Minnesota Twins GM Simulation: Free agents to fill out the roster

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 25: (L-R) Chief Baseball Officer Derek Falvey, Manager Rocco Baldelli and General Manager Thad Levine of the Minnesota Twins speak as Baldelli is introduced at a press conference at Target Field on October 25, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

So after a trade and the addition of 4 players via free agency and $42 million added in payroll in addition to the $11 million for Teheran the Twins should still have wiggle room to add payroll after these moves.

Starting Lineup

C Mitch Garver

1B Miguel Sano

2B Jorge Polanco

3B Mike Moustakas

SS Freddy Galvis

LF Jake Cave/Robbie Grossman

CF Byron Buxton

RF Max Kepler

DH Tyler Austin

The biggest potential need in the starting lineup that remains is left field. There are question marks about if we have seen the true Cave and no one wants to see Grossman patroling the outfield. That is where the payroll flexibility or even a call up of OF/1B Brent Rooker could help the Twins out. Also LaMonte Wade would be an option.

Bench

IF Ehire Adrianza

OF Cave/Grossman

C Jason Castro

I have settled on a three man bench at this point. If some of the new bullpen additions help solidify that area of the roster the Twins could add a fourth player to the bench.

Starting Rotation

RHP Jose Berrios

RHP Julio Teheran

RHP Kyle Gibson

RHP Jake Odorizzi

RHP Michael Pineda

It is pretty incredible what one solid addition does to the Twins roster. It does leave players like Fernando Romero, Stephen Gonsalves, and Zack Littell off the major league roster for now, but depth in pitching is a very good thing.

Bullpen

CL Jeurys Familia

RHP David Robertson

RHP Addison Reed

RHP Trevor May

LHP Taylor Rogers

RHP Trevor Hildenberger

LHP Gabriel Moya/Adalberto Mejia

RHP Shane Carle

Just as basketball has become position less, I am less concerned about how these relievers slot into roles I am just glad to have them in the bullpen. One of the strengths to acquiring Carle is that he has options remaining so he can be moved up and down if needed. I could see Romero slotting into a bullpen role as well this season. The big decision here is Mejia or Moya. I could see keeping Mejia as either an opener or just tandem starter with Odorizzi.

Next. Twins hire pitching coach Wes Johnson and other coaches. dark

There it is, your simulated 2019 Twins as assembled by Nate Palmer. Let me know what you think about the moves. Is there a player I didn’t go after or a trade you would have liked seen explored? Thanks for reading!

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