Position Player Versatility

[stringer bell]

I really couldn't come up with a proper title to this thread. What I wanted to discuss with TD faithful is the clues provided by the positions played by some of the players on the Twins this spring. For example, Austin Martin played games in center and left field before Margot was acquired, then played second base a couple games. Yesterday, he was back in the outfield (LF) and Margot started the game in center. What does this mean for Martin? I think until Margot was acquired, Martin had a shot to be the 4th outfielder (backup CF), after Margot was added, Martin is more utility, with his ability to play in the infield more relevant.

First of all, a look at players who haven't moved around. Royce Lewis has played third base only, Max Kepler has played right field exclusively, Correa at short and Buxton in center (whoopee!). Edouard Julien has only played second base. The significant news is that Lewis and Julien have not moved around. There may be a position change in their future with the Twins, but it doesn't look like it will be in play at the beginning of the season. Also, Brooks Lee has split time between shortstop and third base (three games each) with no time at second. If Lee was to force his way on the roster, I would presume he would get time at second. Also of note, Jose Miranda has played one game in the field and it was at first base.

Willi Castro has started games in center, left, third and short, That fits with a "super utility" tag especially if he can duplicate or increase his offensive numbers from last year. Farmer started yesterday at short and has played games at second and third, fitting his role from last year and presumed role for 2024. No time for Farmer at first or in the outfield. I believe he would be placed there only in an emergency situation or the last innings of a lopsided win or loss. 

Here are others who have moved around: Anthony Prato--second base (3), third base (4) and left field (1). Austin Martin--left field (2), center field (2) and second base (3). Yunior Severino--second base (2), third base (3) and first base (2). Michael Helman--third base (3), left field (2), right field (1) and second base (2). Niko Goodrum--shortstop (3), second base (1), third base (2) and first base (1).

Outfielders who have moved around are Manuel Margot in center (3) and left (3), Trevor Larnach in left (3) and right (3) and Matt Wallner in left (5) and right (1). One additional note, Alex Kirilloff played yesterday in right field after being at first base in five games.

What does it all mean? Well, the Twins have depth in utility players. Goodrum, Helman, Prato, Martin and Severino can all play a lot of positions so the loss of a Farmer or Castro to injury could be mitigated. The pecking order at short is always of interest and Farmer has gotten the most work there (in Correa's absence) followed by Lee, Goodrum and Castro. Prato, Martin and Helman haven't played short (I don't know if Prato ever has) so I don't think they'd be viable option as backups there. 

Perhaps the largest message is that Brooks Lee forcing a defensive jumble really isn't on the table yet. Versatility is a good thing and the Twins' position players seem to have plenty of it.

[JD-TWINS]

Have said 15 times here (not that my opinion rules - just watching the tendencies over 12 months) & will once again, Brooks Lee is targeted for the left side of the infield. He’ll back up CC in ‘25 & he’ll start a bunch at 3B v. RH pitching. He’ll play some 2B after Farmer leaves the team. Lee has to hit for 6-8 weeks at a high level at AAA before he’s considered ready to push somebody off the 26-Man.

Julien is too good not to keep his bat in play & DH is clogged with Buxton for 5 more years……even if he’s completely healed and plays CF 80 games per year. Julien isn’t moving to 1B……..needs to focus on ONE position.

Kirilloff & Lewis are the ????? on defense in ‘25. I think Lewis floats, LF - 3B - 1B. Kirilloff at 1B & LF. Martin & Castro between OF first and IF as needed. 4 guys moving back & forth between dirt & grass ……..ultimate in flexible roster.

If Niko Goodrum makes it to Target Field at any point in time, I’ll have to quit following the franchise.

[Squirrel]

1 hour ago, stringer bell said:

Also, Brooks Lee has split time between shortstop and third base (three games each) with no time at second. If Lee was to force his way on the roster, I would presume he would get time at second.

I read somewhere that the Twins will have him play 2nd, 3rd and SS in AAA

[stringer bell]

13 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

I read somewhere that the Twins will have him play 2nd, 3rd and SS in AAA

Rocco said he would get work in spring training at all three positions, but so far nothing in games at second base. 

[Squirrel]

10 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Rocco said he would get work in spring training at all three positions, but so far nothing in games at second base. 

