Rosario up, Jepsen DFA'd

[Platoon]

This from Mike Bernadino last night. I am a little surprised it wasn't Polanco, since EE is an IF. And it's not that Rosario doesn't deserve the promotion, it just seems a chance to give some eval time to Polanco in general, although I still don't think he is the SS of the future. I am pretty tired of seeing hit first, glove second SS. Hopefully they are just in the beginning of stabilizing this roster, the move of Sano out of the OF was a start, getting Rosario is another, and making Grossman the 4th OF should follow.

 

http://www.twincities.com/2016/07/02/minnesota-twins-recall-eddie-rosario-from-triple-a/

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Interesting. The infielders in the outfield movement takes a turn for the traditional. Since Polanco needs all the playing time he can get, and Nunez seems pretty entrenched, there didn't look to be much time for Polano. I hope Rosario can take this opportunity and run with it.

[jokin]

It looks like Santana has just had his role changed from Utility OF to Utility IF. An all-youth OF of Rosario, Buxton and Kepler, besides offering the best defensive trio, is certainly intriguing as a developing offensive force- but they all have demonstrated that they face the likelihood of severe intermittent struggles at the plate. If Buxton continues to struggle below the Mendoza line, I'd look for Santana or Mastroianni to take his roster spot, with Rosario getting a look in CF.

[jokin]

 

Interesting. The infielders in the outfield movement takes a turn for the traditional. Since Polanco needs all the playing time he can get, and Nunez seems pretty entrenched, there didn't look to be much time for Polano. I hope Rosario can take this opportunity and run with it.

 

Yep, it would take either a trip to the DL or trade of Dozier to get Polanco up here. Either zero Twins confidence in giving Polanco a shot at SS or unwillingness to have him share the position and play irregularly-  Ironic that Nunez of all people is now doing the blocking- but he has earned his playing time and needs to continue being showcased in hopes of solid trade offers coming in by the end of the month.

[Platoon]

Interesting. The infielders in the outfield movement takes a turn for the traditional. Since Polanco needs all the playing time he can get, and Nunez seems pretty entrenched, there didn't look to be much time for Polano. I hope Rosario can take this opportunity and run with it.

The only problems Polanco faces is the fact that trading Plouffe does him no good, that Dozier will likely not be traded. And that the Twins seem to believe that Nunez is actually a competent middle IF. Personally I would trade Dozier while the lights still on, but that's just me. More likely they will end up with Polanco in a crunch next year. Out of options, and still with no lengthly evaluation of him in MLB. I agree Rosario should be up, Grossman should sit down, and I don think Buxton should go anywhere. It's sink or swim time, this bunch is either going to lead us out of the desert, or its gonna make Moses 40 years wandering aimlessly look like a field trip. Now about that pitching staff...............

[HitInAPinch]

I must be the absolutely last guy to read the Pioneer Press    

 

I like the call-up of Rosario.  Grossman gave the Twins a much needed spark, but has slid back to earth.  Time to keep moving towards Twins, NexGen.   Maybe I should be on the Twins Marketing staff 

 

I'm looking a Polanco's numbers.  Good, not great.  Has there been a decision on what position he'll play?  During his last call-up I believe he played 2nd, 3rd and SS.  And I think that was because of need.  He looks like he has the tools to be a good hitter.

Anyone know if he's playing one position full-time? 

 

Santana at SS:  anyone remember what he looked like early last year?  Fantastic arm:  footwork horrible.

[jokin]

 

TAnd that the Twins seem to believe that Nunez is actually a competent middle IF. 

 

Lots of good points in this post... but I really hope that this is not true... and if true, how do they come to that decision, he fails both the eye and sabre tests.

 

(And don't get me wrong, I lobbied for the Twins to put in a claim for Nunez when the Yanks DFA'd him. And I am very happy for him finding success in his first full-time chance- he's easy to like and root for. But the fact is- he is a flawed MLB player, who in all likelihood is having a career year- if the Twins aren't actively seeking out indications of interest for him they are committing malfeasance). 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

And that the Twins seem to believe that Nunez is actually a competent middle IF.

I can't jump to the conclusion that the Twins value Nunez's defense. They value is bat, and he's been the best hitter on the team for ~75 games.

 

If Rosario can regain his 2015 form the outfield could be a young strength very soon.

 

If Polanco isn't going to play every day, and i don't see how you bench either Dozier or Nunez, AAA is where Polanco belongs, for the time being. If a trade can be pulled off for either Dozier or Nunez, bring up Polanco

[dbminn]

Good for Rosario. Worked hard and is now rewarded.

 

I think they will rotate all four OF, with Grossman getting ABs against LHP. He's still the team's top hitter (by FanGraphs WRC+), 26 years old and has a .400 OBP. He's earned his ups, especially from the right side of the plate. 

[HitInAPinch]

 

Good for Rosario. Worked hard and is now rewarded.

 

I think they will rotate all four OF, with Grossman getting ABs against LHP. He's still the team's top hitter (by FanGraphs WRC+), 26 years old and has a .400 OBP. He's earned his ups, especially from the right side of the plate. 

Well, true.  However, what's the percentage of LHP to RHP in the MLB?

[Winston Smith]

 

Well, true.  However, what's the percentage of LHP to RHP in the MLB?

About 35-40% of at bats will be against left handed pitching. Grossman would still get a decent amount of at bats if he spells either Rosario or Kepler against left handed pitching.

[Willihammer]

Does Palka take his spot in ROC? Looks like the Red Wings have only Schafer and Walker in the OF now.

