DFA Solano

[CoasterProductions]

Donovan Solano and Willi Castro have had horrible starts so far this year and it is causing a lot of issues for the team. While Castro will most likely be in AAA when Lewis comes back I think we need to DFA Solano and recall Julien for the long term. Thoughts?

[chpettit19]

Julien needs everyday playing time, and there's no room in the infield for him against righties right now. Better for him to be in AAA getting everyday at bats. Only way Julien could get in the lineup right now is if he could play 3B, but it seems pretty clear the Twins don't trust his arm for that.

[Jocko87]

I think this should be the move when Lewis is ready.  Miranda can fill the Solano role as a better version with options with some help from Farmer.  Lewis full time at third unlocks Farmer to move around the infield as originally planned.  It also makes Castro a bit extra but with the option he can be part of the last man rotation with Miranda.  Gordon will soon become a road block as well.  I would love to swap him with a Helman, who is RH, can play more spots, run and maybe even take a pitch and has options.

I actually don't think Castro has been horrible.  With his role as an emergency fill in everywhere and enjoy the bad matchups guy he's been OK.  They rely on him for things other than stats.  I'd put Helman in this spot along with Farmer, Miranda/Castro and Jeffers to round out my bench.  I guess this sends Larnach back down when Kepler is healthy.  Yuck, tough choices but good problems.  Part of why replacing Gordon with someone with options is important.

[Muppet]

Solano has done just fine for most of the season. He's in a slump. Most of the team has been terrible for at least 1/3 of the season. Everyone is always super eager to bring up the next generation talent until they too have a few bad weeks. We might as well DFA Correa and Buxton while we're at it. 

[Muppet]

By the way, you know who'd be better than both Miranda and Julien right now? Urshela. 

 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

57 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Julien needs everyday playing time, and there's no room in the infield for him against righties right now. Better for him to be in AAA getting everyday at bats. Only way Julien could get in the lineup right now is if he could play 3B, but it seems pretty clear the Twins don't trust his arm for that.

This is where I’m at too. Miranda isn’t going to bust his slump riding the pine. Julien isn’t going to develop into a major leaguer playing one game a week.

while Donnie Barrels isn’t living up to the moniker, and Willie Castro is only fielding. Having those two on the bench means developing the future talent. Royce is on the return trail, Kepler as well. This too shall pass.

[Dman]

Like others have said Solano is here until Lewis returns.  If there is another injury he could last past that but once Lewis is back it just seems hard to justify having him on the 26 man. 

Who knows if he heats up a little maybe the Twins will trade him for a marginal return.  I think he has been pretty much what he has been in the past and was supposed to be for the Twins.  Everyone gets in slumps IMO his main issue is he has no power and doesn't play a great 1st base either.  He gets on base though and has a .340 OBP right now which isn't great but isn't horrible either.  It feels like he is here until at least June no matter what.

[DJL44]

42 minutes ago, Muppet said:

By the way, you know who'd be better than both Miranda and Julien right now? Urshela.

Also, Kyle Farmer, who is playing better than Urshela.

[KirbyDome89]

48 minutes ago, Muppet said:

Solano has done just fine for most of the season. He's in a slump. Most of the team has been terrible for at least 1/3 of the season. Everyone is always super eager to bring up the next generation talent until they too have a few bad weeks. We might as well DFA Correa and Buxton while we're at it. 

He's worth negative WAR after 32 games, that's not "fine for most of the season."

[RickOShea]

A  lot of people are quick to pull the trigger . Send this guy, bring this guy up, DFA this guy, etc..  The sample size for a lot of these guys is very small so far.  In a game where failing 7 out of 10 times (hitting) is considered above average performance, I would like to see trends used more often in assessing players.  Things like arm strength, athleticism, mental capacity, etc. should carry more weight until these youngsters settle in.  Too many changes and experimenting leads to inconsistencies, IMO.

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, Jocko87 said:

Miranda can fill the Solano role

I'm not sure I would bring up Miranda to sit him on the bench like Solano.

[Fire Dan Gladden]

Considering this is a bench guy thrown into a mainly starting role due to injuries, I am not ready to totally cut bait here.  With his recent slump and overall small sample size, he really isn't that far off from what we signed him for (insert Denny Green GIF here).

I have bigger concerns about Gordon and how much longer they are going to continue to ride that train wreck.

[Muppet]

1 hour ago, KirbyDome89 said:

He's worth negative WAR after 32 games, that's not "fine for most of the season."

Yes. It is funny how a slump in part of a small number of games played can influence WAR. That's what I mean by slump. 

[Muppet]

52 minutes ago, Fire Dan Gladden said:

I have bigger concerns about Gordon and how much longer they are going to continue to ride that train wreck.

 

265

.265

.529

.794

Gordon's slash line in May. Not great, but better than Correa and Buxton. 

