Is Carlos Santana Better than You Think?

[stringer bell]

Carlos Santana was a solid player for a full decade for the Cleveland franchise. With Cleveland being in Minnesota's division, Twins fans saw plenty of Santana from 2010 to 2020. Santana has moved around a lot since 2020, playing for the Royals, Pirates, Mariners and Brewers and will turn 38 in two months. His stats have been debated on other threads here at Twins Daily, with (perhaps) the consensus being that he hasn't been really good since 2019, but that he adds value because he's a good defender at first base and a switch hitter with stronger hitting as a right handed batter.

In glancing at Santana's stat line for 2023, two numbers hit me as significant and way better than expected. According to BBRef Santana compiled 2.7 WAR--that number would have been better than all Twins position players except Ryan Jeffers and Max Kepler--and the other number was 86 RBI. While some dismiss RBI as purely an opportunity stat, only the recently departed Jorge Polanco has exceeded that number since the Bomba Squad year of 2019. No Twin has driven in more than 66 runs in the past two years. I am old school enough to be impressed by 86 RBI despite a .240 average and middling .749 OPS.

So how did Santana get to 2.7 (BBRef) WAR? It appears that defense plays an oversized role. BBRef credits Santana with 11 runs above average defensively in 2023, which accounts for all of his runs above average. Now what about those RBI? I checked Santana's splits and saw several interesting numbers--he had opportunity, he hit almost exclusively in the #3 and #4 spots in the order (145 out of 147 games), He produced well in RBI situations. Santana had a .899 OPS with runners in scoring position, compared to a pedestrian .699 with no one in scoring position. He got people home from third base--10 for 34 with 23 RBI with less than two outs and 6 for 18 with 9 RBI with two outs. Santana's best inning for hitting was the 8th--in 53 plate appearances, he hit .370 with a 1.062 OPS. In the close and late stat, Carlos hit .316 with a .929 OPS and finally with two outs and runners in scoring position Santana put up a .834 OPS. 

Carlos Santana's tank might be a lot closer to "E" than "F", but if he can duplicate his performance from last year, he will be worth the roster spot and the $5.25M that he is owed. I honestly hope he isn't used as much as he was in 2023, but his availability and durability have been constants in his long career. That is enhanced by his switch hitting. To me, he fits the profile of "reliable veteran". Add in that Santana has been considered a positive presence in the clubhouse and was traded for by contending clubs in each of the last two years (each made the playoffs), I think his signing might be better than the reaction it has generated.

[Riverbrian]

If he performs like he did last year... he will help us win games and be a positive member for the Minnesota Twins and a decent signing.  

However... If he performs like he did last year... the value increase over players...  like Miranda, Severino and Martin will be minimal.  

If he performs better than he did last year... he will be a perfect addition to the team. 

If he is worse... He could be a big issue when bad performance is combined with a 40 and 26 man roster spot being spent on a guy who isn't playing well and the club patiently waiting for him to start playing well.    

More risk than reward in my opinion but the reward is definitely possible so I will give him every chance to bring the reward. . 

[LA Vikes Fan]

Good analysis, Stringer. The more I look at Santana the more he looks like the classic "reliable vet" signing to help a youngish contending team get over the hump. He's steady while not spectacular at the plate, plays very good to elite defense, and hits well in RBI producing and late game situations. He's the kind of guy that can hit 4 or 5 in the order (news flash, we need one of those). Most importantly, he can help take the pressure off of the younger guys just finding their legs at the MLB level.

Count me as one who likes this signing for reasons other than just the stats he brings. The Twins this year are dependent on three very young guys in the field (Lewis, Julien, and Wallner), and two in the rotation (Ryan and Ober) to perform at a high level. Odds are that at least one or two of them will not be as good this year as last. Having steady vets helps the young guys play better. I think Santana will help the team in ways that don't translate well to the stat sheet and I think we need that. Now only if we could get a steady veteran starter to pitch in the number 2 slot . . .

[Parfigliano]

11 minutes ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

Good analysis, Stringer. The more I look at Santana the more he looks like the classic "reliable vet" signing to help a youngish contending team get over the hump. He's steady while not spectacular at the plate, plays very good to elite defense, and hits well in RBI producing and late game situations. He's the kind of guy that can hit 4 or 5 in the order (news flash, we need one of those). Most importantly, he can help take the pressure off of the younger guys just finding their legs at the MLB level.

