Two Guys the Twins Should Have Signed

[Linus]

Without much notice Ervin Santana and Jose Iglesias signed minor league deals. I think white Sox and reds might really benefit and with zero risk to them

 

In fact my off season plan was to sign Iglesias to play short and move Polanco to second to really improve our fielding as I think Polanco would shine at second

[Danchat]

Iglesias on a minor league deal would be nice, but I'll pass on crossing my fingers hoping for Ervin to gain his velocity. I mean, I really don't like Martin Perez as a starter, but there's better options out there. Like trading for Sonny Gray or getting a vet like Gio Gonzalez/Kuechel/Buchholz.

[ChrisKnutson]

Not too late to move Perez to the pen and sign Keuchel.

[DocBauer]

My off season plan was either Iglesias at SS and move Polanco to 2B, OR, keep Polanco at SS and bring in the very best 2B option you could. One way provides a defensive upgrade, the other an offensive one. Honestly, I was OK either way s both approaches made sense to me.

 

Shocked Iglesias ended up on a milb deal!

 

To me, Santana was never a priority. But with continued time to heal and re-gain velocity, I've been saying for months he could be a good milb deal with incentives flier with high upside and zero risk. Maybe I missed it, but I have yet to read a single word about his recovery, velocity, try-outs, etc. Assuming such information isn't of a secretive nature, then either the Twins weren't convinced, or his somewhat negative comments late last season were born out of more than frustration for his poor performance.

 

I still don't like the Perez signing at all! And while a fan, I don't think we are losing anything out on anything regarding Santana.

[Linus]

I guess the point I want to emphasize is that Ervin ever regains 100% health he could be a very pleasant surprise and there is zero risk to find out

[twinsfansd]

Yes, there is risk. You have to actually put him in games to find out. And how did that go last year? I think they lost every game he pitched. 

Being a contender makes it difficult to test out too many of these type of projects.

[stringer bell]

I thought Iglesias would be a good signing (with Polanco moving to second). Schoop at second and Polanco at short is still less than optimum to me, especially on defense, but that move does have a higher upside offensively.

 

I think Erv is cooked. He's been good after bad years before, but lost velocity with his stuff is pretty much the end of the road.

[jimbo92107]

Costs very little to put Erv in AAA, see if he gets back to 94 mph. Kind of foolish not to. 

[ashbury]

Costs very little to put Erv in AAA, see if he gets back to 94 mph. Kind of foolish not to. 

Based on his stated annoyance with July-deadline deals made by the Twins, it might be that the Twins were in approximately the bottom third of teams he would sign a AAA deal with.

[Linus]

Based on his stated annoyance with July-deadline deals made by the Twins, it might be that the Twins were in approximately the bottom third of teams he would sign a AAA deal with.

Could be but if Ervs finger is healthy I’m completely confident in predicting he will have better results than Perez

[Otto von Ballpark]

Costs very little to put Erv in AAA, see if he gets back to 94 mph. Kind of foolish not to.

I think Ervin can opt out of his deal if he doesn't make the team out of spring training, so there is really no "stashing him at AAA." And once he makes the roster, he gets a $4.3 mil salary too.

 

It's really just a "minor league deal" so the team can check his health during spring training, which also allows them to delay making a 40-man roster move.

[ChrisKnutson]

If not Keuchel or Kimbrel, there’s always Warren, Madson, and or Norris.

[RatherBeGolfing]

Iglesias yes, Erv no

[Puckett34]

 

I think they lost every game he pitched. 

 

They only lost 1 out of 5 of his starts. But those 4 wins were definitely in spite of him.

[nicksaviking]

At the beginning of the offseason I would have been more than happy to have Iglasis on a MiLB deal.

 

But I prefer what the Twins did instead. Maybe Schoop's already washed up, but he at least has the offensive potential to be a very good contributor. I'll give away defense for offense every time, so I'd rather do Schoop, Polanco and Gonzalez than whatever the alternative would have been with Iglesis, he just doesn't hit enough for me.

 

Santana wasn't particularly cheap if he makes the White Sox though, he's getting 4.5M which is more than the Twins signed Perez for. I don't particularly want either pitcher, but if the Twins had gone with Santana, he'd have that built in organizational equity which tends to give guys longer leashes than they otherwise would get. If the Twins were going to go with a low cost veteran pitcher, I'd rather they see about Clay Buchholz.

