Alex Kirilloff Optioned to Alternate Training Site

[Major League Ready]

 

Adding to my early post - why send Kiriloff out now?  Why not wait until the end of ST?  It is not like he is going to get his AAA experience in the next month.

 

I would assume because their primary goal is getting guys ready for the season at this point. Giving ABs to someone that is not going to be on the opening day roster does not facilitate that goal.

[Brock Beauchamp]

I would assume because their primary goal is getting guys ready for the season at this point. Giving ABs to someone that is not going to be on the opening day roster does not facilitate that goal.

And that’s exactly why they make these (every year) controversial cuts two weeks before the season begins.

[D.C Twins]

The most salient information for me is that he has 8Ks and 1BB.

 

8Ks vs. 1BB tells me that his struggle is real.

 

You can't tell me that actually hitting the ball and commanding the strike zone in spring training is not important. It is universally important no matter where in the world you step up to the plate or what the stakes are. 

 

Yes, batting average, OPS, etc etc are limited to small sample sizes because sometimes you can hit hard balls at people. But if you are not taking walks and missing the ball often, that is a problem even in small sample sizes!

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

The most salient information for me is that he has 8Ks and 1BB.

 

8Ks vs. 1BB tells me that his struggle is real.

 

You can't tell me that actually hitting the ball and commanding the strike zone in spring training is not important. It is universally important no matter where in the world you step up to the plate or what the stakes are. 

 

Yes, batting average, OPS, etc etc are limited to small sample sizes because sometimes you can hit hard balls at people. But if you are not taking walks and missing the ball often, that is a problem even in small sample sizes!

While I think you're mostly on the right track in the sense that strikeouts are bad, lack of walks mean virtually nothing.

 

Again, spring training stats DO NOT MATTER.

 

No one walks in spring training because the entire point is to hit the ball and get to game speed. No one spits on pitches and works a nine pitch walk because no one is here to do that.

[Darius]

He was headed there either way. The FO got extremely lucky to have the “slump” to fall back on. It saved them a PR nightmare (despite the numerous pocket protectors attempting to provide cover).

[mikelink45]

 

I would assume because their primary goal is getting guys ready for the season at this point. Giving ABs to someone that is not going to be on the opening day roster does not facilitate that goal.

I suspect that there is room in other practice sessions.  When I watched yesterday's game we had Lin in RF - do we really expect him to be there?  We had Maggi in LF - do we expect him to make the team?  We had Sabato at 1B - his batting this spring is much worse that Kiriloff.  We had Riddle and Romine in the lineup.  So what would be so hard about getting Alex some at bats?  I don't see it. 

[Dman]

 

Eddie Rosario this spring - .139 .179 .139 .318

Jake Cave - .143 .357 .190 .548

Byron Buxton - .115 .143 .231 .374

Max Kepler - .067 .067 .067 .133

Miguel Sano - .094 .171 .188 .359

Andrelton Simmons - .059 .111 .059 .170

Alex Kiriloff - .129 .182 .258 .440

 

What does ST mean?  I certainly would have made Kiriloff one of the last cuts and given him time to put things together. Look at my chart - he is third best!

 

 

To be honest I am concerned about Kepler, Sano, Buxton, Simmons and Cave this coming season. I don't believe their numbers will be that bad but I am concerned.  2020 just doesn't give us much to go on but the trends for Kepler, Sano and Cave are not good.  Kepler isn't hitting balls in the air as much and is grounding out a ton into the shift. When he does hit the ball in the air it generally is a pop fly out to his pull side as well.  He hasn't been good since the ball was juiced so I have my concerns.  

 

While Sano is willing to take pitches once he gets two strikes he is prone to K on stuff low and outside, he also has a ton of swing and miss.  When he does hit it though he gets a lot of hits.  His power is amazing I just wish he could make contact more often.

 

I don't know what to think about Cave anymore.  The Twins obviously love him and feel he is a major league left fielder.  I feel like he is more of a 4th outfielder and non essential especially once Kirilloff comes up but that is just my box score informed opinion.  2020 was not a good year for Cave and to see him start slow this spring doesn't give me confidence that he is going to turn things around.  We will see where he and the team are at around the deadline.

