]

 

They aren't allowed more than 13 pitchers on the roster.
New rule when the 26 man roster was introduced.

 

Didn't know that ... thanks. 

[Cory Engelhardt]

Hear me out, and maybe this is crazy, but Billy Hamilton maybe? I mean, yes, that's crazy. But keep him for JUST pinch running and defensive replacement late innings. Don't let him bat (heck, pinch-hit a pitcher instead) but late innings, someone gets on base, having a great pinch running option couldn't hurt. 

 

Otherwise, I really like the Pillar idea, and/or just sticking with Lamonte Wade.

[stringer bell]

 

Hear me out, and maybe this is crazy, but Billy Hamilton maybe? I mean, yes, that's crazy. But keep him for JUST pinch running and defensive replacement late innings. Don't let him bat (heck, pinch-hit a pitcher instead) but late innings, someone gets on base, having a great pinch running option couldn't hurt. 

 

Otherwise, I really like the Pillar idea, and/or just sticking with Lamonte Wade.

Hamilton signed a couple of days ago with the Giants. I wanted him as a pinch-runner and defensive replacement for last year's postseason run. If the Twins are in a similar position this year, I think that would be a good move on or about August 31.