Article: Twins With Winning Bid On Korean Slugger

[sane]

 

Teams will now line up and gladly take Plouffe and Vargas off our hands for a much reduced price because we really have not option but to trade them.

Our option is to trade him to another team, which isn't low-balling us.

[Eephus]

Hell, I'll hope for the best. Always nice to see the Twins make a splash....but, couldn't you just move Plouffe to DH and reasonably expect 23-25 HRs? I've always been skeptical of ABW's potential, but how would his stats look in KBO if he played there the next 2 years?

 

I'm glad they did it. Hope like heck it works.

 

[DaveW]

 

It will be interesting to see which direction Ryan goes in after this.  Does he try to make Plouffe/Sano/Park fit on the roster?  Or does this lead to a Plouffe trade?  I am not convinced that the latter has to happen.

 

There really aren't too many holes on this team.  C and RP is about it unless you were going after an ace.  There is plenty of time to address those still.

 

I don't think Lucroy or Wieters are on the radar but a Plouffe/Norris trade might be.  Another angle would be to keep Plouffe and to trade Rosario or Kepler (along with X and Y) for Lucroy.  If Sano is playing OF then they might as well make use of those extra OF'ers.  I heart Kepler though.  

 

Overall I like the move.  It is a case of adding talent that doesn't cost anything more than money.  And the money is reasonable.  I also like the prospect of having Dozier/Plouffe/Sano/Park and possibly another 20+ HR in the lineup.  These aren't the Twins of the last decade.

I only like it if they move Plouffe. Putting Sano in LF is just such a waste.

[Otto von Ballpark]

FWIW, I read that Park actually played (or at least practiced) some at 3B in 2015.  I have no idea if that would be part of the Twins calculus here, probably not and I hope not...

[Otto von Ballpark]

Missed marketing opportunity: Park's former team in Korea was the "LG Twins".  Sadly they traded him in 2011 before he became good (hey -- sounds like our USA Twins!)

[TNTwinsFan]

Now sign Wieters! Trade Plouffe for a quality RP and a C+ type prospect and get ready for next season.

[Danchat]

Wow. I am surprised. And in a good way, too. I never really considered the thought that the Twins would win the bid, but whadda know? They did!

I'm excited. I'm pretty confident Park isn't going to be the next Nishioka. He can be a really solid DH and Sano can take over 3B. Hopefully we can get something decent for Plouffe in a trade.

[nicksaviking]

That swing sure looks like it takes some inspiration from Jose Bautista.

 

I commend the aggressiveness, even if it doesn't work out.  You can hide a bad offensive contract better than a bad pitching contract at least.

[nicksaviking]

Let's stick with the International free agents and go get Yaisel Sierra now.

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/yaisel-sierra-latest-top-prospect-leave-cuba/

[sane]

Don't sign him until AFTER the Rule V draft. We need to protect other prospects.

[Headfirst]

I think the Twins should try and revolutionize baseball.  We have hitters with extreme power but the capability to strike out a ton too.  What if we make a lineup that alternates high OBP guys with high power guys?  If we are able to connect on 2 or 3 home runs a game from the power guys and have high OBP guys on base then theoretically we could do some damage.  Sano, Park, ABW, Arcia, Vargas.  We have the pieces to make this happen!  Have the on base guys look for walks and the power guys try and mash every ball they see.  Makes for some exciting baseball to watch when every other at bat comes from a power bat.  Have 3 or 4 guys hit 30-40 home runs...I like the sound of that! (just don't think about what our defense would look like...)

 

PS- this is not a serious post...fun to think about though!

[TNTwinsFan]

I think the Twins should try and revolutionize baseball.  We have hitters with extreme power but the capability to strike out a ton too.  What if we make a lineup that alternates high OBP guys with high power guys?  If we are able to connect on 2 or 3 home runs a game from the power guys and have high OBP guys on base then theoretically we could do some damage.  Sano, Park, ABW, Arcia, Vargas.  We have the pieces to make this happen!  Have the on base guys look for walks and the power guys try and mash every ball they see.  Makes for some exciting baseball to watch when every other at bat comes from a power bat.  Have 3 or 4 guys hit 30-40 home runs...I like the sound of that! (just don't think about what our defense would look like...)

 

PS- this is not a serious post...fun to think about though!

Isn't that what the Blue Jays did?

[Pardon My Dinger]

This doesn't seem like a huge step forward. I think we'll all be pleased if he hits more than 20 HR, so basically, we've found a replacement bat for Torii. There must be something else going on.

[ken]

I'm not following what the Twins are doing with this signing, but I think we have finally replaced Chris Colabello

[jsteve96]

 

The Phillies have ryan howard and that huge contract... The Brewers just exercised Lind's Contract, the Astros have Valbueno and Gattis DH'ing... White sox have Abreu and Laroche who's making 12 million next year.... It has to be us doesn't it? 

i knew it at midnight..

[Jham]

 

Am I a hypocrite for posting luke-warm interest in this guy on page one followed by genuine excitement that the Twins actually won the bidding on page four?

http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/we4n5VOApPz4ui8vD_EPew--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3NfbGVnbztxPTg1/http://l.yimg.com/os/publish-images/sports/2015-02-17/5a34ced0-b6df-11e4-90ee-91e02c275689_bob-uecker-major-league.jpg

 

"You know I used to hate Parkman when he was with the A's It's funny how a new uniform can change your attitude about a guy. [Covers Mic]  He's still a..."

 

[kydoty]

I for one am hoping that we get to see some authentic Korean bat flips. It's an art form over there.

[Dantes929]

 

The Twins certainly needed some power in the lineup, let's hope we found our DH for the next 3-4 years however long the contract is. 

