Is it time to recall Vargas?

[Brock Beauchamp]

The Twins continue to struggle against RHP and lack *any* good PH options off the bench.

 

Vargas isn't a great fit for the team because he's incapable of playing any position well but at this point in the season, does that really matter? The guy has a .928 OPS for the season and after a terrible July in AA, has turned the corner and posted good numbers, mainly against RHP.

 

I'd prefer to see Arcia but he continues to flounder so badly a call-up is basically unthinkable at this point.

 

If the Twins try to add a bat like Vargas, which pitcher gets a demotion? It's my opinion the Twins shouldn't give much thought to playing time, as every win counts and even if Vargas only gets 30 PAs from now until the end of the season, that could be enough to squeak out an extra (vital) win this season.

[DaveW]

It would make too much sense which is why it probably won't happen. There is no good reason whatsoever to carry 13 pitchers.

I think he would get more than 30 at bats. Put Plouffe in RF once in while for Hunter (Sano to 3rd) or have Vargas spell Mauer at 1B once a week as well. Plus, he should be PH every single game.

[Brock Beauchamp]

I also think he'd get more than 30 PAs but just used that number as a baseline for "he probably won't play a lot".

[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

Would like it if he didn't hit so damn many ground balls. With the shift, he will not be very successful in the MLB, if he doesn't start getting a little more loft on the ball.

[SwainZag]

 

The Twins continue to struggle against RHP and lack *any* good PH options off the bench.

 

Vargas isn't a great fit for the team because he's incapable of playing any position well but at this point in the season, does that really matter? The guy has a .928 OPS for the season and after a terrible July in AA, has turned the corner and posted good numbers, mainly against RHP.

 

I'd prefer to see Arcia but he continues to flounder so badly a call-up is basically unthinkable at this point.

 

If the Twins try to add a bat like Vargas, which pitcher gets a demotion? It's my opinion the Twins shouldn't give much thought to playing time, as every win counts and even if Vargas only gets 30 PAs from now until the end of the season, that could be enough to squeak out an extra (vital) win this season.

 

With May heading back to the pen, if they were to recall Vargas, I would guess Achter back to AAA until September 1st.

[James]

I think I would rather have them swap that 13th pitcher with Buxton and have Hunter play less.  I know it doesn't solve the pinch hitting issue against RHP, but I think it would be an improvement to the outfield overall, which would hopefully reduce the need for pinch hitting.

 

I like Vargas, and he seems to be getting back on track, but I don't see how the Twins could fit him in until after September.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

I think I would rather have them swap that 13th pitcher with Buxton and have Hunter play less.  I know it doesn't solve the pinch hitting issue against RHP, but I think it would be an improvement to the outfield overall, which would hopefully reduce the need for pinch hitting.

My personal feeling is that Buxton should take the place of Robinson.

[drjim]

I assume Vargas has passed up Arcia as the likely September call up.

 

Will be interesting to see when Buxton finally gets back up.

[James]

 

My personal feeling is that Buxton should take the place of Robinson.

That would make sense too.  I assumed that the Twins would hold on to him until the send of the season.  There is a good chance that none of these moves are even made until Sept. 1st anyway.  That way, you could keep Robinson around as a pinch runner/defensive replacement for those games that Torii still plays/injury insurance.  I'm not sure if Robinson has options or not, but if you had to DFA him, I would think some team needing a 4th outfielder might try him out.  

 

If you wanted to call up Vargas, is he really going to get that many meaningful at-bats before September 1st?  I think a Buxton call up would probably have a bit more impact.  I don't think much will happen before Sept. 1st anyway, so it's probably a moot point anyway.  

[HitInAPinch]

I don't really see a reason to call Vargas up now, unless he gets significant AB's.  As far as his fielding, he wasn't hideous I believe he has the possibility to out hit that problem.

[Seth Stohs]

I like the idea of having a decent pinch hitter... If I'd call up Vargas now, it'd be at the expense of a reliever. I'd keep Robinson around for pinch running/defense in the outfield.

 

Buxton would be a bigger impact than Vargas since Buxton would immediately come up and start. I fully expect Buxton to be up 19 days after he was optioned (or less)

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

I like the idea of having a decent pinch hitter... If I'd call up Vargas now, it'd be at the expense of a reliever. I'd keep Robinson around for pinch running/defense in the outfield.

 

Buxton would be a bigger impact than Vargas since Buxton would immediately come up and start. I fully expect Buxton to be up 19 days after he was optioned (or less)

Agreed. The Twins should focus on putting the best possible baseball team on the field for the remainder of the season.

 

Vargas for a reliever.

 

Buxton for Robinson in 4-7 days.

 

That improves the roster quite a bit and they don't even have to change the 40 man roster or use an option to do it.

[Otto von Ballpark]

More fallout from the Buxton option?

 

Buxton is due back between August 20 and August 28, if they don't want to burn an option on him.  Which suggests they might be delaying other moves they could make today (like recalling Vargas for a reliever) because they want the flexibility to exchange that reliever with Buxton soon.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Agreed. The Twins should focus on putting the best possible baseball team on the field for the remainder of the season.

 

Vargas for a reliever.

 

Buxton for Robinson in 4-7 days.

 

That improves the roster quite a bit and they don't even have to change the 40 man roster or use an option to do it.

Robinson would have to be waived to be removed from the 25-man, and they're not doing that.  Like Boyer before his injury, I am sure Robinson is viewed as meeting expectations and will finish the season with the club, at minimum.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Robinson would have to be waived to be removed from the 25-man, and they're not doing that.  Like Boyer before his injury, I am sure Robinson is viewed as meeting expectations and will finish the season with the club, at minimum.

You're probably right, though I don't agree with it.

[drjim]

More fallout from the Buxton option?

