Wolfson: DFA'd Borbon a possibility

[Parker Hageman]

1500ESPN's Darren Wolfson tweeted out that the Twins may have some interest in the recently DFA’d Julio Borbon. The Rangers designated the 27-year-old center fielder for assignment earlier in the week. A career .283/.324/.358 hitters in 746 major league plate appearances, the left-handed hitting Borbon has played sparingly for Texas in the past few years but batted a decent .304/.349/.433 in AAA Round Rock in 2012.

 

Centerfield depth is not too much of an issue for the Twins. Borbon’s skill set mimics those of Clete Thomas, another left-handed center fielder who is off to a hot start in Rochester, hitting .389 with three extra base hits in his first six games. The Twins also have a struggling Joe Benson who is just 2-for-16 (.125) with six K’s to start the year in AAA.

 

Wolfson did say that he believes the Twins will not deal for Borbon but would possibly claim him if he became available.

[Riverbrian]

It makes sense for our current situation. I'm for it.

 

Who would we release from the 40 man?

[StormJH1]

According to Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN, the Twins are "kicking the tires on" outfielder Julio Borbon.

 

Borbon was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Tuesday to clear a roster spot for fifth starter Nick Tepesch. Wolfson suspects that the Twins will attempt to claim the 27-year-old once he clears waivers rather than rushing into a trade. Borbon is a .283/.324/.358 career hitter in the big leagues but possesses decent wheels.

 

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I'm absolutely for this. Can't say for certain the guy belongs as an everyday MLB CF'er, but the reality is, we traded two CF'ers in the offseason, and we don't have a CF or leadoff man until Hicks (or somebody else) is ready. Mastroianni has some value, but I question his defense at CF (we saw a little of that on WEDS). Borbon may not get on base enough to be a true leadoff hitter, but I'd welcome it over the present options. He can absolutely fly, I don't know anything about his defense, though.

[beckmt]

Little chance of him not being claimed before the Twins, but they should go for it if the opportunity arrises.

[nicksaviking]

He and Matroianni have similar skill sets, though they bat from opposite sides of the plate and neither are likely very good every day options. If Hicks gets demoted, he'd probably be a decent platoon option for the short term. No need to think about Boggs and Thomas.

[Mike Sixel]

What do you do with him until May, because Hicks should be up here for more than 8 days....

[TheLeviathan]

You went with Hicks, as appealing as Borbon is - I think you have to pass. Too soon and a bad message if you do.

[snepp]

He and Mastroianni could probably make for a .700 OPS platoon in center while Hicksie gets some of that much needed time in AAA.

[Alex]

He and Matroianni have similar skill sets, though they bat from opposite sides of the plate and neither are likely very good every day options. If Hicks gets demoted, he'd probably be a decent platoon option for the short term. No need to think about Boggs and Thomas.

 

 

If they're thinking about this guy, it means that the Twins are planning to move Hicks down.

[gunnarthor]

It's a smart, short term move. I'd be ok with it.

[Winston Smith]

I think the twins have the first waiver claim on him having had the worst record in the AL last year. Unless someone wants to trade for him they could get him for next to nothing.

[greengoblinrulz]

Clete Thomas can hit .379 the rest of the season & not merit a promotion. He is what he is. I don't think Borbon is a terrible option.....he's a 4th OF like Mastro....so maybe a platoon will work.

[nicksaviking]

Even if the Twins don't want to demote Hicks yet, it's not as if they can't replace Rameriz with a superior fielder.

[ashbury]

I think the twins have the first waiver claim on him having had the worst record in the AL last year. Unless someone wants to trade for him they could get him for next to nothing.

 

At some point don't the current-season standings determine the claiming order? Maybe after the trading deadline?

[snepp]

At some point don't the current-season standings determine the claiming order? Maybe after the trading deadline?

 

I think it's after the first month, but don't quote me on that.

[IdahoPilgrim]

Even if the Twins don't want to demote Hicks yet, it's not as if they can't replace Rameriz with a superior fielder.

