You can view the page at http://www.twinsdaily.com/content.php?374-Opening-Day-is-One-Week-Away-Roster-Projections

Wow, this is exactly what I think the roster will be. Biggest questions is if Baker and Marquis are going to be starting right away.

Can't argue with what you have projected, Seth. I can still imagine Gardy going with three catchers (if so, hopefully Towles as #3), probably at the expense of Burroughs. I am excited for the season to begin. If the starting pitching is decent, it should be a good year.

That's about right.. Still think that it might be Hollimon over Burroughs. Looks like Baker will be placed on the DL retroactive to 3/27. He will pitch a minor league game tomorrow so it will not count for DL placement

Seth, I see that the New Britain roster was announced last night (online at the New Britain Herald). Several surprises of who is, and isn't, on the roster. Biggest surprises to me were that Oliveros, Perdomo and French are all on the pitching staff. Also a bit of a surprise that Mastroianni is in New Britain...listed as a second baseman. They only have three outfielders, however, so expect Mastroianni will see some time in the outfield. D. J. Romero is back as their third baseman.

Holy irrational fear of losing a catcher for the day. I don't get Gardy's obsession. If Mauer gets injured in a game where Doumit is DH'ing, you lose what, 2 at bats max where a pitcher has to bat?!?! Who cares!! Call up someone from AAA the next day if needed. The idea of carrying an inferior bat (Drew) just in the off chance they need the pitcher to bat (whom probably can hit better than Butera anyway) is just plain dumb.

Let's be clear here - Seth is a total Twins fan... BUT... He loves the minor leaguers. Kyle Waldrop was a favorite to make the team? Please dude, you have been raving about his ground ball rate since 2009. The guy is cannon fodder. Can we also get over Luke Hughes playing second base? Yeah, I'm sure he will play there which sucks, with an UZR of -100 but be realistic. The guy has shown nothing (until now hitting 50abs) that makes him a starter. He can't field any postion! It's like saying Eddie Rosario will be our starting second baseman of the future because the Twins are going to try them out there.

I would say that the biggest advantage to having a third catcher is it gives flexibility to get Doumit in the lineup more often. I would rather see Doumit getting extra at-bats then Burroughs. Luke Hughes can play third, Casilla (and, in a pinch, Plouffe) can play short, and it seems everyone can fill in at third. I'm for the extra catcher... or, I should say, I'm for Towles as the third catcher. A bat off the bench with some hope for some pop.

I agree with sorney. If the twins lose their DH for a few innings is it that big of a deal to move Mauer to catcher for Doumit for a few innings. Its not like they are going to miss the offense. I am sure one of the pitchers could hit a weak grounder to second just as good as Butera could.

Seth, I see that the New Britain roster was announced last night (online at the New Britain Herald). Several surprises of who is, and isn't, on the roster. Biggest surprises to me were that Oliveros, Perdomo and French are all on the pitching staff. Also a bit of a surprise that Mastroianni is in New Britain...listed as a second baseman. They only have three outfielders, however, so expect Mastroianni will see some time in the outfield. D. J. Romero is back as their third baseman.

Roger, I have all of the minor league rosters as they sit today... I haven't posted them yet because they are subject to change for a couple more days. But you're right, there are several surprises on that roster... but for me, there are biggers surprises at the lower levels, and a TON of players staying for extended spring training.

Kyle Waldrop was a favorite to make the team? Please dude, you have been raving about his ground ball rate since 2009. The guy is cannon fodder.

Pretty sure I'm not the only one who was saying that he was the favorite for that final spot within the last week, up until his elbow issue.

 

Here's a story that was just published by Phil Mackey, with lots of quotes: http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Elbow_discomfort_ends_Kyle_Waldrops_bid_to_break_camp_with_Twins033012

Edited March 30, 201214 yr by Seth Stohs
Added link

Agreed, a pitcher hitting one or two tomes is mo worse than butera hitting. Really dumb to keep him on the roster for that tiny chance of a problem.

Unfortunately for Waldrop, he had done enough this spring -- and over his last two years in the minor leagues -- to earn a spot on the 25-man roster heading into the season opener - thats the quote I see from Phil Mackey. It's not referenced where he got that assumption. Even though Alex Burnett has sucked all i've heard is they want him for the 7th spot even before Waldrop got hurt. Waldrop stats from 2010/2011 back it up? AAA ball 2011 79IP 84H! Only 43Ks! Laughable! AND despite being a ground ball pitcher he gave up 7 jacks in AAA ball. But he has earned it... NOPE!

