"Handful" of Twins won't travel to Toronto

[Seth Stohs]

The Twins will need some replacements before heading north to take on the Blue Jays next weekend. According to Phil Miller, a "handful" of unvaxxed Twins players won't be able to make the trip. 

DISCLAIMER: I apologize to the Moderators, as I imagine this topic has the potential to get a lot of forum participants some points, but I do think it is something that affects the roster and how the Twins go to Toronto to compete with the Blue Jays. However, be respectful. Moderators will be watching. 

 

[Squirrel]

How many is a ‘handful’? Is there anyone left in St. Paul to bring up for the trip?

As a reminder, whatever your personal feelings on covid and vaccinations, these are the rules of customs and immigration of another country. MLB has to work within that framework. Discuss the roster crunch, not covid and vaccinations, please.

[bighat]

Darn, sure would be nice to have a full team going into an important series like the one we start in TOR.

[cHawk]

@Seth Stohs Do we know specifically which players are staying behind?

[old nurse]

They do not have to announce who the unvaccinated players are. They will not be paid, service time will not accrue. 3 games, no big deal for the paycheck or service time. It might be a big deal for the wins and losses. We all have choices and consequences. It is a team sport. In the interest of the team, all Yankees are vaccinated. Boston will not have all of their players. 

[Squirrel]

2 minutes ago, old nurse said:

They do not have to announce who the unvaccinated players are. They will not be paid, service time will not accrue. 3 games, no big deal for the paycheck or service time. It might be a big deal for the wins and losses. We all have choices and consequences. It is a team sport. In the interest of the team, all Yankees are vaccinated. Boston will not have all of their players. 

Considering the number of players already on the IL for various reasons, the roster is a conversation, How many is a handful? How this impacts the roster? These are legitimate questions.

[old nurse]

8 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

Considering the number of players already on the IL for various reasons, the roster is a conversation, How many is a handful? How this impacts the roster? These are legitimate questions.

I do not recall if any players did not, or could not go last year when they played Toronto in September. If the rules were in place then or not. I assume they were. That would leave the handful of players to be from the players on the roster who were not with the team in September of last year. There are a lot of new faces e his year

[Rosterman]

We often forget that COVID is international. All major league teams are facing the same issues when playing in Canada.

If nothing else, it does give opportunity to other players in the system, albeit for a brief time. But interesting to see who moves to St. Paul if there has to be significant player replacement, even for just three games. Do they just draw from the Ft. Myers (or instructional league) roster for temporary replacements?

Remember there were concerns coming out of spring training before states relaxed their ruiles for public spaces. 

 

[lecroy24fan]

18 minutes ago, old nurse said:

I do not recall if any players did not, or could not go last year when they played Toronto in September. If the rules were in place then or not. I assume they were. That would leave the handful of players to be from the players on the roster who were not with the team in September of last year. There are a lot of new faces e his year

I believe Andrelton Simmons was the only one last year that could not play in Toronto.

[tony&rodney]

1 hour ago, lecroy24fan said:

I believe Andrelton Simmons was the only one last year that could not play in Toronto.

He couldn't play in the United States either.

[CRF]

It'll be interesting to see who stays behind. I'm sure it will be reported, and there will be plenty of discussion about it. 

[Squirrel]

3 minutes ago, CRF said:

It'll be interesting to see who stays behind. I'm sure it will be reported, and there will be plenty of discussion about it. 

I’m actually more concerned with who goes. I guess it’s sort of the same thing, as it’s all connected. This could really hurt depending on who and how many are out and who the replacements will be. But it’s not like they didn’t know they’d have to plan for this eventuality. But with so many on the IL as it is, I really wonder what the team is going to look like

[CRF]

Just now, Squirrel said:

I’m actually more concerned with who goes. This could really hurt depending on who and how many are out and who the replacements will be. But it’s not like they didn’t know they’d have to plan for this eventuality. But with so many on the IL as it is, I really wonder what the team is going to look like

You're absolutely correct. 

[Nine of twelve]

Per Phil Miller in the StarTribune:

https://www.startribune.com/twins-preparing-for-weekend-series-in-toronto-with-replacements-for-unvaccinated-players/600177535/

I have only one comment:?

