Twins Finalize Opening Day Roster

[Seth Stohs]

Following Monday afternoon's game in Bradenton, the Twins announced their 26-man Opening Day roster. Find out who will be in Milwaukee on Thursday.The Twins announced that outfielder Brent Rooker has been optioned to the alternate site. In addition, RHP Derek Law and LHP Brandon Waddell have been re-assigned to minor league camp. RHP Edwar Colina has been placed on the 10-Day Injured List.

 

That means that Kyle Garlick makes the Opening Day roster over Rooker. He is likely to platoon with Jake Cave, and maybe Luis Arraez, in left field.

 

Rooker had a strong showing in big league camp, showing he was fully recovered from his forearm surgery last September. However, Garlick, who the Twins claimed from Atlanta in February, led the team in spring training home runs.

 

Derek Law and Brandon Waddell both had tremendous spring trainings for the Twins and are likely the first bullpen arms that could be promoted if needed. Instead, Caleb Thielbar and Cody Stashak are on the Opening Day roster. Yes, being on the 40-man roster is a big deal.

 

Here is the full Twins Opening Day roster:

 

Catchers: Mitch Garver, Ryan Jeffers, Willians Astudillo

 

Infielders: Luis Arraez, Josh Donaldson, Jorge Polanco, Miguel Sano, Andrelton Simmons

 

Outfielders: Byron Buxton, Jake Cave, Kyle Garlick, Max Kepler

 

DH: Nelson Cruz

 

Pitchers: Jorge Alcala, Jose Berrios, Alex Colome, Randy Dobnak, Tyler Duffey, J.A. Happ, Kenta Maeda, Michael Pineda, Hansel Robles, Taylor Rogers, Matt Shoemaker, Cody Stashak and Caleb Thielbar.

 

 

In addition, the team announced that Rooker, Waddell, Luke Farrell, JT Riddle and Tomas Telis will also head to Milwaukee as part of the taxi squad.

 

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[AZTwin]

Kyle Garlick? Why are they even wasting their time? Smh

[h2oface]

Our adored FO is sure making this team old instead of young. 

And still Astudillo on the team. Damn. So..... Spring Training means nothing.... until you want it to arbitrarily mean something. I get it. But I don't get it. Yup. Same thing.

[Mai.K]

Derek Law Opt-out?

[TheMatt]

Yeah, a little baffled by the Garlick over Rooker decision.

[BeatTheRich]

Rooker hasn't looked comfortable the past week -- probably pressing. I like Stashak over Law and Waddell right now. Astudillo brings a spark and versatility. I can't argue with any of these choices.

 

Now let's get those bats going. I expect Donaldson, Cruz, Polanco, Buxton, Arraez, and Astudillo to start strong. Fingers crossed on the others.

[adjacent]

Does Garlick have options? Because it seems to me that if he doesn't then it is easy to give him the first chance, and if it doesn't work, you have Rooker. If you do it in reverse order, you lose Garlick without even a try.

[Shaitan]

Not how I would have done it, but whatever. It's not like this will be the 26-person roster 10 days from now.

[stringer bell]

Garlick over Rooker? Well, if you’re competing for a spot with a guy with similar experience, Garlick has the better of it. Rooker’s numbers this spring are pretty pedestrian—.237 BA, .645 OPS, and 18 Ks in 39 PAs—while Garlick posted better numbers across the board while facing tougher competition. Garlick is supposed to be the better defender as well.

[stringer bell]

 

Does Garlick have options? Because it seems to me that if he doesn't then it is easy to give him the first chance, and if it doesn't work, you have Rooker. If you do it in reverse order, you lose Garlick without even a try.

Garlick has an option remaining. 

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Derek Law Opt-out?

If memory serves, someone in a previous thread clarified his opt out was in August, with some language in place should an opportunity in an asian league present itself.

[stringer bell]

The two non-roster guys pitched very well, but as long as they aren't lost to the team it is fine to go with the rostered players. I expect Waddell to get more innings than Thielbar over the course of the season and wouldn't be surprised if Law gets nearly a full season of work, as well. 

[TouchEmAllGuy]

Garlick gets the first crack at LF (Platoon). If he doesn't do well, he will be DFA'd and Rooker will get his chance. Then hopefully Kirilloff!

 

La Tortuga baby!!

[nicksaviking]

Interesting that the offensive player who had a hot spring, but whom no one had previously heard of, made the team when there didn't seem to be a logical opening for him, but the reliever who had a hot spring, but whom no one had previously heard of, did not make the team despite there seeming to be a logical opening for him.

[jud6312]

It's a joke that Rooker isn't on this team but Astudillo is. Might as well just give TC Bear a glove and call it a day.

[jud6312]

 

Astudillo brings a spark and versatility. 

 

 

Explain this versatility to me. He can't actually play ANY position at a big league level. Occupying space in the vicinity of a position is not being versatile. 

[Mai.K]

 

If memory serves, someone in a previous thread clarified his opt out was in August, with some language in place should an opportunity in an asian league present itself.

 

Good! Thank You

[BeatTheRich]

Someone. Anyone. PLEASE explain the fascination on this board and throughout Twins Territory over Astudillo...

 

 

It must kill you every time Willians gets a hit. If I recall correctly, you're also a doubter when it comes to Dobnak.

 

As much as you like to dump on them, make sure to give credit where credit is due when they win us a few ballgames. Maybe more than a few ballgames.

[Doctor Gast]

To change the subject a little. I was expecting Pineda, Happ and Shoemaker would get in some tune up innings prior to the season. Pineda, yesterday; Happ, today and Shoemaker, tomorrow.

