The Twins are 5 1/2 games out with 19 games to go. While larger leads have been made up this late such as the Phillies making up 7 games with 17 to go in 2007, The Twins aren't going to the playoffs. The Twins have a big off season ahead. They have a mess waiting for them on the 40 man roster. Trading Pino and Mulvey has helped but there are a lot of decisions to make.
The locks:
Pitchers
Scott Baker
Brian Duensing
Nick Blackburn
Matt GuerrierThe locks:
Pitchers
Scott Baker
Brian Duensing
Nick Blackburn
Francisco Liriano
Jeff Manship
Jose Mijares
Joe Nathan
Pat Neshek
Jon Rauch
Kevin Slowey
Anthony Swarzak
Alex Burnett
Deolis Guerra
Rob Delaney
Jesse Crain
Armando Gabino
Catchers:
Joe Mauer
Jeff Manship
Jose Mijares
Joe Nathan
Pat Neshek
Jon Rauch
Kevin Slowey
Anthony Swarzak
Alex Burnett
Deolis Guerra
Rob Delaney
Jesse Crain
Armando Gabino
Catchers:
Joe Mauer
Wilson Ramos
Jose Morales
Justin Morneau
Brendan Harris
Steven Tolleson
Trevor Plouffe
Danny ValenciaAlexi Casilla
Outfielders:
Michael Cuddyer
Outfielders:
Michael Cuddyer
Carlos Gomez
Denard Span
Jason Kubel
This leaves the team with 30 of 40 and a lot of decisions to make.
Moves I would make:
I'd re-sign Carl Pavano to a 1 or 2 year deal at decent money and some incentives, say 1 year 4 million plus incentives.(if he becomes a type 2 free agent I'd offer arbitration, he either takes that or the team gets a sandwich pick)
I'd dangle Boof Bonser if anyone would offer anything decent for him I'd pull the trigger, otherwise I'd keep him, at least through spring training.
I'd trade Glen Perkins.... the team has soured on him as he has with them. Might be looked better upon by other teams.
I'd trade Delmon Young and make Carlos Gomez the every day CF. If blown away by an offer for Micheal Cuddyer or Gomez and change the thoughts.
Assuming Pavano and Bonser stay makes 32.
Players to remove from the roster:
Drop Bobby Keppel.
Drop Drew Butera from 40 man, good Defense doesn't offset no bat.
Drop Brian Buscher from 40 man, no bat no defense.
Drop Matt Tolbert from 40 man.
Drop Jason Pridie from 40 man.
Drop Deibinson Romero from 40 man.
Let Orlando Cabrera go.
Offer Mike Redmond a job with the organization or shake his hand and let him go.
Cut or trade Nick Punto for whatever you can get, even eating salary.
I'd love to resign Joe Crede in case Valencia is not ready, but given injuries, Boras, and all the players the Twins need to try to get on the 40 man, he has to be let go.
Other Players to consider for 8 spots:
I'd add Rene Tosoni for outfield depth
I'd consider Ron Mahay for another year?
I'd Resign 1 of Justin Huber, Brock Peterson, and Eric Lis put on 40 man
Keep or Drop Luke Hughes from the 40 man?
Add Brian Dinkleman?
Add Loek Van Mil?
Add Juan Morillo or lose him?
Do the Twins need room for any other free agent signings?
There are many more that the Twins need to add or risk losing to Rule 5 or Rule 5 Minor League draft including the following:
Rene Leveret
Alexander Soto
Allan De San Miguel
Santos Arias
Ramon Acosta
Matt Fox
Kyle Waldrop
Whit Robbins
Ramon Santana
Steve Singleton
Juan Portes
Brandon Roberts
As you can see there is a mess waiting for the Twins. Do they not move their players through the system quick enough? Are many of these players average at best? Packaging some of these players in 2 for 1 trades would help as well.
Let me know what you think? Did I miss anyone? Did I miss something regarding the eligible players.
On the road...... OK, at home
Shawn
Rene Leveret
Alexander Soto
Allan De San Miguel
Santos Arias
Ramon Acosta
Matt Fox
Kyle Waldrop
Whit Robbins
Ramon Santana
Steve Singleton
Juan Portes
Brandon Roberts
As you can see there is a mess waiting for the Twins. Do they not move their players through the system quick enough? Are many of these players average at best? Packaging some of these players in 2 for 1 trades would help as well.
Let me know what you think? Did I miss anyone? Did I miss something regarding the eligible players.
On the road...... OK, at home
Shawn
Mike McCardell, David Bromberg, Anthony Slama, Chris Parmelee and Joe Benson don't have to be put on the 40 man roster, so they won't be.
ReplyDeleteI asked if I missed something regarding eligible players and I did. I made the changes and double checked my work. Seth, thanks for setting me straight.
ReplyDeleteTosoni doesn't need to be added.
ReplyDeleteAs for Mahay and Pavano, they come off of the 40 man when they're free agents (so do Redmond, Crede and Cabrera). My guess is none of them would be signed before the end of November, so they likely wouldn't be a factor.
I don't think there is much risk in losing Peterson or Lis, so I doubt they are added.
There is no reason to drop Luke Hughes from the 40 man. He's got two option years yet, was hurt a bunch and does have power. No need to take him off yet.
I don't think I'd add Morillo. Let someone else take him if they want. They may still get him back. 6 year minor league free agent.
I'd probably protect Singleton over Dinkelman, but there may be room for both.