Cut Down Decision Getting Difficult

[jorgenswest]

The Twins need to cut the roster by two tomorrow and the end of the bench is making it a difficult decision. The third catcher will be one move. Godoy hasn't been given a chance to stay.

The other cut might be an outfielder. Can you send down Garlick after he hits two home runs against one of the best left handed pitchers in the league? Larnach has made some plays in the field and looks better at the plate. Do you send down what appears to be the top option against right handed pitching? Celestino provides defense, speed and his at bats have been putting the ball in play this year. With Buxton on the mend again can they send out Celestino?

They could go to 13 pitchers. Sands could go down after two days on the roster. I thought they might need to have him ready behind Winder's start. Jax's slider looks like a major league pitch. As I write this Stashak had a clean fifth inning against the Rays and has looked better his last two outings. Do you send down Sands in a temporary move? Another decision will need to be made when Gray is ready. 

They could put someone on the IL. Buxton? Hope not. Sano? He is playing today. A pitcher? 

A few hours ago I had Garlick going with Godoy. He has changed my mind. I am keeping Celestino too. He provides more on a shorter bench. If it is a bat I think it is Larnach. He appears better but the results aren't there. Arraez might have to get out his outfielder glove and Gordon will get more time. Larnach needs to show a dominant bat because he doesn't do enough else to help. I hope Larnach uses his remaining at bats to change my mind again. Garlick has set the bar high.

(edit) Larnach doubles in Celestino soon after I pressed submit. These guys want to stay.

[tony&rodney]

You are correct. The players are pushing to show they belong. Garlick was huge today against a virtually unhittable pitcher. Celestino looks more and more comfortable. Stashak is really tough when his control is sharp. It will come down to whatever happens tomorrow. Sano could be put on the ILor Godoy sent down, Sands could pitch and then get returned to AAA (I hate that practice BTW and would like a return to past rules from years ago). A key is the injury situations as of tomorrow night.

[yeahyabetcha]

Godoy and Sands are the obvious cuts tomorrow.  
 

I think the tougher calls are for when Kiriloff and Gray come back.

[RpR]

Right now Kirilloff's Saints number say that might be awhile yet.

[stringer bell]

If Sanchez and Jeffers are both healthy, the Twins will send Godoy to St. Paul, but probably keep him on the 40-man roster. Sands is the obvious second cut, unless Sanó or Buxton would need to be put on the IL. If Buxton is 100% healthy, there’s really not enough playing time for Celestino. 

[Squirrel]

2 hours ago, RpR said:

Right now Kirilloff's Saints number say that might be awhile yet.

And that's fine for now because I think Celestino, Larnach and Garlick have all earned their time for now, so no need to make that decision yet

[tony&rodney]

Yes for sure, Kirilloff is not an established player working himself back off of an IL stint. Alex will need to show that he is swinging the bat freely and that his timing is ready before he comes back to the Twins. He may need a few weeks to a month. I hope he makes it back and begins to show his full talents, but am especially concerned about his wrist and swing.

[Monkeypaws]

Quote

Larnach needs to show a dominant bat because he doesn't do enough else to help.

Did you miss his strike to home plate the other night?

 

[High heat]

I dont see how Celestino stays unless Buxton goes on the IL.  He has played well in his limited MLB time this yr but he needs to continue to develop and get playing time Gordon is a capable back up CFer.  That is going to have to be at AAA for now.  Godoy will also go back down, he hasnt played since being forced into action but Sanchez and Jeffers are back healthy.  We will see Godoy back up at some point. 

I think Sand stays until Gray is back as a long relief.

Now if Sano has to go to the IL it will be interesting to see how they handle that.  Kirilloff still on the mend are they comfortable with Arraez at 1B full time for the short term? Does Kepler still have his 1B glove? 

[Linus]

Sands and Godoy. Celestino should be next assuming Buck is healthy. Celestino is doing fine but needs to play everyday. His routes to the ball need to be cleaned up. I’ve noticed several balls he hasn’t gotten to that should have been caught. 

