Article: What To Do With Chris Parmelee?

[Alex]

When I voiced concerns the roster had too many weak defensive outfielders (DH types) and essentially exchanging Kubel for Doumit wasn't a great idea specifically because it cost younger players chances to prove whether or not they belonged, several people responded by saying "The only thing keeping Parmelee out of the majors is Parmelee." I don't think that really holds anymore.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

When I voiced concerns the roster had too many weak defensive outfielders (DH types) and essentially exchanging Kubel for Doumit wasn't a great idea specifically because it cost younger players chances to prove whether or not they belonged, several people responded by saying "The only thing keeping Parmelee out of the majors is Parmelee." I don't think that really holds anymore.

I disagree, Kubel is a better outfielder and has thus far been a better hitter than Doumit, however I do agree that this team from the outset had been too weak fielding in the OF. At the beginning of the season, Parmelee hadn't made the case to bring him up, now he should be up. Partially he has made the case that he has very little left to learn at AAA, partially out of necessity.

[Willihammer]

What's the difference? Why can't that mantra apply to both scenarios? A hot start to a career can be a mirage but not a cold start?

 

Also, let's be clear: it's a stretch to say Parmelee has "laid eggs." It's not like he has been Hicks-like over 600 PA. He has a .717 career OPS in the majors, which isn't very good but also isn't exactly embarrassing.

 

How do you reconcile this with this:

 

At the end of the day, regardless of your feelings about Parmelee, he still probably has a better chance to be a long-term asset for this club than Colabello or Kubel. At a time when every decision ought to be made with the future in mind, at least to some extent, that needs to be a primary consideration.

 

It almost seems like once guys reach the 1000 PA threshold then are already too old to be around anymore.

 

Honestly, Kubel is the one guy of the 3 who has actually raked at the MLB level. Shouldn't he, by your logic, be kept?

 

And Colabello hasn't reached 1000 PAs yet. Why should Parmelee take a spot on the 40 man at his expense if we don't even know what we have yet? Because he's 4 years younger?

[Nick Nelson]

Honestly, Kubel is the one guy of the 3 who has actually raked at the MLB level. Shouldn't he, by your logic, be kept?

 

And Colabello hasn't reached 1000 PAs yet. Why should Parmelee take a spot on the 40 man at his expense if we don't even know what we have yet? Because he's 4 years younger?

 

Who's talking about removing Colabello from the 40-man to make room for Parmelee? There are plenty of other options.

 

Kubel is obviously more accomplished and might be the better hitter right now, but honestly, do you expect him to be a more valuable asset than Parmelee over the next three/four years? Keep in mind that Kubel is already making $3 million and will make more going forward if he has a solid year. Keep in mind also that Kubel is at an age where skills tend to decline, not improve.

 

I'm not saying there's an easy answer here. The Twins are doing well enough that they should probably just try to keep their best players in the lineup. But they are still clearly amidst a rebuild, and IMO Parmelee still deserves a chance to show he can be a part of the team's future.

[ashbury]

Injuries are kind of forcing Ryan's hand here. We need bats sooner than later.

 

One of the reasons behind MLB having 40-man rosters is to allow teams to handle injury situations. Having to juggle the 40-man to handle injury is itself an embarrassment.

[Willihammer]

Kubel is obviously more accomplished and might be the better hitter right now, but honestly, do you expect him to be a more valuable asset than Parmelee over the next three/four years? Keep in mind that Kubel is already making $3 million and will make more going forward if he has a solid year. Keep in mind also that Kubel is at an age where skills tend to decline, not improve.

Noted. And yes, I would bet on Kubel before Parmelee. The Twins, and even some of us fans, didn't need 1000 PAs to get absolute statistical proof that Chris Parmelee cannot hit ML fastballs.

 

Kubel has proven that he can, over and over.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Or he could rot in triple A while a 35 washed up old gas been reliever continues to make the roster a 13, man staff at the expense of the bench.

[John Kelsey]

Or he could rot in triple A while a 35 washed up old gas been reliever continues to make the roster a 13, man staff at the expense of the bench.

 

This is so crazy it might work!

[MN43hurryBuxton]

Parmalee absolutely deserves a chance...sooner than later. The Twins should REALLY concentrate on helping him at the Majors. I'm surprised Boston didn't take him on waivers...another power hitting/non-defensive/all star in five years...it is possible.

 

The AAA guys (pitchers included) need a chance now...since realistically we will not make the playoffs this year. I sure miss all of that speed in the OF...Gomez, Revere, Span....just too name a few recent ones. We went from Speedy to Needy really FAST!!

 

As for pitching...I'm excited to see Yohan Pino get his chance..even before Meyer or May.

[Nick Nelson]

Noted. And yes, I would bet on Kubel before Parmelee. The Twins, and even some of us fans, didn't need 1000 PAs to get absolute statistical proof that Chris Parmelee cannot hit ML fastballs.

 

Kubel has proven that he can, over and over.

 

Yeah? Have you seen Kubel at the plate lately?

[Brock Beauchamp]

Yeah? Have you seen Kubel at the plate lately?

