Article: Twins Acquire Infielder Eduardo Nunez From Yankees

[jorgenswest]

The Twins need to continue to give Santana the regular play at SS in AAA. Nunez needs to get time at several positions including around the outfield. He is not a solution as a regular SS. It will take a lot more than Sulbaran to get a SS.

[jorgenswest]

Wonder if it would have been better just to pick up one of the recent DFA guys from another org (Triunfel?).

 

He was DFA'd. The Yankees had a 10 day window to trade him.

 

He is a better hitter than Triunfel and there was a reasonable chance that someone like the White Sox or Astros would have put in a claim since he did not have to go one the 25 man roster.

[Guest USAFChief]

Gardy in the Pioneer Press' Nunez story:

"We need (Florimon) to hit .240, .250. It can't be .200, .210, whatever," Gardenhire said. "We need more than that. The way he can pick it, it's a wonderful thing to have those two out there. But we're not in that area where we can leave a guy out there who just doesn't hit at all."

 

Pretty clear Nunez was acquired with an eye toward SS. Also pretty clear Florimon's not "just fine as a 9 hole hitter."

[Shane Wahl]

I will say that I honestly think that overall Eduardo Escobar and even James Beresford are likely just as good if not better. Certainly both are leaps and bounds better defensively.

[LaBombo]

Gardy in the Pioneer Press' Nunez story:

Pretty clear Nunez was acquired with an eye toward SS. Also pretty clear Florimon's not "just fine as a 9 hole hitter."

Promise?

[Kirbek]

The goal here is to go with an All-Eduardo middle infield. It is some kind of advanced metric thing.

[LaBombo]

I will say that I honestly think that overall Eduardo Escobar and even James Beresford are likely just as good if not better. Certainly both are leaps and bounds better defensively.

That may be. But let's see EE and JB make some overall leaps and bounds before we anoint them superior SS candidates relative to EN or... whomevahr.

http://img.over-blog.com/400x300/4/91/00/18/englishbob.jpg

[stringer bell]

For some reason I thought Nuñez was older, but he is a bit younger than Florimon. As noted above, he's going to get a chance to play and if things shake out, he might become the regular shortstop. He would obviously be an upgrade over Florimon in the lineup, but his defense has won few admirers. Nuñez will be on the 40-man and Bartlett will do a rehab assignment. It sounds like he could be in Minnesota real soon. Hey I learned to type a tilde!

[twinsnorth49]

Meh, that's about as much as I can muster .

[cmathewson]

Looking at his defensive numbers gets pretty depressing. The only position where he has had a positive UZR overall thought three seasons is LF. The more important the defensive position, the more in the red he goes. His hitting is not good enough to make up for his awful defense.

[PseudoSABR]

If his defense was as atrocious as the metrics suggest the Twins, much less Gardy, wouldn't have put Florimon's job on the hot seat. The pitching depth is actually very healthy at the A level, and within a year we've traded Butera for a middle infielder with youth--which was ****ing unimaginable this time last year.

 

For those that wish to read into the move, whether founded or not: the move suggests 1) confidence in A-level pitching 2) Santana is not ready to replace Florimon 3) Florimon's defense (or anyone SS's) does not forgive his bat 4) Bartlett is not the replacement SS (nor a replacement OFer).

 

One wonders what is up with Sulbaran that makes his arm expendable to firstly, an obviously worthless part and secondly, a questionable worthwhile part. There's probably something there, if abstract and amorphous.

[70charger]

Guys, this can only be a win for us. We parlayed Drew Butera, a guy who was never going to sniff the majors, for a real honest-to-God major leaguer.

 

 

 

 

 

Sorry, what's that? Drew played in the major leagues? For what team!?

 

What!? For how many years!!!???

[jokin]

Guys, this can only be a win for us. We parlayed Drew Butera, a guy who was never going to sniff the majors, for a real honest-to-God major leaguer.

 

Sorry, what's that? Drew played in the major leagues? For what team!?

 

What!? For how many years!!!???

 

Drew started yesterday for the Dodgers.

 

But Nunez could be half the "win" on the way to a "win-win". Read on:

 

If his defense was as atrocious as the metrics suggest the Twins, much less Gardy, wouldn't have put Florimon's job on the hot seat. The pitching depth is actually very healthy at the A level, and within a year we've traded Butera for a middle infielder with youth--which was ****ing unimaginable this time last year.

 

For those that wish to read into the move, whether founded or not: the move suggests 1) confidence in A-level pitching 2) Santana is not ready to replace Florimon 3) Florimon's defense (or anyone SS's) does not forgive his bat 4) Bartlett is not the replacement SS (nor a replacement OFer).

 

One wonders what is up with Sulbaran that makes his arm expendable to firstly, an obviously worthless part and

 

secondly, a questionable worthwhile part.

