Buckle up, Minnesota Twins fans. We may be in for a bumpy ride over the next few days.
With injuries piling up on Minnesota’s 26-man roster and the impending restriction of multiple players as the team crosses the border into Canada, the lineups that manager Rocco Baldelli scribbles down could look rather ramshackle. While there’s always room for optimism when a team has a commanding lead in their division, the Twins will be tested as they approach unavoidable turbulence.
Still, playoff contenders find a way to compete even when the odds are against them. So, will this team compete? To further convince the baseball world that they belong near the top of the standings, the replacement players that we see will need to step up in a major way. The guys making the lineups will also have to get creative.
Here’s how they can navigate the season’s biggest challenge yet.
While we still don’t know which players will have to sit out this weekend’s series in Toronto, it’s probably best to think of a contingency plan for each department. After all, the customs agents at the airport aren’t the only hindrance to a full roster. The club is dealing with multiple other injuries and ailments besides vaccination status penalties. Thankfully, the Twins have a handful of players who can play multiple positions to help patch the lineups together.
Outfield
Even after placing Gilberto Celestino on the COVID-19 injured list, the club has a relatively healthy contingent of MLB-caliber players in the outfield. Led by slumping superstar Byron Buxton, they ideally would also prominently feature Max Kepler and sophomore standout Trevor Larnach, especially against right-handed pitchers. Platoon powerhouse Kyle Garlick would get the call against southpaws, and Nick Gordon can man any outfield spot, even if his bat leaves much to be desired.
Believe it or not, Larnach would represent the greatest loss at the present moment. The slugging outfielder has cruised to an impressive .299/.375/.515 slash line so far this season, roughly 55% better than average based on wRC+. His 1.5 Wins Above Replacement leads the team, and he has caught fire in the last few weeks. Since returning from the injured list on May 22nd, Larnach has a 1.062 OPS (192 wRC+) and has belted six extra-base hits.
Alex Kirilloff could be a left-handed replacement. He has looked much more like himself since being optioned to Triple-A. Jake Cave is another option. Granted, one who may make fans shudder. But he has a .248/.341/.417 slash line for the St. Paul Saints and could be used as a temporary addition to the 40-man roster while the team is missing multiple players in Toronto.
However, it would be harder to find a right-handed outfielder who could theoretically replace Buxton if he were to miss the Blue Jays series. Garlick would probably see more time, and the club could shift Jermaine Palacios to the outfield. However, he is currently manning shortstop in Carlos Correa’s absence. It’s certainly not ideal, but very few aspects of Twins baseball feel that way at the present moment.
Infield/Catcher
Even without Correa in the fold, the infield feels like the department that is best able to survive some temporary roster turbulence. They have a handful of players who can play multiple positions, including Luis Arraez, Jorge Polanco, Jose Miranda, Nick Gordon, and even Gio Urshela in a pinch.
Kirilloff can also play first base if the team needs another lefty. And the Twins have two potential right-handed call-ups that aren’t currently on the 40-man roster waiting in the wings at Triple-A. First baseman Curtis Terry has a solid .236/.349/.408 clip and is coming off a season in which he hit 22 home runs, and rising-prospect Spencer Steer has a bonkers .311/.396/.599/ slash line between Double-A and Triple-A.
If the Twins lose Gary Sanchez or Ryan Jeffers for the Toronto series, look for Jose Godoy or minor-league signee Chance Sisco to get the call.
Pitching
Since the Twins operate with such a fluid pitching staff even when they aren’t thinking about COVID-19-related roster restrictions, most of these names will sound pretty familiar. Minnesota’s best-case scenario would be if Sonny Gray could avoid the IL after leaving his last start with pectoral discomfort. With Gray and either Dylan Bundy or red-hot Devin Smeltzer potentially starting two of the three games north of the border, the Twins could be in a good spot with their starters.
However, their bullpen might need some reinforcements. They could add Yennier Cano and Jharel Cotton to the roster, two familiar faces. Or they could go with Ian Hamilton (0.71 ERA in 12 ⅓ innings pitched), who would be making his Twins debut.
Without a doubt, the Twins will be in a tight spot this weekend. The depth has already been tested, and it sounds like a sizable contingent of starting-caliber players will be out of action against a strong Blue Jays club. But before we get ahead of ourselves and worry about how the Twins will land this plane, let’s focus on getting through this batch of turbulence. So remain calm, buckle up your seatbelt, and get ready to remove your KN95 so that you can replace it with an oxygen mask. You’re probably going to need it.
