Front Page: Twins Acquire OF Ryan LaMarre

[Seth Stohs]

The Twins announced this morning that they have acquired outfielder Ryan LaMarre from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for cash.The Twins acquired OF Ryan LaMarre, and based on reports, he is at Target Field. He will take the 40-man roster spot of Michael Pineda and be activated by the Twins.

 

On Saturday, the Twins lost Pineda to a 60-Game Suspension for testing positive for a banned substance.

 

Eddie Rosario is nursing a hamstring injury. Max Kepler likely will need time off for his various minor injuries. Jake Cave has missed two games after his Friday night injury. Byron Buxton's shoulder injury. Marwin Gonzalez is out. Outfield depth will be nice to have.

 

While these guys can and have continued to play in their roles, each could benefit from added rest. If the Twins can find a way to get more rest for them, especially if they are able to clinch early, it would be great heading into the playoffs.

 

Of course, because he was added to the organization after September 1st, LaMarre is not eligible to be on the Twins playoff roster.

 

LaMarre spent the 2019 season with Gwinnett, the AAA affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. He hit .311/.380/.477 (.857) with 24 doubles, eight triples and nine home runs. He also stole 19 bases and plays well in the outfield, including centerfield.

 

He was set to be a free agent following the World Series. As you recall, LaMarre's in-laws live in the Twin Cities. Maybe he was around and it worked out well for him and for the Twins.

 

Interesting that the Twins went this direction rather than calling up a prospect like Brent Rooker who needs to be added to the 40-man roster after the season. Rooker missed the final month-and-a-half of the Triple-A season with a groin injury. He had just begun a rehab assignment with the GCL Twins when that season was cancelled. (Note - I was wrong... Rooker does not need to be added to the 40-man roster this offseason. My apologies. However, you do have to wonder, if he was healthy, if that might have been the move.)

 

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[jud6312]

Yuck. I thought they were done making moves like this.

[ScrapTheNickname]

I can see the rationale, but I thought we were past every see this guy again.

[PseudoSABR]

 

Yuck. I thought they were done making moves like this.

Just a depth move. Nothing to get in a tizzy about, or really have any reaction at all over.  I doubt he plays. 

[darin617]

 

Yuck. I thought they were done making moves like this.

We have players that need rest badly and need someone to fill in. A good move. After this upcoming week the division will be done as well.

 

Too bad Rooker isn't healthy.

[mrtwinsfan]

Plays -Hopefully not

[Bill Brown69]

I actually hope he plays nearly every game from here on out. Give a little rest to everyone else and get them fresh for postseason. 

[notoriousgod71]

Mastroianni wasn't available?

[Hawkeye12]

He's got a walk off winning hit vs the Indians on his Twins' resume so maybe that'll come in handy.

[TheMatt]

I really like this. Gave up nothing. Can play all 3 positions. Had a spot opened up anyway. Maybe he will be the guy from spring training last year. If not, at least good depth.

[David HK]

But... but.......

 

We already have the fabulous Ian Miller. Ain't that enough?

 

And what is Johnny Field up to these days, anyway?

[3balls2strikes]

.311/.380/.477 in AAA seems good to me. A nice feel good story of local guy getting an opportunity. He was a beast in 2018 spring training. The outfield needs some healthy bodies, nothing wrong with this move. 

[Einstein1]

Ryan LaMarre > Lamonte Wade.  So I'm fine with this. 

[Danchat]

I don’t see the point of this with Miller already on the roster, but this spot won’t be playoff eligible so it means nothing.

[Mr. Brooks]

Just a depth move. Nothing to get in a tizzy about, or really have any reaction at all over. I doubt he plays.

Of course he's here to play.

Depth for what? AAA season is over. MLB teams don't carry "depth" players that literally never play, like NBA teams do.

[PseudoSABR]

 

Of course he's here to play.
Depth for what? AAA season is over. MLB teams don't carry "depth" players that literally never play, like NBA teams do.

They do in September, in case of injury. How many at bats does Ian Miller have, btw?

Edited September 8, 2019 by PseudoSABR

[Kelly Vance]

I like the move. Ryan is a decent hitter and was red hot out of ST last year. Molly refused to play him, even though he hit over .400 in ST, so he finally cooled off from non use. Molly lost my respect for his bone head Gardy style of playing favorites.

