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I took a look at how I’d construct the 25-man roster for the ALDS earlier this month, and now there’ve been some significant changes that make a shuffle more than necessary. Barring any further injuries, this is the group that I’d suggest go to war with Rocco Baldelli.
Catchers (2): Jason Castro, Mitch Garver
Changes: None
There’s been no developments here to suggest a change makes any sense. The Twins have had the most productive catching tandem in baseball, and Mitch Garver has hit like a man possessed for another significant stretch. He left a game this weekend with a hip impingement, but it sounds like some quick rest should be enough to get him over the hump. They’ll be locked in and ready to go both at the plate, and behind it, no matter who Minnesota faces.
Infield (6): C.J. Cron, Luis Arraez, Jonathan Schoop, Jorge Polanco, Marwin Gonzalez, Miguel Sano
Changes: Ehire Adrianza out with an oblique injury
Unfortunately for the Twins, they lost a versatile asset when Ehire Adrianza pulled an oblique muscle. There has been talk that he would hope to not miss the rest of the season, but time is running out and those things don’t typically heal in a quick fashion. Arraez and Gonzalez give Baldelli plenty of flexibility on their own, and Luis having pushed his way into the starting role allows for some thump out of Schoop’s bat off the bench.
It is worth noting that Rocco Baldelli mentioned Adrianza looking good, but he's "not sure if he's close to being ready to play." I'd imagine Ehire would need game action this week to be included. If he is, Jake Cave could be the odd man out with the Twins opting for non-traditional outfielders in relief. That does seem like a pretty big long shot.
Outfield (4): Eddie Rosario, Max Kepler, LaMonte Wade, Jake Cave
Changes: Byron Buxton done with labrum surgery, and Ian Miller left out
There’s no replacing a guy like Byron Buxton, and the Twins have had to grapple with that reality for weeks now. He’s not going to be there defensively for a pitching staff that loves him, and his bat is now out of the lineup as well. Minnesota added Miller to the 40-man roster as a speed guy off the bench, but it’s Wade that may have forced him out. LaMonte has gotten healthy and takes as good at-bats as stud Luis Arraez. Recently writing up a speciality Minnesota will need to pick for the postseason, it’s probably Wade’s on base skills that outweigh an additional 90 feet on a stolen base.
Over the final week of the season the Twins will want to get both Kepler and Cave back going again. They’ve dealt with injury, have sprinkled in some playing time, but also need to work in routine at-bats. Eddie trending upwards is a positive development at this time of year, and if he can continue to shrink his zone then opposing pitchers will have a much tougher time exploiting his weaknesses.
Designated Hitter (1): Nelson Cruz
Changes: None
No surprise here, Mr. Boomstick is the living embodiment of the Fountain of Youth. 400 dingers to his credit, and 40 at the age of 39, the Twins are enjoying one of the greatest seasons from a free agent ever. He’s coming back next year at a reduced rate and there should be ample opportunity for him to make an impact on and off the field in the postseason.
Rotation (3): Jose Berrios, Jake Odorizzi, Randy Dobnak
Changes: Michael Pineda was handed a PED suspension, Martin Perez has been ineffective and moved to the pen
You probably need four starters for a postseason series unless you’ve got an elite arm or two. Unfortunately for the Twins they have two guys that they’d be expected to turn to, and a complete wild card. Jose Berrios and Jake Odorizzi are locks, although they’ll need the former to be the best version of himself. An additional starter is up in the air, but I like the proposal of Randy Dobnak. He’s been great for Minnesota in 2019 and the unfamiliarity for opposing hitters could be to his benefit.
A lefty doesn’t make a ton of sense given the strength both Houston and New York have on that side of the plate. Dobnak could pitch game two allowing the Twins to utilize their bullpen more aggressively before the scheduled day off. If Baldelli’s squad can steal a win on the road, or return home having yet to lose, they’d be sitting pretty when attempting to advance to the ALCS.
Bullpen (9): Taylor Rogers, Sergio Romo, Tyler Duffey, Trevor May, Zack Littell, Brusdar Graterol, Kyle Gibson, Cody Stashak, Martin Perez
Changes: Dyson is done for the year, Gibson, Stashak, and Perez all added
The first six names of this group seem like obvious locks to me. They represent the core of a group that has been very, very good in the second half. It’s the last three that are more uncertain but they each seem to fill a need.
Kyle Gibson has struggled significantly with his health, and then his production because of it, down the stretch. If the Twins deem him healthy though, it makes a good amount of sense to have him as a presence in the pen and a veteran arm ready to go. Should he be deemed unhealthy, that’s probably a spot for Lewis Thorpe, or an opportunity to squeak someone like Willians Astudillo onto the bench.
Stashak has been nothing short of dominant in his time with the Twins, and while he’d be throwing on the biggest stage yet, the stuff has played. Needing another lefty, it's the starter Perez who comes into play. Despite his ineffectiveness, he's still been strong against lefties and has worked in relief before. Initially expected to be a part of the 2020 plans, he still probably gets a chance in the Postseason.
A roster of 12 pitchers and 13 hitters is the split that Baldelli should find solace in. Nick looked at the pen options yesterday and came up with 12 openings as well. Here’s to hoping for a clean bill of health over the final week, and smooth sailing so that optimal decisions can be made. Minnesota has been forced into enough change due to unfortunate circumstances thus far. Adding to that this close to the October run isn’t something anyone should want to deal with.
What would your final roster for October look like? Where do you differ and what do you agree on? Share your thoughts below.
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