Article: Twins To Sign DH Logan Morrison

[menthmike]

I love this move!  Even if last year was an aberration, Morrison is an upgrade over Vargas and he is nice insurance for a Sano suspension or injury.  Can spell Mauer at first from time to time also.  Beyond the roster flexibility he gives it comes at a cheap price tag.  Twins lineup could be potent next year. 

[DocBauer]

Sad to see Vargas probably gone as it still feels like there is untapped potential there, but I just don't see him fitting the roster at this point.

 

I also echo Grossman as the 4th OF. Really like what little we've seen from Granite and all we've heard about him. But Grossman showed last season he wasn't the butcher in the OF he appeared to be at times in 2016. Further, with Rosario and Kepler solid in CF, we don't need another true backup there. And while Grossman's production hasn't been great, it also hasn't been poor either. If he could somehow even out his '16 and '17 splits he'd be even more valuable. And Granite will be sitting at Rochester whenever needed.

[sploorp]

I'm guessing this is why they waived Chargois.  I can't say I'm complaining about it now.

[gunnarthor]

With the option it might also mean the Twins are getting ready to move on from Mauer after this year. With a good year, top prospect Rooker could be in the plans for 2019 and you still have options for Morrison and Sano under contract. Unless Mauer has a huge season, this could be it.

[Twins33]

I love this signing and believe in the swing change that was made. Dozier and Josh Donaldson and probably even more players have done this and it's completely changed their career.

 

I expect another 30 HR season out of him and I hope I'm right. More would be great too..

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Here's a look at Twins Payroll...Just shy of $124M with LoMo added...Sanchez $2.5M...and Grossman over Granite for last bench role

 

 

 

Clearer view and you can Make a Copy of the Twins Payroll Tool here

That's where I wanted to see them land - $125m-ish - so good job, front office.

 

There should still be room for more payroll given this team's revenue but I'll take $125m for now.

[Cap'n Piranha]

I agree that Robbie should remain the fourth outfielder. Having a guy on your bench with a .360 OBP is a valuable thing. Robbie suffered no drop off to that OBP when pinch hitting last year, but he actually was hurt by an artificially low babip last year. Regression to the mean would give us our best bench option since Jim Thome, and a good option if anything happens to Buxton/Rosario/Kepler.

[Broker]

 

With the option it might also mean the Twins are getting ready to move on from Mauer after this year. With a good year, top prospect Rooker could be in the plans for 2019 and you still have options for Morrison and Sano under contract. Unless Mauer has a huge season, this could be it.

Maurer had a pretty good year last year. There were only 17 guys in MLB with a better batting average. I don't know why the Twins would want to move on.

[Otto von Ballpark]

That's a very team friendly PA level, IMO, with league leadership usually being a shade north of 700. He barely cracked 600 for the first time last season. And if the option doesn't vest, the team still has the choice to exercise it - say he hits great but is out for a month with an injury.

I am not sure about that. Remember Suzuki had a vesting option that was not a team option -- it either vested or he was a FA. I haven't seen Morrison's referred to as anything but a vesting option either, so we will see.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Twins need Grossman in case Kepler still can’t hit LHP. They don’t need really Granite’s defense.

 

Well, I agree we don't need a defensive replacement, but we may need to have Granite ready because Buxton has hardly been the beacon of health.

 

I do wish we had another right-handed option though.

[Twins33]

Well, I agree we don't need a defensive replacement, but we may need to have Granite ready because Buxton has hardly been the beacon of health.

 

I do wish we had another right-handed option though.

Granite will be a phone call away if something happens to Buxton. It'll put them in a bind for the game he gets hurt in, but Granite would then be up if it's significant time lost.

[BK432]

 

Here's a look at Twins Payroll...Just shy of $124M with LoMo added...Sanchez $2.5M...and Grossman over Granite for last bench role

 

 

 

Clearer view and you can Make a Copy of the Twins Payroll Tool here

 

Kinda nice to see the Twins do what many of said they'd do all along. When it's time to win, spend some cash.

 

Caveat - there's still plenty of $$ in the pockets. Doesn't need to stop.

[BK432]

And Grossman will almost certainly be on the Opening Day roster, for those wondering. No options left vs. Granite's option. Twins already excellent defensively in the OF. Grossman's an OBP machine vs LHP. He'll make it. Granite will be in Rochester.

 

Fair to wonder if he'll finish 2018 on the Twins, however. Time will tell.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Granite will be a phone call away if something happens to Buxton. It'll put them in a bind for the game he gets hurt in, but Granite would then be up if it's significant time lost.

 

Right, it'd just be ideal if Granite was RH.

[kab21]

The Twins have continued their winter of adding players for excellent values.

Once again I really like the move but it is another odd fit for the roster. This will basically force Sano to play 3B extensively this season and I have my doubts at whether or not he is ready. Yes, he can days off when Mauer/LoMo get a break but I think we are looking at 4 3B GS each week.

 

I am not concerned about the lineup being too lefty though. They have 3 RHB, 5 LHB and 1 SH in the starting lineup. But they have two SH as their top reserves.

Grossman is definitely being kept on the roster although he loses a lot of playing time with this move. Vargas is definitely a goner (for basically nothing) and Granite is definitely stashed in Rochester for the time being.

[Mike Sixel]

Maurer had a pretty good year last year. There were only 17 guys in MLB with a better batting average. I don't know why the Twins would want to move on.

Because batting average is only one measure? Because he's getting older? Because he won't be inexpensive?

[kab21]

 

Because batting average is only one measure? Because he's getting older? Because he won't be inexpensive?

I could easily see Mauer back on a team friendly deal especially after the reluctance of teams to spend big in FA this winter. I can't see teams lining up to give him any multiyear contracts >10M/yr.

