Kennys Vargas

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Kepler sitting today against a RHP, with two lefties coming up as opponents.....

Ugh.

[Mike Sixel]

thankfully, DanSan is in the OF though......with the most hittable of SPs out there on the mound.

 

remember, DanSan won't play much, there's nothing to worry about him being on the roster....

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

thankfully, DanSan is in the OF though......with the most hittable of SPs out there on the mound.

 

remember, DanSan won't play much, there's nothing to worry about him being on the roster....

Right now, I'm taking more than a little comfort in the fact that Adrianza has been playing the outfield in his MiLB rehab.

 

If the guy can play the outfield capably, he's kind of a dream futility guy, the perfect guy to finally get Danny Santana off this ****ing roster.

 

And Adrianza's rehab is almost over.

[howieramone2]

 

Vargas and/or Park should have been on this 25 man roster from opening day.  

As I recall, Vargas took a foul ball off the foot, and was at best day to day. Also, in the 18 days he spent with Team Puerto Rico, he had all of 9 at bats.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Right now, I'm taking more than a little comfort in the fact that Adrianza has been playing the outfield in his MiLB rehab.

 

If the guy can play the outfield capably, he's kind of a dream futility guy, the perfect guy to finally get Danny Santana off this ****ing roster.

 

And Adrianza's rehab is almost over.

 

You sir, are dreaming. DanSan is here as long as Molitor is here and has any power left.

[rghrbek]

 

Kepler sitting today against a RHP, with two lefties coming up as opponents.....

I just can't handle this type of managing....It's like since it's a day game the B squad has to come out, despite looking down the road at who is pitching and finding those opportunities when they make more sense.

 

Back to the topic, I really like some of the ideas people are throwing around, to get more playing time for Vargas.  However, if Vargas gets more playing time, it will come at the cost of playing time for Grossman.  Mauer is playing in 130 games this year.  I don't agree with it, I know Molly alluded to giving Joe more breaks, but it hasn't really happened and probably won't.  This franchise is very, very loyal to Joe.  

 

It's frustrating

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

You sir, are dreaming. DanSan is here as long as Molitor is here and has any power left.

Well, there simply isn't room for him no matter how you look at it.

 

Escobar is not going to be released. He's playing quite well in a backup role. No way in hell is Vargas getting demoted after his start to the season.

 

And the front office obviously likes Adrianza, seeing how they acquired him and kept him after the injury. Then they started playing him in the outfield because it appears they like him so much that they want to find a way to keep him.

 

And it just so happens the only disposable guy on the roster is the guy who plays the same positions as Adrianza. If the front office planned to let Adrianza walk, they wouldn't be starting him in the outfield.

[howieramone2]

 

You sir, are dreaming. DanSan is here as long as Molitor is here and has any power left.

If we DFA Danny Santana, he'll become the next David Ortiz.

[Brock Beauchamp]

To elaborate a bit on Adrianza, I think it's pretty apparent what the front office is grooming the guy to be with the Twins. Here are his games played during his rehab stint:

 

SS - 3 games

2B - 2 games

3B - 1 game

OF - 3 games

?? - 1 game (unlisted position on B-Ref)

 

It's pretty obvious Falvey wants this guy in the Denny Hocking role from way back when.

 

Falvey inherited Danny Santana. He chose Ehire Adrianza.

[Don Walcott]

 

Right now, I'm taking more than a little comfort in the fact that Adrianza has been playing the outfield in his MiLB rehab.

 

If the guy can play the outfield capably, he's kind of a dream futility guy, the perfect guy to finally get Danny Santana off this ****ing roster.

 

And Adrianza's rehab is almost over.

Not sure you can find a more "futility" guy than Santana on any MLB roster.

[Don Walcott]

I just want to see Vargas get a significant stretch of regular ABs, sink or swim.  I think he'll do swimmingly, and having a big bat in the middle of the lineup makes this team look really good offensively.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Not sure you can find a more "futility" guy than Santana on any MLB roster.

Santana is a nightmare futility guy. He's bad at everything.

