Keeping with the previous theme, I'll include the players from roster projection 2.0 and simply strike-through the names no longer expected to make the club. Minnesota has an exhibition with Washington in D.C. on Tuesday the 27th, and then the games count. Here's who I expect them to open 2018 with:
Infielders (9)
- Jason Castro C
- Mitch Garver C
- Ehire Adrianza Util
- Brian Dozier 2B
- Eduardo Escobar Util
- Joe Mauer 1B
Jorge Polanco SS- Eduardo Escobar SS
- Miguel Sano 3B
- Logan Morrison 1B
This group should have remained the same, but Jorge Polanco failed a PED test and will miss the first 80 games of the season. I don't know that I trust Escobar's glove at short, but hopefully the bat plays with some of that 2017 pop. I do think Polanco's second half surge was more indicative of what he can be capable of producing, so not having that upper level talent will hurt. In the end, Minnesota could end up feeling the loss of Jorge most should the make another appearance in the Postseason.
Outfielders (5)
- Byron Buxton CF
- Robbie Grossman LF/RF
- Max Kepler RF
- Eddie Rosario LF
- Zack Granite OF
There's no losses in this group, but Zack Granite finds himself as an addition. With the removal of Polanco from the 25 man, an additional bench spot opens up. Ideally, I wouldn't pair Granite and Grossman together. Minnesota is left without a true bat on the bench, could use some right-handed flexibility, and Zack is the far superior option when it comes to defense and pinch-running. There's been few waiver wire names of any intrigue, and while that could change, the Twins would need to add from outside if someone is going to unseat Grossman.
Pitchers (12)
- Jose Berrios SP
- Lance Lynn SP
- Jake Odorizzi SP
- Kyle Gibson SP
- Trevor Hildenberger RP
- Gabriel Moya RP
- Zach Duke RP
- Ryan Pressly RP
- Addison Reed RP
- Fernando Rodney RP
- Taylor Rogers RP
- Tyler Kinley RP
Phil Hughes RP
Pegging Kinley for a pen sport over Tyler Duffey back in early March turned out to be solid foresight. The Rule 5 draftee is a hard thrower, and Duffey had struggled mightily this spring. He'll head to Triple-A and gives Minnesota a known commodity in a relief or spot start option should they need one early on. The lone change here comes in the form of Phil Hughes. Although it hasn't been an awful spring, Hughes hasn't been particularly good either. The ball has left the yard plenty, and now he conveniently has an oblique strain. Starting the season on the DL seems to be a good bet, and the Twins can slowplay any decision as to whether or not he still belongs in their future plans. Gabriel Moya found himself in jeopardy of being squeezed due to options, but should now round out the pen even with Kinley in the mix.
