Article: Twins Final Cuts: Much Ado About (Almost) Nothing

[Jim Crikket]

You can view the page at http://www.twinsdaily.com/content.php/2790-Twins-Final-Cuts-Much-Ado-About-(Almost)-Nothing

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

What about Chris Herrmann?

[cmathewson]

Berardino is reporting that Michael Tonkin is in Chicago, in anticipation of a roster tweak. Could the Twins be trading a reliever for an outfielder?

[Seth Stohs]

Brian Duensing's wife is having a baby, so Tonkin is in Chicago for a few days (paternity leave).

[Thrylos]

Good stuff JC. And I really wish that the biggest of the Twins' problems were who was going to be the last man on their bench...

 

A little nit picking:

 

Kyle Gibson, Sam Deduno, Josmil Pinto, Oswaldo Arcia and Aaron Hicks may all be part of the next great Twins teams

 

Quick: Identify the one who does not belong with the others in that list. Hint: He will be 31 this July.

[twinsnorth49]

Good stuff JC. And I really wish that the biggest of the Twins' problems were who was going to be the last man on their bench...

 

A little nit picking:

 

 

 

Quick: Identify the one who does not belong with the others in that list. Hint: He will be 31 this July.

Yes, Deduno is certainly a wildcard in there.

[Joe A. Preusser]

Brian Duensing's wife is having a baby, so Tonkin is in Chicago for a few days (paternity leave).

 

The real question is how much trade value Duensing's new baby will have.

[Craig Arko]

The real question is how much trade value Duensing's new baby will have.

 

Or if he/she can play short. Congrats to the Duensings, and to Tonkin as well, even if his is short-lived.

[JB_Iowa]

Factually, it is much ado about (almost) nothing.

 

Symbolically, it is representative of the uninspired course that this organization has been following for (more) than the past three years.

 

How many teams seek to change "team chemistry" through the 25th man on their roster? Teams change team chemistry by changing the leadership of the organization -- the GM and/or the manager. And then they may make some additions or deletions to the roster that contribute to a change in chemistry.

 

Will Bartlett (or Kubel) for that matter make or break this team? No. But it just demonstrates that the "old boys club" atmosphere is still in place in Minnesota. Same old, same old.

[lukingood]

My issue with decisions that have been made is Gardy's reluctance to take steps that would improve the punch of this team. An example would be having a platoon in right field. Does anyone truly think that Arcia is going to light it up vs. left-handed pitching? And if he does occasionally use a right-handed bat in that situation, is it going to be Bartlett? Really? Therein lies the frustration of a Twins fan. I truly would be happy if the Twins could finish .500 this season and be able to put up a fight and be competitive in the 81 games that they lose. I get the idea of saying, "Let's wait for Buxton and Sano and Meyer." The problem is every team makes that statement about their top-tier farmhands. Weren't we hearing that same thing last year about Arcia? He would be the guy that would put us over the top. So far Arcia has looked like an average- to below-average right fielder with a slow-pitch softball swing. Hope I'm wrong is all I can say. And I'm not happy that Gardy was resigned. Please feel free to point out where I am wrong. I could use the encouragement.

[Jim Crikket]

Good stuff JC. And I really wish that the biggest of the Twins' problems were who was going to be the last man on their bench...

 

A little nit picking:

 

 

 

Quick: Identify the one who does not belong with the others in that list. Hint: He will be 31 this July.

 

Thats a fair nit to pick, Thrylos, but I do believe Deduno COULD be part of the next wave of competitive Twins teams, where I can't say the same of Parmelee and Presley. That was my point and I'll own it, despite Deduno's age.

[Since71]

My issue with decisions that have been made is Gardy's reluctance to take steps that would improve the punch of this team. An example would be having a platoon in right field. Does anyone truly think that Arcia is going to light it up vs. left-handed pitching? And if he does occasionally use a right-handed bat in that situation, is it going to be Bartlett? Really? Therein lies the frustration of a Twins fan. I truly would be happy if the Twins could finish .500 this season and be able to put up a fight and be competitive in the 81 games that they lose. I get the idea of saying, "Let's wait for Buxton and Sano and Meyer." The problem is every team makes that statement about their top-tier farmhands. Weren't we hearing that same thing last year about Arcia? He would be the guy that would put us over the top. So far Arcia has looked like an average- to below-average right fielder with a slow-pitch softball swing. Hope I'm wrong is all I can say. And I'm not happy that Gardy was resigned.

 

 

 

Please feel free to point out where I am wrong. I could use the encouragement.

 

Exactly and well said !!!

