Twins Add Gordon, Wade, Arraez To 40-Man Roster

Here's hoping one of these familiar guys doesn't wind up on the 40-man

Rays Designate C.J. Cron, Announce Other Roster Moves

Nick Anderson traded to the Marlins for infielder Brian Schales.

Nick Anderson traded to the Marlins for infielder Brian Schales.

Filed under: Something is better than nothing

Brian Schales Baseball Reference

Claim Dietrich and pay him his $4.8M in arbitration

EDIT: may have jumped the gun on this recommendation due to RBVS - RiverBrian Versatility Syndrome

Does look like a possible Utility guy against RH guys who throw pitches sometime in a game

I guess getting something for Anderson is nice, because the Twins probably weren't going to use him. It stinks to see Busenitz sent off to Asia already, but he just wasn't cutting it here. There goes the last piece of the Nolasco-Santiago trade... until Alex Meyer recovers from his shoulder surgery in 2020.

Glad to see they protected Arraez.   Maybe their is stuff we don't know coming down (like trading Gordon).

2018 MiLB numbers in AA and AAA

 

against RHP: .281/.391/.409

against LHP: .189/.266/.297

 

No. He does not hit LHPs.  He is pretty much an automatic out against them.  He does mash against RHP.

 

The Twins already have 4 lefty throwing OFs on their 4 man roster.  How given is a 5th?  Or an 8th total OF?  Meanwhile the infielder roster, including 1B sits at just 5.

 

It is a numbers game

Then, of course, in 2017 he hit .313 against LHP with a .794 OPS (.809 OPS vs. RHP).  THen, of course, in 2016 he hit .315 vs LHP with a .893 OPS (.823 OPS vs. RHP).   Then, of course, in 2015 he hit .345 vs. LHP with a .966 OPS (.884 OPS vs. RHP).

So, with the single exception of 2018 when he played hurt, he has actually hit LHP better than RHP.  I think that you can make some argument that the years previous to 2018 were at lower levels, but to claim he is "an automatic out against LHP" isn't true one iota until you cherry pick the statistics.

In yet more former Twins 40-man issues...another long-time Twin is available again

MLBTR: Cubs Outright Johnny Field, Jerry Vasto

I just think there's no risk... Take a guy, and give him back... or turn him into Ryan Pressly. Either way I just mainly think it's silly to think that the team should just never take that option, whether they are a contender or not.

 

I don’t think it is a never nor is it an always,

A rebuilding team can always find space. A contending team needs to find a player and role that fits the roster. In today’s game team’s utilize options to shuttle relievers. You don’t get options with a rule 5 player. If the Twins target a middle infielder that can compete with Adrianza for that bench spot it could be a fit. The back of the bullpen has to be flexible.

Then, of course, in 2017 he hit .313 against LHP with a .794 OPS (.809 OPS vs. RHP).  THen, of course, in 2016 he hit .315 vs LHP with a .893 OPS (.823 OPS vs. RHP).   Then, of course, in 2015 he hit .345 vs. LHP with a .966 OPS (.884 OPS vs. RHP).

 

So, with the single exception of 2018 when he played hurt, he has actually hit LHP better than RHP.  I think that you can make some argument that the years previous to 2018 were at lower levels, but to claim he is "an automatic out against LHP" isn't true one iota until you cherry pick the statistics.

Thank you. Thought my crazy memory had gotten even crazier. Lol

I'm glad Arraez was protected. I get he's probably ONLY a 2B. And I know Polanco will probably slide to 2B this next season or in the next couple. And I also get it may have been bard for someone to stash Arraez.

But even if the Twins sign a quality infielder, which they HAVE TO DO, you need depth. This kid has an undeniable hit tool. We are hurting for depth at the upper levels. I think this was smart.

While I’m a bit suspicious that Tyler Jay or Jake Reed will get picked, I am hoping that this is a sign the FO has plans to sign one or more free agent relievers this offseason, who are considerably better than Jay or Reed are or will ever be.

I'm glad Arraez was protected. I get he's probably ONLY a 2B. And I know Polanco will probably slide to 2B this next season or in the next couple. And I also get it may have been bard for someone to stash Arraez. But even if the Twins sign a quality infielder, which they HAVE TO DO, you need depth. This kid has an undeniable hit tool. We are hurting for depth at the upper levels. I think this was smart.

Or Arraez will hit .350 the first month at AA, then .350 at Rochester for a couple months before moving up to the Twins where he will do the same.  

Yes that comment is unlikely.  Or is it?  This kid has hit well over .300 at every stop he has been at.