 

That doesn't solve the question of what to do with Hicks, though. I don't see any value in putting Borbon in CF and relegating Hicks to the bench OF position in place of Ramirez. Hicks needs regularly at bats, either here or in Rochester. Or are you thinking we should pick up Borbon so that we can be our reserve OF?

[snepp]

Per the MLBTR blurb:

 

Borbon, 27, was designated for assignment by the Rangers yesterday. During the first month of the season, last season's records are used to determine waiver order, so the Astros, Cubs, and Rockies will have a crack at Borbon before the Twins if he does hit waivers next week.

[Winston Smith]

At some point don't the current-season standings determine the claiming order? Maybe after the trading deadline?

 

"If a player is waived, any team may claim him. If more than one team claims the player from waivers, the team with the weakest record in the player's league gets preference. If no team in the player's league claims him, the claiming team with the weakest record in the other league gets preference. In the first month of the season, preference is determined using the previous year's standings."

[ashbury]

In the first month of the season, preference is determined using the previous year's standings."

 

Thanks.

[phalvorson]

The Astros had the worst record last year, but switched from NL to AL. So do they have preference since they are in the AL now? Or does their bad record last year in the NL mean Borbon has to clear all of last year's AL teams first? My head hurts after typing that.

[cmathewson]

I'm for it. Thomas isn't a center fielder range wise. Boggs isn't either, really. Getting Burbon would take the pressure off of Hicks, who could go down and get his head on straight. Hopefully, Burbon would only be a short-term fix. Hicks should be ready sometime this year. But I don't see any other options, besides letting it ride with Hicks. That is getting less and less viable by the day.

 

And I realize I was high on Hicks in ST. I'm as shocked as anyone that it has come to this. I thought he was ready.

[Riverbrian]

I think the sensible thing to do is keeping give Hicks a chance to straighten out (it gets harder to say that everyday).

 

The main problem is that Benson is the only viable CF replacement.

 

I haven't seen Joe play in Rochester so far this year but his stats suggest that he isn't knocking the door down either.

 

Now... You are looking at a half way decent CF option in Borbon who has potentially become available... A CF who can at the very least backup Mastro... If not start.

 

And if you pass him by to wait for Hicks to come around.

 

What happens if Hicks doesn't come around? Will there be a better option than Borbon available if you have to come to the conclusion that Hicks needs AAA time.

 

If that happens... We are looking at Clete Thomas, Brandon Boggs or Scottie Pods for CF and I'm not sure that any of them are the best CF options from a defense standpoint.

 

This team kinda has it's eggs in the Hicks Basket right now. We don't have a fall back option on the roster.

 

Tricky situation... I say pick him up if you can. Then the question becomes... Who do we knock off the 40 man?

[jokin]

I think the sensible thing to do is keeping give Hicks a chance to straighten out (it gets harder to say that everyday).

 

The main problem is that Benson is the only viable CF replacement.

 

I haven't seen Joe play in Rochester so far this year but his stats suggest that he isn't knocking the door down either.

 

Now... You are looking at a half way decent CF option in Borbon who has potentially become available... A CF who can at the very least backup Mastro... If not start.

 

And if you pass him by to wait for Hicks to come around.

 

What happens if Hicks doesn't come around? Will there be a better option than Borbon available if you have to come to the conclusion that Hicks needs AAA time.

 

If that happens... We are looking at Clete Thomas, Brandon Boggs or Scottie Pods for CF and I'm not sure that any of them are the best CF options from a defense standpoint.

 

1) This team kinda has it's eggs in the Hicks Basket right now. We don't have a fall back option on the roster.

 

 

Tricky situation... I say pick him up if you can. 2)Then the question becomes... Who do we knock off the 40 man?

 

1) As usual, with this operation, no Plan B is ever conceived necessary.

 

2) They could get an early jump on "sell mode" and move the usual suspects for prospects. Butera and Swarzak might even net you a C+ prospect to the right team in need on trade waivers. Beyond that, Ramirez, Thielbar, Robertson and Wood would seem the most likely candidates.

