Article: Joe Benson claimed off waivers by Rangers

[jorgenswest]

Earlier in the year, the Rangers DFA'd CF Julio Borbon. Now they have space for CF Benson.

 

It is a little different because Borbon was out of options, but I would think that Borbon would be a good fit on the current Twin roster. Too bad the Twins didn't have the foresight to work a Borbon/Benson trade.

[PseudoSABR]

The Rangers assigned Benson to AA, fyi.

[IdahoPilgrim]

He also hasn't played in several weeks IIRC. If Hicks goes down, the replacement is Antoan Richardson.

 

My bad - I've gotten away from following the farm teams the past few weeks; just don't have the time I used to.

[IdahoPilgrim]

Earlier in the year, the Rangers DFA'd CF Julio Borbon. Now they have space for CF Benson.

 

It is a little different because Borbon was out of options, but I would think that Borbon would be a good fit on the current Twin roster. Too bad the Twins didn't have the foresight to work a Borbon/Benson trade.

 

That will be Benson next year.

[Shane Wahl]

I hadn't been paying attention today. WHY ON EARTH was Benson the guy to be removed from the 40-man? That's preposterous.

 

The Twins are mystifying with how they deal with minor league players. Last year's treatment of him (the demotion to AA) before the injury was insulting, so I can understand if he is mad at the organization.

 

On the other hand, this . . . wait there is no other hand because there is no reason to have done anything like this. RELEASING a still top 20 prospect instead of trying to work out some kind of trade? Really? Or Benson could have been a nice addition to a Morneau or Willingham trade to someone. Just GIVING HIM AWAY when the 40-man is not full of real talent is damn bad.

[Seth Stohs]

actually, Texas has the 2nd best record in baseball, so the only team we don't know whether they would have passed on him was St. Louis.

 

I've been able to break several stories over the years. The Colabello one was a lot of fun to break. This one... not as much. I've met and talked to Joe on several occasions. Really good guy, very competitive, very hard worker... His football mentality was his greatest strength and his greatest hurdle. I sincerely hope that a change of scenery is exactly what he needs and he gets another shot in the big leagues sometime!!

[greengoblinrulz]

figured it was him as he didnt play the previous couple days.

Never thought (stated it often) that the organization was 'truly' high on him.

Hope he breaks out in the Lone Star State

[ThePuck]

actually, Texas has the 2nd best record in baseball, so the only team we don't know whether they would have passed on him was St. Louis.

 

I've been able to break several stories over the years. The Colabello one was a lot of fun to break. This one... not as much. I've met and talked to Joe on several occasions. Really good guy, very competitive, very hard worker... His football mentality was his greatest strength and his greatest hurdle. I sincerely hope that a change of scenery is exactly what he needs and he gets another shot in the big leagues sometime!!

 

Okay, but now that the first month of ball is over, doesn't he go through the AL first before the NL teams even have a chance at him?

[shs_59]

Wow I mean sure i saw Bensons role to 4th of'er or quad "A" guy coming after the 2011 season..... But To remove HIM from the 40 man roster seems odd.....

 

Makes you think there is an underlining issue associated with Benson and a coach, the Twins, FO or something....

 

Becuase that was Really ODD! to see Benson be the guy the Twins gave up on so fast.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Fine, but he's 25. And he plays a position we only have one other capable player at who happens to be hitting well under .200. This is a bit mind-boggling.

 

Since this is a lost season (something the Twins even seem to be aware of) why not call up Hendricks? He's proven all he can in AAA already, so rather than dump a 25 year old that plays a position of needed depth, why not just call up Liam?

 

There is literally no way to wrap your head around this choice. There may have been a dozen better options.

 

I'm not defending the decision (which I feel pretty "meh" about overall), just the fact that the Twins could have gotten anything for Benson before it was too late. And was there a real point in protecting Benson? He's out of options after this season and has shown zero ability to rebound since his injuries.

 

And isn't Hendriks injured right now? He hasn't pitched in two weeks.

[twinswon1991]

So sad that we are stuck with TR and his good ole boys in our Front Office. The gamepassed them bye years ago and they have made this franchise a laughingstock.

[Thrylos]

This is unfortunate, but after what I witnessed a week ago and how much he was pressing and how down he looked in his team's best game of the season, I can see it happening. He needed help, maybe changing teams will help him.

 

On the other hand, any organization that values Butera more than Benson (esp. with 4 other Cs better than him on the 40-man roster), needs its head examined (or eliminated.)

[Badsmerf]

Bad decision. The Rangers baseball philosophy might really help Benson. Hard for me not to root for him just to spite the Twins. Every player like this makes me wonder if this is the result of the Twins trying to change him a la Ortiz or just unable to develop a la Restovich. I hope the best for Benson, and secretly hope this decision is another nail in Terry Ryan's coffin. As bad as that sounds, I just can't help it.

[Aaron Cross]

God damned fools.

[TwinsFanInPhilly]

You would think that teams would be lining up to trade for a 50K/10BB player.

