Colabello Optioned

[jokin]

ROC plays Monday while Twins are off......whomever it is wont be in the lineup.

Does MN even have enough OFs left in AA/AAA to risk promoting one??

Angel could get promoted to New Brit as he was out of lineup today.

 

The Twins just signed 2 career minor league OFers for New Britain.

 

thus, setting up the domino effect?...Thomas to Twins...Hanson/Parraz to Roc....Morales to NB.....JD Williams/Buxton to FM....Kepler to CR....

[johnnydakota]

So we would DFA Colabelo and keep a 30 year old career .183 hitting catcher?

[Shane Wahl]

Oh, let it be clear that I don't really endorse Colabello going down in the first place. I don't think that the Twins really want to do that just for fun, so since it really is not Wilkin, it must be either to provide real CF depth or to bring back Arcia. Now given service time and given that Wilkin was the backup (though Herrmann is likely just as capable as he is), I bet that it is indeed Thomas. I understand that he has gotten a lot better as a AAA hitter this year. Still, though.

[greengoblinrulz]

The Twins just signed 2 career minor league OFers for New Britain.

 

thus, setting up the domino effect?...Thomas to Twins...Hanson/Parraz to Roc....Morales to NB.....JD Williams/Buxton to FM....Kepler to CR....

Would welcome Clete under these circumstances as he will be his usual self in MN & play himself onto waivers as he's out of options.

[Shane Wahl]

The Twins just signed 2 career minor league OFers for New Britain.

 

thus, setting up the domino effect?...Thomas to Twins...Hanson/Parraz to Roc....Morales to NB.....JD Williams/Buxton to FM....Kepler to CR....

 

Or they could just be a little more fast and loose with promotions and not have to sign two OFers for New Britain (maybe not even one!). It would almost have to be Williams to FM because they are likely waiting on Buxton until after the all-star game. If Kepler is back, that would be certainly quite exciting.

[Shane Wahl]

Would welcome Clete under these circumstances as he will be his usual self in MN & play himself onto waivers as he's out of options.

 

That's true. Certainly he will do just that and this is just a mere fill-in for Plouffe and Ramirez.

[Shane Wahl]

So we would DFA Colabelo and keep a 30 year old career .183 hitting catcher?

 

Looking at the 40-man, there are probably anywhere from 8-12 guys coming off the 40-man after this year (maybe two trades, a major drop of these pitchers, Butera, and a few infielders). None of them are named Colabello.

[stringer bell]

This is kind of a long shot, but currently there is a third baseman (Juan Francisco) who has been DFAed. The Twins could claim him and then designate someone off the 40-man. Assuming the Twins are replacing Colabello with a hitter (they already have 13 pitchers), the two areas of need are 3B, especially 'til Plouffe returns, and CF.

[greengoblinrulz]

This is kind of a long shot, but currently there is a third baseman (Juan Francisco) who has been DFAed. The Twins could claim him and then designate someone off the 40-man. Assuming the Twins are replacing Colabello with a hitter (they already have 13 pitchers), the two areas of need are 3B, especially 'til Plouffe returns, and CF.

Longshot....this could be an excellent move

25 yrs old-469 MLB ABs over 5 yrs .254/.299/.431 24doubles 19HR 77RBI 164K 29bb

13E's @ 3B in 100 career starts there/ Fangraphs UZR of +3.6

 

Lefthanded hitter

vs RHP 389AB .270/.319/.476 19HR 71RBI 135K 28bb

vs LHP 80AB .175/.202/.213 0HR 6rbi 29k 1bb

Smell a platoon with Plouffe (who kills lefties as well .524slgg .870OPS)

[jokin]

Longshot....this could be an excellent move

25 yrs old-469 MLB ABs over 5 yrs .254/.299/.431 24doubles 19HR 77RBI 164K 29bb

13E's @ 3B in 100 career starts there/ Fangraphs UZR of +3.6

 

This is a logical, low-risk move. A year ago, with the Komatsu-type acquisitions, I think they would have pulled the trigger already. This year they have done virtually nothing to bolster the depth at obviously thin positions- CF Borbon was a logical "Trade for C- prospect" in April and the Twins sat on their hands, I'm guessing they keep them there throughout the regular season.