Probably because there are too many others needing their time there. I don’t think Brooks should take time away from Martin there, for instance. Martin will likely get the call up before Lee. And do we know what work he’s doing on the backfields? In drills? I don’t think he will be a left side of the infield only guy. His path up is at 2nd, imo

[stringer bell]

1 hour ago, JD-TWINS said:

Have said 15 times here (not that my opinion rules - just watching the tendencies over 12 months) & will once again, Brooks Lee is targeted for the left side of the infield. He’ll back up CC in ‘25 & he’ll start a bunch at 3B v. RH pitching. He’ll play some 2B after Farmer leaves the team. Lee has to hit for 6-8 weeks at a high level at AAA before he’s considered ready to push somebody off the 26-Man.

I don't think Lee's position or promotion are a fait accompli, not even close. The health and productivity of players already on the roster factors in greatly and Lee's own performance and health matter equally as much. Major injury and poor performance are going to matter and IMHO they really can't be predicted. Lee's work at short and third only in games so far tells me the team wants him to continue to get better at the two spots that best fit his skills, with the idea that if adjustments need to be made, they can be done later.

Lee has the skills to be a capable shortstop and might project to be a better third baseman. He's played very little at second base so it would be an adjustment, but one he would be expected to master. Since there is no clear path and so many variables, it makes good sense to wait and see where he'll be of most benefit to the Twins. The key to all this is that it isn't likely to be in the first half of this season, unless one of the current starters suffers a major injury.

[Mike Sixel]

Happy to see Martin in the outfield. 

[stringer bell]

1 hour ago, JD-TWINS said:

If Niko Goodrum makes it to Target Field at any point in time, I’ll have to quit following the franchise.

Well, it could be a rash of injuries, or maybe just maybe Niko reinvents himself as a player. After all, he says he is now seeing the ball better because he has eyeglasses. What I'm sure of is that I will be suspicious of AAA numbers put up in St. Paul. Tim Beckham looked like a monster for the Saints and couldn't hit at all for the Twins. Andrew Stevenson looked like he had finally figured out hitting in Triple A and then looked like the same hitter he had been with the Nationals. 

Goodrum turned 32 last week, so I doubt a breakout is on the horizon, but he proved to be a big league player for the Tigers a few years back.

[Squirrel]

19 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Happy to see Martin in the outfield. 

He started at 2nd today and Castro in left, then the two of them switched positions

[JD-TWINS]

24 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

I don't think Lee's position or promotion are a fait accompli, not even close. The health and productivity of players already on the roster factors in greatly and Lee's own performance and health matter equally as much. Major injury and poor performance are going to matter and IMHO they really can't be predicted. Lee's work at short and third only in games so far tells me the team wants him to continue to get better at the two spots that best fit his skills, with the idea that if adjustments need to be made, they can be done later.

Lee has the skills to be a capable shortstop and might project to be a better third baseman. He's played very little at second base so it would be an adjustment, but one he would be expected to master. Since there is no clear path and so many variables, it makes good sense to wait and see where he'll be of most benefit to the Twins. The key to all this is that it isn't likely to be in the first half of this season, unless one of the current starters suffers a major injury.

Agree - don’t see him in the Show until at least June. If he doesn’t hit WELL he may not be up at all.

I struggle with the thought that he may replace someone on the basis of poor performance……,,injury, sure. I do think Martin may be ahead of Lee at this point.

[DocBauer]

2 hours ago, stringer bell said:

I really couldn't come up with a proper title to this thread. What I wanted to discuss with TD faithful is the clues provided by the positions played by some of the players on the Twins this spring. For example, Austin Martin played games in center and left field before Margot was acquired, then played second base a couple games. Yesterday, he was back in the outfield (LF) and Margot started the game in center. What does this mean for Martin? I think until Margot was acquired, Martin had a shot to be the 4th outfielder (backup CF), after Margot was added, Martin is more utility, with his ability to play in the infield more relevant.

First of all, a look at players who haven't moved around. Royce Lewis has played third base only, Max Kepler has played right field exclusively, Correa at short and Buxton in center (whoopee!). Edouard Julien has only played second base. The significant news is that Lewis and Julien have not moved around. There may be a position change in their future with the Twins, but it doesn't look like it will be in play at the beginning of the season. Also, Brooks Lee has split time between shortstop and third base (three games each) with no time at second. If Lee was to force his way on the roster, I would presume he would get time at second. Also of note, Jose Miranda has played one game in the field and it was at first base.

