Future Roster Transactions

[stringer bell]

Jake Odorizzi gets activated today to face the Royals, filling out the 28-man active roster which will include 16 (!) pitchers. The way the Twins are playing it, they need all or almost all of those pitching slots because they have had a grand total of four six-inning starts at this point in the season. Further, more length won't be expected soon from Rich Hill or Odorizzi as they come off the IL, nor from Thorpe or Smeltzer as they fill in until the rotation has some semblance of stability. 

 

With the activation of Odorizzi, the Twins will have starters Hill and Bailey and reliever Zack Littell on the IL. Josh Donaldson was put on the IL yesterday and has to be on the shelf for at least a week. Also, Willians Astudillo is still on the IL, but has been in St. Paul for 12 days. I would presume he is close to being physically ready to join the team. 

 

General managing from my couch, I would expect that the Twins drop a pitcher sometime before Donaldson returns, but really I don't see them going any lower than 14 pitchers for the rest of the season. Among the pitchers, I would guess the activation progression would be Littell, then Hill and finally Bailey. As I understand it "Dick Mountain" is expected to throw a bullpen while on the road trip and could be activated when the team gets back home. Littell can come off Monday, I believe and he figures to be totally healthy by then. 

 

So, who goes when these guys return? I think Poppen is the first choice to be sent back, given that his option has been used already and that he is the last guy in the 'pen. Next would probably be one of Thorpe or Smeltzer--Thorpe perhaps getting another start in the coming days. Alcala or Thielbar would probably be options if all are healthy and the team want "only" 15 arms. 

 

As far as the position players go, I don't know when but the club has to decide on Astudillo pretty soon. I assume he has options, so if Avila and Garver stay healthy, the Turtle might get optioned to St. Paul. If not, I would presume that when Astudillo is activated, the club will cut back by one pitcher, unless someone else comes up injured. Donaldson's return would probably prompt a return to 14 position players, although by then, someone else will probably have a disabling injury. 

 

I think the Twins, by virtue of the versatility of Gonzalez and Adrianza, are well suited to play with fewer position players, even with 16 pitchers, they have major league depth at all positions. 

 

My educated guesses will probably all be wrong and almost certainly in the next couple of weeks, new injuries will be added to the mix. It is interesting to see how Derek and Thad manage the active roster and 40-man.

[rdehring]

I don't see the Twins going to 15 position players at any time this year. My guess is that a pitcher gets sent down when Donaldson is ready and they stay at 13 with 15 pitchers the rest of the year. That would put Astudillo on the taxi squad, unless some catcher gets banged up and they need him.

 

[stringer bell]

These are at 12 now, so adding two position player would put them at 14. I certainly don’t see them going below 14 pitchers.

[stringer bell]

 

I don't see the Twins going to 15 position players at any time this year. My guess is that a pitcher gets sent down when Donaldson is ready and they stay at 13 with 15 pitchers the rest of the year. That would put Astudillo on the taxi squad, unless some catcher gets banged up and they need him.

My bad. I made a fat fingers error by saying 15 position player. It should have read 14, and I have edited the original post.

[FlauerPauer]

Is Astudillo worth an active roster spot? Other than a feel good story, he really isn't that good.

 

I'd like to see Theilbar and Poppen the first to go from the bullpen when guys return. Then Smeltzer and Alcala. 

[Danchat]

Is Astudillo worth an active roster spot? Other than a feel good story, he really isn't that good.

 

I'd like to see Theilbar and Poppen the first to go from the bullpen when guys return. Then Smeltzer and Alcala.

If Tortuga can hit like he did in 2018, we could use a guy who hits for contact regularly. Would be an upgrade from Garvey in his slump.

[jud6312]

 

If Tortuga can hit like he did in 2018, we could use a guy who hits for contact regularly. Would be an upgrade from Garvey in his slump.

But it would also be a huge step backward defensively from Garver or Avila.

 

 

[jorgenswest]

 

But it would also be a huge step backward defensively from Garver or Avila.

