Thread: Would you welcome Punto back?

It sounds like the Red Sox have a 3-way race for shortstop this year. Jose Iglesias is the prospect: awesome glove but questionable hitting. His older doppleganger is Punto, who is 34 and starting a 2-year/$3M contract. And then there is Mike Aviles, who is Punto's opposite - suspect glove but occasionally he can really hit. He has a $1.2M/1-year deal.

I think the way this will work is Aviles starts, Punto is on the bench and Iglesias is in AAA. But what if....

What if they decided to start Iglesias and - because Aviles offers a nice contrast - make Aviles the backup. And what if they called the Twins, who Punto has history with and who needs a utility infielder, and offer Punto back to the Twins for a random Single-A arm. Should Terry Ryan snap that up? Would he?

no.
we love to hate him.

Probably need to add Pedro Ciriaco to the Boston infield equation as well at least as a utitily infielder if not the starting SS. Funny enough, I wrote about the same subject 3 days ago... I think that this is a true possibility, esp. knowning how certain people in the organization feel about Punto. It might be a bit redundant with Carroll around on the other hand; plus, you know it, Gardenhire will find a way to play Punto more than he deserves...

I spose after the way some people hit last year, his .235 average (or whatever it was) looks pretty good!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it's unprecedented for a team to sign a guy to a multi-year deal and trade him before he plays a single game.

At the $750,000 that Punto made last year with the Cardinals, I would have been thrilled to have him and his glove back (and the Twins could have used him... when healthy!). The 2 year, $3 million contract he has now is more than fair for what he brings as a utility player. He would have to OK a trade before late May because he was just signed this offseason as a free agent, but I don't think that would be an issues. I just think that I'd rather go with Casilla as the utility guy at this stage. Same price, one year commitment.

Originally Posted by Nick Nelson

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it's unprecedented for a team to sign a guy to a multi-year deal and trade him before he plays a single game.

I couldn't give you an example. I'm guessing it's happened (I can't imagine more than a handful of times in history). But the rule is that a player just signed can't be traded before (some date in) May or June without the player giving his approval.

I never really had a problem with Punto being a bench guy/utility player for us. I just hated when he was a starter. I also hated his contract. That option was just ridiculous.

Ugh... I shutter to think of what would happen if he came back though. Gardenhire would probably have him starting at SS, or take Valencia out to start Punto at 3b. Scary thoughts.

There is no need to take Punto back. There are enough options already available at camp.
Being involved in a Punto trade would only mean that the organization loses another decent player.
This team isn't going to the Championship this year with our without Punto.

Thryloss, I didn't see that post, but it was your comment on my story that made me wonder about it. I gotta say, I think it's a huge long shot.

I think I'd pass. Here's why:
1) I believe the Twins can get a different utility player without that same 2-year commitment
2) I'd be a little worried about Gardy falling in love with him and playing him too much.

But I wouldn't be upset if they did bring him back, even with that contract. He has his uses.

Originally Posted by Neinstein

There is no need to take Punto back. There are enough options already available at camp.
Being involved in a Punto trade would only mean that the organization loses another decent player.
This team isn't going to the Championship this year with our without Punto.

What options are you talking about? Specifically, I'm talking about a utility infielder who can play shortstop. I don't see any options like that in camp.

Originally Posted by admin

What options are you talking about? Specifically, I'm talking about a utility infielder who can play shortstop. I don't see any options like that in camp.

Maybe you haven't read this article yet?

Bringing Punto back to play for Gardenhire is like giving my 2 year old a loaded handgun to play with.

Originally Posted by admin

What options are you talking about? Specifically, I'm talking about a utility infielder who can play shortstop. I don't see any options like that in camp.

Hollimon is primarily a SS, although he has played 2B, 3B, OF and very little 1B. About half his games in minors (including last season with the Rock Cats and Red Wings) were spent at SS.

It's all a moot point - Punto can't be traded until June.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/schedule/important_dates.jsp
June 16, 2012 : First date that Clubs may trade an eligible free agent player who was signed after electing free agency

i would be happy Punto was back he would be a good utility player for the Twins

Punto would have been a beloved Twin if Gardy hadn't kept putting him in his starting line up. People always love the scrappy utility guys willing to fill in anywhere. If anyone can recall Al Newman and Denny Hauking were ripped daily when they were given starting gigs. They became fan favorites when TK decided they were best suited with bench roles.

Of course it only works if you carry only one. If your bench consists of Punto, Alexi Casilla, Matt Tolbert and Brendon Harris, the utility player affection from the fans is negated by their combined offensive futility and the pushback results in fan frustration.

dear god....please no.

i would be thuroughly pissed if the Twins brought back Punto.

i would rather they give one of the young pups a shot

Yes. Please. I understand some of the bashing he took as a Twin, but man alive, what did we/do we have that replaces what he brings to the table? This topic is just bait, and it will be embarrassing in 2015 that were still on message boards hating on Punto. He's great for what he is. A dependable utility player. Let's start a new thread: Punto=Tebow. All they do is win...haters gotta hate