Kennys Vargas

[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

Here is my question on Vargas, and somewhat Grossman; do they actually have a platoon strength/weakness, and if so...what? 

 

Vargas has crushed LHP the past two you years in the MLB, but struggled against them his first year. He, struggled the past two years against RHP in the MLB, but did well against them his first year.

 

However, the past two seasons these splits have been the opposite in AAA and AA. He has absolutely destroyed RHP in the minors the past two seasons, while struggling against LHP in the minors. Three years ago in the minors, his splits were pretty neutral in AA.

 

What to make of all this noise? If you just look at his MLB numbers the past two years, you'd say he is someone you want to platoon vs LHP, but sit otherwise. However, you look at his AAA numbers the past two years vs RHP and you see someone has shown that he can mash against them, but who also struggled vs LHP. 

 

To some degree, Grossman is someone who mashed LHP this past year, but also hit decent vs RHP, but in the past it was not the case. What is he?

 

 

I ask this because I think we are a team that can crush LHP, with a fully platooned lineup (Dozier included,) but we don't seem to have any 'real' left-handed power hitters we can trust. Keppler and Rosario are not really power hitters, and I am personally not sure what to think of Vargas and Grossman. 

 

Hopefully Palka starts strong and develops well.

 

 

 

 

[ScrapTheNickname]

It makes me sad to think of next season with the same players we had in 2016 shuffling around in our heads. Just the words "Danny Santana" make me tired of losing already.

[Physics Guy]

 

I would be very surprised if the Twins had a bench that consisted of a backup OF'er, utility IF'er, a backup catcher and a platoon DH/1B. I could see a possibility of a Palka type (instead of a 1B man) that can at least play the OF in this scenario but the team would have very little positional bench flexibility with your proposal.

I think Vargas will be the DH but he will have to at a minimum not lose the role to Park in spring training. Both players have options so I don't necessarily see Park being the favorite because they have to see what they have in him. This FO is under no pressure to validate that signing.

Most years I would agree with this, but I am inclined to go with both Park and Vargas on the 25 man roster to start the year.  I want to see the Twins use an optimal 1B/DH platoon with Mauer, Park and Vargas.  I also don't see a huge need for more the 4 OF because I would like to see Rosario, Buxton and Kepler all get about 600 PA this year.  If we find out one of them isn't a full-time regular, make a change in mid-May or June 1. 

[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

 

Here is my question on Vargas, and somewhat Grossman; do they actually have a platoon strength/weakness, and if so...what? 

 

Vargas has crushed LHP the past two you years in the MLB, but struggled against them his first year. He, struggled the past two years against RHP in the MLB, but did well against them his first year.

 

However, the past two seasons these splits have been the opposite in AAA and AA. He has absolutely destroyed RHP in the minors the past two seasons, while struggling against LHP in the minors. Three years ago in the minors, his splits were pretty neutral in AA.

 

What to make of all this noise? If you just look at his MLB numbers the past two years, you'd say he is someone you want to platoon vs LHP, but sit otherwise. However, you look at his AAA numbers the past two years vs RHP and you see someone has shown that he can mash against them, but who also struggled vs LHP. 

 

To some degree, Grossman is someone who mashed LHP this past year, but also hit decent vs RHP, but in the past it was not the case. What is he?

 

 

I ask this because I think we are a team that can crush LHP, with a fully platooned lineup (Dozier included,) but we don't seem to have any 'real' left-handed power hitters we can trust. Keppler and Rosario are not really power hitters, and I am personally not sure what to think of Vargas and Grossman. 

 

Hopefully Palka starts strong and develops well.

So, no-one really knows or has a take on what we can gather from his platoon splits in AAA and MLB, and how they are the opposite? Doesn't it just some really weird? Anyone?

[Aaron Cross]

He's absolutely a platoon player. Platooning with Mauer is a great idea. Falvey should acquire a good left handed bat to platoon with Park at DH. Or maybe we have one in house.

[Twins33]

He's absolutely a platoon player. Platooning with Mauer is a great idea. Falvey should acquire a good left handed bat to platoon with Park at DH. Or maybe we have one in house.

I'd use Grossman for that platoon.

[Aaron Cross]

1B Mauer/Vargas

DH Palka/Park

[Aaron Cross]

I'd use Grossman for that platoon.

I like that too.

[theBOMisthebomb]

He needs 500 ABs so we can see if he is for real or not. He has flashed too much talent and potential to not give him a legitimate shot.

[jimmer]

 

He needs 500 ABs so we can see if he is for real or not. He has flashed too much talent and potential to not give him a legitimate shot.

He's flashed very small glimpses of talent with the bat and less than that with the glove.  But next year is another throw away year, so why not give him 500 PAs just to finally settle the issue.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Here is my question on Vargas, and somewhat Grossman; do they actually have a platoon strength/weakness, and if so...what?

