Schafer, Robinson and . . . Benson

[Shane Wahl]

http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/115408600/atlanta-braves-brady-feigl-joe-benson-have-chance-at-opening-day-roster

 

 

You know that I am going to be comparing numbers in April if Benson makes the Braves roster, right?

[Seth Stohs]

Why?

 

I'm a huge Joe Benson fan, and I thought they DFAd him too soon, but I don't know that it was a bad decision in the end. If he makes the Braves opening day roster (or gets a spot with him sometime this year), I will be thrilled.

 

But, he would have been out of options and a minor league free agent a couple of years ago and would have signed elsewhere. 

 

So, it's really irrelevant. 

[jokin]

 

http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/115408600/atlanta-braves-brady-feigl-joe-benson-have-chance-at-opening-day-roster

 

 

You know that I am going to be comparing numbers in April if Benson makes the Braves roster, right?

 

 

What a hoot that could be.... the last time through all of this was some of the best banter ever on Twins Daily... Joe Benson... he who reported for duty to Gardy in a shirt and tie... then the erstwhile "Frisco Kid"... and now possibly, Braves "fence jumper"...  looking forward to it.

[Rosterman]

The 5-tool kid....out of options. Been with three teams in the last two years, or is it four? Not counting bouncing around in the minors.

 

[Shane Wahl]

Uh, for fun. I am actually making more fun of myself than making any kind of point.

[Hrbowski]

Joe Benson could end up better than Aaron Hicks.

[big dog]

It's always interesting to follow the journey and see where it goes, no doubt about it.  Best of luck to Joe.

 

In somewhat related news, the Orioles sent Parmelee to the minors.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

But, he would have been out of options and a minor league free agent a couple of years ago and would have signed elsewhere. 

 

So, it's really irrelevant. 

Obviously the Twins aren't losing sleep over Benson, but this is incorrect.  He only became a minor league free agent because we (and Texas) removed him from the 40-man roster in 2013.

 

Had we not removed him from the 40-man when we did in 2013 (to add PJ Walters, for a second time!), and waited until March 2014, we likely could have kept Benson in the organization at least as long as we did Parmelee (so, until after the 2014 season).  At which point we could have added him back to the 40-man roster to keep him through March 2015, or possibly re-signed him as a minor league free agent too.

[biggentleben]

The Braves have grabbed a few of these guys in the last couple of years, then stored them in the minors without giving them a chance, even when they produce.  See Cedric Hunter's career revitalization in Atlanta's system. Based on that history, I'm pleasantly surprised to see them give Benson a true shot.

[70charger]

So when the guy who couldn't crack a terrible Twins squad and then couldn't crack two terrible Marlins squads fails again, will you post another update?

[jokin]

 

So when the guy who couldn't crack a terrible Twins squad and then couldn't crack two terrible Marlins squads fails again, will you post another update?

 

Your facts are off.  Benson was only in the Marlins system last season, he was with Texas in 2012-13.  And cracking Miami's very good OF would have been a far higher hurdle than the Twins horrible OF.

 

Miami OF 2014 fWAR (w/ MLB ranking):   13.8 WAR (6th in MLB)

Twins OF 2014 fWAR (w/ MLB ranking):   4.5 WAR  (21st in MLB)

[70charger]

 

Your facts are off.  Benson was only in the Marlins system last season, he was with Texas in 2012-13.  And cracking Miami's very good OF would have been a far higher hurdle than the Twins horrible OF.

 

Miami OF 2014 fWAR (w/ MLB ranking):   13.8 WAR (6th in MLB)

Twins OF 2014 fWAR (w/ MLB ranking):   4.5 WAR  (21st in MLB)

 

Yep, he was in Texas for a year. But neither that nor the fact that you have completely needlessly compared the 2014 Twins - who have literally nothing to do with Joe Benson - to a Marlins team that still managed to suck has anything to do with the discussion at hand.

 

Joe Benson isn't good enough to be a consistent big leaguer. We've figured that out over the last four or five years. Glad you got your digs in on the Twins though.

[Squirrel]

I'm not sure why a Joe Bensen thread needs to be in the Twins talk area anymore. It's being moved. And a moderator warning ... do not turn another thread into a bash/defend the FO. Please, everyone, do a little better to not make posts antagonistic towards one another and please try and keep the constant bash/defend stuff pertinent. A discussion on Joe Bensen isn't pertinent to that, imho. A peripheral? Maybe, but don't turn every thread into the peripheral discussion. 

