Article: What's Next For Kennys Vargas?

[adorduan]

 

Vargas 2016-17
.244/.322/.466 (.788 OPS), HR/18.7 ABs

 

The first slash line is a small sample size, and it inspires hope.  Unfortunately we haven't seen that hope convert into steady results.

 

The Twins as a team had a slash line of .260 / .334 / .434 OPS .768.  With expanded pitching staffs, the DH and bench needs to have positional flexibility.  A player who can only play 1B and DH needs to produce at bat and on the field.  

 

If the Twins had a couple of plus .300 hitters, they could consider a low BA hitter with a high HR rate.  We have two HR guys (Sano and Dozier) who need to continue to improve their BA.  Buxton may also produce HR and BA.  I am not hopeful about Vargas.

 

Last winter we had a similar debate about Vargas platooning with Mauer.  I'm glad that didn't happen.  The line was that Mauer couldn't hit lefties.  Well, he hit .308 in 2017.

 

I wish Vargas well, but am hopeful it won't be with the Twins.

well yeah, but he slugged a whopping .377 and OPS'ed .754 against lefties.  Vargas was .494 and .818, in an admittedly SSS.

[Danchat]

 

I would argue that he's received chances to prove his worth, but hasn't taken advantage of the opportunities. He is cheap from a contract standpoint, but he's out of options. Which IMO is more valuable than the contract rate. 

If they can find a better DH option in free agency, I would approve and they could move on from Vargas. But if they can't find a deal they like, I think they could try Vargas for one more season and see if things work out. It's just so frustrating how he bounces between a good hitter and one who whiffs every other pitch.

[Doomtints]

I expect Vargas won't have a good career until he finds an organization that doesn't think he is broken and is unrealistically negative about his defense. For Vargas's own good, the Twins should just rip the band aid off quickly and let him blossom elsewhere. If they keep him, they have to stop treating him like he's a 12 year old version of Refrigerator Perry and give him the space to sink or swim. I don't see that happening under Molitor.

Edited November 15, 2017 by Doomtints

[Kwak]

Vargas projects as a bit player. The Twins need to focus on impact players both young and "old". Place payroll on proven talent and roster spots on future regulars. Cut bait on Vargas and anybody else who has been tried but didn't "make it".

[gagu]

What's the story on Vargas batting RH vs RH pitchers? 2 of the 3 homers batting right came against right-handers. Baseball Reference lists all of his 2017 and career at-bats vs RH pitchers coming from the left side. Am I missing something? Is baseball Reference missing something? Also, that HR 483' bomb was the only one he hit against a lefty last season. I'm a long way from home, so it's rare to ever see a Twins game. Is Vargas giving up on the left side? His splits from the right side improved greatly from 2015, the opposite result from the left side. 

 

[rv78]

Has Vargas really gotten the chance to prove himself full-time? No!

Kinda hard for some players to get in a groove when you only get to play twice a week. I think he deserves a shot to be the full-time DH slash 1B backup. For the money, he's a good candidate verses an expensive Free Agent. Let's give him one "last" or should I say his "first" true shot at being a full-time player even if it is at DH.

[Pardon My Dinger]

Vargas would project to have strong numbers if only he can accumulate 500 at bats in a season. Problem is, there’s no way he’ll ever get that many opportunities with this team. Shouldn’t come as news that this team’s had an excess of corner infielders in recent history. Cream rises to the top. I like Kennys, but this is not the place for him.

Edited November 16, 2017 by Pardon My Dinger

[scottz]

I would argue that he's received chances to prove his worth, but hasn't taken advantage of the opportunities.

2014: 234 PA 115 OPS+

2015: 184 PA 71 OPS+

2016: 177 PA 122 OPS+

2017: 264 PA 101 OPS+

 

He has received chances. He has not received a regular and consistent chance. I think he'd do well with 500 PAs.

 

As a reference, Joe Mauer in the last 4 seasons had OPS+ of 107, 98, 104, 116. (I'm well aware that Mauer posted considerably higher OPS+ in previous years. I just wanted a point of reference over Vargas' career.)

[DocBauer]

2014: 234 PA 115 OPS+

2015: 184 PA 71 OPS+

2016: 177 PA 122 OPS+

2017: 264 PA 101 OPS+

He has received chances. He has not received a regular and consistent chance. I think he'd do well with 500 PAs.

