DocBauer

I'm a little late to the party but need to comment. A key quote from the OP is: "Before 2017, when the soon-to-be-chronic issue first emerged, (his calf issues obviously), the slugger had made three straight All-Star teams and been a top 10 MVP finisher in four straight years." Go ahead and re-read that quote. His 2017 and 2018 seasons get largely washed out due to repeated injury dealing with his calf muscles. (To be honest, I'm not certain if it's both or one leg). It stinks, but injuries of various sorts happen. He then adopts a new training routine with the help of a specialist, from Minnesota, and has a tremendous rebound 2019 in Atlanta. Then he signs with the Twins. Now, we all know 2020 was a bizarre season in the world of MLB. I was grateful to have baseball, even an abbreviated version, and enjoyed every moment. But we saw an odd display of career seasons, split season's of success and failure, and some downright ugly years. And I don't mean just the Twins, but all across MLB. So coming in to 2021 there is element of "I don't know" about a lot of things. This includes Donaldson. If 2020 had somehow been normal, with a said normal ST ramping up to the regular season, does Donaldson have a healthy and great season like he had in 2019? We don't know. I'm sure he continued to work out and do what he could to be ready, but did the short ramp up affect him? If there was more time available, could he have re-habbed and been just fine after? The answer remains the same, we don't know. Even though EVERY team was affected by 2020 in different ways, including injuries, speaking solely of the Twins, they were on a 100 win pace until a small slump had them finishing at around a 96 win finish. This despite injuries to Polanco, Arraez, Garver and others along with un-even season's. Not 100% sure I can call Donaldson's issue "chronic" at this point after 2019 and the weird season that was 2020. Does he warrant some caution and continued maintenance in regard to routine and preparation? Absolutely! But so do a large number of athletes, if not most. IMO, 2020 is a mulligan for just about everyone who had a bad year. Look no further than FA BP addition Robles who has been a fine RP for his career until 2020. Some look away from 2020 and some focus on it. The Twins are being smart to bring Donaldson along slowly. But they are doing the same thing most teams do with established veteran players. Get them there time, but they know at this point how to get ready. Yes, I'm an optomist, but I also think I'm a realist. I will be surprised if "doomsayers" don't look up recipes for crow before the year is done in regard to Donaldson. As for the depth issue, I'm focused more on the future. My gut feeling is Blankenhorn has a chance to be a decent 5 position role player with a decent bat that provides power. IF he can settle down defensively, he has a shot to be the next 3B. Were I a betting man, my money would be on Miranda 2yrs from now. I get Cavaco as a very young and athletic option who continues to grow physically and might become a great 3B option in a few years. The dark horse, and it pains me to describe him as that, is Wander Javier. STILL only 22yr old, he is no where near the 165lb teenager listed on his milb profile. In fact, I've long thought that part of his injury situation may have been him growing in to his body. IF he can stay healthy now...and he is one of the Twins prospects hurt most by the missing 2020 season...I could absolutely see him begin to mature as a hitter and be in the 3B mix in a few years.

My response is no. But I like what they do have.

Rooker, a talented and younger prospect, should get the selection before Garlik initially. Not sure when Braxton's opt out takes place. Typically it's a month or so in the season from what I've seen in the past. I'd really like to see him stick around for a while. Tons of talent and still potential, but a good week vs a poor past few seasons doesn't put him above Cave. Won't find a bigger fan for Thorpe and Dobnak than right here, but not sure there is room for both. But the obvious caveat is the health of Thielbar. Really hope Thorpe gets that 4th option year for both team and player. I am a HUGE believer in Kirilloff and his future. I think he's going to be a hitting STUD with decent defense regardless of final spot. But regardless it's up to him to earn his spot. And he can. But with no games above AA except for his one playoff game experience when injury practically forced a promotion, I'm still flabbergasted in regard to all the angst that he might spend a little time at St Paul to better transition.

I'm a sucker as a fan for LH pitchers and the various prosoects that have been signed from Down Under. So no big surprise I've been following Thorpe closely for years and rooting for him. I saw glimpses of his potential late in 2019 and was excited for him in 2020. So you can imagine my disappointment when things unfolded as they did. Because of how last season went, I think a lot of people forget how good he looked before injury and illness wiped out 2 full seasons, and just how good he looked when he came back. We may never know the ful story of what happened to him last year, and maybe it doesn't matter. What DOES matter is how he got his head and body RIGHT again. Did he really gain 30lbs? I doubt it. I believe he re-gained weight he lost and then packed on a little more muscle with his new-found dedication. Regardless, good for him! I really hope he gets tbat 4th option year. Not just for the Twins and roster flexibility, but because it allows him a more linear progression of development in 2021 to perform and be sent back and brought back again if and when he just needs a re-fresher. A 4th option is a blessing for both team and player.

