James Beresford, Vargas, and Duffey called up

[Danchat]

Finally, after 3.5 years of languishing in AAA, infielder James Beresford will finally make his major league debut. He's slashed a modest .269/.330/.312 but has a career .286/.334/.342 in AAA. So he basically has no power, but he hits singles like a machine. Vargas and Duffey are returning too. hopefully Duffey can relieve Andrew Albers of his duties of starting. Vargas should get some ABs after he was crushing the ball in August.

 

I think there needs to be a 40 man move to get Beresford on... perhaps they'll throw Danny Santana on the 60 day DL since he isn't returning from his shoulder injury.

[Rosterman]

The Rochester daily newspaper reports that James Beresford will get his day in the major leagues. He was recalled after Monday's game, along with Kennys Vargas and Tyler Duffey.

 

 

Beresford joined the Twins organization in 2007 out of Australia and his toiled thru the minor league system, primarily as a second baseman and shortstop, advancing steadily thru the system until hitting a roadblock and spending the past 3 1/2 seasons with the Rochester Red Wings. He had signed this last season as a minor league free agent to continue his career in the Twins organization.

 

Kudos to Beresford who is still only 27.

 

I'm not sure the limits on the number of guys on the 60-man disabled list, but both Park and Santana could be moved there now.

 

Also hope that they try Duffey in long relief over starting (but that means Milone or Albers is the other starter, sigh). Molitor is quoted as saying he will stick with a 5-man rotation thru the Mets series.

 

Looks like the decision on Wheeler will happen in November when the 40-man rosters need to be set. The names I see needing protection from the Rule 5 are Garver, Baxendale, Gonsalves, Granite, Stewart, Palka, Wheeler and Jones. Possibly Goodrum and Jorge. I think names like Slegers, Eades, D.J. Hicks, Irby, Vielma, Turner, Westphal, Van Steensel, Peterson, Wade and Vavra are pretty safe. Hurlburt could leave the organization as a minor league free agent.

 

 

 

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/baseball/minors/2016/09/05/james-beresford-red-wings-twins/89892098/

[jokin]

 

Finally, after 3.5 years of languishing in AAA, infielder James Beresford will finally make his major league debut. He's slashed a modest .269/.330/.312 but has a career .286/.334/.342 in AAA. So he basically has no power, but he hits singles like a machine. Vargas and Duffey are returning too. hopefully Duffey can relieve Andrew Albers of his duties of starting. Vargas should get some ABs after he was crushing the ball in August.

 

I think there needs to be a 40 man move to get Beresford on... perhaps they'll throw Danny Santana on the 60 day DL since he isn't returning from his shoulder injury.

 

Or Byung Ho Park?

 

[Riverbrian]

I'm actually kinda relieved that Vargas is up

 

I won't be totally relieved unless Molitor actually plays him. 

 

He earned it. 

[Kwak]

Hmm, any of these guys pitch? No? Then ignoring the #1 need of the Twins should not be considered "good roster management".

 

I'm happy for Beresford to get to the majors (and some very nice benefits) I'm not going to "... stand up and Shout!, Hey Ayy!...". a .286 singles machine from AAA has about as much HP as my lawnmower.

[jokin]

 

Hmm, any of these guys pitch? No? Then ignoring the #1 need of the Twins should not be considered "good roster management".

 

I'm happy for Beresford to get to the majors (and some very nice benefits) I'm not going to "... stand up and Shout!, Hey Ayy!...". a .286 singles machine from AAA has about as much HP as my lawnmower.

 

You forgot Duffey, who looks to be joining the mix with yet another opportunity, along with Berrios, to make his case in September for being awarded one of the 5 SP spots in 2017.

[gunnarthor]

Good for Beresford.  I hope he does well.

[Thrylos]

 

You forgot Duffey, who looks to be joining the mix with yet another opportunity, along with Berrios, to make his case in September for being awarded one of the 5 SP spots in 2017.

