2019 1B options

[Brandon]

After looking over the list of potential 1B options, I don't see too many that I would prefer over Mauer.  This makes me believe he will definitely be back next year to play 1B again as long as he wants to come back and play.  

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/12/2018-19-mlb-free-agents.html 

 

I looked at OFs and 1Bs and 3Bs and DHs and i could only come up with maybe Granderson and Nelson Cruz on full time basis and Reynolds, Jose Bautista and old friend Danny Valencia would be a good right handed platoon option with Mauer if we decide to get more depth there.  but there really aren't that many good options for 1B.  

 

I am also confident that the Twins will want Rooker in the minors for part of next year too so I doubt he opens next year in the majors.

 

What say you the reader.  if not Mauer who should man 1B from the list of available FA?  From any position as well?  

[yarnivek1972]

Cover it between Kepler, Austin and Sano.

 

When Kepler is at first, Cave is in the OF. He’s earned a shot at regular playing time.

 

It is time to move on from the Mauer era IMO.

[Mike Sixel]

Kepler, Austin, Sano and eventually Rooker next year. 

 

IMO, Mauer will be back, and I won't complain too much about it, but I won't agree with it.

 

edit: And Garver too.......he can DH/1B/C next year for my team.

[yarnivek1972]

Mauer has started more than 120 games at first just once since becoming the “everyday” first baseman in 2014, and he won’t this year either. So, that’s AT LEAST 1/4 of the games where you need someone else. It just doesn’t work with 12 and 13 man bullpens.

[howeda7]

Sano at 1B. Escobar at 3B. Polcanco at 2B.....Machado at SS. Simple!

[jorgenswest]

Mauer has started more than 120 games at first just once since becoming the “everyday” first baseman in 2014, and he won’t this year either. So, that’s AT LEAST 1/4 of the games where you need someone else. It just doesn’t work with 12 and 13 man bullpens.

Will the Red Sox, Dodgers, Yankees or Astros have someone that starts at least 120 games at 1B this year?

 

If his bat and glove can provide league average play at 1B there should be a spot for him even if they expect 1/2 a season of starts at 1B. I am not confident that he will contribute enough with his bat.

[Mike Sixel]

Of Qualified 1B.....Mauer is 20th of 27 in offense (wrc+ version) across baseball.....He's not likely to get better next year. 

 

Me? I'm not betting he does.

 

Tyler Austin has just barely outhit Mauer this year, actually (though in a small sample)......

[rv78]

 

Sano at 1B. Escobar at 3B. Polcanco at 2B.....Machado at SS. Simple!

 I agree with this even though I fully expect Escobar and Machado won't happen. 

The organization will let Joe do whatever he wants and I'm 99% sure he will want to return for another season.....Unfortunately. He really needs to retire in dignity and the time is now.

[jkcarew]

A guy that can only play 1B/DH in this era of 13-man bullpens...and is sitting on about 97-98 wRC+ for the 2nd time in 4 years...without much upside from here. Sigh.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

No one cares to mention Mauer's exceptional fielding? Let me do so now.

 

[Thrylos]

 

After looking over the list of potential 1B options, I don't see too many that I would prefer over Mauer.  This makes me believe he will definitely be back next year to play 1B again as long as he wants to come back and play.  

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/12/2018-19-mlb-free-agents.html 

 

Might have not really looked closely at Smoak then:  .252/.360/.469. 127 OPS+ and 3 years younger, and 2.2 bWAR vs 0.8 for Mauer

 

For sure a better option in that list than Mauer.

 

Regardless, I'd say that it is Tyler Austin's job to lose (possibly to Brent Rooker.)

[Kelly Vance]

I wouldn't trade Joe for Smoak. 

I'd add a RH power hitter as a platoon. 

Someone not named Danny Valencia

[Riverbrian]

I will welcome Joe back in 2019 providing that the Twins and Joe's Agent treat each other fairly in the negotiations of a one year contract. I don't have a number but it won't be at 23 million and I assume it won't be 600K either. 

 

If Joe comes back... I will expect him to compete with Austin and Sano for playing time and I am also 100% on board with Kepler getting occasional starts at 1B if the OF is crowded with players hitting the crap out of the ball. If the presence of Mauer on the roster confuses Molitor, making it impossible for him to figure out how to give Austin a decent opportunity or makes it hard for him to get Sano occasional playing time at 1B or prevents moving Kepler to 1B on occasion then sadly... I'd say we got to let Mauer go because while I'd love to see Mauer back because I think he can help us win, I do not want Mauer to clog things up and keep us from getting our best bats in the lineup. 

 

[ChrisKnutson]

Are we really talking about moving Kepler to 1B? Really? Cmon now.

[Mike Sixel]

 

No one cares to mention Mauer's exceptional fielding? Let me do so now.

 

Well, if you go to FGs.....you'll note that the fielding value between one 1B and another isn't all that different. But if you want to include base running and fielding, here is the WAR leaderboard for 1B.....

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=1b&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=8&season=2018&month=0&season1=2018&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0

 

Including defense and running, Mauer moves up to 18th in WAR among 1B.......and he's not going to be younger next year.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Are we really talking about moving Kepler to 1B? Really? Cmon now.

 

Well, he's a better hitter than mauer this year, and Cave, Wade, Rosario, Buxton exist, as do other OF options in FA.......so why not think about it? Why not have 3-4 guys that can play 1B, and other positions, rather than a guy that can only play 1B?

 

He's also younger, cheaper, and more likely to improve next year than a 36 yo Mauer.

[Lonestar]

Sign Matt Adams for Yonder Alonso deal.

[Riverbrian]

 

Are we really talking about moving Kepler to 1B? Really? Cmon now.

