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Mike Napoli

Cory Engelhardt

By Cory Engelhardt
in Minnesota Twins Talk

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nicksaviking MVP

nicksaviking

Community Moderator
Posted
Posted

He'd be a good RH platoon partner for Castro at catcher. That's what we're using him as right?

 

I don't know though, seems like too much of a mess for the DH situation and I don't think he's nearly as good as advertised. He was a good hitter last year but he's not great; he hasn't had an OPS over .800 since 2013 and he's turning 35.

 

I also don't know what to make of the "winning" and "leadership" angles. He keeps finding himself on good teams but looking at the rosters around him, I don't think he's exactly the reason why. If people want a veteran leader from a winning organization, how about Matt Holliday, at least he can play OF (kind of) and is a right handed complement to Rosario and Kepler.

 

To be clear I'm not overly interested in Holliday, just an idea for those interested in the winner-veteran-leader angle.

Mr. Brooks Cedar Rapids Kernels

Mr. Brooks

Verified Member
Posted
Posted

Didn't they cut Walker loose because they had too many corner OF/1B/DH types?

 

How does adding a much older more expensive version of the all or nothing hitter help the rebuild?

 

Haven't the Twins' minor league teams been racking up championships, or at least making playoffs? Doesn't that define building a winning culture from the bottom up?

 

This rumor does nothing but raise questions for me.

I think they cut Walker loose because he just wasn't figuring it out, is probably 1% to ever be a mlb player, and they wanted that 40 man spot.

They have an opening in the OF so I don't think it was because of position.

Mike Sixel GOAT

Mike Sixel

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted

 

I think they cut Walker loose because he just wasn't figuring it out, is probably 1% to ever be a mlb player, and they wanted that 40 man spot.
They have an opening in the OF so I don't think it was because of position.

 

Also, he and Palka are kind of the same thing, and Palka might be better at hitting....I have my doubts, but still.

HitInAPinch Ft Myers Mighty Mussels

HitInAPinch

Verified Member
Posted
Posted

Park: came in hurt or got hurt shortly after the season began.  He get's first spot in the 1st / DH rotation.

 

Vargas:  I think his time is just about up with the Twins.  He's had some nice runs, but hasn't been awe inspiring. 

 

Napoli:  he's apparently making the rounds and asking for a 3 year contract.  Big No on that.  I'd rather they keep promoting from within and keep shopping for better pitching. 

Mr. Brooks Cedar Rapids Kernels

Mr. Brooks

Verified Member
Posted
Posted

Where did I get the "too many corner" quote. Bernardino? Didn't Falvey make some kind of reference?

 

Dagnabbit, more questions.

Maybe corner IF and DH. I wouldn't say we are crowded at corner OF. We are already starting an ideal 4th OF in left because we don't have a better option of yet.

Mike Sixel GOAT

Mike Sixel

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted

 

Not interested in Napoli at his advanced age and declining statistics. Plus why would Napoli want to play for the Twins even if he knows Falvey. The chances of the Twins being a contender without an established Ace pitcher are little to none.
Napoli is going to want to play for a winner.

 

Napoli will follow the money, they nearly always do.

Thrylos St Paul Saints

Thrylos

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted

 

In Darren Wolfson's latest podcast, he reported that he Twins have expressed interest in Mike Napoli.

 

Here is the link to his most recent podcast.  The Twins stuff is from 50:40 to about 54:20 and no mention of that.  Can you point to a time mark?

clone52 Draft Eligible

clone52

Verified Member
Posted
Posted

 

That is NOT a fact. Please Prove that his presense is what caused us to do what happened in 2015. It is a logical fallacy called post hoc ergo propter hoc.

We had one incredible month in May. Our runs scored for the season was way out of whack with our actual offensive stats.

 

Agree, its not really fact.  However, the circumstantial evidence is pretty high.

 

Claiming it was all due to the month of May is garbage.  Their worst month in 2015 was better than 5 out of 6 months in 2016.   Their second worst month in 2015 was better than 5 out of 6 months in 2014 and 4 out of 6 months in 2013.

 

It seems like there may be something to having good, veteran leadership in the clubhouse.

clone52 Draft Eligible

clone52

Verified Member
Posted
Posted

 

I have no idea...and if you think Hunter was the secret sauce, why did NO ONE sign him for the following year? I mean, if he can single handedly help a team win 10-20 games, that is worth, what, $80-100MM per year, right?

 

Hunter decided to retire.  If he had wanted to play, he would have easily been signed, probably by the Twins.

clone52 Draft Eligible

clone52

Verified Member
Posted
Posted

 

We don't know, at all, if Park is good. No one does. I'd rather take a chance on Park or Vargas, than have a guy around for 1 year, who will then leave.