 

I just hope that the Twins will do the smart thing and get Duffey back to the pen where he can excel, because a. he has only 2 pitches and b. his fastball loses velocity and flattens later in the game.   What we saw last season is more pronounced this one.

 

His career splits:

 

1st Inn 3.66 ERA
2nd Inn 3.45 ERA
3rd Inn 4.91 ERA
4-6 Inn 6.14 ERA
7-9 Inn 9.58 ERA

 

32 GS and 151.3 IP, are enough to not be a SSS.

 

The Twins need relievers badly, he could be a good to great one and a good to great reliever is much more valuable than a mediocre to poor starter that cannot pitch effectively into the 5th inning....

[Thrylos]

 

 

 

He's slashed a modest .269/.330/.312 but has a career .286/.334/.342 in AAA. So he basically has no power, but he hits singles like a machine.

 

 

I bet a machine can beat a .269 batting average

 

He could be a decent utility player, but he is Escobar's age and in his prime. Good recognition for him, but I don't want to see him taking field time away from Sano at 3B or Polanco at SS

 

 

[Seth Stohs]

 

I'm actually kinda relieved that Vargas is up

 

I won't be totally relieved unless Molitor actually plays him. 

 

He earned it. 

 

 

Based on? His AAA play, or his couple of good weeks with the Twins.

[DocBauer]

Good for Beresford! He deserves it, and really deserved it more last season. I'd like to bring him back again next season, milb contact or not. This might entice him to return.

 

About time Vargas was back up! Now play him Molitor!

 

I have not given up on Duffey as a starter. Last year, and at times this year, we've seen what he is capable of as a ML SP and it can be good. But there is a definite need for a true long man in the pen. He could be that guy and your #6 starter when you need that fill in guy.

[mnfireman]

Unless Mauer is shut down or an injury to Plouffe or Sano happens, there is nowhere to play Vargas. 

[Riverbrian]

 

Based on? His AAA play, or his couple of good weeks with the Twins.

 

His couple of good weeks (I'll say Month) with the Twins in 2016 is good enough for me. Ask a player to perform and then bench him when he does. I'm flat out against that. He's earned a chance to continue performing like he was. Who was out performing him? 

 

If he can't... He can't... Let him show us.   

 

 

And... If you stretch it out... 475 MLB AB's now for his career and I don't think he has done anything to not be allowed an opportunity. Other players are forgiven for having stretches like he had in 2015. 

 

I'm actually surprised that you don't feel the same. 

[mikelink45]

I am confused over who is and who isn't a good prospect.  Who is and who isn't a major leaguer on this team.  I see great MILB stats and horrible MLB stats.  I watch players bounce up and down, I see a few fight through the confusion - congratulations Buxton, don't listen to any more advice.  I do not know what the connection between MLB and MIBL coaches is.  Is this what Total System Failure is?  How does it stop?

[Shaitan]

 

Hmm, any of these guys pitch? No? Then ignoring the #1 need of the Twins should not be considered "good roster management".

 

Or they don't have any MLB caliber pitchers in AAA. They've already gone through, what, 30 this year?

[Halsey Hall]

Good for Beresford, finally!

[jokin]

 

I just hope that the Twins will do the smart thing and get Duffey back to the pen where he can excel, because a. he has only 2 pitches and b. his fastball loses velocity and flattens later in the game.   What we saw last season is more pronounced this one.

 

His career splits:

 

1st Inn 3.66 ERA
2nd Inn 3.45 ERA
3rd Inn 4.91 ERA
4-6 Inn 6.14 ERA
7-9 Inn 9.58 ERA

 

32 GS and 151.3 IP, are enough to not be a SSS.

 

The Twins need relievers badly, he could be a good to great one and a good to great reliever is much more valuable than a mediocre to poor starter that cannot pitch effectively into the 5th inning....

