Signing up for the Minors

by rosterman on Nov 19, 2009 2:07 PM EST Comment 9 comments

On Friday, the Minnesota Twins will join ALL otehr teams in announcing their 40-man rosters, players protected for immediate play, and a handful that appear to be good bets to make the team in a season or two.

Then teams will then look at arbitration eligible players and decide who to keep or cut loose, cutting loose many who may be overpricing themselves for services needed (i.e., we all remember David Oritz in Minnesota, going because the team didn't think he wsa worth $1.2 million or more and the chances of getting him cut to $800,000 or so wasn't a reality...instead, he went elsewhere and signed for what the Twins wished they could've signed him for...but union rules and regulations forbid it).

So, two new groups of players will enter the fold now made up of free agents and players cut as recent as the end of World Series, plus all those minor-league six-year guys. Baseball America recently released a list of some 500 guys eligible for filling minor league rosters...

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=6994

Looking over the list, do any names standout to Twinkie Town folks as people the Twins should go after to fill Rochester and, maybe, New Britain ranks?

Teams will have an opportunity to pluck a body or two in the Rule 5 draft, the sticker is that the player needs to remain on the choosing team all year or go back. I don't really picture the Twins getting hit hard in the major league portion of the draft, but feel they may lose some promising folks in the minor league portion.

November 20th thru the General Managers meeting in early December will be another hot Hot Stove League time. I'm glad Twinkie Town is here for all the news, rumors and analysis!

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so, these are the guys cut, or eligible for minor league free agency from the Twins?:

Minnesota Twins (8)
RHP: Frank Mata (AA), Oswaldo Sosa++ (AA)
LHP: Reid Santos (AAA)
1B: Brock Peterson (AAA)
2B: Alejandro Machado+ (AA)
3B: Brian Buscher (AAA)
OF: Matt Moses (AA), David Winfree (AAA)

by montanatwinsfan on Nov 19, 2009 2:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

From Kelly Thesier:

This week is an important one, not just in terms of the BBWAA awards that are being announced. The exclusive negotiating period that teams have with their free agents comes to an end on Thursday night at 11 p.m. CT and that means the official start of free agency. While many expect it to be a slow start

Another important date for clubs is Friday, as they must set their 40-man rosters. This is the time when teams can protect players from being eligible for the Rule 5 Draft, which takes place on Dec. 10. The Twins currently have 35 players on their 40-man roster — not including their five free agents. There are bound to be additions to that roster this week, although it’s not likely to be five players as the Twins often leave at least one spot open in case they want to make a selection in the Major League portion of the Rule 5 Draft.

From Twins geek:

2. A couple of days ago I mentioned that Twins fans shouldn’t discount the possibility that some top-notch Type A free agent second basemen might be available without needing to give up a draft pick. Recent news supports that.

First, we found out that the Tigers are desparate enough to cut payroll that they’re willing to trade Curtis Granderson or Edwin Jackson. These guys are key cogs on their team, and they’re both going to be WAY below market value next year. If they Tigers need to part with them, they certainly aren’t going to offer Placido Polanco arbitration that could pay him at (or above) market rate next year.

And now we’ve found out that the relationship between Orlando Hudson and the Dodgers is icy, but the Dodgers have been talking to the Mets about Luis Castillo. It sure sounds like both sides are ready to move on, but the Dodgers have to realize that if they offer arbitration, Hudson will have to take it. I’ll be surprised if they offer it. I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t accept it if they offer it.

so question: When is the deadline for offerring a player arbitration?

by montanatwinsfan on Nov 19, 2009 2:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Early December sometime

On MBTR it says early December. I don’t want the Twins to miss out on any deals by not signing early but if a both Hudson and Polanco don’t cost a draft pick that could considerably drive the price down on other free agents 2B like Felipe Lopez. This could be a very interesting off season as far as Type A’s not costing picks and teams non tendering good players like the Twins possibly non tendering Jesse Crain for example.

Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?

by halfchest on Nov 19, 2009 3:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I wonder if they would trade Jackson within the division?

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Nov 19, 2009 5:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Trent Oeltjen

He’s been released by the Diamondbacks. He might be a fit for the 5th OF slot.

by DJL44 on Nov 19, 2009 4:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Possibles......

Travis Metcalf is available as a backup 3rd baseman at Rochester.

Alexander Smit is back in the game (as is Justin Jones…the lone Twins piece in the Mientkiewicz three-way).

Joey Gathright is available as a spare outfielder. Hey, so is Mike Restivich!

Luis Rivas is there. Maybe Alexi casilla will be there in the future, someday!

Any catchers the Twins should pursue if they don’t keep Butera?

Visit www.TwinsCards.com and check out "rosters" to see my collection!

by rosterman on Nov 19, 2009 7:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Twins will add Six tomorrow

to their 40 man roster.

by SethSpeaks on Nov 19, 2009 8:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

To fill out their minor league rosters:

Red Sox: RHP: Charlie Zink (AAA) (knuckleball pitcher), SS Nick Green
White Sox: RHP: Ehren Wassermann (AAA) (sidearm)
Cubs: LHP: Casey Fossum (AAA)

Red: OF: Lew Ford (AAA)
Rockies: C: Sal Fasano (AAA) (if Butera leaves)
Marlins: OF: Ben Harrison

Astros: RHP: Billy Sadler (AAA)
Royals: OF: Tim Raines Jr. (AAA), RHP Tony Pena Jr.
Angels: RHP: Shane Loux

Phillies: RHP: John Ennis (AAA)
Padres: RHP: Jesse Orosco Jr.®
Giants: RHP: Trey Webb (Hi A)

Mariners: 1B/3B Chris Shelton
Rangers: OF: Ryan Freel (AAA)
Blue Jays: LHP: Fabio Castro (AAA)

Twins: RHP: Philip Humber (AAA), Frank Mata (AA), Oswaldo Sosa (AA)
- 1B: Brock Peterson (AAA)
- OF: David Winfree (AAA)

The possibilities are endless!

by benhertz on Nov 19, 2009 8:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yes.....

It’s like being a kid in a candy store, and the only thing keeping you from a spending spree is that each of these guys probably run $30-50,000, instead of the meager salaries you pay your own developing players.

Let’s see. Tim Raines Jr…Twins been there and done that, unsuccessfully already. Lew Ford, couldn’t cut it in Japan and did jump from Indie ball to the Reds by season’s end.

Sosa is still young, but ahs bombed at Ft. Myers/New BVritain and basically re-habbed in rookie ball. But Humber, I would like to see him stay and get another shot at the Rochester job.

Lots and lots of pitchers. Lots!

Visit www.TwinsCards.com and check out "rosters" to see my collection!

by rosterman on Nov 20, 2009 11:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs