Is Kevin Pillar a good idea?

[Doctor Gast]

After I posted the thread "The Twins greatest need", addressing the SS and CF lack there. Upgrade at SS and a better CF back up. I thought a super utility player (that can play SS, back up CF and hit above average) could do the job. But after looking at the options I changed my mind about getting 1 super utility player and go with the idea of getting an upgrade at SS plus a backup at CF.

We got a fantastic SS upgrade, so what about a better CF backup? We could wait until Buxton get hurt and call up Lewis and see if he's ready. It's a viable option

I suggested Kevin Pillar (Superman) and still believe that it could be the best option. He's a pretty good CF and even better LF. He's like Buxton but not as fast. He's a hard worker always giving his all and striving to better himself, he has risen his BA last year to .288.

He could be used as a RH platoon at LF, relieve and back up Buxton and as a defensive replacement at LF. Right now he has no teams linked to him so he could come pretty cheap now or wait and trade for him when the need arises. I'm just saying we need to consider him

[baul0010]

I like that idea.  He'd be a good fallback option if Kirilloff struggles as well.  I doubt he'd break the bank either.  Our roster is filling out nicely now and he would add great depth.

[nicksaviking]

Looking at his defensive numbers on Fangraphs, I'm not sure Pillar would be much of a backup CF. Looks like he's probably more of a corner guy now so if he was on the team, Kepler would likely still be the back up CF.

 

Pillar played well enough in the shortened season last year, but otherwise offensively he looks similar enough to Cave as far as offensive production goes for the back up outfielder. 

 

It would be nice to have an extra right handed bat, but seeing as Cave is still very cheap and controllable through 2024, I'd probably stick with Cave.

[twins_89]

I'd be surprised if any additional spending by the Twins didn't go towards pitching. Between Cave, Rooker, Larnach, and Wade the outfield depth is pretty solid. I'd even guess that Celestino isn't that far away. If there had been minor league ball he likely would have spent part of last season at AA.

[Shaitan]

They have a lot of in-house candidates, even if they aren't natural CF.

 

If Buxton goes down for more than a 2-week spell I suspect they're looking for a long-term replacement. He's gotta get through this year to have a chance at an extension.

[Greglw3]

 

After I posted the thread "The Twins greatest need", addressing the SS and CF lack there. Upgrade at SS and a better CF back up. I thought a super utility player (that can play SS, back up CF and hit above average) could do the job. But after looking at the options I changed my mind about getting 1 super utility player and go with the idea of getting an upgrade at SS plus a backup at CF.
We got a fantastic SS upgrade, so what about a better CF backup? We could wait until Buxton get hurt and call up Lewis and see if he's ready. It's a viable option
I suggested Kevin Pillar (Superman) and still believe that it could be the best option. He's a pretty good CF and even better LF. He's like Buxton but not as fast. He's a hard worker always giving his all and striving to better himself, he has risen his BA last year to .288.
He could be used as a RH platoon at LF, relieve and back up Buxton and as a defensive replacement at LF. Right now he has no teams linked to him so he could come pretty cheap now or wait and trade for him when the need arises. I'm just saying we need to consider him

I like the idea. There has to be a better plan in place than Jake Cave or LaMonte Wade (although I think, with regular playing time Wade could be solid). Pillar would plug a real vulnerability. I’m in!

[Doctor Gast]

Fangraph CF  2019      defensive rating, Pillar is 3rd.

 

 https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=cf&stats=fld&lg=all&qual=y&type=1&season=2019&month=0&season1=2013&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0        

 

here's a video of some of his catches

 

 

 

I just think we can  do much better w/o spending that much. CF is important, When Buxton is in CF we're great, when he's not we have a losing record. That demonstrate how great Buxton is & how bad our back ups are.

CF, SS & catcher are most important defensive positions. Let's say we have 1 good defensive catcher & we have a handful of options w/ Astudillo is our best backup. Do you really  think that quantity is better than quality? Wade could be better if he played more, so could Astudillo at catcher.

W/ Pillar in LF, Kepler in RF & Buxton in CF we can be creative. Have Pillar & Kepler play deep & have Buxton shallow enough where won`t run into the wall. Buxton could rob many shallow hits (like a rover). Again w/ Pillar we can be generous w/  Buxton giving him breaks in selected games. 

Ideally it'd be great if Buxton would be able to play 160 games plus all the post season games but nobody is superman (except maybe Pillar).

[billyp4444]

Good in theory, but it's just not likely with the OF depth they currently have. If Buxton were to go down early to miss extended time.....maybe they'd look his way at that time if available.

[jud6312]

 

W/ Pillar in LF, Kepler in RF & Buxton in CF we can be creative. Have Pillar & Kepler play deep & have Buxton shallow enough where won`t run into the wall. Buxton could rob many shallow hits (like a rover). 

The Fangraphs number that puts Pillar #3 is for 2013-19.  If you look at it for more current years (2018-20) he's 8th and also has -14 DRS. I have to agree with someone else who said he's more of a corner guy and a 1-2 game backup in center.

 

As for the idea of playing Buxton shallow, what happens to the balls hit to deep center and the gaps? Are you expecting Kepler and Pillar to cover that, too? Or are you just giving Byron more of a running start for the wall? 

 

Defensively, Buxton is who he is and he'll learn to take calculated risks on giving his body up for the ball, but there are going to be a lot of times when his instincts kick in and he's going to go for it. That's what makes him great.

