Thread: The Return of Nishi

I can understand this trade for these reasons:
1). They are not really all that worried about winning games right now (which is probably so obvious it doesn't even need to be said). So, the sudden lack of depth at 3b doesn't really matter. Plouffe will be coming back soon and even if his rookie season is just a Plouffe fluke the FO can probably try to turn Sano into a 3rd baseman.
2). Nishi is one very rich minor leaguer, and if they can get anything out of him, in a season where they can afford to loose a few games, they gotta do it. Does he help this club win? Mostly likely not, but if you can at least make him seem like a credible major league baseball player, instead of a payroll cap killer, you gotta do it.
3.) Valencia is probably not as bad as his .198 average this year would indicate, but he is also probably not going to reduplicate his break-out season - his learning curve just seems slightly underveloped.
4.) The fact remains that Plouffe has really figured out his postion over in the hot corner - the fact (and I am sure this point is arguable) that Plouffe already plays better defense than Valencia, and is apparently also well-liked by Gardy, (not so much, Danny) and at least seems to have figured out how to hit, all this makes Valencia expendable. I think he (Valencia) adds depth to this club right now, and if we were in contention I don't think we could afford to loose that type of depth, but, thank God, we are nowhere near contending for anything except the number one draft pick.
5.) So, even if all we get out of Pineda is a decent pinch runner and a credible defenisive subsitution, we still are not risking that much in trading Valencia.

Originally Posted by John Bonnes

I don't have a problem with this move. It's not like anyone else is banging down the door. I might rather see Florimon, but it's six of one, half dozen of the other. I'm not sure this means that Nishi is ranked higher in the Twins mind. If he's coming to sit on the bench it might mean they would rather have Escobar and Florimon playing every day.

I think that basically sums it up....it speaks more to the lack of 3B depth then anything. Valencia is already 28 so he does'nt have much of a future here.. I know nothing about the guy we received from Bosox but at least we got something for him. And although Pineda is still at GCL at the ripe old age of 21 that's still pretty young and OG depth is the one problem we do NOT have in the minors I have no problem with this...hey it's something to talk about at least right??

I don't believe this... but I thought someone would at least point it out.

The Twins brought up Nishi because they were already paying him. If they would have brought up anyone else (even at the minimum) for the last 1/3 of the season, the Twins would have been forced to pay that player (a minimum of) $160,000. By bringing up Nishi, they saved every penny of it.

I wouldn't be shocked if this isn't the last movement of in the middle infield. I'm sure Carroll and Casilla will be hitting waivers soon, if they haven't already.

Originally Posted by Dilligaf69

that's still pretty young and OG depth is the one problem we do NOT have in the minors.

I would say the minors are pretty much void of original gangsters. Rosario has a little bit of that swag to him, but other than that...

Hey, bring him up and play him everyday and see if he suddenly increases his value, and then run him thru waivers.......

Originally Posted by Jeremy Nygaard

I don't believe this... but I thought someone would at least point it out.

The Twins brought up Nishi because they were already paying him. If they would have brought up anyone else (even at the minimum) for the last 1/3 of the season, the Twins would have been forced to pay that player (a minimum of) $160,000. By bringing up Nishi, they saved every penny of it.

I wouldn't be shocked if this isn't the last movement of in the middle infield. I'm sure Carroll and Casilla will be hitting waivers soon, if they haven't already.

didnt bring it up cause it was so obvious (already paying him), but its definately the ONLY reason.
Part of the scholarship comment I made. He didnt earn it, just already being payed.

Originally Posted by greengoblinrulz

didnt bring it up cause it was so obvious (already paying him), but its definately the ONLY reason.
Part of the scholarship comment I made. He didnt earn it, just already being payed.

If instead of scholarship you said allowance to undeseriving children or welfare program people might have got the clever joke.

John, Before leaving for vacation, I watched nearly half of Rochester's games the past couple weeks. A couple games before Valencia was called up, he allowed two balls to go right under his glove about a step to his left. The first night, the official scorer changed it to an error after initially calling it a hit. A day later, the exact same play they again called a hit. He also grounded into two double plays that day, running about 2/3 speed to first base. I suspect his comments when talking to Jim Mandelaro didn't help with Twins management, when he was quoted as saying "he was playing for 29 other teams than the Twins."

As for Nishi, he no longer looks out of his element as he did with the Twins last year and to a lesser extent early this year in Rochester. He has been hitting for more power of late, including several key extra base hits in big rbi situations at important points of the games. I recall two specifically in the past ten days or so, including a bases clearing double into the right-center gap. Is he someone you want to pencil in as your starter, probably not. But I think you will see a player who no longer looks like he doesn't belong.