Let's let them play the game. They're winning more than they're losing... AND they're in first place. 

 

[Jocko87]

56 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

I'm not sure I would bring up Miranda to sit him on the bench like Solano.

Me either but I don’t see a path back to third base or any other regular spot anytime soon without unmentionables. He and Castro can taxi squad back and forth to maximize matchups and playing time. Not ideal for sure but it gets the most talent available for the main roster. 

[KirbyDome89]

15 minutes ago, Muppet said:

Yes. It is funny how a slump in part of a small number of games played can influence WAR. That's what I mean by slump. 

If it's only "a few bad weeks," pulling his WAR below zero, what was he prior to that? Replacement level? I mean c'mon....

Only Gordon, Alcala, and Miranda have been worse amongst the regulars, and 2 of those 3 have been demoted. 

[Vanimal46]

I would DFA Solano and call up Garlick, personally. Is there really a need for a backup 1B currently? 

[jmlease1]

22 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

I would DFA Solano and call up Garlick, personally. Is there really a need for a backup 1B currently? 

we don't really have a right-handed option at 1B right now, and I guess Solano fills that role if needed. He's been a little disappointing offensively and surprisingly poor defensively, but as an occasional option I can see why they might be willing to give him more rope.

Kirilloff's return is rightly pushing him down in the pecking order and hopefully reduces his actual impact.

[SwainZag]

4 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

I would DFA Solano and call up Garlick, personally. Is there really a need for a backup 1B currently? 

With AK back, not really.  Gallo or AK should be over there at all times now.  Solano really exists to hit LHP now, which Garlick is better at.  It makes sense to me.

[weitz41]

I don't see a need right now to part ways with him. Who's our RH 1B platoon then? Miranda needs every AB he can get to get going again. Julien doesn't fit at 1st and against lefties. Lewis can't come off the 60-day IL till early June if I remember right.

I'll go with patience on Donny Barrels.

[nicksaviking]

I get that ideally Julien and Miranda won't ever ride the pine at the MLB level, but between those two, Kirilloff, Larnach, Lewis, and Lee, there's never going to be enough room for everyone to get at bats every single day.

I guess now Yunior Severino's in that mix too.

[gman]

Isn't it great when we discuss the guys at the end of the bench who have had success at the major league level, getting more playing time. While trying to find a place for top prospects to play or decide to leave them  at 3A. While a difference from last year. I hope this is the problem all year(and next and maybe the year after).

[KirbyDome89]

Solano has a .615 OPS vs. LHP this year. There's zero reason he should be taking away ABs from Kirilloff simply because he stands in the right side batters box.  

[jkcarew]

He’s 1000% gone when Lewis arrives…barring another infield injury.

For those that would keep him at that point, who else are you DFA’ind or demoting. They’re not DFA’ing Gordon, nor should they.

[KirbyDome89]

15 hours ago, jkcarew said:

He’s 1000% gone when Lewis arrives…barring another infield injury.

For those that would keep him at that point, who else are you DFA’ind or demoting. They’re not DFA’ing Gordon, nor should they.

Gordon has been bad, but he's not a journeyman 35 year old who can't play anywhere defensively. It's not a tough choice for me either. 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

4 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

I get that ideally Julien and Miranda won't ever ride the pine at the MLB level, but between those two, Kirilloff, Larnach, Lewis, and Lee, there's never going to be enough room for everyone to get at bats every single day.

I guess now Yunior Severino's in that mix too.

Developing talent and trading it, is way better than not developing talent and wasting it

[Richie the Rally Goat]

4 hours ago, jkcarew said:

He’s 1000% gone when Lewis arrives…barring another infield injury.

For those that would keep him at that point, who else are you DFA’ind or demoting. They’re not DFA’ing Gordon, nor should they.

When Lewis is ready, one of Solano, Castro or Gordon should go. I’d DFA Solano at that point, but I think there’s an open roster spot and Castro has an option.

I wouldn’t DFA any of those 3 until I had to. Injuries happen.

[lecroy24fan]

27 minutes ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

When Lewis is ready, one of Solano, Castro or Gordon should go. I’d DFA Solano at that point, but I think there’s an open roster spot and Castro has an option.

I wouldn’t DFA any of those 3 until I had to. Injuries happen.

If Castro goes down for Lewis I'd say Solano DFA'd when Kepler is back.

[ashbury]

5 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

I guess now Yunior Severino's in that mix too.

Not if the .875 fielding percentage I see for him at 3B in Wichita is indicative of his ability to handle the defensive side of the game.  (And it may not be, but is the quickest thing I could find.)

[Althebum82]

Castro will always be expendable for me, especially for Lewis.  Not in a hurry to drop Solano yet, though, unless Miranda or Julien shows that they are clearly exhibiting an upgrade in skills that comes from consistent reps at AAA.