 

There's probably something there, if abstract and amorphous.

 

How about both less abstract and amorphous?

 

Nunez's career slash vs. LHP: .278/.324/.418/.742

Would have been a perfect platoon partner with Drew, but that ship has sailed.

 

How about Didi Gregorius, demoted by the D-Backs who have soured a bit on him and reportedly have placed him on the trading block? Just turned 24...and most importantly...bats LH.

 

Here's his slash against RHP: .275/.355/.419/.774

 

Get her done, Terry and Rob.

[Miraclemat]

The best part of this deal was being at the game, having the trade announced, and Florimon getting a base hit 30 seconds later.

The fire has been lit!

[Kwak]

Gardy in the Pioneer Press' Nunez story:

"We need (Florimon) to hit .240, .250. It can't be .200, .210, whatever," Gardenhire said. "We need more than that. The way he can pick it, it's a wonderful thing to have those two out there. But we're not in that area where we can leave a guy out there who just doesn't hit at all."

 

Pretty clear Nunez was acquired with an eye toward SS. Also pretty clear Florimon's not "just fine as a 9 hole hitter."

 

What happened to: "if everybody else hits, we can have [Punto]...."?

[cmathewson]

The problem with Sulbaran is not amorphous. He came to camp out of shape and has not done enough to regain a starting job at low A, a level he is repeating after starting all year there last year, and putting up better numbers than Berrios at the same age.

 

It is entirely possible Nunez is AAA filler. They waited until he cleared waivers so he didn't have to be added to the 40 man.

[Thrylos]

I'm fine with this deal from the standpoint that I don't feel the Twins gave up a ton to get Nunez. But when I look at his slash line, I can't help but think James Beresford could produce about as well and play better defense. Beresford's knock is that he doesn't show power, but Nunez's .690 career OPS wouldn't be too tough to match.

 

Nunez has a career .692 OPS in the majors playing in the AL East. This might be a tad misleading because in both 2012 and 2013 he was fighting injuries and had a pretty long rehab. In 2010 in AA Eastern League he had a .782 OPS and in 2011 in AAA International League a .721 OPS. I know you are high on Beresford but his career AA OPS is .668 and AAA OPS is .712, in the same leagues. The AAA numbers are close but the AA not that close. I don't think that Beresford might be more than a .600-.650 OPS guy in the majors (Florimon level)

[Thrylos]

It is entirely possible Nunez is AAA filler. They waited until he cleared waivers so he didn't have to be added to the 40 man.

 

This could have been true, if the Twins had not added Nunez on the 40 man roster

[stringer bell]

I don't think it is possible to "overvalue" a player whose name you cannot spell, for starters.

That would include Presley (OF), Pressly (P), Herrmann, Sulbaran, and Colabello? Sorry, couldn't resist. The "Herrmann promoted" thread had so many misspellings that I had to write something about it somewhere.

[tobi0040]

Gardy in the Pioneer Press' Nunez story:

"We need (Florimon) to hit .240, .250. It can't be .200, .210, whatever," Gardenhire said. "We need more than that. The way he can pick it, it's a wonderful thing to have those two out there. But we're not in that area where we can leave a guy out there who just doesn't hit at all."

 

Pretty clear Nunez was acquired with an eye toward SS. Also pretty clear Florimon's not "just fine as a 9 hole hitter."

 

I love how the Twins do next to nothing to develop or sign an mlb ss.Then they take a double a cast off and promote him two levels above where he should be, then criticize him and say they need more. It is not Pedro's fault and Bartlett, Nunez, and Escobar are next in line with the same result. Look inward. Seriously.

[jokin]

The problem with Sulbaran is not amorphous. He came to camp out of shape and has not done enough to regain a starting job at low A, a level he is repeating after starting all year there last year, and putting up better numbers than Berrios at the same age.

 

It is entirely possible Nunez is AAA filler. They waited until he cleared waivers so he didn't have to be added to the 40 man.

 

Actually they didn't. Today was deadline day for Nunez and the Yankees. And it's entirely likely that the Astros or White Sox would have won the claim on him. He was added to the Twins 40 man immediately.

[Guest USAFChief]

I love how the Twins do next to nothing to develop or sign an mlb ss.Then they take a double a cast off and promote him two levels above where he should be, then criticize him and say they need more. It is not Pedro's fault and Bartlett, Nunez, and Escobar are next in line with the same result. Look inward. Seriously.

Concur.

 

Florimon's bat didn't just become a problem over the first week of the season.

[jokin]

That would include Presley (OF), Pressly (P), Herrmann, Sulbaran, and Colabello? Sorry, couldn't resist. The "Herrmann promoted" thread had so many misspellings that I had to write something about it somewhere.