I don’t think Garver is defending nearly as well this year. His passed ball and wild pitch rates are up, he is a 15th percentile framer thus far and his pop time was poor to begin with. Astudillo really can’t be significantly worse than that as a defender. I should add though there may be a hidden edge related to game calling and sequencing.

 

At the plate he appears to have a different approach. Is it Donaldson in his ear that has shifted his approach? He needs to get different voices in his ear about batting and truly do a reset. A handful of days off may help is Astudillo is healthy and able to contribute.

 

[twins1095]

Jake Odorizzi gets activated today to face the Royals, filling out the 28-man active roster which will include 16 (!) pitchers. The way the Twins are playing it, they need all or almost all of those pitching slots because they have had a grand total of four six-inning starts at this point in the season. Further, more length won't be expected soon from Rich Hill or Odorizzi as they come off the IL, nor from Thorpe or Smeltzer as they fill in until the rotation has some semblance of stability.

 

With the activation of Odorizzi, the Twins will have starters Hill and Bailey and reliever Zack Littell on the IL. Josh Donaldson was put on the IL yesterday and has to be on the shelf for at least a week. Also, Willians Astudillo is still on the IL, but has been in St. Paul for 12 days. I would presume he is close to being physically ready to join the team.

 

General managing from my couch, I would expect that the Twins drop a pitcher sometime before Donaldson returns, but really I don't see them going any lower than 14 pitchers for the rest of the season. Among the pitchers, I would guess the activation progression would be Littell, then Hill and finally Bailey. As I understand it "Dick Mountain" is expected to throw a bullpen while on the road trip and could be activated when the team gets back home. Littell can come off Monday, I believe and he figures to be totally healthy by then.

 

So, who goes when these guys return? I think Poppen is the first choice to be sent back, given that his option has been used already and that he is the last guy in the 'pen. Next would probably be one of Thorpe or Smeltzer--Thorpe perhaps getting another start in the coming days. Alcala or Thielbar would probably be options if all are healthy and the team want "only" 15 arms.

 

As far as the position players go, I don't know when but the club has to decide on Astudillo pretty soon. I assume he has options, so if Avila and Garver stay healthy, the Turtle might get optioned to St. Paul. If not, I would presume that when Astudillo is activated, the club will cut back by one pitcher, unless someone else comes up injured. Donaldson's return would probably prompt a return to 14 position players, although by then, someone else will probably have a disabling injury.

 

I think the Twins, by virtue of the versatility of Gonzalez and Adrianza, are well suited to play with fewer position players, even with 16 pitchers, they have major league depth at all positions.

 

My educated guesses will probably all be wrong and almost certainly in the next couple of weeks, new injuries will be added to the mix. It is interesting to see how Derek and Thad manage the active roster and 40-man.

I agree with your logic. I think you could send Smeltzer back if you think Alcala could flash. The reason being Hill/Pineda/Bailey will be coming back who theoretically are all better than Smeltzer or at least ahead on the pecking order because of vet status.

 

Smeltzer won’t be kept ahead of them. So keep Alcala for as long as possible to see what we have... my strategy anyway...

[dex8425]

What is it going to take for us to see Duran make a start? Thorpe needs to figure it out not in MLB games this year. 

[Number3]

Experiment as much as possible. Try many different lineups but Sano and Buxton need as much work as possible. Pitch by committee as in yesterday's game. Work on weaknesses. Play smart but not too hard. Stay loose, Have fun. Get ready for 2021. Who cares about 2020? Above all..do NOT win the World Series in 2020. Playoffs would be nice because of extra practice. By the way, total reliance on the long ball is not working. Try small ball for a few games. Actually try a few bunts in a game.

[stringer bell]

The Twins play a doubleheader tomorrow starting at 12:10 PM and I suppose they will recall a pitcher, perhaps Duran, for the doubleheader. On Monday, Pineda returns and they will have to reduce both their active roster and their 40-man. Pineda's return will give the club five starters (four veterans and Dobnak) with Odorizzi waiting in the wings. 