Count me as one who likes this signing for reasons other than just the stats he brings. The Twins this year are dependent on three very young guys in the field (Lewis, Julien, and Wallner), and two in the rotation (Ryan and Ober) to perform at a high level. Odds are that at least one or two of them will not be as good this year as last. Having steady vets helps the young guys play better. I think Santana will help the team in ways that don't translate well to the stat sheet and I think we need that. Now only if we could get a steady veteran starter to pitch in the number 2 slot . . .

Sure hope so.

[stringer bell]

22 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

However... If he performs like he did last year... the value increase over players...  like Miranda, Severino and Martin will be minimal.  

So you're saying that from this group (Miranda, Severino, Martin) it should be expected that they should be able to produce what Santana did last year? To me, that is an unknown. For different reasons, there are questions with each of these Twins prospects (I guess prospect isn't the right word for Miranda). I really don't know what to expect from any of them, at least as far as helping the Twins this year.

 

28 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

If he worse... He could be a big issue when bad performance is combined with a 40 and 26 man roster spot being spent on a guy who isn't playing well and the club patiently waiting for him to start playing well.    

More risk than reward in my opinion but the reward is definitely possible so I will give him every chance to bring the reward. . 

Yes, there is the risk of his taking up valuable roster space much like Logan Morrison (that's just for you Brian). While front offices and managers seldom dwell on mistakes they made, this could be an opportunity to show that performance is required and patience is not infinite, more so now than in 2018.

[Riverbrian]

5 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

So you're saying that from this group (Miranda, Severino, Martin) it should be expected that they should be able to produce what Santana did last year? To me, that is an unknown. For different reasons, there are questions with each of these Twins prospects (I guess prospect isn't the right word for Miranda). I really don't know what to expect from any of them, at least as far as helping the Twins this year.

Expected isn't the right word... and yes... it is also unknown to me... everyone is unknown to all of us... really. 

However... Yes is the answer to your question. 

Miranda produced a .751 OPS in 2022. Santana was .747 in 2023. That's pretty marginal in my eyes. 

Severino and Martin are indeed wild cards and who knows but it isn't out of the question that new additions to the 26 man will or could produce league average or better. Which could also be marginal to what Santana produced last year. 

My overall point that I'm making is this: IMO... His numbers last year if repeated puts him in the depth crowd.

Don't get me wrong... you know that I love depth but we already have a lot of depth... Santana is just another depth addition IMO. His repeating his numbers of last year puts him in with Farmer, Gordon, Castro. Along with Solano and Taylor from last year.

Along with

2021, 2022, 1st half of 2023 Kepler

2023 Buxton

2023 Correa

Those 3 players did not play at a level last year that was comparable to their status of players much better than they were. 

I'm not making predictions. I am saying that Santana's numbers last year while decent are not a level above decent. 

[2wins87]

I'm coming around on Santana a little bit, but I don't like an argument based solely on splits from the prior year.  For most splits that's still a small sample to draw many conclusions.

Platoon splits are well recognized and researched, so I'm less skeptical there, but is the 80 point gap in OPS between the right and left side what we should really expect?  Maybe.  For his career the gap has only been 46 points, but looking year by year, it looks like the gap really has been bigger in recent years going back farther than just last year.  Is there a plausible explanation?  Maybe his swing from the right side is better, but as a young hitter he would still have more familiarity from the left side.  A career of at bats versus lefties has improved his familiarity to the point where he's now significantly better from the right side.  I don't know if it's true, but plausible.  So can we really expect him to be like a 115 OPS as a RHH?  Yeah, I think that's fairly reasonable.

Is he really a run producer that simply performs better with men on/RISP?  There are factors that can lead to a true men on/bases empty split, but we should have a lot more skepticism around most claims here, and we're definitely going to need a bigger sample.  In Santana's case, over his long career, there is some interesting evidence.  His career OPS split for bases empty/men on/RISP is .761/.819/.831.  For that large of a sample, there does appear to be some there there.  With men on, the infielders might be holding runners leaving a few more gaps, and Santana does benefit from a much better BABIP with men on.  His 27 point increase in BABIP seems maybe a little bigger than normal, but I'm not sure what is typical.  But further, there is some evidence of a difference in approach.  His HR rate drops when there are men on, but the K rate also drops.  It seems he is a guy that can focus on putting the ball in play and do so effectively.  So I think he's a veteran guy who's going to do a good job of putting the ball in play with RISP, which should lead to pretty good outcomes.

