Good Problem to Have

Riverbrian · July 5, 2019

It probably was never intended and I don't know exactly how to make to happen going forward if we get healthy.

Even after considering the small sample size of 70 AB's and really having no idea who he will be in the future.

Doesn't Arraez have to stay up based on what he has done?

wsnydes · July 5, 2019

Under probably most managers, I'd say that he needs to play every day and that would likely only occur in the minors. But Rocco does a really good job of rotating guys through the lineup on the regular. He certainly doesn't deserve to be sent back down at this point. As long as Rocco can find a spot to play him as regularly as he does everyone else, I see no reason to send him down at this point.

Squirrel · July 5, 2019

As long as Astudillo and Rosario are on the IL, and Gonzalez not at 100%, and Schoop slumping badly, Arraez will stay because we need him. When Astudillo comes off the IL, I think he’ll be sent to Rochester. But when Rosario comes off? Hmm, not sure you justify keeping Arraez up, as long as no other position player lands on the IL.

Not sure why it’s a good problem to have. Yes, he’s doing well, but he’s here primarily because someone better isn’t. I guess it’s good that Arraez has been good depth for us and could take over for Schoop or Adrianza next year.

In My La Z boy · July 5, 2019

Yes he has to stay up. The man puts bat to ball. Schoop is struggling - and with all the other power we have, Arraez is the on base machine we need. What an excellent surprise he has been, and gives us tremendous trade depth at middle infield. Gordon is now playing very well - Javier needs to be added to the 40 man this winter - and our last 2 #1 draft picks were middle infield. With the emergence of Arraez we have better options to move for some quality pitching help.

Who do you think brings the biggest return today; Gordon/Javier or Arraez?

Are you more comfortable moving Lewis or Cavaco for a premium stud starter with control now that Arraez has emerged?

This to me is why this is a nice problem to have. I never saw Arraez on the 2019 radar. He not only is giving us excellent major league play, but he allows us to think about trading some of our best middle infield chips - or has he become one of our best trade chips?

Thegrin · July 5, 2019

It is fun watching Arraez hit. Why isn't he leading off ? then Polanco, Cruz etc etc

I'll say it again. Trade Schoop and install Arraez as our 2b.

Riverbrian · July 5, 2019

Not sure why it’s a good problem to have. Yes, he’s doing well, but he’s here primarily because someone better isn’t. I guess it’s good that Arraez has been good depth for us and could take over for Schoop or Adrianza next year.

Depth is something to strive for because players are often not healthy and having it means the occasional 25 man headaches of what to do when everyone is healthy and that is a good problem to have.

Last year it was Taylor Motter... This year it Arraez. Quite a wonderful difference.

I’m saying at this point... he’s contributing and I’d have a hard time sending him down. If we get healthy it becomes a good problem to have.

strumdatjaguar · July 5, 2019

Meanwhile, Nick Gordon is playing well at Rochester. The Twins have many options in the infield.

Squirrel · July 5, 2019

Depth is something to strive for because players are often not healthy and having it means the occasional 25 man headaches of what to do when everyone is healthy and that is a good problem to have.
Last year it was Taylor Motter... This year it Arraez. Quite a wonderful difference.
I’m saying at this point... he’s contributing and I’d have a hard time sending him down. If we get healthy it becomes a good problem to have.

Oh, that wasn’t clear to me. Also, it would be helpful if your thread title were clearer, too.

Basically, I guess for me, it’s just a good thing we have the depth, not a problem. And it’s not problematic to me that he gets sent down when Rosario returns, but more problematic to me if our starters continue to get injured, but not problematic to have the depth. Arraez, to me, really isn’t quite a starter type player, but is beyond extra good as filler. So if that is a problem, I guess it’s a good one.

obtusebanter · July 5, 2019

Arraez has gotta come back to Earth at some point. He's been an absolute line drive machine, but even if he is the 2nd coming of Rod Carew he can't keep hitting them at this pace. So no, I don't think he needs to stay up this year.

Doomtints · July 5, 2019

The Twins have plenty of bat in the infield. Bring up someone who can play defense from the bench.

