Article: Contemplating A Platoon Advantage

[tobi0040]

 

I agree. I'm not even looking for a strict platoon; I'd be happy with occasionally rotating guys in and out of the lineup as it suits the team's needs.

 

Outside of Sano, no hitter on this team is so good they can't sit occasionally against a weak side starter. After we've seen Dozier fade down the stretch in two consecutive seasons, it's pretty obvious he could use more breaks in the schedule. Santana doesn't seem to have a real strong/weak side split so maybe Molitor should think about trimming Dozier down to 145-150 games this season. He's not a big dude and a little rest certainly isn't going to hurt his power swing. Rest him against RHP when it makes sense.

 

I'm going to be disappointed if we see the same lineup roll out for weeks on end. This team has flexibility right now... No, it's not the ideal form of flexibility but it's flexibility none-the-less. Use it to your advantage. That means everybody whose first name isn't Miguel either rotates around the diamond or gets a break once every week or two based on pitcher matchup.

 

Yup.  Totally on the same page. 

 

It will be interesting to see if they start being more flexible or not.  If they don't, I have a hard time getting very optimistic about the franchise even as a young, talented group may emerge.

 

I feel like we will always spot certain teams 1-3 wins every year.

[brvama]

Could you make that just a wee bit bigger, I don't think the guy sitting 200 feet behind me could see it clearly......but, I get your point. Almost no one likes the Yankees.

I use to about 60 yrs ago.

[Shaitan]

I'm not opposed to slowly transitioning in Park, like the Pirates did Kang, but he should be FT by the Break. That, and while I'd like to see Arcia thrive, so far he's been a streaky hitter who doesn't hit at all without regular playing time. I'm not sure he'd take well to starting 3 times a week based on what we've seen.

 

[tobi0040]

I'm not opposed to slowly transitioning in Park, like the Pirates did Kang, but he should be FT by the Break. That, and while I'd like to see Arcia thrive, so far he's been a streaky hitter who doesn't hit at all without regular playing time. I'm not sure he'd take well to starting 3 times a week based on what we've seen.

What if Arcia is hitting righties with an OPS of .800 or so and Park is hitting them .730 or so? I think it is reasonable. Arcia has a career .807 OPS against righties.

 

Park’s splits last year (limited data points)

 

Righties .329, 30.6% k rate. 13% BB rate.

 

Lefties .368, 25% k rate, 22% BB rate.

 

http://eng.koreabaseball.com/Teams/PlayerInfoHitter/SituationsPitcher.aspx?pcode=75125

Edited March 15, 2016 by tobi0040

[bluechipper]

 

IMHO, it doesn't send a good message to the players if you bring north a guy who couldn't hit in AAA, and has not hit this spring.

So you'd rather just get rid of a guy who has a 104 OPS+ in his age 22 and 23 seasons? And in favor of who, Ryan Sweeney?

[DrNeau]

==========================================================

DrNeau, on 15 Mar 2016 - 12:55 PM, said:

    IMHO, it doesn't send a good message to the players if you bring north a guy who couldn't hit in AAA, and has not hit this spring.

==========================================================

Who are you referring to? What players are you worried about offending?

Not so much a matter of offense; the players understand the business aspect of the game.

 

That being said, do you think it's a good business decision to promote players who are severely under-performing?

Edited March 15, 2016 by DrNeau

[alarp33]

 

=====================================================

DrNeau, on 15 Mar 2016 - 12:55 PM, said:

    IMHO, it doesn't send a good message to the players if you bring north a guy who couldn't hit in AAA, and has not hit this spring.

=====================================================

Not so much a matter of offense; the players understand the business aspect of the game.

 

That being said, do you think it's a good business decision to promote players who are severely under-performing?

 

You didn't answer my question. I still don't know who or what you are referring to.  

 

Did I think it was a wise baseball move to put Jason Bartlett on the Opening Day roster in 2014? No, because he didn't perform, wasn't an outfielder, and hadn't been a productive ML player in 5 years. 

 

Do I think any of the 13 near lock position players in 2016 should be sent down or released if they don't hit during a few week span this March? No (though I'm not the biggest D Santana fan and am not going to lose any sleep if they waivered him)

[Dantes929]

 

Bah, I meant, no place did he even mention Murphy.....that should have been obvious.

Should have been obvious but was not until after I responded.       Being a Twins fan and wishing a guy who is not a Twin to have success are not mutually exclusive but I was just curious about what motivated it.    Of course I am going to come across as cold and unfeeling but he really is just another millionaire playing for some other team to me and I literally wish you well just as much as I do Hicks.    I am more of a baseball and Twins fan than I am of any individual  player and there was noting all that compelling to me about Hicks, either as a player or as a person to favor him over any other player that has left.      I wish Murphy well because he plays for the Twins and while I have no animosity toward Hicks and in fact often defended him I don't want him to fail but have no desire to see him do fantastic and see more irrational criticism of Twins management in these posts.   Maybe I am cold.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Should have been obvious but was not until after I responded.       Being a Twins fan and wishing a guy who is not a Twin to have success are not mutually exclusive but I was just curious about what motivated it.    Of course I am going to come across as cold and unfeeling but he really is just another millionaire playing for some other team to me and I literally wish you well just as much as I do Hicks.    I am more of a baseball and Twins fan than I am of any individual  player and there was noting all that compelling to me about Hicks, either as a player or as a person to favor him over any other player that has left.      I wish Murphy well because he plays for the Twins and while I have no animosity toward Hicks and in fact often defended him I don't want him to fail but have no desire to see him do fantastic and see more irrational criticism of Twins management in these posts.   Maybe I am cold.

