Punto vs Nunez

[Brandon]

Punto was just released by the A's.  Should the Twins continue their welcome back tour and bring Punto back as the 2nd back up middle IF or stay with Nunez.  Remember Gardenhire is not here to give Punto too much playing time.

[nicksaviking]

None of the above.

[Mike Frasier Law]

That's interesting. Nunez is a better* hitter. But Punto's defensive value has been so high as to more than account for his negative hitting prowess. I'm sure there's an argument to be mad that Nunez is on his way up while Punto is on his way down, but I don't think Nunez is getting any better. As a back-up, I think I'd prefer Punto.

 

 

*better =/= good. It's just that Punto has been baaaad.

[James]

The real question your asking is, would we rather make jokes about losing helmets or head first slides into first base?

[Riverbrian]

Although I'm seemingly in the minority.

 

I like Nunez... Always have. His bat is interesting enough to be helpful and he is nowhere near as bad defensively as reported.

 

He plays multiple positions... I'm hoping Nunez is with us on opening day.

[nicksaviking]

Does the team still have to have two utility IF?  Gardy's gone.  Some teams only have one. 

[jorgenswest]

The Yankees released Nunez in favor of Solarte and Anna. They DFA'd him even though he had an option left. They said it was because they needed someone who could play 2B.

 

Nunez is a 3B/LF. He isn't a utility. With his arb1 salary, he would probably go unclaimed when DFA'd in late March. Stash him in AAA and call on him if Plouffe is injured. Use him in April if Plouffe isn't ready to start season following surgery.

 

He offers more bat at 3B than Punto and his arb1 salary may make someone hesitate to claim him when DFA'd.

[Brandon]

Does the team still have to have two utility IF?  Gardy's gone.  Some teams only have one. 

Yes because our back up may become the starter if our starting SS has to become the CF again.

[Brandon]

Although I'm seemingly in the minority.

 

I like Nunez... Always have. His bat is interesting enough to be helpful and he is nowhere near as bad defensively as reported.

 

He plays multiple positions... I'm hoping Nunez is with us on opening day.

I like Nunez too.  He does have speed and should be able to steal more bases next year.  but I do like Nick Punto as well especially with his better defense which is something we seem to be missing. 

[Willihammer]

Yes.

 

Wait I mean No!

[Ben B]

I'm no fan of Nunez, but somebody please sign Punto quickly and save Terry Ryan from himself. 

[DocBauer]

I was always a fan of Punto except when he was sliding in to 1B or playing too much period.

 

But Nunez does hit better, is younger, is still multiple in regard to position flexibility, and he's a second utility player, so I'm not so worried about the superior defense aspect of Punto.

[Halsey Hall]

Put little Nicky at 3rd and go get something for Plouffe!

[gil4]

The real question your asking is, would we rather make jokes about losing helmets or head first slides into first base?

 

 

None of the above.

 

The question is slightly different, but the answer is still the same.

[Twins Twerp]

Yes please #mypic

[Rosterman]

Hey, the A's are paying his salary except for the major league minimum. And Punto can also play centerfield. Who knows. If he is passed by everyone, give him an invite. 

[nicksaviking]

Yes because our back up may become the starter if our starting SS has to become the CF again.

And the team would really lose that much if they instead had to recall James Beresford, Levi Michael or Doug Bernier to ride pine? Sounds like the reasons Gardy always gave for rostering three catchers.

[iTwins]

If those are the only options - I'll take Nunez. At least there's potential for upside with him.

[Sanjay Wolowitz]

Stash him in AAA and call on him if Plouffe is injured.

 

If Plouffe can't play and the first guy they call up is Nuñez, I'm going to go catatonic.

[Seth Stohs]

I don't mind Nunez either. 

 

3 years ago, the answer should have been Punto. He was a tremendous utility player for over a decade. He may be done now, but he was pretty good. He also took a ton of pitches at the bottom of the order, took a lot of walk, got on base... But his defense at three positions was very good.

[Boom Boom]

Unless the plan is to keep Santana in CF (and it should't be), Escobar can do everything Punto can and hits better, too. I'm not a big fan of Nunez but at least he wouldn't be as redundant as Punto.

[stringer bell]

Nuñez offers plus speed and a good bat for a utility player.  He's not great defensively, but from watching him last year I wouldn't call him a butcher either.  If the Twins want a glove-first three-position backup, Nuñez isn't a perfect fit, but having a guy who can run a little bit and who doesn't surprise everyone if he gets an extra base hit suits me pretty well. 

 

Until and unless the Twins make an outfield move, it is also important that Nuñez can play some in the outfield.  He started ten games in the OF for the Twins and could start several more if Arcia doesn't improve against left handed pitching and playing defense. 

 

Punto is the antithesis of Nuñez.  His good speed of ten years ago is no longer a big asset, he remains a good glove at the three infield positions and he has a weak bat with very little power.  Add in that he is older and has a long injury history, no thanks to Nick Punto in 2015.

[Halsey Hall]

I can see Punto coaching for the Twins some day. 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

The real question your asking is, would we rather make jokes about losing helmets or head first slides into first base?

only LNP is 37 years old and can't gain enough momentum between home and first, to actually slide all the way to the bag. He's not the Nick Punto we all remember.

 

To echo others. I like Nunez as a bench player. He hits well for a bench player and actually pinch hits well. He's got some pinch running speed, and his fielding is not horrible for a hit-first bench guy. I don't want to see him start at any position outside of the weekly spelling of Plouffe/Arcia or in a pinch Santana/Escobar

[HitInAPinch]

Although I'm seemingly in the minority.

 

I like Nunez... Always have. His bat is interesting enough to be helpful and he is nowhere near as bad defensively as reported.

 

He plays multiple positions... I'm hoping Nunez is with us on opening day.

I'm with you.  Nunez can play SS, 3B, was part of that horrible situation where the Twins somehow did not have an OF deemed worthy for a callup and may possibly play 2B as well.  Not sure if Nunez has ever played 2B.  To me, Punto would be more of a non-hitting roadblock for others to advance.

[Circus Boy]

If Plouffe can't play and the first guy they call up is Nuñez, I'm going to go catatonic.

 

I've been catatonic for, oh, four years or so.

[Circus Boy]

Yes.

 

Wait I mean No!

 

And your favorite color is green. No... blue!

[Circus Boy]

Mr. Punto's sell-by date has expired. Me likey Nunez.

[Platoon]

Yes.

 

Wait I mean No!

.............. On second thought. .??

[Brandon]

And your favorite color is green. No... blue!

 

 

Yes.

 

Wait I mean No!

And your bird is the American Swallow.....I mean European ....AAAAHHHhh!