SpicyGarvSauce · July 5, 2019

Dude also plays the deepest left field in the history of baseball. Probably has to do with the comfort level he has out there, and not being the most skilled at going back on balls.

longstrangetrip · July 5, 2019

It's a great problem to have, and I am strongly in favor of doing anything we can to keep Arraez in the majors. His incredible consistency at every level in the minors and the approach he has demonstrated in the majors tells me that this is not a fluke...this kid can hit.

My solution won't be supported by many, but it makes sense to me...trade Miquel Sano for a serviceable to very good reliever and give 3b to Gonzalez and Arraez. Sano's prodigious power (a HR every 10 ABs this year) and his youth would likely bring a nice return in a trade. And I would argue that we may be a better team without him than with him (this year we are 33-16 when he doesn't play, and only 21-16 when he does). Some complain about his strikeouts, but I have no problem with his offensive production... 6th in OPS on this terrific hitting team is just fine. But his defense is hurting us...his fielding percentage of .934 ranks dead last on the Twins, and only Gio Urshela has a lower percentage among American League third baseman. And who knows whether his questionable off-field behavior has a negative impact on the clubhouse. (Some may find it easy to ignore his assault charge, but I struggle to get past it...it's just too credible. Teammates and ex-teammates off the record described him as a "ticking time bomb" in his relationships with women, and both Trevor May and Trevor Plouffe publicly apologized to the victim after she went public with the event).

We need to get rid of this guy before something serious happens that embarrasses the team, and now is the time to do something while he is hitting HRs at such a high rate. SELL HIGH. Trade Sano, and keep the imminently more watchable and cheerable Arraez on the team.

SwainZag · July 5, 2019

It is fun watching Arraez hit. Why isn't he leading off ? then Polanco, Cruz etc etc

I'll say it again. Trade Schoop and install Arraez as our 2b.

Contending teams do not trade big league depth during the season, it's just not smart baseball. Offseason? Sure. During the season? Absolutely not.

Squirrel · July 5, 2019

Contending teams do not trade big league depth during the season, it's just not smart baseball. Offseason? Sure. During the season? Absolutely not.

Arraez is great to have as back up and/or filler ... but I don't think, long term, he's a starter. Love what we're getting from him right now, today, and I'll ride that wave; but I'm not sure he's a long term solution. Time will tell.

Danchat · July 5, 2019

Arraez has gotta come back to Earth at some point. He's been an absolute line drive machine, but even if he is the 2nd coming of Rod Carew he can't keep hitting them at this pace. So no, I don't think he needs to stay up this year.

Well yeah, I don’t think anyone expects him to keep hitting over .400. But I do think he can hit over .300 in the bigs, and that’s worth keeping on our roster.

SwainZag · July 5, 2019

It's a great problem to have, and I am strongly in favor of doing anything we can to keep Arraez in the majors. His incredible consistency at every level in the minors and the approach he has demonstrated in the majors tells me that this is not a fluke...this kid can hit.

My solution won't be supported by many, but it makes sense to me...trade Miquel Sano for a serviceable to very good reliever and give 3b to Gonzalez and Arraez. Sano's prodigious power (a HR every 10 ABs this year) and his youth would likely bring a nice return in a trade. And I would argue that we may be a better team without him than with him (this year we are 33-16 when he doesn't play, and only 21-16 when he does). Some complain about his strikeouts, but I have no problem with his offensive production... 6th in OPS on this terrific hitting team is just fine. But his defense is hurting us...his fielding percentage of .934 ranks dead last on the Twins, and only Gio Urshela has a lower percentage among American League third baseman. And who knows whether his questionable off-field behavior has a negative impact on the clubhouse. (Some may find it easy to ignore his assault charge, but I struggle to get past it...it's just too credible. Teammates and ex-teammates off the record described him as a "ticking time bomb" in his relationships with women, and both Trevor May and Trevor Plouffe publicly apologized to the victim after she went public with the event).

We need to get rid of this guy before something serious happens that embarrasses the team, and now is the time to do something while he is hitting HRs at such a high rate. SELL HIGH. Trade Sano, and keep the imminently more watchable and cheerable Arraez on the team.

Should we looking at the starting pitching numbers during that time frame? I get reading thru your post that you do not care for Sano, a lot having to do with the off field issue, which is perfectly fine, but using that W-L to further your argument is just short sighted.