 

Rounding up "The Usual Suspects"?

[jokin]

Concur.

 

Florimon's bat didn't just become a problem over the first week of the season.

 

Yes, but I think Tobi assumed a bridge too far. Nunez is definitely above the ceiling of the others, there's at least a fighting chance that a clean slate for Nunez can yield difference-making results- and could really buy some time until the Twins figure out what to do about the position. I still say they should be calling on the D-Backs for the price for freeing Didi.

[Guest USAFChief]

Yes, but I think Tobi assumed a bridge too far. Nunez is definitely above the ceiling of the others, there's at least a fighting chance that a clean slate for Nunez can yield difference-making results- and could really buy some time until the Twins figure out what to do about the position. I still say they should be calling on the D-Backs for the price for freeing Didi.

I hope you're right, but IMO the most likely result is Nunez hits a little better, but fields much worse than Florimon. Just another guy who most will want replaced after watching him play for a month or three.

 

I wish they'd make an actual attempt to put quality players on the field, rather than try to "get by" on the cheap.

[tobi0040]

Yes, but I think Tobi assumed a bridge too far. Nunez is definitely above the ceiling of the others, there's at least a fighting chance that a clean slate for Nunez can yield difference-making results- and could really buy some time until the Twins figure out what to do about the position. I still say they should be calling on the D-Backs for the price for freeing Didi.

 

I am just frustrated. We are in year 3 of our rebuilding and apart from drafting Michael, we haven't signed a free agent, an international free agent, or traded for a single player with a realistic shot at being an MLB SS. It has been clear for awhile now Levi is not the answer.

 

If a guy who is unemployed is too expensive (Drew), I compeltely agree Didi would be a great pickup. He was a top 100 prospect, has a career .252 career average, .329 OBP, and OPS of .693. His scouting report back in the day gave his glove a 70. He isn't going to hit for power or steal bases, but given where we are I don't know why this isn't a huge upgrade. Didi lost his job to a guy that was a supplemental pick, had an OPS of .761 in the minors, and is hitting .318 in the big's. All at 22 years old. Hard to knock him for that.

 

The D-Backs would not be asking for Sano/Buxton/Meyer type talent and we have an extremely deep system.

[tobi0040]

I hope you're right, but IMO the most likely result is Nunez hits a little better, but fields much worse than Florimon. Just another guy who most will want replaced after watching him play for a month or three.

 

I wish they'd make an actual attempt to put quality players on the field, rather than try to "get by" on the cheap.

 

 

Spot on. They flip the two, and instead of Gardy criticizing Pedro's bat, he criticizes Nunez's glove. They will probably be swapped for each other between AAA and the Twins a half a dozen times. News flash, Pedro's bat is why the O's cut him and Nunez glove is why the Yankees cut him.

[jokin]

I am just frustrated. We are in year 3 of our rebuilding and apart from drafting Michael, we haven't signed a free agent, an international free agent, or traded for a single player with a realistic shot at being an MLB SS. It has been clear for awhile now Levi is not the answer.

 

If a guy who is unemployed is too expensive (Drew), I compeltely agree Didi would be a great pickup. He was a top 100 prospect, has a career .252 career average, .329 OBP, and OPS of .693. His scouting report back in the day gave his glove a 70. He isn't going to hit for power or steal bases, but given where we are I don't know why this isn't a huge upgrade. Didi lost his job to a guy that was a supplemental pick, had an OPS of .761 in the minors, and is hitting .318 in the big's. All at 22 years old. Hard to knock him for that.

 

The D-Backs would not be asking for Sano/Buxton/Meyer type talent and we have an extremely deep system.

 

The D-Backs pitchers are dropping like flies and they need catching depth.....but I doubt they'd go for a Brooks Raley/Eric Fryer package.......

[tobi0040]

The D-Backs pitchers are dropping like flies and they need catching depth.....but I doubt they'd go for a Brooks Raley/Eric Fryer package.......

 

It will take something better than that. They have Archie Bradley who will be up shortly. He is a complete stud and will fill someone's shoes. The only position prospect in MLB's 100 is Owings, who is already there. So a guy like Harrison, or Walker, or something like that could be the basis for a nice package.

[Fanatic Jack]

It sure seems like I'm in the minority here, but I really like this move. All this talk about how great Pedro Florimon is defensively, but the truth is he struggles to make the routine plays as well. Eduardo Nunez can at least hit and working daily will Paul Molitor should help his game defensively. He will be brought to MN to play on a regular basis. He will eventually become the everyday starting SS. The only issue I have with this move is WHY the team refuses to give Escobar a chance to play on a regular basis. Escobar is a much better all around player than Florimon. Bartlett is most likely gone. However, I would DFA Florimon before Escobar and it's not even close.