Mike Berardino: Twins Hoping to Re-sign Shane Robinson

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

We can speculate all we want.  But the GM is the guy that signs these deals and sends 25 guys north.  And it is also his job to pull guys off the 25 man that are not performing.

 

I will just say that Gardenhire was not here last year and we had similar roster issues last year.  Our bench was terrible and we saw a premium placed on defensive flexibility.

I don't know if I agree the Twins had similar roster issues last year. Nunez was a pretty good bench bat and isn't a great defender. Escobar spent most of the season on the bench and struggled but we all know he has the talent to be better than that.

 

Could the bench have been better? Absolutely... And as Ryan mentioned, he would have liked to have Arcia on the roster but Oswaldo was flailing away, posting pretty horrific numbers. The same goes for Pinto. The Twins bench wasn't good last year but it didn't have any complete embarrassments like Kubel or Bartlett, which makes the comparison to previous years a bit unfair.

 

And yes, the GM gets to choose the 25 man roster but when you have a manager who has been at the helm for nearly 15 years, it's almost certain that manager has some influence on who makes the roster.

[tobi0040]

 

I don't know if I agree the Twins had similar roster issues last year. Nunez was a pretty good bench bat and isn't a great defender. Escobar spent most of the season on the bench and struggled but we all know he has the talent to be better than that.

 

Could the bench have been better? Absolutely... And as Ryan mentioned, he would have liked to have Arcia on the roster but Oswaldo was flailing away, posting pretty horrific numbers. The same goes for Pinto. The Twins bench wasn't good last year but it didn't have any complete embarrassments like Kubel or Bartlett, which makes the comparison to previous years a bit unfair.

 

And yes, the GM gets to choose the 25 man roster but when you have a manager who has been at the helm for nearly 15 years, it's almost certain that manager has some influence on who makes the roster.

 

I think Nunez was on the roster because of his defensive flexibility and was a complete surprise offensively.  He was not sought out for his offense.

 

I will just say that under Terry Ryan the Twins have put more of an emphasis on defensive flexibility than I would wish.  Some other teams are using bench spots for offensive matchups, i.e. platooning or a key at bat late in the game with two runners on.  That didn't change at all last year save less of an emphasis maybe on the third catcher.

 

But we know the pen will be dumpster dive affair.  So we will be short handed there and carry an extra pitcher for at least a portion of the year.  That is a lock.  We will have a backup INF and catcher.  So if we have Rosario and HIcks on the roster on April 1 and add Buxton and maybe Kepler later, I think Robinson is extremely reduntant and a misssed opportunity.

 

There is just too much flexibility built into this team already.  You have a DH that can shift to 3B or 1B.  You have a 3B that could shift to SS or 2B in a pinch.  You have a utility INF and SS that have played all over the OF. You have at least two OF that can play CF, 3-4 later in the year.  In November, I would rather see us rumored to sign a Japanese or Cuban slugger that weighs 280 pounds.

[Boom Boom]

Trying to get Robinson back on a MiLB deal is the prudent and smart decision. He's a good backup measure on a team full of young outfielders. You don't want him starting every day for a prolonged stretch but if you need a fourth OF in a pinch, he's just fine in that role.

It seems a little early in the process to be targeting free agents who are "just fine" in a backup role.

[Mike Sixel]

If he isn't on the 40 man, and he is plan D for the OF.....great. If he's plan A for the MLB team, or is on the 40 man in November/December, I will be disappointed.

[Kwak]

This article is part of the fallout from Hunter's retirement.  The geniuses believed Hunter would stay to be a "hole-plugger"/safety blanket.  When Hunter refused panic ensued and "stuff" gets thrown-around for a "solution" to a non-problem.  A sportswriter gets a whiff of the stench--voila`--a story is written. 

[nicksaviking]

 

If he isn't on the 40 man, and he is plan D for the OF.....great. If he's plan A for the MLB team, or is on the 40 man in November/December, I will be disappointed.

 

I will be pretty disappointed if he's on the 40-man before the Rule V.

 

I'd also like to see them broaden their search first.  Assuming he's a righty, whoever gets that 4th or 5th OF spot is going to play a ton with Rosario, Arcia, and Kepler in the mix.  This is an important spot; basically it's what the Twins wanted Hunter to do.  I'm a little worried the Twins aren't thinking about this spot this way; missing out on Hunter and settling for Robinson in November seems rash.

 

Ryan Raburn is still my vote but Chris Young also was fantastic against lefties last year.  I'd be interested in him if he can't find full-time job.

[Mike Sixel]

 

I will be pretty disappointed if he's on the 40-man before the Rule V.

 

I'd also like to see them broaden their search first.  Assuming he's a righty, whoever gets that 4th or 5th OF spot is going to play a ton with Rosario, Arcia, and Kepler in the mix.  This is an important spot; basically it's what the Twins wanted Hunter to do.  I'm a little worried the Twins aren't thinking about this spot this way; missing out on Hunter and settling for Robinson in November seems rash.

 

Ryan Raburn is still my vote but Chris Young also was fantastic against lefties last year.  I'd be interested in him if he can't find full-time job.

 

Oh, I agree with all of that. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

I will just say that under Terry Ryan the Twins have put more of an emphasis on defensive flexibility than I would wish. 

On this, we do not disagree. I merely think last year wasn't a great example to use and it was certainly better than the years under Gardenhire.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

It seems a little early in the process to be targeting free agents who are "just fine" in a backup role.

If you can get him on a MiLB deal, now is a fine time to pull the trigger on that... But on an MLB deal, hells no.

 

Securing MiLB depth is always a good thing... It only becomes a problem when you use MiLB depth guys as 25 man roster guys on Opening Day.

[tobi0040]

 

I will be pretty disappointed if he's on the 40-man before the Rule V.

 

I'd also like to see them broaden their search first.  Assuming he's a righty, whoever gets that 4th or 5th OF spot is going to play a ton with Rosario, Arcia, and Kepler in the mix.  This is an important spot; basically it's what the Twins wanted Hunter to do.  I'm a little worried the Twins aren't thinking about this spot this way; missing out on Hunter and settling for Robinson in November seems rash.

 

Ryan Raburn is still my vote but Chris Young also was fantastic against lefties last year.  I'd be interested in him if he can't find full-time job.

 

This is exactly how the Twins should view that 4th OF role.   A compliment via platoon to what we have and a potential bench bat.

 

Both of those guys can play the field and run too.

 

[Brandon]

Last year we needed OF defense. This year we have it and you want to watch some leave??????

[Brandon]

The other cool thing about Robinson is there is no temptation to play him too much.

[Shane Wahl]

That .622 OPS or whatever is good only for backup catchers if they play good defense. Pass.

[nicksaviking]

And yes, the GM gets to choose the 25 man roster but when you have a manager who has been at the helm for nearly 15 years, it's almost certain that manager has some influence on who makes the roster.

But mostly, Ryan had stepped away and ceded responsibity to Rob Anthony at that time, and it's pretty fair to speculate that he'd acquiesce to the wishes of the more experienced manager.

 

Either way, Ryan was not in charge when Kubel and Bartlett made the 25-man.

[Brock Beauchamp]

But mostly, Ryan had stepped away and ceded responsibity to Rob Anthony at that time, and it's pretty fair to speculate that he'd acquiesce to the wishes of the more experienced manager.

 

Either way, Ryan was not in charge when Kubel and Bartlett made the 25-man.

Good point. I completely forgot Ryan wasn't running the team when that happened.

[lukeduke1980]

If Arcia figures something out we'll all be okay with Robinson coming in as late inning defense, and to start against Sale.