You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=2395-Roster-Decisions-Lester-Oliveros

I hadn't thought much about Oliveros, but your case for him makes sense. Let me add that the Twins' bullpen isn't really that solid. Most of the guys slumped at one point or another and there is a need for more good arms in the 'pen.

He is a candidate, and probably a no-brainer candidate because the Twins have so much dead weight on their 40 man roster.

With the drop that Burton had from last year to this year, your case make this a very important issue. I'd hate to have quality pitching this 2014 year and then have the bullpen give up the games again........

I hadn't thought much about Oliveros, but your case for him makes sense. Let me add that the Twins' bullpen isn't really that solid. Most of the guys slumped at one point or another and there is a need for more good arms in the 'pen.

I agree with you and forgot about Oliveros. I like the additions of Welker and Mark Hamburger.

I agree with you and forgot about Oliveros. I like the additions of Welker and Mark Hamburger.

 

Hamburger is not on the 40 man roster, but he is one to watch. He'll start the 2014 with his 50 game suspension, but he's got stuff. And, he was a starter all season.

Gotta hang on to Oliveros. He and Duensing are the last remaining branches of the Chuck Knoblauch trade tree. I still have my fingers crossed one of them can gain some future value and be flipped to keep it growing.

Lester is a factor but I think the Twins will try and see what happens with him. He is, after all, a minor league free agent and really doesn't have to sign with anyone until after the Rule 5. He might get his best deal with the Twins, unless he is on someone else's radar.

 

The interesting aspect of the 40-man is that you do need a body or three to delete from the 40-man if you sign free agents. You can't do that from the add-ons.

 

So some folk will be there....hoping that they can get thru waivers and take a minor league assigment in December (i.e. Hermsen, possibly Hernandez, or anyone that the Twins would still retain control of for future seasons.).

I would think that it is a no-brainer as well, but there is overlap in skill set with Welker and Tonkin and I assume that one of these would replace Roenicke. Maybe another will replace Pressly if he is converted back to a starter in the minors. Frankly, I'd rather see Olilveros than Fien have a spot on the 40-man (and 25-man) roster (because what he did is not sustainable and started to regress in the last couple months) ; however, not sure that the Twins see it this way.

I think there might be a little wish casting going on here. It's not like he's had any success - at all - in MLB. In 23 innings, his strikeout rate is in the 5s, and his walk rate is about the same. He's always had trouble not walking guys at just about every level. And now he's coming off TJ?

 

I guess the Twins could make enough room if they wanted, but I could say that about better guys from 31 other teams that will likely be dropped. He may be kept, but I'll be shocked if it ever really matters.

I think there might be a little wish casting going on here. It's not like he's had any success - at all - in MLB. In 23 innings, his strikeout rate is in the 5s, and his walk rate is about the same. He's always had trouble not walking guys at just about every level. And now he's coming off TJ?

 

I guess the Twins could make enough room if they wanted, but I could say that about better guys from 31 other teams that will likely be dropped. He may be kept, but I'll be shocked if it ever really matters.

 

There's probably room to keep him, but he doesn't exactly excite me in terms of potential.

Isn't Deolis Guerra also a minors free agent this season. Do you have a list of potential minor free agents from the organizations?

Oliveros is still young and has a good MiLB track record. I am not sure what 23 MLB innings says about anyone.

Isn't Deolis Guerra also a minors free agent this season. Do you have a list of potential minor free agents from the organizations?

 

See Jeremy's Rosters & Payroll link on the front page. Jeremy keeps that updated with each transaction. There is a column for minor league free agency.

I would think that it is a no-brainer as well, but there is overlap in skill set with Welker and Tonkin and I assume that one of these would replace Roenicke. Maybe another will replace Pressly if he is converted back to a starter in the minors. Frankly, I'd rather see Olilveros than Fien have a spot on the 40-man (and 25-man) roster (because what he did is not sustainable and started to regress in the last couple months) ; however, not sure that the Twins see it this way.

 

I definitely would not keep Oliveros over Fien. Fien's been pretty good for a year and a half. Can he sustain the dominance he's had, maybe not likely, but he's proven at this point. Oliveros is still about upside. His upside may be higher, but there are a lot of other guys who should come off the 40 man before Fien.

 

And, who cares if there is an overlap in dominant relievers, if they would become dominant relievers. Also, Tonkin has two options. Welker and Oliveros each have one option. If they're good, I'm just fine with having multiple.

13 months removed from TJ surgery...

Questions like is his location where it needs to be, is his FB up to velocity, does he have a feel for his slider.

If the the answer is "no" to any of these, not sure the Twins want to put him on the 40 man roster.

And if the answer is no, I have high confidence he wouldn't get taken in the Rule 5 draft.

 

Obviously the Twins have to find some bodies to fill the 40 man and if they are short of names, miight as well add him. Butt the chance of him significantly contributing in the 2014 MLB season is low.

The Twins should, ideally, clear out no less than 25% of the 40-man roster. Oliveros being added is no biggie in such a situation. I would hope that the Twins see his potential and wisely move the $4 million between Burton and Swarzak away with such viable replacements as Tonkin and either Watts or Oliveros.

Weird attitude here. If healthy, Oliveros projects as a good to very good setup man. Burton is no longer such a guy.

I'm on board with Oliveros getting a roster spot. I'd have Fien and Thielbar in the set up role and Burton elsewhere. Burton could be a trade chip, I'd rather see Oliveros.

Pressly to the SR in Rochester. Roenicke gone. Burton traded. There are three spots for Tonkin, Oliveros, and Watts. Those three throw gas. Make it happen, Twins.

Tonkin's on the 40-man now. Roenicke's already been outrighted. Pressly remains on the 40-man even if optioned to AAA.