Why Do Twins Doubt Themselves?

In 2016, the Minnesota Twins have been among the worst teams in baseball. While that's far from an ideal situation, the reality is that it's provided an opportunity for the organization to get a look at a lot of different players. In too many cases though, they haven't taken it. Why not remains a realistic question.

You can almost take your pick as to which players you may want to shake your head at getting significant time for Minnesota. Danny Santana has played in 75 games this season, Juan Centeno has caught 44, Ryan O'Rourke is currently on the big league roster, and Neil Ramirez was given over a month of poor performances before being sent packing. Over the course of the season, Paul Molitor has gone with plenty of low ceiling options.

Now, if the Twins were looking to field the team with the most veteran presence, there's probably some merit to their roster construction. The reality however, is that this team hasn't been good since the get go, and they really owe nobody anything. Poor performances didn't need to be compounded by lengthy stays on the 25 man roster. While Minnesota would have been promoting inexperience, it's that youth that is going to be relied upon to turn things around.

Highlighting the scenario as a whole is a current member of the starting rotation, Andrew Albers. Albers hasn't started a major league game since 2013, for a Twins team that finished the year 66-96 while also having Cole DeVries and P.J. Walters make starts. Since then, he was a failed starter in Korea (5.89 ERA in 28 starts), and played a game in the Atlantic League for the Lancaster Barnstormers. Now starting for Minnesota, he was added to the 40 man roster over a more deserving option in Jason Wheeler.

Wheeler, a 25 year old 8th round draft pick by the Twins, owns a 3.23 ERA in 23 Triple-A starts this season. He's not a high strikeout guy, owning just a 6.4 K/9 over 131 minor league starts. He pitched the final game for Double-A Chattanooga a season ago to win the Southern League title, and he's owned a 3.04 ERA in 2016 after resurfacing in Triple-A. By all measures, Wheeler has earned it at this point.

It's in these situations that the Twins appear to be operating with a confusing knowledge of their own organization. Sure, Wheeler is far from a sure thing, but when a 40 man roster move is needed regardless, putting the developed player with some upside in position to compete seems like a better bet than the castoff retread. In failing to understand these principles, the Twins turn an already bad season, into one that they learn little as well.

You have to ask yourself what the Twins may have been able to learn from Mitch Garver, D.J. Baxendale, or Jake Reed at the big league level right now. As rosters expand, they could easily be called up. No matter the 40 man situation, Minnesota is far from a position in which they don't have warm bodies occupying roster spots. Rather than lose and do so without purpose, using the stretch run as an acclimation process seems to be an ideal scenario.

At some point, you'd hope that the Twins would put stock in the players they've drafted, and seemingly developed. You can't assume they'll all work out, but rather than going out and cycling through the Neil Ramirez's and Edward Mujica's of the world, playing time at the highest levels for those expected to carry some realistic weight would be a good idea.

Sooner rather than later, the Twins need to understand (and covey that) what they have at their disposal, and actually use it.

Familiar Faces Fill Out Twins Bullpen

Twins reliever Glen Perkins throws during spring training at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Fla. (Pioneer Press: Ben Garvin)

Heading into the 2015 Major League Baseball season, the Minnesota Twins find themselves in a place they have not experienced for the past four seasons. With true positional battles taking place, there is a solid amount of depth and options for new manager Paul Molitor to plug in on Opening Day. While we have heard plenty about the shortstop, outfield, and backup catcher roles, some of the largest competition may come in the bullpen. With seven spots likely up for grabs, who fills them out still remains somewhat up in the air.

There is a decent amount of certainty when it comes to a few key members of the bullpen, but after them, the ambiguity looms large. Looking at the possible candidates and their probability of breaking camp with the Twins, I do my best to sort out what I expect to come of the Twins bullpen.

In no particular order, let's get started:

A.J. Achter- 5 percent
Achter got a cup of coffee a season ago with the Twins. Appearing in seven games at the end of the year. He pitched in 11 innings and gave up four runs; probably working against him the most was the .304 average he allowed to opposing hitters. Being right-handed, and failing to separate greatly from much of the competition, he faces an uphill battle to travel north.