[DocBauer]

Is Pillar a good idea? Yes. I was really hoping for him at the trade deadline last year. He's experienced, proven, plays good to great defense still, has some hit ability and some power and some speed. Considering how late it is in FA, he might come cheap. He's been on my "not needed but would be a nice luxury" list depending on payroll, contract terms, etc.

 

Is Pillar practical? Unfortunately, no. And that's an indictement towards him or the idea. At some point, payroll will be maxed out, though I don't believe we are there yet. But one more solid BP arm really helps and probably helps more than another OF option. Further, whether it's a cheap back of the rotation SP or a much bigger move for Oddo, Walker, etc,  one more SP option for depth and competition is important. And while it may be overkill, I would LOVE to spend a couple $M and take advantage of the crazy infield depth options still available. But is it overkill if the market presents you opportunity to add insurance in case knees and ankles and calves suddenly cause nagging headaches?

 

IMO, all of these are more important and beneficial than adding Pillar. (and I'd like to have him). And whether you like Cave or Wade or not, having one of those guys as the 4th OF option...potentially...is more important than Pillar and allowing yourself to add additional pitching.

[old nurse]

A Blue Jays cap. That was quite a while ago.. The last few years Pillar has been negative DRS negative UZR150 in CF. It is safe to say the old gray mare ain’t what it used to be. 

[Doctor Gast]

I still think that an upgrade at CF back up is still our greatest need when you see we lose a good majority of games with Buxton back ups. Especially now that we've lost our best option in Wade. You tell me that you don't trust the #8 top of all starting CFs to sub Buxton for more than a couple of games and you rather trust a Rosario sub to sub Buxton for an extended time.

Another thing that is hard for me to believe is how a #8 top MLB starting CF has a -14 DRS which is more indicative of the bottom 20%.

We need to see why the drop from #3 to #8, maybe he was playing hurt. If that's the case it needs to be checked out. But if he hit better last year?

Yes, we have a glut of big bat, no glove corner fielders. The idea of drafting them in the 1st place is to trade the ones we don't need.

We got our rotation in good shape (we can still try to trade to upgrade before the deadline), BP in good shape, INF in great shape, offense in great shape. Again I state our biggest hole is CF back up.

The #8 top MLB CF to sub Buxton and platoon LF on the cheap still seems like a good idea.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Looking at his defensive numbers on Fangraphs, I'm not sure Pillar would be much of a backup CF. Looks like he's probably more of a corner guy now so if he was on the team, Kepler would likely still be the back up CF.

 

Pillar played well enough in the shortened season last year, but otherwise offensively he looks similar enough to Cave as far as offensive production goes for the back up outfielder. 

 

It would be nice to have an extra right handed bat, but seeing as Cave is still very cheap and controllable through 2024, I'd probably stick with Cave.

Yes, this.

[Doctor Gast]

I'd like to prove my point. Here is small snipet from the Tribune

 

SID HARTMAN @SIDHARTMAN
The Twins are 52-23 when Byron Buxton plays this season and 7-13 when he doesn’t. The center fielder is on the seven-day injured list for concussions, meaning he won’t play until Sunday at the earliest.

 

This is a small sample size but it's indicative of the realization of 2 facts which I doubt anyone can dispute.

 

#1 We win a lot of games w/ Buxton 

 

#2 We lose a good majority of our games w/ his replacements.

 

I'm not bashing Buxton's replacements, they aren't CFers. There's a big difference between corner OF & CF.

 

We have lost a lot of games though out the years when Buxton is out. I don't like to lose, we need to find a way to improve our odds drastically when Buxton need a rest or is out.

Celestino has not played over high A, they say Lewis isn't ready & like to keep him at SS. So we need to get a replacement , at least temporarily, outside the organization. We can no longer say CF subs are not important and that Cave or Kepler is good enough

[The Wise One]

 

I'd like to prove my point. Here is small snipet from the Tribune

 

SID HARTMAN @SIDHARTMAN
The Twins are 52-23 when Byron Buxton plays this season and 7-13 when he doesn’t. The center fielder is on the seven-day injured list for concussions, meaning he won’t play until Sunday at the earliest.

 

This is a small sample size but it's indicative of the realization of 2 facts which I doubt anyone can dispute.

 

#1 We win a lot of games w/ Buxton 

 

#2 We lose a good majority of our games w/ his replacements.

 

I'm not bashing Buxton's replacements, they aren't CFers. There's a big difference between corner OF & CF.

 

We have lost a lot of games though out the years when Buxton is out. I don't like to lose, we need to find a way to improve our odds drastically when Buxton need a rest or is out.

Celestino has not played over high A, they say Lewis isn't ready & like to keep him at SS. So we need to get a replacement , at least temporarily, outside the organization. We can no longer say CF subs are not important and that Cave or Kepler is good enough

By defensive statistics Pillar is no longer a CF. What he was vs what he is now. You might as well argue that Denard Span or Torii Hunter should be brought back as backup CF

[Otwins]

I appreciate your point.  It is a good one. I just think you have the wrong guy. I think the two best back ups just signed.  Almora and Legares

[Doctor Gast]

I appreciate your point.  It is a good one. I just think you have the wrong guy. I think the two best back ups just signed.  Almora and Legares

Pillar was just a suggestion. On the surface he seemed like a good idea. If you note I didn't mention Pillar in my prior post, just the problem that needed to be addressed.

[old nurse]

The team found someone to be a backup. It remains to be seen who has a better year to prove who has a claim to be correct