Twins Looking For Outfielder, May Consider Donovan Solano Return

[Greglw3]

13 hours ago, arby58 said:

At first I thought you were referring to Taylor, who had 21 HR but only 51 RBIs, but I see you were referring to Eddie Rosario. I dunno, between the two, I think I'd rather have Taylor, just for the sake of my sanity.

I can’t help myself, I’m a big Eddie Rosario fan and don’t think they should have let him go evidence the hole in LF since. I love his fire and passion also. And he led a team to a World Series title.

[arby58]

2 minutes ago, Greglw3 said:

I can’t help myself, I’m a big Eddie Rosario fan and don’t think they should have let him go evidence the hole in LF since. I love his fire and passion also. And he led a team to a World Series title.

Everybody has their preferences, and he did catch fire in a World Series. That said, the next year his OPS was .587.

[jimmyc]

19 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

Can’t spend money on Taylor IMO! Too many potential internal options that, on the lower side of offensive production, are better or as good as Taylor.

Solano, for under $4M, is a potential great value as the RH compliment to Kirilloff at 1B. Experienced & well liked!! He’s a safer option to Miranda - if Miranda has a good year, he is at best the same as Solano, with 6 - 8 more homers. I like the security Donny Barrels provides at his cost!

If Miranda has a good year, he would far exceed any reasonable expectation for Soano.

[jmlease1]

I wouldn't mind the Twins adding an OF, especially if they hit RH, mash LHP, and even better can play a little CF. But I'm looking at the roster right now and since we can only expect to have 13 position players we're basically at the point of any OF we add has to be better than Nick Gordon, and any INF we sign has to be better than Jose Miranda. (we could maybe sign an OF who is better than Miranda, and hope that between Jeffers/Farmer/Julien and maybe even Kepler/Wallner we can cover 1B behind Kirilloff?)

because right now, those are the guys that look to have the last 2 spots on the 26 man roster. Miranda has options left; Gordon does not. Kirilloff, Jeffers, Julien, Correa, Lewis, Castro, Kepler, Buxton, and Wallner are locked in. If Vazquez goes, a catcher will replace his spot. Farmer could be still moved, but it's always seemed like the only reason the Twins were considering moving him was for payroll, so if that's not an issue it's hard to see him going when he's an ideal partner for Julien at 2B, can still play effective SS, hits LHP, and can even slide into the OF in a pinch.

Solano over Miranda gives us more depth since Miranda can go to AAA, but does it make us better? Votto doesn't look like a fit at all. Taylor is excellent Buxton insurance defensively and hits lefties better than Gordon; I wouldn't hate a reunion, especially if the coaching staff isn't feeling great about Martin being ready.

Underwhelmed about the reunions.

[cmoss84]

Think I'd almost rather invest in Merrifield instead of Duval or Soler...

[Brandon]

Things we need for the lineup. back up 1B, big time power hitter or on base machine works too,  good defensive OF that hits RH.  

I would hope an impact bat like JD Martinez would be an option if he isn't too expensive on a 1 year deal.  13-15 million would be my preference.  

Next would be a 1B/DH platoon part time bat. Solano or Votto or Carlos Santana or Cron

Then an OF if there is money left over.  A good defensive OF and right handed hitter.  Taylor or Duvall or maybe Pham.  

If we dont sign a soler or Martinez we could possibly sign 2 of the others.  

[darin617]

On 1/30/2024 at 5:24 PM, Rik19753 said:

Because signing a Solano is going to kill any chance of Miranda getting a promotion barring injury. If Miranda is raking in AAA in April, are they going to cut Solano to make room for him? Absolutely not. Nor are they going to carry Kirilloff, Solano and Miranda on the same roster when those players provide tremendously limited positional flexibility.

Also, the chances are pretty high that Miranda's production collapsing last year is due to injury. It's just so rare that someone that once showed he was a competent major league hitter suddenly can't hit AAA pitching without something going on behind the scenes. Similar to Kirilloff of previous years, the FO should have a pretty good idea of what they can expect from him given his condition in the spring.

The answer at 1B should be to go with Miranda/Severino + and to look to see who sticks IMO.