 

Yep. Like you, I've already proposed previously that Duffey should be one of their top options for consideration for the feature bullpen role in 2017. It's just strange how a top college closer (with the accompanying shortcomings that made him a reliever in the first place) is now a top Twins option as an SP, while a proven minor league and major league starter is only being considered for relief roles (Trevor May).

[jokin]

 

Unless Mauer is shut down or an injury to Plouffe or Sano happens, there is nowhere to play Vargas. 

 

This one is easy.

 

The winner and loser of these remaining September/October games do not matter. one whit.

 

The way he's moving on the basepaths, Mauer obviously needs to be shut down (or full-time PH) to avoid more serious injury.

 

Assuming Sano's elbow is healthy, he should play nearly every rep at 3rd and DHing if his elbow isn't healthy.

 

Plouffe should be DHing, pinch-hitting and playing back-up on the corners.

 

Vargas should DH and/or play every available inning at 1st.

[Mr. Brooks]

Unless Mauer is shut down or an injury to Plouffe or Sano happens, there is nowhere to play Vargas.

Now that the trade deadline has passed, there is no good reason for Plouffe to play another game this season. Unless he's needed because of injuries.

[Seth Stohs]

 

His couple of good weeks (I'll say Month) with the Twins in 2016 is good enough for me. Ask a player to perform and then bench him when he does. I'm flat out against that. He's earned a chance to continue performing like he was. Who was out performing him? 

 

If he can't... He can't... Let him show us.   

 

 

And... If you stretch it out... 475 MLB AB's now for his career and I don't think he has done anything to not be allowed an opportunity. Other players are forgiven for having stretches like he had in 2015. 

 

I'm actually surprised that you don't feel the same. 

 

I don't actually disagree with any of that, but with the Twins (or most other teams), he's not going to play a lot of first, just against some tough lefties, and with Sano and Plouffe both around, he's not going to DH much. Those are his only positions. 

[Mike Sixel]

why, Seth, should Plouffe be playing at all right now? If you ran the team, and they were on pace to lose 100 games.....would you play Plouffe, or Vargas right now?

 

Congrats to all three on their promotions. Happy for them all.

[Thrylos]

 

Based on? His AAA play, or his couple of good weeks with the Twins.

 

Sub "Buxton" for "Vargas", and this could be said for both...

 

On the other hand, unlike Buxton, Vargas did not look lost at any point this season in the majors...

[Seth Stohs]

 

why, Seth, should Plouffe be playing at all right now? If you ran the team, and they were on pace to lose 100 games.....would you play Plouffe, or Vargas right now?

 

Congrats to all three on their promotions. Happy for them all.

 

I'd play Plouffe. No question. He's a major leaguer and he's better than Vargas. As much as many fans don't see him as part of the future, we don't know that yet. He's a solid 3B. He's had a tough, injury-filled year. Next year, if they brought him back, he'd only cost like $8-9 million. If it's decided that Sano is a DH only, having Plouffe as the 3B isn't a bad thing at all. 

 

Vargas is a DH. Just so little flexibility.

 

Opinions on solely mine... 

[alarp33]

 

I'd play Plouffe. No question. He's a major leaguer and he's better than Vargas. As much as many fans don't see him as part of the future, we don't know that yet. He's a solid 3B. He's had a tough, injury-filled year. Next year, if they brought him back, he'd only cost like $8-9 million. If it's decided that Sano is a DH only, having Plouffe as the 3B isn't a bad thing at all. 

 

Vargas is a DH. Just so little flexibility.

 

Opinions on solely mine... 

 

We'll leave Vargas out of this, but I'm not sure how you think paying $8-9 million for a below average 3rd baseman "isn't a bad thing at all".  That's exactly the type of decision losing teams make

[alarp33]

 

Sub "Buxton" for "Vargas", and this could be said for both...

 

On the other hand, unlike Buxton, Vargas did not look lost at any point this season in the majors...

 

Trying to compare Buxton to Vargas is quite the stretch.  Isn't one 22 and the other 26? Isn't one a potential dominant defensive CenterFielder while the other is a DH?