 

We all knew Simmons bat was light but hopefully it isn't pitiful.

 

Buxton is basically a guess hitter.  No plate discipline that I can discern what so ever.  Pitchers keep throwing him strikes early and late in the count and does put them in the seats at a good enough clip that if he keeps that up makes him a dangerous hitter if not he is just K prone centerfielder.

 

So yeah it might be spring and the numbers might mean nothing but given how those guys played last year it doesn't give me confidence that anything has changed for the better.  We will know more once the season starts and guys are truly dialed in, but this lineup could have some serious holes in it.

[In My La Z boy]

I think it was a genuine open competition. Letting Eddie go, and using the money elsewhere was the correct call. Rooker clearly deserves the nod over Kirilloff - as both are still prospects, neither has much if any ML experience - I agree spring stats are a less than determinate factor - and to my untrained eye, Rooker is the more confident player at the plate. It also helped Rooker that he is 3 years older than Kirilloff. It may also have worked against Alex that we need a place for Arraez out there in LF once in a while to keep his bat in the lineup. I still think Arraez starts day 1 in LF to get his bat in the lineup and leadoff. After the 1st game or two, we can work him into an infield rotation - They will baby Donaldson for a while to start I'm thinking.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I suspect that there is room in other practice sessions.  When I watched yesterday's game we had Lin in RF - do we really expect him to be there?  We had Maggi in LF - do we expect him to make the team?  We had Sabato at 1B - his batting this spring is much worse that Kiriloff.  We had Riddle and Romine in the lineup.  So what would be so hard about getting Alex some at bats?  I don't see it. 

I think there's also the potential risk of injury. If Kirilloff were to get injured before he was optioned, he'd have to go on the MLB injured list and accumulate MLB service time. That's why prospects on the 40-man roster generally get sent out earlier than other players, as soon as their path to making the team closes.

 

FWIW, the team will gradually be increasing spring at-bats for MLB regulars, but they also want to evaluate other minor leaguers too -- to help determine classification, positions, call-up priority, maybe even next winter's 40-man decisions, etc. With Kirilloff, all of that is pretty much settled already -- he's already on the 40-man and staying there, he'll be assigned to AAA, and he'll likely come up as soon as regular MLB at-bats open up at one of his positions. Sure, giving him continued reps would be nice, but it probably has less marginal net benefit than giving those reps to other guys at the moment.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

No one walks in spring training because the entire point is to hit the ball and get to game speed. No one spits on pitches and works a nine pitch walk because no one is here to do that.

Tell that to this guy:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPWNmtK-SJA

 

But seriously, pitch selectivity is pretty much built in to the modern hitting approach, not necessarily for working walks but just getting the best pitch to drive. And professional hitters aren't casting that approach aside in spring training games like it's batting practice.

 

As of now, the league-wide BB% this spring is 10.2%. The 2020 regular season was 9.2%. Some of that is on pitchers of course, but some is still due to the baseline offensive approach.

 

In 2019, the spring training walk rate was 8.7%, exactly the same at the regular season non-pitcher walk rate.

 

For one player like Kirilloff, or even one team like the Twins, it's such a small sample that I don't think we can draw many conclusions from the stat line alone -- but I also don't know that we can universally dismiss a lack of spring training walks either.

[chpettit19]

 

I suspect that there is room in other practice sessions.  When I watched yesterday's game we had Lin in RF - do we really expect him to be there?  We had Maggi in LF - do we expect him to make the team?  We had Sabato at 1B - his batting this spring is much worse that Kiriloff.  We had Riddle and Romine in the lineup.  So what would be so hard about getting Alex some at bats?  I don't see it. 

Lin, Maggi, and Sabato were late inning replacements who got 1 AB. Sabato has been a late inning replacement the vast majority of the spring and doesn't even get to step to the plate in most games.

 

Lin, Riddle, Maggi, and Romine are new to the org and they are still working on assessing what they can bring in 2021 while not really caring about their overall development as they basically are what they are. Kirilloff is still developing (despite what some on here would like to believe) and sitting on the bench for 7 innings before playing 1 inning in left and crossing his fingers for an AB isn't useful in his development. Spending time in the cages and on back fields with coaches and vets and getting his swing and timing back is what helps his development. 

