Kirilloff In, Donaldson Out - Twins Wild Card Series Roster

[Seth Stohs]

We have wondered if there would be any surprise additions to the Twins playoff roster. Well, were you expecting to see OF Alex Kirilloffon it? And, who isn’t on the roster, making room for Kirilloff? The answer, unfortunately, is that Josh Donaldson will not be on the Twins roster for this series.

 

Jake Odorizzi and Willians Astudillo are also on the Twins playoff roster for this series while Rich Hill and Jorge Alcala are not.The Twins won the AL Central Division title on Sunday. In that moment, they knew they had the #3 seed in the American League playoffs and will take on the Houston Astros in the Wild Card round starting on Tuesday. On Tuesday morning, the Twins announced their 28-man roster for the Wild Card round. Game time is 1:00 central time today.

 

Catchers (4): Alex Avila, Mitch Garver, Ryan Jeffers, Willians Astudillo

 

The Twins are going with four catchers. That said, Astudillo’s ability to play some third base and pinch hit likely make him viable for this series.

 

Infielders (5): Miguel Sano, Luis Arraez, Jorge Polanco, Ehire Adrianza, Marwin Gonzalez

 

Obviously the big news here is that Josh Donaldson is not on the Twins roster for this series. Hopefully his calf heals up and he could be ready for a potential ALDS series.

 

When trying to predict the roster, we assumed (and maybe just hoped) that Luis Arraez would be on the roster. Fortunately, he was activated from the Injury List on Saturday and played in two games. The fact that he returned with four hits on Saturday should make fans feel very comfortable.

 

Outfielders/DH (6): Eddie Rosario, Byron Buxton, Max Kepler, Jake Cave, Alex Kirilloff, Nelson Cruz

 

Clearly the surprise here is seeing Alex Kirilloff on the playoff roster. The Twins top pick in the 2016 draft has been working at the Twins alternate site in St. Paul and had recently been added to the team’s 40-man playoff pool. It is good to see that Byron Buxton is on the Wild Card roster. Buxton was suffering from mild concussions symptoms since being hit by a pitch in in the helmet on Friday night, but he has been cleared to play in this series.

 

Starting Pitchers (3): Kenta Maeda (Game 1), Jose Berrios (Game 2), Michael Pineda (Game 3)

 

We have really known the three starters for several days now, and it comes as no surprise. The nice thing to know is that Rich Hill pitched well down the stretch and had to have at least made that Game 3 starter decision interesting.

 

Long Reliever Options (2): Jake Odorizzi, Randy Dobnak

 

The Twins (and all teams) simply need to have at least one pitcher who could eat multiple innings and save the bullpen for the next day. Jake Odorizzi returns from the Injured List and is on the roster and can fill that role. Also, Randy Dobnak gets a roster spot for this series. Rich Hill, having pitched on Sunday would not be able to pitch until, maybe, Game 3 on Thursday, so he is not on the roster.

 

Bullpen (8): Taylor Rogers, Sergio Romo, Tyler Duffey, Trevor May, Tyler Clippard, Matt Wisler, Caleb Thielbar, Cody Stashak.

 

I think the surprise omission from this list is Jorge Alcala who has been pitching quite well out of the Twins bullpen. The rest of the bullpen is as expected.

 

Also of note, Sean Poppen was DFAd to make room for Alex Kirilloff on the 40-man roster.

 

So there it is, the Twins roster that will attempt to top the Houston Astros over the next few days.

 

Taxi Squad:

Pitchers; Jorge Alcala, Edwar Colina, Jhoan Duran, Rich Hill, Juan Minaya, Devin Smeltzer, Lewis Thorpe

Infielders: Travis Blankenhorn, Josh Donaldson,

Outfielders: LaMonte Wade, Jr.

 

Here is the Game 1 lineup:

 

 

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[jud6312]

Was hoping for a Tortuga-free postseason. Thanks, Josh.

