Seth Stohs On 40-Man Roster Additions

Head over and see Seth's thoughts on who the Twins added to the 40-man roster. Today was the deadline, and there were some interesting names excluded. But who made it?

3B--Danny Valencia
P----Alex Burnett
P----Deolis Guerra
P----Rob Delaney
P----Loek Van Mil
SS--Estarlin de Los Santos

2 months ago Jesse 15 comments 0 recs |

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Singleton and Dinlkeman

Both seem to be decent prospects in a system lacking in middle infield talent. I’m surprised neither of them made the cut… got to wonder if they will be gone in Rule 5…

by diehardtwinsfan on Nov 20, 2009 8:19 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

They're not the kind of players teams hide on a roster

Neither is versatile enough to be a utility infielder, though Singelton is closer to that. There’s a glut of guys like Punto on the free agent market (all the more reason why an $8 million, two-year deal for him was insane), so teams don’t use their Rule 5 to get guys like that very often.

Teams prefer to fill their rosters with veteran journeymen and use the Rule 5 for a high-upside pitcher they can hide in the bullpen or a high upside player they can hide on the bench and use as a pinch runner or defensive replacement.

de los Santos is a bit of a surprise. But he has the highest upside of any middle infielder in the system right now (excepting our recent Dominican signings), so it makes some sense.

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

by cmathewson on Nov 20, 2009 9:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

A guy like Burnett or Van Mil would get taken by someone but Singleton and Dinkleman are akin to guys like Tolbert or Plouffe. It’s unlikely both get taken in any event. I do wonder if someone will take a flier on a guy like Santos Arias.

by Gunnarthor on Nov 20, 2009 11:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Singleton

In general, I agree… utility types get taken. However, having seen Singleton now in person (once, and on a day in which he had a single to left and a long homer to right), I do believe that he could be very close to ready. The right team could make him their 2B.

And Dinkelman might be a slight step above Singleton in terms of big-league-ready-ness. Again, I think the right team could take him and make him their 2B for the next 3-5 years. How likely, I’m not certain.

by SethSpeaks on Nov 20, 2009 7:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting

I doubt any of their guys get taken in the Rule 5, but we’ll see.

What’s interesting is Seth’s ability to consistently scoop the major outlets. Impressive.

by Eric in Madison on Nov 20, 2009 9:16 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think the Twins have had players selected in the last two rule V drafts. Yeah, Seth has some nice connections inside the Twins organization but I think the real reason he “scoops” the major outlets is that the Strib doesn’t report on these sort of moves all that much.

by Gunnarthor on Nov 20, 2009 11:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

not true

the report on it.

Seth just works harder and has more passion than Joe and Len III. We are lucky to have him in our market…(no I am not his mom)
By the way, if have not listened to his podcast with Danny Valencia you should,

Good stuff

by clutterheart on Nov 21, 2009 8:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

*they report on it,

by clutterheart on Nov 21, 2009 8:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Seth has inside contacts with the Twins

They give him scoops with the understanding that he not publish them until a certain date.

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

by cmathewson on Nov 21, 2009 11:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Seth.....

Also has contacts and conversations with players themselves…who are told in advance that they are chosen and talk amongst themselves. He keeps in touch with the minor league guys.

Sometimes, I think, the Rule 5 is badly overblown. You have to clear a 40-man roster spot for someone that another team doesn’t have enough faith (okay, space, too) to keep. Who do you leave out there for grabs? It can work if you are in re-building mode, or if the player you want is someone you could possibly swing for in a later trade, but you still need that roster spot.

With the amount of guys available as minor league free agents, you can usually find comparable names. The good choices are usually those (i.e. Santana) that are far enough down in the system but capable of jumping from, say, A-ball to AA/AAA the next season. They can fill that end spot in the bullpen for a year, or be that Carlos Gomez-type off the bench…the 5th outfielder who can run, maybe bunt or put the ball in play when called upon, or be a defensive replacement. I don’t really see an all-around utility guy getting a call as a Rule 5 as the skills you need to field major-league ball in a multiple of positions is not what you leaern on the big-league playing field at a salary of $400 grand.

40-mans. All good choices by the Twins. The players immediuately get a raise in salary ($65,00 grand, I believe) and the dream of someday making the majors.

Keeping Santos makes sure the Twins don’t lsoe him in the minor league portion of the draft. Is it true, msot of the Aa and AAA players aren’t subject to the minor league draft…and considering the names of guys the Twins still control on the Rochester roster (like five, now)…you can argue that no one eligible from New Britan would make the jump to the major leagues this season.

The Twins still need to cut a guy, and do have at least four names to cut loose if they sign a free agent or a Rule 5 guy.And cutting them after the Rule 5 draft, or even later in the winter, means they have a good chance of keeping them in their system.

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

by rosterman on Nov 20, 2009 11:49 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Pay hike

I did recently learn that most minor leaguers make just $1500 a month during the season. If they are added to the 40 man roster and play in the minors, they automatically jump up to $5000 a month, and that increases the second year on the 40 man. Obviously we know what they make if they make it.

by SethSpeaks on Nov 20, 2009 7:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Any idea

what a minor league free agent usually gets…or the major/minor split? I think I read a few years ago that Dustan Mohr was making $50 grand in the minors….

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

by rosterman on Nov 21, 2009 12:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs