40 man roster shuffle begins for the Minnesota Twins

Derek Falvey will need to work his magic with regards to his offseason blueprint once again. The team is for sale and while the Pohlad’s aren’t cutting payroll, they probably aren’t adding to it either. There were a handful of fringe roster players that found themselves outrighted from the 40-man on Monday.

#MNTwins outrighted the following players off the 40-man roster (all cleared waivers): Scott Blewett, Randy Dobnak, Daniel Duarte, Yunior Severino and Josh Winder.

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) November 4, 2024

The emotional spectrum of the players outrighted is diverse. A veteran like Scott Blewett only found himself throwing 20 innings for Minnesota due to injuries. Randy Dobnak has been through this game before and it continues to be a formality. Yunior Severino experienced the reality for the first time, and it suggests his prospect status has fallen mightily. Of the decisions made its only that pair and Josh Winder who generate any level of intrigue.

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Dobnak will remain in the organization unless someone is willing to trade for him. He signed a $9.25 million contract prior to 2021 and is still owed at least $4 million through 2025. There’s no reason for him to become a free agent and walk away from that money. He also made it back to the big leagues last season, and again could conceivably be a depth option.

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There was a time that Josh Winder looked like a future roster fixture. A seventh round pick in 2018, Winder made a solid debut in 2022. He has struggled to stay healthy since though, and has now transitioned to a reliever full time. It’s somewhat curious that he went unclaimed, but most organizations have similar talents.

Last season Yunior Severino was added to the 40-man roster to protect him from being Rule 5 Draft eligible. After a .775 OPS in St. Paul poured water on his 2023, he has fallen to become little more than a fringe top-30 prospect at this point. Severino isn’t young at 25 years old, and without real defensive ability, it’s not a huge surprise no one took a shot. It is a reminder of just how quickly things can fall apart though.

Related: 3 Prospects Minnesota Twins MUST Add to 40-Man Roster Before Rule 5 Draft Deadline

Minnesota will look to pick their spots when it comes to offseason additions. The expectations should be higher for the trade market, but getting the roster in order was a must. Free agency officially opened on Monday.

Twins exercise Jorge Alcala’s option

It was quite curious how the Twins decided to use Jorge Alcala last season. Despite having dealt with plenty of arm injuries over the years, he had no consistent plan and was often shuffled back to St. Paul. That made it plausible to believe Minnesota may instead pay his $55,000 buyout. The decided to bring him back instead.

As expected, the #MNTwins exercised Jorge Alcala's team option for $1.5 million.

Alcala struggled in the second half, but posted a 3.24 ERA and 58-to-20 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 58 innings overall last season.

He'll be a free agent after 2025.

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) November 4, 2024

At $1.5 million, Alcala seems like a no-brainer. Falvey has never seemed to like spending big on relievers, and Alcala brings upside at a muted cost. His 3.24 ERA was workable in 2024, and he proved to be a reliable arm in high-leverage spots at different points.

Jorge Alcalá, 100mph ⛽️ and Vicious 91mph Slider…and Sword ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/m0MFEphWNE

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 30, 2024

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Rocco Baldelli definitely needs some better options in relief this year as a whole. Falvey won’t be able to get by with only scrap heap additions. Keeping Alcala around is a good start.

But there’s good news. They have injured list reinforcements on the way and most should make immediate impacts upon return. The list starts with Byron Buxton, who Rocco Baldelli said will not travel to Chicago for the upcoming road trip vs the White Sox, but who could fly there mid-series to join the team, if he’s feeling up to it. Buck is eligible to come off the IL on Friday.

Byron Buxton isn’t expected to travel on the upcoming road trip so he can continue to rehab at home. But were he to improve enough, #MNTwins would fly him to join the team.

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) August 29, 2022

Pitching Reinforcements a Plenty

Next on the list of priority returnees is newly acquired starting pitcher, Tyler Mahle, who was shut down after his last start for shoulder fatigue. His fastball velocity had dropped under 90 MPH so the Twins put him on the IL, got his shoulder checked out and gave Tyler some much-needed rest. Now, he’s feeling fresh and ready to go. The hope is that Mahle will pitch vs the White Sox over the weekend.

Tyler Mahle (shoulder) threw a second, 30-pitch bullpen session today and said it went well. Velocity was back up, no pain, threw all pitches.

Assuming he feels fine tomorrow, Mahle could be in line to return from the injured list this weekend vs. the White Sox.