[TopGunn#22]

Are the Twins "inventing" an injury for Sano (other than his less than stellar play)?  If so, by all means, send him down to St. Paul on an extended rehab assignment.  Sano needs this anyway to get his swing in tune.  But I hadn't heard what Sano's actual "ailment" is/was.  

[The_Phantom]

2 minutes ago, TopGunn#22 said:

But I hadn't heard what Sano's actual "ailment" is/was.  

Broken swing. 
 
I agree with what you are saying and a phantom IL/rehab assignment might work… but at the same time, I can’t see any justifiable reason to pick up his option at the moment, so is he really even worth the investment anymore to give a manipulated rehab assignment to?

[stringer bell]

Sano has a knee issue. He pulled up between second and third when running the bases, and he had missed two consecutive days prior to that. I think there is justification to place him on the IL, if that is what the club wants to do. Godoy hasn't played since last Sunday. I don't hate third catchers as much as most here, but if he's not getting any work, it makes no sense to keep him on the active roster. 

Sands seems to be a short-term promotion, but the club might wait until Gray is activated. Incidentally, both Gray and Balazovic are scheduled to pitch today at Fort Myers.

There are 14 pitchers on the current roster, so none of them need to be demoted. If Sanchez and Jeffers are healthy, Godoy is on his way to St. Paul, and if Sano is not placed on the Injured List, then the other demotion would have to be Celestino. 

[jorgenswest]

Sano and Garlick could be headed to IL. If that is the case I would still send out Godoy and then recall Miranda. Sands returns to AAA when Gray is ready.

[GKuehl]

2 minutes ago, jorgenswest said:

Sano and Garlick could be headed to IL. If that is the case I would still send out Godoy and then recall Miranda. Sands returns to AAA when Gray is ready.

I was thinking the exact same thing! 

[Squirrel]

41 minutes ago, jorgenswest said:

Sano and Garlick could be headed to IL. If that is the case I would still send out Godoy and then recall Miranda. Sands returns to AAA when Gray is ready.

Miranda hasn’t really been doing all that well, but do we really need him? Decisions, decisions … guess we will hear tonight or tomorrow

[jorgenswest]

14 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

Miranda hasn’t really been doing all that well, but do we really need him? Decisions, decisions … guess we will hear tonight or tomorrow

I haven’t seen him play and the only numbers that might be useful In this size sample is strike out rate. His strike out rate is around 15%. That doesn’t seem worrisome.

[Squirrel]

Just now, jorgenswest said:

I haven’t seen him play and the only numbers that might be useful In this size sample is strike out rate. His strike out rate is around 15%. That doesn’t seem worrisome.

Yeah, I just don't think it's time yet to call him up, even if Sano goes on the IL ... but then ... who knows

[twins_89]

6 hours ago, TopGunn#22 said:

Are the Twins "inventing" an injury for Sano (other than his less than stellar play)?  If so, by all means, send him down to St. Paul on an extended rehab assignment.  Sano needs this anyway to get his swing in tune.  But I hadn't heard what Sano's actual "ailment" is/was.  

Watching the base running replay it did look like Sano tweaked something and started limping into third. It's probably best for everyone for Sano to go on the IL and then do a minors rehab stint to try to get his swing working.

[LA VIkes Fan]

I think the cuts are now pretty clear with Sano ailing. Arraez is now the every day 1B and Gordon moves up to be the primary utility IF. That leaves room for Celestino to be the 4th/5th OF behind a starting group of Buxton, Kepler, Larnach, and Garlick (Garlick only against LH starters). Assuming Garlick didn't earn himself an IL stint after walking off the field today, here's what I see:

Sano to IL

Godoy to AAA

Everything else stays the same unless Garlick has to go on the IL and then I could see Miranda coming up as essentially a backup 3B/RH DH since Arreaz is now the starting 1B. Lewis would be the more obviously ready player but I have to think they are going to leave him in AAA to play SS every day unless and until they have a good reason to think Correa will be around more than 1 season.      

