DH 2018

[caninatl04]

Excluding external (outside the Twins' organizations-- major and minor) options, who would / could be the Twins' DH next year?

 

Grossman?  It's a little unusual to have a DH with an ISP (iso power) of .138.

Sano / Escobar? (whoever is not playing 3B that day)

Vargas?

Park? (How was his second half in AAA?)

Garver?? (against LHP)

Someone else from AAA / AA? (Including, perhaps, Granite / Goodrum)

[yarnivek1972]

Excluding external (outside the Twins' organizations-- major and minor) options, who would / could be the Twins' DH next year?

 

Grossman? It's a little unusual to have a DH with an ISP (iso power) of .138.

Sano / Escobar? (whoever is not playing 3B that day)

Vargas?

Park? (How was his second half in AAA?)

Garver?? (against LHP)

Someone else from AAA / AA? (Including, perhaps, Granite / Goodrum)

My guess is a mix of Mauer, Sano, Grossman, Garver and maybe Vargas.

[Thrylos]

I think that the era of a specific DH has gone.  Most good teams use the DH spot to rest some of their regulars in a rotation basis, or specific regulars who are nursing particular injuries.  This allows greater roster flexibility. 

[prouster]

I think that the era of a specific DH has gone. Most good teams use the DH spot to rest some of their regulars in a rotation basis, or specific regulars who are nursing particular injuries. This allows greater roster flexibility.

I agree. The prevalence of 12 (and now 13) man pitching staffs makes it tough to keep a full time DH. It'll probably be some rotation of Sano, Mauer, Escobar, maybe Grossman, assuming he's tendered, which I think he probably will be.

[Otto von Ballpark]

who would / could be the Twins' DH next year?

I'd like to answer this question with the title of another thread posted today: "Does anyone remember Todd Sears?"

[nicksaviking]

I'd prefer to leave the spot open for mixing and matiching.

 

But I threw out the name Carlos Santana awhile back just as a guy Falvey might target. I've since started to get an itch for him, with an eye on him heading to 1B in 2019 once Mauer is done.

[bluechipper]

I wouldn't mind seeing Rosario and Granite split time in LF, with Rosario playing every day and DHing when Granite is in the field.

[Shaitan]

Park and Garver don't have a chance. Neither is an everyday MLB bat.

 

I expect a middling veteran to be signed, and he will compete with Grossman and Vargas for the job. Maybe all 3 of those will ride the bench and rotate with a "day off" regular taking at bats too.

 

The problem is that means it has to be an OF who can play a little OF, because putting Grossman on the bench means he has to play late inning defense from time to time.

[lecroy24fan]

 

I'd prefer to leave the spot open for mixing and matiching.

But I threw out the name Carlos Santana awhile back just as a guy Falvey might target. I've since started to get an itch for him, with an eye on him heading to 1B in 2019 once Mauer is done.

 

Who says Mauer is done after next year? 

 

But to answer the original question, and I'd be fine with Santana, how about Jose Bautista? Probably be reasonable price, and he hits better at Target Field than anyone.

[DocBauer]

Been thinking about the DH spot a lot lately when looking at 2018. While I am tantalize by a major move at this spot, the lineup and roster is so, overall, deep, young, talented and versatile, that it's simply not at the top of the priority list unless the Twins went all in. TK, and Gardy, seldom had a true everyday DH. There were exceptions, of course, such as Davis and Winfield, but mostly they just put a good bench bat in that spot, and gave guys half days off. Personally, I like that approach; a balanced roster with depth where you rotate guys in and out. I think this team can do that. And let's be honest, any real investment should come first in another quality SP, and maybe a RP of quality, maybe two, before we look at the DH spot.

 

Nothing says your DH has to be a power hitter. The jury, unfortunately, is still out on Vargas. But what if, especially with his recent comments about getting in better shape, Vargas begins to put it together? What if Grossman can begin to bridge the gap between 2016 and 2017 splits and become more balanced? And what about Granite? He could be a true 4th OF with the potential to give guys breaks, but also DH at the top, or bottom, of the order and provide AVG, OB and speed.

 

If you paid attention to the normal batting order the last couple of months, you would see Molitor putting Grossman's OB ability in the 9 spot. This helped flip the lineup. He could do so again. So could Granite. Vargas would be more of a middle order option. Grossman's numbers, if you look at them, and I have, could blend his RH and LH production over a full season could not only flip the lineup, but maybe provide a very interesting 1-2 punch at the top of the order. And Granite, again, if he continues to grow and improve, could be a valuable 4th OF who could also flip the order, or hit with Mauer for a nice 1-2. In both of these scenarios, it allows Dozier and his offensive ability, to slide down.

 

Just saying, I think there are options and potential here without making an external investment.

[gunnarthor]

Sano will probably end up getting the most PA as DH but Grossman might be the opening day starter this year.

[old nurse]

 

Who says Mauer is done after next year? 

 

But to answer the original question, and I'd be fine with Santana, how about Jose Bautista? Probably be reasonable price, and he hits better at Target Field than anyone.

Bautista either played through an injury or is done.

[old nurse]

I have a suspicion with Grossman being arb eligible, a poor finish to the year, and not much D is that he either accepts a minimal contract or becomes a free agent (and signs a minimal contract elsewhere).  In terms of additions to the team, position flexibility is the new thing.

 

Wonder if they can buy low on Swihart?

[diehardtwinsfan]

yeah, I don't see them getting a DH with Grossman and Escobar essentially without a position home when everyone is healthy. They will rotate those guys at DH and various IF/OF positions. I wouldn't mind it if they got a bat first guy, but I don't think this team needs much improvement offensively. I'd rather spend money on an SP and an RP.