[drock2190]

My issue with decisions that have been made is Gardy's reluctance to take steps that would improve the punch of this team. An example would be having a platoon in right field. Does anyone truly think that Arcia is going to light it up vs. left-handed pitching? And if he does occasionally use a right-handed bat in that situation, is it going to be Bartlett? Really? Therein lies the frustration of a Twins fan. I truly would be happy if the Twins could finish .500 this season and be able to put up a fight and be competitive in the 81 games that they lose. I get the idea of saying, "Let's wait for Buxton and Sano and Meyer." The problem is every team makes that statement about their top-tier farmhands. Weren't we hearing that same thing last year about Arcia? He would be the guy that would put us over the top. So far Arcia has looked like an average- to below-average right fielder with a slow-pitch softball swing. Hope I'm wrong is all I can say. And I'm not happy that Gardy was resigned. Please feel free to point out where I am wrong. I could use the encouragement.

 

Why platoon Arcia so early in his career? Let him get the at bats and after a season or two then platoon him if there's a noticeable difference.

[tjsyam921]

I think the clean up hitter hitting .050 is a much bigger concern than Bartlett and Kubel making the club.

[lukingood]

As to why platoon Arcia so early, I think the Twins management too often is looking out to the future instead of looking to win today. Billy Beane has certainly used platooning in Oakland to the betterment of the franchise. Also, I may be wrong, but with that huge uppercut swing that Arcia uses, I have serious doubts about his ability to handle left-handed pitching.

[drock2190]

As to why platoon Arcia so early, I think the Twins management too often is looking out to the future instead of looking to win today. Billy Beane has certainly used platooning in Oakland to the betterment of the franchise. Also, I may be wrong, but with that huge uppercut swing that Arcia uses, I have serious doubts about his ability to handle left-handed pitching.

 

I just looked it up, he hit 5 points BETTER from the left handed side last season.

[Jim Crikket]

Im with drock. I'm hoping Arcia is in the heart of the order for the next few years and he wont learn to hit lefties sitting on the bench. I also dont believe many, if any, were claiming "let's wait for Arcia" a year ago. Nobody was expecting him to be able to single handedly turn the team around.

 

I want to see a more competitive team this year, too, but it will be a development year, theres just no way around that.

 

Rochester looks loaded for bear and I won't be surprised to see a much different and more interesting team in Minnesota in July than they have in April.

[jimv2]

Thats a fair nit to pick, Thrylos, but I do believe Deduno COULD be part of the next wave of competitive Twins teams, where I can't say the same of Parmelee and Presley. That was my point and I'll own it, despite Deduno's age.

 

I'm with you, JC. WHile I don't think that Deduno will be part of that starting rotation, age 31 is not old for a reliever, He could well have 5 or 6 years left, maybe even more, and great teams have relievers with filthy stuff.

[snepp]

Platoon Kubel, perfectly fine. Platoon Arcia? It's way too soon to permanently pigeon-hole him. You're not winning much this season, now is the perfect time to give him every last look possible as major league lefties.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Cricket, what I read from the article is that much ado was given on the final spring training cuts based on universally poor spring training performances. You didn't mention Chris Herrmann - how would you measure his youth, position flexibility, and actually pretty good spring training performance against the decision to go with guys like Kubel, Colabello, or Bartlett. I ask because I was pulling for Herrmann.

[Guest]

I had been strongly against bringing Kubel and Bartlett north, for the usual reasons - lack of spring performance, limited chance of participating in future team improvement, etc. - but am now coming around to the decision.

 

Whether you think this team will win 65 or 75 games (does anyone expect more?), two months of Kubel and Bartlett, even if they are terrible, will not make meaningfully change the result negatively from what Parmalee or Presley would have produced. If they are terrible, and the team otherwise is performing well, they will be replaced.

 

If they are adequate, however, but the team is on path for another 65-70 win season, the explanation that was given about their value in the clubhouse makes sense. As veterans who have won and lost, they will likely roll more with the ups and downs of the team's and their personal performance. In that situation, they are more likely than Parmalee, Presley or others to remind the rest of the clubhouse that they are playing a fun game that has lots of ups and downs, not to get stuck in the downs, and to keep focusing on doing your best everyday. K and B may not worry as much about how many at-bats they get each week and whether they performed well enough to keep their jobs. If K and B have this attitude, they will benefit the other younger players on the team. Presley and others, perhaps, could handle the situation differently, by focusing on what it means to him and his future, which would not benefit other players who are bigger parts of the team's future.

[Dr. Evil]

My deal is mostly that we had a horrible offense last year and all we came up with to help out was Kubel and Bartlett(as you mention towards the end of your article). Granted, if we are healthier this year and a few guys improve we could get a little more production out of what we have. I just want to feel like management is scratching and clawing to get us out of the cellar. It was great that we got some pitching help. But, it would be a feel good gesture for me if they could add a dandy stick to this squad who can really mash.