 

Dobnak, Berríos and Maeda are fullly stretched out, although Dobnak hasn't gone much more than five innings. Hill went five innings his last outing, Pineda will probably be on a pitch count and so will Odo. Perhaps Rocco will piggy-back two of the guys or else he can go with a six-man rotation. 

 

Of course, there will probably be someone else going on the IL by then. Who gets taken off the 40-man? My guess is Coulombe.

[Shaitan]

I think a lot of this depends on Donaldson. If he's on the active roster, I can't see carrying Gonzalez, Adriana, Vargas, and Austudillo. That's a lot of infielders.

 

Either Austudillo goes to St Paul or they cut Vargas (and they seem to like him, giving his pinch hitting appearance the other day).

 

[stringer bell]

 

I think a lot of this depends on Donaldson. If he's on the active roster, I can't see carrying Gonzalez, Adriana, Vargas, and Austudillo. That's a lot of infielders.

 

Either Austudillo goes to St Paul or they cut Vargas (and they seem to like him, giving his pinch hitting appearance the other day).

Astudillo was already optioned. He's on the taxi squad and the 40-man. I think reducing their position players is a whole other deal and if Buxton is ready to come off along with Donaldson, that is two positions to reduce. LaMonte Wade would be one obvious choice. The other?

[stringer bell]

OK, in another thread the Twins DFAed Coulombe and add Juan Minaya. Lewis Thorpe is the 29th man for today. It wouldn't surprise me if Minaya is here for today and on the DFA list tomorrow.

 

I would wager that both Thorpe and Minaya will pitch in today's doubleheader.

[Linus]

OK, in another thread the Twins DFAed Coulombe and add Juan Minaya. Lewis Thorpe is the 29th man for today. It wouldn't surprise me if Minaya is here for today and on the DFA list tomorrow.

 

I would wager that both Thorpe and Minaya will pitch in today's doubleheader.

Yep. Can’t see bringing up Duran now with big Mike coming back. Would have liked instead of those bp games however.

[stringer bell]

I think Jason Castro and Avila are pretty much of a wash. Avila is playing a bit more with Garver's struggles and now his injury and he's acquitted himself pretty well. Pretty much what Castro did for the last 2/3 of 2019. 

 

A classic fourth outfielder would be fine--I think Cave does much better when he's in the lineup on a regular basis as opposed to once or twice a week--but with health of the starting outfielders, a fourth outfielder won't get much run and in that case it would be preferable to have either a switch hitter or right handed hitter. 

[stringer bell]

Buxton and Pineda to be activated today, with Donaldson coming on board tomorrow, according to MLB Trade Rumors. Who goes? I would guess that LaMonte Wade Jr. is certain to head back to St. Paul with Buxton being activated. As far as making room for Pineda, Minaya or Poppen would make sense. Perhaps "sending down" Poppen for a day, since an extra player will be required for the doubleheader on Thursday. Vargas would figure to be on thin ice for a DFA tomorrow.

[rdehring]

 

Buxton and Pineda to be activated today, with Donaldson coming on board tomorrow, according to MLB Trade Rumors. Who goes? I would guess that LaMonte Wade Jr. is certain to head back to St. Paul with Buxton being activated. As far as making room for Pineda, Minaya or Poppen would make sense. Perhaps "sending down" Poppen for a day, since an extra player will be required for the doubleheader on Thursday. Vargas would figure to be on thin ice for a DFA tomorrow.

Its not only who is sent to St. Paul. When Pineda is activated, someone is going to have to come off the 40-man roster also, unless there are some other injuries/illnesses that could be moved off the 40-man.

 

If they do DFA someone, not even going to try to guess who?

[ashbury]

Its not only who is sent to St. Paul. When Pineda is activated, someone is going to have to come off the 40-man roster also, unless there are some other injuries/illnesses that could be moved off the 40-man.

 

If they do DFA someone, not even going to try to guess who?