[IdahoPilgrim]

Bad decision. The Rangers baseball philosophy might really help Benson. Hard for me not to root for him just to spite the Twins. Every player like this makes me wonder if this is the result of the Twins trying to change him a la Ortiz or just unable to develop a la Restovich. I hope the best for Benson, and secretly hope this decision is another nail in Terry Ryan's coffin. As bad as that sounds, I just can't help it.

 

I guess the secret is out:)

[twinswon1991]

I hadn't been paying attention today. WHY ON EARTH was Benson the guy to be removed from the 40-man? That's preposterous.

 

The Twins are mystifying with how they deal with minor league players. Last year's treatment of him (the demotion to AA) before the injury was insulting, so I can understand if he is mad at the organization.

 

On the other hand, this . . . wait there is no other hand because there is no reason to have done anything like this. RELEASING a still top 20 prospect instead of trying to work out some kind of trade? Really? Or Benson could have been a nice addition to a Morneau or Willingham trade to someone. Just GIVING HIM AWAY when the 40-man is not full of real talent is damn bad.

 

The Twins front office should be released! Until they hire someone who has a clue how to manage rosters we are screwed. TR and Gardy only care about surrounding themselves with nice guys and yes men. This organization is embarrassing!

[TheLeviathan]

And isn't Hendriks injured right now? He hasn't pitched in two weeks.

 

I hadn't caught that. You are correct.

[Rosterman]

Well, Texas had a 40-man spot open. Benson will have to remain with the majors roster next year.

 

The flip side, if still with the Twins -- where he was often called something like the "best all-around athlete" in the system by none other than Mr. Ryan -- is that he is still, in the least, back-up fourth rung outfielder prospect. The guy to fill in when everyone else is out. He could've been that this year instead of Mastro and certainly Ramierez...who I would part with way before Benson.

 

The killing point, here, was the adding of Collabano to the 40-man roster. Why did they do that? Why not bring up Lehmann or Benson for that temporary spot. That is the killer. You aren't going to release Gary from the 40-man as someone will definitely pick him up due to his last two minor league flings.

 

And besides Benson, you have at least two no brainers -- Drew Butera (we have got by without him so far this year, so does he matter) and Cole DeVries (who could've been a star but because of his injury may never ever pitch in the majors again).

 

Benson may be another Restovich or Ford or Mike Ryan or J.T. Bruett, of even a B.J. Garbe. We get to move on and be glad the Twins have stocked their roster with other castoffs (Richardson, Thomas, Pettit).

 

I'm sorry, Benson still has a future. Maybe.

 

Let's see how long Walters and Deduno stay on the 40-man. Again, with Ramirez and Colabano...this IS NOT building for the future and these ARE NOT players that will bring us forward into contention. I'm Sorry!

[greengoblinrulz]

Im sure if we called Texas this weekend and offerred PJ Walters for Joe Benson, that would seem like a fair deal to them

[Thrylos]

The killing point, here, was the adding of Collabano to the 40-man roster. Why did they do that? Why not bring up Lehmann or Benson for that temporary spot. That is the killer.

 

You mean Herrmann, I bet

[twinsnorth49]

All made necessary because Gibson isn't "consistent."

 

This organization is off the tracks.

 

Exactly, Gibson's lack of "consistancy" is different from the rest of this team, how?

[Aaron Cross]

He was too surly for ryan and gardy. Would have rocked the boat too much. Just like garza. Wouldnt pitch to contact enough. Clashed with gardy and Andy. Dumped their best pitching prospect because he didnt fit the twins mold. Complete fools running the asylum.

[twinsnorth49]

The injuries surely didn't help, wonder if there was more to the microfracture to his long term future. Still, hard to believe he just walks away for nada.

[Seth Stohs]

My bad - I've gotten away from following the farm teams the past few weeks; just don't have the time I used to.

 

It's just one little Twins Daily article a day...

[Brock Beauchamp]

He was too surly for ryan and gardy. Would have rocked the boat too much. Just like garza. Wouldnt pitch to contact enough. Clashed with gardy and Andy. Dumped their best pitching prospect because he didnt fit the twins mold. Complete fools running the asylum.

 

That's fine and dandy except that Ryan didn't trade Garza.

[Aaron Cross]

Im completely aware of that. I said benson was too surly for ryan and gardy. Ryan's little helper made the trade because garza didnt fit the twins mold. Ryan/ Smith/fill in the blank. The organizational philosophy sucks. The country club sucks. Everything has gone so stale there's a stench coming from TF, and its not the garbage burner.

[Rosterman]

There's 19 players on the Twins current 40-man roster that I would be surprised will still be there on Opening Day of 2014. Benson wouldn't have made that list.

[boomerb5]

Yeah, Joe Benson for PJ Walters. Sounds like a typical Twins move.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Im completely aware of that. Ryan's little helper made the trade because garza didnt fit the twins mold. Ryan/ Smith/fill in the blank. The organizational philosophy sucks. The country club sucks. Everything has gone so stale there's a stench coming from TF, and its not the garbage burner.

 

You'd have a hell of a time convincing me that Ryan would have traded Garza. Has he EVER traded a pitching prospect, much less a good one?

 

Besides, Young had a TERRIBLE reputation for his attitude.