Transaction Time

[stringer bell]

The Twins' roster has been stable for quite awhile. The last change that I remember is DLing Mastroianni and recalling Arcia and that was some time around April 20th. They are going on another tough road trip, playing two World Series contenders and the Brewers. After hitting well on their last road trip, many if not most are slumping. The starting pitching is at a low point (I would classify the rotation as "in tatters" and the bullpen is starting to leak a bit from overuse. It is time for changes--fresh faces and particularly fresh arms--and here is what I think they should do:

 

Place Mastroianni on the 60-day DL and either put Wood on the 60-day list or DFA him, that frees up two 40-man spots. DFA Wilkin Ramirez, creating a third spot. Recall Chris Colabello and Anteon (sp) Richardson. Replace Pedro Hernandez with Kyle Gibson and either option or disable Pelfrey and exchange him for De Vries. Finally, option Parmelee.

[Seth Stohs]

Just to clarify...

 

Parmelee and Hernandez are Optioned to Rochester.

Colabello and Richardson are added to the 40 man roster (with Mastroianni and Wood going on the 60 Day DL).

Wilkin Ramirez is DFAd.

Pelfrey is put on 15 Day DL.

Gibson and De Vries are recalled from Rochester.

[Seth Stohs]

A couple of questions:

 

1.) I like Colabello obviously, and Parmelee might be the move there since he's struggled.

2.) I'd support Richardson coming up and sending Hicks down since Hicks has struggled so much offensively and defensively. Richardson could play CF.

3.) I think Wilkin has been fine both on the field and as a leader in the clubhouse, something many believe is lacking.

4.) De Vries was terrible in his rehab and was just optioned to Rochester where he will make his first non-rehab start tonight.

5.) I'm fine with Gibson coming up.

6.) Pelfrey's got more string, for sure.

[PseudoSABR]

I'd send Hernandez down bring up Wood until we need a fifth starter and then send down a bullpen guy and bring up Gibson.

[Seth Stohs]

It's fun to actually put our thoughts into practice though. It's easy to say I want this guy up or this guy down, but then there have to be corresponding moves. Here's what I'd do within the next week:

 

1.) Option Hicks, add Richardson to the 40 and call him up, put mastroianni on the DL.

2.) Option Hernandez, Recall Gibson.

3.) If they can call a fake injury of some sort, DL Pelfrey, add one of Andrew Albers/PJ Walters/Sam Deduno to the 40 man, put Tim Wood on the 60 Day DL. If no fake injury, just keep throwing him out there.

4.) I want to get Colabello up. The only way I can see it happening is to not do #3. Would have to Option Chris Parmelee, add Colabello to the 40 man roster, and put Tim Wood on the 60 Day DL.

 

That would leave:

 

OF - Willingham, Richardson, Arcia with Ramirez as the #4.

IF - stays the same, with Colabello backing up Morneau at 1B and whoever at DH.

Rotation - Correia, Worley, Pelfrey, Diamond, Gibson.

Bullpen stays same for now.

[Seth Stohs]

I'd send Hernandez down bring up Wood until we need a fifth starter and then send down a bullpen guy and bring up Gibson.

 

Wood is hurt.

[PseudoSABR]

Wood is hurt.

Crap, some other RP from AAA, then...

[PopRiveter]

Fully in support of:

Colabello up, Parmelee down. Wood to 60 day DL

Deduno up, Hernandez down. DFA Tyler Robertson.

 

Almost ready for:

Gibson up, Worley down.

 

Can't believe I'm writing this, but wouldn't be fully opposed to:

Clete Thomas up, Hicks down. DFA Joe Benson.

 

I sure wish either Benson or Hicks were having some success. Fantastic athletes. Part of me hopes they give more time to Benson (he's only a year older than Hicks,) but he hasn't had any success in 2.5 seasons. All of me wants to see Hicks get some traction and momentum in AAA and come back up with a head of steam.

[IdahoPilgrim]

And in all this speculation as to who will come up, the first name actually called is...

 

Caleb Thielbar?

 

P.S. I have no objection to this, but you have to admit he wasn't on most people's lists to get called up soon.

[jay]

Place Mastroianni on the 60-day DL and either put Wood on the 60-day list or DFA him, that frees up two 40-man spots. DFA Wilkin Ramirez, creating a third spot. Recall Chris Colabello and Anteon (sp) Richardson. Replace Pedro Hernandez with Kyle Gibson and either option or disable Pelfrey and exchange him for De Vries. Finally, option Parmelee.

 

I was jotting on a post-in note this morning and had the exact same scenarios. Interesting that Thielbar beat them all, but maybe we'll see a chain of events once the short NL trip is over.