 

Dude turned into a pumpkin in a hurry. I had hope for him, given how he looked so solid at the plate in the early going.

[Boom Boom]

I know the whole 40-man roster crunch argument for not adding Parmelee but...

 

if you don't give him the chance to prove himself this year, he's gone at the end of the season anyway.

 

When Arcia comes back, there's a redundancy there. But Arcia has options, and based on what I saw from Ozzie before he got hurt, he should probably be spending more time at AAA.

[Mike Sixel]

What is the point of having depth, if you won't use that depth when it is desperately neede?

[DJL44]

Yeah? Have you seen Kubel at the plate lately?

 

How much of this is having to play every day? He's a platoon DH (with Colabello ideally) being forced into everyday action.

[Siehbiscuit]

IMO, this ENTIRE issue is because of poor CF depth and Gardy's desire to carry a 3rd catcher. Suzuki is not a part of the future here. Pinto will be. Pinto needs to catch more and not waste a roster spot because we want his bat in the lineup. Suzuki's bat has been a pleasant surprise, but he will regress. If Pinto needs AB's play him at catcher. Guys like Arcia, Colabello, Willingham can be DH. Unfortunately, Kubel HAS to be in the OF, because all these other guys suck out there.

 

Hicks in CF when healthy. Fuld as the 4th OF. With Herrmann gone (why is he even on the 40 man? He provides nothing: can't hit and doesn't catch when he is here). Bring up Parmalee and play the guys that have the hot bat.

 

Lastly, dump Guerrier and go back to a 12 man staff. He brings NOTHING that a younger couldn't. He's not even worth anything on the trade market. Silly signing.

[Willihammer]

Yeah? Have you seen Kubel at the plate lately?

 

Should we do another lap on sample size? Kubel's had a lousy couple of weeks, no doubt about it. But he's earned a leash. Parmelee hasn't earned squat and its not for lack of opportunities.

[woolywoolhouse]

Reports are that the Twins purchased Parmalee's contract from Rochester today, to call him up (with a returning Hicks) to take the spots of Florimon and Hermann.

[cmathewson]

If so, Arcia's wrist is worse than previously thought. So, maybe the DFAd Hermann? Or, whom?

[twinsnorth49]

Wilson DFA'd

[cmathewson]

Wilson DFA'd

 

Of course it would be a center fielder. But he probably won't get claimed. Speedy little no-hit center fielders are like speedy little no-hit shortstops--a dime a dozen.

[twinsnorth49]

Should we do another lap on sample size? Kubel's had a lousy couple of weeks, no doubt about it. But he's earned a leash. Parmelee hasn't earned squat and its not for lack of opportunities.

 

631 total PA's cobbled together over 3 years is opportunity? How much leash for Kubel? What's to be gained, the slight illusion of competitiveness for this year?

[twinsnorth49]

Of course it would be a center fielder. But he probably won't get claimed. Speedy little no-hit center fielders are like speedy little no-hit shortstops--a dime a dozen.

 

And the Twins know the value of a dime.

[gmarais66]

Parmelee is a great AAA hitter. Unfortunately, he has proven, multiple times, he can't handle major league pitching... This is not going to help at all... He's another player who has no place in the Twins' future...

[ashbury]

Of course it would be a center fielder. But he probably won't get claimed.

 

Hell hath no fury like a Toronto GM, scorned or not.

[Craig Arko]

Hell hath no fury like a Toronto GM, scorned or not.

 

And then they'll release Mastroianni. Turn, turn, turn.

[ashbury]

And then they'll release Mastroianni. Turn, turn, turn.

 

Hey, Darin can play a little centerfield. If that happens, we should grab him. And then I can re-adopt him in the Adopt-A-Prospect forum until he someday gets called up.

[Guest USAFChief]

And then they'll release Mastroianni. Turn, turn, turn.

Perhaps the plan is to have Toronto cycle through so many waiver claims they accidentally release Joey Bats and then we pounce!

[Boom Boom]

Parmelee is 26... the same age that Dozier was last year when he "figured it out".

 

Not saying Parmey is going to be a world-beater, but he went down to AAA and played very well.

[jorgenswest]

Parmelee is a great AAA hitter. Unfortunately, he has proven, multiple times, he can't handle major league pitching... This is not going to help at all... He's another player who has no place in the Twins' future...

 

Poor number in 600 some plate appearance scattered over 3 years is not proof. Countless valuable players have had poor numbers at the start of their careers.

 

Talented coaches and staff who watch Parmelee every day should be able to make that assessment outside of the data. Their assessment spoke in the spring when he was designated and echoed by the lack of claim.

 

Yet there are still many players who have been waived and gone on to have valuable careers.

 

The Twins called him up and they need to give him a long stay in a regular role. That role could be a platoon role. It would eventually be at the expense of at bats for Kubel.

[Boom Boom]

Perhaps the plan is to have Toronto cycle through so many waiver claims they accidentally release Joey Bats and then we pounce!

 

How many homers could Bautistasie hit at Target Field?

 

Could he break Maris's single-season record?