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) August 29, 2022

But Tyler Mahle isn’t the only Minnesota Twins pitcher who is ready to pitch-in on a playoff run. Josh Winder is starting a rehab stint in St. Paul and, should things go well, he’ll be up with the big club sooner, rather than later.

Randy Dobnak, too, is on his way back. He has already thrown four times out of minor league bullpens. Though his first appearance in St. Paul did not go well, surrendering 4 hits and 3 runs, in just two innings. Bailey Ober, too, has been throwing live bullpen sessions and will start a rehab stint in Fort Myers on Thursday.

Trevor Larnach Also on His Way

But there’s one more bat, who could really help the Minnesota Twins in September, should he be healthy and get into his groove at the right time. Trevor Larnach, who has been out with a core muscle injury since June, is starting a rehab stint that is expected to last one to two weeks. He could be a huge addition to an injury riddled outfield.

Trevor Larnach is tracking towards beginning a rehab assignment with Fort Myers as the DH on Thursday. It sounds like he'll probably be the next to return to health after Josh Winder.

— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) August 29, 2022

Maeda Giving Up on 2022 Return

There was some bad news that came along with all of these injury updates. Kenta Maeda, who the Twins hoped could be a late edition to the bullpen after undergoing Tommy John surgery a year ago, will not be ready in time to help this season. His rehab continues and is reportedly going well, but they’re officially giving up hope on his chances to play in 2022.

#MNTwins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey indicated that Kenta Maeda (elbow) is unlikely to return before the end of the season.

Maeda continues to progress well in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, but the Twins aren't going to push him with time running short.

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) August 30, 2022

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Then, today’s lineup (@ Detroit – 5:10PM) was released and Byron Buxton wasn’t in it. Yes, Buck played 5 innings during the All-Star game on Tuesday (1-2 w/HR), but he’s also had four (Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri) of the last five days off. Not only that, but the Twins have Monday off too.

Break’s over. Back to work! #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/qkUYjGTjVV

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) July 23, 2022

What is happening?

This decision is completely dumbfounding, unless there’s something we haven’t been told yet. Out of all the days to give a day off, today seemed like the most unlikely.

There is no logical explanation for why Byron Buxton would not be in today’s starting lineup and Twins media won’t even acknowledge that it’s happened. Meaning, they’re trying to find out. Had Minnesota returned to play on Thursday, maybe even Friday like most teams, this lineup would raise eyebrows, but not cause controversy.

Buxton’s absence in tonight’s lineup, however, is such a wild pitch that I’m left to wonder if something else is wrong. Did he wake up this morning not feeling well or to unexpected knee inflammation? Did he get hurt during the All-Star game? Those explanations would make more sense than a rest day.

Baldelli speaks with beat reporters before each game so we should get an explanation sooner, rather than later. But I just cannot imagine a situation where he calls this “a scheduled rest day” and keeps a straight face. But maybe (hopefully?) I’m wrong…

Update (2:50 PM):

As theorised, there was more to Byron Buxton’s absence. Following his All-Star game appearance last week, Buxton got a platelet rich injection (PRP) in his knee. He’ll be out for the 2-game Brewers series.

Byron Buxton got a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection in his right knee the day after the All-Star Game. He will be down for these Detroit games and hopefully available again in Milwaukee. It’s expected to help healing. #MNTwins

— Megan Ryan (@theothermegryan) July 23, 2022

Little things matter and the Twins organization, as it should, chooses to focus on a lot of details surrounding the professional baseball operation. So why would news on Buxton’s procedure come out now and not days ago?

With sports gambling becoming more prevalent in this country, every month that goes by, the MLB should not allow this sort of thing to happen. Fans attend games wanting to see their favorite players and gamblers make bets with the assumption that certain players will impact the game. It’s just unnecessary.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

If the show does go on, there will be one major change in programming. The expected starter, Chris Archer, has been scratched for currently unknown reasons (Update: Sent to 15-day IL with a hip strain). Josh Winder, who was yanked from his start for the St. Paul Saints on Monday night, is now scheduled to take the mound for the Twins at Guaranteed Rate Field Tuesday.

If Twins play tonight (forecasts are full of rain), RH Josh Winder will start for Twins. Chris Archer, the only Twins starter who hasn’t missed a start, has been scratched for an as-yet undisclosed injury.