 

We can't judge every player by the same standards in spring. They're at different points in their careers and the org is looking at different things from all of them. Kirilloff, Rooker, and Garlic were on the 40 man coming into the spring. Lin, Riddle, Maggi, Romine, Sabato were non-roster invites who the Twins have no real plans to use in Minneapolis this year unless a number of injuries happen or they go nuclear in AAA (Sabato won't be in AAA and is just getting his feet wet at major league camp to set him up for a better start to his career after last year being wiped out) while somebody in Minneapolis completely craters. They're completely different situations.

 

Whether you agree or not Bux, Kep, and Cave had 26 man spots locked up. Sano, Donaldson, Cruz, Arraez, Polanco, Garver, Jeffers, and Simmons had 26 man spots locked up. That's 11 guys for 12 or 13 spots depending on how many arms they carry early. That means Kirilloff, Rooker, Garlic, Astudillo, Gordon, Blankenhorn, and Celestino were fighting for 1 or 2 spots (with different likelihoods of getting a spot coming in). Rooker, Garlic, and Astudillo have vastly out performed Kirilloff to this point. And I'm not just talking box score stats. I'm talking watching them go about their business in the batter's box. Those 3 look comfortable and like they have a plan. Kirilloff looked awful. Flailing at pitches like he had no idea what was coming at him. He has stuff to work out before he steps foot on a major league field. Kirilloff lost the spring battle, has things to work on, and the Twins sent him to the back fields to work on them. That's how it works.

[Finlander]

Rooker's ABs have been far superior to AK's this spring. At a time when games are about to count, the team can't wait for the kid's approach to suddenly click. He'll be up when he is ready. Let's not heap pressure on him by throwing him right into the MLB fire. He needs to find his stroke and confidence. Rooker's bat looks more ready for now, and he is 2 or 3 years older than AK. He's earned the job of trying to help us win some early games. And Arraez will find ABs more easily now as well.

[Trov]

I have said all along that until Twins showed clear intention of manipulating service time I would give benefit of doubt they would not.  This move does not show a clear intent to manipulate service time.  Kirilloff did not play well enough to force the Twins into that decision.  Kirilloff did not put up huge numbers in AA or AAA over his career yet.  Everything is about his hype, which I am on that train, but when you are expected to be a big bat and you hit below .200, sure in short sample, but others are competing and hitting well.

 

What will be interesting is to see who breaks with team, and how long will team ride with them if they struggle before Alex takes a train ride from St. Paul to MPLS.  We will not have number to compare, unless it is May time.  

 

I would ride with Rooker for most games to start.  If he hits like he has shown he can then he may make it hard to let Alex get time.  If Rooker struggles then you swap the two. 

[Mike Sixel]

 

I would assume because their primary goal is getting guys ready for the season at this point. Giving ABs to someone that is not going to be on the opening day roster does not facilitate that goal.

 

This. 100%

[drivlikejehu]

I think the most understated factor here isn't so much that Rooker 'earned' a spot over Kirilloff - though one can certainly make a strong case that he did - but rather that the Twins need to find out whether Rooker is part of their future plans (as more than a last-guy-on-the-bench role).

 

Rooker has had superficially good numbers pretty much throughout his pro career to date, but his strikeout rate is a red flag, and his lack of defensive value means he needs to be a superb hitter to someday start for the Twins. He's 26 and the computer projections are for production below the MLB average.

 

Undoubtedly the Twins coaching staff has been working with him to optimize his approach at the plate, and by all accounts he is a hard worker. But unless he takes a significant step forward, he's a borderline major leaguer. If Rooker plays well, he could be a helpful trade piece (not to get a star, but say, to help pick up a 7th inning guy before the deadline). Alternatively, the Twins could look for ways to get both him and Kirilloff ABs during 2021.

 

And, while I don't think this is the case, there's a possibility that Kirilloff is just overrated. Post high school, he has only demonstrated success in A-ball. He also lacks defensive value, so he could turn out to be a solid MLB hitter and still be a borderline starter.

