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Minnesota Twins: A 25 man Roster Prediction

By Michael McKee

Sep 22, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Ervin Santana (54) gets pulled from the game in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Target Field. The Twins won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 22, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Ervin Santana (54) gets pulled from the game in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Target Field. The Twins won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Predicting the Minnesota Twins’ Opening Day Roster

To be honest, I don’t place much weight on Opening Day rosters. It’s not as if it’s the roster the team carries the whole year. In fact, Opening Day rosters don’t stay intact past the first month. It’s even exceedingly common for the 25 man to change within a week. The Twins had a roster move within 5 days of the season opener last year. In 2014, there was a roster move on opening day. In 2013, there were several moves within 6 days. You get the point.

Injuries, paternity/bereavement, trying sneak players through waivers, calling up an extra reliever, etc. There are many cases of players who made the opening day roster but in hindsight, at the end of year, were afterthoughts. So much can happen that can mess up the much revered opening day roster so quickly.

In fact, the 25 man roster changing very soon after opening day is the one thing I can guarantee about the opening day roster. You read it here first: Puckett’s Pond has learned that the Minnesota Twins 2016 Opening Day roster will not stay intact past the first few weeks.

A more intriguing topic to me would be speculation on who would play in the last game of the year or in the playoffs (hmm, post idea…)

But I suppose it is relevant for a few games and is indicative (in part) of the club’s intentions. Players do consider it an honor and it is the most common topic that we’re asked to comment on. So, here goes:

Puckett’s Pond Proudly Presents: An Opening Day (and perhaps a few games after that) Roster Prediction:

Positional Starters:

More from Puckett's Pond

C: Kurt Suzuki

1B: Joe Mauer

2B: Brian Dozier

SS: Eduardo Escobar

3B: Trevor Plouffe

LF: Eddie Rosario

CF: Byron Buxton

RF: Miguel Sano

DH: Byung Ho Park

Starting Pitchers:

Ervin Santana

Kyle Gibson

Phil Hughes

Tommy Milone

Tyler Duffey

Relievers:

Kevin Jepsen

Glen Perkins

Casey Fien

Trevor May

Ricky Nolasco

Michael Tonkin

Fernando Abad

Bench:

C John Ryan Murphy

INF/OF Eduardo Nunez

OF/INF Danny Santana

OF Oswaldo Arcia

Next: Afternoon Update

There you have it. I see the Twins opting to protect as many out of options players as they can, pretty much regardless of their Spring Training performances. Arcia, Santana, Tonkin and Abad are all candidates for the old “sneak and stash” if they don’t produce in the early going. I would prefer to have Ryan Pressly over Tonkin in the ‘pen if options weren’t an issue.

Nolasco was actually one of the tougher players to assign. The Twins could easily choose to try and rebuild his value by having him start. He’s the pick I feel the least confident about.

There’s a good chance that an injury will throw a wrench into all this. My money’s on a pitcher.

Leave your thoughts or perhaps your own Opening Day roster prediction in the comments

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