Finding Supplementary Veterans for the Twins

[Brandon Warne]

Falvey and Levine mentioned early on that they may like to supplement the young roster with some capable veterans.

 

I took a look at who some of them could/should be:

 

http://coldomaha.com/2016/twins/warne-finding-supplementary-veterans-for-the-twins/

 

As always, commentary appreciated.

[Vanimal46]

Unless there's a plan to trade Park or Vargas, I'd avoid adding more to the 1B/DH logjam. 

Rajai Davis, Tyson Ross (iffy because of TOS surgery), Jason Hammel, Chris Couglan, and Luis Valbuena are solid potentials. Wouldn't mind any of those on a 1 year contract. 

[nicksaviking]

Ross would be interesting but I've already written off all former Padre pitchers as being busts outside of PETCO, so I'd only be able to secretly cheer for him so as not to be a hypocrite.

 

I like Rajai Davis as a right handed platoon option, but I'm still going with Ryan Raburn for that roll as Falvey would be familiar with him from his time in Cleveland. He hits lefties very well; he'd be a good fit with Kepler/Rosario in the corners.

[mazeville]

I love the Tyson Ross idea. Great buy-low candidate. He might not make it to the second year. But boy a rejuvenated Tyson Ross would be fabulous. 

[theBOMisthebomb]

We should go as young as we possibly can in 2017 while still being reasonable, except for the pitching staff.

[Mike Sixel]

I have no interest in an older DH, but an older OF that can help with positioning, mentoring (yes, it matters some), and can field / hit left handers would be great. NONE of the current OFers is close to proven at the MLB level...

 

An older RP is not my cup of tea, I'd like to see them rely on the young guys more and more.

 

IF they deal ESan, I can see good reasons for 1 veteran SP, unless you consider Santiago or Gibson that guy.

[pc-Ray]

Could someone put my order in for Rajai Davis? I like our young outfield, but a good hitter who could platoon with the lefties and not hurt us on defense would be super.

 

And that magical veteran thing, as long as it's more Hunteresque than Rondellish.

 

Say thanks and good luck to Robbie Grossman.

[Brandon Warne]

 

Ben Revere. He provides good defense in LF (understand he has a bad arm), CF insurance if Buxton can't hit and could lead off.  He'll only be 29 in May and was good until last year, so potentially could be signed on a one year make good deal while we wait on Palka and Granite. He would also be an ideal 4th OF because he can play all 3 OF spots and is tradeable at the deadline.  He's exactly the kind of veteran you want while younger guys develop. He can start the season as part of a 4 OF rotation with Kepler, Buxton and Rosario, be traded in the unlikely event all 3 work out or Palka is ready now, and can start if one of the 3 has to go back to AAA. He's younger than Davis and he's least an as good or better player.

 

He also helps because he could be a leadoff hitter. He stunk last year but had on oblique injury. He runs well and in 2014 had a.306/.325 BA/OBP slash and in 15 a .306/.342 BA/OBP slash and in 15 with Toronto his slash was .319/.354. Frankly, assuming Dozier is traded there is no lead off hitter on the Twins who can come close to a .330-.350 OBP other than Mauer and maaaaybeee Polanco. Those guys are likely to hit 2 and 3 (or 5) next year.  Lead off will be black hole for this team next year.He fits well on that roster. 

 

Meant to put Revere in there but didn't. Not sure about him leading off though.

[d-mac]

I have no interest in any of the 1B/DH guys. But I like Davis as a 4th outfielder and maybe a buy-low pitching candidate like Ross. 

[Mike Sixel]

 

Revere isn't ideal as a lead off guy, probably better in the 2 or 8/9 hole, but we really don't have anyone else. He's decent at that spot. Any thoughts on who can lead off for this team as presently constituted assuming we trade for pitching only?

 

I'd try Polanco at leadoff, with Mauer 2 and Sano 3.

 

IF Buxton gets better, more comfy, he moves up to 1 and everyone slides.

[Thrylos]

2016:
Mike Napoli: .239/.335/.465, 104 OPS+
Kennys Vargas: .230/.333/.500, 123 OPS+

 

Makes zero sense to have anyone else over Vargas at this point, esp. for a rebuilding team.

 

I am ok if they get a veteran or two, but they just don't have the space right now.  They need to clean house first of their own veterans and not so veterans

[DocBauer]

No to a vet DH. The Twins owe it to themselves to see what they have in Park and Vargas. Grossman can also figure in here.

 

Yes to a quality 4th OF who hits RE: Davis or Austin Jackson.

 

Love Stephen Drew for utility and possible SO challenger, would be OK with Aybar.

 

Neftali Perez as an only 28yo bounce back closer to be flipped or even re-signed.

 

Some variation of these 3 spots being addressed improves the roster and blocks nobody.

