See ya' Drake and Field

[stringer bell]

According to mlbtraderumors.com, Drake and Field are both gone. I guess Reed is a better fit as a backup outfielder and while Drake had fairly good numbers with the Twins, he was nothing special, and most of his appearances were low leverage.

[framedoctor]

Shocking. (sarcasm)

[d-mac]

I'm a little surprised the Twins dumped Drake. He seemed as good a bet as any to be a serviceable reliever in next year's pen

[Thrylos]

They were both claimed in waiver claims:  Fields by the Cubs and Drake by the Rays.

[Rosterman]

Well, they had value to other clubs to put on their own 40-man. Interesting.

 

What I find more interesting is that the Twins devoted so many at bats to Field in September, rather than Buxton (okay, he did need to recover from injury) or their own Zack Granite (who may still be cut himself).

 

Yes,both players cost the Twins literally nothing or a look. And will they be part of any longterm plans or could they be replaced by minor league free agents acquired during the winter? 

 

But maybe we needed to look at Lamonte Wade instead, too. 

 

Still be interested to see the 3-5 names that the Twins MUST add to the 40-man.

 

 

[Danchat]

I don't see why they bothered to give Drake so many innings if they were just going to waive him. He pitched pretty well and still couldn't stick... wouldn't have they have better off giving the opportunities to somebody like Jake Reed?

[mikelink45]

I think the last two commentators hit the real issue - why did we waste September?  What was the strategy?  I still question this FO

 

[Mill1634]

Was really hoping to see Drake held onto. He had a good K/9 rate. 

[Seth Stohs]

Interesting to see "smart" organizations like the Rays and Cubs picking up guys that so many Twins fans thought were ridiculous for the Twins to claim just three months ago. So, my assumption is if you/we thought that  the Twins were dumb for making such moves, we assume the Rays and Cubs are dumb as well? 

[Danchat]

 

Interesting to see "smart" organizations like the Rays and Cubs picking up guys that so many Twins fans thought were ridiculous for the Twins to claim just three months ago. So, my assumption is if you/we thought that  the Twins were dumb for making such moves, we assume the Rays and Cubs are dumb as well? 

The Field claiming does seem a bit dumb by the Cubs, but claiming Drake makes a lot of sense because of his recent numbers. Is it possible they might be trying to sneak these guys (or just Field) through waivers soon afterwards?

[Physics Guy]

I think the last two commentators hit the real issue - why did we waste September?  What was the strategy?  I still question this FO

Ummm, it's not necessarily wasting. They used Sept to evaluate Drake and Field. Is it possible they saw enough to feel they weren't worth a 40 man spot? I would argue that is part of what they should be doing, especially if they feel they don't have others (not saying I agree) they feel are ready for an audition (Reed, Wade...).

[DocBauer]

Interesting to see "smart" organizations like the Rays and Cubs picking up guys that so many Twins fans thought were ridiculous for the Twins to claim just three months ago. So, my assumption is if you/we thought that  the Twins were dumb for making such moves, we assume the Rays and Cubs are dumb as well?

 

Never thought auditions were "ridiculous". Hell, never know what you may find! What struck me as ridiculous was no Romero, or Reed or Anderson. Why not look in your own backyard?

 

Drake has bounced for obvious reasons. His limited time, he actually showed promise. As in, maybe he could finally put it together. But I'm OK he's gone. Seems to me, despite not giving time to internal prospects in September, that the FO is either going to protect guys like Reed and give them a chance, or make a serious move or two.

[DocBauer]

The Field claiming does seem a bit dumb by the Cubs, but claiming Drake makes a lot of sense because of his recent numbers. Is it possible they might be trying to sneak these guys (or just Field) through waivers soon afterwards?

Absolutely.

 

Drake showed something. But then again, he also showed something enough to be signed on, auditioned, and let go by how many teams? I am all about fliers on guys to see what you can find. That's just being smart. But I never thought he'd be protected.

[h2oface]

 

Interesting to see "smart" organizations like the Rays and Cubs picking up guys that so many Twins fans thought were ridiculous for the Twins to claim just three months ago. So, my assumption is if you/we thought that  the Twins were dumb for making such moves, we assume the Rays and Cubs are dumb as well? 

