Thread: Middle Infield Help

I know a lot of posters on here have suggested going after Kelly Johnson. I wouldn't be opposed to that. I was looking through the list of potential free agents and one name caught my eye. Freddy Sanchez. I know he has had health issues. He should come cheap and he would be a nice two hole hitter. I think either one would be worth a shot. Thoughts?

I don't know, he might not post more than 2 WAR, and since that won't by itself make us competitive this year, that would be spending money foolishly.

Originally Posted by Ultima Ratio

I don't know, he might not post more than 2 WAR, and since that won't by itself make us competitive this year, that would be spending money foolishly.

with few exception, during a 162 game season teams win 50 games and they lose 50 games. It's what you do with the other 62 that makes the difference.

But we get it, you don't think we should spend. You'd rather they just pocket the money and have us be even worse than we could be if we spent. So much for their promises...

I thought we should of jumped on Izturis, but with that a non issue now,
there really isnt much help out there, i think 2b will either have the gremlin or dozier.
So in this case with what we could sign , standing pat doesnt bother me .

Originally Posted by ThePuck

with few exception, during a 162 game season teams win 50 games and they lose 50 games. It's what you do with the other 62 that makes the difference.

But we get it, you don't think we should spend. You'd rather they just pocket the money and have us be even worse than we could be if we spent. So much for their promises...

My post was supposed to be sarcastic.

I think it's a good idea. We need a #1 or #2 batter. I'd sign Sanchez or Kelly if they're not overpriced. Terry Ryan, however, announced they will use their team options at SS and 2B. He seems to want a 3B, for whatever reason. Play Plouffe, and sign a middle infielder! Our 2B and SS are going to be infinitely mediocre.

I know this goes against the prevailing opinion here, but I'd rather see them give a legit chance to Florimon at SS and Dozier at 2B. They will both be 26 this season and if they are ever more than utility players they need to prove it now. Carroll is the perfect utility guy as he can play all three IF spots. Leave Escobar in AAA to play SS.

Originally Posted by Physics Guy

I know this goes against the prevailing opinion here, but I'd rather see them give a legit chance to Florimon at SS and Dozier at 2B. They will both be 26 this season and if they are ever more than utility players they need to prove it now. Carroll is the perfect utility guy as he can play all three IF spots. Leave Escobar in AAA to play SS.

I agree with you that the focus should be building for the future, so why not give these players a change to prove themselves? On the other hand, if one of them falters, why not give Escobar a chance?

Sanchez if cheap enough would be worth the gamble. Let's see what he has.

Originally Posted by Ultima Ratio

I don't know, he might not post more than 2 WAR, and since that won't by itself make us competitive this year, that would be spending money foolishly.

My God, Ryan didn't make an offer to any of the dozen middle infield free agents. He didn't pick one up in the rule 5 draft. You know Dan Uggla was a rule 5 pickup. Surely one of them is going to bean all star and the Twins are missing out. Why didn't they sign Andino was he wasn't tendered? That front office is just not doing their job.

Put the young players out there and see what they can do. I do not think adding an old middle infielder helps this team compete this year, nor does it help them develop players for the future. They have clearly decided this is not a year to contend, given that, only young players should be up or added.

Either of these guys would likely make the team better for not a lot of money. They also have the chance of being trade bait in July. If the point is not to put the best team on the field why have Willingham, Doumit and Morneau on the team? If it's about letting young guys play trade these guys and let all the young guys play.

SP is where it's at, I think we should spend there, we need a few more. MI adds doesn't really help us much, but it would be nice to add a good bat.

Try to get Mauer to play a little backup 3b or 2b and you would be pretty set. it's his team.

Originally Posted by Top Gun

SP is where it's at, I think we should spend there, we need a few more. MI adds doesn't really help us much, but it would be nice to add a good bat.

MIs add a lot, especially if they are quality fielders with a little pop or have good OBPs. This team might set a record for least amount of strikeouts in a 162 game season. Need people who can field.

Right now, the Twins have no 40-man roster spots. The only players considered on the bubble would be free agents like Roeincke or Wood (shades of Gray and Maloney), DeVries or Swarzak, probably Butera. They have a Rule 5 guy. I doubt they would deep-six Thielbar or Hernandez, although both are possibilities. Is Florimon also a bubble player? They would be foolish to let go of Benson or Mastro. So that is the Twins problem right now. With Haren in the wings looking for a roster spot, too.

I think they most need to see what they have in the system. That appears to be more important than fielding well or not.

Originally Posted by ThePuck

MIs add a lot, especially if they are quality fielders with a little pop or have good OBPs. This team might set a record for least amount of strikeouts in a 162 game season. Need people who can field.

Last year our pitching staff threw 943Ks (and Liriano had 109 of them). 943Ks was, by far, the least of any pitching staff last year. The next highest had 143 more than we did. To put that into perspective....the difference between 29th in teams Ks and 14th in team Ks, was less than 143.

Defense is going to be important.

Originally Posted by Rosterman

Right now, the Twins have no 40-man roster spots. The only players considered on the bubble would be free agents like Roeincke or Wood (shades of Gray and Maloney), DeVries or Swarzak, probably Butera. They have a Rule 5 guy. I doubt they would deep-six Thielbar or Hernandez, although both are possibilities. Is Florimon also a bubble player? They would be foolish to let go of Benson or Mastro. So that is the Twins problem right now. With Haren in the wings looking for a roster spot, too.

They can put Blackburn on the60-day DL and open a spot on the roster.

Just make Mauer the shortstop and go out and find a catcher.