 

Adrianza is closer to a dream futility guy if he can play the OF. He won't hit but futility guys don't hit. If they can, they're called Ben Zobrist.

[70charger]

 

Well, there simply isn't room for him no matter how you look at it.

 

Escobar is not going to be released. He's playing quite well in a backup role. No way in hell is Vargas getting demoted after his start to the season.

 

And the front office obviously likes Adrianza, seeing how they acquired him and kept him after the injury. Then they started playing him in the outfield because it appears they like him so much that they want to find a way to keep him.

 

And it just so happens the only disposable guy on the roster is the guy who plays the same positions as Adrianza. If the front office planned to let Adrianza walk, they wouldn't be starting him in the outfield.

 

:fingers crossed:

[amjgt]

 

Kepler sitting today against a RHP, with two lefties coming up as opponents.....

 

My only hope is that somewhere Falvey and Levine looked at each other and at the same time they said "what the f--- is Paul doing"

[70charger]

 

My only hope is that somewhere Falvey and Levine looked at each other and at the same time they said "what the f--- is Paul doing"

 

I hope they take it further and visit him in the clubhouse for a little longer-term-view-planning sesh.

[Brock Beauchamp]

I really hope sitting Kepler was a health consideration and not simply stupid management.

[blindeke]

Sorry, not buying "unlucky" for Mauer. You can point out babip and exit velocity and all that. Meaningless. Teams shift against him. Is it "unlucky" that he hits the ball into a shifted infield or outfield or is that simply who he is?

 

Also, saw something that he was swinging at like 45% of pitches in the zone, when the MLB average was 67%. Good hitters attack pitches in the zone and drive them. They don't watch more than HALF of them for called strikes, putting themselves into a defensive swing mode. Mauer does. Because that is what his game is. He has zero desire to drive the ball. He is more than happy to slap a single to left. That's not the attitude or approach I want rewarded with at bats.

 

I haven't read any "LAZY MAUER" rants in quite a while. Nice to see we've still got it.

 

At the game on Tuesday there was a dude in the section next to me booing Mauer mercilessly every time he came to the plate. Mercilessly and non stop, all by himself.  "Pinch Hit Vargas... Boo!"

 

The 1st AB, Mauer dribbled one to the pitcher. It might have gone 10', and this was after Sano's HR IIRC. The dude was loving it.

 

2nd AB same thing, a short bloop right to the 1B and the guy booed his tail off.

 

3rd AB the guy is booing louder than ever before, all alone, just going at it when Mauer hits is (barely!) HR. Two entire sections turn around and razz the guy so hard, while he sat with his head in his hands. I gave him two middle finger salutes. 

[Danchat]

 

To elaborate a bit on Adrianza, I think it's pretty apparent what the front office is grooming the guy to be with the Twins. Here are his games played during his rehab stint:

 

SS - 3 games

2B - 2 games

3B - 1 game

OF - 3 games

?? - 1 game (unlisted position on B-Ref)

 

It's pretty obvious Falvey wants this guy in the Denny Hocking role from way back when.

 

Falvey inherited Danny Santana. He chose Ehire Adrianza.

I want to believe this. Molitor loves his DanSan, and I don't think he's going to let him go so easily... hopefully the front office makes the right decision here.

[Mike Sixel]

 

I really hope sitting Kepler was a health consideration and not simply stupid management.

 

tough call, because I'd prefer Kepler not have health issues over preferring Molitor was somehow getting better at managing.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

tough call, because I'd prefer Kepler not have health issues over preferring Molitor was somehow getting better at managing.

When I say "health consideration", I really mean "woke up with a minor boo-boo or a sniffle".

[laloesch]

 

Vargas and/or Park should have been on this 25 man roster from opening day.  

 

I've always like Vargas.  He is also finally showing plate discipline which is exciting news.

[TheLeviathan]

 

I've always like Vargas.  He is also finally showing plate discipline which is exciting news.

 

he was last year too, at least improvements.  And then he ran over Molitor's dog or something.  Right around August 1st.