[jimmer]

 

yeah, I don't see them getting a DH with Grossman and Escobar essentially without a position home when everyone is healthy. They will rotate those guys at DH and various IF/OF positions. I wouldn't mind it if they got a bat first guy, but I don't think this team needs much improvement offensively. I'd rather spend money on an SP and an RP.

We already have a perfect DH type.  Sano.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Park and Garver don't have a chance. Neither is an everyday MLB bat.

 

I expect a middling veteran to be signed, and he will compete with Grossman and Vargas for the job. Maybe all 3 of those will ride the bench and rotate with a "day off" regular taking at bats too.

 

The problem is that means it has to be an OF who can play a little OF, because putting Grossman on the bench means he has to play late inning defense from time to time.

 

What do you base the Garver statement on? Because he was more than good in AAA.....

 

You can't carry Vargas, Grossman, and another DH on the roster. You have no bench then at all.

[Mill1634]

I know you said no outside choices, but give me Carlos Santana if he hits the market.

[USAFChief]

 

I know you said no outside choices, but give me Carlos Santana if he hits the market.

Yup, an actual professional hitter in the middle of the Twins lineup would really help the lineup.  

[Shaitan]

 

What do you base the Garver statement on? Because he was more than good in AAA.....

 

You can't carry Vargas, Grossman, and another DH on the roster. You have no bench then at all.

You're probably right, but the real solution is to get better pitchers. Either Grossman or Vargas probably has to go. I like Grossman as a mentor--he has a good approach, but he's useless on defense and limited with the bat. Vargas has some promise but is what hs is.

 

I'm just not impressed with Garver and I don't think his track record says MLB starter. Maybe a borderline starting C, but that's not exactly an offensive position. Carrying a catcher to DH limits the roster even more.

[VirginSturgeon]

I am hoping they sign someone to give a little more pop off the bench. I agree with others that you are hoping they invest in the pitching staff so they can keep a 12 man pitching staff most of the season.

[Mike Sixel]

 

You're probably right, but the real solution is to get better pitchers. Either Grossman or Vargas probably has to go. I like Grossman as a mentor--he has a good approach, but he's useless on defense and limited with the bat. Vargas has some promise but is what hs is.

 

I'm just not impressed with Garver and I don't think his track record says MLB starter. Maybe a borderline starting C, but that's not exactly an offensive position. Carrying a catcher to DH limits the roster even more.

 

If Garver qualified in AAA, he'd have had the 2nd highest OPS in his league.....how much better would his hitting need to be to think he might hit in the majors?

 

edit: I'm not arguing he should be the DH, I'm arguing that his track record is "good hitter".

[Steve Lein]

 

I know you said no outside choices, but give me Carlos Santana if he hits the market.

 

I'd take J.D. Martinez and the fact he won't have a qualifying offer attached.

[Thegrin]

DH for 2018 ?  I think Zack Granite can be a 300 hitter with a very high OBP if given 500 AB.  So play him almost every day and rotate the 4 Outfielders.  Let them all DH occaisionally with Mauer, Sano & Vargas.  This way we have a top fielding OF and a sharp hitter everyday.  

 

[Shaitan]

 

If Garver qualified in AAA, he'd have had the 2nd highest OPS in his league.....how much better would his hitting need to be to think he might hit in the majors?

 

edit: I'm not arguing he should be the DH, I'm arguing that his track record is "good hitter".

But wasn't 2017 the only time he's been an above average MiLB hitter? Everyone has hot streaks. While I'd love it if he's turned a corner too, I question it.

 

 

[caninatl04]

By the way, I originally posed "no outside options" for two reasons:

1. As many of you pointed out, FA dollars are probably spent on pitching, and

2. I don't think there's a shortage of internal candidates.

[DocBauer]

DH for 2018 ? I think Zack Granite can be a 300 hitter with a very high OBP if given 500 AB. So play him almost every day and rotate the 4 Outfielders. Let them all DH occaisionally with Mauer, Sano & Vargas. This way we have a top fielding OF and a sharp hitter everyday.

And in this scenario, Dozier could slide down to an ever better RBI spot while still helping to set the table for players behind him.

[yarnivek1972]

 

You're probably right, but the real solution is to get better pitchers. Either Grossman or Vargas probably has to go. I like Grossman as a mentor--he has a good approach, but he's useless on defense and limited with the bat. Vargas has some promise but is what hs is.

 

I'm just not impressed with Garver and I don't think his track record says MLB starter. Maybe a borderline starting C, but that's not exactly an offensive position. Carrying a catcher to DH limits the roster even more.

No one is saying Garver is going to be the primary DH.  But, more than likely he will be Castro's backup.  From time to time, I would expect him to get in the lineup as the DH also.  Often? No.  Maybe once a month or so.  The most likely scenario for Garver to DH would be if the Twins faced two LHP in a row.  

[gunnarthor]

I think Garver should have gotten more AB this season so we know what we have. But he didn't so I don't think the Twins can reasonably expect much from him next year. They certainly shouldn't plan for him to be a solution to something. 

[Steve Lein]

 

But wasn't 2017 the only time he's been an above average MiLB hitter? Everyone has hot streaks. While I'd love it if he's turned a corner too, I question it.

 

No. Was great in Cedar Rapids (won MiLB Hitter of the Year that season too), was great in AFL after a down year with Fort Myers, very good in Chattanooga for a catcher, then had his best season in AAA this year. I know he's older, but that's improvement as he's moved up the ladder and there's a lot to like in that bat, especially if he can catch.

[drjim]

I think Garver should have gotten more AB this season so we know what we have. But he didn't so I don't think the Twins can reasonably expect much from him next year. They certainly shouldn't plan for him to be a solution to something.

Great value as a 3rd catcher (with options) going into the season.