Solano is more than just a guy to plug into first base. He can play all infield positions and could also turn into a good pinch hitter as well. He is a good hitter and would a nice addition to the bench. 

[Doctor Gast]

We have a great line-up we don't need another big bat. We need a postseason SP, let's take care of that 1st & forget about the frivolous BS. Because w/o a postseason SP, it will be a very long season for the Twins & very short postseason.

[tony&rodney]

4 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

We have a great line-up we don't need another big bat. We need a postseason SP, let's take care of that 1st & forget about the frivolous BS.

I think that ship has sailed, sadly.

[nicksaviking]

2 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

I think that ship has sailed, sadly.

It's really early, I think it's more likely than not that they get another pitcher to pitch day 2.  

Not confident, but hopeful. Maybe 60-40.

[Doctor Gast]

7 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

I think that ship has sailed, sadly.

If we sign Solano as a stop gap for Lee & trade Julien & Jeffers for Luzardo, I'll be all in for that. That'd be the only thing that'd save this FO's ?#%*@!

[RpR]

Duvall and or Talylor.

[Greglw3]

On 1/31/2024 at 9:43 AM, arby58 said:

Everybody has their preferences, and he did catch fire in a World Series. That said, the next year his OPS was .587.

In need of eye surgery for a significant portion of that year and then having eye surgery.

[stringer bell]

9 hours ago, Greglw3 said:

In need of eye surgery for a significant portion of that year and then having eye surgery.

Eddie is yet another lefty hitter who plays only corner OF. No, thank you. 

[Clear Lake Twinsfan]

On 1/30/2024 at 6:53 PM, Jocko87 said:

I think there is really only room for one additional player for the full time 26 man.  My vote is a RH thumper who can function in both the corner outfield and first base.  There aren't many of those out there.  Solano doesn't quite do it for me, MAT might be interesting in the role he was intended for last year but I think the bat is more important.  

What about Harold Ramirez from the Rays?  He's a right handed hitter who has played corner outfield and first base, although also a lot of DH with the Rays.  He's been a solid hitter who crushed left handed pitchers the last two years.  He is rumored to be available in trade and would probably cost about $4 million in salary to settle his pending arbitration case.  He has two years of team control remaining.  Not sure what the Rays are looking for in trade.  Maybe Trevor Larnach or Josh Winder?

 

[nicksaviking]

On 2/1/2024 at 10:37 AM, Doctor Gast said:

If we sign Solano as a stop gap for Lee & trade Julien & Jeffers for Luzardo, I'll be all in for that. That'd be the only thing that'd save this FO's ?#%*@!

I'd trade Lee way before I traded Julien or Jeffers.

The Twins would have no legit starting catcher, and the offense, which was already a struggle last year until they brought up the young guys, would be worse off. They can't afford that, it's why every year either the bats go cold early and they have to dig themselves out of a hole, or their bats go cold late and they fall off of a cliff.

I think they can get the pitching they need and keep the offense at worst status quo by using prospects and/or the younger starters. Getting a #2 starter should be the top priority, but not diminishing the offense needs to be the second.

[Mike Sixel]

9 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

I'd trade Lee way before I traded Julien or Jeffers.

The Twins would have no legit starting catcher, and the offense, which was already a struggle last year until they brought up the young guys, would be worse off. They can't afford that, it's why every year either the bats go cold early and they have to dig themselves out of a hole, or their bats go cold late and they fall off of a cliff.

I think they can get the pitching they need and keep the offense at worst status quo by using prospects and/or the younger starters. Getting a #2 starter should be the top priority, but not deminishing the offense needs to be the second.

Gast has a thing about Jeffers and Julien, no idea why....but they really don't like those two. They also think the FO should be fired after taking the team further in the post season than they've been in decades....

But yes, no way you deal Jeffers right now (or Julien for that matter). 

[Doctor Gast]

2 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

I'd trade Lee way before I traded Julien or Jeffers.

The Twins would have no legit starting catcher, and the offense, which was already a struggle last year until they brought up the young guys, would be worse off. They can't afford that, it's why every year either the bats go cold early and they have to dig themselves out of a hole, or their bats go cold late and they fall off of a cliff.

I think they can get the pitching they need and keep the offense at worst status quo by using prospects and/or the younger starters. Getting a #2 starter should be the top priority, but not deminishing the offense needs to be the second.

