What should Jamey Carroll's role be?

[jorgenswest]

I think Polanco profiles as a potential future starter. So does Amaurys Minier. Goodrum might be close too. But they all are years away at best.

 

I hope Polanco is a starter. I wonder about his glove. He played mostly 2B last year. His glove was supposed to be his strength. Minier and Goodrum will probably not be shortstops at the major league level. Excellent defenders at multiple infield spots are hard to find. Escobar might be that guy. I hope they invest at bats into him this year.

[fairweather]

Everyone keeps talking about Florimon at SS and Dozier at 2B but I'd prefer to see Escobar at SS and Carroll at 2B until Dozier can show offensive consistency at the AAA level. Florimon is athletic and has great range but I don't think he can last. All the numbers suggest he's going to struggle if handed the job. Escobar bring consistency to any position he fields.

[Badsmerf]

Why do people keep raving about Florimon at SS? Is it the Twins and Gardy you are all believing? From watching him he looked average in all aspects of his game on the field, and inept at the plate. I don't get the love here. Its fine if everyone would rather see young guys than Carroll, even though Carroll will provide the best results while the Twins wait for someone with some actual talent to play SS. Escobar needs time in AAA. He needs to develop and gain some confidence. He hit .214 last season. It doesn't really matter how good he is with the glove if he is completely incapable at the plate. Hopefully the future will be Rosario at 2b and Santana at SS. For now Dozier might be able to sustain 2b until Rosario is ready.

[John Bonnes]

I'm really surprised by the "throw them all into the fire" attitude out here. I can understand that though process if either:

1) a player has done all he can at AAA or

2) a player is a highly regarded prospect who everyone is sure will develop.

 

But neither of those is true for ANY of the younger players we're talking about. It feels like we're committed to breaking them just because we don't think there is anything better to do.

[Alex]

Unless the Twins assess that this is the next playoff team, it won't be Carroll.

 

I only have reports of others (Baseball America, Minor League Analyst, Sickels) to describe Escobar's defensive ability. If the reports of his defense at three positions are correct, he will be a valuable member of a baseball team for several years.

 

The Twins need to find the next Nick Punto or Jamey Carroll. It could be Escobar. If he follows a career path like Punto, Hocking or Carroll, his glove will get him in the league and his bat will make steady progress towards adequate.

 

I guy like this is not a replacement level player. It is a myth that there a bunch of great glove no hit utility players are in the minors. In the Twins system currently, there may be two guys that profile in this type (Polanco and maybe Santana).

 

It is worth investing some time in Escobar. If his glove is great, he is valuable now and his bat will get better over time.

 

Carroll was the answer to the best offensive numbers in 2013. He'll get plenty of time to put up numbers.

[Nick Nelson]

I'm really surprised by the "throw them all into the fire" attitude out here. I can understand that though process if either:

1) a player has done all he can at AAA or

2) a player is a highly regarded prospect who everyone is sure will develop.

 

But neither of those is true for ANY of the younger players we're talking about. It feels like we're committed to breaking them just because we don't think there is anything better to do.

I assume you're referring to Dozier. He'll turn 26 in May; how much developing does he really have left to do? I think the Twins benefit more from taking a long look at him and seeing what's there, rather than delaying that process with more time at Triple-A. He's had his chance to shake out the MLB jitters, so if he fails again this year it's time to look for another solution.

[beckmt]

I assume you're referring to Dozier. He'll turn 26 in May; how much developing does he really have left to do? I think the Twins benefit more from taking a long look at him and seeing what's there, rather than delaying that process with more time at Triple-A. He's had his chance to shake out the MLB jitters, so if he fails again this year it's time to look for another solution.

Rosario could be here by the middle of next year(does well at Ft. Meyers and promoted this year to New Britian) It think it depends more on his glove work than his bat at this time. Assuming he makes it at New Britian this year, he would be at Rochester next year to start and then hopefully with the Twins. Santana is at New Britian this year and would probably start next year at Rochester. By the end of next year only one or at most two of the group will be with the Twins. We need to find out if any of the three can perform at the major league level.

[Mike Sixel]

I'm with Nick, let's see what they have. He's already in his prime....put them out there, and see if there is any hope for a future there or not. More time in the minors will show them nothing. Look at Slama, dominates AAA, but isn't called up because he's missing something. What would going to AAA and doing well do for a 26 year old?

[Brock Beauchamp]

I'm really surprised by the "throw them all into the fire" attitude out here. I can understand that though process if either:

1) a player has done all he can at AAA or

2) a player is a highly regarded prospect who everyone is sure will develop.

 

But neither of those is true for ANY of the younger players we're talking about. It feels like we're committed to breaking them just because we don't think there is anything better to do.

 

I can't believe that anyone believes Dozier should be thrown to the wolves AGAIN. We saw how that turned out last time. Give the guy reps in Rochester.

[nicksaviking]

I get not blocking or traumatizing Dozier, there is a glimmer of promise, but are we seriously concerned with the playing time and stunting the development of Florimon and Escobar because they MAY have the ceiling of annual whipping boy Nick Punto? Why aren't we aiming higher? Likely decent men the both, but at the MLB level, talent-wise there is very little to damage.

 

If both profile to be future utility players at best, why would we be thinking about giving them a STARTING gig right now? Give it to Carroll, he provides the one offensive bonus the Twins could hope for from the position, a reasonable OBP. This argument will only be legit if we are having it about rushing/promoting Santana in July.

[Boom Boom]

I'm really surprised by the "throw them all into the fire" attitude out here. I can understand that though process if either:

1) a player has done all he can at AAA or

2) a player is a highly regarded prospect who everyone is sure will develop.

 

But neither of those is true for ANY of the younger players we're talking about. It feels like we're committed to breaking them just because we don't think there is anything better to do.

 

I'm not a big believer in players getting "broken" by being called up too soon. If their confidence is completely shattered by scuffling at the major league level, they're probably not a long-term building block anyway. Even established players will slump.

 

In a perfect world, none of Dozier, Escobar, or Florimon would be even considered as a starting middle infielder for a major league team right now. But the Twins have made their bed, evidently because they think Dozier is closer than you think.

[Guest USAFChief]

Regardless of one's opinion on the other "options," there is no reason a team in the Twins' current position should be giving much playing time to 39 year olds. I'm of the opinion "sink or swim" with Dozier, and don't have much confidence that Florimon or Escobar will ever amount to anything, but that's pretty irrelevant. What does giving Carroll a starting spot accomplish?

[edavis0308]

Regardless of one's opinion on the other "options," there is no reason a team in the Twins' current position should be giving much playing time to 39 year olds. I'm of the opinion "sink or swim" with Dozier, and don't have much confidence that Florimon or Escobar will ever amount to anything, but that's pretty irrelevant. What does giving Carroll a starting spot accomplish?

 

You don't hurt his feelings.

[nicksaviking]

Regardless of one's opinion on the other "options," there is no reason a team in the Twins' current position should be giving much playing time to 39 year olds. I'm of the opinion "sink or swim" with Dozier, and don't have much confidence that Florimon or Escobar will ever amount to anything, but that's pretty irrelevant. What does giving Carroll a starting spot accomplish?

 

More RBI opportunities for the guys hitting after him? I agree with Dozier getting time, but I don't need to see any more of Florimon and Escobar to know how that turns out.