Miranda, Larnach Optioned, Nine More Reassigned to Minor League Camp

I think Godoy makes the team as a 2nd/3rd Catcher while they decide if Sanchez can field the position well enough to play him behind the plate.  That's probably why Sanchez is seeing significant time behind the plate during spring training. After the 1st month of the season, if Sanchez is hitting he stays as a right-handed bench bat/occasional catcher with Jeffers and Godoy doing most of the catching. I think this actually makes the most sense because no one is really being blocked; Larnach, Rooker and Miranda all need regular at bats to prove they belong and they won't get them on this roster. I think Larnach and Miranda are back up reasonably soon due to an injury and the ineffectiveness of someone else, I don't think much of Rooker as a long-term player for this team. 

That still leaves open the question of who's going to be the 4th outfielder/right-handed bat to be a reserve and replace Kepler if he once again can't hit left-handed pitching. It's starting to look more and more like Garlick will be that player but I'm hopeful that someone better will become available through waivers or a minor trade as we get closer to the start of the season and teams struggle with issues regarding their 40 man roster spots. Gordon is the backup centerfielder with Celestino playing CF every day in AAA until Buxton hits the injured list.

Finally, I like Winder a lot but I think there is no room at the inn for him to be in the starting rotation. I think he goes AAA as the "6th starter" and is the 1st 1 up. I think they want to build up his innings as a starter and not put him in the bullpen since none of the 5 in the rotation are likely candidates for a "piggyback" situation. I would actually like to see Smeltzer make the team given his performance in spring training after last year's injury issues. We are going to need long relievers at the beginning of the season and he looks like the best one we have. Jax also makes the opening roster for the same reason. If I'm counting right, that means two of Stashack, Moran and Duran go down - my guess is Duran and Moran. 

  On 3/30/2022 at 11:10 PM, ashbury said:

I was just thinking that 3 catchers is a reasonable luxury for a 28 man squad but not for 26.  But, when you get down to the nuts and bolts, it's not even as simple as that.

Part of my dilemma is not viewing Sanchez as a catcher.

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I agree, I don't see Sanchez as anything more than an occasional catcher, backup 1B, and DH. How much he plays depends entirely on how much he hits and he gets to DH a lot if he its, not catch. Godoy is the 2nd catcher - LH hitter, good defender.

If Garlick, Smeltzer make Twins, who gets bumped off 40 man? I see Twins considering these depth players at AAA, call up in case of emergency.

Catching is still a mess. I would rather see Miranda now. Get rid of the damn Yankees. Never wanted them anyway.

Yankees and cheaters. Just look the other way..........

Winder should stay. Larnach should play in St Paul. Boy, are the Saints going to be a stacked team this season!

Come to think of it, I said that last year. Oddly, they didn't fare that well...

Not sure who the Twins are going to send down for Pitchers.  I see four potential guys they could move Down, Stashak, Moran, Winder and Duran.  My hunch is they send both Duran and Winder down.  Duran to make sure his confidence level is high and make sure they can ease his arm in to start the year.  Winder to make sure his struggles at AAA were of the tired arm variety and not kinks in his pitching to be worked out.

Still Stashak has looked very shaky this spring and I don't know if they want to rely on him and his lack of control early in the year and Moran is a bit of an enigma.  He can strike out the side or give up lot's of runs never know which guy he is going to be.  Might want to start him at AAA and build his confidence to make sure he is ready.

So it is a role of the dice for me on the pitching side.  I think keeping both Winder and Duran makes the most sense IMO and sending down Stashak and Moran shouldn't hurt the big club.  Still time this spring for Stashak and Moran to look better but it seems hard to believe they can look better than Winder and Duran have this spring.

Since Larnach has already been moved back down I think it is just Celestino left to move down and they should have their 28.

  On 3/31/2022 at 12:35 AM, Otto von Ballpark said:

If Garlick makes the team, Rooker could probably be waived to make room. Also, Nick Gordon is out of options.

On the pitching side, I would have guessed Jhon Romero would get waived again, but Seth seems intrigued by him.

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Yeah Romero has pitched 3 innings this year with 7 K's and a .50 or under WHIP.  While certainly a tiny sample size I don't think that is a guy that is going to get through waivers and I don't think that is a guy you want to give up on early.  The Twins might have gotten a deal there I think they should wait and see what they have or don't have first.

Why is Cave still around and playing CF yet!? When will they wake up? Cave isn't a CF, can him and get a for real CF to back up Buxton!

  On 3/31/2022 at 3:08 AM, nicksaviking said:

one of the team’s best shots at the new rookie opening day lineup draft pick compensation bonuses.

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Hmmm. One wonders if someone forgot about that. Tough to bench both Arraez and Urshela for Miranda if the rookie has a poor glove. I'm not sure what the Twins think about Miranda. He looks good at the plate.

  On 3/31/2022 at 5:22 AM, Mike Sixel said:

Crazy. He can hit, dominated AA already. What has Lewis done? I don't understand. 

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He didn't dominate AA. First half in AA would be my choice then move him up. It was a rush job to have him start his pro career in AA in the first place.

  On 3/30/2022 at 10:07 PM, Mill1634 said:

They mentioned on the radio broadcast today that Toby said Royce will be the Saints starting SS and Palacios will move around the diamond. 

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I too am confused why Cave is still signed by the team, he does literally nothing well. 

I still think there is a spot in the lineup everyday for either Miranda or Larnach. Kirilloff will fill either 1B or LF on a daily basis. That leaves the other spot open. I don't know how much longer Miranda needs to beat up on AAA before they give him a shot in the infield. Play the kid at first base.

  On 3/31/2022 at 2:14 AM, Mike Sixel said:

And what of Martin? Because he can actually hit and should be in AAA.

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But he shouldn't play SS

Every year I wonder why they play spring training games. If a young player (Larnach) has a good spring you still get sent down. It's not like the Twins can't use him on a regular basis in Left Field so he would get his at bats and not be sitting on the bench. Play Kirilloff at first, Put Sano at DH and run with it. Arraez and Urshela can split time at 3B. Sanchez can platoon at DH with Sano and catch every 3rd or 4th day. Gordon fills a bench spot for Infield and Outfield. Dump/Cut at least 2 of Cave, Rooker, and Garlick. No way any of those 3 should get a spot over Larnach.