Jose Lopez DFA'd by the Indians

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

The Twins absolutely NEED to claim him! He's a 28 year old 2B/SS/3B that plays acceptable defense and boasts a career .689 OPS. That's not great, but is really good by Twins standards for middle infielders. He's down a little this year, but does have a .249 BA and a .639 OPS. He's only signed for 800,000 this year which is cheap. Two questions. Would they have likely have to work out a trade because it looks like he's somewhat good? What should the Twins do?

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

Source from a Cleveland beat writer. https://twitter.com/hoynsie/status/232916537332346882

[spideyo]

Why do we need to claim him?

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

Why do we need to claim him?

He's a cheap upgrade in my mind. His last few seasons have been rough, but I think it's a good idea. Please excuse my exaggeration and excitement.

[LaBombo]

Why do we need to claim him?

Are you aware of the fact that Tsuyoshi Nishioka played second base for the Minnesota Twins last night?

[Thrylos]

THAT Jose Lopez? The one who had a couple stellar years with the Mariners, including hitting a bunch of HRs, before they started testing and then he has been trying to hit what Butera is hitting with 3-4 organizations and failed miserably?

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

Are you aware of the fact that Tsuyoshi Nishioka played second base for the Minnesota Twins last night?

 

Exactly. He's better than Casilla, Niskioka, and Dozier (right now).

[DPJ]

This is a bit right?

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

It's half a season. Why not? How about instead of mocking the idea and acting as if you're some sort of genius, you explain why you disagree? He could be a utility infielder if anything and would start while Plouffe sits out. He hits better than Nishioka, fields better than Nishioka, has more power than Niskioka, and more importantly isn't Nishioka.

[DPJ]

It's half a season. Why not? How about instead of mocking the idea and acting as if you're some sort of genius, you explain why you disagree? He could be a utility infielder if anything and would start while Plouffe sits out. He hits better than Nishioka, fields better than Nishioka, has more power than Niskioka, and more importantly isn't Nishioka.

So the reason to sign him is cause he's not Nishi...you make a powerful case my man.

[DaveW]

There is zero reason to bring a turd like Lopez into the organization. Perhaps if he had another year of team control left (see: Burton) he would be worth taking a flier on. But nothing worthwhile can really come from picking him up since he is an impending FA anyways, and really isn't that good.

[DaveW]

So the reason to sign him is cause he's not Nishi...you make a powerful case my man.

Bring back Toby!

[Boom Boom]

It's half a season. Why not? How about instead of mocking the idea and acting as if you're some sort of genius, you explain why you disagree? He could be a utility infielder if anything and would start while Plouffe sits out. He hits better than Nishioka, fields better than Nishioka, has more power than Niskioka, and more importantly isn't Nishioka.

There's lots of guys out there who aren't Nishioka.

 

But seriously, the Twins shouldn't be in the market for anybody who won't be around for the next contending Twins team.

[James]

This is definitely a troll to start talking about how bad Nishioka was last night, right?

 

The Twins already have enough middle infield guys that can't hit. I don't think we need more.

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

So the reason to sign him is cause he's not Nishi...you make a powerful case my man.

Not only do your consistently negative posts show what's wrong with this site, taking only that post shows how short-sighted you are. Did I not say he was young at 28, versatile in playing 3 positions, good defensively, has some power (OPS is typically around .700), and hits better in comparison to nearly all middle infielders of Twins past? Feel free to shoot some more smart ass comments my way. You never seem to hesistate.

[DaveW]

(OPS is typically around .700),

2010: .609

2011: :617

2012: .639

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

THAT Jose Lopez? The one who had a couple stellar years with the Mariners, including hitting a bunch of HRs, before they started testing and then he has been trying to hit what Butera is hitting with 3-4 organizations and failed miserably?

They didn't test before 2009? (serious question)That seems a little far fetched.

[DaveW]

Lopez WAR:

2010: 0.4

2011: -0.2

2012: -0.5

 

He has been bad at 3rd the past two years defensively and is average at best at 2nd base. He also hasn't played SS since 2004 (not sure if you said he could play SS, but if you didn't I apolgize)

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

2010: .609

2011: :617

2012: .639

Career .689

With 3/5 seasons (qualified) passing the mark. 2010 was ugly, but in 2011 and 2012 he has struggled to get PAs. I like the power he could bring and it's low risk.

[LaBombo]

This is definitely a troll to start talking about how bad Nishioka was last night, right?

 

The Twins already have enough middle infield guys that can't hit. I don't think we need more.

Last night? LAST F'!ING NIGHT? Unbelievable...

 

And yes, the Twins are fairly stocked up on no-hit infielders. The difference between most of those guys and Nish is that he's no-field as well. Anybody who thinks that assessment is based on just "last night" hasn't watched a lick of Nish's 2011 fielding 'highlights'...

[Thrylos]

They didn't test before 2009? (serious question)That seems a little far fetched.

Exaggeration. First season they were testing for Steroids was 2005. Penalties got stiffer in 2006. But HGH testing is a different story and what they were testing for (and how) the earlier years of the policy was different.

[DaveW]

Career .689

With 3/5 seasons (qualified) passing the mark. 2010 was ugly, but in 2011 and 2012 he has struggled to get PAs. I like the power he could bring and it's low risk.

I don't care what his career mark is, he has been crappy the past 3 seasons and his fielding has been average at best (very genrous) You could use a similar argument on why the Twins should sign Manny Ramierez.

 

Again if he had another year or so of team control he might (personally I don't think so) be worth taking a flyer on, but as an impending free agent there is zero reason for the Twins to have any interest.

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

Lopez WAR:

2010: 0.4

2011: -0.2

2012: -0.5

 

He has been bad at 3rd the past two years defensively and is average at best at 2nd base. He also hasn't played SS since 2004 (not sure if you said he could play SS, but if you didn't I apolgize)

I did say he could, but I view him getting time at 2B since he's started there 651/982 games. Career at 7.9WAR over 9 seasons isn't exciting. I bring up career because I don't think it's crazy to think he could perform like he did from 2004-2009.

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

Again if he had another year or so of team control he might (personally I don't think so) be worth taking a flyer on, but as an impending free agent there is zero reason for the Twins to have any interest.

That's the biggest concern, but I guess I see it as a showcase to why we would offer him a contract next year. Better to see a little than nothing if he is an option. I don't know. Maybe the whole thing is a little silly. I still think it's worth a shot.

[rickyhawaii]

below .300obp hitter no thank you.. would rather give the Dinkelman a shot

[DPJ]

below .300obp hitter no thank you.. would rather give the Dinkelman a shot

[Guest USAFChief]

Must you guys always be so negative? Career. 689 OPS!!1!

[Shane Wahl]

No, no, no. No reason whatsoever to add a player who has been terrible the past three seasons and who would take playing time away from Dozier, Nishioka (and hopefully Florimon).

[Tecmo]

Saw enough of him last year playing for the Rockies. Not an upgrade.

[John Bonnes]

It's not a terrible idea. If he was still under contract next year, I would say go for it. Like you said, he's still young, he used to show some right-handed pop which plays at Target Field and most importantly, the Twins are just a mess at second base. (Unless they want Jamey Carroll's option to vest for a 3-year deal.) Maybe Vavra works some magic - who knows?

 

But he's a free agent at the end of the year. A couple of hundred at-bats isn't much of an investment, and the Twins don't have anyone better to invest them in, but they should invest them in someone who will be around next year.