Who Makes Up the Twins Bench?

[Ted Schwerzler]

More than any season in recent memory, this one strikes me as the most unpredictable when it comes to the Opening Day roster. That’s partly because another pitching move should be coming, and the rosters have expanded, but the suitors for bench roles remain up in the air.

In most seasons, we have a general consensus of one or two players that will make the final bench role for the big-league roster. This year Major League Baseball announced that rosters would start at 28 players, at least through April. That’s two additional spots beyond what has become recent custom. 
 
Let’s assume Minnesota uses additional openings on pitchers, given the likelihood that starters aren’t entirely stretched out, and we’ve got a 13 position player configuration. Knowing that the lineup will have nine starters and that Carlos Correa’s spring training debut looks like a pretty good glimpse of what it may look like on Opening Day, we have four bench spots to work with.
 
Here’s how I see that shaking out:
 
The Given (1): Luis Arraez
As of this moment, I think only Arraez is marked in pen to start the season on the Twins bench. He’s a second baseman that’s below-average defensively virtually everywhere he plays but has shown positional flexibility. Arraez’s greatest asset is his eye and the batting average it generates. Despite being routinely shifted, he can spray the ball all over the diamond and is a lineup asset when healthy. If he’s not traded for pitching to a team looking at him as a starter, having this type of talent on the bench for Rocco Baldelli is a great commodity.

The Assumed (1): Jose Godoy
Claimed off waivers last week, Jose Godoy is a good bet to make the Opening Day roster because managers love third catchers. If Baldelli is going to use Gary Sanchez as his designated hitter in any given lineup, that means there’s no one to back up starter Ryan Jeffers. With Ben Rortvedt traded to the New York Yankees, Godoy is the lone option left on the 40 man roster. He’s a career minor leaguer with just a .723 OPS in over 2,000 plate appearances. That said, he’s only 27-years-old, and clearly, Minnesota thought something of him to file the waiver claim. Unless another option emerges at catcher through waivers in the next two weeks, this is probably who fills the spot.

The Uncertains (4): Nick Gordon, Brent Rooker, Trevor Larnach, Gilberto Celestino
Quite possibly the most challenging group to peg because you could go either way on a number of these guys. Larnach is easily the most talented of the group with the highest ceiling, but being a left-handed corner outfielder, he fills the same profile as both Alex Kirilloff and Max Kepler. Among this foursome, Larnach is the guy needing consistent at-bats most. He makes the club only if there’s an avenue for that to happen. Minnesota won’t include him to sit.

Next in line would be Gordon, and for good reason. He filled a utility role admirably last year, even if the bat doesn’t really play. Gordon can take over in all three outfield spots, though his speed masks his arm strength. It’s a nice addition to a bench that hasn’t had wheels in some time, but that really comes down to how aggressive the Twins want to be on the base paths.
 
For Rooker and Celestino, the situation couldn’t be more opposite. The former saw quick success but has basically become a swing and miss power hitter that struggles defensively. The latter struggled mightily in a premature promotion but has the chops to be an above-average defender in the outfield. Celestino’s impressive return to Triple-A could make him an enticing option for the fourth outfielder, but more seasoning on the farm makes sense too.

The Doubtful (1): Jose Miranda
It’s not as though talent suggests Miranda won’t make the club, as he dominated both Double and Triple-A last season. The problem is that there’s no straightforward avenue to playing time, and he needs to be more than a utilityman if the Twins want to start him on the big club. Miranda can play second, third, and first base. I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s the first man up, but barring a trade, it seems unlikely he’d unseat a guy more able to ride the pine.

The Dark Horses (2): Tim Beckham, Daniel Robertson
Two non-roster invitees have continued to generate at-bats this spring, and both have substantial big league track records. Beckham is a former first overall pick, while Robertson has done a good job filling in anywhere on the diamond in short stints. There’s probably more to like about Robertson’s game than Beckham’s, and despite the notoriety of the former Rays top pick, I wrote about the other guy being a dark horse to watch this winter. Either of these two would need a 40 man addition should they be chosen, which is, of course, another scenario working against them.
 
Assuming Luis Arraez is among them, who are your three favorites to fill out the Minnesota Twins bench on Opening Day?