 

Let's pretend that Napoli is some magician, that can help a team win 10 games as a leader:

 

a: why is he not signed for YUGE dollars?

b: what good does that do THIS TEAM for 1 year?

 

I don't think many people are claiming he is going to lead the team to a championship, but if his veteran leadership can rub off on the young guys like Buxton, Sano, Kepler, Polanco, that can have a lasting impact for years to come.

 

If the front office doesn't believe Vargas and Park are long term answers and the long term answer isn't major league ready, then it doesn't hurt anything to bring in someone for a year mainly for their veteran presence.

Mr. Brooks Cedar Rapids Kernels

Mr. Brooks

Verified Member
Posted
Posted

I don't think many people are claiming he is going to lead the team to a championship, but if his veteran leadership can rub off on the young guys like Buxton, Sano, Kepler, Polanco, that can have a lasting impact for years to come.

 

If the front office doesn't believe Vargas and Park are long term answers and the long term answer isn't major league ready, then it doesn't hurt anything to bring in someone for a year mainly for their veteran presence.

I'd say this is a pretty damning indictment on the previous regime if none of the veterans we already have are leaders.

Not that they needed any more damning indictments.

jimmer Wichita Wind Surge

jimmer

Verified Member
Posted
Posted

 

Agree, its not really fact.  However, the circumstantial evidence is pretty high.

 

Claiming it was all due to the month of May is garbage.  Their worst month in 2015 was better than 5 out of 6 months in 2016.   Their second worst month in 2015 was better than 5 out of 6 months in 2014 and 4 out of 6 months in 2013.

 

It seems like there may be something to having good, veteran leadership in the clubhouse.

I don't really think circumstantial evidence supports it unless one first believes in it to begin with. 

 

And actually, I'm claiming it was awesome sequencing we did as well as we did. We were 8th in the AL for runs, but only 14th in wRC+, 15th in OBP, and 12th in slugging %.  That doesn't mesh.  On top of that, we were 12th in fielding. Of course, the pitching was better.  Not sure how a position player (not a catcher) effects the pitching staff.

 

We went 20-7 in May (.741 winning %) and our winning % the rest was 63-72.

 

If the 27 game May had been a 14-13 month (which would still be better than all but one of the other 5 months of the season), Twins record is.......76-86.  

 

And I'm sure there is something to veteran leadership. I have never said there isn't. I doubt it's enough to make a low 70ish win talent team into a 83 win talent team.

jimmer Wichita Wind Surge

jimmer

Verified Member
Posted
Posted

 

I don't think many people are claiming he is going to lead the team to a championship, but if his veteran leadership can rub off on the young guys like Buxton, Sano, Kepler, Polanco, that can have a lasting impact for years to come.

 

If the front office doesn't believe Vargas and Park are long term answers and the long term answer isn't major league ready, then it doesn't hurt anything to bring in someone for a year mainly for their veteran presence.

And if you believe Hunter's veteran leadership was the reason we did so well in 2015, why didn't it have 'a lasting impact for even this year'?  

 

Please don't take these posts as attacks, I'm just asking questions.  I respect your opinion, and agree to a point, just not to the degree you do.

Platoon Cedar Rapids Kernels

Platoon

Verified Member
Posted
Posted

I personally like Napoli, and in a different time in Twins history would be all for this. Giving up the roster spot, to win a couple more games in what promises to be a mediocre season makes no sense to me. I would rather roll the dice with Park and Vargas, and I am not even a big believer in Parks abilities. But since you can't get anything for either of them now, one might as well find out if you have something or not.

DaveW All-Star

DaveW

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted

I like Napoli, but give me a break, there is no reason to bring him into this club that is very much rebuilding at this stage. Those at bats need to be going to park or some other younger player who may have a future with the club.

 

If you want to sign veterans: look at bringing them in for the rotation and pen which are both disasters.

jud6312 FCL Twins

jud6312

Verified Member
Posted
Posted

I'll go ahead and bite and pretend that I would be Doogie got legit intel and I'll say, "no thanks."

 

Having said that, this seems more to me like he's drawing conclusions about the need for veteran leadership, Napoli's availability and the Cleveland tie.

 

Either way, it makes no sense for either side, IMO.

Danchat Minnesota Twins

Danchat

Verified Member
Posted
Posted

I think we are overblowing the Twins' amount of interest in Napoli... I don't see how he would want to play for the worst team in baseball, especially after nearly winning in the World Series. Plus he's either a 1B or DH... and we have our hands full there.

curt1965 First Round Pick

curt1965

Verified Member
Posted
Posted

It would be insane to sign Napoli! If they are looking for a veteran presence, I bet they could find one for 5 million, not 50. And I agree with Dave-let's get some pitching help.

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