Twins Acquire Chris Carter

[jay]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/05/twins-acquire-chris-carter.html

 

Should this be interpreted as bad news on Mauer?

[dbminn]

Thanks for posting, Jay. Can't be great news if the Twins acquired insurance. Maybe worse news for Vargas.

[jkcarew]

Who ever knows with Mauer.

 

But for now, I’ll interpret it as a right hand bat thing...and maybe the approaching confidence of carrying at least one fewer pitchers on the 25 man than they have been.

 

But it could be buying insurance against Mauer because....well, because.

[Squirrel]

I'm not sure I'd interpret this as either good or bad news ... more insurance depth just in case?

[Vanimal46]

Was Adam Brett Walker III not available?

[nicksaviking]

A RH bench bat with power? Works for me. Better than the current roster construction anyway.

 

They could do better, but to this point have done worse.

[AlwaysinModeration]

Chris Carter of the Sanoian strikeout tendencies?

[Brandon]

I think our AAA team could use some power as well. But i see this as mauer or DH insurance as well.

[VATwinsFan]

 

Chris Carter of the Sanoian strikeout tendencies?

You mean the one who in four full seasons struck out over 180 times three times and over 200 times twice?

 

Yes.

 

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cartech02.shtml

[Mike Sixel]

He's. Not. Good. I don't understand this.

[Blake]

I thought Chris Carter was voted into the Football HOF after he retired? 

[alarp33]

 

He's. Not. Good. I don't understand this.

 

He hit 41 home runs 2 years ago, he hits right handed, the Twins RH power has been virtually non-existent for 6 weeks, he's in AAA.  Why not?

[TheLeviathan]

Can he play the outfield?  If not, I'm not sure how much him being right-handed really helps us.  

[Mike Sixel]

He hit 41 home runs 2 years ago, he hits right handed, the Twins RH power has been virtually non-existent for 6 weeks, he's in AAA. Why not?

AAA? Whatever. But he's not a MLB hitter.

[alarp33]

 

Can he play the outfield?  If not, I'm not sure how much him being right-handed really helps us.  

 

Have you watched this team the past 6 weeks? You really don't see value in finding ANY right handed hitter that can maybe hit the ball over the fence?  DH, pinch hitting? 

 

*This is all assuming of course hes not toast, and swings the bat well in AAA for awhile

[alarp33]

 

AAA? Whatever. But he's not a MLB hitter.

 

In a 1 run loss on Saturday these hitters batted in the 9th against a LH reliever (there weren't better options on the bench)

 

Grossman

Garver (who i like)

Adrianza

Wilson

 

[Thrylos]

 

Can he play the outfield?  If not, I'm not sure how much him being right-handed really helps us.  

 

Check out who is DHing when Morrison at 1B.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Have you watched this team the past 6 weeks? You really don't see value in finding ANY right handed hitter that can maybe hit the ball over the fence?  DH, pinch hitting? 

 

*This is all assuming of course hes not toast, and swings the bat well in AAA for awhile

 

You mean you think he's better than Grossman?  That's an awfully optimistic expectation.

[KirbyDome89]

 

Have you watched this team the past 6 weeks? You really don't see value in finding ANY right handed hitter that can maybe hit the ball over the fence?  DH, pinch hitting? 

 

*This is all assuming of course hes not toast, and swings the bat well in AAA for awhile

His performance last year makes a strong case for that toast option. 

[alarp33]

Since April 25, these are the Home Runs hit by RH batter for the Twins; 

 

Garver - 1

Dozier - 3

Escobar - 1

Wilson - 1

 

That is all. 

[alarp33]

 

You mean you think he's better than Grossman?  That's an awfully optimistic expectation.

 

I've never even implied that.  I have absolutely no idea if he has anything left.  I think his team desperately needs RH power, and its a worthwhile signing to give him a look.  And if he does have something left? Yes I think he would be more valuable for this roster than Grossman is. 

[TheLeviathan]

 

I've never even implied that.  I have absolutely no idea if he has anything left.  I think his team desperately needs RH power, and its a worthwhile signing to give him a look.  And if he does have something left? Yes I think he would be more valuable for this roster than Grossman is. 

 

Why would he play unless he's better than Grossman?

 

On a short bench, keeping a guy who can only play first and only hit against lefties seems like a bad fit.  I mean, if they gave up cash and stick him in AAA for depth...fine.  But I'm just confused why he'd be worth a roster spot.

[Guest]

Mauer and Sano are both iffy right now. Carter is hitting 250ish and has almost twice as many HR as anyone in the Twins organization (yes, ithey're in the International League, I know). With Hughes' DFA, there was a 40-man spot open. Why not roll the dice in case he comes in handy? Costs nothing but a few dollars.

 

(Edit: Not taking a 40-man spot, so even less of a "cost" to take a look at him IMO)

[alarp33]

 

Why would he play unless he's better than Grossman?

 

On a short bench, keeping a guy who can only play first and only hit against lefties seems like a bad fit.  I mean, if they gave up cash and stick him in AAA for depth...fine.  But I'm just confused why he'd be worth a roster spot.

 

I'm confused - I never said he was better than Grossman or that he should play over Grossman if he's not better, and I never said he's worthy of a roster spot today.  

 

I said if he has anything left than yes he can be more valuable than Grossman, who can't hit the ball over the fence and also provides 0 defensive value.  

[yarnivek1972]

The biggest impact of this would seem to be on Kennys Vargas. The Twins are logically going to want Carter to get at bats to find out if there is a chance he could help at the MLB level. Those at bats will mostly be at the expense of Vargas.

[TheLeviathan]

 

I'm confused - I never said he was better than Grossman, and I never said he's worthy of a roster spot today.  

 

I said if he has anything left than yes he can be more valuable than Grossman, who can't hit the ball over the fence and also provides 0 defensive value.  

 

Maybe I'm confused, but you seemed to suggest he had a path to ABs at DH.  I just don't see how.

 

And we're past the point of having designated pinch hitters lying around on MLB rosters.

[alarp33]

 

Maybe I'm confused, but you seemed to suggest he had a path to ABs at DH.  I just don't see how.

 

And we're past the point of having designated pinch hitters lying around on MLB rosters.

 

Grossman

Petit

Lamarre

Cave

 

Current players on the 25 man roster.  If he can still hit at all, yes he has a path to ABs at DH... obviously a HUGE IF and I never implied otherwise.  

[jorgenswest]

The path is a prolonged recovery for Mauer and another injury to Sano or even an injury to Morrison. Might be unlikely but Carter is probably a better fit to fill in than Vargas. Hopefully that doesn’t happen.

 

We might not have seen a path for Petit before the suspension of Polanco, release of Aybar and injury to Sano.

 

Carter probably never wears a Twin uniform but I don’t see how to argue that he isn’t worth some cash given the alternative in Vargas.

[nicksaviking]

Why would he play unless he's better than Grossman?

 

On a short bench, keeping a guy who can only play first and only hit against lefties seems like a bad fit. I mean, if they gave up cash and stick him in AAA for depth...fine. But I'm just confused why he'd be worth a roster spot.

Because this team has no RH bat who they can send to the plate late in the game who has a chance to tie the score with one swing.

 

He doesn't have to be a better overall player than Grossman; they just have no need for Grossman's skill set.

[USAFChief]

 

Maybe I'm confused, but you seemed to suggest he had a path to ABs at DH.  I just don't see how.

 

And we're past the point of having designated pinch hitters lying around on MLB rosters.

Pop quiz: who has a higher career OPS, Robbie Grossman or Chris Carter?