 

Not cold, just a different kind of fan.....not a better or worse one, just different.

[jimmer]

 

If you check a Yankees depth chart, Hicks is the 4th outfielder. He'll get lots of playing time, but he won't be a starter.

 

Having said that, I wish him well as well. I also wish great things for Murphy.

Yeah, I know that. I think he will be eventually, if not some time this year then next year.  Ellsbury is injury prone and Beltran is a FA next year.

Edited March 15, 2016 by jimmer

[jimmer]

 

I wonder why.   Not in a judging way but curiosity.     I was hoping he would have a fantastic career as a starting player for the Twins .  Or as a fantastic platoon player for the Twins.    Now I hope   Murphy has a fantastic career as a starting player.   

I hope Murphy does as well, but I like Hicks and want him to do well too.

[DrNeau]

 

I still don't know who or what you are referring to. 

 

==========================================================
DrNeau, on 15 Mar 2016 - 12:55 PM, said:
  IMHO, it doesn't send a good message to ANY OR ALL players if you bring north a guy (like Arcia) who couldn't hit in AAA, and has not hit this spring (Arcia/Vargas/Santana - choose any).
==========================================================

[Shaitan]

 

What if Arcia is hitting righties with an OPS of .800 or so and Park is hitting them .730 or so? I think it is reasonable. Arcia has a career .807 OPS against righties.

Park’s splits last year (limited data points)

Righties .329, 30.6% k rate. 13% BB rate.

Lefties .368, 25% k rate, 22% BB rate.

http://eng.koreabaseball.com/Teams/PlayerInfoHitter/SituationsPitcher.aspx?pcode=75125

 

If Arcia can perform at that level I think it will sort itself out, honestly. That said, I haven't seen enough of him hitting when he doesn't play everyday to suggest that he will.

 

But, to answer your question, if he can put up those numbers in a platoon role, of course they should play him.

[howieramone2]

 

You have to be smart about your 25 guys, no question.  Other teams have done it.  You can typically find corner OF guys in the $2-4m range that can play each corner, sometimes guys that can play in the infield as well that have nice splits and mix and match them. Super utility types.

 

But it would take getting rid of this, player X is making this much and needs to play every day mentality.  When I was 10 we were at Disneyworld and my Dad made us all eat at Norway because they had a buffett.  Of course Norway has terrible food and we had to "get our moneys worth", so my brothers and I ate about ten pieces of lefsa.  It was gross but we did it.  We paid our money so we had to do it.

 

The Twins are going to do the same with Park.  They made a 4 year commitment so he will hit against righties even though our team would be better off if Arcia did.

Park is going to be better than board favorites Meyer, Pinto, and Arcia combined. Also, my grandmother's lefsa was to die for.

[tobi0040]

Park is going to be better than board favorites Meyer, Pinto, and Arcia combined. Also, my grandmother's lefsa was to die for.

Color me skeptical. About the Lefsa that is.

[tobi0040]

If Arcia can perform at that level I think it will sort itself out, honestly. That said, I haven't seen enough of him hitting when he doesn't play everyday to suggest that he will.

 

But, to answer your question, if he can put up those numbers in a platoon role, of course they should play him.

All he has to do is chill out. Take a deep breath. And if his career ends up being a platoon guy he can still play 80 percent of the time and make 20 million dollars.

[Dr. Evil]

So you'd rather just get rid of a guy who has a 104 OPS+ in his age 22 and 23 seasons? And in favor of who, Ryan Sweeney?

Kepler or Polanco.

[Oldgoat_MN]

 

Park is going to be better than board favorites Meyer, Pinto, and Arcia combined. Also, my grandmother's lefsa was to die for.

 

I bet MY grandma's lefsa was better!

[DrNeau]

 

So you'd rather just get rid of a guy who has a 104 OPS+ in his age 22 and 23 seasons? And in favor of who, Ryan Sweeney?

1. Yes

2. No. Max Kepler. 

[bluechipper]

 

Kepler or Polanco.

Why? They're prospects who need to play everyday, and the Twins don't have any available starting spots for them right now.

[bluechipper]

 

1. Yes

2. No. Max Kepler. 

I don't think I've ever heard of a top 50 prospect, with minor league options remaining, and who has never played in AAA starting a season as a 4th outfielder. That seems like a poor development path.

[DrNeau]

 

I don't think I've ever heard of a top 50 prospect, with minor league options remaining, and who has never played in AAA starting a season as a 4th outfielder. That seems like a poor development path.

