Kennys Vargas

[Twodogs]

Seems like he has been out of the lineup for awhile?? Switch hitting big guy would look nice right behind Sano on a more regular basis?

[Linus]

Well they are trying to win games and Kenny isn't swinging great.

[Shaitan]

He started yesterday.

[DaveW]

IMO Vargas doesn't look like a guy who projects to be an everyday DH. He can be a solid bench bat, but I'm going to hold off until he is more consistent to complain about him not getting in the lineup everyday. Also defensively Mauer>>>>>>>Vargas by far.

 

Hopefully Park gets healthy ASAP

[akmanak]

He hasnt shown he can be an everyday batter. He is still chasing the high fastball and needs to have more disipline at the plate.

[TheLeviathan]

He's a young player.  He needs to play 4-5 times a week and you need to ride out slumps from time to time.

 

We've gotta get over the demand for instant results.

[Danchat]

I love how this topic starts today and Vargas just happens to get a pinch-hit HR to tie the game in the 9th on the same day.

 

Yeah, Vargas is going to have slumps and his batting average won't be great. But he's got plenty of pop in that bat - if he could start taking more walks and get that OBP up, I think he could be an alright DH.

[drivlikejehu]

I don't think he's starting DH material, which limits his utility off the bench as well. The bat is great to have around but it's tough to carry him unless the starting DH can play in the field (aside from 1B).

[Riverbrian]

I'm gonna stay consistent

 

Play him... The decision will be easy and based upon performance if Molitor plays him. 

 

Could be Good... Could be Bad... But none of us know unless you play him. 

 

 

 

 

[Linus]

I love how this topic starts today and Vargas just happens to get a pinch-hit HR to tie the game in the 9th on the same day.

 

Yeah, Vargas is going to have slumps and his batting average won't be great. But he's got plenty of pop in that bat - if he could start taking more walks and get that OBP up, I think he could be an alright DH.

Wise

[akmanak]

He hit a good one tonight but in no way does that show that he is at the point in being an everyday player.

[USAFChief]

I'd play him ahead of Mauer at this point.

[akmanak]

I'd play him ahead of Mauer at this point.

Mauer is seeing the ball well and his defense is good.

[kab21]

15 HR's in his last 240 PA's ('16/'17) with inconsistent playing time. That sounds like exactly what you want from a DH imo. Just put him in the lineup 5/6 games/wk and see what happens.

[Linus]

15 HR's in his last 240 PA's ('16/'17) with inconsistent playing time. That sounds like exactly what you want from a DH imo. Just put him in the lineup 5/6 games/wk and see what happens.

This. He is going to be frustrating at times but given enough at bats the extra base hits will accumulate. Plus the added playing time may help him prove his eye at the plate.

[mikelink45]

He is almost 27.  If he is going to have a career it is now.  Play him and let him sink or swim.  Then we will know if we should be looking at one of the minor league bats to replace him.  He has a 304 OBP and a 746 OPS - over 4 years.  Put him in and stay with him for a few weeks - we have done that with Buxton and Dozier this year despite neither of them shining with a bat.  Park is about to turn 31 in less than a month, he is not the answer.  

[mikecgrimes]

I really liked going into the year with a grand total of 1 exclusive DH/1B on the roster.  Granted Grossman's.  I like Vargas over Park, and Park has been awful so far in Triple A, but I'd prefer another player with some defensive skill, it's just hard to find anyone with HR power, but throughout a game and even in pinch hitting situations it's rare that a HR is so much better then a walk or a single.  Vargas is what he is a very borderline major league player.

[Riverbrian]

 

He hit a good one tonight but in no way does that show that he is at the point in being an everyday player.

 

If you took the Career Stats of Vargas and the career stats of Dozier and averaged the total to 162 games. There is very little difference in output.

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/vargake01.shtml

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/doziebr01.shtml

 

 

Yet Vargas gets labelled inconsistent and Dozier is labelled as crucial. This isn't a slam on Dozier... It's support of Vargas. 

 

Grossman, Kepler, Rosario, Buxton, Polanco... I love them all but has any of these players out produced Vargas at the plate? Ever? 

 

Has anybody actually seen Vargas be a butcher defensively at 1B or is he being judged against Mauer's really good defense or are people making size assumptions? I've watched a lot of games and Vargas isn't a defensive worry in my opinion. He's Ok enough. 

 

Paul Molitor has to get out of his way. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[HitInAPinch]

 

If you took the Career Stats of Vargas and the career stats of Dozier and averaged the total to 162 games. There is very little difference in output.