 

Tyson Ross? A gamble to be sure. But if the medical reports sound encouraging, this is EXACTLY the kind of move the Twins should be looking at. A 1 year or 2 with affordable base and quality incentives. Can you imagine the sudden...potential...depth and uptick in quality if he, or Hughes, or both come back, along with a Dozier trade, along with what we have and what us coming up?

 

Forward thinking Twins...forward thinking!

[jimmer]

I'd be happy with no additional vets at all.

[Brandon Warne]

 

2016:
Mike Napoli: .239/.335/.465, 104 OPS+
Kennys Vargas: .230/.333/.500, 123 OPS+

 

Makes zero sense to have anyone else over Vargas at this point, esp. for a rebuilding team.

 

I am ok if they get a veteran or two, but they just don't have the space right now.  They need to clean house first of their own veterans and not so veterans

 

Check the splits. I'm not sold on Vargas despite taking big strides. He absolutely throttled lefties but was pedestrian against righties.

[Thrylos]

 

Check the splits. I'm not sold on Vargas despite taking big strides. He absolutely throttled lefties but was pedestrian against righties.

 

Yeah.  Exactly the reverse from his 2016 AAA splits (.283/.410/.516 vs righties) which is the reason that I think that he will be ok

 

[darin617]

Rajai Davis & Travis Wood would be a nice pair to start out with. Both could be flipped in July for a decent prospect. Trevor Cahill would be a nice bullpen arm as well. If there wasn't already way too many DH types on this team Ryan Howard would be a nice cheap fit for $5M.

[Brandon Warne]

Ryan Howard would be 10th on my list of nine DH-types to look into

[Mike Sixel]

 

Rajai Davis & Travis Wood would be a nice pair to start out with. Both could be flipped in July for a decent prospect. Trevor Cahill would be a nice bullpen arm as well. If there wasn't already way too many DH types on this team Ryan Howard would be a nice cheap fit for $5M.

 

Ryan Howard? He can't hit, the only thing he should be the "d"esignated for is assignment, IMO.

[darin617]

 

Ryan Howard? He can't hit, the only thing he should be the "d"esignated for is assignment, IMO.

Put him Baltimore and no doubt he hits 20-25 hr easy. The batting average will be in the low .230 range but still productive. For what it's worth I took this as more bottom feeding type of guy and do not think he is a top DH target. Put a lefty with decent power in those AL East parks and you get dingers.

[jorgenswest]

Supplementary veterans - do they mean signings like Correia, Pelfrey, Doumit, Carroll, Suzuki, Kubel, Stauffer...?

[TheLeviathan]

Tyson Ross.  I'd have my medical guys clear him and if they do - I pony up.  He's your best buy low on the entire market IMO.

[Brandon Warne]

 

Put him Baltimore and no doubt he hits 20-25 hr easy. The batting average will be in the low .230 range but still productive. For what it's worth I took this as more bottom feeding type of guy and do not think he is a top DH target. Put a lefty with decent power in those AL East parks and you get dingers.

 

He's hit .230 or better once (!) in the last FIVE seasons. There's no way. 

[Brandon Warne]

 

Supplementary veterans - do they mean signings like Correia, Pelfrey, Doumit, Carroll, Suzuki, Kubel, Stauffer...?

 

Read the article?

[snepp]

 

He's hit .230 or better once (!) in the last FIVE seasons. There's no way. 

 

For a more frightening look at his numbers in those seasons

 

.226 / .292 / .427 / .719

 

OPS+ of 95, bWAR of negative 4.5

[Brandon Warne]

 

For a more frightening look at his numbers in those seasons

 

.226 / .292 / .427 / .719

 

OPS+ of 95, bWAR of negative 4.5

 

[darin617]

 

He's hit .230 or better once (!) in the last FIVE seasons. There's no way. 

In that range. Really don't think a team would care if it was less if they got the home run output. This is not the 80's when people cared for average.

[Brandon Warne]

 

In that range. Really don't think a team would care if it was less if they got the home run output. This is not the 80's when people cared for average.

 

He's not a good hitter by 80s, 90s or 2000s standards.

[snepp]

 

In that range. Really don't think a team would care if it was less if they got the home run output. This is not the 80's when people cared for average.

 

You're right, this isn't the 80's, they look at far more than just the HR output.

 

OBP less than .300, OPS around .700, negative base running value, negative fielding value = bad player

 

He doesn't provide any value outside of an occasional home run.

[jorgenswest]

Read the article?

Yes

[Brandon Warne]

 

You're right, this isn't the 80's, they look at far more than just the HR output.

 

OBP less than .300, OPS around .700, negative base running value, negative fielding value = bad player

 

He doesn't provide any value outside of an occasional home run.

 

THANK YOU.