Using fielding percentage as a measure is also flawed. Yes, he has made a few extra errors, but his arm is incredible and for a big guy he is has decent range. He is definitely closer to average 3B fielder than worst in the league.

I am a huge Arraez fan, but he has a .438 BABIP, has a very unsustainable 37.5% line drive rate and he and Sano play different positions, they can very much co-exist in the same lineup.

longstrangetrip · July 5, 2019

Should we looking at the starting pitching numbers during that time frame? I get reading thru your post that you do not care for Sano, a lot having to do with the off field issue, which is perfectly fine, but using that W-L to further your argument is just short sighted.

Using fielding percentage as a measure is also flawed. Yes, he has made a few extra errors, but his arm is incredible and for a big guy he is has decent range. He is definitely closer to average 3B fielder than worst in the league.

I am a huge Arraez fan, but he has a .438 BABIP, has a very unsustainable 37.5% line drive rate and he and Sano play different positions, they can very much co-exist in the same lineup.

Some fair points about fielding, swain. He does have a cannon for an arm and I agree on Sano's range...after all, he was a shortstop coming up and is very athletic for a guy his size. I do find his defense erratic though, and that's not surprising...everything about this guy is erratic (defense, batting approach and pitch recognition, personal behavior, weight discipline). Arraez in the other hand has been a very reliable third baseman this season and last (he actually played as many games at third as he did at second in the minors in 2019)...in 34 minor league games and another 2 with the Twins at 3B, he has only made one error. And being only 22, we might expect his defense to get even better.

Ultimately you're right though...I just don't care for the guy, and find him very difficult to cheer for. I guess I have the same issue with many of the other bad actors out there (Michael Jackson, Kevin Spacey, etc etc etc). Ultimately though my impression of Sano is irrelevant to the team's success. It's only relevant if he has an impact on team unity and cohesion. I think we would have to agree that two teammates publicly apologizing to an alleged sexual assault victim is unusual, and gives some indication of what regard his teammates hold for him. I sit behind the third base dugout at Target Field, and often train my binoculars across the field to the Twins' dugout to observe how the players interact. Guys like Arraez and Astudillo are enormously popular and seem to have a positive impact on team morale. In contrast, I sense a degree of uneasiness in how his teammates regard Miguel. Not surprising...I know I would.

The guy has enormous talent, but if I had to predict whether he will still be playing ball in five years, I would have to bet no. Either his weight and health issues or his "ticking time bomb" off field behavior could derail an otherwise promising career. Despite his frequent injury issues, the guy must have substantial value o the trade market. I maintain it would be a smart move to sell high, pick up a player than can help us this year, and make Miguel some other team's problem.

(and returning to the theme of the thread, open up a spot for Arraez).

Riverbrian · July 5, 2019

Oh, that wasn’t clear to me. Also, it would be helpful if your thread title were clearer, too.

Basically, I guess for me, it’s just a good thing we have the depth, not a problem. And it’s not problematic to me that he gets sent down when Rosario returns, but more problematic to me if our starters continue to get injured, but not problematic to have the depth. Arraez, to me, really isn’t quite a starter type player, but is beyond extra good as filler. So if that is a problem, I guess it’s a good one.

I was under the assumption that "Good Problem to Have" is universal language for too much talent for the number of roster spots.

A bunch of this goes back to what I've been talking about for a long time now... Depth and Flexibility.

We are seeing it first hand right now with this current group of Minnesota Twins. Baldelli is finding playing time for everyone and with everyone performing at an acceptable level, depth has been created to the point of having 12-13 hitters on the MLB Roster plus 2-3 hitters that can be stashed in Rochester that have or can perform at the MLB Level. We've come along way from LaMarre, Petit and Motter.

I'm watching Arraez and thinking to myself... How can you send him down if everyone is healthy? Sending him down is the easy answer to the "good problem to have", he's young and he has options. We can send him down and not lose him...keep him as depth, give him major consideration for next year so we don't have to drop a large chunk of cash to retain Schoop as a free agent.

However, the kid has consistently hit at every level and now he is looking like he can help us win right now and we'd like to win right now. Basically, I'm starting to think that keeping him on the roster, improves the 2019 team, even if you stop and consider all of the wonderful options we have at our beck and call (good problem to have).