[Diesel]

Am weirded out by the Astudillo addition instead of blankenhorn or Wade but whatever

[TouchEmAllGuy]

Why Avila?

[SF Twins Fan]

I don't understand why Avila is on the roster. There is zero reason to carry 4 catchers for a 3 game series even if Tortuga is mainly going to be used at other positions. Both Garver and Jeffers are solid behind the plate and infinitely better than Avila batting. 

 

Alcala deserves to be on the playoff roster. 

[jud6312]

 

Am weirded out by the Astudillo addition instead of blankenhorn or Wade but whatever

Sometimes you just need a weak, 2-out sac fly to right to get your offense off of the field. Who better than the Tortuga to softly fly out?

[Vanimal46]

I’d love to see a scenario where Kirilloff pinch hits for Marwin and they slide Sano over to 3B.

[whosafraidofluigirussolo]

I suppose it's possible that if Donaldson were healthy, neither Astudillo nor Kirilloff would be on this series roster and they might have had a spot for another pitcher? They're sort of replacing Donaldson with both players - Astudillo for the ability to play 3B (mainly as a depth option if Marwin has to start there) and Kirilloff theoretically to replace some pop on the roster.

[SoDakTwinsFan4]

That big off-season free agent signing...not even able to play in the first round of the playoffs. What a disappointment

[bighat]

 

That big off-season free agent signing...not even able to play in the first round of the playoffs. What a disappointment

Yep. Plus he barely played this season and made the bonehead play of the year by getting tossed in the Twins' biggest game of the season. I like the guy's energy and still think the Twins needed this type of player on the team but it hasn't worked out so far.

 

Other MLB teams have to be extremely relieved they didn't sign Donaldson. A great player but his injury issues are indeed a major problem. Initial grade on the signing has to be a D+ at best.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Looks like we should expect some pinch-hitting for catchers? Although we don't have a lot of pinch-hitting options -- Kirilloff obviously, Cave maybe (but probably need to keep him available in case you need him in the outfield, or pinch-running?).

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Thanks for the update Seth!

 

I’m a little worried about Kirilloff actually making an appearance, but Mondesi made his MLB debut for K.C. during the World Series so I like the creative thinking.

[Bamboo Bat]

What a weird roster. While the off-season moves were mostly excellent IMHO, the in-season stuff has sometimes seemed bizarre.

 

No Rich Hill - really? Didn't we sign him partially for his post season experience? 

Four catchers? Four catchers? FOUR CATCHERS? 

Kiriloff making his MLB debut in the playoffs? That's foolish. Anyone else remember Rivera vs. a rooke Jason Kubel many years back? I don't like it. 

Alcala left off? I'd rather see him on the roster than either Dobnak or Odorizzi at this point. 

 

That said, very glad to see Arraez healthy & a (presumably) recovered Buxton on the roster!

[DocBauer]

Astudillo is clearly there for utility purpose and not necessarily as a catcher. I would be shocked to see him behind the plate at all. But it does make one wonder why they kept Avilla in this scenario.

 

Surprised but not shocked that both Odorizzi and Dobnak are on the roster. But really disappointed Alcala isn't there in place of someone. Again, maybe in place of Avilla.

 

I just don't get Kirilloff over Wade this late in the season. If he gets an opportunity I hope he does well and I look forward to seeing him excel as a Twin for years to come. But a rookie debuting for a playoff game? I just don't get it.

[jud6312]

 

pinch-running

No need to save Cave for that ...

 

[AceWrigley]

Prediction: Astudillo - Game-winning pinch-hit single off of Pressly. It could happen.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I’m a little worried about Kirilloff actually making an appearance, but Mondesi made his MLB debut for K.C. during the World Series so I like the creative thinking.

Mondesi had potential usage a pinch-runner. Although he ultimately only made one appearance: a strikeout pinch-hitting for the pitcher in an eventual 9-3 loss, after the Royals already took a 2-0 series lead (on their way to a 4-1 series win).

[notoriousgod71]

 

What a weird roster. While the off-season moves were mostly excellent IMHO, the in-season stuff has sometimes seemed bizarre.

 

No Rich Hill - really? Didn't we sign him partially for his post season experience? 

Four catchers? Four catchers? FOUR CATCHERS? 

Kiriloff making his MLB debut in the playoffs? That's foolish. Anyone else remember Rivera vs. a rooke Jason Kubel many years back? I don't like it. 

Alcala left off? I'd rather see him on the roster than either Dobnak or Odorizzi at this point. 

 

That said, very glad to see Arraez healthy & a (presumably) recovered Buxton on the roster!

Kubel vs Rivera is exactly what I thought off when I heard Kiriloff was on the roster.

 

Even though, to be fair, Kubel has a fair number of ABs in September.

[Joey Self]

 

I’d love to see a scenario where Kirilloff pinch hits for Marwin and they slide Sano over to 3B.

I wouldn't mind that if the Twins were up 13-1 in 8th inning. 

JcS

[twinbythebay]

 

What a weird roster. While the off-season moves were mostly excellent IMHO, the in-season stuff has sometimes seemed bizarre.

 

No Rich Hill - really? Didn't we sign him partially for his post season experience? 

Four catchers? Four catchers? FOUR CATCHERS? 

Kiriloff making his MLB debut in the playoffs? That's foolish. Anyone else remember Rivera vs. a rooke Jason Kubel many years back? I don't like it. 

Alcala left off? I'd rather see him on the roster than either Dobnak or Odorizzi at this point. 

 

That said, very glad to see Arraez healthy & a (presumably) recovered Buxton on the roster!

Hill will most definitely be on the roster in the next round if they advance. What good would he be in this round given that he just started a game on Sunday? Also, just because Kirilloff is on the roster for this series doesn't mean he'll be getting any meaningful at-bats. It's possible he will, but to be honest, 28 players is way more than any team should feasibly need for a three game series anyway.

[dex8425]

 

Yep. Plus he barely played this season and made the bonehead play of the year by getting tossed in the Twins' biggest game of the season. I like the guy's energy and still think the Twins needed this type of player on the team but it hasn't worked out so far.

 

Other MLB teams have to be extremely relieved they didn't sign Donaldson. A great player but his injury issues are indeed a major problem. Initial grade on the signing has to be a D+ at best.

Harsh. He was the second best hitter on the team, behind Cruz. And the best defensive infielder on the team. Not really fair to ding him for the injuries when so many other guys were injured in this weird season. 

 

I'd grade the Odo signing at least as bad by your criteria. When he pitched, he wasn't good. At least when Donaldson played he was effective. 

[Joey Self]

 

Astudillo is clearly there for utility purpose and not necessarily as a catcher. I would be shocked to see him behind the plate at all. But it does make one wonder why they kept Avilla in this scenario.

Surprised but not shocked that both Odorizzi and Dobnak are on the roster. But really disappointed Alcala isn't there in place of someone. Again, maybe in place of Avilla.

I just don't get Kirilloff over Wade this late in the season. If he gets an opportunity I hope he does well and I look forward to seeing him excel as a Twin for years to come. But a rookie debuting for a playoff game? I just don't get it.

I'm guessing, and only guessing, that the thinking is that Jeffers will be pulled for a pinch-hitter, and then later, the replacement catcher will also be pulled (maybe for a pinch runner).   With Astudillo being able to play more than one spot (mind you, none with any great skill), I see why he is on the roster for this short series.  

JcS

[Chachi]

Does Kiriloff's inclusion on the playoff roster impact his service time clock in any significant way beyond what was accrued with his status on the taxi squad over the summer? 

 

I'm all for any longer-term benefit he might gain from an early playoff exposure - but hope a year of team control isn't lost in tradeoff?