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

Borbon would be a short term player and we're not trying to win short term. No reason to sign him when he's pretty much the same thing as Mastroianni. It would also hurt Hicks' confidence. Too early to give up on Aaron Hicks after 8 games, but boy does he look lost. If Hicks doesn't improve, then the spot should be rewarded to Darin Mastrioianni. He's done more than enough to earn it with his stay here.

[Riverbrian]

Borbon would be a short term player and we're not trying to win short term. No reason to sign him when he's pretty much the same thing as Mastroianni. It would also hurt Hicks' confidence. Too early to give up on Aaron Hicks after 8 games, but boy does he look lost. If Hicks doesn't improve, then the spot should be rewarded to Darin Mastrioianni. He's done more than enough to earn it with his stay here.

 

I don't want to give up on Hicks... That's the last thing I want to do... I agree with you... except for one thing.

 

Mastro may not be able to play every day. He could get dinged up or DL'ed or slump badly himself or just be pinch hit for.

 

The Twins don't really have a CF option if Hicks and Benson continue to struggle. We need a back up if Hicks has to be sent down.

 

I like Borbon... I've seen him play quite a few times. I've never really understood why the Rangers haven't latched on to him.

 

This conversation is probably all for naught tho... I can't see any reason why the Astro's wouldn't claim him.

I

[jokin]

Borbon would be a short term player and we're not trying to win short term.

 

Winning? How about just surviving with a workable Plan B?

 

Hurting Hick's confidence? The .057 BA and 43% K-rate probably have sunk that ship already.

 

I don't think anyone's given up yet, just that the "lost boy" is in desperate need of a change in his current situation- bottom of the order or a short-term trip to Rochester.

[jokin]

 

 

 

I like Borbon... I've seen him play quite a few times. I've never really understood why the Rangers haven't latched on to him.

 

This conversation is probably all for naught tho... I can't see any reason why the Astro's wouldn't claim him.

I

 

Yup, to all of the above. I like him too. And maybe not all for naught, if the Twins also claim Borbon then there is a chance to work out a deal, right?

[cmathewson]

1) As usual, with this operation, no Plan B is ever conceived necessary.

 

Plan B was Mastroianni. He's too hurt to play everyday. Plan C was Joe Benson. He's too hurt to play at all. Hence the need for another outfielder. It's pretty simple.

 

Of course, they could have held onto Revere. But I don't know anyone who complains about that deal, cause center field was an area of depth and starting pitching was an area of great concern.

[Riverbrian]

Yup, to all of the above. I like him too. And maybe not all for naught, if the Twins also claim Borbon then there is a chance to work out a deal, right?

 

If they want him... They are going to have to go get him. I'd be surprised if he just fell to our waiver position but he just might...

 

The Rangers surely tried to move him via trade before DFA. Obviously no takers as of yet.

 

I'm not sure what's going on. This is a real tough call in my opinion.

 

I'll just agree with you Jokin... And Say... I like him. A little Pop and speed and High average.

[jokin]

Plan B was Mastroianni. He's too hurt to play everyday. Plan C was Joe Benson. He's too hurt to play at all. Hence the need for another outfielder. It's pretty simple.

 

Of course, they could have held onto Revere. But I don't know anyone who complains about that deal, cause center field was an area of depth and starting pitching was an area of great concern.

 

Emphasis on the word "was". No one is complaining about the deal for Revere- I'm certanly not advocating that it was a mistake. The mistake lies in the lack of a legit Plan B. Hicks's history strongly suggested that he would initially struggle on his adjustment going to the next level.

 

Expecting him to be your starting CF jumping from AA is one thing. Expecting him to be THE leadoff man- with no viable alternatives should he falter- is completely on Ryan.

 

Mastro is what he is, a 4th OF. And nothing in Benson's recent health and performance history suggested that he should have been seriously considered ready to be a viable third option.