On the defense, the 11 DRS last year is super fluky.  I think he's a solid defender but I think 1.5 WAR with average-ish offense overall would be a more realistic upside hope.  I still don't think he's a big difference maker but he seems like he should be a good presence to have around. 

[Riverbrian]

I know CJ Cron didn't have the best year last year... He had a bad 2nd half after getting traded to the Angels. 

However... I'd rank Cron higher than Santana on my wish list. Cron also has Decent K rates along with Power. 

No idea what Cron was asking for though so I'm certainly not upset with the front office going with Santana over Cron. 

 

[Riverbrian]

Whatever happens is going to happen. 

However, Perhaps my biggest question is this:

Will Joe Ryan give up #41? 

[Mike Sixel]

I sure hope so, because he's blocking AAA players with upside....and this team has a tendency to keep veterans around (good thing Polanco got hurt twice last year, so Julien got promoted, and OFers were hurt so Wallner got promoted). My issue is the lack of options at the end of the bench. Castro is it at the end of the bench. Everyone else would need to be DFA/traded for a young guy to come up and stay up. 

[Riverbrian]

On 2/5/2024 at 10:58 AM, stringer bell said:

Yes, there is the risk of his taking up valuable roster space much like Logan Morrison (that's just for you Brian). While front offices and managers seldom dwell on mistakes they made, this could be an opportunity to show that performance is required and patience is not infinite, more so now than in 2018.

I appreciate your usage of Logan Morrison... who is my favorite poster boy of the bad bad bad bad vet who walks past the lineup card because he knows he will be on it despite not deserving to be on it, while taking the team down with him.

Logan Morrison should never be forgotten as a prime example of the process going horribly wrong and the need for an escape hatch. Logan Morrison should never be forgotten as a prime example of the front offices not being perfect and the job being very hard.  

From your lips (Fingertips) to Gods (Twins Front Office) Ear. I hope your suggestion for the 2024 Twins front office is how they operate... I hope they will have the strength to move on from a failing veteran player who has less than a year on his deal if that player is not getting it done.  

Morrison in 2018 tells me they don't.

Simmons in 2021 tells me they don't. 

Gallo and Kepler in 2023 tells me that they don't.   

 

 

[nicksaviking]

1 hour ago, stringer bell said:

So you're saying that from this group (Miranda, Severino, Martin) it should be expected that they should be able to produce what Santana did last year? To me, that is an unknown. For different reasons, there are questions with each of these Twins prospects (I guess prospect isn't the right word for Miranda). I really don't know what to expect from any of them, at least as far as helping the Twins this year.

But should we expect Santana to even produce as he did last year? He only did that once in the past four seasons, so if he only has a 25% shot at replicating last year, yes, I'd say the odds that at minimum one of Miranda, Severino or Martin could do that is higher. And that's not including Lee, Camargo or Prato who should all be similarly ready. Or the loser of the final roster spot which would likely be Gordon or Larnach at this point.

[stringer bell]

My hope is that Santana starts some of the time versus right handed pitching and most of the time versus left handers, until and unless Alex Kirilloff shows he can hold his own against lefties. Against right handed pitching the DH/1B role (paired with Kirilloff) looks like any of six non-catcher position players could DH with Castro taking a place in the field, the other option being Kirilloff and Santana both in the lineup, one at DH and the other at first. Against lefties, Farmer, Santana and probably Castro get starts with three of four of Kirilloff, Julien, Wallner and Kepler getting days off, maybe only two if Willi continues to struggle against port siders. 

[bean5302]

10 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

But should we expect Santana to even produce as he did last year? He only did that once in the past four seasons, so if he only has a 25% shot at replicating last year, yes, I'd say the odds that at minimum one of Miranda, Severino or Martin could do that is higher. And that's not including Lee, Camargo or Prato who should all be similarly ready. Or the loser of the final roster spot which would likely be Gordon or Larnach at this point.