 

Both headed for a waiver wire extended adventure before 2019 even starts is my bet. Definitely both clubs will try to pass them through waivers, too, regardless. Wasted innings for a team out of contention in September. Oh well. SNAFU.

[mlhouse]

 

Interesting to see "smart" organizations like the Rays and Cubs picking up guys that so many Twins fans thought were ridiculous for the Twins to claim just three months ago. So, my assumption is if you/we thought that  the Twins were dumb for making such moves, we assume the Rays and Cubs are dumb as well? 

 

The Rays are a 90 win team and the Cubs 95.  The reasons to pick up a veteran player is much different for a team that is competitive than a team that (should be) rebuilding.  

[beckmt]

Drake surprised me.  Did not think Fields would be here next year and with the Reed signing Fields was gone.  

I am much more concerned with Drake (also the club that signed him).  Am beginning to wonder if the new FO is in over their head.  We shall see what the offseason will bring, but I do feel without improvement or a sense of direction(both I feel are lacking at this time) the pitchforks will start coming out. 

[Han Joelo]

Its almost like a reverse draft.  Oh wait it is.  Atlanta's other prospects>Michael Reed>Johnny Field.  Every time a Max Muncy or even Steve Pearce type wins a Playoff MVP, it is a reminder that it takes all types to put together a 40 Man Team.

[USAFChief]

 

Interesting to see "smart" organizations like the Rays and Cubs picking up guys that so many Twins fans thought were ridiculous for the Twins to claim just three months ago. So, my assumption is if you/we thought that  the Twins were dumb for making such moves, we assume the Rays and Cubs are dumb as well? 

If the Twins were so smart to pick these guys up, are they now dumb to release them just three months later?

[mikelink45]

 

Ummm, it's not necessarily wasting. They used Sept to evaluate Drake and Field. Is it possible they saw enough to feel they weren't worth a 40 man spot? I would argue that is part of what they should be doing, especially if they feel they don't have others (not saying I agree) they feel are ready for an audition (Reed, Wade...).

Okay they evaluated the guys they dropped, but did not evaluate the guys they need to add.  Still does not make sense to me.

[Seth Stohs]

 

The Rays are a 90 win team and the Cubs 95.  The reasons to pick up a veteran player is much different for a team that is competitive than a team that (should be) rebuilding.  

 

I would think both would be looking to find guys to help them win. Drake is 31, but he was terrific for the Twins. Field is only 26 and hit 9 home runs in limited MLB at bats last year.

 

While I agree that both could be multi-DFA candidates in the offseason, they are guys that can help teams. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

If the Twins were so smart to pick these guys up, are they now dumb to release them just three months later?

 

Probably not. I don't' know. Adding Michael Reed certainly changed the likelihood of Field sticking, so that was an expected move. Drake is probably just about numbers, but he showed he can pitch in the big leagues. We'll see what they do. 

[Thrylos]

 

I would think both would be looking to find guys to help them win. Drake is 31, but he was terrific for the Twins. Field is only 26 and hit 9 home runs in limited MLB at bats last year.

 

 

Oliver Drake's numbers:

Career:  3.48 FIP, 1.456 WHIP, 9.9 K/9, 3.8 BB/9
Twins:   3.31 FIP, 0.934 WHIP, 9.7 K/9, 3.1 BB/9

The only difference is the WHIP that is driven by his 0.179 Twins' vs 0.292 career BABIP difference. (If you normalize for league average BABIP, his Twins' WHIP jumps to 1.524, slightly worse than his career numbers...)

The only "terrific" thing that Drake had with the Twins in compare to the rest of his career, was luck.

 

Field is the poster boy of replacement player.  Those 9 HRs (25.9 HR/PA) came with a 3% BB% and 31% K%, a .281 wOBA and 79 wRC+.   Actually a tad worse than Byung-ho Park's numbers with the Twins: 12 HRs (20.3 PA/HR), 8.6 BB%, 32.8 K%, .294 wOBA and 79 wRC+.   Not many tears were shed for Byung-ho's departure, and Johnny was equally not good...

