The Twins announced that they outrighted catcher Rene Rivera, infielder Matt Tolbert, outfielder Jason Repko and right-hander Anthony Slama to Triple-A Rochester. In corresponding moves, Minnesota reinstated Nick Blackburn and Alexi Casilla from the 60-day disabled list. The Twins' 40-man roster now includes 38 players.
Rivera, 28, played in 45 games for the Twins, but posted just a .412 OPS. Tolbert appeared at short, second and third and was similarly punchless at the plate, posting a .518 OPS in 226 plate appearances. Repko played all three outfield positions for the second consecutive season and contributed a .555 OPS in 144 plate appearances. Slama appeared in two games for the Twins, but spent most of the season pitching out of the bullpen at Triple-A.
MLBTR's Tim Dierkes identified Repko and Tolbert as non-tender candidates earlier in the month.
Anthony Slama. A name I’ll never forget.
Sadly for him his performance hasn’t been the same.
Twins just cleaning out deadwood.
I have a feeling that another trip to Rochester isn’t going to help Tolbert learn how to hit. Time to move on. I have more confidence in Nishi in 2012 than Tolbert.
Plouffe – SS
Casilla – 2B
Hughes – Util corner IF
Nishi – Util middle IF
Maybe pick up Barmes for insurance.
I have more confidence in Dereck Rodriguez than Nishioka.
Nishioka has the upside and talent; give him another year before pushing him out the door.
too bad plouffe can’t consistently hit at the major league level.
Plouffe has much better upside than Tolbert at the plate. 8 dingers and a .238 average is a marked improvement for the position compared to the other SS the Twins have had recently.
Plouffe’s arm is a whole ‘nother story.
All of these where easy choices though I kinda wish they would have given Slama a bigger chance at some point guy had really good minor league numbers and they never even gave him a cup of coffee only a dribble, but then again Waldrop showed promise when he was up at the end of the year and they have the trio of reclamation project power arms they are trying to salvage a reliever from (Oliveros, Hoey, Vasquez)
Yes, he had good minor league numbers but he’s doesn’t have the pitches or the control to get big league hitters out consistently. As everyone on MLBTR knows (or should remember) that there success in AAA does not mean success in the big leagues. Slama’s ceiling is AAA.
They said the same about Chad Bradford, as everyone on MLBTR knows (or should remember) from Moneyball.
Slama had his chances both with the Twins and the Rays. Sometimes a 39th round pick just doesn’t pan out!
From what I’ve heard, Slama might be a surgery candidate this off season. They may have just moved him off to clear room off of the 40 man and let him prove that he has fully recovered before moving him back onto the 40 man. Just speculation though. I could be way off base.
They could stand to fish an alternative 1b out of the free agent pond this winter. If Morneau spends a lot of time at DH and Mauer catches half time they could be down to Parmalee and, um, well… they should really have an alternative on hand. You never know how things will turn out, but at the very least Rochester deserves a decent team again.
That’s why I think they may overextend themselves a little keeping Cuddyer.
That parmelee kid really hit well. I don’t think he’s ready for a full role next season, but he’s making strides in that direction.