 

Vargas has crushed LHP the past two you years in the MLB, but struggled against them his first year. He, struggled the past two years against RHP in the MLB, but did well against them his first year.

 

However, the past two seasons these splits have been the opposite in AAA and AA. He has absolutely destroyed RHP in the minors the past two seasons, while struggling against LHP in the minors. Three years ago in the minors, his splits were pretty neutral in AA.

 

What to make of all this noise? If you just look at his MLB numbers the past two years, you'd say he is someone you want to platoon vs LHP, but sit otherwise. However, you look at his AAA numbers the past two years vs RHP and you see someone has shown that he can mash against them, but who also struggled vs LHP.

It is a sample size problem. A full season of PA's is a pretty decent sized sample -- but for Vargas, you're splitting it not just once, but twice (in AAA/MLB, then vs. LHP/RHP). You're not going to get much useful data about "true talent level" from that. Even full-time MLBers can show weird platoon fluctuations from season to season.

 

You would pretty much have to turn to scouting to get a lead on his platoon potential at this point.

[Brock Beauchamp]

He's absolutely a platoon player. Platooning with Mauer is a great idea. Falvey should acquire a good left handed bat to platoon with Park at DH. Or maybe we have one in house.

While both DH and 1B look like good platoon options, no way are the Twins going to dedicate a whopping four roster spots to the two least important defensive positions on the field. No team has the roster space to manage such a decision.

[drjim]

Plus, Sano is going to DH a decent amount of times this year (or at least he should). I'm skeptical Vargas, Park and Mauer are all on the roster together at any one time.

[Aaron Cross]

While both DH and 1B look like good platoon options, no way are the Twins going to dedicate a whopping four roster spots to the two least important defensive positions on the field. No team has the roster space to manage such a decision.

Maybe 1st base and DH can be a three player rotation.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

1B Mauer/Vargas

DH Palka/Park

how do you build a competent bench platooning both first base and DH considering the Pitching staff will need to be 12-13?

[HitInAPinch]

 

1B Mauer/Park

DH Park/Mauer/Sano

 

I must be missing something on Palka.  Can he play 3rd?

Oh, wait.  He's left-handed.  So it's a definite yes?  Probably an upgrade to Sano's defense   

[Oldgoat_MN]

IIRC Park won the Korean equivalent of the Gold Glove award more than once.

I see him playing 1B more often than Vargas.

 

The only reason this team should send an .833 OPS guy to AAA is to see if we can get his splits evened out. Maybe with the right instruction he can be nearly as dangerous against RH pitchers as he is against LH pitchers.

That may be a long shot, so I believe they will use Mauer/Park/Vargas at 1B/DH.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Maybe 1st base and DH can be a three player rotation.

I'd like to see that happen for sure.

[spinowner]

 

While both DH and 1B look like good platoon options, no way are the Twins going to dedicate a whopping four roster spots to the two least important defensive positions on the field. No team has the roster space to manage such a decision.

I agree with your point but I'll nitpick to say that I think 1B is more important defensively than LF because of the higher number of times the ball is handled at 1B. Kind of hard to compare because the skill sets required are different. Can you picture Vargas playing LF? Me neither. Can you picture Delmon Young playing 1B? Me neither.

[Squirrel]

 

I agree with your point but I'll nitpick to say that I think 1B is more important defensively than LF because of the higher number of times the ball is handled at 1B. Kind of hard to compare because the skill sets required are different. Can you picture Vargas playing LF? Me neither. Can you picture Delmon Young playing 1B? Me neither.

I'd rather not picture Delmon Young playing LF anymore, either.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Maybe 1st base and DH can be a three player rotation.

 

I actually think this should be the case. In Mauer's case, I'd start playing him less. He certainly hasn't aged like a fine wine, so it would be wise to give him some time off and do a bit of platooning here or there (unless of course he's open to taking some reps in the OF or maybe 3B.  I've got to think he'd be a passable 5th OF for platoon purposes and the occasional day off). 

 

This team has to see what Park and Vargas can do. You won't get that putting one of them in AAA.

[old nurse]

 

I agree with your point but I'll nitpick to say that I think 1B is more important defensively than LF because of the higher number of times the ball is handled at 1B. Kind of hard to compare because the skill sets required are different. Can you picture Vargas playing LF? Me neither. Can you picture Delmon Young playing 1B? Me neither.

With the left side defense as it currently is, the LF might be making a lot of plays, and throws to 2b

[Twins33]

IIRC Park won the Korean equivalent of the Gold Glove award more than once.

They also give the DH a gold glove in Korea. It's not about defense, it's about best overall player at each position.