How Recent Twins Departures Are Faring in 2023

[Peter Labuza]

Although still an early season, fans might be curious to see how and where some recent Twins are finding themselves for this new season. Here’s some of the stories worth tracking.

Image courtesy of Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

Luis Arraez Crushing in Miami
Obviously Twins fans seeing a lack of hits so far this season might feel frustrated to have loss Luis Arraez, even if Pablo Lopez has more than out performed his potential so far. And yet, few should be surprised to see Arraez back again at the top of the batting leaderboard. He is once again defying three true outcomes with a dominant slash line of .438/.493/.578. And despite being player rarely known for power, he has smashed a slew of extra base hits to make him in the Top 3 in OPS for qualified batters. Many of those came earlier this week when he hit the first ever cycle in Marlins history against the Philadelphia Phillies. So far, Arraez is actually increasing his plate discipline, swinging at 8% less pitches outside the zone. Not to mention, the drip has certainly improved.

Archer and Pineda On the Cusp of Security 
While not every player will see their career develop as they should, the recent fights for minor league unionization is a reminder that every player deserve security when the day comes to hang up the glove and stow away the bat. Two former Twins pitchers are stuck on the cusp of that security: Chris Archer and Michael Pineda.  

Both remain unsigned after disappointing years (Pineda played with the Tigers with a 5.79 ERA), but only need a handful of days to ensure their ten year service. The difference of making it is huge—particularly guaranteed pension and retirement. Even for players who have invested their earnings intelligently, the ten year mark is also one of respect. Obviously this early in the season, most teams may be looking to win than make room on a roster, but hopefully some mid-season teams with some injuries may take a flyer on these guys and get them to their deserved career milestones.

Sánchez A Likely Giant This Year
Gary Sánchez remained something of an enigma in his one year with the Twins: though his defensive statistics notably improved during his year, full-time catching duties did little to suit him. More so, it became notable how effuse pitchers were in their praise for trade deadline replacement Sandy Leon, suggesting some animosity toward Sánchez's ability to call the game. The former Yankee-turned-Twin went unsigned all offseason where he played in the World Baseball Classic for the Dominican Republic. However, earlier this month he signed a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants.

Sánchez is still considered in ramp up mode to ensure he's in good shape, but it is more than likely he'll soon make an appearance. The Giants called up Austin Wynns as a back up after a the season-ending injury of Roberto Pérez while Joey Bart was on the IL. Bart is back now, but Wynns has taken a major league deal with the Dodgers, making Sanchez officially the #3 man after Bart and Blake Sabol. Talking to Susan Slusser for the San Francisco Chronicle, Sánchez explained his hopes for a bounce back. “I think what happens is that a lot of people tend to just remember what I’ve done in the past, and I do agree that I had issues defensively. “However, they don’t look at what I’ve done in the last couple of years.”

Cave Adds to the Vibes 
Jake Cave accepted a minor-league deal last year with the Twins before becoming a key reinforcement for a sinking ship in the final months of the season. Cave still remained an underperformer, but became a particularly clutch hitter in the stretch. The center fielder remains one of the most essential defenders in the league, however, and quickly found a place on the World Series runner up Phillies. As has been well reported, the Phillies perhaps leaned too much into building their 2022 team through players best suited to the DH, and Cave (along with trade deadline pickup and designated Wet Guy Brandon Marsh) has fit snuggly into a platoon position. Cave's hitting has not exactly picked up—save for a surprising dinger off Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara—but Cave will likely continue to fit into a team built entirely on vibes.

Sanó Still an Unknown
Though his 2022 season did not go as planned, I doubt that even Twins fans expected that no team would take a look at signing former first baseman Miguel Sanó. The Twins made their parting when they opted for Sanó’s equivalent in Joey Gallo, but surely other teams could have used a strong bat with the kind of power he can deliver. Sanó has had an odd off season. He held a workout in February for teams though to little fanfare. More so, Sanó’s father was murdered in the Dominican Republic that same month, though the two were not close. Some have circulated that Sano might find a place on the Phillies given they are down both Rhys Hoskins and Derrick Hall. 

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[miracleb]

".....the recent fights for minor league unionization is a reminder that every player deserve security when the day comes to hang up the glove and stow away the bat."
******************
Ummm.......why?

[mikelink45]

If I was the GM of the Red Sox I would be trying for another Big Papi surprise and give Sano a minor league contract. 

Arraez is always going to feel like a big loss - especially with the Twins struggling for base hits. 

[AlGoreRythm]

1 hour ago, miracleb said:

".....the recent fights for minor league unionization is a reminder that every player deserve security when the day comes to hang up the glove and stow away the bat."
******************
Ummm.......why?

Because every human being deserves security dude... Baseball players are still people.

[KirbyDome89]

"More so, it became notable how effuse pitchers were in their praise for trade deadline replacement Sandy Leon, suggesting some animosity toward Sánchez's ability to call the game."

What?

[sftwinsfan]

If you include organizational guys Spencer Steer is doing well early on with the Reds. 

[dxpavelka]

Philadelphia fan complaints about their team:  Trea Turner one home run, Nick Castellanos none.  J.T. Realmuto K/BB:  21/2; Bryson Stott 18/1.  Jake Cave getting regular playing time.

 

[Parfigliano]

Lamont Wade has .799 OPS in 63 PA's with SanFran

[Blyleven2011]

We'll probably see some of them as Allstars in the future ( at least the ones that are currently under contract or maybe a rejuvenated sano ) ...

[JD-TWINS]

Not worried about the players security shown here - tens of $millions earned - they seem like an odd group to want to support or worry about. Minor leaguers - guys that don’t meet MLB service time minimums, yes!

The topic was how are guys doing that were former Twins - Luis Arraez is killing it!! Contested others here about his inability to play defense - his lack of power - his probable inability to stay healthy………long way to go, I understand. Right now though, he’s the best hitter in the game. I was down on the trade for López from 2 months prior to a couple weeks after.

Realized trade was for Twins best interest & now that we’ve extended Pablo I’ll never look back.

[Nashvilletwin]

Spencer Steer having a strong start for the Reds. 

[Fred]

On 4/22/2023 at 9:45 AM, mikelink45 said:

If I was the GM of the Red Sox I would be trying for another Big Papi surprise and give Sano a minor league contract. 

Arraez is always going to feel like a big loss - especially with the Twins struggling for base hits. 

It'll feel strange seeing Arreaz on the National League All Star team.

[ashbury]

1 hour ago, Fred said:

It'll feel strange seeing Arreaz on the National League All Star team.

It never bothers me to see people misspell the names of players on other teams. I mean, it's hard to keep them all straight.