It is sensible to imagine that there is no way he can keep up this pace so it is risky to make plans for this year based on his small sample size but, even if he his BABIP and line drive rate declines... it would have to decline a lot for him to not be a serious plus to what we are trying to accomplish this year.

We got Power Hitters and We have a lot of them. Adding a contact guy who gets on base a lot in front of those Power Hitters will make us more dangerous on paper.

Flexibility:

I've been talking about Flexibility being a natural by-product of having depth, I've been talking about the difference between Utility and Super Utility and the need for Super Utility players instead of Utiltiy Roster space wastes to accommodate honest to god depth we have currently.

Arraez has shown so far that he isn't a nightmare in the OF plus he can play 2B, 3B and SS. Baldelli has shown the willingness and ability to place all 12-13 players into the lineup at decent intervals so nobody as to atrophy on the bench. Both Marwin and Arraez and Adrianza can play Super Utility type roles without anyone losing significant playing time. Baldelli is proving that right now.

So Arraez, in my mind isn't a playing time issue but a simple 25 man roster space "good problem to have" and I'm just not sure how you can send him down after watching him through 70 AB's.

So if everyone gets healthy... Now what? Astudillo can be sent down and would have to be sent down due to 25 man roster space and his having options. Sano and Buxton can be sent down but doubtful that they will. Everybody else will need to be cut loose in order to stash them in Rochester.

You can run with one less pitcher in order to carry 13 hitters but there will be times when that isn't possible, especially if we make some acquisitions to add to the pitching staff.

I'm just thinking to myself... How can you send him down? I'm at the point where I don't think he should be, at least until he crashes to earth.

He seems to be able to help us win games right now.

What If?

strumdatjaguar · July 5, 2019

Everybody thought Eduardo Escobar was just a fill-in too.

longstrangetrip · July 5, 2019

I was under the assumption that "Good Problem to Have" is universal language for too much talent for the number of roster spots.

A bunch of this goes back to what I've been talking about for a long time now... Depth and Flexibility.

We are seeing it first hand right now with this current group of Minnesota Twins. Baldelli is finding playing time for everyone and with everyone performing at an acceptable level, depth has been created to the point of having 12-13 hitters on the MLB Roster plus 2-3 hitters that can be stashed in Rochester that have or can perform at the MLB Level. We've come along way from LaMarre, Petit and Motter.

I'm watching Arraez and thinking to myself... How can you send him down if everyone is healthy? Sending him down is the easy answer to the "good problem to have", he's young and he has options. We can send him down and not lose him...keep him as depth, give him major consideration for next year so we don't have to drop a large chunk of cash to retain Schoop as a free agent.

However, the kid has consistently hit at every level and now he is looking like he can help us win right now and we'd like to win right now. Basically, I'm starting to think that keeping him on the roster, improves the 2019 team, even if you stop and consider all of the wonderful options we have at our beck and call (good problem to have).

It is sensible to imagine that there is no way he can keep up this pace so it is risky to make plans for this year based on his small sample size but, even if he his BABIP and line drive rate declines... it would have to decline a lot for him to not be a serious plus to what we are trying to accomplish this year.

We got Power Hitters and We have a lot of them. Adding a contact guy who gets on base a lot in front of those Power Hitters will make us more dangerous on paper.

Flexibility:

I've been talking about Flexibility being a natural by-product of having depth, I've been talking about the difference between Utility and Super Utility and the need for Super Utility players instead of Utiltiy Roster space wastes to accommodate honest to god depth we have currently.

Arraez has shown so far that he isn't a nightmare in the OF plus he can play 2B, 3B and SS. Baldelli has shown the willingness and ability to place all 12-13 players into the lineup at decent intervals so nobody as to atrophy on the bench. Both Marwin and Arraez and Adrianza can play Super Utility type roles without anyone losing significant playing time. Baldelli is proving that right now.

So Arraez, in my mind isn't a playing time issue but a simple 25 man roster space "good problem to have" and I'm just not sure how you can send him down after watching him through 70 AB's.

So if everyone gets healthy... Now what? Astudillo can be sent down and would have to be sent down due to 25 man roster space and his having options. Sano and Buxton can be sent down but doubtful that they will. Everybody else will need to be cut loose in order to stash them in Rochester.

You can run with one less pitcher in order to carry 13 hitters but there will be times when that isn't possible, especially if we make some acquisitions to add to the pitching staff.

