Outfield

[jokin]

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.

 

 

I hope you're wrong, but fear you're right.  I really don't want to see "The Hicks Horror" play itself out for the third straight year.  And right now, unless Santana plays another entire year out of position, Logan Shafer represents the latest incarnation of a Mastroianni/Thomas amalgam as the CF alternative to Hicks in 2015.

 

I'd like to think of a more optimistic scenario.... that Buxton quickly rights himself by the end of this fall, plays great in ST, and forces the issue by no later than than the All Star break.... with the Twins calling him up, along with Meyer, to support the vastly improved, sub-4.00 ERA, SP corps for the AL Central-leading Twins as they embark on the 2015 second-half AL pennant run.

[DaveW]

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.

earliest next September? No way. I think the latest, baring injury or major setback that buxton is up is next June.

[Brock Beauchamp]

earliest next September? No way. I think the latest, baring injury or major setback that buxton is up is next June.

 

I don't think so. After the Hicks Fiasco™, I don't see the Twins jumping anyone from New Britain to Minnesota any time soon.

 

Buxton will start in New Britain and probably see a promotion to Rochester in June if all goes well. That puts him in Minnesota after the ASG at the earliest.

[Brock Beauchamp]

I hope you're wrong, but fear you're right.  I really don't want to see "The Hicks Horror" play itself out for the third straight year.

 

I think there's a very good chance Ryan goes after a stop-gap CF this offseason.

[stringer bell]

 

I don't think so. After the Hicks Fiasco™, I don't see the Twins jumping anyone from New Britain to Minnesota any time soon.

 

Buxton will start in New Britain and probably see a promotion to Rochester in June if all goes well. That puts him in Minnesota after the ASG at the earliest.

Except that is what they did for Vargas. The thing I've heard from everyone who should know is that Buxton is that good. The normal rules don't apply.

[DaveW]

I don't think so. After the Hicks Fiasco™, I don't see the Twins jumping anyone from New Britain to Minnesota any time soon.

 

Buxton will start in New Britain and probably see a promotion to Rochester in June if all goes well. That puts him in Minnesota after the ASG at the earliest.

Hicks is just one player who wasn't ready offensively or defensively. Buxton is already ready defensively and doesn't have a big hole in his offensive like hicks did.

 

Additionally the twins moved up Santana, Vargas etc pretty aggressively.

[Mike Sixel]

So, next year sucks too, Brock? I assume you think Sano is not up until after the ASG also. Sounds like another fun spring.

[Otto von Ballpark]

I'm with Brock here -- as excited as I am to see Buxton ASAP, I'd actually be a little disappointed in the Twins for rushing him here in September.  Remember the super-aggressive Mike Trout timeline?  That would warrant a call-up about now, but Trout was healthy and had dominated AA for over half a season.  Buxton will have all of 20 games at AA by Sep. 1st, and had yet to fully find his stroke at high-A this year much less dominate a higher level.

 

I don't want Buxton's injury riddled season to hold him back too much, but it would be foolish to act like it didn't happen (and act like he instead dominated, in absentia, levels he has yet to play in).

[DaveW]

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.

I dunno, rasmus has been a part time player this year, I could see him taking a one year deal to try to build up his value for the next contract, or maybe even a two year deal. Heck I wouldn't even mind if the twins gave him three years, he reminds me a lot of Phil Hughes, a guy with a lot of talent who has shown flashes, still young enough where maybe a change of scenery is all that is needed.

 

 

Details I

[jokin]

I'm with Brock here -- as excited as I am to see Buxton ASAP, I'd actually be a little disappointed in the Twins for rushing him here in September.  Remember the super-aggressive Mike Trout timeline?  That would warrant a call-up about now, but Trout was healthy and had dominated AA for over half a season.  Buxton will have all of 20 games at AA by Sep. 1st, and had yet to fully find his stroke at high-A this year much less dominate a higher level.

 

I don't want Buxton's injury riddled season to hold him back too much, but it would be foolish to act like it didn't happen (and act like he instead dominated, in absentia, levels he has yet to play in).

 

Hey, 2014 happened, there's no question that it was a disaster health-wise and timeline-wise for Buxton.  But he is a special talent, and likely failure in hitting at the major league level in September is unlikely to negatively affect a very special talent and extremely hard-working Buxton, as it appears to have done to Hicks. Again... with the big qualifier in assuming that he's truly 100% healthy, right at this moment the biggest thing Buxton needs is to get as many high level reps at the plate and in the field as possible.  

