Hot Stove Happenings in Minneapolis

by Fergus McGee
Minneapolis Star Tribune
January 26, 2026

A team never likes to sit on its laurels and always looks for ways to improve.  Last year Minneapolis added talent via the trade route, picking up all-star Sang Higgins and youngsters Gerry Hoffman and Dan Robinson.  But the team was not active in the free agent market.  General Manager Joe Geoghegan has stated that he is not actively seeking to bring any free agents on board this year.

“The only player in the market that interests us is infielder Walt Watson, but his agent is apparently on mind-influencing drugs.  We are not interested in spending $25 million a year for any player, even one of Watson’s caliber.  We may try to pick up a reliever or two as spring training approaches, but it would be a surprise.  We do have some players on the trading block but interest seems minimal.  There will be new faces on the bench, most likely all from within the organization.”

So what will be changed from last season’s divisional championship roster and lineup?

Higgins was a major disappointment last season for the Beermen.  While he led the team in home runs with 23, he hit only .236 and knocked in only 81 runs.  Those numbers are well below expectations, and the team is hoping for a major rebound from him this year.  At age 32 Higgins is now in the final year of his contract, and he has indicated that he will become a free agent next year rather than entertain extension offers from the team. Perhaps the personal challenge of going into free agency off a good year will incent Sang to put up better numbers. If not, his job could be in jeopardy

Hoffman is still developing, and 2025 would seem to be a crucial year in that development.  At age 27 will he step up and match his potential?  He will have every opportunity to shine in left field at Yoerg Stadium, and now is the time for Gerry.  Earl Wynkoop has been steady and reliable in right field.

The other outfield possibilities are almost endless with a logjam of talent.  Mark Morrison had a fine rookie campaign last year, and his speed would make him a good leadoff hitter if he can earn a job somewhere, say if Higgins or Hoffman falter.  If Chris Downing plays first, one of the top four could end up in the DH role.  And there’s a wealth of talent down on the farm as well.  Former center fielder Rick Schmidt hit .378 and stole 40 plus bases.  Gregg Allen hit .331 with the Smash, and there is talk of trying to convert him to a first baseman, something that probably should have been tried last year.  Veterans Manny Coronas and Lorenzo Garza are still there as well.  Tim Stewart always looks ready but there’s no apparent spot for him.  And youngsters Jose Jaramillo and Brent Bullock are itching to play in the bigs.  Bullock especially is probably ready now.  With all that talent, something has to give soon.

Robinson has never had a real major league shot, but he’ll probably get it this season behind the plate.  He has always done well against minor league pitching, but he managed only a .115 average with the Beermen in September.  Likewise young Erik Brune needs to improve his major league numbers.  One of them could end up the regular catcher or the job may fall back to aging John Walko.

First baseman Dan Royster has gone (to free agency) after the club declined the last year on his contract.  John Appleton is still around, but he doesn’t set anyone’s heart to racing.  John Downing had a good rookie campaign after being recalled, but he’s more suited to the DH role.  He’s awkward in the field and slow on the base paths.  Hank Bailey is still in the picture, having hit well here in prior years and absolutely killing the ball in AAA last year.  But he’s slow as Downing although he plays his position adequately.  Young Shiro Sakei is being groomed as a second baseman at St. Paul, but he’ a natural first baseman who can’t be overlooked here in the future.

The rotation will be unchanged:  Ricardo Morales, Tony De la Cruz, Jose Egozcue, Julio Contreras, and Shayne Canfield.  Sixth starter Dan Robertson will almost surely be moved to the bullpen this season.  He’s notched up three good years in a row, mostly as a starter, after six losing campaigns.  His replacement will be 27-year-old Paul Gilmore, affectionately known as “Ratbreath”, who comes off an effective year at St. Paul but who has scant major league experience.

The bullpen consists of closer Ademar Logario (who at age 22 has recorded 94 saves in just two and a third seasons), Tony Alvarado, Chris Davis, Jim Girouard, Alberto Gonzales, and Alonso Ramirez.  They all pitched very well last season.  One of them is likely to be replaced by Robertson.  The wild card would seem to be whether or not another young closer, Randy Dow, is ready to step it up the major league level.  If he is, he could become a natural set-up man for Logario.  Jim Stanley probably needs a full year in AAA before seeing action with the Beermen.  If Dow comes up, someone else has to go.