[puckstopper1]

I kind of like threads about those who used to be in the Twins system.  Benson is batting .167 this Spring.  Are the Braves that desperate?  I saw today that Kevin Correia and Scott Baker were both released.  More wonderful memories when you see those two names, eh?

[biggentleben]

 

I kind of like threads about those who used to be in the Twins system.  Benson is batting .167 this Spring.  Are the Braves that desperate?  I saw today that Kevin Correia and Scott Baker were both released.  More wonderful memories when you see those two names, eh?

 

Benson has not hit well, but he's been about the best defensive outfielder in camp.

[Kwak]

Just when I thought I had read the last about Benson...

[jokin]

 

Yep, he was in Texas for a year. But neither that nor the fact that you have completely needlessly compared the 2014 Twins - who have literally nothing to do with Joe Benson - to a Marlins team that still managed to suck has anything to do with the discussion at hand.

 

Joe Benson isn't good enough to be a consistent big leaguer. We've figured that out over the last four or five years. Glad you got your digs in on the Twins though.

 

I'm only posting in the interest of accuracy- the Joe Benson saga and the aftermath discussion were good entertainment on TD.    Joe needed to move on, if only for his own sanity's sake.   He has talent, but it's still very much in doubt that he can be a productive major leaguer, in any role, perhaps his emotions are his own worst enemy.

 

But your posting continues with more factual errors.

 

1) Joe Benson was drafted by, and spent part or all of his first 8 professional seasons with the Twins. He was once one of their Top 5 prospects. While he now has nothing to do with the 2014 Twins, you made the "needless" comparisons, it's only logical to project where he might be in the organization now, had the Rangers not claimed him in 2013.

 

2) Benson was with Texas for most of two seasons, not one, as he was claimed off of waivers by Texas on May 25, 2013, and played the entire 2014 season with the Rangers' AA and AAA clubs.

 

3) Your original post did the comparing, not me, and your operative statement was that "he couldn't crack a terrible Twins squad" (as an OF) and "couldn't crack two terrible Marlins' squads."  The Marlins didn't "suck" in 2014.  In point of fact, even though they lost their Ace pitcher, the Marlins were the second most improved team in 2014, improving on their win-loss record by 15 (62-100 to 77-85) and their run differential by over 100 runs (-133 to -29).  He was clearly competing for a spot on a team with a much better OF.

 

4) The Marlins are projected to improve again this season, some say a little, some say fringe contender.  With that in mind, Miami was definitely not going to be the place for Benson.  

 

 

I'm not sure why stating the facts makes you "glad that I got my digs in on the Twins though."

[jokin]

 

Just when I thought I had read the last about Benson...

 

Probably not until he retires... 

[kab21]

I always liked him but .250 MiLB hitters don't usually make it as MLBers.  I hope he makes it for awhile longer though.  Nothing like seeing a career MiLB'er living his dream.

[Shane Wahl]

Sorry about putting it in the Twins forum. I had multiple browser windows open and posted it in the wrong one.

 

In other news, I wholly regret posting it altogether. I will refrain from making fun of myself here in the future, for fear that *others* take it too seriously.

[The Wise One]

 

Your facts are off.  Benson was only in the Marlins system last season, he was with Texas in 2012-13.  And cracking Miami's very good OF would have been a far higher hurdle than the Twins horrible OF.

 

Miami OF 2014 fWAR (w/ MLB ranking):   13.8 WAR (6th in MLB)

Twins OF 2014 fWAR (w/ MLB ranking):   4.5 WAR  (21st in MLB)

He did not have crack the lineup. What was the total fwar for the reserves?  They were all replacement level

[Platoon]

I'm not sure why a Joe Bensen thread needs to be in the Twins talk area anymore. It's being moved. And a moderator warning ... do not turn another thread into a bash/defend the FO. Please, everyone, do a little better to not make posts antagonistic towards one another and please try and keep the constant bash/defend stuff pertinent. A discussion on Joe Bensen isn't pertinent to that, imho. A peripheral? Maybe, but don't turn every thread into the peripheral discussion.

 

. No bashing, no defending, and no specific opinion stated here, but I have noticed that the FO and its decisions this year seem to bring about vigorous and "impassioned" discussion!

[Squirrel]

 

. No bashing, no defending, and no specific opinion stated here, but I have noticed that the FO and its decisions this year seem to bring about vigorous and "impassioned" discussion!

Yes, it does, and for good reason.  But to go down the FO discussion on a thread on Joe Benson?  I drew the line there.  If Shane wants to follow Joe this year to see what he does and how it compares to what we have now, so be it. But why don't we play the season out before we look back in hindsight and judge.

[bird]

Joe Benson is a career minor-leaguer, an AAAA player who is 27. Why would you block younger prospects by putting Benson on your roster? Well, unless you don't have a prospect that's quite ready, who maybe needs just a little more time in the minors. Guys like Rosario and Buxton perhaps. I'm sure the Atlanta fans are fully accepting of that.

 

Come to think of it, this Joe Benson guy might be almost as good as Shane Robinson or Jordan Schaefer.

[jokin]

 

He did not have crack the lineup. What was the total fwar for the reserves?  They were all replacement level

 

Sorry, I can't decipher this in order to respond?

[jokin]

 

Joe Benson is a career minor-leaguer, an AAAA player who is 27. Why would you block younger prospects by putting Benson on your roster? Well, unless you don't have a prospect that's quite ready, who maybe needs just a little more time in the minors. Guys like Rosario and Buxton perhaps. I'm sure the Atlanta fans are fully accepting of that.

 

Come to think of it, this Joe Benson guy might be almost as good as Shane Robinson or Jordan Schaefer.

 

I believe you nailed it.

[nicksaviking]

 

Sorry about putting it in the Twins forum. I had multiple browser windows open and posted it in the wrong one.

 

In other news, I wholly regret posting it altogether. I will refrain from making fun of myself here in the future, for fear that *others* take it too seriously.

 

I like it, the Joe Benson kerfuffle was a pretty hot topic here on TD for quite awhile.  I can't believe it was only 2013 when this Benson business all happened though, it seems like ages ago.  Nothing worng with a walk down memory lane.  I would be just as amused with a Michael Restovich comeback thread, a guy I was more incredulous about losing.  Ha silly past me, getting all worked up over nothing.  Good thing present me is more rational

 

 Besides most people seem to be taking this thread lightly as was clearly your intention. 

 

Edit: I guess I hadn't read page 2 yet.

[jokin]

 

I like it, the Joe Benson kerfuffle was a pretty hot topic here on TD for quite awhile.  I can't believe it was only 2013 when this Benson business all happened though, it seems like ages ago.  Nothing worng with a walk down memory lane.  I would be just as amused with a Michael Restovich comeback thread, a guy I was more incredulous about losing.  Ha silly past me, getting all worked up over nothing.  Good thing present me is more rational

 

 Besides most people seem to be taking this thread lightly as was clearly your intention. 

 

Edit: I guess I hadn't read page 2 yet.

 

Great post, Nick.... and... Yeah, Shane, don't stop posting on stuff like this.  Humorous banter aside, Benson was/is actually an interesting case study.  Yes, it's only baseball, but careers in the sport can careen in wild and unexpected directions.  One day your The Anointed One and the next day you turn into Just One More guy barely hanging on to your boyhood dream...  and then some find ways to resuscitate their aspirations in an unexpected and less glamorous role, but still hanging onto the dream...

[biggentleben]

 

Joe Benson is a career minor-leaguer, an AAAA player who is 27. Why would you block younger prospects by putting Benson on your roster? Well, unless you don't have a prospect that's quite ready, who maybe needs just a little more time in the minors. Guys like Rosario and Buxton perhaps. I'm sure the Atlanta fans are fully accepting of that.

 

Come to think of it, this Joe Benson guy might be almost as good as Shane Robinson or Jordan Schaefer.

 

Well stated. To give the Atlanta fan perspective, there's a few wrinkles.  First, Jace Peterson is a much better player than Atlanta realized when they acquired him as really the 3rd or 4th piece of the Justin Upton deal.  Second, Peterson's emergence has sent Jose Peraza back to AAA, where he'll get some outfield reps as he's never played outside the infield before.  Third, Melvin Upton is injured with a fractured foot right now, so the Braves may have a spot for CF and LF both, and Benson is one of the few guys in camp with defensive ability at corners AND center, most only offer one or the other defensively.  Lastly, outside of Peraza, the Braves don't really have an outfield "prospect" close to the majors.  Their two best outfield guys are likely Mallex Smith and Braxton Davidson, who will likely be at least two years away each, so a guy who is still relatively young, has pedigree, and could surprise for a year or two on the cheap is a positive thing for Atlanta fans.  It certainly beats paying someone $5-7M per season for likely similar production.

[Shane Wahl]

By the way, I still hate the Braves. 1991 lives on. Forever. Only another Twins WS victory will end my hatred for the Braves.

And the chop. That should be gone too. They still do that?