[adjacent]

Regarding to Buxton, I think he will dictate his own time line. If he tears it up in AA, he will force the issue with performance. Having said that, I don't think he will come up this year. Maybe middle of nex year.

And with Hicks, I know everybody got burnt with him, but I would not be surprised if he comes up next year, or as a called up in September, and plays much better. He has the talent. They made a mistake rushing him, considering his history. But I think he couls succeed.

[Kelly Vance]

Everyone talks about Trevor moving to OF. Why not make Sano and outfielder right now?

I could see, eventually, Sano, Bux and Rosario in a decent OF with Santana moving to SS and Escobar super utility.

 

 

I know Arcia has been annointed, but he has holes in his swing and he can be stubborn. But man, he has power.OBut maybe an OF platoon in RF with Plouffe platooning with Arcia.

 

So Santana, leadoff and SS

Doze, 2b

Joe, 1b

Vargas DH

Sano, 3B/OF

Bux, CF

Arcia/Plouffe RF

Rosario LF

Kurt C

 

 

 

 

[Otto von Ballpark]

Hey, 2014 happened, there's no question that it was a disaster health-wise and timeline-wise for Buxton.  But he is a special talent, and likely failure in hitting at the major league level in September is unlikely to negatively affect a very special talent and extremely hard-working Buxton, as it appears to have done to Hicks. Again... with the big qualifier in assuming that he's truly 100% healthy, right at this moment the biggest thing Buxton needs is to get as many high level reps at the plate and in the field as possible.  

It has very little to do with likely failure in September (although, if he's likely to fail, has yet to play above A-ball, and he's not on the roster, why do it?).

 

He will get his extended reps in the AFL this year (another high-ish level that Buxton has yet to dominate).

[ScrapTheNickname]

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.

He seems to be an excellent defensive first baseman.

[jokin]

It has very little to do with likely failure in September (although, if he's likely to fail, has yet to play above A-ball, and he's not on the roster, why do it?).

 

He will get his extended reps in the AFL this year (another high-ish level that Buxton has yet to dominate).

 

 

I stated the reason clearly...because, assuming he's fully healthy, he desperately needs to make up for the lost reps, and he's good enough to make the adjustments without losing confidence along the way.  In addition to the 90-100 PAs in the AFL, why not get the ~100 or so, mostly AAA-ish type PAs with the Twins in September, as well?  If he's going to have a chance to meaningfully contribute to the Twins at some point in 2015, why not give him every opportunity to prepare for that possible outcome now?

[birddog]

Let's face the facts. Yes, we fans are rushing the young stars to the major league, but that is only because of the team we have been subjected to these past 4 seasons when Twins' fans have turned their allegiance over to the Vikings in early August. If we are posting on TD, it means we love the game and love our Twins. We are finally starting to see some of our young stars at the MLB level and when you see the success Santana and Vargas have had (though in a minimal trial period) we tend to want to rush them all. 

[TheLeviathan]

Hicks is just one player who wasn't ready offensively or defensively. Buxton is already ready defensively and doesn't have a big hole in his offensive like hicks did.

 

Additionally the twins moved up Santana, Vargas etc pretty aggressively.

 

Hicks was also rumored to be an all-world defender and he had plenty of issues.

 

The Twins aggressive approach with hitters is reason to believe before September COULD happen, but you're being way too bullish to suggest June is "the latest" it would happen.

[howeda7]

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.

Won't Rasmus require at least a 3-year deal at pretty good $? And I don't see anyone who considers themselves a CF willing to come here knowing they will be forced out by Buxton sooner than later.

[stringer bell]

Well, Buxton is not Hicks. His upside is far higher and he has more tools, I think it is important to distinguish between a good prospect and the top prospect in baseball.

[Otto von Ballpark]

I stated the reason clearly...because, assuming he's fully healthy, he desperately needs to make up for the lost reps, and he's good enough to make the adjustments without losing confidence along the way. In addition to the 90-100 PAs in the AFL, why not get the ~100 or so, mostly AAA-ish type PAs with the Twins in September, as well? If he's going to have a chance to meaningfully contribute to the Twins at some point in 2015, why not give him every opportunity to prepare for that possible outcome now?

He's not really like Meyer and May, though, who could realistically contribute from day 1 in 2015.

 

Promoting him this September, after only 20 AA games of still unknown quality, to a noncontending team, would be virtually unprecedented in modern MLB, I think.

