The Twins are next in our arbitration eligibles series.
- First time: Jose Mijares, Matt Tolbert, Phil Dumatrait
- Second time: Kevin Slowey, Alexi Casilla, Glen Perkins
- Third time: Francisco Liriano, Jason Repko
The Twins have a lot of non-tender candidates in this bunch: Mijares, Tolbert, Dumatrait, Slowey, and Repko. MLBTR's Steve Adams points out that the success of Perkins and the likelihood of moving Brian Duensing to the bullpen could make lefties Mijares and Dumatrait expendable. Tolbert and Repko are bench players who would cost under $1MM each, but neither has provided any offense.
Momentum for a Slowey trade has been building since at least Spring Training, though his limited 2011 contribution would probably keep his salary at $2.7MM. With Kyle Gibson going down for Tommy John surgery the Twins might prefer the depth Slowey provides. So while a non-tender is possible, it's more likely that the Twins trade or keep Slowey.
Perkins and Casilla will be retained, each projected in the $1.5MM range. Liriano had an off year, plagued with shoulder issues. He projects for a $5.7MM salary in 2012, and he's too tantalizing a talent to cut loose unless major surgery becomes necessary.
The Twins could end up with Perkins, Casilla, and Liriano on next year's roster for a total of around $8.6MM. That'd put their total around $74.35MM before accounting for minimum salary players, so if the 2011 Opening Day payroll level is maintained the Twins could have over $30MM to spend in 2012 salaries.
Steve Adams and Matt Swartz contributed to this post.
I guess they should have traded Liriano and Slowey when their stock was high.
Delmon, too. Instead they overplayed their hand and ended up trading him to a rival for a ham sandwich.
Not just “a ham sandwich”. Be fair. It’s “a delicious ham sandwich that throws 95.” (But totally a sandwich.)
So what’s Mijares worth this winter? He’s been effective, he’s been fat, he’s still young, he’s sorta sucked. Who is he in 2012 and what’s that worth?
Resign Neshek!
Trade Liriano to stock the minors and bring back Casilla, Slowey and Perkins. Dumatrait might be nice if Perkins is given a shot to close. Tolbert is not needed with possible bench/utility players in Nishioka and Luke Hughes for 2012. Save all of the $30 million for pitching and an above average catcher.
Denard Span RF
Trevor Plouffe SS
Joe Mauer LF/C/1B/DH
Justin Morneau 1B/DH
Danny Valencia 3B
Luke Hughes DH
Rod Barajas, Gerald Laird or Dioner Navarro C
Alexi Casilla 2B
Ben Revere CF
Tsuyoshi Nishioka SS/2B/Pinch Run
Joe Benson OF (starts 4 out of 5 games)
Drew Butera C
Brian Dinkelman OF/2B
Rene Tosoni OF
Carl Pavano SP
Scott Baker SP
Edwin Jackson SP
Nick Blackburn SP
Liam Hendricks SP
Brian Duensing RP
Glen Perkins RP
Lester Oliveros RP
Kyle Waldrop RP
Ryan Madson SU
Jonathan Broxton CL
Could the Twins get Ryan Madson, Jonathan Broxton and a catcher for $30 million?
Of course, none of this matters if Mauer and Morneau can’t return to 2007/2008 form.
There’s a few things that I don’t see happening in that line up, but overall, looks about right. I’m hoping for Kubel in right next year. Move Revere to left (to compensate for his arm) and Span in center.
I think it’s a bit early to say Hendricks has earned a spot in the rotation. He’s pitched one game, and although he looked good, I’d say give him a few more starts before penciling him in. He’s definitely proven that he’s going to start in at least AAA. If anyone, I would say Swarzak has earned a spot in the rotation for next year.