Willi Castro has started games in center, left, third and short, That fits with a "super utility" tag especially if he can duplicate or increase his offensive numbers from last year. Farmer started yesterday at short and has played games at second and third, fitting his role from last year and presumed role for 2024. No time for Farmer at first or in the outfield. I believe he would be placed there only in an emergency situation or the last innings of a lopsided win or loss. 

Here are others who have moved around: Anthony Prato--second base (3), third base (4) and left field (1). Austin Martin--left field (2), center field (2) and second base (3). Yunior Severino--second base (2), third base (3) and first base (2). Michael Helman--third base (3), left field (2), right field (1) and second base (2). Niko Goodrum--shortstop (3), second base (1), third base (2) and first base (1).

Outfielders who have moved around are Manuel Margot in center (3) and left (3), Trevor Larnach in left (3) and right (3) and Matt Wallner in left (5) and right (1). One additional note, Alex Kirilloff played yesterday in right field after being at first base in five games.

What does it all mean? Well, the Twins have depth in utility players. Goodrum, Helman, Prato, Martin and Severino can all play a lot of positions so the loss of a Farmer or Castro to injury could be mitigated. The pecking order at short is always of interest and Farmer has gotten the most work there (in Correa's absence) followed by Lee, Goodrum and Castro. Prato, Martin and Helman haven't played short (I don't know if Prato ever has) so I don't think they'd be viable option as backups there. 

Perhaps the largest message is that Brooks Lee forcing a defensive jumble really isn't on the table yet. Versatility is a good thing and the Twins' position players seem to have plenty of it.

So THINK what you're asking about is HOW the Twins are approaching who plays where?

I think we've seen since day one that the FO/Twins want a team that has a lot of positional flexibility whenever possible. That allows for coverage at different spots when someone needs a day off, or someone is injured, and to always put together the best roster and lineup on a daily basis, even as the names change day to day. 

But when you have Lewis on the club and penciled in to 3B, I think the Twins already know he could slide to SS in a pinch if needed. They could probably toss him out to LF or CF in a pinch and just feel confident he'd be OK, or at least not embarrass himself. But there's no reason to do that when someone else on the team can do those jobs. 

Meanwhile, the question on someone like Martin and Lee isn't so much about making them any sort of permanent utility player, but it's more about where is their opportunity to play once promoted to the roster. In other words, they might feel Lee is going to play 2B as the primary player there...eventually...and Julien will cover there, and 1B, and DH. But if Lewis or Correa went down for any length of time, Farmer and Castro would probably not be the fill in, it would be Lee. 

So they see certain guys as "regulars" in the lineup as they are great players. Even though they can play other positions, there isn't always a reason to do so. I mean, Wallner can cover Kepler in RF and Castro or Margot can play LF if they think that's the best lineup. But you certainly could just keep Wallner in LF and place someone else in RF. 

But when you move around Lee and Martin, it's to see where the best opportunity is for them to be called up, make the club, stick with the club, etc. EVENTUALLY, Lee is probably up and starting at 2B daily, as previously mentioned. That doesn't mean he can't slide to SS to cover for Correa for a day off and Julien play 2B. I think there's a reasonable chance Martin is the "primary" starting LF next season after Kepler is gone and Wallner moves to RF. But that doesn't mean he can't play CF to give Buxton a day off. Not sure how Martin at 2B figures in the future, and maybe it doesn't, unless he just turns out to be an EVERY DAY player, but who plays everywhere, much like Marwin Gonzalez was back in the day. 

So there's PRIMARY players who can play other spots but don't really need to very often.

And then there's kids on the way up who can play different spots so they are going to do so to provide roster flexibility and greater opportunity for promotion and depth coverage UNTIL they establish themselves at a PRIMARY position, as one of those PRIMARY players.

Of course, there's always going to be those guys who are good ballplayers, productive players, who just aren't special enough with what they do to challenge those PRIMARY players' production on a daily basis, so they will simply always be a super utility player. Think Castro vs Lewis for instance.

So I think it's a layered approach. Does that make sense?

[Doctor Gast]

They need to focus on Martin in the OF, not at 2B and if he focuses only on the OF better he'll be able to play there. So far he's been doing well. Margot is a distraction for Martin to get his playing time out there.