[DocBauer]

I would not add Buxton to the 40 man and promote him this season under any circumstances. The reason is simple; after an injury marred season to delay his development and arrival, the recent promotion to AA is a nice late season test. Despite off the chart ability, he's just not ready yet. You let him finish at AA, you get him AB's in the AFL, possibly winter ball, to reclaim some of his lost season, but you save the roster spot for another prospect.

 

I would bring up Hicks. He doesn't have to supplant Santana, and no promises have to be made for next season. But with ML experience time already, his strong play at New Britain, a hopefully good finish at Rochester, you bring him back up for September as a reward and further development and a look-see to build toward next year.

 

Out of necessity, someone has to be signed for 2015. A veteran to fill out the roster and lineup, and hopefully provide a solid veteran bat. The field of possibilities is wide open at this point. I do like the idea of Rasmus or Markakis as options. Rasmus is younger at 28, might offer some upside, and can play CF as well as a corner. I'd prefer the 30yo Markakis as a more proven hitter with more power. The Twins have the finances to make a solid signing for a player of this nature. Even a 3-year deal would do nothing to hamper financial or roster flexibility.

[iTwins]

I don't think Buxton is called up in September 2014 but I simply don't see it taking until September 2015 for him to get the call either.

 

This season, he's just had too inconsistent of a year. I think the Twins (and Buxton) are best served by simply letting him finish the year in AA, get some time in the AFL and then starting 2015 in AA with a move to Rochester early on. Assuming he lives up to his off the chart talent, I think Buxton makes it to the Twins by June or July. I simply don't see him making his debut in September next year. Not with his talent.

 

I think the Twins likely will find a stop gap CF in the offseason. That way all of the eggs aren't in the Hicks basket (again) and we don't have to hope that our SS turned CF continues his hot hitting (if he does, great!)

[Mr. Ed]

Mauer to LF in 2015, get him a few innings there before this season ends..

 

MN has enough 1B types. Vargas should be the main guy, Pinto should also get work in there in the off-season, since he has little/no chance of catching with Fryer the pitch Framer backing up Suzuki and his shiny new contract.

[Shane Wahl]

Post All-Star break next year, the Twins OF could be Hicks-Buxton-Arcia, with Ortiz as the 4th OF and Herrmann as the 5th. Parmelee's time is in doubt now.

[clone52]

He's not really like Meyer and May, though, who could realistically contribute from day 1 in 2015.

 

Promoting him this September, after only 20 AA games of still unknown quality, to a noncontending team, would be virtually unprecedented in modern MLB, I think.

 

In 2011, Jose Altuve got 35 games in AA before being called up by the Astros in late July or Early August.  Starlin Castro only had 56 games before the Cubs called him up.  Christian Yelich only got 49 games in AA before he was called up.  Justin Upton only had 71 games in AA before he was called up.

 

The Giants were good, but Buster Posey got 7 games with the Giants in 2009 after only 35 games above A ball (he went to AAA with no AA in between).  He hit .118, so he wasn't there to help the team, just to get a cup of coffee in the majors.  Thats probably the closest thing to Buxton as we can get.

 

I don't think he'll get a September callup.  It would be very unusual if he did, but not unprecedented.

 

I think a more likely career path is like Andrew McCutcheon.  A month in AA this year and next year, then the rest of next year in AAA, then start 2016 with the Twins.

[alarp33]

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

 

He has a career ops. vs lefthanders of .649

[clone52]

He has a career ops. vs lefthanders of .649

Parmelee has a career OPS of .711.  Against LHP its .711 (not .649 as you say).  This year his OPS against LHP is .852.

 

Against LH Starting Pitchers, his career OPS is .798.

 

What that tells me is that he has struggled against lefty specialists in his career.  Also, he has started to figure things out.

[Willihammer]

I have ripped Parmelee in the past but I would be hesitant to cut bait with him at this point. The Twins just don't have any better corner OF options atm.

[TwinsfaninPA]

Let all hope that the Nats will not exercise the option they have on DSpan and lets bring him back.  Outstanding player when he was here and is a leader, the kind a young team could use.  COME BACK SPAN MAN!! 

[Thegrin]

My optimism about Parmalee is not stats based.  He reminds me of other hitters when they are on the verge of breaking out.  He has the potential to be a hitter with a high OPS and would give us another power hitter to go with Vargas, Arcia, Dozier & Plouffe,  I am hoping that Gardy will give him the AB to prove it.

 

We've seen enough of Schafer, haven't we ? 

 

and no more Nunez in the outfield please