[diehardtwinsfan]

spring stats don't matter much, but they most certainly do for people on the bubble trying to make the team.

 

I don't see a grand conspiracy here. AK didn't look good and he's going to need to improve. His competition looked a lot better. He'll be here soon enough, but I wouldn't lose much sleep about him starting in AAA until he gets the ship going in the right direction. 

[cHawk]

 

He was headed there either way. The FO got extremely lucky to have the “slump” to fall back on. It saved them a PR nightmare (despite the numerous pocket protectors attempting to provide cover).

 

Does PR mean Public Relations here? And if so, what’s a PR nightmare?

[Channing1964]

The more appropriate question would be would you rather have Rosario over JA Happ 8M, Colome 5M Shoemaker 2M or maybe Nelson Cru 13M as that is where Rosario's 8M was spent.  You can mix and match and decide who to keep or lose but that is where it went.  Cave only makes $575,000 and his production wasn't that far off Rosario's in 2019.  Cave did have a horrible 2020, just horrible but a lot of good players did as well.   Hard to gain much from 2020's SSS.  I am not a die hard Cave fan and see him gone after this year but if he is platooned with Rooker I think they can get to Rosario's production.  If not maybe Kirilloff can once he finally get things together.

The more appropriate question would be would you rather have Rosario over JA Happ 8M, Colome 5M Shoemaker 2M or maybe Nelson Cru 13M as that is where Rosario's 8M was spent.  You can mix and match and decide who to keep or lose but that is where it went.  Cave only makes $575,000 and his production wasn't that far off Rosario's in 2019.  Cave did have a horrible 2020, just horrible but a lot of good players did as well.   Hard to gain much from 2020's SSS.  I am not a die hard Cave fan and see him gone after this year but if he is platooned with Rooker I think they can get to Rosario's production.  If not maybe Kirilloff can once he finally get things together.

I get it....but if it rakes Cave AND Rooker to kind of sort of replace Rosario then what the hell did we disrespect him for. I totally see why they did what they did My whole point is This. He is one of our own. Don't ever try to say that the money paid for Happ, or Colome, or Robles, or even Simmons. That money was the 18 million that we DIDN'T pay Odorizzi. Are you really saying with a straight face that we are better off with Cave/Rooker/Garlick/and or Kiriloff? That money is NOT being spent on payroll and Ibeg to differ we are better off without Eddie Rosario. Stop rubber stamping every move the FO makes. Arraez is not a Super Utility player..We will miss Marwin and Adrianza more than you think....For 10 million we could have had Eddie back one more year. Its hard to see right now what the Fu€k went wrong there but it's clear it wasnt well thought out. I dont know which came first ...fans crying about Eddie? Media starting rumors? FO saying stuff...either way this is a head scratcher.. now Kiriloff isnt ready and Cave is the best left field option? really? Thats sad.

[Channing1964]

Does PR mean Public Relations here? And if so, what’s a PR nightmare?

There's no such thing as a pr nightmare for the greatest front office executives in the history of major league baseball

[Channing1964]

I actually think Cave/Rooker is an upgrade over Rosario at this point. It is Rooker's job to now play himself out of the Twin organization. Rooker can get the at bats and the Twins will have to make a hard decision on Cruz as the season plays out, and look closely at the future potential that might still exist for Sano.

 

If Rooker produces, he is a fine luxury to have. Considering names like Larnach and Kirilloff are in the wings and pretty sure bets to play as well as anyone else the Twins have patrolling the outfield.

 

If Alex had shined in spring training, Rooker might've become the next Paul Sorrento or Michael Restovich of the Twins, leaving and never getting a really strong chance to shine. Of course, he may still be - but I am happy to see him get a chance to become a Twins mainstay.

 

I would almost go with Garlick over Cave. Almost. Kyle can go to the minors, so that is probably what will happen. Cave can play center instead of Kepler. I do always go with the argument to better have guys playing everday who can come up and play in the majors, rather than have reserves sitting on the bench and them moving into the starting role. They are usually reserves for a reason.

i look at Rooker....I see a slow guy with no range weak arm and we may as well put Sabato out there. Look at Cave and see Cave. Garlick is 29. The Braves let him go in favor of Almonte, Pasche, Ozuna, and someone like Culberson....really. Everybody that wanted to run Eddie Rosario out of town better get ready to eat CROW.