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[stringer bell]

Arraez, Godoy, Larnach, Gordon could and should all make the roster. Assuming Sanchez serves as the DH at least a quarter of the time, the need for a third catcher ratchets up and Godoy fills the bill. For Larnach, getting playing time would depend on having one of three right handed hitters not in the starting lineup--Jeffers, Sanchez, Sano--which would be a pretty good bet against right handed pitching. Gordon is serviceable in center field can fill in at shortstop as well and is out of options. Nick does provide speed off the bench if the Twins are looking for a pinch runner. If there is no need for a third catcher (that is that Sanchez seldom is the DH) then Celestino is a logical choice to provide better defense and speed and a right handed option at the corner outfield spots, as well as a backup in center field. 

I would hope that the Twins could improve their options for their bench. Cutdown time is coming for all teams and many players will be DFAed when the rosters are reduced. Finding a right handed outfielder who could provide a platoon edge in left and who could cover center field short-term would be ideal as would be adding a fourth option at catcher. 

[nclahammer]

Quote

My picks would be Gordon, Arraez, and Larnach, with Godoy as the third catcher, although I do not care for him there (I think it limits your bench flexiility.)  Gordon can play all three outfield positions if needed, as well as help around the infield.  Arraez can play around the infield.  Larnach can help at the corner OF, but needs some fairly consistent ABs though, otherwise he may be developmentally better off in AAA.

 

[beterday]

Cave!!!  You forgot Cave.  I can't believe Rocco will leave Cave behind.

[In My La Z boy]

Opening day line up must have Arraez at DH, so I see a bench of Sanchez, Godoy, Gordon and Larnach. Not ideal starting Larnach on the bench, but his bat is looking great. Once we start a rotation, giving guys days off I'd see a DH rotation split between these 3 - Arraez, Sano and Sanchez - getting Larnach in the line up in RF/LF 2 out of every 3 days should be very doable. He looks better than AK at the plate so far this spring. I wouldn't send him down.

[Trov]

Gordon will break with team.  His versatility on defense will carry.  He can play all positions on defense, other than catcher.  No one else on that list can do that.  Although he may not be the best at them, he can be backup CF or SS if needed.  That holds a lot of value.  As for 4th OF I am not sure if Larnach will get it simply because Twins may want him to get regular at-bats.  I think he would still get plenty of at-bats if he breaks with team though so I do expect him. I do expect Godoy as well with using Sanchez as normal DH they will want to have a 3rd catcher, although they have done the DH being backup catcher before without a 3rd so he is not a lock.  

[RJA]

I worry about Cave as well--he is like a cat with 9 baseball lives.  I don't think they will keep Larnach, Celestino, or Miranda simply to have them spend time on the bench. They probably want them to play every day.  If they are not going to play regularly, I think they will send them down.  I suspect it will be Arraez, Godoy, Gordon, and Rooker (or Cave?) unless they think they can get a lot of at bats for Larnach in which case he would replace Rooker.  

[Dman]

1 hour ago, stringer bell said:

Arraez, Godoy, Larnach, Gordon could and should all make the roster. Assuming Sanchez serves as the DH at least a quarter of the time, the need for a third catcher ratchets up and Godoy fills the bill. For Larnach, getting playing time would depend on having one of three right handed hitters not in the starting lineup--Jeffers, Sanchez, Sano--which would be a pretty good bet against right handed pitching. Gordon is serviceable in center field can fill in at shortstop as well and is out of options. Nick does provide speed off the bench if the Twins are looking for a pinch runner. If there is no need for a third catcher (that is that Sanchez seldom is the DH) then Celestino is a logical choice to provide better defense and speed and a right handed option at the corner outfield spots, as well as a backup in center field. 

I would hope that the Twins could improve their options for their bench. Cutdown time is coming for all teams and many players will be DFAed when the rosters are reduced. Finding a right handed outfielder who could provide a platoon edge in left and who could cover center field short-term would be ideal as would be adding a fourth option at catcher. 