Baseball Reference focuses on DRS and TZR. Santana has been average defensively across his 1B career in those 2 stats, and average in OAA, UZR and RF/9 as well. The last 3 graded Santana's defense as "average" last year as well, same with his error rate while DRS is used in bWAR says Santana was exceptional (out of the blue) last year. His fWAR was more consistent in defense based on OAA. While he was historically a 2-3 WAR player in his prime, here's his fWAR the past few years.
a32 2018 - 2.5
a33 2019 - 4.8 (by far career best)
a34 2020 - 0.7 (1.8 fWAR at 150 games rate)
a35 2021 - (0.5)
a36 2022 - 1.0
a37 2023 - 1.7

His xwOBACon was a career low last year thanks to poor exit velocities, low line drive rates and lots of grounders. His walk rate plummeted as well with his resulting xwOBA being about 20pts lower than actual. Basically, it looks like Carlos Santana is well into his decline was all smoke and mirrors last year. I don't think it would be prudent to bank on Santana producing more than 0.5 fWAR/bWAR this year in 100 games.

I'd take Austin Martin, Jose Miranda or Kyle Farmer over Santana at 1B.

[LA Vikes Fan]

2 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

Expected isn't the right word... and yes... it is also unknown to me... everyone is unknown to all of us... really. 

However... Yes is the answer to your question. 

Miranda produced a .751 OPS in 2022. Santana was .747 in 2023. That's pretty marginal in my eyes. 

Severino and Martin are indeed wild cards and who knows but it isn't out of the question that new additions to the 26 man will or could produce league average or better. Which could also be marginal to what Santana produced last year. 

My overall point that I'm making is this: IMO... His numbers last year if repeated puts him in the depth crowd.

Don't get me wrong... you know that I love depth but we already have a lot of depth... Santana is just another depth addition IMO. His repeating his numbers of last year puts him in with Farmer, Gordon, Castro. Along with Solano and Taylor from last year.

Along with

2021, 2022, 1st half of 2023 Kepler

2023 Buxton

2023 Correa

Those 3 players did not play at a level last year that was comparable to their status of players much better than they were. 

I'm not making predictions. I am saying that Santana's numbers last year while decent are not a level above decent. 

I think the difference is Santana's track record suggests (doesn't guarantee) that he will be a roughly .750 OPS guy with very good or better defense next year. Miranda, on the other hand, might be the 2022 version, might be the 2023 version, might soar above the crowd, or might fall off the table in terms of performance. Or... he might be still injured and not worth much this year. I like Miranda and I think he is part of the core moving forward. I just don't think he will establish that until the second half of this year at the earliest. I want MLB depth being consistent players not players with a wide variety of potential outcomes. The unknowns can start in AAA and show us the money. IF Miranda does that, THEN he can come up and displace someone. Let's not bet on that up front. besides, with injuries being what they are, he'll get his chance at some point and probably by June if he performs in AAA. 

[Riverbrian]

7 minutes ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

I think the difference is Santana's track record suggests (doesn't guarantee) that he will be a roughly .750 OPS guy with very good or better defense next year. Miranda, on the other hand, might be the 2022 version, might be the 2023 version, might soar above the crowd, or might fall off the table in terms of performance. Or... he might be still injured and not worth much this year. I like Miranda and I think he is part of the core moving forward. I just don't think he will establish that until the second half of this year at the earliest. I want MLB depth being consistent players not players with a wide variety of potential outcomes. The unknowns can start in AAA and show us the money. IF Miranda does that, THEN he can come up and displace someone. Let's not bet on that up front. besides, with injuries being what they are, he'll get his chance at some point and probably by June if he performs in AAA. 

From age 24 to 33... Santana was consistently a pretty good hitter. 

From 34 to 36... His consistency was below .700

Age 37... He had a rebound to slight above average. 

I have no idea who is booted off the 26 man for Santana... and for those players who start the year in AAA and I assume Miranda is a high probability for starting in St. Paul... it's good to have those players with options to deepen or depth so that's going to be OK with me. 

However... For Santana to be given a 26 man spot over them. Which I'm ok with. He needs to play at a level that justifies not giving someone else the chance to be at least equal to what he is providing because I think... actually more accurately hope... that someone down on the farm will be able to OPS+ 100 if given the chance. 

I want to be clear... that these types of conversations will appear like I am tearing Carlos Santana apart. I'm really not. I hope he kicks butt. I'm just making my point which is really just a point that is born from my biggest fear and that is another Logan Morrison type performer. 