[Major League Ready]

 

I get it....but if it rakes Cave AND Rooker to kind of sort of replace Rosario then what the hell did we disrespect him for. I totally see why they did what they did My whole point is This. He is one of our own. Don't ever try to say that the money paid for Happ, or Colome, or Robles, or even Simmons. That money was the 18 million that we DIDN'T pay Odorizzi. Are you really saying with a straight face that we are better off with Cave/Rooker/Garlick/and or Kiriloff? That money is NOT being spent on payroll and Ibeg to differ we are better off without Eddie Rosario. Stop rubber stamping every move the FO makes. Arraez is not a Super Utility player..We will miss Marwin and Adrianza more than you think....For 10 million we could have had Eddie back one more year. Its hard to see right now what the Fu€k went wrong there but it's clear it wasnt well thought out. I dont know which came first ...fans crying about Eddie? Media starting rumors? FO saying stuff...either way this is a head scratcher.. now Kiriloff isnt ready and Cave is the best left field option? really? Thats sad.

 

So, what player(s) would you have not signed to make up for the $10M not spent on Rosario? Given the inevitable reduction in revenue, the Twins spent quite a bit more than could have been reasonably expected. It seems like you anger is a product of not understanding that a $30M (estimate) reduction in revenue will result in less spending.

 

You can divvy up the dollars however you like but the $10M (estimate) they didn’t pay Rosario was invested in free agents. We can debate how they money was spent the money. However, debating they should have spent as much as they did last year would require a failure to understand that the amount of money coming in determines the amount that can go out.

[Dman]

 

I get it....but if it rakes Cave AND Rooker to kind of sort of replace Rosario then what the hell did we disrespect him for. I totally see why they did what they did My whole point is This. He is one of our own. Don't ever try to say that the money paid for Happ, or Colome, or Robles, or even Simmons. That money was the 18 million that we DIDN'T pay Odorizzi. Are you really saying with a straight face that we are better off with Cave/Rooker/Garlick/and or Kiriloff? That money is NOT being spent on payroll and Ibeg to differ we are better off without Eddie Rosario. Stop rubber stamping every move the FO makes. Arraez is not a Super Utility player..We will miss Marwin and Adrianza more than you think....For 10 million we could have had Eddie back one more year. Its hard to see right now what the Fu€k went wrong there but it's clear it wasnt well thought out. I dont know which came first ...fans crying about Eddie? Media starting rumors? FO saying stuff...either way this is a head scratcher.. now Kiriloff isnt ready and Cave is the best left field option? really? Thats sad.

 

Look I loved Eddie too and watching him you could see he loved baseball.  He was an emotional and fierce competitor and a joy to watch at times.  He has his warts though too and when the Twins dropped him it wasn't like teams scrambled to add him to their roster.  He ended up on a team with dire needs in the outfield willing to take a chance.

 

I am not defending the FO as much as looking around and seeing reality.  The reality is small market teams get rid of players when they start to become expensive.  The A's Rays, Indians, KC, etc have limited payroll and generally have to pick and choose who to spend it on.  Those teams trade players early to gain value back that is less expensive.  If they can't work a trade then they waive them.  Even teams with big payrolls make those decisions.

 

The Twins have a surplus of young outfielders along with Cave that they feel can fill the hole left by Rosario and so they let him go.  Like you we all thought Kirilloff was ready to fill that void but he didn't look ready this spring.  I don't love Cave as his 2020 was really bad but the Twins feel he is a MLB starter so we'll see what he brings this year.  I agree with you that Rooker is a defensive liability.  His arm accuracy and foot speed have been poor from what I have seen this spring but if you liked Rosario's power then you should like Rooker because he has more power than Rosario.  IMO Kirilloff will be the most well rounded replacement but his bat needs to come around first.

 

I get your frustration I think we all felt it when they let Rosario go but if you look around it is what most teams with our level of payroll do.  If you have excess young talent in one area move on from the expensive player and allocate that money elsewhere.  This isn't something new, most all teams do this.  Let's just hope it works out well for our favorite team.

