Potential Free Agent Target: Luis Valbuena

[Cory Engelhardt]

Ok if you are like me, you are fatigued by thinking about a potential Brian Dozier trade.

 

With that said, there are still other moves to be made.

 

Brandon Warne, with Mike Berardino, in their latest podcast mentioned Luis Valbuena as a potential free agent fit for the Twins. Potential DH (he hits righties well) and someone that could play 3rd base in a pinch if Sano is unable to really hold down the fort there, or needs a day off once in a while.

 

He just turned 31 at the tail end of November, so next year he will be 31 all season. He also started to become a solid player when he was working with new Twins hitting coach James Rowson with the Cubs.

 

Last year (in 90 games) he hit 260/357/459 with 13 homeruns, 40 rbi and a 12.9% walk rate, alone with a 23.7% k rate. He was slightly below league average defensively, according to Defensive WAR, and above average offensively. His last year with the Cubs, 2014, he hit 249/341/435 with 16 homeruns and 51 rbi, and a 11.9% walk rate and a 20.7% k rate. Even in 2015, with the Astros, he hit 224/310/438 with 25 homeruns and a 10.1% walk rate and a 21.5% k rate.

 

Yes he has some warts (the k rate is sort of high) but he gets on base, has some power and can play a passable 3rd base, all the while only being 31 and also being available for just money, not prospects.

 

 

Their other point was, Vargas has been pretty bad so far this year in the winter leagues, and he has an option year left in 2017. Park is coming off of wrist surgery, and it's hard to determine what you can depend on him for a full year in 2017. Valbuena is an accomplished veteran who has a history with the Twins hitting coach, and would be a solid veteran in the clubhouse. They figured he would be the primary DH against righties, pairing with Robbie Grossman as the primary DH against lefties, and then Sano and Mauer (etc) could fill in at DH occasionally.

 

Thoughts?

[Richie the Rally Goat]

I don't think Palka's bat would be any worse. Probably lower BA but significantly more power. It would then continue the youth movement.

 

In my mind all efforts to acquire talent should be pitching and shortstop. That bench is going to be constrained enough with all of the relievers required.

[nicksaviking]

I think I'd like to keep DH as free from additional commitment as possible. This team has a half dozen guys who may need that slot for various reasons already.