I'm just thinking to myself... How can you send him down? I'm at the point where I don't think he should be, at least until he crashes to earth.

He seems to be able to help us win games right now.

What If?

Very well presented...he does seem to be able to help us win games right now. This team is loaded with power, and can really use a lead off guy with a 6-year minors OBP of .385 (and 100 points higher than that in the bigs!). This team seems to have a lot of guys who get nicked up frequently, so most likely this problem takes care of itself and Arraez stays up as long as he stays healthy. But roster management will be a challenge if suddenly everyone gets healthy. I know I would only send Arraez down if there were absolutely no other choices.

longstrangetrip · July 5, 2019

Everybody thought Eduardo Escobar was just a fill-in too.

Interesting comparison...and Eduardo never put up the consistently great numbers in the minors that Luis has. They are almost carbon copies in body type at 5'10" and about 180 pounds. At age 22 Eduardo hit 6 HRs in the minors compared to Luis's 3, and never developed into a power hitter until his mid 20's. Arraez becomes even more promising if he can develop even half the power Eduardo showed in his mid 20's. I don't generally get ahead of myself when it comes to prospects, but I can't help it with this Arraez kid.

Squirrel · July 5, 2019

Everybody thought Eduardo Escobar was just a fill-in too.

Esco also proved himself over a couple of seasons, not part of one. Not saying he’s not helping, but he is the obvious one to get sent down when all are healthy.

yarnivek1972 · July 5, 2019

Should we looking at the starting pitching numbers during that time frame? I get reading thru your post that you do not care for Sano, a lot having to do with the off field issue, which is perfectly fine, but using that W-L to further your argument is just short sighted.

Using fielding percentage as a measure is also flawed. Yes, he has made a few extra errors, but his arm is incredible and for a big guy he is has decent range. He is definitely closer to average 3B fielder than worst in the league.

I am a huge Arraez fan, but he has a .438 BABIP, has a very unsustainable 37.5% line drive rate and he and Sano play different positions, they can very much co-exist in the same lineup.

Out of 34 thirdbaseman with at least 1000 innings since 2017, Sano ranks 24th. It is worth noting that most guys that have been playing regularly over the last 2 1/2 years have 2500 or more innings. Sano has less than 1500, which is why I had to set the threshold at 1000.

His UZR/150 in that stretch is -2.9. So, I’d say he’s just about smack dab in the middle of “average” and worst in the league.

yarnivek1972 · July 5, 2019

I think he's worth keeping if he can hit .280/.360/.420 and play solid D at 2B. Schoop is unlikely to be here next year because he wants a multi-year big doolar contract and his play doesn't justify that investment. We need Arreaz for next year. Given that, I would keep him up and get him another 200 ABs so we can see if the bat has staying power. he can get 2 days a week at 2B, one at 3B and maybe one as the 4th or 5th OF. Gonzalez doesn't need to play more than 4 days a week, and neither does Schoop. Keep him instead of an 8th reliever and keep the Rochester shuttle going for fresh BP arms. A tough balancing act, but doable.

Of course, if the Twins acquire bullpen help, it could be a tougher balancing act. Presumably, the acquiries will be out of options (and hopefully would be good enough not to get sent down even if they are not). I believe the only relievers left on the 25 man with options are Duffey and Harper, both of whom are candidates to be replaced by said newly acquired relievers. Leaving no relievers with options.

howeda7 · July 5, 2019

Unless they can go down to 7 guys in the bullpen, the bench will be Castro, Gonzalez and Adrianza once everyone is healthy. Arreaz and Astudillo will be in AAA.

jorgenswest · July 5, 2019

There may be some stretches where he is sent to AAA but I would expect there will be opportunity on the big league roster for the majority of the remainder of the season and the playoff roster.

If he has a stretch in AAA it will be an opportunity to work in the OF.

I am confident in his talents and would plan on him as the starting 2B in 2020.

jokin · July 5, 2019

It probably was never intended and I don't know exactly how to make to happen going forward if we get healthy.

Even after considering the small sample size of 70 AB's and really having no idea who he will be in the future.

Doesn't Arraez have to stay up based on what he has done?

Weren't you the guy arguing for 13 pitchers and 12 position players?

