Bubba Thompson?

[stringer bell]

The Yankees DFAed Bubba Thompson, who they claimed earlier from Texas. Bubba has some MLB experience and his calling card is elite speed. Thompson has options remaining and is center field capable. 
 

Should the Twins claim Bubba?

[RpR]

They would do better bringing back Billy Hamilton; he is top rank fielder with a similar bat.🙂

[Fatbat]

I don’t think a claim for Bubba and wasting a 40 man spot on him is the best we can do.  Sign him to a minor league would be cool but he will most likely be claimed by some other team before that. 

[stringer bell]

1 hour ago, Fatbat said:

I don’t think a claim for Bubba and wasting a 40 man spot on him is the best we can do.  Sign him to a minor league would be cool but he will most likely be claimed by some other team before that. 

The Twins have two open spots on their 40-man roster and I suspect Ryan Jensen isn't long for that list, meaning they can add three players without making a meaningful subtraction. I think the situation is ideal for taking a flyer on a guy with an elite tool. At worst, he could be an excellent pinch-runner/defensive replacement for a September stretch run or playoff roster. 

[Fatbat]

14 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

The Twins have two open spots on their 40-man roster and I suspect Ryan Jensen isn't long for that list, meaning they can add three players without making a meaningful subtraction. I think the situation is ideal for taking a flyer on a guy with an elite tool. At worst, he could be an excellent pinch-runner/defensive replacement for a September stretch run or playoff roster. 

That may be true! How many teams are ahead of us that could claim him? Is he that bad in the batters box or is he like other guys…. He can play but not for the Yankees org. 

[FlyingFinn]

50 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

The Twins have two open spots on their 40-man roster and I suspect Ryan Jensen isn't long for that list, meaning they can add three players without making a meaningful subtraction.

Agreed. And if we find someone better, see if we can DFA him and pass him through, down to AAA.

[ashbury]

Seems to have good defensive skills, bat may be AAAA quality.  But with open 40-man spots, you can always claim someone, then later on waive him and see what happens. 

[Jocko87]

28 minutes ago, ashbury said:

Seems to have good defensive skills, bat may be AAAA quality.  But with open 40-man spots, you can always claim someone, then later on waive him and see what happens. 

With 2 options remaining and some base stealing ability it wouldn't be crazy.  If he's a stud defender I'd say go for it, the options would put him over Gordon in my book.  There were long stretches of the season last year where anyone hitting right handed with a functional glove would have gotten run in the outfield.

[RpR]

I was semi-sarcastic in my first post , but, they could get Billy Hamilton for FAR less money who is no worse at the plate and is a 10 times better fielder, just as quick runner,  if you are going to only use him for special purposes.

It would be interesting but makes no sense to pick up Bubba.

[ashbury]

21 minutes ago, RpR said:

I was semi-sarcastic in my first post , but, they could get Billy Hamilton for FAR less money

How many millions are you expecting Bubba to earn in 2024? 😀

[Althebum82]

1 hour ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

Why wouldn't they just stick with Andrew Stevenson who is an excellent fielder with no bat and great speed instead of picking up this guy?

Stevenson was released as a free agent and signed on Dec 13 with the  Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters

[RpR]

1 hour ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

Why wouldn't they just stick with Andrew Stevenson who is an excellent fielder with no bat and great speed instead of picking up this guy?

He is heading to Japan.

[RpR]

1 hour ago, ashbury said:

How many millions are you expecting Bubba to earn in 2024? 😀

Billy got 100.000 last year.

[stringer bell]

2 hours ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

Why wouldn't they just stick with Andrew Stevenson who is an excellent fielder with no bat and great speed instead of picking up this guy?

As noted, Stevenson will be playing for the Ham Fighters in 2024. In addition, there’s a difference between Stevenson’s good speed and the elite speed of Bubba Thompson. Stevenson is in his 30s, Bubba is 25. There is a much better chance for Bubba Thompson to develop into a decent MLB hitter than there is for Andrew Stevenson. 

1 hour ago, RpR said:

 

[stringer bell]

1 hour ago, RpR said:

Billy got 100.000 last year.

If that number is US dollars and it’s accurate, it would be the prorated major league salary for his days on a MLB roster. Bubba would make that amount as well and if somehow he broke out, the Twins would have six years of team control including at least one more year at the major league minimum. 

[ashbury]

13 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

and if somehow he broke out,

"Son, didn't anybody in your prior organizations teach you how to hit the dang curveball? No?  Well, listen closely, because I only tell people this once..."  😀

[August J Gloop]

Oscar Gonzalez is a better yankee DFA. Last year was rough but he was good in 2022.  

[stringer bell]

We got him!

(Mock excitement)

[Otwins]

Good Call.  I don't think they have ever picked up anyone that I think they might. If they get their TV deal settled and have some money to spend they can DFA a couple guys. Otherwise we hope for Bubba

 

[RaoulDuke]

Could be a useful 26th man if Buxton can actually play CF.  Having an elite pinch runner is certainly more valuable with the extra innings rule and the increased base size.

He cannot be the Buxton backup plan, got to have someone that can be a legit starter in center if/ when/ to get rest Bux can't go.  Maybe that is covered with Castro/ Martin but that is shakey ground to start with and Billy Hamilton 1.5 doesn't make me feel any better about it.

[RpR]

13 hours ago, RaoulDuke said:

Could be a useful 26th man if Buxton can actually play CF.  Having an elite pinch runner is certainly more valuable with the extra innings rule and the increased base size.

He cannot be the Buxton backup plan, got to have someone that can be a legit starter in center if/ when/ to get rest Bux can't go.  Maybe that is covered with Castro/ Martin but that is shakey ground to start with and Billy Hamilton 1.5 doesn't make me feel any better about it.

The ability to catch possible doubles or home runs should never be under rated.

Hamilton's incredible fielding skills are known, hopefully, Thompson is just as good.