[Vanimal46]

I'm a fan of this signing. Best case scenario they found a borderline All Star for a cheap 2 year deal. Worst case he's a $6.5 MM bench bat.

 

Frankly I like his chances to reach All-Star caliber play compared to Vargas.

[snap4birds]

 

Our current OF options are Buxton, Kepler, Rosario, Grossman, Granite and Morrison. All but Buxton are lefties. Our current DH/1B options are Mauer, Morrison and Vargas. Vargas is a switch hitter but iffy and the others are lefties. I would guess that our final opening day roster will add another RH bat with Granite starting the year in AAA.

Grossman is a switch hitter with better splits as a RH batter.

[Oxtung]

 

The 2017 Rays would’ve done better with Rosario Kepler and Buxton manning their outfield!

Actually the Rays OF was better than the Twins in 2017. As good as Buxton was Kiermaier is right there.

[Oxtung]

 

I always liked Vargas's potential, but for $6.5M to get a guy who is proven, is more versatile and only 3 years older?  Seems like a no brainer of an upgrade. 

Several people have mentioned Morrison in the OF which I don't really understand. He hasn't spent more than a few token games in OF since 2012. If he gets any significant time in the OF for the Twins things have gone catastrophically wrong.

[AlwaysinModeration]

Man, we really like the 2017 Ray's who went 80-82.....

Yes, and just wait until they trade Archer to the Twins!

[Platoon]

Twins need Grossman in case Kepler still can’t hit LHP. They don’t need really Granite’s defense.

I think they should simply let Kepler figure it out, he has too much talent to turn into a platoon player at his age. What the Twins don't need is Grossmans defense. Or shall I say lack thereof. Grossman as a true bench bat is one thing, if Molitor can leave him in that position. Therein lies the problem. Edited February 26, 2018 by Platoon

[bcs4]

I think Vargas is probably the odd man out too, but I think this is just as likely protection in case Sano is suspended/injured/doesn't grow up.

 

Another nice move, but I hope they keep some money around for Dozier.

[bighat]

Wow! Okay, okay...slow down, let me gather my thoughts.

 

I agree that Vargas is the odd man out. Too bad, I really liked him and always had hoped he'd break out.

 

So LoMo will DH against righties, and spell Mauer on off days. He's definitely going to be a full-time piece of this offense. Do we really need Grossman at this point, simply to DH against lefties and fill in the OF once in a while? Couldn't Sano just DH against lefties and Escobar fill in at 3B?

 

Regardless, a LOT of talented bats here. A good problem to have. Love this offseason so far.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Pretty sure his name came up this offseason as an alternative option if pitching didn't happen. I'm not sure I like the pitching we are going north with, but this offense could be the best in baseball this year. The team is definitely better by this signing as this will help positional flexibility, the bench, and add another very dangerous bat to the lineup...

 

While I suspect Chargois was released for this signing, I have to think Vargas is on the bubble now. Bit surprised Kennys wasn't let go if this was the corresponding move. Will Kennys get any PT other than PH?

[kab21]

 

Pretty sure his name came up this offseason as an alternative option if pitching didn't happen. I'm not sure I like the pitching we are going north with, but this offense could be the best in baseball this year. The team is definitely better by this signing as this will help positional flexibility, the bench, and add another very dangerous bat to the lineup...

 

While I suspect Chargois was released for this signing, I have to think Vargas is on the bubble now. Bit surprised Kennys wasn't let go if this was the corresponding move. Will Kennys get any PT other than PH?

I think Kennys was kept (for now) due to the inevitable injury that occurs in spring training. It is likely that if any of the OF'ers (except Buxton), Sano, LoMo or Mauer start the season on the DL then Vargas stays on the team. Granite could take the place of one of the OF'ers though.

The Twins seemingly suffer from positional flexibility but not really. Kepler or Rosario can play CF if needed. Adrianza and Escobar can play just about anywhere. This is a pretty versatile and talented offense top to bottom on the roster.

[Doctor Wu]

 

Should? I'll take the under. Not a bad signing, but expecting 30 plus bombs?

Yeah, we'll all be anxiously waiting to see if Morrison can replicate his performance from last year, which keep in mind was FAR above anything he had previously produced. Was his 2017 production a freaky outlier, or the sign that he has finally matured and figured it all out?

[Blackjack]

If Morrison is as good as advertised, meaning that he needs to play every day, it doesn't leave many at bats for Sano at DH. Hopefully his leg is strong enough to take the pounding of being on the field every day!!

[spanman2]

 

If Morrison is as good as advertised, meaning that he needs to play every day, it doesn't leave many at bats for Sano at DH. Hopefully his leg is strong enough to take the pounding of being on the field every day!!

Let's hope this is some added motivation for Sano in that aspect.  My guess is he will also spell Mauer some on days where a lefty is going and Mauer gets a day off here and there on those days.  You roll with Sano/Morrison back to back assuming Sano hits 3rd that pop written all over it.  Very nice pickup for the club.  If he performs in a similar fashion to last year that is a HUGE bat in the lineup.  To echo many fans thoughts it is probably the Vargas/Grossman show now.  My gut feeling is Molitor prefers Grossman.  His career OBP is .351 vs. .311 to Vargas.  In the past I don't feel as if Molitor trusted Vargas.  Personally I love Vargas's pop.  The 64K question is can he figure it out long term.  I think you know what you are getting in Grossman.  He isn't going to wow you in any sense but he is a solid bench player who would know his role on this ball club.  My worry is we release Vargas someone else claims him and he turns into Ortiz 2.0.  On the flip side this would be his 5th year in the big leagues so maybe time has passed in the sense for him truly figuring it out.  Questions FO will have to think about for certain.  WIN TWINS!