Updated: Projecting Your 2015 Minnesota Twins 25 Man Roster
Spring Training is quickly approaching, and with the Twins having made some significant changes to the amount of players being brought to the big league camp, it’s time to take another look at the 25 man roster. Although only two free agents signified big signings, the Twins have offered some lesser deals that should provide plenty of intrigue.
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Under the management of Paul Molitor for the first time, expect the Twins to have not only a different look in lineup construction, but also to buck some of the roster trends that Ron Gardenhire was so fond of. With only 25 spots and plenty of up and coming talent, Molitor will do his best to put the Twins in position to compete in 2015.
Let’s start by taking a look at the guys behind the plate…
Sep 28, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Twins catcher
Josmil Pinto(43) hits a single in the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Catchers (2)
For many familiar with the Gardenhire era, the number in parentheses next to the title is more than welcomed. Instead of carrying a wasted third catcher as the Twins of recent have done, expect their to be only two on the roster in 2015. Your starting catcher will be 2014 All-Star Kurt Suzuki. Despite looking like a prime candidate for regression, Suzuki should be a strong contributor for the Twins this season.
Backing him up will be Josmil Pinto. Despite not being a seasoned catcher, and still leaving a bit to be desired behind the plate, Pinto is ready for the major league level. His bat offers flexibility late in games, and he is much more of a simple defensive replacement. As the only other catcher on the 40 man roster (Chris Hermann is an outfielder at this point), this seems like a lock.
Moving out from the catchers, let’s take a look at the infield…
Sep 11, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Minnesota Twins first baseman
Joe Mauer(7) fields a ground ball in the fifth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Infield (7)
From left to right, starting position players will be Trevor Plouffe, Danny Santana, Brian Dozier, and Joe Mauer. Plouffe did enough at third last year to show that he is starting to use some of the ability that the Twins believed he possessed. Santana will make the move to a full-time shortstop, and Dozier will be his double-play partner up the middle. Joe Mauer will continue to lock down first base.
Looking at replacement players, Kennys Vargas will likely be the every day designated hitter with the flexibility of moving in and out of first base as well. Eduardo Nunez and Eduardo Escobar will be the two players who appear most likely to play a utility role for the Twins. Nunez was tendered a new contract, making it almost certain the Twins will use him at the major league level. Of the two, Nunez also does provide some emergency outfield depth.
If the Twins want to get really exciting out of the gate, I could see Miguel Sano figuring into their opening day plans. In that scenario, it would seem that Vargas would be the odd man out as he provides the least level of defensive flexibility amongst the rest of the group. That being said, I’d consider that a long shot at this point.
Continuing our trot through the field, let’s head to the outfield grass…
Sep 9, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Minnesota Twins right fielder
Oswaldo Arcia(31) hits a two-run home run in the fourth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Outfield (4)
This positional grouping appears to be a virtual lock as well. With the Twins signing Torii Hunter this offseason, Oswaldo Arcia will make the transition over to left field. In the middle of them, Aaron Hicks will get what likely appears to be his last shot at an outfield job for the Twins. Backing them up in a defensive replacement capability will be 2014 waiver claim, Jordan Schafer.
Minnesota will have some defensive struggles on the corners with two guys, in Arcia and Hunter, that don’t cover a lot of ground. If there is a season that will demand Aaron Hicks be locked in at all times, it will be 2015. The bulk of the Twins starting outfield will be focused around guys that hit and have strong arms, more than those of defensive prowess.
At some point in 2015, I would expect Byron Buxton to make the leap to the major leagues. Depending on how the season goes for the Twins, that may not be until September. Regardless, I don’t see any way he factors into the Opening Day 25 man roster.
Now onto what has been the downfall of the Twins in recent years, pitching…
Sep 13, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher
Phil Hughes(45) throws a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning in game one of a doubleheader at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Starting Rotation (5)
Despite wavering from my initial projection of the starting rotation, I see this configuration as the most likely outcome for the Twins. Hughes, Santana, Nolasco, and Gibson should all be locks as the 1-4 starters for the Twins. While Milone probably projects as the most likely 5th starter, the back-end of the rotation should be decided in spring training.
Alex Meyer could quite easily factor into the 5th rotation spot, but comments Paul Molitor has made about being open to him as a bullpen option, and Milone being brought in as a starter, could make that an uphill battle. There are a few other guys who may make spot starts, but this rotation configuration is probably the most likely as the Twins break camp.
Twins fans have to take some solace, at least on paper, in looking at what projects as a respectable 1-5 rotation for the first time in a while.
With the guys who will start games out-of-the-way, let’s end with the guys who will relieve them…
Sep 14, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Twins relief pitcher
Glen Perkins(15) delivers against the Chicago White Sox in the ninth inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Bullpen (7)
If there’s a spot on the Twins roster that could cause more scrutiny, you’d be hard pressed to find it. Just looking at the seven options above, there are clearly some big omissions when it comes to pitching options.
Obviously Perkins and Fien are locks for the pen, both of them are integral to the Twins late inning success as the closer and setup-man respectively. Perkins dealt with injuries down the stretch last season, but should be all systems go in 2015. Fien has performed well in his setup role, and will look to provide even more value in high leverage situations for the Twins.
The Twins tendered Duensing this offseason and he will be a part of their immediate plans in 2015 because of that fact alone. He provides a reliable left-handed option for the Twins, and could be a trade piece over the summer if the Twins find themselves out of it. Caleb Thielbar compiled a 3.40 ERA for the Twins across 54 games in 2014 and proved he has the ability to compete at the big league level. A season ago he found himself at a 1.76 ERA across 49 games, and he will look to get back closer to that mark in 2015.
After the Twins offered a contract to former Padres pitcher, Stauffer, I think he finds his way into their plans. Although Terry Ryan has mentioned he will be given a chance to start, the likeliest opportunity still comes in the bullpen. I am not sure his former teammate Blaine Boyer makes it with the Twins, but Stauffer can probably be counted in.
While the Twins did select J.R. Graham in the Rule 5 Draft, it appears the deck may be stacked against him. The Twins have kept Rule 5 guys around previously (Ryan Pressly comes to mind), but there may just be too much competition. A strong spring may be the only thing that keeps Graham in the conversation.
At this point, I think the Twins are probably determined to include Alex Meyer on the 25 man roster in some form or another. I have him making the club in the bullpen, but that may be in name alone. The Twins could slide him into the rotation as early as April, and his spot may be flip-flopped with Milone in the rotation. There’s little benefit in sending Meyer back to Rochester, and having him up early appears to make a lot of sense.
Based on this projection, names such as Trevor May, Lester Oliveros, Michael Tonkin, Stephen Pryor, and Mark Hamburger all seem to be on the outside looking in.
As spring training rolls around, the Twins roster shuffle will be a very heated competition and it will be interesting to see what of these projections come to fruition. Make sure to keep locked into Puckett’s Pond for the latest Minnesota Twins news.
Next: Projecting Your Minnesota Twins Opening Day Lineup