Article: Joe Benson claimed off waivers by Rangers

[Aaron Cross]

You'd have a hell of a time convincing me that Ryanwould have traded Garza. Has he EVER traded a pitching prospect,

much less a good one?

 

Besides, Young had a TERRIBLE reputation for his attitude.

 

Do you enjoy being a condescending nitpicker? I have no doubt they dumped benson, who is still a good prospect, for "attitude" reasons and not being "twins way" enough. They gave up on him far too soon, because he rocked the boat. Didnt fit the twins mold. But go ahead and nitpick on what happened with garza if it makes you feel better.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Do you enjoy being a condescending nitpicker? I have no doubt they dumped benson, who is still a good prospect, for "attitude" reasons and not being "twins way" enough. They gave up on him far too soon, because he rocked the boat. Didnt fit the twins mold. But go ahead and nitpick on what happened with garza if it makes you feel better.

 

I'm not nit-picking anything. You brought up a trade that happened after Ryan left the GM chair, yet implied that Garza's departure was somehow his fault.

[Seth Stohs]

I'm a little surprised by the reaction here. I definitely don't like "attitude" stuff coming out after a guy is gone. I think that's pretty weak. I've known Joe for several years, and there was a lot of frustration. This is a guy who does not like to fail. He has all the tools, but he just struggles mightiliy with failure, and it's such a big part of the game. I always said that if he was able to slow the game down, he could be great. It hasn't happened. There certainly were some issues and legit issues that the Twins had with him, but that went both ways. I just am happy for Joe and I really hope that he can find it in himself to relax and enjoy playing this game.

[IdahoPilgrim]

I have no doubt they dumped benson, who is still a good prospect, for "attitude" reasons and not being "twins way" enough. They gave up on him far too soon, because he rocked the boat. Didnt fit the twins mold. But go ahead and nitpick on what happened with garza if it makes you feel better.

 

Just because you have no doubt doesn't mean it's true. But if this helps you work out your frustrations...

[Aaron Cross]

We represent the Lollipop Guild

The Lollipop Guild, the Lollipop Guild.

And in the name of the Lollipop Guild

We wish to welcome you to Munchkin Land

[Brad Swanson]

Bunch of condescending pricks around here.

 

Hey! Don't drag me into this. I just got here.

 

Actually, I'm more arrogant than condescending, so I withdraw my original complaint.

[Shane Wahl]

Bunch of condescending pricks around here.

 

You mean, "A bunch of condescending pricks around here." Or, "A condescending bunch of pricks around here."

[Shane Wahl]

But please let me get this straight, are there people here who actually approve of this move?

[Shane Wahl]

Would anyone have B.J. Hermsen, for instance, higher on the Twins' prospect list than Joe Benson. And, who in their right mind would claim him? Cole DeVries?

[Brad Swanson]

Lost in all this is that if the Twins need a center fielder if perhaps, Wilkin Ramirez tries to run through Josh Willingham, they will need to make another 40-man move to get Thomas or Richardson up to Minnesota.

[SweetOne69]

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?

 

Puck is correct, there is league preference, so since Texas has the best record in the AL we know that 13 passed on him.

[twinsnorth49]

Bunch of condescending pricks around here.

 

I consider myself more patronizing than condescending, per se.

[Guest USAFChief]

Lost in all this is that if the Twins need a center fielder if perhaps, Wilkin Ramirez tries to run through Josh Willingham, they will need to make another 40-man move to get Thomas or Richardson up to Minnesota.

 

Lost in all this is, as I pointed out earlier, NOBODY needed to be lost off the 40 man roster to bring up a starter for today's game.

 

It's bad enough they chose to drop someone who has certainly struggled in the past couple years, but had enough potential to still be somewhere on pretty much every "top Twins minor leaguers" list this winter.

 

But what's more troubling to me is they didn't have to lose ANYone off the 40 man.

[Rosterman]

Lost in all this is, as I pointed out earlier, NOBODY needed to be lost off the 40 man roster to bring up a starter for today's game.

 

It's bad enough they chose to drop someone who has certainly struggled in the past couple years, but had enough potential to still be somewhere on pretty much every "top Twins minor leaguers" list this winter.