I suspect part of the reason for the Valencia trade at this time, was to free up room on the 40 man roster. There are (I think) 2 guys on the 60 day DL who will have to be added back to the 40 man roster when the Twins bring them back to the majors. I believe the 40 man is full with Deduno and Fien being added. Since both of them could be lost if removed from the 40 man roster and both are pitching well, I suspect Ryan was looking for ways to open room on the roster.

Valencia probably didn't figure in the long range plans. Get something for him. Especially something that doesn't have to be added to the roster.

I rather have anyone else on the AAA or AA roster over Nishioka. Who cares that he is making 3 million and who cares he had one decent month in July. He sucks and is without a doubt the worst player in the majors right now. Even Butera is better because he can call a very good game. If the Twins Front Office asked fans to raise 3 mil so they release him I'm pretty sure that money would be raised quite easily.

Originally Posted by John Bonnes

Heeeee's Baaaa-aaack.

Can someone who has been paying more attention than I to Rochester tell me about this "hot streak" he's been on for the last month?

I have to assume he's coming up as a utility infielder, right? Carroll goes to 3B full time and Casilla to 2B?

John, so now what has happened to the "fun bunch"? Valencia was a key member of the group. Was Luke Hughes a member? Joe Benson?

Originally Posted by Jeremy Nygaard

I don't believe this... but I thought someone would at least point it out.

The Twins brought up Nishi because they were already paying him. If they would have brought up anyone else (even at the minimum) for the last 1/3 of the season, the Twins would have been forced to pay that player (a minimum of) $160,000. By bringing up Nishi, they saved every penny of it.

I wouldn't be shocked if this isn't the last movement of in the middle infield. I'm sure Carroll and Casilla will be hitting waivers soon, if they haven't already.

Wait for the "Pohlads are cheap" crowd now...

I think that partially this is the reason but not because they don't want to pay someone else. They are out of it right now and they better see whether they can at least potentially count on him in any role for next season.

I'd also be shocked if that was the last movement, in general... I expect at least 2-3 more trades to happen.

Originally Posted by greengoblinrulz

Leaves ROC with 23 players....wonder if there is a promotion or 2 in the works???

Are you counting PJ Walters?

Originally Posted by thrylos98

Are you counting PJ Walters?

It's 23 w/o Walters (who I don't believe counts anyway).

The Red Wings currently have 9(!) guys on the D.L., some who won't be playing again this year, but a handful who could be activated immediately.

Originally Posted by old nurse

If instead of scholarship you said allowance to undeseriving children or welfare program people might have got the clever joke.

Terry Ryan made the quote that 'The scholarship program (of 2011) is over' in spring training & players were gonna have to earn their spot on the team rather than making due to salary, previous MLB experience, etc...
It got a lot of laughs in the Twin Cities. Slowly but surely, that has ended again.
I realized it was a lil 'inside' joke, but I still like it

Any possibility they move Jeremias to the infield? His frame certainly looks like it could be worth a try. Of course I don't know much about him and I doubt anyone else does.

This is clearly being done to give him a little time at the ML level to show what he's worth and then swap him Valencia style for something else. I believe this is JR's version of cleaning house, and it's not all bad. Clear out some of these guys occupying space that could use a change of scenery and get prospects in exchange.

Originally Posted by greengoblinrulz

Terry Ryan made the quote that 'The scholarship program (of 2011) is over' in spring training & players were gonna have to earn their spot on the team rather than making due to salary, previous MLB experience, etc...
It got a lot of laughs in the Twin Cities. Slowly but surely, that has ended again.
I realized it was a lil 'inside' joke, but I still like it

Nothing wrong with reminding the club that it needs to be held accountable for its "message". In comparison to other towns, many Twins fans have short memories and are a little too quick to forgive and forget.

Originally Posted by jctwins

This is clearly being done to give him a little time at the ML level to show what he's worth and then swap him Valencia style for something else. I believe this is JR's version of cleaning house, and it's not all bad. Clear out some of these guys occupying space that could use a change of scenery and get prospects in exchange.

If TR finds a way out of the remainder of Nishi's contract he'll be a shoo-in for GM of the Year.

Originally Posted by jokin

If TR finds a way out of the remainder of Nishi's contract he'll be a shoo-in for GM of the Year.

They'll have to pay out the contract - somewhere between between ML min and $1mm/yr. But it's better than the complete waste of cash that they have now.