Outfield

[DaveW]

With the recent trades of Fuld and Willingham the Twins outfield is...well...pretty brutal.  The only two on the roster who deserve close to every day at bats are: Santana and Arcia. In a perfect world we would have Santana getting some reps at SS in order to prepare him for a potential move there in 2015. If I was running the team I would do the following:

 

-Bring Hicks up in the next couple of weeks.

-The Parmelee era me thinks is coming to a quick end, try to send him back to AAA, if you lose him you lose him. I don't think he has a real place on this team moving forward anyways.

-Start giving Plouffe a few starts in the corner OF, it would be good to give him a few reps for when and if Sano comes up and plays 3B.

-If Buxton performs in AA over the next couple weeks, I think you bring him up to the majors in Sept for a few reasons: You get the fans excited for 2015, you give him some reps against major league pitchers, you put a better team on the field for Sept overall etc

-Escobar prob loses some at bats with Santana taking over at SS, however give him some starts as a super utility guy at 3rd base and maybe the occasional start in the corner OF as well. However I have been impressed on what he has done at SS overall this year.

 

I know its probably unlikely the Twins bring up Buxton, but it would be a nice sneak preview if he is able to hack it in AA and lord knows the Twins don't exactly have an embarrassment of riches in the OF at this point.

 

 

 

[howeda7]

I was just looking at the FA CF options to bridge to Buxton for 2015. There are...none. The only desirable one is Span and the Nats have an option they'll almost certainly exercise.

 

It seems the best solution, absent Buxton being the Opening Day CF is to leave Santana there until he's ready. I know it's not optimal, but Eduardo Escobar in the lineup is quite preferable to the CF options IMO.

 

The solution seems to be to bring in a moderately priced vet to play LF. The obvious option is Torii Hunter. He can still play a decent corner OF and is a decent bat. Being 39, he won't be outrageous salary-wise and 1 or 2 years will do it. If he struggles/gets hurt and Vargas/Pinto are swinging well, a Mauer move to the OF can be considered.

[stringer bell]

Parm hit the ball hard three times, one was foul, one was a leaping catch by the shortfielder plus a single. I don't think he's a future starter, but he can be a valuable player for a good team.

[kab21]

I don't have any problems with the Willy trade but people need to stop acting like there are decent prospects to play out there.  Maybe Hicks is up and plays every day but I'm not convinced that is the best for him.  I like the idea of Buxton coming up for September but I don't see it happening with the importance of service time now.

 

And Arcia is currently injured.  Schafer or Nunez with Parmelee is going to be getting starts out there.  Awesome.

[Thegrin]

Parmalee will play almost every day from now until the end of the Year.  When the year is over, we will have a good idea if Parmalee should be a regular.  He certainly hits lefthanders well, his fielding is adequate and he has the potential to hit for regular power.  He could put up numbers like Kubel and Cuddyer

[curt1965]

Parmalee will play almost every day from now until the end of the Year.  When the year is over, we will have a good idea if Parmalee should be a regular.  He certainly hits lefthanders well, his fielding is adequate and he has the potential to hit for regular power.  He could put up numbers like Kubel and Cuddyer

You're kidding, right?

[Paul Pleiss]

I think Santana can handle CF, but he should also be getting reps at SS, at least once a week. Eduardo Escobar, who doesn't play stellar D, is not a black hole offensively, quite the opposite, and just continues to pound doubles. If Santana isn't playing SS, Escobar should be there. I don't understand Gardy continuing the put Nunez in at SS.

 

Back to the OF. Hopefully Hicks can take his hot hitting from AA and get soemthign going at the MLB level. I'm in no hurry to see him back in a Twins uniform, at least not until Rochester is done, bring him up in September.

 

With Willy and Fuld gone, guys like Parms, Arcia (when healthy) and maybe even Pinto should get some reps in the corners. If Pinto isn't a future catcher, getting him reps in the OF might be a wise idea, especially with DH/1B guys like Vargas, Arcia, Sano (?) coming up behind him.

 

CF is a tough spot. Hopefully Hicks responds and can be the bridge to Buxton, but let's pump the breaks on Bux just a bit. He just got moved to AA. If he does well there, let's get a bit crazier. It'll be fun to see him at ST next season.

 

I guess to sum it all up, I don't really care who the Twins throw out there as long as they are guys who could be part of the future, and it seems just about everyone is. Parms needs to play to see if the org wants to hold onto him this winter. And I do like the idea suggested above about getting Plouffe some reps in the corners too.

[kab21]

Just say no to Pinto in the OF.  He's a 20 runner on a 20-80 scale.

[DaveW]

I wonder if Mauer could play a few innings in RF? I think 1b should be his regular position, but it would allow Vargas to play 1b and Pinto to DH a few times later this year.