Nice analysis and I agree.  Still I have my doubts about them starting with Larnach.  I don't know the extent of Rookers injury but have to believe they would like a right handed power bat in there.  Also Larnach never did spend much time at AAA and IMO he could use the consistent at bats to start the season.  If they need another guy for the outfield they can use Gordon in a pinch.  His arm and speed play in all three spots although his bat is a serious downgrade in all three spots.  If there was a way to ensure Larnach saw more playing time at the MLB level I think he would be the pick but I don't think you want a guy who was struggling with breaking balls to likely sit more than play everyday.

[Karbo]

Arraez, because he just flat out can hit. Godoy, because he's a better catcher than Sanchez. Gordon, Because the kid is a swiss army knife who can run. Rooker, because he's a right handed bat. I leave Larnach in AAA to begin the season to continue working on hitting off speed stuff to build his confidence. He will be back up soon though IMO.

[nicksaviking]

The bench would look a lot better (and a lot more versatile) if Miranda was giving a shot at winning the 3B job and both Arraez and Urshala were regularly used bench assets.

[mikelink45]

If Rooker's only asset is the fact he hits right handed I am not ready to give him a spot.  He does have versatility - he can play bad defense at multiple positions. 

Gordon and Arraez 

I am not sure about Godoy since he can be right across the river if the need for a third catcher comes up. 

I think Larnach might just make it allowing Kiriloff more time at 1B.  

The Sano/Sanchez log jam is an issue.

Then I am stuck, but I hope not one of the last two - they require a DFA (if Rooker I am okay). 

[terrydactyls]

I have a question....

If they send Larnach to St. Paul so he can play everyday and work on hitting breaking pitches, what is his salary?  Does he still get paid the major league minimum of $700K or does he get a minor league salary?  If the latter is true, that would be quite a bit to his bank account.

 

[terrydactyls]

5 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

If Rooker's only asset is the fact he hits right handed I am not ready to give him a spot.  He does have versatility - he can play bad defense at multiple positions. 

Gordon and Arraez 

I am not sure about Godoy since he can be right across the river if the need for a third catcher comes up. 

I think Larnach might just make it allowing Kiriloff more time at 1B.  

The Sano/Sanchez log jam is an issue.

Then I am stuck, but I hope not one of the last two - they require a DFA (if Rooker I am okay). 

I think Rocco needs Godoy closer than right across the river.  He needs Godoy on the bench for in-game decisions.

[Mark G]

Once again I am going to be in the minority here, but Godoy?  Really?  A 27 year old career minor leaguer with 40 total plate appearances in the majors?  6 for 37 in official at bats?  I would rather go back and get Astudillo, at least he played 3 or 4 positions including catcher, makes contact over 90% of the time and had a .270 life time BA.  I am somewhat tongue in cheek here, of course, but a minor league waiver claim as one of our 4 bench players?  To use where?  3rd catcher?  I just can't see it.  And, again being a minority voice here, 15 pitchers?  On what planet does this team have 15 major league pitchers?  We are going to keep minor league pitchers on the roster through April so our major league arms can be brought along nice and slow?  That was not tongue in cheek.  Larnach needs at bats.  He has to start somewhere, either here or AAA.  If not here, then St. Paul.  And the Gordons, Rookers, Celestino's, and Miranda's need at bats as well to develop into quality players.  4th outfielders and utility players are established players who have played that role before and are not going to be every day players ever.  Cave is a good example.  Beckam and Robertson as well.  Let's not screw with the kids who could someday be good every day players and give them the at bats they need.  Start them somewhere, either here or in St. Paul.  Keep the veterans who have done this before and are true role players.  Just one man's extremely humble opinion.

[justinone]

I would love to have Miranda get his shot (pun intended). I watched him take really good at bats last year with the Saints. However I don't think they will break camp with him. I don't like carrying three catchers because that means that Sanchez is getting too many at bats, but that is probably what will happen. 

 

Sanchez

Arraez

Gordon

Celestino 

Godoy 

[Tibs]

Is Gary Sanchez a better DH option than Luis Arraez? I have expressed concerns regarding Arraez's power, but Sanchez has simply not made enough contact with the baseball 3 of the last 4 seasons to fill a role whose sole purpose is to hit a baseball.

If he turns it around then sure absolutely. I don't think he should be penciled in anywhere though.

