How Can Alex Kirilloff Fit Back in the Twins' Line-Up?

To me Garlick would be the best choice to DFA.  He's ok but poor defensively and just average as a pinch hitter.  Buxton?  Who's Buxton?  Where is Buxton? With his injuries and not being able to play much he is becoming a liability.  If he's hurt, and it's affecting his performance, put him on IL.  When he's not playing his injuries extend to the bench by reducing options.  He essentially becomes dead weight. 

That's a crazy amount of depth in position players, players who can move around, who are  young and promising.

Between Celestino, Miranda, Lewis, Kiriloff, Larnach, there is every evidence that a team would be acquiring a MLB regular for a long time, with team control.

Throw in Sano, Kepler, Gordon and now there are other solid pieces in play.

There will be a trade, likely multiple players, sometime in July.  Twins need pitching depth, starters and relievers, and they have the kinds of chips needed to make that happen.

At this point IL Buxton and Polanco if they are really hurting.  With this much talent, why use players who are not at their best? 

It's such a great problem to have. Couldn't be happier that Kirilloff is forcing his way into a crowd. 

That said, an injury or performance dropoff will create an opening. 

The team's about to open a series with the Yankees so I bet we're all about to feel a bit less confident about our deep, deep pool of thriving young position players. 

I think Kirilloff probably would have received the call instead of Contreras against the Blue Jays but he was sent back to St. Paul because he also couldn't enter Canada.

12 hours ago, old nurse said:

Older players are playing at upper levels because that is where their talent is at. It should not be a consideration at the AAA level for a player

Something always happens. A spot will open

I'm sorry but I've just spent ten minutes trying to figure out what you mean.  Are you saying that if two players are similar, the older one gets the higher level?  If so, but then you say it should not be a consideration at the AAA level.  Huh???

12 hours ago, RpR said:

If they cut the Mustard, they will stay in the Big Show, if not they will become  like Jake Cave, life time Minor League or be traded.

Fielding is and has been for a long time more important to the Twins than the bat; none of the rookies have bedazzled with their gloves.

If they cannot equal  Donaldson/Simmon/Polanco -- Ushela/Correa/Polanco next year, this team will be, at best, back to the .500 + or -  a few, of the Seventies until they bring in some top shelf vets as they did in 2019.

 

First paragraph I agree 100%.  And then you lost me.  Did you think Sano in RF was a defense-first idea?  Or how about Sano at 3B?  Or Rooker in the OF?  In my opinion, the Twins have favored home runs over defense for the past several years.  Simmons was probably the only acquisition that was for defense.  And the last paragraph, well let's just say I have no idea what the 70's have to do with anything.

11 minutes ago, terrydactyls said:

I'm sorry but I've just spent ten minutes trying to figure out what you mean.  Are you saying that if two players are similar, the older one gets the higher level?  If so, but then you say it should not be a consideration at the AAA level.  Huh???

At the AAA level you have AAAA players that are need by the parent club to field a competitive club to fill out the roster and be needed in case of emergency. Look at some of the catchers at AAA, middle infielders and center fielders the Twins have had recently. 

Just now, old nurse said:

At the AAA level you have AAAA players that are need by the parent club to field a competitive club to fill out the roster and be needed in case of emergency. Look at some of the catchers at AAA, middle infielders and center fielders the Twins have had recently. 

I agree that there are some older players at AAA but that wasn't what was being implied.  I read it as older players get an advantage and that should not be the case.

I think there are number of options that we will likely see some combination of. To make roster room Buxton goes on the IL and/or Miranda gets sent down. I think it's time to give Buxton a good couple weeks to try to get that knee healed up, and I don't think one good week from Miranda now suddenly means he can't be sent down. Then, for playing time, stop DH'ing Jeffers/Sanchez when they're not catching. Arraez and Kiriloff can primarily combo at 1B/DH, with Arraez occasionally seeing time at 2B/3B, and Kiriloff occasionally at LF/RF. Celestino is the primary CF, Larnach is primary LF, and Kepler primary RF. Garlick starts in RF/LF versus lefties. Gordon goes back to a true super-utility role, starting 4ish days a week all over the field, and coming in as a defensive replacement or pinch runner/hitter when not starting. Finally, once Lewis is healthy there's another CF, LF, and SS option. And as has been mentioned, another injury to any of those players is bound to happen, opening up more roster and playing time space. And eventually MLB will go back to the 13-pithcer limit, right?