Who Will be the Twins' Utility Man in 2024?

[Fatbat]

3 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

Fascinating to speculate - but the question that comes to mind is if U players are like BP pitchers - up and down from year to year and hard to project.  We have a lot of them so something good should sort out here.  But I do not which it would be even though I lean towards Castro.  In five years he has 3 WAR - but 2.4 came last year.  Is that sustainable?

If 2.4 happens again, great!! He could be a long term asset or he could regress. Its gonna be exciting watching him if indeed he is for real and sustains his breakout season. 

[Jeff K]

20 hours ago, Otaknam said:

I don’t think they will totally blow up the bench, possibly keeping both Castro and Farmer. But it wouldn’t surprise me if Farmer gets traded to cut payroll in favor of a cheaper solution. Castro deserves another shot at super utility, since Castro’s speed is a difference maker. Also hoping the team signs a big bat like Hoskins to DH and play first. Under this scenario the bench would be Castro, Farmer, Martin if he can play CT, and backup catcher. Or sign Taylor as insurance for the inevitable Buxton injury. 

My feeling is either Farmer or Polanco will be traded.  I actually prefer to keep Farmer as he is better defensively and can play all infield positions.  Polanco was not good at 3b last year, so he is pretty much limited to 2b and DH.

[Hunter McCall]

17 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Agreed with Riverbrian that "baseball" player is really more accurate. But "baseball player who plays a lot.kf sifferent positions on a regular basis" is long enough that I also simply use the "super utility" label for convenience sake, lol.

Yes to Castro. I don't even need him to improve on any way to want him on my team doing exactly what he did last year. I just don't want to see a lot of regression. Young, talented, solid milb numbers, promoted too early probably, not really developed by Detroit, I have a feeling he's not going to nosedive.

I like Farmer for a lot of reasons, including leadership and tough guy attitude. His offense is OK, defense solid across the INF. But are they keeping him? One if he or Polanco will be gone, IMO, due to payroll, room, and trades to fill other holes. But he's pretty valuable if kept around.

I don't know that I see Martin...in the strictess sense of the defenition...as a super utility. He might end up with that designation. I just have this hunch he's going to end up as a starting OF, who CAN play 3B//2B. Or a rotating 4th OF who can kinda do it all, but mostly be there for defense, OB%, and baserunning/SB purposes. But yeah, I can see a scenario where he teams WITH Castro to create a really good 1-2 punch as quality, rotating options.

I'm still not falling asleep on Helman. He might do nothing. But he's a late bloomer who's gotten better each of the past 3yrs and would have gotten his shot on 2023 if he didn't keep running in to that lousy old injury wall. Guy plays all 7 spots, has some power and speed, and seems to show enough bat control that would lead one to believe he will be able to hit a little at the ML level.

Prato is a slightly younger version of Helman, maybe a little better hit ability, but perhaps a little less speed and power. He's down the list, but it doesn't mean you can't help sometime in 2024.

I'm just having a hard time seeing room for Gordon unless there are trades, or injuries, or both. No options left, a half a season of quality ML offensive success, and seemingly unwanted in the INF by the Twins, I just don't know that I see a future in Minnesota any longer.

Well said! Thank you for your thoughts!

[Hunter McCall]

15 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

Fascinating to speculate - but the question that comes to mind is if U players are like BP pitchers - up and down from year to year and hard to project.  We have a lot of them so something good should sort out here.  But I do not which it would be even though I lean towards Castro.  In five years he has 3 WAR - but 2.4 came last year.  Is that sustainable?

That's my biggest question with Castro. Can he repeat? I hope so, but the advanced metrics are a little scary. If he can be a .700 OPS hitter and still provide steals and defense I'll take it, he just can't fall off the face of the Earth at the plate.

[Hunter McCall]

23 minutes ago, Jeff K said:

My feeling is either Farmer or Polanco will be traded.  I actually prefer to keep Farmer as he is better defensively and can play all infield positions.  Polanco was not good at 3b last year, so he is pretty much limited to 2b and DH.

I too like Farmer, but still prefer Polanco just because of his ability at the plate. He's such a professional hitter who has been a staple in the Twins lineup for so long. I would completely understand trading him and am open to it, but if you made me choose I would personally lean Polanco. I understand why you prefer Farmer though!

[saviking]

Castro because of his above-average defense and ability to steal bases for sure.

But I could see Martin as a centerfielder backing up Buxton. What's cool about that is we get another utility player who can steal bases. I call that a utility payer stashed in the outfield. Kind of incognito ..Add the ability to get called up and down if need be and you've got a really intriguing player .. But for that to happen Martin has to follow through with a great spring training ..

[JD-TWINS]

23 hours ago, Hunter McCall said:

I think of Farmer as more of a platoon infielder which is why I didn't mention him.

I agree that Castro will get the first crack and I hope he looks good, but if he doesn't I wouldn't rule out Austin Martin entering the fold. The fact that the Twins kept Gordon on the 40-man tells me they still think there's something there. It's an interesting situation to follow at the very least!

Castro nearly every day in CF that Buxton can’t play……..less time there as Martin comes into play in July or later.

Farmer is the platoon at 2B for LH starting pitching….35 games. He spells Lewis at 3B….,,,,25 games. Lastly, he plays shortstop when CC needs a break or can’t go……..25 games. Late inning Defense at 2B a dozen times & pinch hitter another 15 times. That equates to 112 games IF nobody gets hurt at any of the 3 glove positions in the IF.

If he isn’t traded, I think Gordon has a shot as the extra OF that, if in need, can play infield. Pinch runner - etc. …….the Utility Guy.

[JD-TWINS]

2 hours ago, Hunter McCall said:

I too like Farmer, but still prefer Polanco just because of his ability at the plate. He's such a professional hitter who has been a staple in the Twins lineup for so long. I would completely understand trading him and am open to it, but if you made me choose I would personally lean Polanco. I understand why you prefer Farmer though!

I like Jorge!

.235 & 104 games in ‘22.

.256 & 86 games in ‘23.

Career gamer & .270 BA - he’s regressing due to health and he’s not the guy he once was.

Farmer .255 BA in ‘23 & other than getting hit by pitch in the face, he was available all year. He’s a career .255 hitter. He’s now better at all 3 glove positions v. Polanco per metrics.

$6.75M v. $10.5M………realistically, with no sentiment involved, it seems clear cut who to keep.

[Hunter McCall]

2 hours ago, saviking said:

Castro because of his above-average defense and ability to steal bases for sure.

But I could see Martin as a centerfielder backing up Buxton. What's cool about that is we get another utility player who can steal bases. I call that a utility payer stashed in the outfield. Kind of incognito ..Add the ability to get called up and down if need be and you've got a really intriguing player .. But for that to happen Martin has to follow through with a great spring training ..

Yes, Martin must show he belongs! He has to build off his great end to 2023.

[Hunter McCall]

1 hour ago, JD-TWINS said:

I like Jorge!

.235 & 104 games in ‘22.

.256 & 86 games in ‘23.

Career gamer & .270 BA - he’s regressing due to health and he’s not the guy he once was.

Farmer .255 BA in ‘23 & other than getting hit by pitch in the face, he was available all year. He’s a career .255 hitter. He’s now better at all 3 glove positions v. Polanco per metrics.

$6.75M v. $10.5M………realistically, with no sentiment involved, it seems clear cut who to keep.

Agreed, I think at least one goes, I can see the personal preference for either!