[DamianKinzler]

40 minutes ago, Mark G said:

Once again I am going to be in the minority here, but Godoy?  Really?  A 27 year old career minor leaguer with 40 total plate appearances in the majors?  6 for 37 in official at bats?  I would rather go back and get Astudillo, at least he played 3 or 4 positions including catcher, makes contact over 90% of the time and had a .270 life time BA.  I am somewhat tongue in cheek here, of course, but a minor league waiver claim as one of our 4 bench players?  To use where?  3rd catcher?  I just can't see it.  And, again being a minority voice here, 15 pitchers?  On what planet does this team have 15 major league pitchers?  We are going to keep minor league pitchers on the roster through April so our major league arms can be brought along nice and slow?  That was not tongue in cheek.  Larnach needs at bats.  He has to start somewhere, either here or AAA.  If not here, then St. Paul.  And the Gordons, Rookers, Celestino's, and Miranda's need at bats as well to develop into quality players.  4th outfielders and utility players are established players who have played that role before and are not going to be every day players ever.  Cave is a good example.  Beckam and Robertson as well.  Let's not screw with the kids who could someday be good every day players and give them the at bats they need.  Start them somewhere, either here or in St. Paul.  Keep the veterans who have done this before and are true role players.  Just one man's extremely humble opinion.

I agree with you bro! ???

[Nashvilletwin]

Lots of great comments - as usual. A few questions for us TDers:

1. Is Urshela that much better of a fielder than Arraez at 3B that he should keep Arraez’s superior bat out of the lineup more often than not? I’d argue - no. If Arraez is the DH, then of course Urshela is at 3B.  But otherwise, in my book, we are stronger as a team with Arraez in the starting lineup at 3B.

2. If Godoy is a much superior defensive C than Sanchez and can hit 0.250 consistently (albeit lightly) vs. Sanchez hitting 0.210 with an OBA under 0.250, why would we ever start Sanchez at DH or C.  Godoy should be our backup C unless Sanchez can prove he is that much better a hitter to make up for their disparity in catching skills.

3. Is Kepler that much of a better fielder than Larnach that you would start him in RF against lefties?  It could be that Larnach could hit lefties (or righties for that matter) better than Kepler to more than make up for the defensive differences.

4. Is Rocco interested in winning right out of the gate? Is he willing to put his best team on the field everyday to maximize the opportunity to get a victory? How long a leash will he give our more expensive “starters” Sanchez, Kepler and Urshela before giving some of the others (Godoy, Larnach, and Arraez) more innings? Last season we were out of the race by early May.  If we don’t start strong, how long until Rocco will pivot?

Just a few lineup questions to chew on…

 

[KirbyHawk75]

I have said it before, but I am afraid Cave will find a way to make the team.  Rocco loves him like Gardy loved Matt Tolbert.

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, terrydactyls said:

If they send Larnach to St. Paul so he can play everyday and work on hitting breaking pitches, what is his salary?  Does he still get paid the major league minimum of $700K or does he get a minor league salary?  If the latter is true, that would be quite a bit to his bank account.

 

I believe he would receive the minor league minimum for players on the 40 man roster which is something between $100,000 and $150,000.

[Squirrel]

Why do we need 3 catchers? My assumption is that Godoy goes to St. Paul and comes up if either Jeffers or Sanchez hit the IL. Are we back to the Gardy days of filling a bench position with an extra catcher?

[Nashvilletwin]

1 minute ago, Squirrel said:

Why do we need 3 catchers? My assumption is that Godoy goes to St. Paul and comes up if either Jeffers or Sanchez hit the IL. Are we back to the Gardy days of filling a bench position with an extra catcher?

1. If Jeffers starts at C and Sanchez is in the lineup as the DH, an injury to Jeffers means Sanchez would move to C and we would lose the DH (i.e. the pitcher would hit in that spot).

2. Godoy is a better defensive catcher and may be needed at various times for that skill vs. Sanchez.

3. Rocco and the FO won’t DFA or trade Sanchez no matter how badly he plays.

So, unless Sanchez never DHs (which should be the case anyway but won’t be), we will need to carry three. 