As a reference, Joe Mauer in the last 4 seasons had OPS+ of 107, 98, 104, 116. (I'm well aware that Mauer posted considerably higher OPS+ in previous years. I just wanted a point of reference over Vargas' career.)

 

I think these numbers are interesting and shouldn't be lightly dismissed. Has he been a bit inconsistent? Yes. But virtually all players ride streaks, 3 out of 4 years with an OPS of 101+ tells me there is something there, for a relatively young player.

 

He was a bit of a victim in 2017 due to usage by Molitor, but also because he had an option and was used as the "odd man out" for other roster shuffling. Will he blossom in 2018 with more regular playing time? Maybe he won't, but he might. Unless someone is brought on board as true improvement, I'd like to see this play out more.

 

The key is another good to excellent SP and a couple good pen arms, along with continued development from the kids. The actual DH spot is not key to 2018, though I recognize putting the best and deepest team on the field. While I have absolutely No objection to adding a really nice bat, and while I really like Granite as a quality and useful 4th OF piece, I also have no objection to Vargas both on the club to begin 2018.

 

Would it really be objectionable for both to play regularly for the first month or so in various roles to see how they do? Personally, I don't think Vargas is that bad at 1B. I think Grossman showed last season he really is OK in the field, and not as bad as he showed in 2016. I'd rather improve the staff overall, give these two as consistent appearances in various roles as I can, and then promote/cut/trade as need...if needed...after a month or two.

[rdehring]

 

I would argue that he's received chances to prove his worth, but hasn't taken advantage of the opportunities. He is cheap from a contract standpoint, but he's out of options. Which IMO is more valuable than the contract rate. 

Has he ever played regularly for an extended period of time?  Even 3/4 of the games for more than a week or two?  Until he does, we really won't know what he can do.

[dbminn]

I can't decide about Vargas.

 

I want the Twins to let him go:

• K rate is way too high.
• Not a good defender.
• Clogs up the bases when he does get on. 
• Provides little flexibility from the bench.

I want the Twins to play him at least 2/3 of the time:

• Has a chance to hit 40HR
• Will probably K less if he plays more often.
• Doesn't kill the defense.

From a FO standpoint, I would keep him through the start of next season and focus FA dollars on pitching. What's best for Vargas? If the Twins aren't going to get him regular ABs, let him go to Japan, get some regular time and make some money. He could come back as the next Marcus Thames. At 27, he deserves a chance somewhere.

[Doctor Wu]

Hard to say what is going to influence the front office's decision at this point. As others have already noted, Vargas possesses some impressive power, and if given the chance to show his stuff over a full season ... hmm, the results could either be very satisfactory, or very frustrating. I'm not sure if they are going to base their decision on Spring Training success, or lack of it. Based on that evaluative process, Park should have made the team last season, and he didn't. I guess I'm like most of those that have posted already: give the guy a chance. I'd had to lose him before the season opens and then see him produce All-Star stats for another team.

[bobs]

He. Is. Gone.  If they're lucky someone will want to take a shot at his "potential" and will give the Twins something in return.

[Halsey Hall]

We should of traded him to the Yankees last year when they were interested.  He would have thrived in NY. 

[Riverbrian]

 

We should of traded him to the Yankees last year when they were interested.  He would have thrived in NY. 

 

And after the big apple thriving. 

 

We would have been pissed!!! 

[Riverbrian]

I'm a Vargas guy

 

I believe he received chances to prove himself last year and didn't. However... I also believe that he didn't fail to the point that he needed a bus ticket. 

 

He's young... He's affordable and he can hit the ball a long way. 

 

If he fixes a couple of issues... and players do fix issues every once in awhile. He could turn into something that everybody needs. 

 

I'm quietly hoping that he has a place on the roster next year. 

[Tomj14]

I believe the team thinks that they can't run him out there 15 out of 20 games because he will be exposed.

I see it kind of like Punto back in the day, they put him in situations that he had a chance to succeed, and when he had to play extended periods he showed the real Punto.

 

IMO he isn't a full-time major leaguer player. Way too many holes in his swing.