[bean5302]

3 hours ago, stringer bell said:

I really couldn't come up with a proper title to this thread. What I wanted to discuss with TD faithful is the clues provided by the positions played by some of the players on the Twins this spring. For example, Austin Martin played games in center and left field before Margot was acquired, then played second base a couple games. Yesterday, he was back in the outfield (LF) and Margot started the game in center. What does this mean for Martin? I think until Margot was acquired, Martin had a shot to be the 4th outfielder (backup CF), after Margot was added, Martin is more utility, with his ability to play in the infield more relevant.

First of all, a look at players who haven't moved around. Royce Lewis has played third base only, Max Kepler has played right field exclusively, Correa at short and Buxton in center (whoopee!). Edouard Julien has only played second base. The significant news is that Lewis and Julien have not moved around. There may be a position change in their future with the Twins, but it doesn't look like it will be in play at the beginning of the season. Also, Brooks Lee has split time between shortstop and third base (three games each) with no time at second. If Lee was to force his way on the roster, I would presume he would get time at second. Also of note, Jose Miranda has played one game in the field and it was at first base.

Willi Castro has started games in center, left, third and short, That fits with a "super utility" tag especially if he can duplicate or increase his offensive numbers from last year. Farmer started yesterday at short and has played games at second and third, fitting his role from last year and presumed role for 2024. No time for Farmer at first or in the outfield. I believe he would be placed there only in an emergency situation or the last innings of a lopsided win or loss. 

Here are others who have moved around: Anthony Prato--second base (3), third base (4) and left field (1). Austin Martin--left field (2), center field (2) and second base (3). Yunior Severino--second base (2), third base (3) and first base (2). Michael Helman--third base (3), left field (2), right field (1) and second base (2). Niko Goodrum--shortstop (3), second base (1), third base (2) and first base (1).

Outfielders who have moved around are Manuel Margot in center (3) and left (3), Trevor Larnach in left (3) and right (3) and Matt Wallner in left (5) and right (1). One additional note, Alex Kirilloff played yesterday in right field after being at first base in five games.

What does it all mean? Well, the Twins have depth in utility players. Goodrum, Helman, Prato, Martin and Severino can all play a lot of positions so the loss of a Farmer or Castro to injury could be mitigated. The pecking order at short is always of interest and Farmer has gotten the most work there (in Correa's absence) followed by Lee, Goodrum and Castro. Prato, Martin and Helman haven't played short (I don't know if Prato ever has) so I don't think they'd be viable option as backups there. 

Perhaps the largest message is that Brooks Lee forcing a defensive jumble really isn't on the table yet. Versatility is a good thing and the Twins' position players seem to have plenty of it.

Yes, the Twins' preference is to have a whole bunch of players bad at playing all positions.

I've seen so many comments about how Julien's defense was improving so much last year after consistent play at 2B. That's pretty natural to expect as the old saying goes, practice makes perfect. It even impacts outfielders as they learn to feel comfortable in the position, where the walls are, how far they can run flat out without running into something, how balls travel from the position's perspective.

[bean5302]

Just now, Doctor Gast said:

They need to focus on Martin in the OF, not at 2B and if he focuses only on the OF better he'll be able to play there. So far he's been doing well. Margot is a distraction for Martin to get his playing time out there.

Martin was one of the best fielding 2B in the International League last year, and 2B is a plus defensive position where corner OF is a negative.

[Doctor Gast]

Just now, bean5302 said:

Martin was one of the best fielding 2B in the International League last year, and 2B is a plus defensive position where corner OF is a negative.

Agreed, but the need isn't 2B but OF where, unfortunately, he hasn't had much playing time. Martin has the tools to be a very good CF & has had a pretty good ST but he could use as much time as possible to familiarize himself more there.

[ashbury]

8 hours ago, stringer bell said:

I really couldn't come up with a proper title to this thread.

Reading the Tea Leaves.

Your summary of what has happened so far is great to see. 

The inferences you've drawn sound good.  Dangerous to read too much into spring play but conversely there isn't much 4-D chess going on and what the manager is doing is probably pretty straightforwardly what they want to find out and/or practice for.

[Linus]

I just want the Twins to put players at their best position so we can be the best fielding club out there. Early scouting reports on Lee indicated he didn’t have the lateral quickness to stay at SS. However they felt that due to his soft hands and strong arm he could be an elite 3rd baseman. So let him play 3rd and move Lewis to second. He is so athletic he will be great there. As referenced above by Bean too often defensive flexibility is another way of saying I can be sub par at three different positions. I want defense to be a bigger priority but I don’t think the FO agrees with me on that one based on the type of player they draft / acquire. 