So if things work out this summer, my dad and I are planning on a "double header" where we get a game in ST Paul and Target Field. Also hoping to catch the Kernals at some point. And living here in Omaha, really Excited to catch the Saints here as well. So fans in general is kind of a big deal. But so is number of fans.

Heard about the opening schedule in April and glanced at it just now. It's very different than what we've seen before. The Twins play the Brewers on April first, have an off day, then play 6 straight games. After a 2nd consecutive Friday off, they then play 13 consecutive days. And there is where there could be an issue. But with 3 1/2 weeks left in ST, the couple early days off to stagger the rotation slightly, I'd like to believe the rotation could function normally during that crazy 13 game stretch. In fact, were Happ to be the "5th" rotation option he could throw on the side and pitch with a full 5 days rest between his 1st 2 starts. So unless there is some injury or setback, I think the rotation could be managed those first few weeks without having to go to a 6 man rotation. Things seem to normalize after that and I really dislike going with a 14 man staff and shorten the bench. (You might refer to my post about a larger roster post and comment if you haven't already). Considering how well the Twins adapted in 2020 with injuries I'd like to think they can stagger things well enough during the first 3 weeks with their chosen rotation and an 8 man pen that we would be OK.

Fully appreciate your arguement. But, respectfully, I'm going to disagree. You're right he is a very good pitcher. And you're also right he hasn't reached the mythical true ACE status. And he may never do that. But year to year, you have to appreciate there are only a handful of truly dominate ACE pitchers. But there is a difference from being a quality #1 SP vs being that special ACE. In all my years watching baseball I have seen a handful of the Clemons or Blyleven or Ryan or Hernandez types. Some were studs from day one. Many flamed out before reaching late 20's or 30. Most were good or even very good before stuff and experience, maybe a new team and coach, took them to a different level. Only a few were THAT GUY for YEARS. I think about Stieb and Key from Toronto. I think about Randy Johnson who was very good but not what he became until his late 20's. Despite 1 great season with Pittsburg, Cole never found his greatness until later when he went to Houston. My point is Berrios may never be that GUY, but you very seldom draft or sign an international FA who is that very special #1. Most need time to harness their stuff, learn their craft, and turn in to something special. Again, Berrios may never reach that special level, but he's already good. And he's at just the right age at this time where he COULD be ready to explode in to a true #1, MAYBE a true ACE. I'd rather hedge my investment at this point from what we've seen and what could be rather than risking losing what we already have and what could be.

8quote name="ashbury" post="1015381" timestamp="1615075785"]I try to remind myself not to follow thread-jacks when offered, but it was your thread in the first place, so I accept. I'm with you on the pitch clock (I think it's self-evident and I'd be even more agressive than you propose), but on this one I'm concerned with the unintended consequences and difficulty in enforcement. It's akin to a zone defense in other sports, and attempts to outlaw those lead to edge-cases and judgement calls. There are other ways for the offense to defeat the shift in baseball, let them adapt. Thank you for recognizing a self-imposed thread Jack, LOL. NOT my intention! But some have claimed less is better going back to my original OP, and I disagree. The length of games played has been increasing for years now with a 25 man roster. We've had ONE YEAR of an expanded roster. So getting things back on track, how does an expanded roster further extend games? There are mkre and more commercial breaks, and that's not going to change. We add an extra song in the 7th inning. Not saying that's bad but it lengthens the game. It's what happens on the field that needs to change. I'm a very young 55yo, but I've seen changes in all sports. Gone are the days in the NFL of 40 man rosters and 14G seasons that were built on ground and pound. I still remember early 80's even, if not mistaken, when there was no 3 point line. So no #2 hitter in baseball hitting .245 because he had bat control and bunt your 30+ SB guy at leadoff has also changed. A dozen or more complete games from your #1 SP has also changed. Bullpen usage is up. But I would argue that most of those RP actually begin an inning rather than come in mid-inning. Recent rule changes have taken away the traditional LOOGY and forced teams to play to 3 batters or the end of the inning. I like that rule. The days of a 10-11 man staff are over. And that shortens the bench, as well as any platoon or PH options. A full time DH in both leagues is inevitable. Again, potentially shortening benches even more. The 26 man roster is a step in the right direction. It provides greater depth for moves. But can we just acknowledge that the game has changed, baseball is slow to change and adapt, and that the 28 man roster actually WORKED well last year? Do we want to argue we had a larger roster due to a sprint and so few days off? Well, most teams play 6 days a week during a "normal" season, so what is the difference? If you really have a hard time with RP coming in, cap the roster of pitchers at 13 like 2020, or maybe 14. Potentially, an even or almost even split. To your points directly, Ash, I could agree being more aggressive with the pitch clock. But 20 seconds with nobody on base should be mandatory, IMO. In regard to enforcing defensive changes, I can appreciate your notion of "letting them adjust". In fact, I believe at some point someone is going to drive everyone nuts with situational hitting and SB again and things will adjust accordingly. Scars and HR may be sexy, and the chicks may dig both, LOL, but adjustments will be made. But they will never change back fully. It's the fluidity of sports. In the NBA...when they enforce it...there are still violations of things like time in the paint. In the NFL, there are still formation penalties. What's wrong with a SS or 2B still being on their side of the field? That's not bard to enforce.