 

But what's more troubling to me is they didn't have to lose ANYone off the 40 man.

 

Yeah, rotating starters. Send down Deduno, bring up Walters. Send down Walters, bring up Hendriks. Send down Hendriks, bring up DeVries. hey, I do it in my fantasy league all the time...I can switch out an extra starter twice a week, and chances are I can still bring back someone I earlier released.

[Reginald Maudling's Shin]

Lost in all this is that if the Twins need a center fielder if perhaps, Wilkin Ramirez tries to run through Josh Willingham, they will need to make another 40-man move to get Thomas or Richardson up to Minnesota.

Maybe if they had center fielders playing center field, these types of incidents would not occur. It is ironic that about 6 hours after they dump Benson they (likely) need a center fielder.

[drjim]

But please let me get this straight, are there people here who actually approve of this move?

 

I would go more with "meh" than approve. For whatever reason Benson wasn't getting it done and wasn't going to make it. Change of scenery was coming one way or another.

 

This reaction is a slightly more intense version of the weeping and gnashing of teeth following the release of Burnett.

 

Over/under on how many additional times Benson is DFAed this year?

[ThePuck]

 

 

Am I the only one who finds irony in him saying that thing about condescending Ps around here when, not so long ago, he started a thread by saying:

 

'To all the people whining Gardy didn't pull him after 7 innings.........

learn the game! '

 

?

[jokin]

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?

 

Yup.

[Benchwarmerjim]

the anger over this move reminds me of the anger toward the Twins when they traded Billy Bullock for Scott Diamond.

 

I understand this decision is a bit weird (as other have said 5 catchers 1 CF on the 40 man??) , but I get the feeling right now the Twins could trade Drew Butera for Mike Trout and there would still be bitching toward the front office because they couldnt get another player in the trade.

[IdahoPilgrim]

But please let me get this straight, are there people here who actually approve of this move?

 

I wouldn't say approve, but frankly I'm not that big on Benson. I started following the Twins minor league system last year, so I never followed his career in the low minors when he was a top prospect with high hopes. Based on what I've seen in the last two years, and on the reality that we were probably going to lose him next year anyway when he was out of options and still not major-league ready, I guess I just don't have the same sense of loss that some have who followed his career for much longer and at one time saw a regular center fielder for the big league club.

[Brock Beauchamp]

But please let me get this straight, are there people here who actually approve of this move?

 

I don't know if anyone approves but I'm of the "meh, whatever" opinion. I would have maybe preferred to see other flotsam and jetsam released but Benson is close to that point himself. He hasn't even been an average player in two years and he's out of options.

[twinsnorth49]

the anger over this move reminds me of the anger toward the Twins when they traded Billy Bullock for Scott Diamond.

 

I understand this decision is a bit weird (as other have said 5 catchers 1 CF on the 40 man??) , but I get the feeling right now the Twins could trade Drew Butera for Mike Trout and there would still be bitching toward the front office because they couldnt get another player in the trade.

 

Funny, I don't get that feeling at all, if TR got Trout for Butera, I'd worship at the alter of the great and powerful TR.

 

Now I understand you're just making a strong point suggesting people are just looking for any reason to criticize the Twins FO at this point, but this decision supports doing just that, and it's a pretty good reason considering the two players who seeingly caused it.

[Mr. Brooks]

I guess I just don't understand why this move was necessary.

Even if he is out of options after this year, so what? There is still 4 months left in the season.

He could have gotten hot for 6 weeks, at which point he probably would have been a better option as a 4th OF'er than Wilkin Ramirez.

[josecordoba]

Can't say I'm all that upset considering Benson's production the last two years. This says nothing of him not factoring into this year's plans and unlikely to comeback in 2014. His future seemed to be as a Fourth Outfielder Type (I question whether he'd hit enough to be anything else). I get most of the frustration keeping around low upside pitchers and Back-Up Catchers. Anyone wanting to run out Terry Ryan over this type of move is overreacting in my opinion.