Looking at the MLB site, I see 42 players listed on the 40-man roster, even before Pineda. The Yankees have that number too. Is 42 the new limit?

[Otto von Ballpark]

Looking at the MLB site, I see 42 players listed on the 40-man roster, even before Pineda. The Yankees have that number too. Is 42 the new limit?

That list doesn’t reflect IL status. Bailey is on the 45-day IL so he doesn’t count against the 40, and I suspect Gordon is on the COVID list so he likewise doesn’t count either.

 

Interestingly, they don’t list restricted list guys Pineda and Romero anywhere either.

[USAFChief]

How the **** is Donaldson ok for tomorrow, but not tonight? Against a leftie?

 

Makes no sense. None. Either he's ready to go, or he's not. 24 hours is meaningless, its been weeks.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

How the **** is Donaldson ok for tomorrow, but not tonight? Against a leftie?

Makes no sense. None. Either he's ready to go, or he's not. 24 hours is meaningless, its been weeks.

I'm guessing he's scheduled to go full-speed today in a full simulated game, or some other test that he hasn't yet achieved in rehab, and if all goes well with that, they will activate him tomorrow. That way, if there are any issues today, they can work on it and still activate him later in the week if possible.

 

If they activated him today, and he had any issues, then he'd be taking up a roster spot while being unavailable the next few days, or they'd have to restart his IL clock again and he couldn't return for another 10 days.

[IndianaTwin]

 

I'm guessing he's scheduled to go full-speed today in a full simulated game, or some other test that he hasn't yet achieved in rehab, and if all goes well with that, they will activate him tomorrow. That way, if there are any issues today, they can work on it and still activate him later in the week if possible.

 

If they activated him today, and he had any issues, then he'd be taking up a roster spot while being unavailable the next few days, or they'd have to restart his IL clock again and he couldn't return for another 10 days.

 

Or that the original plan was Friday and they felt like they could push him up a couple days, but not as far as three. 

[lecroy24fan]

I would say Minaya goes for Pineda, since they also have to make a spot on the 40 man for Pineda.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Or that the original plan was Friday and they felt like they could push him up a couple days, but not as far as three. 

Good point. Or the original plan was yesterday, but they already had a minor setback.

[USAFChief]

I'm guessing he's scheduled to go full-speed today in a full simulated game, or some other test that he hasn't yet achieved in rehab, and if all goes well with that, they will activate him tomorrow. That way, if there are any issues today, they can work on it and still activate him later in the week if possible.

 

If they activated him today, and he had any issues, then he'd be taking up a roster spot while being unavailable the next few days, or they'd have to restart his IL clock again and he couldn't return for another 10 days.

That makes little sense to me. 24 hours, after weeks, is meaningless,there's a LHer on the mound, and there's less than 30 games left.

[lecroy24fan]

 

I would say Minaya goes for Pineda, since they also have to make a spot on the 40 man for Pineda.

Just announced Minaya was DFA'd and Wade sent down.

[IndianaTwin]

 

That makes little sense to me. 24 hours, after weeks, is meaningless,there's a LHer on the mound, and there's less than 30 games left.

 

But if 24 hours is meaningless and he could be activated tonight rather than tomorrow, why not go another meaningless 24 hours and go with last night? And then another meaningless 24 hours (actually 32) to have had him on Sunday? And so on...

 

Point is, there has to be a threshold to get over, and without MiLB games to use as reference, we don't know what he's done or not done in St. Paul. If another day lessens the likelihood of an Aaron Judge-type 6-inning activation stint before returning to the IL, I don't have a problem with that. The language about Donaldson from this past weekend pointed to a weekend return, so even a game with Chicago is better than none. 

 

 

[IndianaTwin]

And for what it's worth, Donaldson's OPS against Keuchel in 30 PA is about .085 below his career average. Don't know how that compares with how Marwin has done against Keuchel, but it's not like Donaldson has torn him up.

 

At this point, Donaldson's presence as "presence" would be invaluable, however.