 

[diehardtwinsfan]

Drake surprises me a bit. He's put up some gaudy K rates and did fine in his audition here. That pick up was one I didn't have a problem with too much. I'm still not sure what they say in Field.

[mlhouse]

 

I would think both would be looking to find guys to help them win. Drake is 31, but he was terrific for the Twins. Field is only 26 and hit 9 home runs in limited MLB at bats last year.

 

While I agree that both could be multi-DFA candidates in the offseason, they are guys that can help teams. 

 

But a 31 year old player helping a 95 win team win a couple more games is a lot different than having a 31 year old player help a 70 win team win a couple more games.  

 

Sometimes winning a couple extra meaningless games playing old mediocre players over your 21-24 year old developing players is a huge negative when you look at the long term cost.  If you give Andrew Vasquez the appearances that the Twins gave Oliver Drake and/or Matt Belisle we would probably have a much better understanding of his potential role going forward.  Maybe carve out some of those and give them to Luke Bard just to see if he could play a role going forward, sort of a last chance for a guy that is 27 years old already.  But, the Twins prefer to lose with 30+ year old guys that have little or no future with the team.

 

This has been a mistake the TWins have made the entire rebuilding process and why we really are not much further down the road than when it started.   More questions than answers.

 

The other issue is that players like Drake (and Fields) and 35 year old Zach Duke and 38 year old Matt Belisle, they are available every year on short term contracts.  Teams like Minnesota need to first find out which of their prospects can play during rebuilding, THEN bring in the fill in plaers like Zach Duke.

[Mike Sixel]

 

But a 31 year old player helping a 95 win team win a couple more games is a lot different than having a 31 year old player help a 70 win team win a couple more games.  

 

Sometimes winning a couple extra meaningless games playing old mediocre players over your 21-24 year old developing players is a huge negative when you look at the long term cost.  If you give Andrew Vasquez the appearances that the Twins gave Oliver Drake and/or Matt Belisle we would probably have a much better understanding of his potential role going forward.  Maybe carve out some of those and give them to Luke Bard just to see if he could play a role going forward, sort of a last chance for a guy that is 27 years old already.  But, the Twins prefer to lose with 30+ year old guys that have little or no future with the team.

 

This has been a mistake the TWins have made the entire rebuilding process and why we really are not much further down the road than when it started.   More questions than answers.

 

100% this.....

[Joe A. Preusser]

 

Oliver Drake's numbers:

Career:  3.48 FIP, 1.456 WHIP, 9.9 K/9, 3.8 BB/9
Twins:   3.31 FIP, 0.934 WHIP, 9.7 K/9, 3.1 BB/9

The only difference is the WHIP that is driven by his 0.179 Twins' vs 0.292 career BABIP difference. (If you normalize for league average BABIP, his Twins' WHIP jumps to 1.524, slightly worse than his career numbers...)

The only "terrific" thing that Drake had with the Twins in compare to the rest of his career, was luck.

 

Field is the poster boy of replacement player.  Those 9 HRs (25.9 HR/PA) came with a 3% BB% and 31% K%, a .281 wOBA and 79 wRC+.   Actually a tad worse than Byung-ho Park's numbers with the Twins: 12 HRs (20.3 PA/HR), 8.6 BB%, 32.8 K%, .294 wOBA and 79 wRC+.   Not many tears were shed for Byung-ho's departure, and Johnny was equally not good...

There is absolutely NO way we can let Field go if he hits 25.9 HRs per plate appearance.  That is just amazing.

[Doomtints]

After one year in the majors and 21 games with the Twins, it's interesting to see that some people have Field completely figured out.

 

The Twins have better options and this was the right move. I don't see any reason to go into it deeper than that. He might end up being a good player.

[Steve Lein]

Yeah, not the first time they're going to be waived this offseason I would venture. Cubs and Rays both pretty far down the waiver priority order. 

 

They are definitely DFA'd in my blueprint, so whatevs.

[Vanimal46]

Every team is looking for their AAAA depth and that's what these 2 players are. Sucks for the fringe players this time of year because they're going to be yo-yo'd around for the next 2-3 months.