[FlyingFinn]

6 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

If Niko Goodrum makes it to Target Field at any point in time, I’ll have to quit following the franchise.

 

If the Twins need someone for a short 5 day stretch, Goodrum would make sense because they can DFA him and he probably would clear through and head back to the Saints.

[bean5302]

4 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

Agreed, but the need isn't 2B but OF where, unfortunately, he hasn't had much playing time. Martin has the tools to be a very good CF & has had a pretty good ST but he could use as much time as possible to familiarize himself more there.

I'm not sure how fast Austin Martin really is. I recall Martin's arm and run tool being a 50-55-ish grade, but he's been excellent at stealing bases so he may have better wheels than the grade (or just excellent base running instincts like Dozier had). I'll wait till we get some more reliable metrics on him to categorically say he can cover CF. 

In any case, it'd be nice to see Martin get some reps if there's a chance he could be a starter. I think he's mostly viewed as a utility guy at this point so I'm not sure designating a position for him is all that important. 

[ashbury]

1 hour ago, FlyingFinn said:

 they can DFA him and he probably would clear through and head back to the Saints.

But in this scenario what have they actually got?  😀

[DocBauer]

3 hours ago, Linus said:

I just want the Twins to put players at their best position so we can be the best fielding club out there. Early scouting reports on Lee indicated he didn’t have the lateral quickness to stay at SS. However they felt that due to his soft hands and strong arm he could be an elite 3rd baseman. So let him play 3rd and move Lewis to second. He is so athletic he will be great there. As referenced above by Bean too often defensive flexibility is another way of saying I can be sub par at three different positions. I want defense to be a bigger priority but I don’t think the FO agrees with me on that one based on the type of player they draft / acquire. 

I also appreciate good defense. I think it's somewhat undervalued in today's game. But in reference to Lee, I think it's widely accepted that he has the ability to be a solid ML SS. Not great, but solid. And I have no doubt that he'd be a great 3B. And I have no doubt Lewis would be a great 2B. And MAYBE that's how it will play out ultimately. 

But I also have no doubt that Lewis can be, and will be, an excellent 3B. And if Lee is a good, solid SS, why can't HE be a great 2B? And maybe, just maybe, the Twins would prefer that alignment not only because Lewis is already looking good at 3B, but maybe they don't want his repaired knee at 2B potentially getting undercut by a hard slide?

I think the issue of defensive flexibility is often misleading. Let's use Solano last season. He played 1B/2B/3B. (He used to play SS). He wasn't great at any spot. But he could play all 3 without embarrassing himself to be sure. But he was a role player who ended up playing more than expected. And he did a good job overall.

Next, let's look at Castro. Everyone keeps calling him an OF. But he's also a good 3B/2B who has looked just fine playing SS at times. And he brings a lot to the team WITH that versatility and a decent bat, with speed and SB ability. But he's not going to dislodge anyone in the normal starting 9 unless his offense suddenly explodes. Farmer, pretty much the same. 

Just saying a guy could be put at a spot doesn't mean defensive versatility. My goodness, Kirilloff was originally a CF in HS. That was 8yrs ago. Sano and Arraez were originally SS! You wouldn't dare play any of those guys at their age 18yo positions!

But guys need rest, and guys get hurt. And depth isn't just milb depth, it's also versatility to move guys around as needed so the next man up can fit in.

EXAMPLE: Lee covers 4 positions. He can cover 3B/SS/2B if needed, and that allows Julien to move to 1B if needed, a position he's played before, still works at, and could continue to play in the future. Martin, primarily an INF in college is nothing more than an emergency SS if all he'll breaks loose in a game. His future is in the OF. In fact, I'm of the belief that in 2025 he might be the PRIMARY LF and the top Buxton backup in CF. But if he can actually play a good 2B, and a competent 3B, it just means he's a versatile player depending on need. Once he establishes himself in the OF as a PRIMARY starter, and considering the depth the Twins have, I don't know that you'd ever see him on the dirt again except for an emergency situation. But like Lee, the more he can do as a ROOKIE awaiting his opportunity, gives the entire roster more flexibility when injuries and issues happen.