[Aaron Cross]

Quite often it seems there's no rhyme or reason behind Ryan's moves. They need to clean house. Ryan, gardenhire, all coaches except for bruno and steinbach. Gut it.

[mikecgrimes]

Quite often it seems there's no rhyme or reason behind Ryan's moves. They need to clean house. Ryan, gardenhire, all coaches except for bruno and steinbach. Gut it.

 

If only Gardenhire had told Willingham to hit 35 HR's again this year. We're 5 games under .500 with Willingham Hicks Parmelle and Plouffe having under performing, the pitching staff is better but still bad. Mauer and to some extent Morneau are the only bright spots but they are just having normal seasons. If they end up winning 66 games and they fire Gardenhire I will be OK with it, but we're rebuilding this is how it works, and honestly one more top 10 draft pick would be a good thing especially the way the money works with high draft picks these days.

[stringer bell]

If only Gardenhire had told Willingham to hit 35 HR's again this year. We're 5 games under .500 with Willingham Hicks Parmelle and Plouffe having under performing, the pitching staff is better but still bad. Mauer and to some extent Morneau are the only bright spots but they are just having normal seasons. If they end up winning 66 games and they fire Gardenhire I will be OK with it, but we're rebuilding this is how it works, and honestly one more top 10 draft pick would be a good thing especially the way the money works with high draft picks these days.

Going through the postion players, position by position (and counting Arcia as a RF), the Twins are getting less than expected performance from 2B, LF, CF, RF, and DH. I would say they are near expectations for 3B, C, and 1B, and have exceeded (low) expectations for SS. Individually, Mauer and Morneau are performing "well", but unevenly--Morneau hasn't hit with power and Mauer has been uncharacteristically streaky and strikeout prone. They both have been in the lineup more than could be expected and they both are playing well defensively. Given the team's low slugging and batting average, it is surprising they've scored as many runs as they have. I would argue that Plouffe has been average for a regular at the hot corner, but I suppose that is picking nits.

[ThePuck]

I think Mauer is easily exceeding catcher expectations both in the field and at the plate...there really is no argument otherwise unless one is just fishing.

 

1st in BA

1st in OBP

4th in slg%

3rd in OPS.

 

and he's throwing runners out at a 50% clip.

 

If all of that isn't exceeding catcher expectation, then your expectations are very unreasonable

[Shane Wahl]

I am not a fan of continuing to ruin Chris Parmelee, so I would send Arcia down for a bit.

[nicksaviking]

I am not a fan of continuing to ruin Chris Parmelee, so I would send Arcia down for a bit.

 

And call up the Handsome Soda? He and Parmelee are pretty similar players.

[spideyo]

1st 2 moves made, what comes next?

 

I'm guessing Wood and Mastro to 60, to open up spot for Deduno and someone else

 

I know nothing about Richardson, so I don't know if pulling him up will help, but a brief AAA stint might be just what Hicks needs.

 

Parmelee really hasn't been playing much lately, so I am totally in favor of sending him down so he can get regular at bats to get himself straightened outand giving Collabello a shot.

 

I would keep Ramirez for now, because he can play CF, can help translate for other guys, and so far has been totally on with being a bench guy.

 

 

Do any of our pitchers (other than Thielbar) actually have options left?

[jay]

I am not a fan of continuing to ruin Chris Parmelee, so I would send Arcia down for a bit.

 

I'm with you here. Parmelee needs his chance. Colabello is the better option given the current roster situation. Some AAA time won't hurt the young slugger one bit.

[stringer bell]

I think Mauer is easily exceeding catcher expectations both in the field and at the plate...there really is no argument otherwise unless one is just fishing.

 

1st in BA

1st in OBP

4th in slg%

3rd in OPS.

 

and he's throwing runners out at a 50% clip.

 

If all of that isn't exceeding catcher expectation, then your expectations are very unreasonable

The catching position for the Twins is manned by a capable hitting backup (Ryan Doumit) and a future Hall-of-Famer (Joe Mauer). I did not say that compared to the rest of the league they were meeting expectations. I said that the performance of the Twins two catchers approximately met expectations. A healthy 30-year old Joe Mauer is close to matching his career norms and his backup is below his in 57 plate appearances as a catcher. Mauer is an All-Star catcher, no question, and I think Twins fans should expect at least what he is doing offensively.

[jokin]

I would argue that Plouffe has been average for a regular at the hot corner, but I suppose that is picking nits.