I'm commenting on this AFTER commenting on the recent Buxton extension idea, so forgive any repetition. The CBA could blow up how things are negotiated contract wise in the future, of course. And I don't want this to sound pro-ownership, because I'm not in either camp, but I think the financial world of MLB has changed even without the whole bizarre covid situation. But analytics are not just part of the on the field product any longer, they are part of the financial structure. While there are, and always will be healthy players who hit their ceilings early and demand huge $ returns, teams are far less likely to hand out massive and long term deals any longer with the return being based on the first few years of a massive deal while "over paying" the final years. Even in the crazy world of professional sports and dollars, there is a wall to be run in to of dimished returns. While the actual yearly $ is variable, I think the types of contracts signed with Polanco, Kepler, Sano and "proposed" by John in his Buxton article may be the new way for teams and players to find fair and common ground. Fair GUARANTEED $ with financial security that exists regardless of production or injury while still allowing for FA around age 30+. Yes, a player could explode and be "underpaid" as a result, but that is also the equitable tradeoff for their guaranteed earnings. Teams are risking floors vs ceilings, much less regression or injury, but hedging production vs cost as well as maintaining roster stability. Berrios is, agreed, in uncharted waters as there simply may not be an adequate comp for his situation. He's very good, young, talented, been a stalwart, and has potential to be even better. In fact, he's just coming to the age where I have always stated experience and talent meet when a pitcher achieves his peak value. Possibly even the rare ACE status that so many yearn for. But despite all he has done, there are at least SOME questions surrounding his full season endurance. That might have been answered in 2020, had it been a normal year and because he began to make some training adjustments to finish 2019 stronger, but it didn't turn out that way. He's never had a significant injury. Hopefully, he never will. I applaud Jose's work ethic, determination and belief in himself. I'm a fan/believer who thinks we haven't seen the best of him yet. And I'm sure there is a part of him, beyond just loving playing, that would like to earn $200M+ in his career. But he also strikes me as an intelligent young man who KNOWS he could, unfortunately, have an injury tomorrow or just never achieve the financial status he might hope for, for whatever reason. And 5yrs of a GUARANTEED $100M+ and still be a FA at age 31 would have to give him pause, IMO. Be gains incredible security for he and his family, while still betting on his future and a second major deal at a still young age. The devil is in the details that I won't get in to here. But between salary, bonuses, etc, 5yrs and $100M is something I'd really like to see both sides as being very fair and just get it done.

I really like this idea. There is mutual and equal risk/reward for both sides. Buxton is protected from further injury lowering his potential earnings while still gaining a great deal of financial security. Meanwhile, the Twins are betting he will be healthy enough to earn that $ and perhaps prove to be a bargain. The recent contracts with Polanco, Kepler, Sano and this idea with Buxton is very forwarding thinking and may be the "new way" contracts will work in today's game. Of course, a new CBA may blow this idea completely up. And there will always be guys who put up insane numbers and are looking for and probably worth max dollars. And there will always be those who want to bet on themselves. But in a new financial world where teams no longer wish to hand out huge dollar values over 6-7+yr term deals...really only gaining a reward in production the first few seasons...this may be the smart play most often for both sides.

