Twins Sign Robbie Grossman (Minor League Contract)

[Seth Stohs]

Per Nate Rowan, the Red Wings PR guy:

 

 

---

 

 

https://twitter.com/njrowan/status/732599778618572801 

[d-mac]

Why? A strikeout prone corner outfielder with little power. Sounds like the FO is doing more straw grasping here. I still would have preferred they kept Ryan Sweeney.

[Thrylos]

That's exactly what the Twins need to right this season and take PAs from Buxton, Kepler and Walker.  

Bravo Mr Ryan.

[Vanimal46]

I will give it 2 weeks before he's added on the 40 man and called up for Rosario. That's just the way this whirlwind of a season is going. 

[Mike Sixel]

I, uh, what?

[rghrbek]

Yawn

[Seth Stohs]

I like it. I've always liked Grossman as a prospect. He was playing well at Columbus, so hopefully it can carry over.

[Mike Sixel]

 

That's exactly what the Twins need to right this season and take PAs from Buxton, Kepler and Walker.  

Bravo Mr Ryan.

 

This is my concern also......none of the moves seem like they are first and foremost about making the top prospects the most successful they can be.

[alarp33]

 

This is my concern also......none of the moves seem like they are first and foremost about making the top prospects the most successful they can be.

 

I'll be the contrarian here - they have already messed with the prospects... that ship has sailed.  Buxton and Kepler appear to be in AAA for the foreseeable future, and I'm not concerned this will have a bearing on them.  

 

In the meantime, like as soon as next week.  I for one would MUCH rather give Grossman a look in CF than having to watch 1 more second of Danny Santana.  

[Otto von Ballpark]

One key piece missing from these reports: how Grossman was a free agent to begin with.  He opted out of his minor league deal with Cleveland yesterday:

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/05/robbie-grossman-opt-out-free-agent.html

 

Then immediately signs with the Twins today.  Sure sounds like he sees a path to MLB here...

 

I think he's the new David Murphy.  And we still have an open 40-man roster spot too... 

[Seth Stohs]

Do people really think that Robbie Grossman is going to "take at bats away from Byron Buxton and Max Kepler?" 

[Vanimal46]

 

One key piece missing from these reports: how Grossman was a free agent to begin with.  He opted out of his minor league deal with Cleveland yesterday:

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/05/robbie-grossman-opt-out-free-agent.html

 

Then immediately signs with the Twins today.  Sure sounds like he sees a path to MLB here...

 

I think he's the new David Murphy.  And we still have an open 40-man roster spot too... 

I think you're on the right path. He will come up for Rosario, since he has an option year left. Even though he should be taking D Santana's spot on the roster. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Do people really think that Robbie Grossman is going to "take at bats away from Byron Buxton and Max Kepler?" 

He probably didn't immediately sign with Rochester to sit on the bench.  Do you think Walker is going back to AA?  Or Kepler or Buxton back to Minnesota?  (Or Kepler to 1B, Vargas to DH?)

[Otto von Ballpark]

Love this report (bold emphasis mine):

 

http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/twins-robbie-grossman-signs-minor-league-deal-with-minnesota/

 

He'll likely add depth at Triple-A with Minnesota, but he could have a shot at the major league roster as a veteran fourth outfielder if Eddie Rosario or Danny Santana struggle.

[HitInAPinch]

 

Do people really think that Robbie Grossman is going to "take at bats away from Byron Buxton and Max Kepler?" 

 

.... or maybe someone is being promoted?  

[alarp33]

 

I think you're on the right path. He will come up for Rosario, since he has an option year left. Even though he should be taking D Santana's spot on the roster. 

 

Right, I'm ok with this move if it means no more Danny Santana... but like you said, that's extremely unlikely.  

[lukeduke1980]

I love looking at Similarity Scores on baseball-reference.com:  #9, Clete Thomas.

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/grossro01.shtml

[Seth Stohs]

 

He probably didn't immediately sign with Rochester to sit on the bench.  Do you think Walker is going back to AA?  Or Kepler or Buxton back to Minnesota?  (Or Kepler to 1B, Vargas to DH?)

 

I don't know what the plan is... but I'm certain it's not taking away at bats from Buxton and Kepler. Walker is probably more of a DH. 

 

Related to my previous article today, I would have no problem with them getting Grossman up to the big leagues and sending down Rosario. They can mix and match and let guys play around, but when healthy, Buxton will play CF and Kepler will play one of the four OF spots or 1B. 

[Mike Sixel]

 

Do people really think that Robbie Grossman is going to "take at bats away from Byron Buxton and Max Kepler?" 

