Currently, the Twins have a full 40 man roster, with 45 players occupying some sort of a role. 40 players fill the roster, while an additional five find themselves in limbo on the 60 day disabled list. As the date to solidify the 40 man roster looms, Minnesota will have more than a few decisions to make. Way back in early August, I looked at the likely names Derek Falvey and Thad Levine need to find places for internally. Knowing some additional moves will come from outside of the organization, cleaning up spots is going to be a process.
Let's see how many we can free up with the exercise below.
Matt Belisle- RP
Belisle was signed to a one-year deal with the Twins, making him a free agent at season's end. He'll be 38 in 2018, and while he was strong down the stretch, Minnesota can likely look to improve the pen by bringing in a bit better option. Whether or not he's brought back remains to be seen, but his spot is open for now.
Buddy Boshers- RP
A former indy ball guy, Boshers has been a nice story for the Twins. The level of success hasn't been great, but he's been serviceable. Against lefties, he's fared just fine, and if kept, it would be for that reason. Like Belisle, Boshers is a spot the Twins could advance their pen by seeking a bit more.
Bartolo Colon- SP
It seems Colon is pretty determined to pitch next year, fulfilling a comment to his mother. That being said, it's almost certainly not going to be in a Twins uniform. He was a nice, steadying presence down the stretch, and despite some tough outings, was a needed arm in the rotation. He should have a nice farewell tour, and baseball will definitely smile upon him from afar.
Glen Perkins- RP
Minnesota has already informed Perkins they'll be declining his 2018 option. As a free agent, he could come back on what would likely be a minor league deal, or he could choose to hang em up. With the tonality surrounding the end of his 2017 season, it would appear his storied career will be laid to rest. In retirement, Perkins will go down as one of the best Twins relievers in history.
Michael Tonkin-
Recalled in September, Tonkin has largely failed to replicate his minor league numbers at the highest level. He throws relatively hard, and has a long lanky frame, but success hasn't followed him to Minnesota. Exposed and unclaimed previously, the Twins are probably not worried about passing him through again, regardless of the result.
Hector Santiago- SP
Coming over in exchange for Ricky Nolasco, Santiago was largely unhelpful. After finishing the 2017 season on the DL, and with the numbers he put up while healthy, there's next to no way Minnesota will have interest in a reunion tour. The organization has better starting options, and Santiago will look to continue his career elsewhere.
Kennys Vargas- 1B/DH
Out of options, Vargas no longer has protection from the organization. At 27 years old, he's never established himself as a big league hitter, and despite the big power beliefs, the production hasn't followed suit. A step back in 2017 didn't help his chances, and the inability to field at 1B at even an average level exposes his hitting prowess even further. He could be a useful bench bat for someone, but it doesn't look likely in Minnesota.
With just seven spots opened up, the Twins would have little wiggle room. The players above seem like near locks however, with the ones that follow providing a bit more uncertainty.
Nik Turley- SP/RP
In sporadic action for Minnesota this season, Turley turned in some mixed results. He had huge strikeout numbers down on the farm, and then was up and down at the highest level. There's better organizational starting options for 2018, but I think Turley can be useful in relief. The Twins could aim higher though, and that would likely make the lefty expendable.
Chris Gimenez- C
I'd imagine that Derek Falvey and Thad Levine intend to tender a new contract to the veteran backstop. Gimenez is a great clubhouse guy, and that's a notable part of a winning culture. It does seem time for Mitch Garver to step in on the big league roster however, which would make a light hitting, and an average-at-best defender like Gimenez, someone that Minnesota could move on from.
Dillon Gee- RP
There might not have been a more important arm for Minnesota down the stretch. After being held down at Triple-A for a bit too long. Gee provided value out of both the rotation and the bullpen. Going forward, he's an arm I like in a long relief role, but it will come down to preference. The Twins pen needs to be better, and having multiple mop up types isn't a recipe for success. There's a few guys vying for one spot, and Gee could be the odd man out.
Robbie Grossman- OF/DH
Another great, and often relatively unnoticed acquisition, Grossman provided Minnesota with plenty of value at the plate. There's a little pop in his bat, but plenty to be said about his plate discipline. A walk machine, and grinder at the dish, he made opposing pitchers work nearly every at bat. If the organization looks to beef up the lineup for 2018, a better right-handed bat could replace Robbie, so that makes his future somewhat up in the air.
From that August piece, there are still six players I estimate as needing 40 man spots, protecting them from Rule 5 draft selection. We've cleared up at least seven here, with the possibility to have as many as 11. Minnesota will also look to improve on the open market as well, so having roster flexibility is a must. It will be interesting to see how this all shakes out, and we should begin to find out soon.