[Shaitan]

Yikes. Thankful that Arraez is back, but we're still dangerously close to the .180 hitting Adrianza getting an AB. Assuming this means Marwin is at 3B.

 

I think a lot of these moves make sense. With Austudillo and Gonzalez on the bench, the team can PH for anyone and shift around positions.

 

I assume they're saving Alcala for the next series and planning for a couple bullpen games between now and WS where they'll utilize roster moves accordingly (though they gotta win first to get there).

 

I can't speak for what these rosters due to chemistry, but I wouldn't roster Avila 'til a longer series, but I doubt any of these moves are of the make-or-break variety.

 

 

[VivaBomboRivera!]

Why Avila?

Ummm, let's see...

 - fine pitch taker and defensive catcher

 - fair bat

 - not a rookie

 

Seems you might want a guy like this around for late- or extra-inning lineup re-shuffles, and naturally in case someone (gods forbid) gets hurt.

[dex8425]

 

I like the lineup with Arraez leading off. Not sure I'd hit Buxton 2nd with his strikeout tendencies - I'd go with Polanco - and I might switch Rosario and Kepler around but overall seems like a good mix given that we have to go without Doanldson. I'd go, Arraez, Polanco, Rosario, Cruz, Kepler, Buxton, Sano, Jeffers, Gonzalez.   

Buxton is OPS'ing over 1.000 in September. He needs to be at the top of the lineup, period. Polanco looks to be playing hurt. He's been a below average hitter this year after receiving MVP votes last year, something's not right. Maybe he really has been hurt by no video in the dugout.  

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Does Kiriloff's inclusion on the playoff roster impact his service time clock in any significant way beyond what was accrued with his status on the taxi squad over the summer? 

 

I'm all for any longer-term benefit he might gain from an early playoff exposure - but hope a year of team control isn't lost in tradeoff?

No, Kirilloff will not earn any MLB service time in 2020.

 

Taxi squad / alternate site players didn't earn any, and postseason days don't count toward service time.

 

Kirilloff will get postseason shares, though (extra pay).

[Bamboo Bat]

 

Buxton is OPS'ing over 1.000 in September. He needs to be at the top of the lineup, period. Polanco looks to be playing hurt. He's been a below average hitter this year after receiving MVP votes last year, something's not right. Maybe he really has been hurt by no video in the dugout.  

 

I agree on Polanco. If you watch him hit, he's often spinning out hitting left-handed as if something in his left leg is bothering him. His base & swing look a lot less stable to this untrained eye that they did in 2019.

[Bamboo Bat]

 

Hill will most definitely be on the roster in the next round if they advance. What good would he be in this round given that he just started a game on Sunday? Also, just because Kirilloff is on the roster for this series doesn't mean he'll be getting any meaningful at-bats. It's possible he will, but to be honest, 28 players is way more than any team should feasibly need for a three game series anyway.

 

Like I said, some of the in-season decisions have been odd...like letting the guy they signed for the post-season pitch the last game of the regular season. And if Kiriloff doesn't get any "meaningful" at-bats, why is he on the roster rather than Wade? For the most part it's just tinkering around the edges of the core lineup/staff, but it's still baffling. 

[rdehring]

 

Astudillo is clearly there for utility purpose and not necessarily as a catcher. I would be shocked to see him behind the plate at all. But it does make one wonder why they kept Avilla in this scenario.

Surprised but not shocked that both Odorizzi and Dobnak are on the roster. But really disappointed Alcala isn't there in place of someone. Again, maybe in place of Avilla.

I just don't get Kirilloff over Wade this late in the season. If he gets an opportunity I hope he does well and I look forward to seeing him excel as a Twin for years to come. But a rookie debuting for a playoff game? I just don't get it.

They talked about a few of these decisions over at the Twins site. Wade isn't eligible having been optioned to the ALT site on Saturday. They also were concerned with how well Houston knows Alcala, having gotten him from them in the 2018 trade. Personally, that was over two years ago and I doubt Houston would have an advantage from his time there.