 

Ryan could come in and give Eddie, Keps and even Buck some time off. I like it. Wade is not the answer and Cave is banged up. Gonzo is not back yet. This move makes a lot of sense. 

 

Its a part time job, but Ryan fits as a sub right now.

 

 

[SteelDodo]

Does Rooker have to be added to the 40 man this year? He was drafted in 2017, so I thought he had another year...

[jud6312]

 

.311/.380/.477 in AAA seems good to me. A nice feel good story of local guy getting an opportunity. He was a beast in 2018 spring training. The outfield needs some healthy bodies, nothing wrong with this move. 

 

He's not local. His in-laws are.

[jud6312]

 

I don’t see the point of this with Miller already on the roster, but this spot won’t be playoff eligible so it means nothing.

 

Unless they leave him on the 40 over the winter.

[jud6312]

 

I like the move. Ryan is a decent hitter and was red hot out of ST last year. Molly refused to play him, even though he hit over .400 in ST, so he finally cooled off from non use. Molly lost my respect for his bone head Gardy style of playing favorites.

 

Ryan could come in and give Eddie, Keps and even Buck some time off. I like it. Wade is not the answer and Cave is banged up. Gonzo is not back yet. This move makes a lot of sense. 

 

Its a part time job, but Ryan fits as a sub right now.

 

Lots of people hit really well in spring training. It means nothing.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Interesting that the Twins went this direction rather than calling up a prospect like Brent Rooker who needs to be added to the 40-man roster after the season.

Does Rooker have to be added to the 40 man this year? He was drafted in 2017, so I thought he had another year...

SteelDodo, you are correct, and Seth is incorrect. Rooker doesn't need a 40-man spot this winter, as he is not Rule 5 eligible until December 2020.

 

Raley and Wiel at AAA are both Rule 5 eligible this winter, though. (Wiel was already eligible last winter and went unclaimed -- I wouldn't expect him to be protected this winter.)

Edited September 8, 2019 by spycake

[Otto von Ballpark]

I don’t see the point of this with Miller already on the roster, but this spot won’t be playoff eligible so it means nothing.

The spot could have been playoff eligible if they used it on a guy who was in the org on August 31st, and petitioned to replace an injured postseason eligible player like Gordon. (Like they would have to do for Miller or Graterol to make them postseason eligible, as neither was added to the 40-man until Sep. 1st.)

[Otto von Ballpark]

.311/.380/.477 in AAA seems good to me.

It's not bad (121 wRC+), but it's not all that notable either. For example, De Aza had a .352/.432/.609 (165 wRC+) for Rochester in the same league.

[USAFChief]

This is an indication of the health of the Twins outfield, nothing more nothing less.

 

Nobody on the twins thinks Lamarre is any kind of answer, nor is this about "giving him a chance." This isnt about Lamarre grounding a couple singles to right field last spring.

 

The Twins are short of healthy outfielders and are trying to limp out the regular season. Lamarre happened to be available.

[Kelly Vance]

 

Lots of people hit really well in spring training. It means nothing.

If it means nothing then why did he make the team going North?

He came outta nowhere and hit like .480 in Florida. That is why he made the team. 

So don't tell me it means nothing. 

[USAFChief]

If it means nothing then why did he make the team going North?

He came outta nowhere and hit like .480 in Florida. That is why he made the team.

So don't tell me it means nothing.

he then gave the Twins 109 PAs of .635 OPS and was gone.

 

It means next to nothing.

[yarnivek1972]

If it means nothing then why did he make the team going North?

He came outta nowhere and hit like .480 in Florida. That is why he made the team.

So don't tell me it means nothing.

It’s worth noting that decisions like playing LaMarre are why Paul Molitor is the Twins FORMER manager.

[ken]

It’s worth noting that decisions like playing LaMarre are why Paul Molitor is the Twins FORMER manager.

If Molitor had just played Robbie Grossman more I'm sure the FO would kept him on.

[Kelly Vance]

 

he then gave the Twins 109 PAs of .635 OPS and was gone.

It means next to nothing.

You forget. He was red hot and Molly refused to use him until, after sitting with a hot streak and .485 BA coming out of ST,  he cooled off while sitting the bench. Molitor ruined the guys chances.