[greengoblinrulz]

Difference with Komatsu is he wasnt/isnt a MLB player. Francisco is or is at least a solid/fringe player. I got the Borbon refusal as they wanted Hicks to take it over.

I would love this move, esp w/Clete staying in AAA & possibly DFAing Butera......WIN WIN!!!!

[jokin]

Difference with Komatsu is he wasnt/isnt a MLB player. Francisco is or is at least a solid/fringe player. I got the Borbon refusal as they wanted Hicks to take it over.

I would love this move, esp w/Clete staying in AAA & possibly DFAing Butera......WIN WIN!!!!

 

I think Hicks could still have taken over. Mastro was clearly hurting at the time, Borbon was still the better option as the 4th OF, even if Mastro had been 100%. The Twins appear to have zero interest in looking for upgrades outside the organization for position players.

 

I would love this move, as well. I just don't see Ryan pulling the trigger. It is astounding at how thin the defensive OF depth has been allowed to become.

[greengoblinrulz]

I think Hicks could still have taken over. Mastro was clearly hurting at the time, Borbon was still the better option as the 4th OF, even if Mastro had been 100%. The Twins appear to have zero interest in looking for upgrades outside the organization for position players.

 

I would love this move, as well. I just don't see Ryan pulling the trigger. It is astounding at how thin the defensive OF depth has been allowed to become.

The reason I think it could happen....obvious 3B lack of depth....is frustration with Plouffe defense in short term. Gardy's not a platoon guy so that's why I doubt they will, but this would work great.

My #1 reason to think its possible is they havent announced a player yet when they could. Now I get that either way its since they have to DFA someone & cant announce someone till a roster spot opens.

If ATL just releases Francisco, it would be a solid move to just sign him to a AAA deal to push DRomero and/or give ya some minor league depth.

[stringer bell]

He's out of options, I presume, hence the DFA. He's also young enough that if he isn't claimed, I am sure Atlanta will outright him to Gwinnett. Still don't think it will happen.

[Thrylos]

This is kind of a long shot, but currently there is a third baseman (Juan Francisco) who has been DFAed. The Twins could claim him and then designate someone off the 40-man. Assuming the Twins are replacing Colabello with a hitter (they already have 13 pitchers), the two areas of need are 3B, especially 'til Plouffe returns, and CF.

 

Juan Fransisco can hit MLB RHP FBs and mistakes. That's it. He can hit AAA stuff, but not lefties even there. And he is a worse third baseman on the field than Plouffe. I just have a hard time see it happening.

 

Allegedly Atlanta is having trade talks for him at this point.

[stringer bell]

Juan Fransisco can hit MLB RHP FBs and mistakes. That's it. He can hit AAA stuff, but not lefties even there. And he is a worse third baseman on the field than Plouffe. I just have a hard time see it happening.

 

Allegedly Atlanta is having trade talks for him at this point.

While I confess to knowing very little about Francisco, I see he's a big guy with major league power. I don't trust defensive metrics but his look to be acceptable. If he can put mistakes over the flowers in RF, he could be an asset for the Twins going forward. That said, I doubt the Twins want to commit to him if Plouffe would be just as good and cheaper longer.

[Oldgoat_MN]

The problem with a good fielding 3B is that, even if he cannot hit, Gardy will sit Plouffe and play the guy who is the better fielder.

 

Then we will never know what Plouffe could have been.

[Mike Sixel]

If Thomas is coming up, I'm just confused. At what point does this team commit to youth, and try to figure out what they have/don't have?

[Seth Stohs]

If Thomas is coming up, I'm just confused. At what point does this team commit to youth, and try to figure out what they have/don't have?