Keep Arraez up her for now, just limit his OF time. ***

*** (And for as long as he can keep up his BABIP-tastic numbers. He would lead the league by a mile in BABIP if he qualified.)

*** {Also, for as long as he can have the #2 best K% in baseball- second to Astudillo- I have a feeling the "book" is going to be out on how to throw to him sometime soon after the All Star break}

diehardtwinsfan · July 5, 2019

Arraez is great to have as back up and/or filler ... but I don't think, long term, he's a starter. Love what we're getting from him right now, today, and I'll ride that wave; but I'm not sure he's a long term solution. Time will tell.

I tend to agree. I think the kid can maintain a .300 average, but you're talking more likely a 2017 Mauer type slash line at best... That's not bad

That said, I don't have too much of an issue letting Arraez and Gordon fight for the 2B spot next spring, definitely wouldn't send Schoop packing though. He'll break out of that slump.

Rosterman · July 5, 2019

Schoop is bring something to the team, and he needs to shine if he wants that next big contract. Would the Twins amrket him if someone is looking for a second baseman, for a low level prospect or two. Not that they need more guys to worry about protecting in the minors.

Arraez has made Gordon the odd man out, what with Polanco signing a contract extension. The Twins have Lewis in the wings (2 seasons out). Javier has to be 40-manned, and if was producing he would be a nice prospect tradechip. The Twns have the newly drafted guy making things complicated.

Do they give Gordon a shot in the majors next time they need an infielder? That they haven't speaks the worth the front office sees in the guy, sadly.

Arraez in the outfield? Naw. Good to have him there right now because it does get his abt in the lineup. Would rather see Adrianza in the outfield (but then he was at first base, right). Gonzalez gets the extra playing time when healthy as Rocco sees a need to get him out there like a regular, so abck to AAA for Arraez when Rsoario comes back.

Arraez or Gordon, you lose power. Neither is giving us super steals of base. Arraez shows nice plate discipline, which means he should be ledaing off sooner rather than later (Byron Buxton take note).

And then the Sano machine. Was even surprised with Adrianza t first base the other game. I would be putting Sano there when applicable, as that may be his future (or jsut plain DH). Of course, as someone else mentioned, do you see Sano still playing baseball in five years? Is he the next Oswaldo Arcia, Delmon Young or the new Big Papa? Sure, he hits the homerun ball, but I cringe when he comes to bat and we need a fly ball to get a guy in from third, or we have runnes on base and two outs...and I fully expect him to make out three...swinging sooner rather than looking at anything.

Boy, it's too abd the Twins can't be sellers this year. What would they get for Odorizzi, Gibson, Castro, Schoop, maybe move a couple of bullpen arms.......

Riverbrian · July 5, 2019

Weren't you the guy arguing for 13 pitchers and 12 position players?

Keep Arraez up her for now, just limit his OF time. ***

*** (And for as long as he can keep up his BABIP-tastic numbers. He would lead the league by a mile in BABIP if he qualified.)

*** {Also, for as long as he can have the #2 best K% in baseball- second to Astudillo- I have a feeling the "book" is going to be out on how to throw to him sometime soon after the All Star break}

I was that guy but that argument has a shelf life based on current team context.

When I was talking about the need for 13 pitchers... It was under the context of not getting the amount of innings we are currently getting from our starters... It was also under the assumption that Baldelli coming from the Rays would bring some Rays bullpen magic with him. That hasn't been the case so far.

So current context is... We got a bunch of guys who can hit that would require an extra 25 man spot to roster. However... I can see that changing quickly when we start adding bullpen help at the trade deadline.

"Limit his OF time?" - So far his OF performance doesn't scare me at all. I'll simply recommend getting him in the lineup wherever and if it's the OF... OK with me. Arraez is the perfect opportunity to develop our own Marwin and as you know... I'm all about that.

I think Arraez has to come down naturally but his bat to ball skills are similar to Astudillo with the added bonus of being much much more selective and that will make that K% more useful.

Will the pitchers find a soft spot? Probably and that would be perfect because the sooner they find it, the sooner he can adjust to it.

His book is still being written... I don't want to gush too soon but at this point, you gotta keep playing him to see if he can keep it up. If he keeps it up or simply regresses to what he showed on the farm... he will be hard to send down.

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