[Doctor Wu]

 

Iglesias on a minor league deal would be nice, but I'll pass on crossing my fingers hoping for Ervin to gain his velocity. I mean, I really don't like Martin Perez as a starter, but there's better options out there. Like trading for Sonny Gray or getting a vet like Gio Gonzalez/Kuechel/Buchholz.

When I saw the headline this week that the Twins had signed Gonzalez ... my first thought was that it was Gio Gonzalez. Not that I don't like having Marwin on the team, but I really wanted another starter for the rotation. What we have now ain't bad, but I don't think it would get far in the post season.

[h2oface]

The Twins got the best two years of Santana's career. I think we got real lucky. My bet, - he won't even make it back to the show. I am pulling for the young arms, or a real bonafide ace acquisition, and that ain't Santana. 

 

AND KIMBREL! GET KIMBREL! I love that pre-pitch stance and look-in.

[cardsfan]

Iglesias yes, Erv no

I am surprised you didn't go for Iglesias as well.

[Pardon My Dinger]

I always used to think Iglesias was destined for really good-ness. But, right when he started making a name for himself, guys like Correa, Lindor, Seaver, etc, kind of changed the way we think about shortstops.

[Mike Sixel]

Costs very little to put Erv in AAA, see if he gets back to 94 mph. Kind of foolish not to.

He takes a AAA roster spot, and seems unlikely to want to be in AAA all year, being a long term veteran. He's not part of any medium term roster, and most likely not short term either. Every inning he pitches is one less that someone part of the future does.

[Mike Sixel]

Could be but if Ervs finger is healthy I’m completely confident in predicting he will have better results than Perez

Low bar.....I wish they had aimed much higher.

[DocBauer]

At the beginning of the offseason I would have been more than happy to have Iglasis on a MiLB deal.

 

But I prefer what the Twins did instead. Maybe Schoop's already washed up, but he at least has the offensive potential to be a very good contributor. I'll give away defense for offense every time, so I'd rather do Schoop, Polanco and Gonzalez than whatever the alternative would have been with Iglesis, he just doesn't hit enough for me.

 

Santana wasn't particularly cheap if he makes the White Sox though, he's getting 4.5M which is more than the Twins signed Perez for. I don't particularly want either pitcher, but if the Twins had gone with Santana, he'd have that built in organizational equity which tends to give guys longer leashes than they otherwise would get. If the Twins were going to go with a low cost veteran pitcher, I'd rather they see about Clay Buchholz.

I was fine with Iglesius on an actual ML contract and move Polanco now, OR, a quality 2B and stick with Polanco at SS. (I still think Polanco is solid at SS and will get better). I am honestly stunned Iglesius had to settle for a milb deal.

 

I know you said "maybe" Schoop is already done, but my guess is by mid-season we are wondering if we can re-sign him. Injuries and the trade messed him up in 2018. But even if 2017 was an aberration, he was a really nice player before that.

[RatherBeGolfing]

 

I am surprised you didn't go for Iglesias as well.

 

Sadly the front office didn't ask me for my opinions on this (or a lot of other things!)

 

They should, though.

 

Does anyone else know how to reach the front office with my ideas? Will frontofficewizards@twins.com work??

[Doomtints]

I would guess Santana has zero interest in playing for the Twins again, but I can see him making it back to the majors just by sheer force of will -- arguably his best skill.

 

As for Iglesias -- no thanks.

[Doubles]

 

I guess the point I want to emphasize is that Ervin ever regains 100% health he could be a very pleasant surprise and there is zero risk to find out

One thing I can't figure out about Minnesota sports fans:  Why do we have such an issue letting go? 

 

"Maybe we can get Erv back..."

 

"Maybe Dozier will re-sign here in the off-season..."

 

"Maybe the Vikes can bring back Case Keenum..."

 

"Maybe the Wild can trade Staal, then re-sign him in the off-season..."

 

Why can't we just let go?  Especially when the guys who left didn't win squat here in the first place? 

 

Why are we so attached?

[yarnivek1972]

One thing I can't figure out about Minnesota sports fans: Why do we have such an issue letting go?

 

"Maybe we can get Erv back..."

 

"Maybe Dozier will re-sign here in the off-season..."

 

"Maybe the Vikes can bring back Case Keenum..."

 

"Maybe the Wild can trade Staal, then re-sign him in the off-season..."

 

Why can't we just let go? Especially when the guys who left didn't win squat here in the first place?

 

Why are we so attached?

Better the devil you know?

[Linus]

Low bar.....I wish they had aimed much higher.

Completely agree but if that was the bargain bin they were shopping in.....