Who said anything about 4th outfielder? I would start Kepler in RF and put Sano at 1B. Difference of opinion. Not that big of a deal.

[alarp33]

 

==========================================================
DrNeau, on 15 Mar 2016 - 12:55 PM, said:
  IMHO, it doesn't send a good message to ANY OR ALL players if you bring north a guy (like Arcia) who couldn't hit in AAA, and has not hit this spring (Arcia/Vargas/Santana - choose any).
==========================================================

 

The guy who posted an OPS+ of 100 at age 22, and 108 at age 23? And has hit 36 major league home runs before his 25th birthday, even with a lost season in there?

[Dman]

 

His exact words were "I'm hoping Aaron Hicks has a fantastic career as a starting player." so yes, Hicks was mentioned and in fact the focus of the entire post.

As a world view I guess I want everyone to be happy and productive but if Hicks is a full time player it just means someone else is not and I am not really more attached to that unnamed player than I am to Hicks now that he is no longer a Twin.   I honestly would be just as happy if you were the starting outfielder for the Yankees and Hicks never played another inning in the majors.   Its not wishing Hicks to fail but rather not caring if he does or does not now that he is not a Twin.   I am way more of a Twins fan than individual player fan so if we trade Hicks for Murphy it is Murphy that I want to succeed and Hicks is as irrelevant to my life as Luke Hughes.  That's nothing against Luke Hughes but I don't spend my time hoping he has a fantastic career as a starting player.  .    I don't know why a Twins fan would want a not Twins player to have a fantastic career as a starting player unless there is more than just the connection that he used to play for the Twins.

Am I cold and unfeeling?   I did give you an endorsement for being the Yankees starting outfielder.

 

In many ways I agree with your sentiment.  After following these guys from the minors up to MLB and being so invested in their success it is hard to give up on them even if they move to another team.  Do I follow them as closely?  Probably not but I guess there is part of me that wants to believe I was right about that player. That he would be good or great if given more opportunity.  

 

At any rate I get your point and agree that I spend far more time worrying about the players on the Twins than Ex Twins players.  So I think in many ways you are correct in your analysis.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Giving up on Oswaldo Arcia in March of 2016 is the kind of thing that has a high probability of biting the team in the ass... Not to the level of David Ortiz - that's extremely rare - but Oswaldo could easily turn into an .800 OPS guy if he sorts out a few relatively minor issues (which seem to approach-related, not any kind of physical deficiency).

 

He should get at least 100 PAs before the team considers cutting bait with him permanently.

[tobi0040]

Giving up on Oswaldo Arcia in March of 2016 is the kind of thing that has a high probability of biting the team in the ass... Not to the level of David Ortiz - that's extremely rare - but Oswaldo could easily turn into an .800 OPS guy if he sorts out a few relatively minor issues (which seem to approach-related, not any kind of physical deficiency).

 

He should get at least 100 PAs before the team considers cutting bait with him permanently.

Especially give him a shot to exclusively hit against righties. He is making peanuts so what is the risk?

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

If you check a Yankees depth chart, Hicks is the 4th outfielder. He'll get lots of playing time, but he won't be a starter.

Well, Beltran is almost 39 years old, and posted a -14 Rfield last year.  And as mentioned by another poster, he's a FA next winter, and Ellsbury missed significant time last year (and got benched for the wild card game).  And Gardner, the healthiest one, is just returning from an injury today himself, and has been the subject of trade rumors.

 

I think it's quite likely that there could be a starting job there, very soon for Hicks, if his performance warrants one (as well as if/when there is an injury).

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Especially give him a shot to exclusively hit against righties. He is making peanuts so what is the risk?

Yep. He's a potent bat off the bench, something the Twins have been lacking for years.

 

Really, I'm pretty happy with how the bench looks to start the season. A capable catching backup in either Suzuki or Murphy, a speedy futility guy in Santana, a classic bench guy with a decent bat in Nunez, and a potent bat-first guy in Arcia.

 

That's a decent bench and if any of those players were better at baseball, they'd be starting. There isn't a black hole guy anywhere on that list; each player has a useful tool that can help the team win ballgames if used correctly.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

But it would take getting rid of this, player X is making this much and needs to play every day mentality.  When I was 10 we were at Disneyworld and my Dad made us all eat at Norway because they had a buffett.  Of course Norway has terrible food and we had to "get our moneys worth", so my brothers and I ate about ten pieces of lefsa.  It was gross but we did it.  We paid our money so we had to do it.

Are you sure you don't mean lutefisk (a jelly-like fish dish)?  Lefsa is just bread, and I've never seen it characterized as gross.  Lutefisk, on the other hand, is almost universally characterized as gross...

[tobi0040]

 

Are you sure you don't mean lutefisk (a jelly-like fish dish)?  Lefsa is just bread, and I've never seen it characterized as gross.  Lutefisk, on the other hand, is almost universally characterized as gross...

 

Nope, Lefsa.  It was like a soft taco shell. Not neccesarily gross, but when you are told you need to fill up on it....the 10th one is pretty gross