[lecroy24fan]

5 hours ago, old nurse said:

They do not have to announce who the unvaccinated players are. 

They have to bring up players to replace them, so they will announce it.

[Squirrel]

2 minutes ago, lecroy24fan said:

They have to bring up players to replace them, so they will announce it.

Yep ... the article posted above said they won't until Thursday, though ... they need to wait to finalize anything if there are injuries/whatnot

[whosafraidofluigirussolo]

2 hours ago, Squirrel said:

I’m actually more concerned with who goes. I guess it’s sort of the same thing, as it’s all connected. This could really hurt depending on who and how many are out and who the replacements will be. But it’s not like they didn’t know they’d have to plan for this eventuality. But with so many on the IL as it is, I really wonder what the team is going to look like

Can the players who replace those who are restricted from traveling be added to the 40-man and then removed without waivers, just as if they were replacing guys on the COVID-IL? There could be some interesting short-term additions to navigate the roster shortage if there were no 40-man implications.

[rwilfong86]

50 minutes ago, whosafraidofluigirussolo said:

Can the players who replace those who are restricted from traveling be added to the 40-man and then removed without waivers, just as if they were replacing guys on the COVID-IL? There could be some interesting short-term additions to navigate the roster shortage if there were no 40-man implications.

I'm wondering that also. It could make for an interesting weekend lineup. 

[Mike Sixel]

Disappointing is an understatement. They could do everything to win, or choose not to, for zero good reason. 

[Nine of twelve]

Jim Souhan weighs in:

https://www.startribune.com/souhan-twins-anti-vaxxers-putting-team-in-bind/600177576/

[Mark G]

My prime concern is the pitching staff.  We have enough offense to stand a chance, but it would not help if we had to call up even more AAA pitchers against a contending team, especially with how often we use our bullpen.  

[jorgenswest]

They can call up players not on the 40 and then return them without need to DFA. They can not recall a player who has been optioned in the previous 10 days unless there is an injury. 

[bean5302]

Believed to be about 5 players. Hey, if we have to start Gary Sanchez at SS, no biggie.

[FlyingFinn]

If the Twins don't inform the public before the series, as far as pitchers go, watch who isn't pitching in the minors this week. Does Canterino suddenly not pitch. Does Ian Hamilton not pitch on Wednesday and Thursday. The free call-ups could be interesting if they happen in certain positions. Also, if a Twins pitcher isn't making the trip to Toronto, the Twins will be using their pitches up in the last Detroit game. 

[notoriousgod71]

This is excellent news. Rocco was going to give each of the position players at least one day off during the series anyway. Now they'll all be REALLY rested and get to play 3-4 games in a row once the Twins are back in the States.

[notoriousgod71]

1 hour ago, Nine of twelve said:

Jim Souhan weighs in:

https://www.startribune.com/souhan-twins-anti-vaxxers-putting-team-in-bind/600177576/

"The Twins will be missing at least one frontline starting pitcher"

 

Souhan should be fired immediately for blatantly dishonest reporting.

[KirbyDome89]

Keep in mind this might not be their only trip to Toronto if each club continues winning games. 3 games in June isn't a disaster, 3 games in October might be....

[D.C Twins]

I hope a MiLB player makes the most of his opportunity and one day looks back at this as an amazing opportunity....

Also, if Kepler's injury magically resolves at the exact time that the Twins leave Canada... count me as a vote for him not being vaccinated. 

This is going to make people cranky and likely get this post taken down but...

EVERYONE has minor injuries that can be declared significant enough to miss a little time. 

So again... if he is back right after Toronto and without IL time.... I've got some swamp land in Florida for you if you are not suspicious. 

[terrydactyls]

"Take one for the team" has a whole new meaning now.

[bean5302]

2 hours ago, KirbyDome89 said:

Keep in mind this might not be their only trip to Toronto if each club continues winning games. 3 games in June isn't a disaster, 3 games in October might be....

OOOOOFFFDDA. I really hadn't thought about that. I'm sure the Blue Jays will take that potential home field advantage though!