Could the Next Step in Max Kepler's Long Journey Be a Contract Extension?

[RpR]

3 hours ago, Major League Ready said:

If Lewis were to go to the outfield it would negate the need to push any of the other prospects.  Lee will probably be ready  soon enough and the IF would be set.  Wallner and Lewis would be the starting corner OFers.  It becomes really interesting when these other OF prospects start knocking at the door.

Lewis does not have the arm needed for the outfield so he is not going there, ever.

[Major League Ready]

3 hours ago, RpR said:

Lewis does not have the arm needed for the outfield so he is not going there, ever.

Then he also does not have the arm to play 3B.

[RpR]

48 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

Then he also does not have the arm to play 3B.

You could be correct;  all outfielders are above him.

His average is 1 mph less than his maximum; all the other outfielder difference is from 5 to 10 mph, that is a huge difference.

There is no one listed under him who was an outfielder, because he does not belong in the outfield.

 

[tony&rodney]

Couple of thoughts. 

Why do we see ideas to trade players with "No Trade Contracts"?

I don't believe Max Kepler would accept a qualifying offer or sign another contract with the Twins. 

[Major League Ready]

7 hours ago, RpR said:

You could be correct;  all outfielders are above him.

His average is 1 mph less than his maximum; all the other outfielder difference is from 5 to 10 mph, that is a huge difference.

There is no one listed under him who was an outfielder, because he does not belong in the outfield.

There are lots of holes in your argument.

1) You are measuring his INF throws vs OF throws.  OFers get more on some throws from forward momentum.  The foot work in that set-up promotes more velocity.  

2) We are talking about a couple MPH even if he could not generate more velocity in the OF which is improbable.

3) His speed would have a much bigger impact on defense than 1 or 2MPH on a throw.

4) His arm would be no less of a liability a 3B.

5) The overall value of putting Lee at 3B and Lewis in the OF where he would replace an inferior player.   

[RpR]

2 hours ago, Major League Ready said:

There are lots of holes in your argument.

1) You are measuring his INF throws vs OF throws.  OFers get more on some throws from forward momentum.  The foot work in that set-up promotes more velocity.  

2) We are talking about a couple MPH even if he could not generate more velocity in the OF which is improbable.

3) His speed would have a much bigger impact on defense than 1 or 2MPH on a throw.

4) His arm would be no less of a liability a 3B.

5) The overall value of putting Lee at 3B and Lewis in the OF where he would replace an inferior player.   

MPH on a throw, means just as much as ball exit speed off of a bat; actually it means a lot more because an Eephus throw from the outfield can mean a hit is a double not a single, or, whether a runner breaking from Second can score.

Lewis is at third because the baseball professionals determined that is where he belongs; Lee is a shot in the dark at this point so any talking of if , much less where, he plays is scuttlebutt.

He is not a Correa class player in the infield, but this year will separate the wheat from the chaff as to who is the latest greatest and who is just competent .

 

[jkcarew]

Max’s Twins career has been harder to kill than Keith Richards.

He’s a nice guy to have, but I don’t think you can justify an average starting right-fielder salary in his next contract, unless it’s a 1 or 2 year deal. And I think Max will want/expect more.

[jkcarew]

7 hours ago, RpR said:

MPH on a throw, means just as much as ball exit speed off of a bat; actually it means a lot more because an Eephus throw from the outfield can mean a hit is a double not a single, or, whether a runner breaking from Second can score.

Lewis is at third because the baseball professionals determined that is where he belongs; Lee is a shot in the dark at this point so any talking of if , much less where, he plays is scuttlebutt.

He is not a Correa class player in the infield, but this year will separate the wheat from the chaff as to who is the latest greatest and who is just competent .

 

I’ll take range over arm strength all day long in CF. The historical list of above average CF’s that had pea-shoots for arms is pretty impressive.

[RpR]

4 minutes ago, jkcarew said:

I’ll take range over arm strength all day long in CF. The historical list of above average CF’s that had pea-shoots for arms is pretty impressive.

I agree in Center Field especially , range, is of utmost importance.

At that Lewis has poor range at Third Base and that may be one reason he is not in the outfield where it really, really counts.

Slow to get to the ball, thrown in with an eephus pitch, that leads to extra bases and runs scored.

Lewis' bat, if he is a good as he has shown glimmers of,  will keep him in the game but unless his fielding improves,  a bit, he may be sharing DH with some other gents a bit on, if one of the AAA rookies is as good as some think they are.