Sometimes stuff happens. I've seen former Twin Rosario play 3B in an extra inning game. Vazquez isn't a bad 1B when things happen. Kirillof is a 1B but can be OK in an OF corner here and there because he's played it and isn't a complete statue.

Lee WILL find his spot. I believe Martin WILL find his spot, though there is a CHANCE he could become an EVERY DAY REGULAR who plays multiple spots similar to a young Marwin Gonzalez. 

VERSATILITY isn't a bad thing. It's about having as many good players and good bats as you can have, and fitting all the pieces together. But for PROSPECTS, it's about finding out where you can comfortably play them while they're getting established. It's about depth and versatility of talent, and not just plugging someone in somewhere with a glove and told to do your best.

 

 

[stringer bell]

6 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Yes, the Twins' preference is to have a whole bunch of players bad at playing all positions.

 

With four-man benches, players there need to be versatile--four guys back up eight positions. Kyle Farmer and Willi Castro will provide a majority of that versatility, but if one is injured it's nice to have another guy who can cover more than one spot effectively. By the way, I don't think either Farmer or Castro is "bad at playing all positions". 

 

[DocBauer]

2 hours ago, FlyingFinn said:

 

If the Twins need someone for a short 5 day stretch, Goodrum would make sense because they can DFA him and he probably would clear through and head back to the Saints.

Yep. But I do agree with JD-Twins that if Goodrum...all due respect to a previous Twins soldier coming home...is up, something has gone wrong for the season. Goodrum is a Garlick kind of add and promotion and sent back down after clearing waivers. Lee added to the 40 man, or Martin brought up would seem more plausible. 

Just saying.

[stringer bell]

3 hours ago, Linus said:

I just want the Twins to put players at their best position so we can be the best fielding club out there. Early scouting reports on Lee indicated he didn’t have the lateral quickness to stay at SS. However they felt that due to his soft hands and strong arm he could be an elite 3rd baseman. So let him play 3rd and move Lewis to second. He is so athletic he will be great there. As referenced above by Bean too often defensive flexibility is another way of saying I can be sub par at three different positions. I want defense to be a bigger priority but I don’t think the FO agrees with me on that one based on the type of player they draft / acquire. 

Fitting together the best team to put out there on a daily basis has a lot of moving pieces. Some are as simple as putting the best defender at a position in that position every day, but some are complicated by things like a superior defender moving to another position because a lesser defender can't play anywhere else. It would be great if all the pieces fit perfectly, but that never happens. To me, third base long term is much of that conundrum. While Lewis profiles as good, Lee might profile even higher. So, move Lewis right? To second to displace Julien, to left where he hasn't played much if at all? There is also egos and preferences to deal with. Apparently, Max Kepler wants to stay in right field. Is it worth the trouble to insist that he plays in center some days? Probably not. In Lewis' case, he's a young guy with a superstar upside who has been moved from short to third. Move him again? I don't think the Twins want to wipe the smile off Lewis' face for any reason and perhaps putting him at second or left or center will do just that. 

It's been said that most personnel decisions take care of themselves and I believe that is the case with Brooks Lee. I don't think it is going to effect the Opening Day roster and his emergence might not happen until 2025. It is interesting to see how the field staff prepares him and all of the other guys who have moved around. 

[DocBauer]

6 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Yes, the Twins' preference is to have a whole bunch of players bad at playing all positions.

I've seen so many comments about how Julien's defense was improving so much last year after consistent play at 2B. That's pretty natural to expect as the old saying goes, practice makes perfect. It even impacts outfielders as they learn to feel comfortable in the position, where the walls are, how far they can run flat out without running into something, how balls travel from the position's perspective.

Really curious as to why you think the Twins preference is to have  "a bunch of players bad at playing all positions"?

8 position players who are pretty much locked in. 4 "bench" players once we remove the backup/#2 catcher. That's 9 spots spoken for. Castro is solid to good everywhere, and solid offensively. Farmer cover 3/4 of the INF with solid defense, solid but not great offense, and could be pressed in to service at 1B and LF if really needed to do so in crunch time. Margot is an OK offensive player who has a really good reputation defensively, despite a couple of injuries the past couple of seasons that slowed him. Santana, not my favorite offseason acquisition, is a good 1B who HOPEFULLY has 1 more year of a solid bat still in him, at least against LHP, until Miranda, or maybe Severino is ready to displace him.