 

Yes... on occasion, if necessary to get better bats into the lineup, if the OF'ers are performing and you need to move someone to a different position to accommodate. It should certainly be an option to consider.  

 

Galileo once suggested that the earth revolved around the sun. He was looking through his telescope, others were not. He said to the others... "look... the earth revolves around the sun". Paul Molitor responded by throwing him in prison for heresy. Galileo eventually died in prison 8 years later. 

 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

Well, if you go to FGs.....you'll note that the fielding value between one 1B and another isn't all that different. But if you want to include base running and fielding, here is the WAR leaderboard for 1B.....

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=1b&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=8&season=2018&month=0&season1=2018&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0

 

Including defense and running, Mauer moves up to 18th in WAR among 1B.......and he's not going to be younger next year.

No, I am not interested in including base running in evaluating Mauer

 

[Riverbrian]

 

Well, he's a better hitter than mauer this year, and Cave, Wade, Rosario, Buxton exist, as do other OF options in FA.......so why not think about it? Why not have 3-4 guys that can play 1B, and other positions, rather than a guy that can only play 1B?

 

He's also younger, cheaper, and more likely to improve next year than a 36 yo Mauer.

 

I'm am personally offering you an invitation to join the "Baseball Player Positional Flexibility" Club.

 

Eventually, we will have exclusive jackets made. 

[ptdt430]

Where this team currently stands (not the standings and no pun intended) this should be one of the more simple decisions the front office has to make.  If Mauer wants to come back (for less money of course) they should quickly sign him and move on to the question marks they have at the following positions; catcher, third base, second base, DH, bullpen and 2 starting rotation slots.  As long as he is physically able to why wouldn't we bring back a gold glove caliber first base player who has a career BA over .305.  I'm not concerned about power numbers with Joe.  If Sano can actually play a full season at one position without the drama of his weight or injuries then at some point down the line look at move him over to first, for next year and even 2020, let Mauer play it.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Where this team currently stands (not the standings and no pun intended) this should be one of the more simple decisions the front office has to make.  If Mauer wants to come back (for less money of course) they should quickly sign him and move on to the question marks they have at the following positions; catcher, third base, second base, DH, bullpen and 2 starting rotation slots.  As long as he is physically able to why wouldn't we bring back a gold glove caliber first base player who has a career BA over .305.  I'm not concerned about power numbers with Joe.  If Sano can actually play a full season at one position without the drama of his weight or injuries then at some point down the line look at move him over to first, for next year and even 2020, let Mauer play it.

 

Since you asked....his career BA is not relevant at age 36. He's not good compared to other 1B in the majors. He's not getting younger or better or likely to play any position than 1B. There are other options, that might be better. 

 

The real question is why keep him.

 

Mauer was a great player, one of my favorite to watch hit when he was younger. But, imo, it's time to move on.

[AlwaysinModeration]

I expect they will sign him for about $10mm or $12mm, and he will platoon with Tyler Austin about 50/50. While Joe isn’t getting any younger, his skill (hitting line drives) ages pretty well. He’s going to be able to hit those same line drives for at least five more years. I’m sure he wants to win a championship with the Twins, and I think the team will be competitive for one next year. He may turn out to be an exceptional pinch hitter for a contending team next year. Plus, he is an excellent defender.

 

I think the only question is...1 year or two?

[diehardtwinsfan]

The team needs a 1B and a DH for next year, and as such I have to think Austin will be a lock to be on the team. He's young enough where he could still break out, and don't forget he was a top 100 prospect at one time. I'm not sure how high I'd put those odds, as he's been about league average an what has always been a very strong Yankee's lineup, but I wouldn't write him off either. I'd be OK with Mauer as a bench bat, but I'm not sure I want him starting, and I do fear that if he resigns, he will be doing just that.

 

Rooker is mid-2019 at the earliest. 

 

I think they need at least one FA not named Mauer. I'd probably push hard for Cruz. Wouldn't mind Adams either. 

[ChrisKnutson]

I'm am personally offering you an invitation to join the "Baseball Player Positional Flexibility" Club.

 

Eventually, we will have exclusive jackets made. 

I actually am in favor of positional flexibility, but imo, I believe Kepler’s defense (especially his familiarity with the wall) in RF outweighs any extra bat that could be moved into the lineup.

 

If you wanna talk about positional flexibility, start with playing Rosario at 2nd, 3rd, and DH more often.

[ken]

I'd like to see them get some power from the position. Having Dozier hitting 30 homers from second base helped offset Mauer's production. But next year you are going to need power production from first with Dozier gone.

[brvama]

Regarding Kepler at first, iirc he played 1B in the minors. So he should very well be in the mix.

[yarnivek1972]

Regarding Kepler at first, iirc he played 1B in the minors. So he should very well be in the mix.

I thought he did a couple times at the MLB level as well. I could be mistaken. I knew he played there in the minors. That was why I suggested it. The key, of course, is to play him there in ST next year. At 6’4”, he provides a nice target as well. It’s been a long time since the Twins have had even a semi-regular left handed thrower play first, but it does make many plays easier. Throws to second, pick off catches and it allows you to face the incoming runner on a routine ground ball, as opposed to having your back to him being a righty thrower. I think Ortiz was the last. There have been some that have played a handful here and there, but I’d bet he was the last lefty thrower to play even 30 games in a season at first.

[howeda7]

 

 I agree with this even though I fully expect Escobar and Machado won't happen. 

The organization will let Joe do whatever he wants and I'm 99% sure he will want to return for another season.....Unfortunately. He really needs to retire in dignity and the time is now.

 

I am confident that Falvine will not co-mingle decisions about Mauer, Machado and Escobar. 

[Kelly Vance]

If Joe wants to play another year, he will. Get used to the idea. The Twins know how important he is to the team. I am going to enjoy watching him play.