Caught a recent interview from Mike Greenburg with Bob Costas on the way home today. Costas brought up 2 interesting points/ideas that he shares with I want to say Tom Verducci: 1] The average time between pitches in today's ML climate is 23 seconds. That's just crazy to me. His idea is simple, no runners on base, a pitch clock between each offering should be in affect. Again, just my opinion, but I'm not sure there is more mid-inning replacement of relievers. More used in a game these days to be sure. But with the 3 batter/finish an inning rule in place I think that helps the pace and excitement of the game. The days of a LOOGY are basically over. 2] Costas also went on to say that he things the extreme amount of defensive shifting of infields is damaging the game. He believes shifting/alignment should still force a team to keep 2 men on either side of the infield. Crowding someone near 2B would be OK. Bringing in an OF...in an extreme clutch situation, especially extra innings...to be an extra infielder would also be acceptable, but no more 3 men loaded to one side of the infield. I thought both points have real merit and I find myself intrigued by the shifting limitations for sure.

NOT going to freak out about Robles at this point. Just a veteran getting stretched out and working on a few things. We should all know this by now. Deliberately not going to debate AK at this point. His future is BRIGHT! Frankly, tired of talking about him. Can't we just let things play out? I don't care it was some B.S. appearance in a ST game, Padulo will NEVER forget the time he got to be on base. KUDOS to Rocco for that!

Excited for the potential of this kid NEXT year. Why does every prospect have to be the "next" whoever? Oh yeah, we want the next future MVP and Cy young to debut at 21yo. I lost the memo. How about this talented kid gets a chance to play a full season of ball and work forward and get called up when even close to ready?

Dropping in to make a couple comments. Thank you for comments/opinions thus far. I was honestly afraid this was a post 2020/still relevant 2021 thought and pending CBA idea that might get swiped under the couch with the exuberance of ST. I disagree that roster size does anything to lengthen games. Baseball has been on a 3hr clip for years now. Ironically, the same time table as an NFL game. Whether you like it or not, limited bullpen subsition can only keep the game more interesting. Full league acceptance of the DH, which seems inevitable, should provide more offense, more excitement, more game drama, but lend the roster to have more flexibility. (Sorry for purists, but it is natural progression). I disagree that high market teams will have an advantage, though I appreciate the sentiment. An expanded roster might, instead, allow for a smaller market team to play "old school" ball and build a roster of platoons or have a bench that drives other teams nuts. Look, I grew up with 200 IP SP and 20-25HR being a benchmark. But that's not the reality any longer. I also grew up in a time where if you didn't have an NFL RB who could churn out a 1,000 yard season plus you were toast. But sports have changed. MLB is SLOW to adapt and change. We know this. And maybe a reviluttionist way of thinking with a 25 man roster is the way to go. Maybe not. But I think this arguement is worth having and I appreciate each and every opinion presented. I just tossed out a few more thoughts to reflect on.

My only comment is this: we take away the positives we've seen thus far. We're a week in. Some guys, pitchers in particular, have barely played. Veterans are simply working on things and getting time. There is nothing to get too excited about or worry about at this point.

A painful reflection...pun intended...of history of some top prospects having to overcome injury. I hate to sound flippant in any way regarding Lewis's injury, but I'm just not worried about his recovery. I have complete faith in his youth, modern medicine and recovery, as well as his athleticism and attitude. What stinks is the timing of his injury in regard to already missing a milb 2020 season, despite his participation and hopeful/reported improvements at St Paul last year. I truly think he's going to be OK, but set back a full season. Twins history, however, I think most of us will forever wonder how good Kubel and Liriano may have been without a pair of rather devastating injuries. For that matter, if you really want to go down a dark path, why does it seem the Twins endured more concussion injuries to top players more than anyone else? Koskie was pretty special until his. Both of the M&M boys saw their careers curtailed. Oh what might have been without a couple of those unfortunate injuries. I just don't believe in curses, even though a part of me has the "of course, Minnesota fan" angst that seems to be built in being a fan. But I do believe "bad luck" just happens sometimes. But Sano's injury, Arraez and Kirilloff the same, has not come back to derail their careers. I expect the same for Lewis.