[Ncgo4]

This is a learning year for the OF of the next 10 years. Please, please don't platoon any of these 3 to help their statistics. We need to determine just what they can do day/night, left/right or any other split that can be brought up. We don't care about the record this year, we're working on one last good draft in a while.

[Willihammer]

LOL don't worry about a platoon. Molitor will spread around PT for 2-3 games then lock into "the hot hand." Really helps a young player like Rosario put together patient at-bats I'm sure.

[KirbyDome89]

I'll start by saying I'm "ok," with the move but I don't love it. I'm not sold on Rosario's ability to control an AB. He is never going to be a walk machine and his K/BB ratio is extremely ugly but as long as he recognizes which "bad," pitches he can drive and which ones he can't he'll be able to survive at the major league level. If Escobar is out for 1-2 weeks,Nunez plays everyday, and then is moved at the deadline this makes sense. If he's out an extended period of time, Nunez plays everyday at SS and isn't moved we have another Arcia situation.

[Rosterman]

It doesn't make total sense. Unless you ALSO move out Buxton. But, yes, there is no place for Polanco to play. I might've gone with Vargas, instead, as strictly a bat off the bench. The Twins till have one pitcher too many.

[darin617]

Just saw the Twins finally pulled the plug on Kevin Jepsen. Have not heard yet who is taking is spot on the team.

[Squirrel]

Okay ... all true here ... Rosario up, Jepsen out ...

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/07/twins-designate-kevin-jepsen-for-assignment.html

[Winston Smith]

 

Just saw the Twins finally pulled the plug on Kevin Jepsen. Have not heard yet who is taking is spot on the team.

We'll miss him.

[Squirrel]

Jepsen discussion can move to here: http://twinsdaily.com/topic/23087-article-what-was-your-favorite-kevin-jepsen-moment/

[crapforks]

Park got sent down to figure things out. Sano doesn't look to be playing right much if at all. Jepsen is sent packing. Kepler is playing every day. Things are slowly moving in the right direction. Now if Buxton can get going. If Nolasco can be removed. If Plouffe and/or Nunez can be flipped for some value. If some bullpen reinforcements can contribute. If Berrios can shake off his last ML stint. 

 

Still so many ifs.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Okay ... all true here ... Rosario up, Jepsen out ...

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/07/twins-designate-kevin-jepsen-for-assignment.html

i just assumed EE was going to the DL. Too bad Jeppy took such a sharp decline. The BP is fresh now and the all star break is right around the corner, but I wonder how long til the short starts cause another reliever to be added

[Halsey Hall]

Now it makes a lot of sense.  Our bullpen has been better lately so no need for so many bodies out there.  It gives Molly a bench to work with.

[DaveW]

should have made this move weeks ago and kept Arcia during that non existent "roster crunch"

 

"Two weeks too late."- The Terry Ryan story.

[Halsey Hall]

 

Now it makes a lot of sense.  Our bullpen has been better lately so no need for so many bodies out there.  It gives Molly a bench to work with.

Or not, with Trevor May coming back up.

[DJSim22]

 

It looks like Santana has just had his role changed from Utility OF to Utility IF. An all-youth OF of Rosario, Buxton and Kepler, besides offering the best defensive trio, is certainly intriguing as a developing offensive force- but they all have demonstrated that they face the likelihood of severe intermittent struggles at the plate. If Buxton continues to struggle below the Mendoza line, I'd look for Santana or Mastroianni to take his roster spot, with Rosario getting a look in CF.

 

Santana in CF today.

[jimbo92107]

Buxton is back to where we hoped he'd be at the beginning of this season, after finishing fairly strong last year. Rosario appears to have gotten his swing back, and maybe a little better zone discipline. Kepler looks like a freakin' all star with a beautiful, clean lefty swing. Grossman should drag Rosario into the film room to show him how to prep for pitchers. All of them are young with room to improve. All of them look like they will.

 

Meanwhile, I've got nothing against Kevin Jepsen except his performance on the field, which mostly sucked. He throws a flat fastball that drifts over the middle too much. For half a season last year he was picking corners, but this season we saw why his previous team let him go for a AA control pitcher. To be successful in the majors you've got to have mechanics that are repeatable enough to allow reliable control. Cole Hamels is a perfect example of that. His mechanics are as repeatable as one of those dippy bird toys:

 

 

That's Cole Hamels. It sure ain't Kevin Jepsen. 

[KirbyDome89]

I think the question now is whether Molitor's favorite player starts to eat into the playing time of Escobar (when healthy). If he's done in the OF (jesus I hope so) the Twins now have 2 utility IF guys. Nunez is having a career year and is going to get consistent playing time so does Molitor finally sit Santana or are we doomed to watch him leech playing time from Escobar. 

[h2oface]

Great! The Jepsen DFA is at least a month late, but at least the keen eye of the GM finally figured it out and didn't give him a 3 year extension in the off season when he already had another year left (maybe finally learning?). Another bit of fools gold. Keep the youth movement coming! Hope hope.

 

Is Mauer next? At least move him down in the order..... please.

[laloesch]

Let's build on this positive momentum.  DFA or trade Nolasco and call Berrios back up.  Move Milone to the pen as a left handed reliever, trade or DFA him.  Stretch out Trevor May in AAA (this will take a couple of starts).  Call up Chargois and give him a fair shot.  Find a trading partner for Plouffe and move Sano to 3rd full time and embrace the future.  

 

If someone comes asking about Nunez get what you can for him during a career year. If anyone comes asking about Dozier and offers a decent return, TRADE HIM before he beings his typical post all-star slump. Call up Polanco and get him meaningful playing time so that we can truly evaluate him as soon as possible.  

 

All of these moves should take place as soon as possible.