[LA VIkes Fan]

It's really a 5 man bench to me with one of them filling the DH role every day. Sanchez is a lock unless we can find a way to trade him. I would love to trade him for a RP because he's the one blocking Miranda, Larnach, et al. He's too big a defensive liability to play behind the plate often and he doesn't hit enough to regularly DH. Let's face it, we got stuck with Sanchez as the price for the Yankees eating all of Donaldson's contract. The problem is there's no market for him so Twins will try to get him hitting again like it's 2107 or 2019 before they give up. Arraez is also a lock for the reasons in the article. I hope he's the DH a whole lot more often than Sanchez. 

I think the last 3 are Gordon, Godoy and either Garlick or a player not currently on the team who hits RH and plays a passable LF/RF.  We need Gordon to back up the middle IF and CF, and Godoy as the 2nd not 3rd Catcher (that's Sanchez). We need a RH hitting OF to play against lefties for Kepler and give Kirilloff a break. We don't have that guy yet. Rooker is a butcher in the field and can't hit. Send him to AAA.  Garlick is another poor OF but he can hit LH pitching. He isn't really good enough to make the team and I think we will be looking for an upgrade if one becomes available when cuts start happening next week. I'm not just sure one will be available. 

Larnach and Miranda need to be playing regularly. They go to AAA unless there's a significant trade. Both will be up playing regularly for the Twins at some point this season due to injury or ineffectiveness of others. Rooker also goes to AAA but I think he's unlikely to be an MLB player so he's the third or 4th call up and may wind up with another team before season's end as a trade add or lost on waivers.  

[nicksaviking]

16 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

Why do we need 3 catchers? My assumption is that Godoy goes to St. Paul and comes up if either Jeffers or Sanchez hit the IL. Are we back to the Gardy days of filling a bench position with an extra catcher?

Yeah, in an era where teams purposefully play "bullpen games", intentionally give their best players a day off once a week to rest and run a utility player out to pitch the 9th to save the bullpen, is taking the 2% chance that one of your catchers will get injured therefore losing the DH for a couple of at bats in ONE GAME, really all that big of a deal?

Third catcher should stay in St. Paul until needed. Always.

It's doubtful that Godoy is even a significantly better hitter than the Twins best hitting pitcher anyway.

[DJL44]

15 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Is Urshela that much better of a fielder than Arraez at 3B that he should keep Arraez’s superior bat out of the lineup more often than not? I’d argue - no. If Arraez is the DH, then of course Urshela is at 3B.  But otherwise, in my book, we are stronger as a team with Arraez in the starting lineup at 3B.

Against lefthanded pitchers, yes. I think Arraez and Urshela make a great platoon at 3B. Josh Donaldson is projected to have an 800 OPS. Arraez hit .307/.364/.392 vs RHP last season and Urshela hit .293/.312/.466 against LHP.

[DJL44]

13 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

1. If Jeffers starts at C and Sanchez is in the lineup as the DH, an injury to Jeffers means Sanchez would move to C and we would lose the DH (i.e. the pitcher would hit in that spot).

2. Godoy is a better defensive catcher and may be needed at various times for that skill vs. Sanchez.

3. Rocco and the FO won’t DFA or trade Sanchez no matter how badly he plays.

So, unless Sanchez never DHs (which should be the case anyway but won’t be), we will need to carry three. 

Sanchez should rarely DH. Sano should be in that spot nearly every day. If Sano sits vs a tough RHP then Sanchez is probably not useful as the DH.

[DJL44]

I think they will carry a RH hitting outfielder - Rooker or Garlick or possibly a waiver wire acquisition.

They will carry Nick Gordon at least until the roster sizes shrink again. He can pinch run and come in on defense.

They won't carry 3 catchers because there is no reason to use Sanchez as the DH. Jeffers and Sanchez will share the catching spot.

Urshela and Arraez should platoon at 3B.

I would be tempted to put Kirilloff in LF and use Miranda as my starting 1B.

[stringer bell]

32 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

1. If Jeffers starts at C and Sanchez is in the lineup as the DH, an injury to Jeffers means Sanchez would move to C and we would lose the DH (i.e. the pitcher would hit in that spot).

2. Godoy is a better defensive catcher and may be needed at various times for that skill vs. Sanchez.

3. Rocco and the FO won’t DFA or trade Sanchez no matter how badly he plays.

So, unless Sanchez never DHs (which should be the case anyway but won’t be), we will need to carry three. 