[Mr. Brooks]

Can't say I'm all that upset considering Benson's production the last two years. This says nothing of him not factoring into this year's plans and unlikely to comeback in 2014. His future seemed to be as a Fourth Outfielder Type (I question whether he'd hit enough to be anything else). I get most of the frustration keeping around low upside pitchers and Back-Up Catchers. Anyone wanting to run out Terry Ryan over this type of move is overreacting in my opinion.

 

Personally I'd rather see Benson as the 4th OF'er than Wilkin Ramirez. At least Benson can actually play CF adequately.

[stringer bell]

I see the Rangers optioned Joe to AA. I guess this is low risk-high reward for them. If everything comes together it could be a great acquisition, if not he'll be available to anyone next year. Yes, this leaves the Twins woefully thin in center fielders until Mastro is ready to go (July?), but they can always DFA someone else and add Richardson or Thomas.

[Guest USAFChief]

Yeah, rotating starters. Send down Deduno, bring up Walters. Send down Walters, bring up Hendriks. Send down Hendriks, bring up DeVries. hey, I do it in my fantasy league all the time...I can switch out an extra starter twice a week, and chances are I can still bring back someone I earlier released.

 

I was thinking simpler thoughts. Call up Gibson instead of Walters.

 

At least for this move, there would have been no 40 man roster issues to figure out. The Twins would still have Gibson, Walters, and Benson.

[LaBombo]

... if TR got Trout for Butera, I'd worship at the alter of the great and powerful TR.

If Ryan got a trout for Butera, I'd be at that alter too. Some of us have lower expectations. From Ryan, not Butera.

[John Bonnes]

Well, I'll go down as approving.

 

I'll be honest - I'm more shocked that there is some actual outrage about this than I am about the move. In fact, this is what I suggested would happen yesterday. Any outrage I would attribute to an outdated expectation of who this guy is. Sometimes a guy just isn't who we want him to be.

 

Even if we write off his problems last year to injury (which is kind, considering he wasn't hurt until midyear) we still have a 25-year-old who was hitting .192 with 50 strikeouts (vs 10 BB) in 164 AB. He was going to need to be demoted to AA to find himself for the second straight year and indeed - that's where he new team stuck him. Plus he's out of options.

 

So here is the scenario where this somehow turns into a disaster: within 3 months he rights himself at AA, carries that success into AAA (where he now has a .187 batting average over 272 PA) and makes it to the majors to stick for the next couple of years. As.... a 4th outfielder?

 

Finally, it's not like the Twins gave him his walking papers. It was certainly a reasonable gamble that nobody would pick him up and he would get through waivers.

 

Good lord - even Drew Butera hit .211 in Rochester. He even struck out HALF as often as Benson. Sometimes a guy just isn't who we want him to be.

[Mr. Brooks]

Well, I'll go down as approving.

 

I'll be honest - I'm more shocked that there is some actual outrage about this than I am about the move. In fact, this is what I suggested would happen yesterday. Any outrage I would attribute to an outdated expectation of who this guy is. Sometimes a guy just isn't who we want him to be.

 

Even if we write off his problems last year to injury (which is kind, considering he wasn't hurt until midyear) we still have a 25-year-old who was hitting .192 with 50 strikeouts (vs 10 BB) in 164 AB. He was going to need to be demoted to AA to find himself for the second straight year and indeed - that's where he new team stuck him. Plus he's out of options.

 

So here is the scenario where this somehow turns into a disaster: within 3 months he rights himself at AA, carries that success into AAA (where he now has a .187 batting average over 272 PA) and makes it to the majors to stick for the next couple of years. As.... a 4th outfielder?

 

Finally, it's not like the Twins gave him his walking papers. It was certainly a reasonable gamble that nobody would pick him up and he would get through waivers.

 

Good lord - even Drew Butera hit .211 in Rochester. He even struck out HALF as often as Benson. Sometimes a guy just isn't who we want him to be.

 

If it was a necessary move, I could buy all of the above 100%.

But they could have just called up Gibson, and none of this would have been necessary.

Whether the results have been there or not, they guy does have talent. With guys who have actual talent, I don't see any reason to bail on them before you absolutely have to.

 

And of course he was going to get claimed. Alex Burnett got claimed off waivers for goodness sake.

Guys with legit 5 tool talent don't go unclaimed, even if the results havent been there.