 

Buxton is due back between August 20 and August 28, if they don't want to burn an option on him. Which suggests they might be delaying other moves they could make today (like recalling Vargas for a reliever) because they want the flexibility to exchange that reliever with Buxton soon.

I don't think they are concerned about burning an option. And they shouldn't be.

[DocBauer]

 

Agreed. The Twins should focus on putting the best possible baseball team on the field for the remainder of the season.

 

Vargas for a reliever.

 

Buxton for Robinson in 4-7 days.

 

That improves the roster quite a bit and they don't even have to change the 40 man roster or use an option to do it.

 

Hard to argue with you on this...but I'm going to try anyway. LOL

 

I'd love Vargas up. I'd like to see the Vargas we saw the past couple of years in the minors, and the Vargas we saw the tail end of last season. And while I think he's been mismanaged this season...being sent down just as he was actually starting to hit again...the fact that he's doing well now back at AAA has me wanting him to stay a bit longer. I guess I'm more conservative than some, but to me when a prospect is moved up, or moved up again after a tough time as in the case of Vargas, I usually feel it's in the player's best interest to see sustained success for experience and confidence sake before coming up.

 

But no question he could end up helping, and no question he's probably ahead of Arcia at this point. And no question we don't need 13 relievers!

 

Could Robinson develop a sprained ankle or something soon for a short DL stint that would keep him out until Sept 1st?

[Monkeypaws]

A left handed bat? Anyone?

[Twins7]

Just cut the guy... Don't ask him to hurt himself. Not like we're hurting for outfield depth. Drop Robinson, go with hicks, Buxton, and Rosario, with hunter as the fourth OF. Don't need a defense first 4th OF if your starters are all plus defenders.

[SwainZag]

 

You're probably right, though I don't agree with it.

 

If they don't plan on bringing Robinson back next year, which I this point I don't see why they would, I don't see why they should have a problem exposing him to waivers with a month left to go.  Can you imagine if they waited until after Sept 1 on Buxton and the team went on a tear and made the playoffs and he wasn't available?

[twinsnorth49]

 

Agreed. The Twins should focus on putting the best possible baseball team on the field for the remainder of the season.

 

Vargas for a reliever.

 

Buxton for Robinson in 4-7 days.

 

That improves the roster quite a bit and they don't even have to change the 40 man roster or use an option to do it.

This option is just so damn obvious it makes my brain hurt. Still somehow only 1.5 back of a playoff spot and seemingly won't take the chance with decisions that have no real downside and possibly a world of upside. 

 

Even if they did it and fell on their faces I'd still be happy, at least it would show they have the guts to go for it and let the chips fall where they may.

 

I know it could still happen, but I'm just so doubtful in their ability to do it.

[jimbo92107]

 

Robinson would have to be waived to be removed from the 25-man, and they're not doing that.  Like Boyer before his injury, I am sure Robinson is viewed as meeting expectations and will finish the season with the club, at minimum.

At this point in the season development considerations should trump in-season expectations for guys like Robinson and Boyer. It is far more important to get Buxton up and playing CF, so we can see how he fits in with Rosario and Hicks as the outfield trio going forward. Same goes for Berrios. Get the blue chippers up ASAP, to add value and see where they still need work.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Robinson needs to get a foot bruise, or a sprained big toe right about now. Twins need Buxton more than we need Shane Robinson right now playing because it would allow for Hunter to play less. If Robinson were a smart guy and wanted a playoff share or check, he would find a way to go on the DL for the next two weeks until the 09/01/15 date of expanded rosters. He has done everything Twins have asked, but he could really help the team if he could come up with a mysterious Boyer like injury right about now. Come on Mr Robinson lift a suitcase wrong, tweak something. Still get's his service time and nobody has to worry about a DFA once 09/01/15 rolls around.  

 

They could do that. They could just DFA him.

 

Or, they could put him back on the Family Emergency List thing that they have put him on a couple of times already this year. 

[kab21]

I have always hated this idea of 'we can't have a good bench hitter because of positional flexibility'.  Nunez can play every position on the field (except CF) and Robinson can play the OF positions.  What teams can't have is 13 pitchers because of positional flexibility. 

 

Vargas should be up.  Or another hitter.

[lukeduke1980]

I'd say Shane Robinson has some pictures of someone, but I think TR is still basking in his Tommy Millone pickup for Sam Fuld and hopes to recreate it by dealing Robinson...

[Otto von Ballpark]

If they don't plan on bringing Robinson back next year, which I this point I don't see why they would, I don't see why they should have a problem exposing him to waivers with a month left to go. Can you imagine if they waited until after Sept 1 on Buxton and the team went on a tear and made the playoffs and he wasn't available?

As long as the player is on the 40-man roster as of September 1st, you can generally get them on the playoff roster somehow (injury sub).

[SwainZag]

 

As long as the player is on the 40-man roster as of September 1st, you can generally get them on the playoff roster somehow (injury sub).

 

That raises a question actually.  With Santana out with the suspension, could they add anyone like you would with an injury?

[Otto von Ballpark]

I don't think they are concerned about burning an option. And they shouldn't be.

So you think they would burn an option in exchange for saving ~3 days worth of MLB minimum salary? Because otherwise they could have let him rehab 3 days longer before optioning him.

 

If they do unnecessarily burn that option, for that piddly amount of cash, that will be frustrating, even if Buxton *shouldn't* need it down the line.

[howeda7]

I would agree,  but we're 14 days from September. It's a shame to lose Robinson now, when we might need him later. I'd rather Torii go on the DL and take a break.

My personal feeling is that Buxton should take the place of Robinson.

 

[Linus]

 

I'd say Shane Robinson has some pictures of someone, but I think TR is still basking in his Tommy Millone pickup for Sam Fuld and hopes to recreate it by dealing Robinson...

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