Pretty much the way I see it. If Sánchez seldom or never is the DH, then it is fine to go with two catchers. Sánchez will most likely be catching at least twice a week and to pay him what he will make for catching twice a week is well, a waste. I expect he’ll DH at least occasionally, necessitating a third catcher. 
As I mentioned upthread, I would hope the Twins can tweak both their active and 40-man rosters before Opening Day. Adding an experienced and sound defensive catcher and a right handed three-position outfielder who is a plus defender would be the two areas to upgrade. Nick Gordon is no better than a third option at second, short and center. While I like his speed and versatility, he is superfluous, if the Twins have to sacrifice him to get a better bench fit, they should go for it. I feel the same way about Rooker, who also isn’t an asset against LH pitching (reverse platoon splits). 

[In My La Z boy]

48 minutes ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

It's really a 5 man bench to me with one of them filling the DH role every day. Sanchez is a lock unless we can find a way to trade him. I would love to trade him for a RP because he's the one blocking Miranda, Larnach, et al. He's too big a defensive liability to play behind the plate often and he doesn't hit enough to regularly DH. Let's face it, we got stuck with Sanchez as the price for the Yankees eating all of Donaldson's contract. The problem is there's no market for him so Twins will try to get him hitting again like it's 2107 or 2019 before they give up. Arraez is also a lock for the reasons in the article. I hope he's the DH a whole lot more often than Sanchez. 

I think the last 3 are Gordon, Godoy and either Garlick or a player not currently on the team who hits RH and plays a passable LF/RF.  We need Gordon to back up the middle IF and CF, and Godoy as the 2nd not 3rd Catcher (that's Sanchez). We need a RH hitting OF to play against lefties for Kepler and give Kirilloff a break. We don't have that guy yet. Rooker is a butcher in the field and can't hit. Send him to AAA.  Garlick is another poor OF but he can hit LH pitching. He isn't really good enough to make the team and I think we will be looking for an upgrade if one becomes available when cuts start happening next week. I'm not just sure one will be available. 

Larnach and Miranda need to be playing regularly. They go to AAA unless there's a significant trade. Both will be up playing regularly for the Twins at some point this season due to injury or ineffectiveness of others. Rooker also goes to AAA but I think he's unlikely to be an MLB player so he's the third or 4th call up and may wind up with another team before season's end as a trade add or lost on waivers.  

I agree with all of this except insert Celestino for Garlick. Celestino is already on the 40 man and can field and bats right.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

1 hour ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Lots of great comments - as usual. A few questions for us TDers:

1. Is Urshela that much better of a fielder than Arraez at 3B that he should keep Arraez’s superior bat out of the lineup more often than not? I’d argue - no. If Arraez is the DH, then of course Urshela is at 3B.  But otherwise, in my book, we are stronger as a team with Arraez in the starting lineup at 3B.

2. If Godoy is a much superior defensive C than Sanchez and can hit 0.250 consistently (albeit lightly) vs. Sanchez hitting 0.210 with an OBA under 0.250, why would we ever start Sanchez at DH or C.  Godoy should be our backup C unless Sanchez can prove he is that much better a hitter to make up for their disparity in catching skills.

3. Is Kepler that much of a better fielder than Larnach that you would start him in RF against lefties?  It could be that Larnach could hit lefties (or righties for that matter) better than Kepler to more than make up for the defensive differences.

4. Is Rocco interested in winning right out of the gate? Is he willing to put his best team on the field everyday to maximize the opportunity to get a victory? How long a leash will he give our more expensive “starters” Sanchez, Kepler and Urshela before giving some of the others (Godoy, Larnach, and Arraez) more innings? Last season we were out of the race by early May.  If we don’t start strong, how long until Rocco will pivot?

Just a few lineup questions to chew on…

 

1) Urshela and Arraez in aggregate seem to be very similar hitters. It should be a very open competition on who starts at 3B.

2) I’d be very OK if Sanchez never actually played C and they carried 2 catchers (Godoy and Jeffers) but feel like Godoy will start in StP so they can carry more relievers and just like 5th starter, won’t play Sanchez at C very much to start the season.

3) Larnach needs to earn his way into playing time. He needs to hit before worrying about a platoon advantage 

4) yes