Marwin Gonzalez and Twins Discussing Contract

[Vanimal46]

Per Dan Hayes on the Athletic they have been discussing the parameters of a 3 year deal.

 

 

Let's get this done. There's ample room on this roster for him to start 100+ games all over the diamond. He's a significant upgrade offensively over Adrianza... And the team definitely needs a spark plug who can start for a long stretch of time in case of injury. Much like fan favorite Eduardo Escobar did last year.

[nicksaviking]

With the current roster construction, I think Craig Kimbrel would help more, but I wouldn't say no to Marwin.

 

I wouldn't expect more than league average production from his bat, but average is better than Adrianza can provide. Escobar got 3 years 21M from Arizona. Marwin should get something similar but surely he and Boras will insist on topping that so what, 3 years 24M? That's much lower than end of season predictions.

[Vanimal46]

With the current roster construction, I think Craig Kimbrel would help more, but I wouldn't say no to Marwin.

 

I wouldn't expect more than league average production from his bat, but average is better than Adrianza can provide.

Concur. Marwin's 2017 season is the outlier with .900 OPS, 144 wrc+... But over the last 5 seasons playing full time he's achieved wrc+ over 104 4 out of 5 seasons. His worst season is better than Adrianza's best season and they're identical in age.

[Moosa105]

I would love this move. It makes to much sense with how injury prone we are, as a team. While I would love this, this would mean Ehrie or Willians would be booted off the roster, perferably Ehire.

[Tom Froemming]

*Deleted the other thread, though Van you owe me a Coke now. I think that's how this works

 

Here's a link to Dan's article over at The Athletic (if you don't subscribe, you should think about it). I think Marwin would push Adrianza off the 25-man roster, yes, but I'd also take him over Jonathan Schoop as an everyday second baseman. Since Marwin is so flexible it wouldn't have to come down to that, but I have a hard time putting Schoop in the lineup and Marwin on the bench other than for rest.

[yarnivek1972]

I would love this move. It makes to much sense with how injury prone we are, as a team. While I would love this, this would mean Ehrie or Willians would be booted off the roster, perferably Ehire.

Adrianza is out of options. And the Twins already guaranteed him $1.3 mil. That’s not a big amount, but that expense isn’t going away.

 

This whole offseason continues to show a lack of a plan that the FO is willing to stick to. A handful of stopgap veteran bats. Where’s the upgrade to the pitching staff, especially the bullpen?

 

If you plan to contend, you needed to do more. If not, why Gonzalez?

 

If Gonzalez is signed, Adrianza would be DFA and likely traded. Unless, this could signal that the Twins are more concerned about Sano than they are letting on.

[PseudoSABR]

 

Adrianza is out of options. And the Twins already guaranteed him $1.3 mil. That’s not a big amount, but that expense isn’t going away.

This whole offseason continues to show a lack of a plan that the FO is willing to stick to. A handful of stopgap veteran bats. Where’s the upgrade to the pitching staff, especially the bullpen?

If you plan to contend, you needed to do more. If not, why Gonzalez?

If Gonzalez is signed, Adrianza would be DFA and likely traded. Unless, this could signal that the Twins are more concerned about Sano than they are letting on.

I thought contracts agreed to in lieu of arbitration are non-guaranteed?

[sweetmusicviola16]

My thought on a Marwin sign is they must have a lot of doubt and uncertainty about Sano.

[nicksaviking]

 

I thought contracts agreed to in lieu of arbitration are non-guaranteed?

 

Yeah, not only could they decide to move on from Adrianza, they could alternately choose to move on from Cron. I'd hope it's Adrianza and his career 80 OPS+ though.

 

For a modern manager there's plenty of room for a guy like Gonzalez though. How often do most teams run out the exact same lineup even two days in a row? Even without an injury, someone in your line up is usually getting a routine rest day or a platoon consideration. Adrianza himself played 114 games last year, and he isn't a guy anyone would intentionally try to figure out how to get at bats for.

[bobs]

I feel like Gonzalez would provide much better insurance for 2019 if Sano and/or Buxton don't work out or get hurt.  I do NOT need to see Adrianza in the OF or at 3B for an extended period.  Adrianza is better utilized making two starts a week, giving Polanco or Schoop a day off, and truly being used as a utility guy.  If no roster space, just release him and eat the contract.

[Otto von Ballpark]

I thought contracts agreed to in lieu of arbitration are non-guaranteed?

You are correct. The Twins could cut Adrianza before opening day and only owe him 30-45 days worth of termination pay.

[Thrylos]

5 throwing errors at SS in 39 games (29 starts), compared to 3 throwing errors in 76 starts for Polanco last season.  He makes Polanco's throws look like a gold glover's at SS.

 

The only position with a positive UZR for Gonzales is LF. 

 

His career .319 wOBA, 103 wRC+, and 103 OPS+ is not that great for a corner position and I cannot see the Twins sitting Kepler or Rosario against a LHP and not wanting Austin up there (career .385 wOBA and 145 wRC+ and OPS+ against LHP) instead.

 

Unless they are trying to convert him into a reliever, I do not see a match

[raindog]

He doesn't do much for me. Great guy to have under team control for cheap. Not someone you pay to start a lot of games. 

[SF Twins Fan]

Get it done!! Hopefully they aren't looking into this because Sano's injury is worse than they're letting on.

[Mike Sixel]

I would like him as the utility player for sure. Just because they also need RP and SP help does not mean they can't upgrade other positions too......