As for all the pitchers that weren't added, the Twins must feel that none of them are better than the 10 prospects they already had on the roster...now 9 with Busenitz gone.

I'm glad they protected Arraez.  I'd have hated having to read the stories about the Twins finally paying their karmic debt for nabbing Santana in the rule V.

The Rule V draft seems to be happening already, and instead of $100,000, the best(?) prospects will cost you a different, marginal, non-40 man prospect.  And save you the 25 man roster juggle.  Glad Busenitz and Anderson have found semi-stable spots where they'll get a chance to put some money in the bank for a while.

gotta concur here. This team is where it is because they have utterly failed at picking high with those two picks. Not just a small fail, but complete so far. Maybe Stewart bounce back....but Jay will be claimed and they will have bupkiss to show for the 6th overall pick just a few years ago. 

Just gotta say I love that word "bupkiss" that you used. That made me smile. Thank you!

In yet more former Twins 40-man issues...another long-time Twin is available again

 

MLBTR: Cubs Outright Johnny Field, Jerry Vasto

Long-time Twin? He was more of a "blink and you missed him Twin" !!!

Add

Harrison Bader
Paul DeJong
Ian Happ
David Fletcher

 

And the fact that all but Swanson and Bregman were picked up after Jay and makes that pick pretty bad.

 

Need to mention that several of the first round picks who did not make it to the majors are high schoolers, including Brendan Rodgers #15 overall prospect at MLB.com, for whom it is tough to make it to the majors 3 years after drafted

 

. 

The Twins' drafts have been pathetic.  Another data point: only Gibson is still with the team from the players who were drafted before 2012.   That speaks tons.

 

How many of those players lost a year to injury?  I'm not trying to defend Jay as the next big thing, because he is not.  Just saying it was not a "shameful pick."  Saying that 8 players from the first round are playing right now doesn't mean all other picks are busts.

You're forgetting Eddie Rosario from the 2010 draft. 

Added data point: Bill Smith was GM for 2008 to 2011 drafts.  He was terrible.  He in no way reflects the generally decent drafter that was Terry Ryan or the new front office that I think had 2 amazing drafts.

 perhaps... but it wasn't like that one surprised the pundits. Most mocks had him going in the top 10.

It's hard to argue that Jay wasn't a mistake pick. It's also hard to argue that the pundits weren't too high on him, although his injury history explains some of his struggles. 

But people don't place his selection into context either. Right now, 28 of the first 42 selections have not played MLB. Only 5 of the 42 have generated positive WAR so far. Benintendi and Buehler were both available, so yes, drafting either of those two at #7 or #24 would have been huge.

But that's the nature of the draft. All teams have their occasional misfires, every one of them. Not an excuse, just an attempt to temper the criticism a bit. All teams miss on winners, all teams have prospects who fail them through no real fault of their own, and all teams over-estimate a ceiling or take a risk that backfires every once in awhile.

I seem to remember comments about the Gibson selection at #22. The pundits had his ceiling, at best, as a #2, and some thought he was too safe of a pick. An example of the inept Twins picking a high floor guy instead of going for the marbles. Many people were castigating the Twins about his selection up until about a year or so ago. Some might still, despite the fact that only 4 of the 21 players selected ahead of Gibson (9.4) have generated as much WAR and two of those guys, Mike Minor (10.4) and Mike Leake (15.6), might have lower trade value than Gibson and could conceivably be passed by him in terms of WAR before it's all over.

So personally, I'm not terribly distraught that Jay has been left unprotected. At least he's still in the hunt.

This is the kind of thing that I'm glad we are starting to see. May end up being nothing, but if the Twins are pretty convinced Anderson won't be that pen guy we want, then get something for him. 

Bingo. That was part of my biggest complaint about Ryan, not actively managing the player assets.

I've defended the Jay pick plenty, and would continue to from a theoretical standpoint.

On the other hand, it was ultimately a big fail.  And heads rolled.  And now the new guys are ready to move on.  As am I.  Which likely won't even happen--Jay will remain a Twins farmhand.

Instead, take a look at the 2016 draft.  Are any of those guys taken before AK ranked higher than he is now?  I'm thinking not.  Of course, at least on MLB.com, Forrest Whitley, taken two picks later, is ranked higher...

Not worthy of being taken isn't exactly high praise.......when other players drafted those years are starring in the majors.....

You make it sound like there's a whole slew of players from that draft starring in the majors when in fact only two players selected after Jay can be described as such. Two out of 36, mind you.