[Riverbrian]

 

Two weeks ago, I would agree that sitting Buxton occasionally is the right move.

 

But then he began to show life. Eight games ago, Buxton's OPS was .257. Today, it stands at .506.

 

I don't take that guy out of the lineup for at least two weeks unless you feel he badly needs a rest day. The kid appears to be figuring it out. You let him keep on keepin' on.

 

I agree with that as well. If a guy is cooking... don't take him off the stove.

 

That goes for Buxton and everyone. Right now... Buxton is cooking so I agree. 

 

But it won't last forever and once Buxton settles down. Then he can join the rotation and take an occasional turn and it won't hurt his development. 

[Mr. Brooks]

I haven't read any "LAZY MAUER" rants in quite a while. Nice to see we've still got it.

 

At the game on Tuesday there was a dude in the section next to me booing Mauer mercilessly every time he came to the plate. Mercilessly and non stop, all by himself. "Pinch Hit Vargas... Boo!"

 

The 1st AB, Mauer dribbled one to the pitcher. It might have gone 10', and this was after Sano's HR IIRC. The dude was loving it.

 

2nd AB same thing, a short bloop right to the 1B and the guy booed his tail off.

 

3rd AB the guy is booing louder than ever before, all alone, just going at it when Mauer hits is (barely!) HR. Two entire sections turn around and razz the guy so hard, while he sat with his head in his hands. I gave him two middle finger salutes.

I'd say you need to re prioritize sports if it causes you to give strangers the bird - no matter how much they deserve it.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Listen, Kepler is awesome, he already is awesome, but his upside is that of a fine steak house. Rosario? Vargas? Grossman? Solid players, but their ultimate upside is that of a decent chain steakhouse (like Longhorn steak house)

 

More importantly Kepler's midpoint is that of a damn good restaurant (133 OPS+), something like Butcher and the Boar. Rosario? Grossman? Their midpoint is probably closer to a mid tier buffet, like a Golden Corral or Country kitchen for arguments sake.

that is some damn fine analytics Dave.

 

How can I argue the McDonalds scale?

[howieramone2]

I'm starting to warm up on Vargas. We need a bomber behind Sano when they pitch around him. 

[Linus]

No doubt that if Vargas succeeds it would be huge for this franchise. Switch hitting power types are pretty rare and he can take a turn at first as well.

[yarnivek1972]

I would like to see Sano / Vargas & Grossman in some combination 3-5 against LHP.

 

Mauer has been fantastic defensively but the time has come to take him out of the middle of the order. As good as Joe has been defensively, it would be a good time to see if Vargas can man 1B adaquately.

As far as I am concerned, Mauer can be taken out of the order altogether.

[mikelink45]

There is one more element in this discussion - Grossman should not be if OF.  I want defense to compliment offense and Grossman cannot field with Kepler, Buxton, Rosario and hopefully soon Granite.  The  1B/DH share is where Grossman/Vargas and occasionally Mauer should be.

 

I am not mad at Mauer, but I find is sad that his career went down the tube so fast after the concussion.  

[yarnivek1972]

There is one more element in this discussion - Grossman should not be if OF. I want defense to compliment offense and Grossman cannot field with Kepler, Buxton, Rosario and hopefully soon Granite. The 1B/DH share is where Grossman/Vargas and occasionally Mauer should be.

 

I am not mad at Mauer, but I find is sad that his career went down the tube so fast after the concussion.

The way the roster is currently constructed, Grossman has to play the outfield if you ever want to give Kepler, Rosario or Buxton a day off.

 

If you take Grossman out of the OF rotation, that will simply mean fewer at bats for him. So, you are instead advocating a 3 way split of DH/1b at bats for Mauer, Grossman and Vargas. Keeping in mind that Sano is added to that every so often. Now you are probably limiting Grossman and Vargas to 350 PA over a full season. Is that REALLY what you want.

 

You can't have your cake and eat it too.

 

Mauer needs to not be a regular starter, period. The sooner the decision makers reach this conclusion, the better off the franchise will be IMO.