[Mike Sixel]

 

I'd play Plouffe. No question. He's a major leaguer and he's better than Vargas. As much as many fans don't see him as part of the future, we don't know that yet. He's a solid 3B. He's had a tough, injury-filled year. Next year, if they brought him back, he'd only cost like $8-9 million. If it's decided that Sano is a DH only, having Plouffe as the 3B isn't a bad thing at all. 

 

Vargas is a DH. Just so little flexibility.

 

Opinions on solely mine... 

 

Thanks, we don't agree, but thanks.

[Riverbrian]

 

I'd play Plouffe. No question. He's a major leaguer and he's better than Vargas. As much as many fans don't see him as part of the future, we don't know that yet. He's a solid 3B. He's had a tough, injury-filled year. Next year, if they brought him back, he'd only cost like $8-9 million. If it's decided that Sano is a DH only, having Plouffe as the 3B isn't a bad thing at all. 

 

Vargas is a DH. Just so little flexibility.

 

Opinions on solely mine... 

 

In my opinion... Only if you factor in Defense or experience related intangibles does Plouffe end up as the better player. But only if you factor in Defense. 

 

And if you factor in Defense... Plouffe is only a decent steady defender who is miles from the "I take hits away" type guy so in my opinion... That boost just doesn't add to much... It certainly doesn't add up to... This guy needs to play every day.  

 

At the plate... Vargas appears to be better... At least with my eyes and his stats appear to back my eyes up.  

 

Bottom Line... It's never black or white to me... It's never this guy sits and this guy plays to me. 

 

Plouffe can sit... Mauer can sit... Sano can sit on occasion and so can Vargas. When someone (vargas) sits all the time. That's when I don't like it.

 

Especially when the guys playing in front of him have not out performed him at the plate.

 

A good manager can figure this out in our current situation without someone getting splinters. 

 

 

A good manager should figure it out. 

 

 

[wsnydes]

 

 

A good manager should figure it out. 

Therein lies the problem...

 

I don't see why anyone should not get decent playing time.  Polanco should be playing every day.  Rotating the corners shouldn't be that big of a deal with Beresford getting some mop up duty and spot starts for Polanco and Dozier.

[Rosterman]

We have 17 guys coming off the bench right now to play. The Twins can offer pinch-hitting, late inning replacements, defensive replacements. Then can rotate some guys in and out (like how they have been using Suzuki at the end of the game rather than the other way around). 

 

But any player playing should be in the psoition you expect to see them play next season. If Sano IS the 3rd baseman, he's starting every game there. Doesn't ,mean he can't be rotated out. If you want to see Plouffe or Vargas at first, you do so. If Dozier stays at second, you have to play Polanco at shortstop and see how he does in continuous games and now two months of the season. 

 

You also find the correct spot in the lineup that you expect to see next year. Will Buxton BE the lead-off man, well, start it now. See what happens if you drop Mauer down in the order.

 

BUT IF THE GUY isn't going to be on the roster next year, or has a fringe chance, then he is a bench player, period.

 

And I still don't see how getting Walker up here and giving him a half-dozen at bats and a game in the field would be a bad thing.

 

Just like pitching. Is Duffey a starter (we have seen his work) or let's try him out in relief (even if it means we see Milone/Dean/Albers in the rotation, I guess). Will may be able to throw multiple innings when he comes of the DL today? If so, do that, with days off in between. We need to give - sink or swim - relief innings to Wimmers and O'Rourke because they are on the 40-man bubble.

 

The 40-man roster decisions this year will be harsh. There are enough guys to add who can come up next season so we don't have future prospects languishing on the roster. Those decisions will be some o the first ones the new general manager/PBO HAVE to make. Especially the fear of losing those guys at Cedar Rapids/Ft. Myers that might be eligible for the minor league portion of the draft.

[Mike Sixel]

I'd move Duffey to RP now. But, I can see the argument for him being a starter, and would not be opposed to him starting.