 

So, if he doesn't take ABs away from ABWIII, Kepler, or Buxton, when will he bat? 

[d-mac]

 

I'll be the contrarian here - they have already messed with the prospects... that ship has sailed.  Buxton and Kepler appear to be in AAA for the foreseeable future, and I'm not concerned this will have a bearing on them.  

 

In the meantime, like as soon as next week.  I for one would MUCH rather give Grossman a look in CF than having to watch 1 more second of Danny Santana.  

 

Except Grossman CANNNOT play CF. He has total of 250 innings in CF, most were from 2013 and none last year. In those 250 innings he amassed a whopping -45.5 UZR/150 and -7 DRS. 

[d-mac]

 

I love looking at Similarity Scores on baseball-reference.com:  #9, Clete Thomas.

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/grossro01.shtml

 

I immediately thought of Clete Thomas when I looked at his stats. 25% K rate and hit .220/.300/.330- average defender in the corners, awful in CF.

[Thrylos]

 

Do people really think that Robbie Grossman is going to "take at bats away from Byron Buxton and Max Kepler?" 

 

Buck Britton and David Murphy have.  Briton started 13 games at the OF, Murphy 10.  And I am not even talking about Mastroianni.  

 

I cannot see how anyone can really think that he will not take PAs away from Buxton, Kepler and Walker.  They did not sign him to sit him. 

[alarp33]

 

Except Grossman CANNNOT play CF. He has total of 250 innings in CF, most were from 2013 and none last year. In those 250 innings he amassed a whopping -45.5 UZR/150 and -7 DRS. 

 

And Danny Santana can?  Fine, I would rather see Rosario, or any warm body in CF than Danny Santana... release Santana and let Grossman be the 4th OFer until Buxton is called up.  

 

I tried my hardest to defend a Twins move this season and failed it appears.  

[bluechipper]

It looks like Grossman's elite skill is taking walks. He has a .271 BA in the minors, with a .379 OBP. He walked over 100 times back in 2011, which got BP to rank him their #76 prospect.

[alarp33]

 

Buck Britton and David Murphy has.  Briton started 13 games at the OF, Murphy 10.  And I am not even talking about Mastroianni.  

 

I cannot see how any can really think that he will not take PAs away from Buxton, Kepler and Walker.  They did not sign him to sit him. 

 

Walker might never play an inning of OF in the Major Leagues, and Vargas can be cut from the 40 man any time and I won't shed a tear...

 

Yeah this comes across as shuffling chairs around the deck of the Titanic, but finding at bats for someone when Danny Santana, Adam Walker, Kennys Vargas are the ones most likely effected doesn't seem to be cause for great concern 

[jud6312]

I don't think we have to worry about him taking AAA ABs away from Kepler, Buck, ABW3 or anyone else. He didn't opt out of his minor league deal to sign another minor league deal with no clear path back to the show.

 

My God, we're actually going to see an OF of Robbie Grossman, Darin Mastroianni and Danny Santana by the Memorial Day.

 

With that kind of piranha-y goodness coming around, someone's gonna need to send Ozzie Guillen some rubber underpants to wear.

[jud6312]

 

 

Walker might never play an inning of OF in the Major Leagues, and Vargas can be cut from the 40 man any time and I won't shed a tear...

 

Yeah this comes across as shuffling chairs around the deck of the Titanic, but finding at bats for someone when Danny Santana, Adam Walker, Kennys Vargas are the ones most likely effected doesn't seem to be cause for great concern 

Except when it's a garbage player like this switch-hitting Mastro-wannabe.

[alarp33]

 

Except when it's a garbage player like this switch-hitting Mastro-wannabe.

 

Maybe my expectations are so freaking low with some of the crap they have done this season, I'm just happy its a guy who's still young, not 34 year olds who would rather retire than play here.  

[d-mac]

 

And Danny Santana can?  Fine, I would rather see Rosario, or any warm body in CF than Danny Santana... release Santana and let Grossman be the 4th OFer until Buxton is called up.  

 

I tried my hardest to defend a Twins move this season and failed it appears.  

 

Santana is not good in CF, but Grossman will be a butcher. In 3x as many innings in CF he is only put up a -3 DRS and -13.2 UZR/50. Which is only slightly below average, and not Delmon Young bad.

[d-mac]

 

It looks like Grossman's elite skill is taking walks. He has a .271 BA in the minors, with a .379 OBP. He walked over 100 times back in 2011, which got BP to rank him their #76 prospect.

 

Also strikes out alot and is a switch hitter. Sort of like Aaron Hicks with less power and no defense.