[Channing1964]

i know you are right. The way people spin the budget in their favor is a bunch of crap. I do not believe money shouls have prevented us from having Rosario back. Odorizzi himself made (pro rated i know) 18 mil last year. that would have signed Simmons AND Happ. whatever....its too late now...welcome to the big leagues Brent Rooker. ready or not.

[Channing1964]

The more appropriate question would be would you rather have Rosario over JA Happ 8M, Colome 5M Shoemaker 2M or maybe Nelson Cru 13M as that is where Rosario's 8M was spent.  You can mix and match and decide who to keep or lose but that is where it went.  Cave only makes $575,000 and his production wasn't that far off Rosario's in 2019.  Cave did have a horrible 2020, just horrible but a lot of good players did as well.   Hard to gain much from 2020's SSS.  I am not a die hard Cave fan and see him gone after this year but if he is platooned with Rooker I think they can get to Rosario's production.  If not maybe Kirilloff can once he finally get things together.

Ya know, I should just let it go but why does everyone wanna argue about the differences between Eddie Rosario and some dumb combination of Cave/Rooker/Kiriloff/Garlick/Broxton/Arraez? Have any of you actually watched a game? It's a team game. I played it all my life. You wanna run Lance Lynn out of town when he says give me the ball, I'll give you 6+ and s.t.f.u. There are some special dudes out there....Cruz is one, Lindor is one, there are others but Rosario is one of them too. He was a leader, an inspiration, and he gave us 110% every day. He's gone now for sure. Let's stop it. Those of you that hated on him...well you will see him plenty...know that. If you don't think so ask rocco.

[Channing1964]

The more appropriate question would be would you rather have Rosario over JA Happ 8M, Colome 5M Shoemaker 2M or maybe Nelson Cru 13M as that is where Rosario's 8M was spent.  You can mix and match and decide who to keep or lose but that is where it went.  Cave only makes $575,000 and his production wasn't that far off Rosario's in 2019.  Cave did have a horrible 2020, just horrible but a lot of good players did as well.   Hard to gain much from 2020's SSS.  I am not a die hard Cave fan and see him gone after this year but if he is platooned with Rooker I think they can get to Rosario's production.  If not maybe Kirilloff can once he finally get things together.

Ya know, I should just let it go but why does everyone wanna argue about the differences between Eddie Rosario and some dumb combination of Cave/Rooker/Kiriloff/Garlick/Broxton/Arraez? Have any of you actually watched a game? It's a team game. I played it all my life. You wanna run Lance Lynn out of town when he says give me the ball, I'll give you 6+ and s.t.f.u. There are some special dudes out there....Cruz is one, Lindor is one, there are others but Rosario is one of them too. He was a leader, an inspiration, and he gave us 110% every day. He's gone now for sure. Let's stop it. Those of you that hated on him...well you will see him plenty...know that. If you don't think so ask rocco.

"The vast majority of spring training happens outside a box score and that’s where the Twins are making their decisions."

 

Agreed. And the fans here are not privy to any of that. All we can see is the box and occasional broadcasts. And, as I said earlier, he hasn't got a track record of upper level success that should outweigh his current performance and whatever else Rocco and the staff may be seeing. If he was blistering the ball and getting sent down I'd understand the consternation. As it is, I don't get it.

 

and what makes a baseball expert? 38 years of being an avid fan? 10 years of working for baseball prospective? I dont know the answer...but we all think we know what we're talking about...if you look at the last 3 world series...HEART WON THEM. NOT ANALYTICS

[Channing1964]

maybe therein lies the answer to the playoff curse.

[Channing1964]

I have said all along that until Twins showed clear intention of manipulating service time I would give benefit of doubt they would not.  This move does not show a clear intent to manipulate service time.  Kirilloff did not play well enough to force the Twins into that decision.  Kirilloff did not put up huge numbers in AA or AAA over his career yet.  Everything is about his hype, which I am on that train, but when you are expected to be a big bat and you hit below .200, sure in short sample, but others are competing and hitting well.