 

Plouffe is a butcher in the field, but his batting numbers are solidly above average for all 3B, even surprisingly, his Isolated Power #. At is stands right now, he ranks 12th in OPS, ISO, SLG, BA and WOBA among all Third Basemen If he goes even on a limited (in comparison to last year's mind-blowing) power tear or two, his comparative to league average comps will skyrocket.

[Rosterman]

Yopu have to watch adding some men to the rosters, as if you don't keep them (i.e. Wood) you have to send them thru waivers if you don't keep them. Of course, if you don't want them, maybe no one else will.

 

No one mentions Butera coming off the 40-man roster.

 

Even though Benson is absolutely horrible at AAA, why not give him one quick last shot. Maybe bring him up AND Clete Thomas.

 

Of course, you can release a player like Wood while they are on the disabled list. Wood could very well collect a major league salary all year if he doesn't get better.

 

I wish there was a middle infield option.

 

Deduno has a chance to grab the spot.

 

Would like to see DeVries get one last shot, but looks like his injury blew it for him. Best bet would be if a middle-relief guy goes down.

 

Perhaps Fien will be optioned out. Or Roeincke will be released. They both get 1-2 appearances on the road before a decision ash to be recorded Thursday late nite.

 

The big thing with Gibson, folks, is that he will be on an innings count this year. How many does he throw in the minors, and does he just come up as a September callup with minimal work...or earlier and part of the rotation, only to be totally shut down while the Twins get in the pennant race in September.

[jokin]

Going through the postion players, position by position (and counting Arcia as a RF), the Twins are getting less than expected performance from 2B, LF, CF, RF, and DH. I would say they are near expectations for 3B, C, and 1B, and have exceeded (low) expectations for SS. Individually, Mauer and Morneau are performing "well", but unevenly--Morneau hasn't hit with power and Mauer has been uncharacteristically streaky and strikeout prone. They both have been in the lineup more than could be expected and they both are playing well defensively. Given the team's low slugging and batting average, it is surprising they've scored as many runs as they have. I would argue that Plouffe has been average for a regular at the hot corner, but I suppose that is picking nits.

 

I would say you are being somewhat kind with respect to 2B and CF, in whose particular cases I would say the results have been somewhere just short of Nishi-Nagasaki-like. The first signs of Dozier's defense collapsing, following his offense down the tubes, as in 2012, seems to be in the works already.

 

Compare this 2013 stat line of Dozier's - .205/.250/.279/.529 with this one- .272/.345/.488/.833, with 7 HRs. These numbers could have been had with a February signing, if the Twins had not decided their acquisition phase was done in December. Kelly Johnson was signed for only $2.45M, and if he was playing 2B full-time for the Rays, he would rank among the top 5 at that position. I know they would never have gotten involved with Bourn, but how about Hicks and a comp with yet another bargain basement, $2M FA signing with these 2013 numbers: .277/.365/.423/.789? That would be Nate McLouth.

 

Just the insertion of these 2 players into the Twins lineup as the fallback players when Dozier and Hicks inevitably failed--- and one better pitching acquisition---- and I think we could be writing a wholly different "Transaction Time" thread.

[jokin]

Yopu have to watch adding some men to the rosters, as if you don't keep them (i.e. Wood) you have to send them thru waivers if you don't keep them. Of course, if you don't want them, maybe no one else will.

 

No one mentions Butera coming off the 40-man roster.

Even though Benson is absolutely horrible at AAA, why not give him one quick last shot. Maybe bring him up AND Clete Thomas.

 

Of course, you can release a player like Wood while they are on the disabled list. Wood could very well collect a major league salary all year if he doesn't get better.

 

I wish there was a middle infield option.

 

Deduno has a chance to grab the spot.

 

Would like to see DeVries get one last shot, but looks like his injury blew it for him. Best bet would be if a middle-relief guy goes down.

 

Perhaps Fien will be optioned out. Or Roeincke will be released. They both get 1-2 appearances on the road before a decision ash to be recorded Thursday late nite.

 

The big thing with Gibson, folks, is that he will be on an innings count this year. How many does he throw in the minors, and does he just come up as a September callup with minimal work...or earlier and part of the rotation, only to be totally shut down while the Twins get in the pennant race in September.

 

I, for one, mention that about Butera, as often as possible.

[johnnydakota]

My roster moves

1 Mastroianni to 60 day DL

2DFA woods

3 DFA drew.......wait for it.........Butrea

Send down Hicks Parmelee and Pelfrey if he doesnt impress tonight .

And call up Richardson,Colabelo and Samuel Deuno.....

