Article: What in the Hell is a Pedro Florimon?

[Nick Nelson]

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=1335-What-in-the-Hell-is-a-Pedro-Florimon

[jm3319]

It's reminders like this that make me glad the NHL came back.

[Jim H]

I too am surprised that Ryan didn't acquire a shortstop over the winter. It seems that He believes that Florimon or Dozier can fill that job. Clearly Carroll seemed to prove that utility man should be how he is used and there is no indication that Escobar is much more than an utility option. I would be happy if Florimon could provide the kind of superior defense he showed flashes of, but I am a bit doubtful that will be the case.

 

If the Twins have said, I haven't heard it, but I assume there will a competition between Dozier and Florimon for the shortstop job. If Florimon wins it, Dozier may be slid over to 2nd. But realistically I don't know if either is a major league starting middle infielder.

[Dance with Disco Dan]

Now that Casilla is gone, Gardy needs a new guy he can bench for a week for making a loose play in the field. Examples must be set in the name of playing the game the right way or TK the Warlock will loose a 100-year curse on the team. Ryan knows this and has offered up Florimon to be soul-crushed in this fashion. Hoping Florimon satiates Gardy's appetite for shaming the physically-talented, Ryan will sneak Hicks and Arcia into the clubhouse. If all works as planned, these players' confidence will be protected and nurtured by the rational acceptance of any fundamental mistakes they might make. Without Florimon as the staked-goat bait, who knows what happens the first time Hicks over-throws a cut off man? Ryan is a smart man and clearly knows what he is doing.

[edavis0308]

25% strikeout rate? Man I didn't think he was THAT anemic on offense..

[twinsnorth49]

Notice TR didn't say "he's the type of baseball player" you want at shortstop......sigh.

[snepp]

Notice TR didn't say "he's the type of baseball player" you want at shortstop......sigh.

 

At least they accomplished what they set out to do at the position, get more "athletic." That has to count for something.

[johnnydakota]

just another reason to cheer for the front office....

Marcier Izturius could have been added at around 4 million a year ...

[drjim]

just another reason to cheer for the front office....

Marcier Izturius could have been added at around 4 million a year ...

 

If that is the best alternative we can come up with I'm not that offended by Terry Ryan not adding a SS.

[cmathewson]

Anybody can see he's no offensive threat. But that is not why you have shortstops. You have shortstops to turn as many ground balls up the middle and in the hole into outs as possible. And he is the best at this skill we've had in a while. JJ hardy was very good at catching the ball and I lament his unceremonious exit. But, other than him, the Twins have not had a shortstop who could cover as much ground as Florimon since Guzman was 21. He's no star. But he will hold his own at the position. Florimon reminds me of Greg Gagne at that age, who could barely get the bat on the ball, but he could sure get his glove on it. And when he got leather on it, he made outs. That is the promise of Florimon. I'm not saying he will be the next Greg Gagne. But he has a chance to fill the position until Santana or Polanco are ready to take over. Dozier will hit better, but he's no match for Florimon with the glove, and that is what matters on this team. Anybody who watched the team last year will tell you that.

[johnnydakota]

Anybody can see he's no offensive threat. But that is not why you have shortstops. You have shortstops to turn as many ground balls up the middle and in the hole into outs as possible. And he is the best at this skill we've had in a while. JJ hardy was very good at catching the ball and I lament his unceremonious exit. But, other than him, the Twins have not had a shortstop who could cover as much ground as Florimon since Guzman was 21. He's no star. But he will hold his own at the position. Florimon reminds me of Greg Gagne at that age, who could barely get the bat on the ball, but he could sure get his glove on it. And when he got leather on it, he made outs. That is the promise of Florimon. I'm not saying he will be the next Greg Gagne. But he has a chance to fill the position until Santana or Polanco are ready to take over. Dozier will hit better, but he's no match for Florimon with the glove, and that is what matters on this team. Anybody who watched the team last year will tell you that.

 

Most teams that carry a light hitting middle infielder , have enough offense and solid defense . we dont ....

[snepp]

"At that age" Gagne OPS'd better than a league average shortstop twice already.

 

Florimon can only fantasize about hitting as well as Gagne did.

[Top Gun]

Now is the time to let Florimon & Dozier play them selfs off the team for good.

[FrodaddyG]

Now is the time to let Florimon & Dozier play them selfs off the team for good.

"Hi. I was paid $4M a year by the Twins as recently as 3 seasons ago."

[glunn]

According to Bleacher Report, the best remaining free agent shortstops are Alex Gonzalez, Ronny Cedeno and Jason Bartlett. Gonzalez sounds risky, but with a high upside. Are any of these guys worth pursuing?

[old nurse]

Could it be that what was available on the free agent market was not much better than Floriman so there was no need to discuss bringing in competition?

[Dance with Disco Dan]

Could it be that what was available on the free agent market was not much better than Floriman so there was no need to discuss bringing in competition?

 

 

This was my thought. I like to think that Ryan judiciously conserved his cash after determining that the "affordable" free-agent options were not worth the marginal upgrade. It would be easier to think this if a Correia-sized albatross wasn't roosting on his shoulder. But still...

 

I was hoping the Reds would be in on Span and that we might get Didi Gregorious as part of the deal. Maybe they were and Ryan just liked the Nats offer more. Looking forward to seeing how the Choo/Bruce center-field combo works out. I think the Reds will kick themselves for not giving whatever kicker it took to get Span or Revere.

[Boom Boom]

I don't see why the Twins couldn't bring in some waiver wire pickups or minor league free agents to compete with Florimon. The Twins shortstop cupboard is barren in the high minors, and it sounds like they're serious about moving Dozier to second base permanently.

[twinsnorth49]

Nothing about Florimon's game should hint at him getting anywhere close to comfortable that he is a shoo-in SS. At the very least some minor league FA's to at least send the message to him that they're open to the idea of playing someone else, as they should be.

[ScottyB]

Floriman is a prototypical Twins shortstop - think Jackie Hernanadez, Lenny Feado and Sergio Ferrer, and dare I say Ron Washington (although he hit a little beter).

[Guest USAFChief]

Anybody can see he's no offensive threat. But that is not why you have shortstops. You have shortstops to turn as many ground balls up the middle and in the hole into outs as possible. And he is the best at this skill we've had in a while. JJ hardy was very good at catching the ball and I lament his unceremonious exit. But, other than him, the Twins have not had a shortstop who could cover as much ground as Florimon since Guzman was 21. He's no star. But he will hold his own at the position. Florimon reminds me of Greg Gagne at that age, who could barely get the bat on the ball, but he could sure get his glove on it. And when he got leather on it, he made outs. That is the promise of Florimon. I'm not saying he will be the next Greg Gagne. But he has a chance to fill the position until Santana or Polanco are ready to take over. Dozier will hit better, but he's no match for Florimon with the glove, and that is what matters on this team. Anybody who watched the team last year will tell you that.

Ah, the old "if everyone else does their job, he doesn't have to hit" gem. Thanks for that, cmat, it's been too long since someone trotted that out. Well played.

[Chance]

The problem is most note that Dozier would be the starting SS if Florimon can't hold it down. I believe in Dozier as a serviceable major leaguer but feel he is better off at 2B where we also don't have a starter. I can't believe competion for Plouffe was a bigger priority than a middle infielder.

 

what if Carroll and Florimon or dozier get hurt? You have Escobar and what?

[Brock Beauchamp]

Anybody can see he's no offensive threat. But that is not why you have shortstops.

 

Alex Rodriguez, Cal Ripken, Derek Jeter, Nomar Garciaparra, Hanley Ramirez, Elvis Andrus, Jose Reyes, Troy Tulowitzki, et al disagree.

 

This is not 1986, people. The shortstop position has changed and it's time for Ryan to acknowledge that fundamental shift in the way baseball is played in 2013. The Twins shouldn't try to roll out Greg Gagne simply because it worked in 1987.

[Boom Boom]

Ah, the old "if everyone else does their job, he doesn't have to hit" gem. Thanks for that, cmat, it's been too long since someone trotted that out. Well played.

 

I remember all the same things said about Nick Punto... who is a vastly superior player to Florimon.

[ThePuck]

I remember all the same things said about Nick Punto... who is a vastly superior player to Florimon.

 

Wow, how bad does someone have top be where PUNTO is a vastly superior player...

[nokomismod]

Could it be that what was available on the free agent market was not much better than Floriman so there was no need to discuss bringing in competition?

 

I think this is the reason. Ryan isn't feeling the expectation to win this year. He still has Carrol signed for around $3million and if either Florimon, Dozier, or the other guy can't nail down SS, Carrol will play the majority and they will look to improve the position next offseason when there is more of an expectation to win and maybe better free agents.

[Bombo Rivera]

Whoever the Twins plug in at these positions will be out-making-machines. Unfortunately I mean with the bat....not with the glove. Can we DH for either of these positions?

[nicksaviking]

Ah, the old "if everyone else does their job, he doesn't have to hit" gem. Thanks for that, cmat, it's been too long since someone trotted that out. Well played.

 

Yeah, I know the guys around my office who don't pull their weight are really popular.

 

Hope no one was hoping for Kelly Johnson to make the decision easier for the middle infield. He signed with those free spending Rays.

[Nick Nelson]

Anybody can see he's no offensive threat. But that is not why you have shortstops.

 

Everyone understands that SS is a defensive position and the offensive expectations there are lower. That's why the average production there is lower than most others. But Florimon (like most guys the Twins have trotted out there over the past decade) is well below even that reduced average. Is it that much to ask for a guy who can play defense and at least has a chance to be average with the stick?

[ALessKosherScott]

Aaah, Xerox Houston Jimenez. You're just a copy of every other Houston Jimenez I've ever booed.