— Phil Miller (@MillerStrib) July 5, 2022

Josh Winder Called Back Up

Josh Winder is almost 26 years old and his future with the Minnesota Twins is still unknown. His role could change as the season develops because he could make for an easy bullpen option, should Falvine go out and trade for a big time starter before the deadline.

Winder enters Tuesday night with 35.1 innings pitched in 4 games started. He’s touting a 3.06 ERA and 1.160 WHIP. Both very solid. His advanced metrics go both ways. Winder’s 4.24 FIP is higher than what you’d like to see but his 124 ERA+ is really impressive.

Even more impressive, were Josh Winder’s minor league numbers. Between AA and AAA, Winder pitched just under 200 innings between the 2019 and 2021 seasons (MiLB players didn’t play in 2020) and posted a 2.63 ERA and sub-1.000 WHIP.

josh winder has the filth. pic.twitter.com/23H0zNlxOU

— parker hageman (@HagemanParker) May 1, 2022

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

The Minnesota Twins actually won their series this weekend vs the Cleveland Indians and going into Monday night, they’ve won three of their last four games. Take a moment to soak that in before you keep reading. As a fan, you deserve it.

Unfortunately, the 2021 Bambi Squad has been mostly terrible for nearly two months now. It’s still early, but barring a historic turnaround, this is a team that’ll be selling at the trade deadline. That means veterans will be transplanted elsewhere and replaced with farm system talent primed for their big league break.

But no matter how cloudy the future is, one objective should be clear as they start to look forward. The starting rotation needs an injection of young talent. Kenta Maeda might not be in a Minnesota uniform when the trade deadline comes to pass and Jose Berrios, who’s been bullish in contract talks for years, is set to hit free agency after the 2022 season.

It’s Falvey Time

Have no fear, though. Twins general manager, Derek Falvey, is known around the league as THE guy who finds THE hidden pitching talent of Major League Baseball. Hell, he’s widely seen as responsible for building Cleveland into a puppy-mill of MLB aces. Now, five seasons into his Minnesota tenure, it’s about time we see Falvey pump out some top-tier starters here too. We’ve waited long enough. The young fans out there don’t even know who Johan Santana is…

Remember, former and current Cleveland aces like Corey Kluber (20th – Padres), Mike Clevinger (4th – Angels) and Shane Bieber (4th) all started as middle to deep round draft picks. Some weren’t even taken by the Indians, instead sniped in trades that later looked lopsided.

There are a lot of prospect pitchers in the Twins organization who fit the bill as Falvey’s next project turned ace. But I’d recommend starting your search at double-A Wichita with 24-year-old, Josh Winder. Josh has a <1.00 ERA through four starts this season and touts very impressive career MiLB numbers to go with it.

Wichita Wind Surge’s Josh Winder has been VERY good to start the year.

.93 ERA, 23 strikeouts in 19.1 innings.

He shares how he was able to add to his velocity last year. @WindSurgeICT | #SurgeUp | #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/euzp9jm1bJ

— Chris Lilly KAKE (@ChrisLillyKAKE) May 21, 2021

From last night, #MNTwins 14th ranked prospect Josh Winder was dominant on the mound for @WindSurgeICT in the 4-0 win????????

5.2 IP, 8 Ks, 3 hits, 0 runs. Fastball consistently at 96 and touched 97 in his last inning. @MLBPipeline pic.twitter.com/VCcM2GmG46

— Sully Engels (@sullyengels) May 15, 2021

More on Josh Winder

Taken in the 7th round of the 2018 draft, Winder has climbed quicker through the Twins organization than what his prospect ranking (#14) has ever reflected. That’s because his rise has been so astronomical. According to Seth Stohs of TwinsDaily.com, nobody in the organization has increased their prospect value more over the last year than Josh Winder.

The last time we saw the Virginia Military Institute alum, it was 2019 and he was throwing 92 MPH at (mid-A) Cedar Rapids. Fast forward to 2021, Josh is regularly pumping 97 MPH for the (AA) Wichita Wind Surge and was named their Opening Day starter to kick off the season.

If the Twins keep losing, we could see Winder very soon. MLB.com projects Josh to reach the big leagues sometime this season and his standing at the top of the AA pitching rotation could mean he’s just one call away from The Show.

No matter when we first see him on a major league mound, Josh Winder is clearly a name to watch if you’re a Minnesota Twins fan looking for hope.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan