Nunez Activated, Vargas Optioned

[Seth Stohs]

Following Sunday afternoon's game, the Twins announced that Eduardo Nunez was coming off of the Disabled List. To make room, Kennys Vargas was optioned to AAA Rochester.

[Thrylos]

Glad to see that the Twins decided to go with Doug Bernier over Vargas

 

[gunnarthor]

I'm ok with this.  He hasn't been playing much.  Vargas needs to fix a few things so hopefully getting back to AAA will help. 

[stringer bell]

They are playing in NL parks a lot coming up.  Having Vargas as only a PH really isn't good roster management.  Still, I am fearing a Butera-like run for Bernier, where he stays on the roster when guys who can actually hit are sent to the minors.

 

Edit:  I guess the only games in NL parks coming soon are the two games in Pittsburgh. 

[ashbury]

I'm sure the decision was made before Vargas's weak attempt at the grounder in the ninth, which allowed a meaningless additional run for the Rays. But a .663 OPS (coming into today) isn't acceptable when the fielding skills are so minimal, and that play punctuated the imminent roster move.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Seems like the NL would be a perfect place to call up Pinto.

[Seth Stohs]

Just tweeted this:

 

Kennys Vargas:
13 games since April 29: .354/.380/.521 (.901) (50 PA)
Last 7 games (since May 6): .375/.423/.583 (1.006) (26 PA)

[nater79a]

 

I'm sure the decision was made before Vargas's weak attempt at the grounder in the ninth, which allowed a meaningless additional run for the Rays. But a .663 OPS (coming into today) isn't acceptable when the fielding skills are so minimal, and that play punctuated the imminent roster move.

 

In fairness, Kennys' OPS is over .900 in May. So he's doing okay.

[h2oface]

 

Just tweeted this:

 

Kennys Vargas:
13 games since April 29: .354/.380/.521 (.901) (50 PA)
Last 7 games (since May 6): .375/.423/.583 (1.006) (26 PA)

I didn't know the numbers, but I thought he had been hitting quite well lately. I think this move is baffling. I guess Bernier is the player to be designated when Arcia is ready? Nunez can play positions Bernier plays. This is baffling. I guess it is important to restock Rochester with major league players instead of AA players. I do like the outfield a lot better defensively though.

It is not like they have been giving Nunez at bats, anyway. His current over .400 batting average must be too small of a sample.

[ashbury]

Just tweeted this:

 

Kennys Vargas:

13 games since April 29: .354/.380/.521 (.901) (50 PA)

Last 7 games (since May 6): .375/.423/.583 (1.006) (26 PA)

Last 3 games (counting today's short stint): 1 for 8. I'll see your small sample size, and raise you a smaller one.

 

Here's hoping he continues the good trend you highlighted, and rakes in AAA. Then, he'll be back Real Soon Now.

[h2oface]

 

 

I'm sure the decision was made before Vargas's weak attempt at the grounder in the ninth, which allowed a meaningless additional run for the Rays.

The first base defense that irked me was Mauer ignoring the sure force out at home (when the Twins were still ahead 1-0) with no outs and the bases loaded in the 3rd to save a run, and then lollygagging around and not throwing quickly to second and just getting one out and even missing the alternate double play (a double play that if successful would have still let a run in needlessly) ....  Plouffe got the next runner at home on a similar grounder and it wasn't even a force out. We have bad defense at first base no matter what the option. I have seen Vargas make some pretty good picks at first base.

[Halsey Hall]

I'm scratching my head on this move. 

[jokin]

 

Seems like the NL would be a perfect place to call up Pinto.

 

Are you saying we shouldn't give more time to letting the "Chris Hermann experiment" play out?  (Current slash of .156/.206/.250.... Butera would be taunting Chris if he were still around)

[Mike Sixel]

Chris Herrman over Pinto. Nunez over anyone. Deunsing over anyone. I am baffled.

[jokin]

 

 

I'm scratching my head on this move. 

 

Gotta keep the affiliates happy.... signing Ryan Wheeler to Rochester apparently  wasn't enough to keep the howling dogs at bay      in the wake of the big club raiding the team of practically all its major league talent. 

[jokin]

 

 

Chris Herrman over Pinto. Nunez over anyone. Deunsing over anyone. I am baffled.

 

After today, why wasn't Deuce immediately placed on the 60-day DL?  The way he looked after he was removed, it's a good thing there weren't any sharp objects in the dugout.

[USAFChief]

What does Bernier offer? At least Vargas is a PH option late in a game where you really could use a bomb.

[ashbury]

(Current slash of .156/.206/.250.... Butera would be taunting Chris if he were still around)

He probably shouldn't. 2011: .167 / .210 / .239 / .449 . Commiseration? Possibly.

[h2oface]

 

Are you saying we shouldn't give more time to letting the "Chris Hermann experiment" play out?  (Current slash of .156/.206/.250.... Butera would be taunting Chris if he were still around)

It is too bad Hermann can't hit like he does in AAA. He has thrown out 3 or 4 runners trying to steal. He never really gets a chance to play more - to get a rhythm in the show. Oh to have not traded Wilson Ramos.

[Craig Arko]

Vargas needs to play every day. Also, we may see Arcia doing turns at DH for a while, and when he returns, then Bernier goes.

 

The net result = more time for Rosario. I'm good with that.

[DocBauer]

Dum da dum dum DUMB!

 

I mean SERIOUSLY? WTH? You send down a young talent who is actually hitting and performing after a slow start? So we demote and punish a player for improving? Of course 3 utility infielders is ner too many.

[Blake]

 

The first base defense that irked me was Mauer ignoring the sure force out at home (when the Twins were still ahead 1-0) with no outs and the bases loaded in the 3rd to save a run, and then lollygagging around and not throwing quickly to second and just getting one out and even missing the alternate double play (a double play that if successful would have still let a run in needlessly) ....  Plouffe got the next runner at home on a similar grounder and it wasn't even a force out. We have bad defense at first base no matter what the option. I have seen Vargas make some pretty good picks at first base.

Hah, someone else who questions Mauer's baseball IQ. Yesterday, Mauer, who has not been hitting, with runners on 1st and 2nd, swings into a DP rather than trying to bunt for a hit. Longoria was playing deep enough that Mauer probably had a decent chance of a bunt hit.

 

I'm also with you when it comes to Mauer at 1st. I don't think Vargas would be a defensive downgrade. And Vargas at least has the ability to go deep.*

 

*possibly, Mauer's problems are due to the recurrence of concussion symptoms. If so, then Mauer may need to take some time on the DL and possibly consider retirement. Not just because he's not good right now, which, as a fan, I admit to bias, but, also because he has a beautiful young family that he needs to worry about.

[jokin]

 

He probably shouldn't. 2011: .167 / .210 / .239 / .449 . Commiseration? Possibly.

 

 

I'll see your 2011, and raise you Butera-Twins-2012....  I am of course, referring to:

 

The Golden Age of Drew-

(.198/.270/.279/  (Mr. .550!)

 

and on the mound-

1 IP 1 K 0 BB 0 ER 0.00 ERA

[jorgenswest]

While I would rather see Vargas hitting for the pitcher than Bernier, I do trust the Twins assessment that he needs time in AAA. I am certainly glad they are ignoring any of the stats listed above. They are meaningless and not worth the time it takes to type them. I do wonder if another move will happen soon with Bernier.

[jokin]

 

 

Vargas needs to play every day. Also, we may see Arcia doing turns at DH for a while, and when he returns, then Bernier goes.

The net result = more time for Rosario. I'm good with that.

 

If anything, using the full rehab time for Arcia in Rochester is the way to go.  Every time he goes down to the minors, he comes back smoking hot and with his bad habits cured (at least temporarily).

 

Which leaves a spot for Vargas... hello, Twins?  There is a LOT more pinch hitting in NL parks...  Bernier ain't the guy for that assignment  .

[ashbury]

I'll see your 2011, and raise you Butera-Twins-2012....  I am of course, referring to:

 

The Golden Age of Drew-

(.198/.270/.279/  (Mr. .550!)

 

and on the mound-

1 IP 1 K 0 BB 0 ER 0.00 ERA

That was in fewer PA. His Hurricane Hazle year. Not a sustainable level of performance.

 

Oh, and I just checked. His vaunted pitching performance? He had a FIP of 4.10. Pfff. Overrated.

[USAFChief]

While I would rather see Vargas hitting for the pitcher than Bernier, I do trust the Twins assessment that he needs time in AAA. I am certainly glad they are ignoring any of the stats listed above. They are meaningless and not worth the time it takes to type them. I do wonder if another move will happen soon with Bernier.

Are these stats meaningless?

 

Bernier, age 35, career MiLB OPS: .674

 

Vargas, age 24, career MiLB OPS: .854

 

I ask again...what purpose does Bernier serve on the Twins? What does he bring to the roster that isn't already there?

[h2oface]

 

 I am certainly glad they are ignoring any of the stats listed above. They are meaningless and not worth the time it takes to type them.

Meaningless? arrggh. Is a 4-4 day at the plate meaningless because it is just one day? I don't think so. One can weight it as they like, but I can't accept that the stats are meaningless.

[Otto von Ballpark]

This is the Twins preferring to play Escobar every day, and rotating him, Hunter, and Mauer through DH. I don't get it, but that is what it is.

 

Bernier? I guess you need a backup infielder when Escobar is in the OF and Nunez is the DH or something. Still don't get it.

 

Oh, and Plouffe will be spelling Mauer at 1B, so they figure they need another infielder...

[jorgenswest]

Are these stats meaningless?

Bernier, age 35, career MiLB OPS: .674

Vargas, age 24, career MiLB OPS: .854

I ask again...what purpose does Bernier serve on the Twins? What does he bring to the roster that isn't already there?

I know it is hard for some to see Vargas independent of Bernier. Vargas hasn't started the previous three games. He isn't going to start before Friday of this week. Is it that difficult to see the benefit of him getting regular play time in AAA as part of his development?

 

It really isn't going to be a choice of Bernier or Vargas in any case. More likely it is Nunez, Robinson and Rosario/Escobar vs. Vargas. The Twins must believe those four are at least as capable of delivering in that situation.