 

I had forgotten that Arica is hurt. This of is now even more brutal.

[stringer bell]

I am a Buxton believer ("Bux-liever"?), from what I've read, seen in person and heard from people who make their living watching baseball. I remain confident that he will make his debut sometime next year and not look back. Unfortunately, he is the surest thing amongst Twins outfielders. I would class Parmelee as not good enough to be a regular on a good team, I have said repeatedly that I don't believe Hicks will ever hit well enough to play regularly as a corner OF, Eddie Rosario is hitting .240 with a <.700 OPS at AA, AB Walker can't hit .250 in Single A and Arcia has not yet "found it" as a major league hitter. Maybe keeping Santana in center isn't a bad idea. Teach him to play left this spring.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Believe it or not, Parmelee hasn't been that bad. Offensive numbers are down this season and he's putting up pretty similar numbers to Plouffe. As a short term stop gap, I'm fine letting him hold down the position in 2015 to see if he can improve on them. Same with Plouffe at 3B. The real decision will come when Sano is ready, at which point the Twins will have to dump one of the or move one to a utility role (which I think both can do quite well).

 

As for CF, I'd sign a guy like Span to a one year reclamantion deal for 2015 and hopefully be able to trade him near the deadline when someone is ready.

[kab21]

Parmelee had a nice hot streak and other than that he has been terrible.  His numbers just continue to drop.  At least he's going to get a lot of AB's during the next month and a half to make this obvious.

[Mike Sixel]

I'd keep Santana in CF. The Twins clearly don't think he's their future SS, or he'd be there right now. Until Buxton is up, Danny is the CF. When Buxton is up, move Santana to LF. If he hits like this (you never know), he's more than good enough to play LF in this era of offense. 

 

As for LF this year? I don't care all the much. Me, I'd have Plouffe in LF and RF (while Arcia is hurt), trying to become a player that can give them options off the bench next year (assuming Sano comes up at some time). 

 

I have no belief that Parmalee is a regular MLB player long term.

[iTwins]

Assuming Hicks can continue his hot streak in AAA, I'd say promote him in September and let him man CF for the rest of the season. That would allow the team to move Santana back to SS.

 

I'm in no hurry to dump Parmelee, who has looked every bit a solid bench / role player this season. I'd give him a start in either corner for the rest of the season and then evaluate at season's end. Where the Twins outfield prospects are right now, I don't see someone else who is ready to move up and knock Parmelee out of his role just yet.

 

If Hicks bombs again and Buxton isn't ready at the beginning of 2015, Santana can hold the spot. Arcia takes RF while LF could be filled by Parmelee (if he proves he's ready this year) or via a free agent. Things may be a bit ugly right now, but the Twins have a lot of options coming their way in the near future.

[Dman]

Believe it or not, Parmelee hasn't been that bad. Offensive numbers are down this season and he's putting up pretty similar numbers to Plouffe. As a short term stop gap, I'm fine letting him hold down the position in 2015 to see if he can improve on them. Same with Plouffe at 3B. The real decision will come when Sano is ready, at which point the Twins will have to dump one of the or move one to a utility role (which I think both can do quite well).

 

As for CF, I'd sign a guy like Span to a one year reclamantion deal for 2015 and hopefully be able to trade him near the deadline when someone is ready.

 

I agree.  I don't think now is the time to completely give up on Parmelee.  He has never had a ton of consecutive playing time certainly not as much a Plouffe.  He just needs to lift that average and OPS a little and he is a solid corner OF.  Easier said than done I know but I think he can do it.  He also would be a good 4th outfielder and bench bat as he play a corner spot and 1st base and has a home run swing for the late innings as a pinch hitter.  I'm still a believer until he completely disappoints me or we have something significantly better.

[Mike Sixel]

I'd love it if they signed melky......but I can't see them outbidding the Yankees or TX or Seattle.

[TheDean]

I wonder if Mauer could play a few innings in RF? I think 1b should be his regular position, but it would allow Vargas to play 1b and Pinto to DH a few times later this year.

 

I had forgotten that Arica is hurt. This of is now even more brutal.

 

If it were a video game, that's definitely how I would manage it, moving Mauer to a corner OF spot.  A lineup that includes Vargas, Pinto, Suzuki, Mauer, Dozier, Santana, Arcia (when healthy), Plouffe, and Escobar.  At the very least, I don't think opposing pitchers would want to groove a meatball to any of them.

 

Reality is that I think Gardy would hesitate to have the perceived team cornerstone picking up a new position in the last few months.  Maybe he'll prove me wrong though.  Who knows, I remember seeing someone on TD mentioning that Vargas wanted OF time back in AA.  I haven't seen many of his starts at 1B, but does he even move as well as Arcia/Hammer?

