stringer bell

Fulmer has had a decent year, but hasn't been anything special since his trade to Minnesota. The Twins don;t have much history of paying free agent relievers. I doubt they make a serious move for Fulmer unless it is a bargain. Lopez has been a disappointment, although I can see his stuff being very effective. Since he is under team control for next year, I think he comes back and is the principal setup guy, probably getting closing chances when Duran isn't available. Add Thielbar, Jax, Moran and a healthy Alcala and the bullpen is in much better shape at the start of 2023 than it was in 2022.

I don’t think there has been horrible roster management. They have gone deeper into the organization than anyone expected.

Are we surprised that another team created the lead run including a stolen base? The Twins don't have the components to create runs like that.

Back to the Twins. Thielbar has been very, very good this season. As long as he can maintain his velocity, he's going to be an asset in the Twins 'pen. Ober gets an incomplete for 2022. He was mostly effective when he did pitch, and remains really good against the White Sox, which might be really important if the Twins are in a race for the Central next year.

Uh-huh. Yankees probably will get him another PA tonight.

Judge is probably done hitting today 1-4, only two games to make up about four points.

Not a big fan, but he isn't 100%. He might get booed at Yankee Stadium next year.

Two runs.......in one inning. In September, this is close to their quota.

Smeltzer had over two years of service time going into 2022. It might be close, but I think he also is eligible for arbitration and could be non-tendered or offered a minor league contract a la Jake Cave in 2022.

Aaron Sanchez should be a free agent after this season. He already had over six years of service going into the year. Edit to add: Sanchez was added to the roster today and Megill placed on the IL. It shouldn't make any difference as far as to his impending free agency at the end of the season.

I think the Twins will try to pull the plug on Garlick. I believe he will be arbitration eligible and they will non-tender him. Why cut him loose? He is a specialist in an era of short benches and he suffered three separate disabling injuries. He’ll be 31 before spring training starts and it doesn’t figure that he’ll be healthier or more productive than he was this year. That is not to say that the Twins might not offer him a minor league contract with an opportunity to win a spot this spring. He also still has an option IIRC.

You all are saying Pagán should be DFAed, technically it is non-tendered. The same with Cave and (I think) Stashak. If they are eligible for arb, the way they are separated from the club is non-tender of a contract.

Good write up. To expect all seven of these cases to continue is pessimistic, but to expect most or all to resolve favorably for the player and the team is unrealistic optimism. I guess the team has to plan for continuing injury problems for those listed (I’d also add Trevor Larnach), but give them a chance to return. My guesses on a return to health are 1) Lewis 2) Maeda, who will be 35 shortly after Opening Day 3) Buxton, but it’s always something 4) Mahle 5) Winder 6) Kirilloff 7) Paddack. I, too, am most disappointed about Kirilloff’s continuing wrist problems. He could be an elite hitter, with good power, but he has to be to swing the bat without significant pain.

I don’t know about Megill. Since he got back on the 40-man, the Twins saved his remaining option. He does have plus velocity, so I think they’ll give him another shot—he has been disappointing the last month or so. Sands is another close call, but I think the Twins will keep him too.

He is off the 40-man roster and doesn't have to be restored.

Agree that Cave (non-tender), Smeltzer and Contreras will be off the 40-man roster. Smeltzer might be arb eligible, so that would mean a non-tender for him. I think Caleb Hamilton is a definite DFA, despite the lack of catching depth. From the 60-day IL, Romero will probably get a DFA and Coulombe would get non-tendered. Next on the list to clear roster space IMHO is Stashak. Garlick isn’t young, had three separate injury stints this year and is regarded as a specialist. I think he will get a DFA. I think the Twins like Enlow and Balazovic enough to hold on to them. Pagán has put up such poor numbers that I believe he will be DFAed as well. Finally, I think Palacios gets DFAed. My guesses would bring the team down to 33, assuming no options picked up, except for Sonny Gray. Add back several minor leaguers and perhaps save a couple slots for free agents.

The best outcome would have been to put Henriquez or someone else (Ryan, Bundy) on the IL, but there has to be some injury.

Woods-Richardson added to the roster. Henriquez optioned. León moved to the 60-day IL.

There’s been plenty of discussion about Urshela, with near unanimity that he should be retained. He would be in his final arbitration year. OTOH, Sánchez is a FA and unlikely to return.

Oops!

Woods-Richardson will be the first Twin to be born in in 2000s.

Nice win.

I would like to see SWR get a start against the Tigers on regular rest.

Yes.

Cave isn't a great player, but he might end up with more RBIs than Celestino in less than half the plate appearances.