 

What will be interesting is to see who breaks with team, and how long will team ride with them if they struggle before Alex takes a train ride from St. Paul to MPLS.  We will not have number to compare, unless it is May time.  

 

I would ride with Rooker for most games to start.  If he hits like he has shown he can then he may make it hard to let Alex get time.  If Rooker struggles then you swap the two.

 

who cares if they manipulate the service time anyways. Apparently the Falvines walk on water up there so **** who cares what the MLBPA thinks of our organization.

[Dman]

 

i know you are right. The way people spin the budget in their favor is a bunch of crap. I do not believe money shouls have prevented us from having Rosario back. Odorizzi himself made (pro rated i know) 18 mil last year. that would have signed Simmons AND Happ. whatever....its too late now...welcome to the big leagues Brent Rooker. ready or not.

 

You are correct that they could have kept Rosario if they wanted to, but they didn't want to.  I believe the FO tried to trade him but had no takers. He passed through Waivers unclaimed so pretty much the whole league agreed with the Twins that his price per production wasn't worth it.  That is just the reality of how all FO's see Rosario. Does that mean he is a bad player or won't have a good year or years, no, but it is hard to fault our FO when the rest of league let him pass by.  Yeah eventually the Indians signed him but I am not aware of anyone reporting lot's of teams had interest. If he were this great player shouldn't someone have claimed him or more teams try and sign him?

 

If you could hand out an award for passion, fire and not being afraid of big moments Rosario would win hands down.  He is a good left fielder but not a top 10 left fielder.  Given what we know and how other teams responded it is hard to fault the FO for letting him go.

[Trov]

 

who cares if they manipulate the service time anyways. Apparently the Falvines walk on water up there so **** who cares what the MLBPA thinks of our organization.

It is true that if you play by the rules the sides laid out you can say who cares.  I think for some fans it is a measure of it the team/FO are "good" guys or not.  But, why do they need to be good for players?  However, I see two issues with manipulating service time.  One, it further pushes the teams and players apart leading to even longer strike/lockout which means no baseball to watch. 

 

Two, it helps divide the player and the team.  Now, if you know you do not think you will sign them, then maybe one extra year of control is worth that.  However, if you think you will hope to sign them when they are a FA, not doing something to get them upset with you early on may be a good route to go.  At least for me, if a team manipulated my service time, when FA time came there is no way I would sign with them if I had more options.  Unless their offer was extremely higher.  That is just me, maybe Alex would not care.   

[Channing1964]

It is true that if you play by the rules the sides laid out you can say who cares.  I think for some fans it is a measure of it the team/FO are "good" guys or not.  But, why do they need to be good for players?  However, I see two issues with manipulating service time.  One, it further pushes the teams and players apart leading to even longer strike/lockout which means no baseball to watch. 

 

Two, it helps divide the player and the team.  Now, if you know you do not think you will sign them, then maybe one extra year of control is worth that.  However, if you think you will hope to sign them when they are a FA, not doing something to get them upset with you early on may be a good route to go.  At least for me, if a team manipulated my service time, when FA time came there is no way I would sign with them if I had more options.  Unless their offer was extremely higher.  That is just me, maybe Alex would not care.

 

If he keeps hitting .129 in Spring Training he will be a career lond St.Paul Saint. First and foremost I am a Twins fan. I hate it that the Twins, and every other tean is basically dismissing Loyalty to players that have earned it. Now there is nothing about the game that i grew up Loving. The new CBA is looming and we can no longer say we did not do our part to add to the labor agreements failure. I get it that the Pohlads own the team, but to call it the Minnesota Twins means we are all a part if it. Say what you want about it being a business and now analytics form a robotic basis for evaluating the players. Did you ever really watch Kirby Puckett's face when he played? Or Torii's? Or Eddie Rosario's? remember Eduardo Escobar? it may sound dumb but this next strike us gonna kill me. The players are the game. If yoy get a diamond in the rough you cant sell it for Nothing. This FO us nithing special...they are cookie cutters if every single other one. I want to believe we are different but we aren't. Kiriloff wasnt going to make thus team anyways and everybody knows it. He saved their asses by playing like crap. Forget about our tradition it doesnt mean crap any more.