 

I think they are committing to youth if they call up Thomas. They're committed to making sure the youth plays. Thomas isn't going to play much. Maybe spell Hicks once in awhile, maybe get a game in RF once in awhile. With the way Parmelee has been playing the last couple of weeks, he's earned him PT. With the way Doumit's been playing, he deserves to play. Morneau's not hitting for power, but still being productive, so he's going to play. Mauer will DH or play 1B when he's not catching. Willingham's going to play either in LF or DH. Also, right now, Arcia is only DHing because of his shoulder.

 

Also, I mentioned Deibinson Romero as a possibility so that Escobar doesn't start two games out of three at 3B while Plouffe is out. That certainly makes Juan Francisco intriguing, just as a short-term, huge power (but not much else) option to just see if it works.

[chopper0080]

If Thomas is coming up, I'm just confused. At what point does this team commit to youth, and try to figure out what they have/don't have?

 

Normally I would agree with this, but I don't believe that Gardenhire is going to play a young prospect at this time of the year. He is going to stick with Doumit, Parmalee, Morneau and Mauer rotating at 1B, C, RF and DH.

 

The guy I would like up is Arcia, but if he is still struggling with his shoulder and can't play RF, it reduces his effectiveness. Keep him at AAA DHing until his shoulder is healthy, and then look to call him up for good as long as you are committed to him playing.

 

One reason Clete Thomas makes sense is that it can give Hicks a day off in CF which he could probably use.

[jorgenswest]

As I read I wonder...

 

Is Arcia healthy enough to play in the field?

 

Can Butera be dropped from the 40 while injured?

 

Last year the Yankees put Betances on the 60 day DL while in the minors (technically they called him up and moved him to the 60). Is that an option for Butera?

 

Who is the better defender... Richardson or Thomas? If they have to make a 40 move, I would rather have the defender.

 

If the stay on the team is short term, does it make sense to mess with the 40?

 

Was Colabello's performance worth losing Benson? I know the switch was not one for one but it had to be projected given the moves were in the same week.

[stringer bell]

Here are some answers for you: Arcia is presently only DHing. Originally, it was thought he would be sidelined a short time. He only missed a game or two, but has DHed exclusively since. I do not think an injured player can be designated. I am not sure of that. Butera tweeted over a week ago that he was rehabbing, but Bremer noted that Son of Sal had a "setback", and I have heard nothing official since. Thomas is apparently the superior defender between himself and Richardson. Glynn consistently put Thomas in center when both were in the lineup. Good question on short stays, such as Colabello, and now Thomas. I suppose such movements are open-ended--Colabello didn't hit and the players got ready to play off the DL. If Colabello were currently 8-20 with a couple bombs and a game-winning hit, he probably wouldn't be gone, but he's got two singles and a bunch of strikeouts. Obviously, the Twins were trying to keep Benson and still reward Colabello. Didn't work out. If Benson makes some noise in the majors, the Twins will probably regret letting him go.

[Guest USAFChief]

Longshot....this could be an excellent move

25 yrs old-469 MLB ABs over 5 yrs .254/.299/.431 24doubles 19HR 77RBI 164K 29bb

13E's @ 3B in 100 career starts there/ Fangraphs UZR of +3.6

 

Lefthanded hitter

vs RHP 389AB .270/.319/.476 19HR 71RBI 135K 28bb

vs LHP 80AB .175/.202/.213 0HR 6rbi 29k 1bb

Smell a platoon with Plouffe (who kills lefties as well .524slgg .870OPS)

True platoons, involving a LH and RH hitter who share one position, are virtually impossible in this day and age of 12 and 13 man pitching staffs.

[stringer bell]

Francisco was traded to the Brewers for a 25-y.o. minor league pitcher. I would have liked to see the Twins acquire a young 3B who hit from the left side, but Romero hit two homers for the Red Wings tonight and uber-prospect Sano is probably less than a month from being in AA.