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/vargake01.shtml

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/doziebr01.shtml

 

 

Yet Vargas gets labelled inconsistent and Dozier is labelled as crucial. This isn't a slam on Dozier... It's support of Vargas. 

 

Grossman, Kepler, Rosario, Buxton, Polanco... I love them all but has any of these players out produced Vargas at the plate? Ever? 

 

Has anybody actually seen Vargas be a butcher defensively at 1B or is he being judged against Mauer's really good defense or are people making size assumptions? I've watched a lot of games and Vargas isn't a defensive worry in my opinion. He's Ok enough. 

 

Paul Molitor has to get out of his way. 

On defense, I think he's being judged by his size alone.

[DaveW]

Vargas is fine now for the DH spot, but it doesn't mean the Twins should stop looking to upgrade it. I wish they would have traded for Joey Gallo like I wanted them to!

[TheLeviathan]

Well, the team should always be looking to improve.  But they have a kid who can provide some things this lineup needs (power) and he's sitting right there.  They just have to play him.

 

Maybe he busts, but you won't find out yanking his playing time erratically on him.  As RB points out - Vargas has managed to be similarly productive over a whole season as Dozier despite getting yanked around.  Time to invest in that and see what you have.

[DaveW]

Yeah I'd rather give the everyday at bats to Vargas. Grossman, id still look into trading him for pitching help IMO

[TheLeviathan]

Or Joe Mauer and his 88 OPS+ and 87 wRC+.

 

Time to be a part time player.

[DaveW]

Or Joe Mauer and his 88 OPS+ and 87 wRC+.

 

Time to be a part time player.

Mauer had a rough and unlucky start to the season, but in his last 25 game is sporting a .797 ops with a .364 OBP and gold glove defense, no way should he be out of the lineup.

 

So far in May he has a .897 ops as well.

 

Mauer ain't the problem.

[Shaitan]

Yeah, Vargas is a victim of the logjam at 1B/DH, and that's not even including Park yet.

 

He's getting fairly regular at bats, which is okay. It could be more, but it's not like he's riding the bench.

[Shaitan]

 

15 HR's in his last 240 PA's ('16/'17) with inconsistent playing time. That sounds like exactly what you want from a DH imo. Just put him in the lineup 5/6 games/wk and see what happens.

Sounds great, but we once felt that way about Arcia too.

 

I think I'm jaded on the prospects of 2014-2016.

[Dr. Evil]

I would prefer assuring Vargas playing time and Mauer filling in around him vs the other way around. This is a perfect time to do it. At the start of next season we would have a clearer picture of him with consistent playing time under his belt.

[DaveW]

 

I would prefer assuring Vargas playing time and Mauer filling in around him vs the other way around. This is a perfect time to do it. At the start of next season we would have a clearer picture of him with consistent playing time under his belt.

IMO there are still plenty of at bats to go around even with Mauer being the everyday starter at 1st.

 

Few things:

-Defensively Mauer is one of the best in the league, when you have Polanco at SS and Sano at 3rd, both of whom are still a little "iffy" it is imperative you have Mauer and his ability to dig out the tough throws. Vargas, while not Ortiz like at 1st base, is closer (at least with my eye test) to below average defensively at 1st.

-As mentioned above, Mauer had a horrendous start to the season, but since then has turned it around: .797 OPS in his last 25 games and a .897 OPS in May, most importantly in his last 25 games or so he is getting on base at a .363 clip.

-I'd prefer that Vargas gets 4-5 starts per week at this stage. 1 at the "cost" of Mauer, 1-2 at the "cost" of Grossman and 1-2 at the "Cost" of Rosario or Kepler (against LHP). Very doable.
 

If the Twins fall 10 games out of the hunt, then yes, he should probably be taking some more at bats away from Mauer, but while they are in contention? nah.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Mauer had a rough and unlucky start to the season, but in his last 25 game is sporting a .797 ops with a .364 OBP and gold glove defense, no way should he be out of the lineup.

So far in May he has a .897 ops as well.

Mauer ain't the problem.

 

He's part of the problem.  Yes, he's been better, but he absolutely can sit 1-2 times a week.

[IndianaTwin]

 

He's part of the problem.  Yes, he's been better, but he absolutely can sit 1-2 times a week.

 

He's been out of the starting lineup in 3 of the last 12 games and 4 out of 17. That seems like 1-2 times per week.