[drjim]

I would say you are being somewhat kind with respect to 2B and CF, in whose particular cases I would say the results have been somewhere just short of Nishi-Nagasaki-like. The first signs of Dozier's defense collapsing, following his offense down the tubes, as in 2012, seems to be in the works already.

 

Compare this 2013 stat line of Dozier's - .205/.250/.279/.529 with this one- .272/.345/.488/.833, with 7 HRs. These numbers could have been had with a February signing, if the Twins had not decided their acquisition phase was done in December. Kelly Johnson was signed for only $2.45M, and if he was playing 2B full-time for the Rays, he would rank among the top 5 at that position. I know they would never have gotten involved with Bourn, but how about Hicks and a comp with yet another bargain basement, $2M FA signing with these 2013 numbers: .277/.365/.423/.789? That would be Nate McLouth.

 

Just the insertion of these 2 players into the Twins lineup as the fallback players when Dozier and Hicks inevitably failed--- and one better pitching acquisition---- and I think we could be writing a wholly different "Transaction Time" thread.

 

Any idea if McLouth is decent in CF? Hasn't played this year, barely played last, and numbers aren't too kind before that. A stopgap, one year CF would have been nice but I never really thought there was a good alternative.

 

Kelly Johnson would have been a good signing, but going into a rebuilding year I didn't find it unreasonable Dozier a legit chance to play every day to see what they got with him.

[jokin]

Any idea if McLouth is decent in CF? Hasn't played this year, barely played last, and numbers aren't too kind before that. A stopgap, one year CF would have been nice but I never really thought there was a good alternative.

 

Kelly Johnson would have been a good signing, but going into a rebuilding year I didn't find it unreasonable Dozier a legit chance to play every day to see what they got with him.

 

McLouth isn't a great CF, but he's a gamer like Pedroia, and he would have fit perfectly into the Twins clubhouse and "Twins Way" culture. Regarding both he and Kelly Johnson, it was sad to see that the Twins were obviously set in stone on a single course of action, with no Plan B alternatives even open to discussion. I especially hate the concept of a Chinese Water Torture, multi-year rebuilding when you have chosen to keep, and even extend in a case like Doumit's, the high-priced, but necessary, core veterans, and the more than ample additional payroll space to turn things around much sooner by making a few bold and decisive signings to complement that core, ala the Indians.

[ThePuck]

The catching position for the Twins is manned by a capable hitting backup (Ryan Doumit) and a future Hall-of-Famer (Joe Mauer). I did not say that compared to the rest of the league they were meeting expectations. I said that the performance of the Twins two catchers approximately met expectations. A healthy 30-year old Joe Mauer is close to matching his career norms and his backup is below his in 57 plate appearances as a catcher. Mauer is an All-Star catcher, no question, and I think Twins fans should expect at least what he is doing offensively.

 

okay...at the catcher position. Twins are 6th out of 30 teams in OPS. Again, what are the expectations? I'm not purposefully trying to be a pain but how can being 6th in OPS out of 30 team be considered near expectations? Do we expect two starting MLB caliber catchers on our roster? Is that a reasonable expectation? Aren't Doumit's numbers more than acceptable considering he's the backup there?

 

and Mauer is above his career numbers...BA, OBP, SLG%...

[stringer bell]

okay...at the catcher position. Twins are 6th out of 30 teams in OPS. Again, what are the expectations? I'm not purposefully trying to be a pain but how can being 6th in OPS out of 30 team be considered near expectations? Do we expect two starting MLB caliber catchers on our roster? Is that a reasonable expectation? Aren't Doumit's numbers more than acceptable considering he's the backup there?

 

and Mauer is above his career numbers...BA, OBP, SLG%...

I would consider the catching tandem of Mauer and Doumit being in the top 20% of catching tandems to be meeting expectations. I am not a Mauer hater by any means, but the man is the highest paid catcher in baseball, he's in his peak years and he's healthy. Mauer is 10 points above his career batting average, seven in OBP and 10 in slugging. An 0-fer would have put him below in all (I know he got a hit already). Doumit in 14 games is significantly below his norms in all those categories as a catcher.

[jokin]

I would consider the catching tandem of Mauer and Doumit being in the top 20% of catching tandems to be meeting expectations. I am not a Mauer hater by any means, but the man is the highest paid catcher in baseball, he's in his peak years and he's healthy. Mauer is 10 points above his career batting average, seven in OBP and 10 in slugging. An 0-fer would have put him below in all (I know he got a hit already). Doumit in 14 games is significantly below his norms in all those categories as a catcher.

 

Good points, and Mauer is BABIPing over 84 points above his career numbers. (Going into Sunday's game, Mauer's May BABIP was a ridiculous .667).