stringer bell

I agree and adding a left handed corner outfielder like Gallo is questionable at best. I just don't think they considered making Gio a platoon first baseman. Making Miranda the primary third baseman seems to always have been their plan and he certainly could hit enough to make us forget Gio in that role. I've said in other threads that I view Kirilloff's as probably the most significant recovery from injury. The club's actions really seem to underscore their belief in his recovery and eventual positive contribution.

I think you have the lineup versus right handed pitching pretty close to right. Versus lefties, the I think first of all Farmer and Miranda would be flip-flopped. Secondly, the primary DH most likely would be Buxton, with Taylor in center. Two of Kirilloff, Larnach, Gordon, Gallo and Kepler would be in the starting lineup unless Buxton is in center, Taylor in left and a catcher is the DH.

The 40-man roster is full and the Twins have several invitees not on the 40-man roster. If history is any guide, the Twins will employ many players not currently on the 40-man. More often than not, one or more players not now on the 40-man make the club out of Spring Training. For the purpose of this poll, please make your choice with the number of days on the active roster the criteria for who is contributing the most to the club.

I think every team has a number of players that are in the unproven range due to injuries, but I think the Twins have more than most. To expect to "hit" on all is overly optimistic, but to expect someone to break through seems realistic. I think the biggest question mark is Kirilloff and 2023 might be a make-or-break year for him.

I saw he was signed. Must be behind Coulombe and Moran.

There are a lot of bullpens that could benefit from one of the remaining free agents featured here. Why aren't they signed? It appears almost every 40-man roster is filled and no one seems to want to expose more players to be claimed. Perhaps the price tags are higher than the teams are willing to disburse mid-inning and setup people. I personally like the idea of adding another lefty to the mix, but it doesn't appear the Twins or anyone else is that interested at the rate currently demanded by the free agents.

Locke St. John signed to a minor league contract. St. John is a 30-year old left handed relief pitcher who has had a cup of coffee in the majors. He provides more southpaw options along with Coulombe and Moran. The Twins also signed Aaron Sanchez to a minor league deal so they are adding pitching depth. A lot of ex-Twins have signed minor league contracts. Waiting for Rosterman to update us.

I'm still questioning the Gallo signing, but I don't think it's just comparing Gallo to Urshela. Gio had a nice year last year, but he remains a slow right handed hitter with marginal power, who was going to get (I'll call it) star (not superstar) money. The moves the Twins have made and not made indicate confidence in Alex Kirilloff, perhaps indirectly related to retaining Gio. I think the left side of the infield had a lot more to do with cashiering Urshlela, with the uncertainty to start 2023 at shortstop and right handed hitting Royce Lewis and switch hitter Brooks Lee on the horizon.

There is a lot of room and a lot of players between "all" (three All-Star level performances) and failure (an outfield of Contreras, Cave and a not-ready Wallner). About nine outfielders are in contention for three positions and DH. If every single one of them don't reach expectations, this truly will be a lost season. I expect, with this many candidates, that the Twins will have some not perform to expectations, but a few who do. Because of the injuries suffered in the past two years, the Twins aren't going all in on three of their home-grown number one draft choices--Buxton, Kirilloff and Larnach--and this makes sense given the time this trio has missed since the COVID year.

I’m not sure, but I’m guessing he stays on the major league roster.

Regarding Canterino, they had a near identical situation with Enlow two years ago. The team didn’t use the major league 60-day for Enlow, so I doubt they would for Canterino. There will be a 60-day assignment for Paddack and I believe also for Lewis. The Twins might be offering minor league contracts to guys who really aren’t minor leaguers. A pitcher receiving such an offer would probably wait and see if he got a major league contract offer before accepting.

I like BBRef for a quick bio or split stats.

Marginal stuff, so he’s got to have excellent command keep hitters off balance. I really doubt that he’ll get back to MLB, but I’m pulling for him.

I was there! It was a packed house and the Twins staff and player were well received. Good time.

Most of the time, the “best shape” line is just words. Sometimes players do look different. José Abreu is one example. Arraez looked less puffy last year and maybe Miranda will this year.

What is obvious is that the Twins have a different take on top-shelf free agent pitching. They don’t compete in offers for the highest-priced arms meaning that the eternal search for an ace is limited to internal options and somehow undervalued arms. In their pitching acquisitions, the club has considered injury risk seemingly less than other organizations and has acquired a stable of pitchers with whom “injury risk” has to be in their bios.

I don't think that it right. The whole thing about managing Buxton started when he was injured in Boston on the first road trip of the season. The knee was a problem from that point and the decision was to try to play him throughout the year with frequent days off and a lot of DH time. Buck lasted until mid-August on that plan. I'm sure that the manager is not counting on Buxton to play 162, but as far as I know the Twins aren't going with last year's plan. The acquisition of Taylor does indicate they feel a need to protect for the loss of their starter, but until we hear officially from the Twins, we are free to speculate how much they use their All-Star center fielder.

I haven’t heard if there is a plan for Buxton this year, but would assume Rocco will give him several days off and DH days. In those days, Taylor would figure to start almost 100% of those games. I would assume that Baldelli will use Buxton as the DH against left handed pitching, with Taylor then in center.

The 40-man roster is full and there aren't any "easy" cuts. It is know that Paddack and Lewis will go on the 60-day IL as soon as is possible, so there are two spots to be used to bring non-roster players to the team on Opening Day. Perhaps the Twins have minor league contracts offered to legitimate relief pitchers like Chafin and Fulmer. Guys like that are probably waiting for a major league offer, but as time dwindles before pitchers and catchers report, maybe they will sign one of those types. A right handed bat capable at first or the outfield would still make sense as well. Free agents are pretty picked over, perhaps Gurriel being the best available.

Taylor plays center when Buxton is not there. He’s an outstanding outfielder and a better hitter than Celestino.

I would hope that the Twins don’t put the expectation of All-Star performance on what (I hope) is his first full season. Making up for Arraez’ contribution should come from improvements from Buxton, Polanco, Gallo, Kepler who are coming off disappointing seasons mostly due to injury.

They have a somewhat weak RH bat in Taylor. Most likely lineup vs. lefties would be--DH Buxton, C Jeffers, 1B Miranda, 2B Polanco, 3B Farmer,SS Correa, LF Gallo, CF Taylor, RF Kepler. That is 7 RH bats and only two LH. Lots of tweaks to that lineup--Kirilloff at first or left Miranda at DH with Buxton in center and Taylor in left or right. Suddenly, there is not a real role for Gordon, until and unless a LH outfielder is traded.

Two clear moves can/will be made ASAP. Paddack and Lewis will go on the 60-day IL. Two non-roster players can make the Twins Opening Day roster without losing another player.

Gordon hasn’t played right much at all. He would be in left with Gallo in right.

Do we also consider what Gurriel had an excellent post season?