Yes, Twins catching depth is a shambles & shameful, that has been neglected for years. But that can be easily rectified by Twins picking a top MLB-ready catching prospect who can hit. Together with 2 yrs. Vazquez mentoring can quickly transform that prospect into a better defensive catcher than Jeffers.

We have a great offensive line-up depth that can absorb the loss of Jeffers & Julien but we won't get beyond the 1st game in the postseason w/o another bonafide postseason starter,

[Doctor Gast]

47 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Gast has a thing about Jeffers and Julien, no idea why....but they really don't like those two. They also think the FO should be fired after taking the team further in the post season than they've been in decades....

But yes, no way you deal Jeffers right now (or Julien for that matter). 

OK Sixel, I don't have a thing about Jeffers or Julien, I have a thing about the team getting better & contending for the WS. If that means trading an Arraez for a Lopez then I'd do that in a heartbeat.  Or a Jeffers & Julien for a Luzardo.

& yes I hated the Polanco trade that sparked that remark.

[CCHOF5yearstoolate]

25 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

Yes, Twins catching depth is a shambles & shameful, that has been neglected for years. But that can be easily rectified by Twins picking a top MLB-ready catching prospect who can hit. Together with 2 yrs. Vazquez mentoring can quickly transform that prospect into a better defensive catcher than Jeffers.

We have a great offensive line-up depth that can absorb the loss of Jeffers & Julien but we won't get beyond the 1st game in the postseason w/o another bonafide postseason starter,

"Easily"?? If it's so easy, do you have any specific suggestions? 

[Doctor Gast]

1 hour ago, CCHOF5yearstoolate said:

"Easily"?? If it's so easy, do you have any specific suggestions? 

There are several out there that are blocked by one or more other catchers on their teams, that can be had.. Just do the homework.

[nicksaviking]

*************Moderator Note**************

Stay on topic. This thread is about outfield help and Donovan Solano. Pet topics need to be dwelled on in more appropriate threads. And not dwelled on continuously.

[Doctor Wu]

On 1/31/2024 at 5:38 AM, darin617 said:

Any reason why Miranda can't figure it out in St Paul? Makes no sense to "try" him up with the Twins. Let him play everyday with St Paul and if he's ready he will get promoted. Pretty simple.

If he's healthy and can get his hitting back on track is one thing, but with his dubious glove "skills" where does he play?

[darin617]

3 hours ago, Doctor Wu said:

If he's healthy and can get his hitting back on track is one thing, but with his dubious glove "skills" where does he play?

The more for Miranda to start the year in St Paul or possibly lower to let him work on both aspects of the game.

[notoriousgod71]

On 2/2/2024 at 12:38 PM, Mike Sixel said:

Gast has a thing about Jeffers and Julien, no idea why....but they really don't like those two. They also think the FO should be fired after taking the team further in the post season than they've been in decades....

But yes, no way you deal Jeffers right now (or Julien for that matter). 

To be fair, the front office took them to exactly the same round they always lose in.

[Mike Sixel]

1 minute ago, notoriousgod71 said:

To be fair, the front office took them to exactly the same round they always lose in.

? They won their first playoff series in decades

[notoriousgod71]

11 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

? They won their first playoff series in decades

Right, but they added the extra round so they lost in the ALDS like they always do.

 

I get what you're saying though in terms of winning a series.

[purplesoldier4u]

Bubba Thompson?

[Greglw3]

On 1/31/2024 at 9:43 AM, arby58 said:

Everybody has their preferences, and he did catch fire in a World Series. That said, the next year his OPS was .587.

He needed during the season and had eye surgery. That’s the reason for the drop-off. Even what he did last year is much better than the Trevor Larnach, Jake Cave, Joey Gallo, etc. parade of ineffective hitters in LF since. I was a very dumb move to release a player who hit 32 HR with 109 RBI. When I look at his OPs I see 5 seasons of .792 or above.

[stringer bell]

Michael A Taylor remains on the Twins radar according to mlbtraderumors.com. He is the only free agent that really makes sense for the Twins at this point IMHO. 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/02/twins-rumors-michael-a-taylor.html