I tend to agree. The power is there and so is the sweet swing. I call a mulligan first a lot of guys concerning 2020

The world of sports has changed over the years. As a result, leagues have adapted roster sizes to allow for more active players, reserve players, taxi squads, etc. Baseball, always slow to adapt, finally increased roster size to 26 in 2020. A small change a small improvement, but a smart and necessary one. With covid, the plan originally for a 30 man roster, followed by a downgrade to 28 before finally settling to the proposed 26 man limit. For once, MLB was out front with adaptation and realized the 28 man roster made sense for the compact season. So now, with an expected full schedule for 2021, the 26 man roster is in play. But is that a mistake of short-sightedness? As a fan, I want my team to have a deep and stacked roster. I want more good players available. But beyond that, the 28 man roster actually WORKED in 2020. Further, we've heard concerns about pitchers working an entire season following a season with limited innings pitched. There has been some talk about teams going with a 6 man rotation. Is this an over-reaction without merit? Or are there legs to this arguement? Should MLB adapt yet again post 2020 and return to the 28 man roster? Or even 27? A 28 man roster could, potentially, allow for a straight 14/14 pitcher/player roster. A 27 man roster, potentially again, could allow for a 13/13 split with the 27th man going to either spot. Is MLB making a mistake with the 26 man roster?

While I can see several variations to the daily lineup...and we will because Rocco mixes it up often...its time for Max and his power to slide down to a "better" RBI slot with his XB power. Arraez and Polanco should/could be at the top of the order based on past history of just being good hitters, decent OB, and good bat control with few SO. Now, I like Arraez a little better, but both can do the job well, IMO. Personally I'd like to see both at the top of the order most days and have Donaldson move down from the 2 hole. The caveat being just how many days will BOTH be in the lineup? And also, how much do they like Donaldson hitting 2nd, and how much does he really WANT to hit there? I want/believe in having an OB table setter of some sort ahead of the best bats, even in what could/should still be a very deep lineup. That brings us back to a combination of Arraez and Polanco in the #1 spot. If Donaldson hits #2, there are arguements to be made for Cruz and Kepler in the 3-4 spots either way. Sano probably plugs in at #5. An interesting thought brought up on a recent Gleeman/Geek podcast was Kirilloff hitting between Donaldson and Cruz if Kepler continues to bat #1. Again, interesting. But I'd rather see him face less pressure as a rookie hitting 6th or so. Still confused and wondering about Arraez playing at least SOME LF despite rumors they aren't really looking at him there. I think that's a mistake as you need/want him in the lineup most days batting leadoff.

As alluded to, I expect peaks and valleys when it comes to Sano's offense. I am HOPING that at 28yo, ready to go, he's ready to even out those peaks and valleys. While I may seem overly forgiving, like to many players in the league, I put little stock in much of his 2020. What I am focused on is his 2019 once he was healthy. Yes, he was streaky still, but his numbers and projected numbers are tantalizing. Defensively, except for a few goofs that can be ironed out with coaching and more experience, I thought his defense was just fine. Better than fine. His scoops were excellent, as I expected, the arm is still there though used far less. Now, he absolutely needs to avoid rolling his teammates on foul balls, but that is also fixable. Rooker has played 1B in the minors and college. IIRC, he also saw time at 1B last spring. Kirilloff can also figure in there. I also have no problem with Astudillo at 1B if he's on the roster. An interesting thought, to me, is Arraez getting time there on occasion. In the past, Hocking played some there and Adrianza also adapted well as a fill in. Of course, Hocking and Adrianza may have had better overall gloves, but I think it's something that should at least be considered.

I don't like revisionalist thinking when it comes to re-examing drafts, especially the baseball version, because nothing in life works that way. And every team gets it right and every team gets it wrong. You hope your team gets it right more often, that's how you build a quality team/system. There was, to my knowledge, no way the Twins could have predicted the internal ailments that have plagued Gordon. Those have probably held him back more than anything. (Supposedly he has that under control, but probably assisted in his awful covid bout). I wasn't thrilled about his selection...and really wanted Turner who slid down some draft boards after a down year IIRC...because 50-55 grades across the board for Gordon didn't excite me or explain his high stock, even though I understand projectability. But some early glimpses here and there made me feel much better about his selection. He almost certainly would have been called up before Arraez in 2019 but for an injury. Ankle? Bad timing for him and also unfortunate, from Gordon's situation, that Arraez was more than ready. Regardless, Gordon can't be held at fault for his 2020. But at the same time, his 2019 performance can't be ignored. Just how good he can be is a mystery still being untangled at this point. But the FO hasn't been keeping him around just because he was a top selection from the previous administration. He's around because they still potential if he is "right". Now, we can discuss all day long as to whether his ceiling is a starting infielder or a utility piece, but they obviously believe he has the potential to at least be the latter. And "disappointing" selection or not, if he turns out to actually be a solid, versatile bench piece, there is still value in that.