[drjim]

With the recent trades of Fuld and Willingham the Twins outfield is...well...pretty brutal.  The only two on the roster who deserve close to every day at bats are: Santana and Arcia. In a perfect world we would have Santana getting some reps at SS in order to prepare him for a potential move there in 2015. If I was running the team I would do the following:

 

-Bring Hicks up in the next couple of weeks.

-The Parmelee era me thinks is coming to a quick end, try to send him back to AAA, if you lose him you lose him. I don't think he has a real place on this team moving forward anyways.

-Start giving Plouffe a few starts in the corner OF, it would be good to give him a few reps for when and if Sano comes up and plays 3B.

-If Buxton performs in AA over the next couple weeks, I think you bring him up to the majors in Sept for a few reasons: You get the fans excited for 2015, you give him some reps against major league pitchers, you put a better team on the field for Sept overall etc

-Escobar prob loses some at bats with Santana taking over at SS, however give him some starts as a super utility guy at 3rd base and maybe the occasional start in the corner OF as well. However I have been impressed on what he has done at SS overall this year.

 

I know its probably unlikely the Twins bring up Buxton, but it would be a nice sneak preview if he is able to hack it in AA and lord knows the Twins don't exactly have an embarrassment of riches in the OF at this point.

 

I would say:

 

Hicks in September

Parmelee gets at bats, but I certainly agree he is probably not part of the future, but the last 50 games can be the final data point

I like the idea of Plouffe getting some time in LF, allows Escobar to slide to 3B with Nunez and gets Santana his needed reps at SS

No chance Buxton is up

 

Twins will sign a veteran corner bat. Could see Hunter if he is interested and lacks other options. Not sure there are better options.

 

Would be interested to see if they would consider moving Mauer to LF, but not sure Vargas and Pinto have forced that move just yet.

[Brock Beauchamp]

I don't understand the calls to get Buxton/Sano playing time before they're on the 40 man... Well, I guess I understand it but it's a bad move for so many reasons.

 

These guys have floors of "good player" to ceilings of "megastar". You simply do not waste the service time of those players to appease a flagging fanbase. You throw away a year of service time of those guys and you're potentially throwing away $30m seasons from each.

 

That's a potential of $60m. That's silly money. You protect the hell out of those guys and their service time.

[DaveW]

I would say:

 

Hicks in September

Parmelee gets at bats, but I certainly agree he is probably not part of the future, but the last 50 games can be the final data point

I like the idea of Plouffe getting some time in LF, allows Escobar to slide to 3B with Nunez and gets Santana his needed reps at SS

No chance Buxton is up

 

Twins will sign a veteran corner bat. Could see Hunter if he is interested and lacks other options. Not sure there are better options.

 

Would be interested to see if they would consider moving Mauer to LF, but not sure Vargas and Pinto have forced that move just yet.

I was on the Hunter bandwagon recently, but he has struggled pretty significantly as of late. I'd look to bring in a guy like Colby Rasmus, who still has some upside, can handle CF until Buxton is ready, can play all three spots and likely could be had on a short term deal. Nick Markakis is another one I wouldn't mind taking a look at, basically would take over for Willinghams spot as a younger and much more healthy option.

 

I would be 100% fine with Rasmus or Markakis on the Twins on a one or two year deal.

[DaveW]

I don't understand the calls to get Buxton/Sano playing time before they're on the 40 man... Well, I guess I understand it but it's a bad move for so many reasons.

 

These guys have floors of "good player" to ceilings of "megastar". You simply do not waste the service time of those players to appease a flagging fanbase. You throw away a year of service time of those guys and you're potentially throwing away $30m seasons from each.

 

That's a potential of $60m. That's silly money. You protect the hell out of those guys and their service time.

Bringing up Buxton for a couple weeks isn't going to kill his service time, and as I have said before I would like the Twins to extend him (buy out his first couple FA years) ASAP.

[WLFINN]

But it does require adding them to the 40 man correct?  Seems we have enough questions that need answering there already.

[Mike Sixel]

I don't understand the calls to get Buxton/Sano playing time before they're on the 40 man... Well, I guess I understand it but it's a bad move for so many reasons.

 

These guys have floors of "good player" to ceilings of "megastar". You simply do not waste the service time of those players to appease a flagging fanbase. You throw away a year of service time of those guys and you're potentially throwing away $30m seasons from each.

 

That's a potential of $60m. That's silly money. You protect the hell out of those guys and their service time.

 

If you were willing to call them up this year (before the injury), are you saying you'd now wait until June of next year to call them up, and go another half year with no stars on this team (unless Mauer improves)? Why would you insist on waiting, if you were wiling to have them up this year? Because the service time argument says don't call them up early next year either, right?