 

[Mike Sixel]

22 minutes ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

I think the difference is Santana's track record suggests (doesn't guarantee) that he will be a roughly .750 OPS guy with very good or better defense next year. Miranda, on the other hand, might be the 2022 version, might be the 2023 version, might soar above the crowd, or might fall off the table in terms of performance. Or... he might be still injured and not worth much this year. I like Miranda and I think he is part of the core moving forward. I just don't think he will establish that until the second half of this year at the earliest. I want MLB depth being consistent players not players with a wide variety of potential outcomes. The unknowns can start in AAA and show us the money. IF Miranda does that, THEN he can come up and displace someone. Let's not bet on that up front. besides, with injuries being what they are, he'll get his chance at some point and probably by June if he performs in AAA. 

How do these guys get opportunities if the veterans are mediocre (not even bad, just 'meh")? They just don't, they sit in AAA. Really, if they sign a veteran and he's ok, they aren't dumping him to the DFA pile for a rookie. That's not their MO at all. 

[Mike Sixel]

People think so little of the AAA talent they don't think anyone can hit league average? Yikes. 

[LA Vikes Fan]

15 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

How do these guys get opportunities if the veterans are mediocre (not even bad, just 'meh")? They just don't, they sit in AAA. Really, if they sign a veteran and he's ok, they aren't dumping him to the DFA pile for a rookie. That's not their MO at all. 

I'd agree with you if we were talking about any of the 3 guys who came up last year and stuck, Kirilloff, Lee, or even Martin. The problem is that Miranda isn't just a guy with one pretty good year and one horrific year, he's coming off of shoulder surgery and his comments suggest he may still be hurting. Too many red flags for me to take a chance out of the gate. He's got to start in AAA and show something first. 

You are right that if he does hit well at AAA to start out the season, this FO has a bad habit of keeping underperforming veterans over up and coming young players once the vets are signed. I would love to change that but am not hopeful. Still, injuries tend to provide opportunities so I think it's more likely than not that Miranda will get a chance this year IF he performs in AAA.  

[RpR]

26 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

How do these guys get opportunities if the veterans are mediocre (not even bad, just 'meh")? They just don't, they sit in AAA. Really, if they sign a veteran and he's ok, they aren't dumping him to the DFA pile for a rookie. That's not their MO at all. 

Opportunity exists in the AAA where they can, show they are too good for AAA and maybe

worth a try.

The Majors are not AAA+.

[nicksaviking]

42 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

From age 24 to 33... Santana was consistently a pretty good hitter. 

From 34 to 36... His consistency was below .700

Age 37... He had a rebound to slight above average. 

I have no idea who is booted off the 26 man for Santana... and for those players who start the year in AAA and I assume Miranda is a high probability for starting in St. Paul... it's good to have those players with options to deepen or depth so that's going to be OK with me. 

 

I presume it will be Gordon or Larnach, which doesn't trouble me as I've kind of seen enough from them. I just don't like the fact that now there are more hurdles for the higher ceiling players. It's becoming a yearly thing.

I mean it's a better situation than when even worse vets like Jordan Schaffer Pedro Florimon and Doug Bernier were taking up roster spots, but back then there were no realistic options in AAA either.

[FilthyMogwai]

His power and run production in Milwaukee last year were phenomenal (33 HR, 100 RBI pace). But, there's a fine line between expectations and hope when a player will be 38 years old - just a few days after Opening Day.  He feels more likely to regress than improve or even maintain. And, as others have pointed out, last year was an outlier over the last three years in those power numbers.

Is he better than I think? I don't think so. He's riskier than many think. He's a solid platoon/backup/veteran clubhouse guy. But if this is it for the off season, I'll be disappointed. 

If people were down on the Gallo signing, are they okay with this one?

[nicksaviking]

Looking at the aging players since 2010 (37 years old+) and it's not surprising that it's filled with HOFers:

A few of these guys didn't have much of a drop off from their heydays. The rest that did have a drop off didn't have a sustained rebound period. None of these guys had sub .700 OPS seasons three years running, or even close to those numbers, and then went on to have more than one season of relevance. Lot's of one-off rebound seasons, but nothing longer than that; there were no extended renaissance eras for these guys. and Santana's rebound season seemed to be last year.