Rogers is still relatively young, healthy, and I saw nothing so out of whack in 2020 to make me believe he had just "lost it". He just didn't have a very good season. A season that was essentially 1/3 of a normal year. Same is true for a lot of guys. I haven't doubted him going in to 2021. But the initial results are positive news regardless. Now, let's see Robles look like his pre-2020 season self and I'll start to feel really good.

100%! There are a couple of late blooming/arriving players we could discuss by the names of Dozier and Cruz. Dozier arrived at 25yo. Rooker did the same. (Just turned 26 this past November). Except for 7 PA in 2005, Nellie didn't really debut until 2006 as a 26yo. His breakout season wasn't until 2009 when be was 29. I am by no means directly comparing Rooker to those two by projecting any sort of similar career, but I find them an interesting comp because Cruz is still playing with the Twins and Dozier has been in the news as a former Twin announcing his retirement and is part of another front page OP currently. What's wrong with Rooker AND Kirilloff being good, productive Twins? For that matter, toss in Larnach. There is a very good chance this will be Cruz's last season as a Twin. There is room to play all 3 of these young guys, plus Kepler and Sano, between 3 positions and the DH spot. Now, there could absolutely be a trade of someone at some point. But what's wrong with being greedy in this case. Absolutely nothing.

Battle between Rooker and Garlik? Nope. Not unless Rooker spikes himself somehow. It's Rooker AND Kirilloff with only Arraez on the infield bench, OR, an extra infielder and ONE of Rooker and AK to BEGIN the season. Garlik is depth to begin the season. WAY, WAY too early to worry about any of the "extra" 5-7 bullpen options brought in to make any opinion. I'm just happy and excited that I can look at that many arms who have a chance to potentially contribute. It wasn't so long ago that the AAA pen was filled with guys to just help the AAA team. No BS, Anderson, Hamilton, etc, there is a collection of arms mostly 25-27yo that could work with Johnson and Twins instructors/coaches and actually improve and "find themselves" and contribute. That's where depth comes from. Remember a year ago when people were asking "who the hell is this Wisler guy"? So now we have 5-7 guys who could be "that guy" but we made a huge mistake letting him walk? Not sure that's true at this point.

Repeating a couple things I posted in other threads this evening: Thorpe: Very encouraging news about him physically as well as mentally/emotionally coming in to the season. Always been a supporter and fan of his. Yes, because he's LH and Australlian, lol. But LH pitchers who can top 90 and get K's don't grow on trees. Despite his aweful 2020, personally and professionally, the Twins stuck with him. Why? Because of what I just stated but also because despite losing two full milb seasons the kid just turned 25yo this past November. And his milb numbers since coming back were very encouraging and pretty matched what he had done previously. His final ML numbers in 2019, SSS were nothing great. But if you actually watched his appearances you saw flashes. In fact, there were a couple appearances where he looked pretty good before being extended to "take one for the team " that helped skew his numbers negatively. We don't really know what happened to him in 2020 and we may never know. But does it matter in the long run? If we never saw him in 2020, how many would be talking about his milb career, his toughness to overcome injury and illness and his mediocre 2019 but showing potential? But he and his potential should be defined by 2020? Please! Now, it's up to him to continue this rebound and growth in 2021 and accept a demotion to St Paul, because it's going to happen at some point. But right now, you couldn't ask for a better rebound to reclaim his status as a prospect than what we are seeing. At worst, the kid has a chance to be a very good bullpen option if the rotation never works out. Rooker: What has he done to NOT get a shot at playing time? Kirilloff is going to a STUD IMO, but still hasn't played above AA except for 1 playoff game last year. But letting Rooker, Arraez and even Cave open 2021 playing LF and letting the Twins keep an extra infielder for depth and protection is a mistake or some obvious attempt the manipulate service time? How? If Kirilloff has an amazing ST, then let him have the job. But here's a question, if he starts slow and gets sent down, is that the Twins manipulating his service time? Or is that just playing with the roster? Rooker and Kirilloff can BOTH make the roster if they only have Arraez as infield depth. OR, they could keep another bench option and keep just one of their young OF to start the season. So if they keep Rooker to give him a shot they are suddenly playing games? Once again...PLEASE! They are trying to have what they believe as the best 26 man roster to begin the season knowing it will change during the year.