If you want to object to certain players at certain positions as being poor, thats your perogative.  And that's a whole different debate that i would gladly persue. But an arguement of "bad at all positions" in regard to the roster is not only an obscure blanket statement, but one that would appear obtuse in regard to many of the players already on hand.

[Linus]

19 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Fitting together the best team to put out there on a daily basis has a lot of moving pieces. Some are as simple as putting the best defender at a position in that position every day, but some are complicated by things like a superior defender moving to another position because a lesser defender can't play anywhere else. It would be great if all the pieces fit perfectly, but that never happens. To me, third base long term is much of that conundrum. While Lewis profiles as good, Lee might profile even higher. So, move Lewis right? To second to displace Julien, to left where he hasn't played much if at all? There is also egos and preferences to deal with. Apparently, Max Kepler wants to stay in right field. Is it worth the trouble to insist that he plays in center some days? Probably not. In Lewis' case, he's a young guy with a superstar upside who has been moved from short to third. Move him again? I don't think the Twins want to wipe the smile off Lewis' face for any reason and perhaps putting him at second or left or center will do just that. 

It's been said that most personnel decisions take care of themselves and I believe that is the case with Brooks Lee. I don't think it is going to effect the Opening Day roster and his emergence might not happen until 2025. It is interesting to see how the field staff prepares him and all of the other guys who have moved around. 

Agreed mostly. My view is when you have someone that has a chance to be great at a position you put them there and work around the others. For example Julien: if I’m the FO he is going to fit wherever he can or DH.  His defensive profile is such that to have anyone play at a lesser position to keep him at second doesn’t make sense to me. Royce has such a good attitude that I’m sure he will play where they need him and he is one of the few players that could be good in a couple different spots. You are spot on that by the time Lee is ready the question might already be answered. 

[Squirrel]

12 hours ago, stringer bell said:

Fitting together the best team to put out there on a daily basis has a lot of moving pieces. Some are as simple as putting the best defender at a position in that position every day, but some are complicated by things like a superior defender moving to another position because a lesser defender can't play anywhere else. It would be great if all the pieces fit perfectly, but that never happens. To me, third base long term is much of that conundrum. While Lewis profiles as good, Lee might profile even higher. So, move Lewis right? To second to displace Julien, to left where he hasn't played much if at all? There is also egos and preferences to deal with. Apparently, Max Kepler wants to stay in right field. Is it worth the trouble to insist that he plays in center some days? Probably not. In Lewis' case, he's a young guy with a superstar upside who has been moved from short to third. Move him again? I don't think the Twins want to wipe the smile off Lewis' face for any reason and perhaps putting him at second or left or center will do just that. 

It's been said that most personnel decisions take care of themselves and I believe that is the case with Brooks Lee. I don't think it is going to affect the Opening Day roster and his emergence might not happen until 2025. It is interesting to see how the field staff prepares him and all of the other guys who have moved around. 

There were lots of questions on where Arraez would play … that personnel decision worked itself out in trade. Would the Twins trade either Brooks or Royce? I hope not. I don’t think anything can be discerned by this year’s ST, but it will be interesting to see how/where they play Brooks in St. Paul.

[nicksaviking]

Man, that's a lot of guys getting 2B rotation. I mean, a lot of guys not named Lee.

I can't wait for when Julien gets moved to 1B in June and the Twins call up Severino, Prato or Martin to play 2B instead of Lee, the pitchforks will be out! I want to see all three of those other guys though, so I'll be just fine it.

[Rod Carews Birthday]

21 hours ago, Squirrel said:

He started at 2nd today and Castro in left, then the two of them switched positions

Well that’s confusing!  How are all of the TD prognosticators supposed to make meaningful rash judgements if the team is going to sow confusion like that?

[Rod Carews Birthday]

1 hour ago, nicksaviking said:

Man, that's a lot of guys getting 2B rotation. I mean, a lot of guys not named Lee.

I can't wait for when Julien gets moved to 1B in June and the Twins call up Severino, Prato or Martin to play 2B instead of Lee, the pitchforks will be out! I want to see all three of those other guys though, so I'll be just fine it.

Or even crazier, imagine if they just let Julien keep playing 2B!  I think it is hilarious that it is just assumed that Julien is not long for the position.  He may just claim it, keep it and frustrate everybody!