Not against power but the Twins were middle of the pack in homers even with Sano for half a year and pretty high in triples but way at the bottom in OBP.      Homers are great but solo homers don't add up very fast.    KC showed what little power but tough to get out can accomplish.    Ideally, you have a lineup of both like Toronto.

I am nonplussed by this signing but at least they have depth in case he fizzles.    I didn't mind the Nishioka deal either except for the fact we got rid of Hardy because of it.      

[James]

 

I for one am hoping that we get to see some authentic Korean bat flips. It's an art form over there.

I don't know.  Look at that video of the 4 HRs.  His bat flips weren't too egregious there.   

[sane]

 

  If we are able to connect on 2 or 3 home runs a game from the power guys

 

That adds up to 324-486 home runs per season.

The record is 264, so it's a pretty big "if".

[big dog]

I am reposting from the surprise thread-

 

Maybe he'll do what Kris Bryant did this year- set a team record for HRs by a rookie while also setting the all-time team K record.  No question he's got swing-and-miss potential.  The HR record is very solid- 33 by Jimmie Hall.  Chief, if you're interested in betting, this time I'll take the under.  

 

I like the move.  An interesting lottery ticket that didn't cost players or money, but it does require us to make some moves.  It will be interesting to see how it shakes up the landscape.

[James]

 

Don't sign him until AFTER the Rule V draft. We need to protect other prospects.

I don't know if they can actually wait that long.  They have 30 days to sign him to a contract.

 

The rule V draft is 31 days away... I guess they could technically reach a verbal agreement and not have an official signing until after the draft, but I'm not sure.  There might be another trade in the mix before the rule V draft which may mean they have fewer prospects to protect, or more open spots on the 40-man roster. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Don't sign him until AFTER the Rule V draft. We need to protect other prospects.

Not sure it would matter.  Any guys you remove from the 40-man at that point will be available as a simple waiver claim, which is much easier than acquiring them by Rule 5 because it wouldn't have the 25-man roster restriction.

 

Also, any prospects you protect now for Rule 5 can't be removed from the 40-man until next March, I think (so teams can't just protect guys for Rule 5 and remove them immediately after, although the waiver process mentioned about should be enough of a deterrent).

 

Either way, the debate shouldn't be "Park vs. prospect", it should be "current fringe 40-man guys vs. prospects".

[DaveW]

 

I didn't say he'd be sent to Rochester. Just might not begin the year as a starter. Kang didn't start for the Pirates for the first half last year. That does make sense. He's moving from a completely different culture for both baseball and life. Might take some adjustment.

 

You also have to keep in mind the theme of my comment: You don't have to trade Plouffe at bargain prices. And the conclusion: I think the Twins are going to make a bigger, multiplayer trade. But the Twins have to be willing to make things work rather than dumping a 3WAR player who's under control.

The Twins aren't going to pay the posting fee and another 30-40 million to have a guy be a bench bat.

[sane]

 

I don't know if they can actually wait that long.  They have 30 days to sign him to a contract.

 

The rule V draft is 31 days away...

They file a 40-man roster on Nov. 20, so unless the KBA is considered a "minor league" in the rules below, he would not be eligible anyway.:

"The Rule V Draft is held annually during baseball's Winter Meetings. Teams must file a 40-man roster with the league office by November 20th. Any player who fits all of the criteria below is eligible for the Rule V Draft:
Player is not on the 40 man roster
Player has been in the minor leagues for at least 4 years if he was signed after age 19 (was 3 years before the 2006 CBA).
Player has been in the minor leagues for at least 5 years if he was signed before age 19 (was 4 years before the 2006 CBA)"

[DaveW]

 

Not sure it would matter.  Any guys you remove from the 40-man at that point will be available as a simple waiver claim, which is much easier than acquiring them by Rule 5 because it wouldn't have the 25-man roster restriction.

 

Also, any prospects you protect now for Rule 5 can't be removed from the 40-man until next March, I think (so teams can't just protect guys for Rule 5 and remove them immediately after, although the waiver process mentioned about should be enough of a deterrent).

 

Either way, the debate shouldn't be "Park vs. prospect", it should be "current fringe 40-man guys vs. prospects".

Yeah, I don't get the rule 5 paranoia, you shouldn't "wait" to sign legit FA (Park is a legit FA even though I am not super high on him) because of the rule 5, I get not wanting to waste a current spot on a 3rd catcher or something of that nature. The Twins aren't going to lose anyone they will truly "miss" in the rule 5 anyways.

[sane]

 

The Twins aren't going to lose anyone they will truly "miss" in the rule 5 anyways.

For example, Sean Gilmartin?

[jsteve96]

This would be my plan.

Park DH, Sano in LF and occasionally 3B. Plouffe stays unless someone actually gives us what we want. when Mauer struggles and we know he will plouffe to first and sano at 3rd with the extra bat in LF(Hicks, Buxton, Arcia, Kepler) I'd trade plouffe but i wish it could be Mauer not plouffe because Plouffe's the better player

[nicksaviking]

The 40-man conundrum is all the more reason to actively seek out deals where the Twins sell two or three (or more) players for one or two guys.

 

That said, you have to feel for Trevor Plouffe as an actual person.  Clearly this move isn't the best news for the prospects of continuing his Twins career, however it still isn't any concrete evidence of his departure.  With likely no resolution imminent, Trevor likely will be worrying about what is next for him and his family for some time.  Hopefully this gets resolved before the holidays.

[jsteve96]

to make room on the 40 to protect some players they should outright Darnell and Pinto. Pinto has a good bat but he's just a DH and we have 12 of those ha