[Rosterman]

Yes, you can argue about Deduno and Colabello, who both had great spring trainings. They outplayed Diamond and Parmelee, who are still with the organization as fodder. So, no real loss.

 

Kubel and Bartlett do bring experience. But Willingham had a horrible spring, and I'm worried about Arcia (and the Twins total strikeouts, again, this season).

 

The Twins have strength in the bullpen. Tonkin, Guerra (the last of the Santana puzzle can still produce), Hoffman, Oliveros, Thompson plus any and all prosspects.

 

Do we know how many of these guys will be around next year (predict).

 

If Pinto produces, then we have Herrmann and Rohlfing in the wings as able backups, and you can always find another vet to stash at Triple-A (on that note, Rene Rivera and Drew Butera both broke spring training this year).

 

It will be a long season.

[TheLeviathan]

I think all this "It's only the 25th roster spot!" stuff misses the forest for the trees. If your 1-9 is going to be a combination of bad, easily hurt, or coming off a poor season....you'd hope your bench would at least offer you some alternatives that are at least intriguing.

 

This is a lineup with huge questions, a bench with little to offer, and AAA stacked with guys like Wilkin Ramirez as the next best options. The frustration has more to do with how poorly the offensive side of the roster was constructed than about who slots in at what spot.

[AWOLNATION_11]

I'm obviously in the minority here, but I'm on board with the moves.

 

Kubel is a bit questionable, but I think it is likely the FO essentially guaranteed him a roster spot when he signed a minor league deal, and if so, I don't blame Terry & Co for keeping that probable promise.

 

As for Bartlett, granted he had a terrible spring and hasn't played much the last 2 years, but he's won in MN in the past plus has experience winning for one of the best managers in baseball down in Tampa. This wave of youth needs a presence in the clubhouse, and the perceived quiet lead-by-example ways of Mauer/Willingham is one thing, but a guy with a little more edge and a voice is also important. 25th spot on the roster at the expense of Parmelee is worth it in my opinion.

 

Financial commitment is minimal on both and if it doesn't work out they can be jettisoned relatively painlessly.

[Jim Crikket]

Cricket, what I read from the article is that much ado was given on the final spring training cuts based on universally poor spring training performances. You didn't mention Chris Herrmann - how would you measure his youth, position flexibility, and actually pretty good spring training performance against the decision to go with guys like Kubel, Colabello, or Bartlett. I ask because I was pulling for Herrmann.

 

Sorry, I was going to respond to your first question about Herrmann, but then I got distracted.

 

I like Herrmann, but I haven't seen enough of him to feel strongly about his long term potential to be meaningful contributor. I thought he had a chance to stick, given Gardy's aversion to using his backup catcher as a DH and Pinto should get more plate appearances than he's likely to get just from games he catches. Herrmann could have provided more flexibility than Kubel for one of those last roster spots certainly.

 

On the other hand, IF the Twins think Herrmann has potential just beyond a backup role player, then he needs to be getting regular playing time and he wasn't going to get that in Minnesota tostart the season.

 

If he performs well in Rochester, I would fully expect Herrmann to get his opportunity with the Twins at some point this summer.

[Jim Crikket]

I think all this "It's only the 25th roster spot!" stuff misses the forest for the trees. If your 1-9 is going to be a combination of bad, easily hurt, or coming off a poor season....you'd hope your bench would at least offer you some alternatives that are at least intriguing.

 

If there were truly intriguing alternatives within the organization, I'd hope that they'd be in that bad 1-9 order somewhere, not on the bench.

[TheLeviathan]

If there were truly intriguing alternatives within the organization, I'd hope that they'd be in that bad 1-9 order somewhere, not on the bench.

 

That's just it, Bartlett embodies precisely that problem.

[Guest USAFChief]

I'm in a small minority in this opinion, but my thought is that Bartlett is around more as a cheap possible alternative to Florimon than anything else.

 

If he's truly around as a "chemistry whisperer" that makes it a lot worse, IMO, and confirms, for me at least, my opionion from last year that Gardenhire shouldn't be around as manager any more. I do concur the team last year had the stink of losing hanging heavily over it, but that should primarily be on the manager to fix, not the 25th guy on the roster, who quite possibly won't be here past June 1st unless things go really bad for others or unexpectedly good for him.

[cmathewson]

That's just it, Bartlett embodies precisely that problem.

 

Those options went poof this spring with the Sano injury, the baffling absence of Rosario and Buxton's wrist.