What Can Nick Gordon Do for an Encore?

[Rik19753]

I really like Gordon and I think he needs to be more than a utility player. He hit the ball harder than everyone on the team besides Buxton last year and was 5th on the team in xwOBA. He is clearly one of their better hitters and the Twins do not have enough good hitters to have the luxury of having Gordon as a backup. The FO and some fans need to stop assuming that his power is a fluke just because he doesn't have a ton of muscle.

 

I think you play Gordon/Garlick at LF to go along with Buxton and Gallo in the outfield(assuming Kepler is traded). Gordon's .793 OPS vs righties and Garlick's .839 OPS vs lefties would make for a great platoon. Just get him into the lineup as often as possible, he should be getting the same amount of hype and expectations as Miranda, Kirilloff, Larnach and Royce.

[dxpavelka]

Sadly, Gordon may just well be likely to start regularly over some of those OF names.  Speaks more about those names than it does of Gordon.

[Karbo]

14 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Perhaps this is the Twins way though as pretty much everyone practiced it a few times.

Its the managers duty to correct this. Didn't see this back in the days of Gardy or TK, and I didn't see that in Cleveland under Francona either.

[Karbo]

14 hours ago, DocBauer said:

What can he do for an encore?

How about just do what he did last year as a super utility player? I'd take a repeat 100%!

What might he be capable of?

1} A little higher OB% as he continues to adjust to the league and learns to lay off just a little more on the stuff he can't get to.

2} Experience and a little more "man muscle" to go along with his quick swing might see a slight uptick in his SLG%.

3} Don't over-slide bases so often so you can be a better threat as an actual basestealer.

Not sure he WILL do any of those last 3 things, but now that he's gained some experience and settled in, I see room for possible improvement as well.

I'll add in learn to be a good bunter.

[Doctor Gast]

35 minutes ago, Karbo said:

I'll add in learn to be a good bunter.

maybe steal a few more bases

[wabene]

Now that he is further removed from his digestive issues he may bulk up and take another step. There are many things to like about G Cinco. Super well liked and no shrinking violet, he has a great attitude and I like his chances for further development. 

[Battle ur tail off]

19 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

Just like with Arraez and Kepler, my Gordon opinion won't be popular, but I don't think what he did last year is going to end up being indicative of what he does for his career. His measly 4% walk rate and .340 BABiP would have me selling high.

What's he worth though in a trade?

Your analysis will likely be what other teams think as well. I would rather put a little hope in a guy that showed some fire in his belly and athletic talent that he has to be a "guy". Even if it's as a super utility playing 130-ish games, that is the same as a starter in today's baseball. 

My takeway is don't move on from athletic kids that play hard when the return on them isn't more than what he "could be". He costs nothing to keep around here, has plenty of value to the Twins the way it is, and there may be a chance he improves more and becomes one of your cornerstones, even if that chance is slight. 

[LA Vikes Fan]

I like the idea of Gordon at SS since we didn't sign one of the big 4 - I think it's a much better idea that signing a retread like Andrus or Iglesias or playing Farmer at SS every day. Start out with a Gordon/Framer timeshare - Gordon 4 games a week, mostly against RH pitching with Farmer 2-3, mostly against LH pitching. See if Gordon can field the position. Farmer can get another game or two a week at 3B or 2B when Polanco and/or Miranda DHs or sits. Let's find out if Gordon can play SS at an average or above average level. If he stink after the first month, go to Farmer. We have half a season before there's any chance of Lewis being ready. Now's the time; let's find out if Gordon can play SS.    

[bloomwcjkl]

I like the lineup with Gordon in there somewhere most days. Good speed. His bat showed some promise and he doesn't cost $35 million. Piranha.

[nicksaviking]

3 hours ago, Battle ur tail off said:

What's he worth though in a trade?

Your analysis will likely be what other teams think as well. I would rather put a little hope in a guy that showed some fire in his belly and athletic talent that he has to be a "guy". Even if it's as a super utility playing 130-ish games, that is the same as a starter in today's baseball. 

My takeway is don't move on from athletic kids that play hard when the return on them isn't more than what he "could be". He costs nothing to keep around here, has plenty of value to the Twins the way it is, and there may be a chance he improves more and becomes one of your cornerstones, even if that chance is slight. 

If he has no value, obviously I wouldn't trade him. 

But he's controlled for five more years and can play CF. If there's a team offering a good controllable starter and wants Gordon as a 2nd piece of their return, I jump on it.

[stringer bell]

For an encore, Gordon can be a more complete player. He has plus speed, but was only neutral  last year as a base runner and only six steals (in 10 attempts) is not a good use of his speed. 

Gordon has a .542 OPS against left handed pitching and that stat could limit him to platoon duty at best. Finally, Gordon's defense in the infield was shaky, whether at second or shortstop. He's only played a few innings at third and right field, so until proven otherwise, he's a middle infielder/left and center fielder.

I had hoped when Farmer was traded for that he (Farmer) would be the backup or alternate infielder, leaving Gordon as a option in the outfield, but it would appear that Gordon will get starts at short until and unless the Twins add a shortstop, especially in the first months of the season.