If the Twins plan on Morneau at DH most days, it really minimizes the need for a third C. If Doumit is in RF or Mauer at 1B, they can move to C without issue, eliminating Gardy's phobia of having a pitcher hit.

So who's the backup shortstop? The starting 2B? What sense does it make to have 6 1Bs and 1 SS? Burroughs spot should go to someone who can play short. Unless they are comfortable with Luke and Trevor being the backups there.

I find it ironic that the Twins have four players listed as 2B who are batting .361 or higher in spring training (including one with only 5 ab), but only one of those (Hughes) is expected to make the roster.

I find it ironic that the Twins have four players listed as 2B who are batting .361 or higher in spring training (including one with only 5 ab), but only one of those (Hughes) is expected to make the roster.

Ironic? I don't think so. Contrary to popular belief, its not "All About the O".

So who's the backup shortstop? The starting 2B? What sense does it make to have 6 1Bs and 1 SS? Burroughs spot should go to someone who can play short. Unless they are comfortable with Luke and Trevor being the backups there.

TRyan says Casilla is having a MRI on his right knee, hoping it's not serious.

 

Sounds like another multi-month DL trip for a guy who has never played 100 games in a season.

TRyan says Casilla is having a MRI on his right knee, hoping it's not serious.

 

Sounds like another multi-month DL trip for a guy who has never played 100 games in a season.

I hope not too. I assume that would mean Dozier's ticket is punched, probably as the starter at second base, (or possibly at shortstop with Carroll moving to second.)

So is it pretty much the case that Revere will be a late inning defensive replacement for Willingham, pinch runner, and backup to Span? Looks like they don't need or want him in right at all.

According to LaVelleNeal3, Kyle Waldrop has been place of the 15 day disabled list.

I'm also guessing that with only two catchers and the announcement about Morneau DHing that Mauer is not going to see much time as a DH, but I wonder about Doumit. Do we expect that he is the starting right fielder and the back up to Mauer or will he be a more traditional backup catcher - with Plouffe in right?

The curse of "Seth's Projected Roster." Last week, I moved Manship into the mix with Waldrop for the final spots in the bullpen. Manship got hit hard that afternoon... Waldrop came down with an elbow problem... This week, I put Jeff Gray on the list for the first time, and he's getting hit pretty hard... Might mean Alex Burnett afterall... or Casey Fien?

Seth posted above that he's surprised at who is being held back for extended spring? It's not a good sign when Seth thinks they are moving guys slower than he expected....

So is it pretty much the case that Revere will be a late inning defensive replacement for Willingham, pinch runner, and backup to Span? Looks like they don't need or want him in right at all.

I think that's the signal we're reading, and is appropriate use for a young three-tool player.

I saw the game today in Dunedin and Parmalee looked really good at the plate. Hit a solid single and a long home run over the right center wall. Definitely ready for the next step. The swing was very powerful. When we arrived at the park, Gardy was signing autographs and taking pictures with the fans along the 3rd base line. I have criticized Grady in the past--but he was sure good with the fans.

Seth posted above that he's surprised at who is being held back for extended spring? It's not a good sign when Seth thinks they are moving guys slower than he expected....

I think that the biggest surprises there might be Hudson Boyd and Travis Harrison staying for EST

Am I the only one here that thinks that Parmalee needs some ABs at AAA? I agree that he had a great September and has had a decent spring, but his minor league career he's a.266/.355/.436 hitter. I don't see how he's going to fare very well playing everyday with that track record. I hope that I'm wrong.

[TABLE=class: sortable stats_table]

[TR=class: stat_total hl]

[TD=align: right][/TD]

[TD=align: right][/TD]

[TD=align: right][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

Seth, by TON of players please tell me that you aren't talking about Sano and/or Rosario, a fear I've had since last fall.

Seth, by TON of players please tell me that you aren't talking about Sano and/or Rosario, a fear I've had since last fall.

Sano and Rosario will be in Beloit. I have been told by a few peope high up that Sano and Rosario will be starting the year in Beloit, the players that are likely questionable to stay back are all the college pitchers that the Twins drafted last year, combined with all the pitchers that were in Beloit for half the year are likely to cause problems for the organization. Atherton,Acther,O Rourke,Tonkin,Carter,Shibuya,Williams,Boer,Gruver,Johnson,Kimes,Summers