 

Every win for a team on the edge of the playoffs is worth so much more than every win for a 95 win team, or a 70 win team that this team should be looking for upgrades everywhere it can afford them.

[nicksaviking]

 

5 throwing errors at SS in 39 games (29 starts), compared to 3 throwing errors in 76 starts for Polanco last season.  He makes Polanco's throws look like a gold glover's at SS.

 

The only position with a positive UZR for Gonzales is LF. 

 

His career .319 wOBA, 103 wRC+, and 103 OPS+ is not that great for a corner position and I cannot see the Twins sitting Kepler or Rosario against a LHP and not wanting Austin up there (career .385 wOBA and 145 wRC+ and OPS+ against LHP) instead.

 

Unless they are trying to convert him into a reliever, I do not see a match

 

I'd rather have Kimbrel.

 

But after decades of having next to no competent hitters on the bench, I'll take a league average hitter who's a versatile but below average defender over a guy with no bat. 

 

He's not a high priority for me, but I don't want Adrianza on this team anyway.

[Thrylos]

 

But after decades of having next to no competent hitters on the bench, I'll take a league average hitter who's a versatile but below average defender over a guy with no bat. 

 

He's not a high priority for me, but I don't want Adrianza on this team anyway.

 

True, but I'd rather have Austin's abilities against LHP, and Astudillo's abilities to put the ball in play over Gonzalez's average bat from both sides on the bench.  I don't care about Adrianza; in case of emergency Rosario can cover 2B and Schoop SS to finish a game.

[jkcarew]

He's a clear upgrade to Adrianza. Someone good enough offensively that you can move him around and give him 400-500 PA, even in scenarios where others are performing and relatively healthy. Sign him.

 

Other bigger needs (BP) don't preclude upgrading here.

[Riverbrian]

My thought on a Marwin sign is they must have a lot of doubt and uncertainty about Sano.

They should have reasonable doubt about every single player on the roster.

 

Counting on any player to play 162 without injury or horrific slumps is counting on something that doesn’t happen often.

 

Right now as the lineup stands... if Schoop or Sano go down... it’s Adrianaza trying to replace the home runs and extra base hits we are hoping that Schoop or Sano will provide.

[jkcarew]

 

True, but I'd rather have Austin's abilities against LHP, and Astudillo's abilities to put the ball in play over Gonzalez's average bat from both sides on the bench.

How big is your roster?

[RatherBeGolfing]

I don't totally understand how this is worded by Dan. Have we looked into it (basic kicking of the tires) or are we deep in discussions on that three year deal? The phrasing gives off two different vibes

[mudcat14]

I don't get this.  As I've written before, we had a cheaper, better version of this guy for the last several years in Eduardo Escobar.  Why pay way more than he signed for to replace him?  Don't know what kind of clubhouse influence Marwin is, but I KNOW that EE was beloved.

[Riverbrian]

True, but I'd rather have Austin's abilities against LHP, and Astudillo's abilities to put the ball in play over Gonzalez's average bat from both sides on the bench. I don't care about Adrianza; in case of emergency Rosario can cover 2B and Schoop SS to finish a game.

As long as they would consider such moves.

[nicksaviking]

 

True, but I'd rather have Austin's abilities against LHP, and Astudillo's abilities to put the ball in play over Gonzalez's average bat from both sides on the bench.  I don't care about Adrianza; in case of emergency Rosario can cover 2B and Schoop SS to finish a game.

 

Marwin or no Marwin, I don't expect Austin to be with this organization past June unless he makes it through waivers. His strikeout problems are just too glaring and they've got controllable and option-able corner bats at every level.

 

If this team had both Asutdillo and Gonzalez on their bench, they'd have all kinds of flexibility. Not only would that help for day-to-day roster construction but they could afford to move just about anyone to make additional upgrades if they're playing well, or move anyone on expiring contracts if they're not. 

[Vanimal46]

Marwin or no Marwin, I don't expect Austin to be with this organization past June unless he makes it through waivers. His strikeout problems are just too glaring and they've got controllable and option-able corner bats at every level.

 

If this team had both Asutdillo and Gonzalez on their bench, they'd have all kinds of flexibility. Not only would that help for day-to-day roster construction but they could afford to move just about anyone to make additional upgrades if they're playing well, or move anyone on expiring contracts if they're not.

June is being generous too for Austin. I expect him to be the first person DFA'd when the schedule calls for 13 pitchers on staff.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Marwin is also Cave/Buxton/Kepler/Granite insurance. There is a good possibility Granite never plays a big league inning gain, and Cave was a fluke in 2018, and Buxton gets injured... again...

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

How big is your roster?

Not big enough for all of Cron, Austin, Duda, Schoop, Torreyes, Adrianza, and Gonzalez  

[Thrylos]

I think that the article has been taken out of context...

 

It looks like the Twins have made an offer to Gonzalez (and they are not alone) and based on their experience with free agents they signed late, they are about to close the door for Boras.

 

Pretty much the opposite of what this discussion has been.

 

Yes they made an offer.  And it looks like they are about ready to take it off the table.

[Riverbrian]

If the price has dropped from the original ask. I have a hard time believing that the Twins are the only ones involved. 

 

The Twins (all teams) should try to sign players like this... And if they can't sign them... they should be trying to create their own. 

[PseudoSABR]

Regardless of whether they land Marwin, I'm glad the Twins aren't done looking to add assets.