[drjim]

I was on the Hunter bandwagon recently, but he has struggled pretty significantly as of late. I'd look to bring in a guy like Colby Rasmus, who still has some upside, can handle CF until Buxton is ready, can play all three spots and likely could be had on a short term deal. Nick Markakis is another one I wouldn't mind taking a look at, basically would take over for Willinghams spot as a younger and much more healthy option.

 

I would be 100% fine with Rasmus or Markakis on the Twins on a one or two year deal.

 

Rasmus and Markakis are certainly better but will take pretty significant contracts to sign (in years). If I'm the Twins I would much rather sign a one or possibly two year deal to maintain flexibility going forward as they shake out the emerging prospects.

 

I'm not very big on the sentimentality nonsense the Twins did earlier in the year, but I could make an exception for Hunter.

[birddog]

I totally agree with SpiritofvodkaDave on the original post of changes that should be made. I think our SP is going in the right direction and I love the call ups of Danny Santana and Kennys Vargas who get me to watch the games again for at least most of the whole 9 innings. Parmelee and Plouffe are strictly bench players on a good team and in September Mauer should get some reps at 3B and LF.

 

The Twins said with the new stadium we would not lose our stars to free agency, so we shouldn't have to worry about service time. We have a lot of home games the rest of the season and we need reasons to get excited, so why wait on adding Buxton to the 40-man? It  will certainly happen after the season, so bring him up in September and drop Florimon or Burton. It won't hurt his service time and it gives us a legitimate CF to let Santana get his SS reps when possible. He works every day for the last month with the Twins coaches to fine tune and learn. In Gardy's last month as manager, he plays against lower level SP or as a late-inning defensive replacement. He more than likely starts next year in the minors, but with the confidence he can play at the next level.

[jorgenswest]

They need to go young next year. No more decline phase players. Instead of signing Kubel, Guerrier and Bartlett they need to be looking for guys that have the upside of age and given them a shot.

 

Once you have a Kubel, you don't look for a JD Martinez. There will be players that are 25-26 and performed poorly in a small sample chance in the majors. They are lottery tickets. If they fail, it might mean that Parmelee gets more playing time or Buxton or Rosario get called up early. It is far better than handing the job to a decline phase vet. Worse when that vet is making 5-10 million and is held onto until August.

 

Instead of trying to squeeze one more year out of a veteran, they should look for a guy who might be a part of the solution. Maybe it is a guy who hits well from one side and the Twins find a manager that will platoon him with Plouffe in LF. Maybe Aarcia and Plouffe should platoon when Sano is ready.

 

They need to take a chance on unproven upside players to build a new foundation.

[Brock Beauchamp]

We have a lot of home games the rest of the season and we need reasons to get excited, so why wait on adding Buxton to the 40-man? It  will certainly happen after the season, so bring him up in September and drop Florimon or Burton.

 

No, it won't. Buxton just barely hit AA and that promotion was fueled by the need to get him time in the AFL, not because his production warranted a promotion.

 

The earliest I see Buxton hitting the 40 man is following the 2015 season. Maybe he gets added for a September call-up next season.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Bringing up Buxton for a couple weeks isn't going to kill his service time, and as I have said before I would like the Twins to extend him (buy out his first couple FA years) ASAP.

 

But if you promote him incrementally, that extension will cover an additional year. Either way, you're getting another year of prime season Byron Buxton.

 

I want to see Buxton play as much as anybody but he's not ready. Let him force his way onto the roster in 2015.

[DaveW]

I totally agree with SpiritofvodkaDave on the original post of changes that should be made. I think our SP is going in the right direction and I love the call ups of Danny Santana and Kennys Vargas who get me to watch the games again for at least most of the whole 9 innings. Parmelee and Plouffe are strictly bench players on a good team and in September Mauer should get some reps at 3B and LF.

 

The Twins said with the new stadium we would not lose our stars to free agency, so we shouldn't have to worry about service time. We have a lot of home games the rest of the season and we need reasons to get excited, so why wait on adding Buxton to the 40-man? It will certainly happen after the season, so bring him up in September and drop Florimon or Burton. It won't hurt his service time and it gives us a legitimate CF to let Santana get his SS reps when possible. He works every day for the last month with the Twins coaches to fine tune and learn. In Gardy's last month as manager, he plays against lower level SP or as a late-inning defensive replacement. He more than likely starts next year in the minors, but with the confidence he can play at the next level.

I disagree with plouffe being a bench plate on a good team. Plouffe is an above average third baseman both at the plate and in the field. His problem is he has Sano knocking on the door soon, I think he ultimately makes for good trade bait next trade deadline or before 2016 season. Or perhaps he can stick in the OF and spell Sano at 3b?

[JB_Iowa]

I want to see Buxton play as much as anybody but he's not ready. Let him force his way onto the roster in 2015.

 

BINGO!