Rooker is in the same service time-manipulation boat as Kirilloff, and Rooker was really dang good in his short audition last year. If he ends up getting the opening day spot I don't think there'd be any reason to think anything is amiss.

 

Unless another outfielder of note is added, one of Kirilloff or Rooker absolutely should be on the club, but there's probably only room for one of them.

Rooker is in the same service time-manipulation boat as Kirilloff,

Both these gentlemen were born in the month of November, Rooker three years sooner than Kirilloff. I don't think you bother playing service time games with a 26-year old.

 

 

Could Arraez be the opening day left fielder and lead off batter? And then stay out there. Then Austidillo can be left off for more of an utility infielder

 

I expect Arraez on Opening Day and Kirilloff as the "regular" LF. As others have said, it's possible they start with a Cave platoon of some fashion and buy more time with Kirilloff.

 

My 2021 goal is to learn to spell Kirilloff's name correctly.

 

Rooker is in the same service time-manipulation boat as Kirilloff, and Rooker was really dang good in his short audition last year. If he ends up getting the opening day spot I don't think there'd be any reason to think anything is amiss.

 

Unless another outfielder of note is added, one of Kirilloff or Rooker absolutely should be on the club, but there's probably only room for one of them.

 

And Rooker was technically getting service time while on the DL, though a relatively minor difference. 

 

 

Kirilloff is only on the  roster if he's playing 6 days per week. I think they might give Rooker a bench spot given his age and career projection. Personally I think Cruz took that roster spot, as Rooker is pretty bat-first for a bench role.

 

 

This is not a Ryan / Gardenhire team and I don't think this regime will find it absolutely necessary to have 3 catchers. One of the interesting parts of this roster construction is that adding Simmons puts Polanco in the backup to SS role. This offers more flexibility in terms of the bench players. It will be interesting to see how they use that 26th spot on the roster.