[blindeke]

I think Sands goes back down. He got his cup of coffee.

[Sielk]

That's it for now.

[darwin22]

6 hours ago, stringer bell said:

Sano has a knee issue. He pulled up between second and third when running the bases, and he had missed two consecutive days prior to that. I think there is justification to place him on the IL, if that is what the club wants to do. Godoy hasn't played since last Sunday. I don't hate third catchers as much as most here, but if he's not getting any work, it makes no sense to keep him on the active roster. 

Sands seems to be a short-term promotion, but the club might wait until Gray is activated. Incidentally, both Gray and Balazovic are scheduled to pitch today at Fort Myers.

There are 14 pitchers on the current roster, so none of them need to be demoted. If Sanchez and Jeffers are healthy, Godoy is on his way to St. Paul, and if Sano is not placed on the Injured List, then the other demotion would have to be Celestino. 

Gray update for those interested:  3.0 shutout IP today allowing 1 hit with 5 Ks and 0 walks.  43 pitches with 28 strikes.  From what I've read on TD, Gray will likely move up to SP later this week to make 1 more rehab start before being activated.  On a side note------NOT, a promising 1st outing for Balazovic as he gave up 4 ER in 2IP allowing 4 hits and 2 walks.  I anticipate Balazovic getting another start at Fort Myers as mgmt will want to get him another guaranteed start in warmer weather than risking a rain out pitching for Wichita.  With the way Winder threw today, there's no reason to rush Balazovic.

[stringer bell]

17 minutes ago, blindeke said:

I think Sands goes back down. He got his cup of coffee.

Not until Ober or Gray is ready. Maybe another rehab start for Sonny and hopefully a short stint for Ober. I really don’t want to see Sands put in a high leverage situation right now. 

[tony&rodney]

4 minutes ago, darwin22 said:

there's no reason to rush Balazovic.

No reason at all. The Twins are getting some good command and control all around the strike zone. I may have wanted Rodon, Montas, Ryan, Ober, and Winder two months ago, but the depth with Gray, Bundy, Archer, and Paddack to support the rookies is impressive right now. 

The Twins have a good chance to continue their strong play in Baltimore as several bats are coming around.

[stringer bell]

If Garlick has a disabling injury, it would almost have to be Miranda recalled from St. Paul. Ironic, for most of these three weeks we've speculated which pitchers would be sent to St. Paul and/or exposed via DFA. Instead, Sands was recalled yesterday and two position players will be taken off the active roster--one by option and the other on the Injured List.

[The Mad King]

Godoy for sure. And I think it's Sands going back down. He came in, pitched two innings, and (combined with Winder's long outing) rested all the other arms for the next series. I think that was the plan all along. 

[tony&rodney]

2 minutes ago, The Mad King said:

I think it's Sands going back down.

I believe Sano is now on the IL and Godoy is being sent down. The next conversations by Twins management would revolve around the seriousness of Garlick's injury, the returns of Gray and Ober, and when does Kirilloff look ready to contribute.

The ability of teams to call a pitcher up and have them throw innings to save a staff and then send them down less than 24 hours later needs to be changed by rule. Dugger threw 87 pitches and deserves at least a week of MLB time. Sands was clearly nervous his first inning and the Twins will want to keep him up for a week until Gray and/or Ober are settled. 

[The Mad King]

You called it

[Rosterman]

Bigger decisions are Kirilloff and Gray upon their return (plus we can now throw Ober into the return mix, too). Alex needs at bats. His season started slow. I almost imagine them keeping him at AAA as long as they can at this point. Too bad Kepler or Galick can't play first (or can they).

 

The other joy now is that Sano, before he returns, could also go on a rehad assignment. I want to see how the Twins do without having to give at bats to Miguel. 

 

Looks like the Twins could move some bodies off the St. Paul roster and maybe start advancing players by the end of May, which I think would be a good thing. At that point, also decide if wonderful Winder should start games in AAA or stay in the pen at Target. I want to see Balazovc get back into the mix. Woods-Richardson is fighting for an advancement.