Astudillo is a great hitter, this spring he has shown it. At 2nd half of 2019, the pitchers took advantage of his unwillingness to walk. Last year covid put him back where he didn't have the opportunity to really correct his plate discipline. But this year it looks like he has adjusted and is a better player for it. His defense is adequate for those positions he plays. His catching could use some improvement but it's fine in a pinch. Lin still impresses.

My biggest disappointment was, why didn't they give Arraez any opportunity to play 1B? Carew when he was moved off 2B they moved him to 1B. Arraez seems more suitable there and he can get more ABs.

I wasn't going to comment on LF but couldn't resist. LF was Cave's no matter what and Garlic was the best bat.

[MNT1996]

I love the Garlick move. He really looked the most comfortable at the plate all spring and contributed the most out of all the outfielders. Competition brings the best out of (mostly) everybody. 

 

Rooker will be up in no time. I'll give it a couple weeks before Buxton is hurt with something.

[Dman]

Dang Rooker slumped badly at the end of spring.  He still really struggles with breaking balls.  Today he couldn't even hit his bread and butter fastballs.  I think they made the right decision.  Garlic is a slightly better defender in left and has taken slightly better at bats.  Still pretty K prone though.  IMO it was Rookers job to lose and he lost it.

 

I agree with Stringer that the relievers (Law and Waddell) will be up if anyone falters or gets injured.  Waddell is a likely replacement for Thielbar if he gets injured or is ineffective.  Law looked really good all spring.  Have to believe he could be the first one called up if there are issues with any righties.  I think it makes sense to stay with the guys who are on the 40 man and have produced in the past.  I just wouldn't feel too comfortable if I was Stashak or Thielbar as any stumbles and they likely make a move.  Robles shouldn't feel comfortable either but will get a longer leash because he has no options left and they gave him 2M to play.

 

I think in the case of the relievers they figure things will sort themselves out in the next month or two.  Guys will either perform or not perform or get injured and then changes will be made.  It is nice that we should have depth in the pen and starting rotation. to start the season.  I was thinking the pen looked a bit depleted until Law, Waddell and Farrell looked like they had good enough stuff to supplement it.

 

Would sure like to know what the deal is with Chalmers and Ober.  They are soaking up 40 man spots and should be ready and yet we never saw them this spring.  Colina was injured so another 40 man no show and Anderson isn't ready either.  All these 40 man relievers and nobody seems available to help at least to start the season.  Not sure what 40 man moves they can make to clear room if needed but hopefully some of that talent is tradable if needed.

[h2oface]

 

It must kill you every time Willians gets a hit. If I recall correctly, you're also a doubter when it comes to Dobnak.

As much as you like to dump on them, make sure to give credit where credit is due when they win us a few ballgames. Maybe more than a few ballgames.

 

So, let's say Astudillo (or anyone, really) hits a solo homer, but also has a throwing error that gives up an unearned run (as happened in one ST game). Would that be scored costing us or helping the team, or a nothing burger? And if it is a nothing burger, is it beneficial to the team?

 

I know you weren't addressing me, but I am just wanting to make sure when to give him all the credit he might deserve.

[Giles Ferrell]

Still worried about the bullpen. Hopefully they can be effective from the get go this year. 

[Darius]

Has this FO made a single good move in the past two years, other than Maeda?

 

I wonder if they know the games in April and May count towards the team’s regular season record.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

 

Interesting that the offensive player who had a hot spring, but whom no one had previously heard of, made the team when there didn't seem to be a logical opening for him, but the reliever who had a hot spring, but whom no one had previously heard of, did not make the team despite there seeming to be a logical opening for him.

So what are the implications here?

[Major League Ready]

 

Has this FO made a single good move in the past two years, other than Maeda?

I wonder if they know the games in April and May count towards the team’s regular season record.

 

If you really believe you have a better idea on every deal there are only two possibilities.  Either they don't have a clue or you don't have a clue.

[bighat]

Never understood how anyone could hate Astudillo. Especially a Twins fan. Sure, maybe you don't like his stats, or don't think he's super talented. But honestly, I'm shocked to see folks here who literally despise him. It's like hating Muggsy Bogues or Spud Webb. I can see being critical of their value, but how could you hate them?

 

Willians had a great spring, hitting .361 with tons of ABs. His numbers speak for themselves. He did what he needed to do, give the guy credit. Yes he's is prone to make a gaffe or two, but the guy hustles and does the best with what he's got - most people with bodies like his aren't playing professional sports. The guy's got moxie and you can't coach that.

 

Baseball is a marathon. Having guys like Astudillo on the team help make it interesting - in a good way. And his teammates love him, that counts for something too!

[Danchat]

Hmmm, not sure about Garlick over Rooker. Rooker did start to slump the past week, but I really thought it was his time to shine. He's already getting old for a prospect and he's got Kirilloff and Larnach breathing down his neck. Plus AAA doesn't start until May, so the prospects won't get regular playing time for awhile...

 

Also, Garlick himself is a rookie even at age 29, and has very few MLB at bats to his name. I could see this lasting a month and then see him get DFA'd once his hot streak wears off. And Cave is fine, but as a starter... not a fan. Arraez should get some time in LF too.

 

The bullpen should be OK, we'll definitely see Law and Waddell come up at some point. Just have to wonder about the guys like Chalmers and Ober, and if they're hurting like Colina is.

[Squirrel]

Warning: stop with the disrespect and name calling, everyone. You can dislike players, the FO, decisions made, decisions not made, you can dislike one another’s opinions ... but do so respectfully.

[Rosterman]

Garlick has a hot bat, so see if he can give the Twins additional power. Feel bad for Rooker. But for now, we hove to hope that the lineup hits much better than Sano, Buxton, Kepler, Simmons, Cave this spring.

 

Willians means Garver can also play in the !B or DH mix. 

 

I'm curious to see Happ's first outing.