Rocco Baldelli Identifies Missing Element in Twins Roster
With Opening Day looming, the Minnesota Twins face several pressing questions. While they’ve made some moves, there’s one area that remains a concern for manager Rocco Baldelli.
The Twins traded Jorge Polanco for pitching, but not the frontline starter they may have hoped for. Instead, they acquired a back-end rotation piece and a reliable middle reliever. This move, while not addressing their need for a top-tier starter, did bring back Gabriel Gonzalez, a promising outfield prospect who could bolster the team’s future or be used as trade bait for more pitching depth later on. Additionally, it freed up funds to sign Carlos Santana, an important addition to the lineup despite his late arrival at Spring Training.
Amidst the focus on pitching, Baldelli emphasizes the need for a right-handed hitting outfielder, a topic that seems to have been overlooked. He acknowledges the existing talent but believes an additional right-handed bat would complement the current group well.
The search for such an outfielder isn’t new, as the Twins were expected to address this need at last year’s trade deadline. Names like Tommy Pham and Adam Duvall have surfaced in trade rumors, and a reunion with Michael A. Taylor remains a possibility.
However, the Twins may find a solution within their ranks. Austin Martin is poised to compete for a roster spot, providing depth in center field behind Byron Buxton. The real need is on the corners, where Matt Wallner and Max Kepler lack a strong right-handed platoon option. Pham and Duvall could fit these roles, especially with the market potentially favoring the Twins in making a cost-effective addition.
Baldelli’s message is clear: the roster could benefit from a right-handed hitting outfielder. Whether the front office acts on his suggestion remains to be seen.
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