[FilthyMogwai]

7 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Looking at the aging players since 2010 (37 years old+) and it's not surprising that it's filled with HOFers:

A few of these guys didn't have much of a drop off from their heydays. The rest that did have a drop off didn't have a sustained rebound period. None of these guys had sub .700 OPS season three years running, or even close to those numbers, and then went on to have more than one season of relevance. Lot's of one-off rebound seasons, but nothing longer than that; there were no extended renaissance eras for these guys. and Santana's rebound season seemed to be last year.

Agreed. Thank you putting data to what I've witnessed many times over the decades of watching baseball. 

And that list reads like a list of HOF-level talent with a few PED aging curves sprinkled in. The Twins had luck with Paul Molitor, Jack Morris and Nelson Cruz, and less luck with Dave Winfield, Ruben Sierra, Phil Nevin, Steve Carlton, etc. 

Jim Thome probably another success. But, again, we're talking about HOF or borderline HOF level talent for much of this list.

[tony&rodney]

Is Santana better than you think?

Santana arrived on the scene in 2010. Twins fans have seen just about everything possible about and from Santana through the years. We know who he is and what he can provide. He is a real pro. 

However, I might suggest that in the days since the offseason began there were a host of ideas and suggestions running well past 100 different players from just about every direction. Santana, despite still being a good functional baseball player was not among those written about or discussed. Why? I might guess that many people were thinking that the Twins would add to their roster with talent that slotted above the existing roster. Apparently, everyone was wrong or at least off on a different tangent. Santana doesn't slot above the current talent, but his experience is certainly noteworthy. He will be a positive addition and help the team.

Now, the team is set, it is "oh well", and we hope the rookies, young players, one year wonders, and experienced players can all stay well, perform, and have a good year.

No, Santana is not better than I thought. He has always been a good player and despite his age and expected decline in physical talent and performance, Santana remains a real pro. I have always liked him and will root for him.

[DocBauer]

I have mixed feelings on the signing. I mean, it's only $5.25M (supposedly with some incentives) and 1yr. He does bring a quality, experienced, veteran presence to the team, and I like that. He's still a solid/good defensive 1B. He's always been a grinder who doesn't K much, will take a bunch of BB, and has a knack for moving runners or knocking them in.

The problem I have is he's going to be 38yo and is coming off his first above average season since 2019. His once vaunted OB% has dropped, and while switch hitting sounds good, he's much better swinging from the right side these days. I hope for the best for him and the Twins in 2024, but the IF factor is pretty high. IF he can repeat 2023, or come close to it, he's a good counter for Kirilloff at 1B, and a potentially excellent PH as well, who can also spend some time as a decent DH. If he's asked to play more than as a semi-regular 1B or DH, I think the Twins are in trouble. Because I think he's going to have a hard time replicating last year, much less improve on it.

I don't dislike Santana in the slightest. I don't dislike the signing. I think it's actually a pretty smart, low risk, inexpensive move. And I'm hoping for the best. I just hope he's used properly, and not over used like a Morrison, or a Gallo, because the FO just HOPES SO MUCH that he can rewind the clock for one more year. 

Good move. It allows Miranda to prove he's healthy and ready, or to get so. And it doesn't put early pressure on Severino. But Santana should be an easy cut at $5M if he's hitting .199 with a .300 OB% and poor power after a couple of months.

[Craig Arko]

I don’t expect Santana to be Gallo 2.0.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

2 hours ago, Craig Arko said:

I don’t expect Santana to be Gallo 2.0.

Well, certainly not version 1.1.

 

Who knows what major upgrades are planned for a 2.0 version. Gallo didn't switch hit, did he?

 

Anyway, yeah, i'm happy for the club house presence, as well as the example on the field, and will try to be paying attention as it plays out.

[Mike Sixel]

2 hours ago, Craig Arko said:

I don’t expect Santana to be Gallo 2.0.

I doubt anyone will be the best hitter around for 2-3 weeks, then be pretty much awful the rest of the year......the question is, will he really be better than guys in AAA, that would have allowed them to invest the money elsewhere?

[Craig Arko]

27 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

I doubt anyone will be the best hitter around for 2-3 weeks, then be pretty much awful the rest of the year......the question is, will he really be better than guys in AAA, that would have allowed them to invest the money elsewhere?

I suspect if they are successful enough, this will sort itself out. I still think they are on starting pitcher away from really being a contender, but I also realize that what I think has little bearing on the reality of what happens here. And I’m good with that, too.