Logan Darnell- 15 percent
Like Achter, Darnell surfaced in the big leagues during the 2014 season. Pitching four games as a starter and three more in relief, he threw 24 big league innings. Darnell coughed up 19 earned runs and five home runs in that time, while allowing opposing hitters to bat .307 off of him. In his favor is that he is a left-handed pitcher and could provide extra innings of long relief out of the bullpen.

Brian Duensing- 99 percent
The Twins took Duensing to arbitration this offseason, and settled on another raise for their left-handed reliever. Having operated solely as a reliever for the second consecutive season in 2014, Duensing threw 54.1 innings and owned a 3.31 ERA (the second best mark of his career). As Brandon Warne of Cold Omaha pointed out, Duensing is more of a lock than he should be, and especially considering a Twins offseason acquisition.

Casey Fien- 100 percent
Not much to explain here, Fien is locked in as Glen Perkins setup man. He brings a welcomed bravado to the club, and looked solid in the role a season ago. Nothing should change this time around.

J.R. Graham- 20 percent
Graham was a Rule 5 Draft pick out of the Atlanta Braves system. A former fireballer, injuries have somewhat stalled his career. The Twins have carried Rule 5 guys previously (Ryan Pressly) but Graham is certainly fighting against the multitude of options Minnesota has.

Lester Oliveros- 3 percent
The Twins brought Oliveros back to the big leagues last season for seven games. It was the his first exposure since a one game stint in 2012. A 7.11 ERA and two home runs over just 6.1 innings wasn't the output he was hoping for by any means. Oliveros has yet to appear in a spring training contest for the Twins in 2015.

Glen Perkins- 100 percent
The Twins made sure Perkins is here to stay with a new contract for their All Star closer. He's dealt with some injury issues early in spring training, and while it's not a great development, it shouldn't be anything that jeopardizes his regular season either. Expect Perkins to return to form as one of the best in the American League this season.

Ryan Pressly- 10 percent
Pressly pitched in 25 games for the Twins last season. Owning a 2.86 ERA he was actually better than should have been assumed seeing that he allowed hitters a .278 average off of him. Spring training hasn't been kind to him early (3 ER and 6 hits in 2.0 IP), and he faces an uphill battle to turn it around.

Stephen Pryor- 10 percent
The Twins return for Kendrys Morales a season ago, Pryor has yet to pitch in the big leagues for the Twins. He's gotten into two games thus far in spring training, and while he can probably get it done at the major league level, there's plenty of capable arms ahead of him as well.

Tim Stauffer- 75 percent
Thus far in spring training, Stauffer has gotten hit relatively hard. Brought in on a free agent deal after a decent season with the Padres, the Twins expect Stauffer to fill their Anthony Swarzak role. His spring may shorten his leash, but it's doubtful that it knocks him out of the pen on Opening Day.

Caleb Thielbar- 60 percent
A year ago, Thielbar regressed in the Twins bullpen, but his 2013 season still should be looked upon as a reason for him to stick. He gives the Twins a second lefty option and is someone that can pitch out of more than just a situational role.

Blaine Boyer- 49 percent
Boyer's inclusion probably depends on a few breaks going his way. Signing with the Twins after a good return in San Diego, Boyer is another left-handed arm the Twins could use. I don't see them bringing three lefties into the fold however.

Aaron Thompson- 6 percent
Probably the lone reason Thompson has an edge on both Achter and Oliveros is due to him being a lefty. The Twins have noted they would like to carry at least two. Thompson would need to be lights out the rest of spring to make an impact.

Michael Tonkin- 40 percent
A year ago, Tonkin broke into the big league club, and he has mentioned he wants to stick. A hard throwing reliever, Tonkin could prove valuable at the back end of the pen. Depending on how Molitor handles whomever misses out on the 5th rotation spot, Tonkin could squeak in.

Jason Wheeler- 5 percent
Of the left-handed options, Wheeler may be the least inspiring. In big league camp, he is getting his shot to impress. Minnesota will have options if they need to call up a lefty out of the pen later in the season, but I don't see Wheeler making an impact on Opening Day.

Alex Meyer, Trevor May, Tommy Milone, and Mike Pelfrey- 80 percent
The glut of starters competing for the 5th and final rotation spot has been well documented. At this point, Milone looks to have the upper hand. There's probably reason to suggest the role should go to Meyer (and I did so yesterday), regardless, I think at least one of those beat out ends up in the bullpen.