Reviewing the Incredibly Early Returns in the Jorge Polanco Trade

[USAFChief]

39 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

6% of the players play > 156 games. 94% of the players don't. The average is less than one player per team. That's not "plenty" but then we're back to trivial nitpicking again.

Take out all the pitchers...~55% of that 94%. Take out the players who spent time in the IL, and in the minors. Get back to me with what that 6% looks like.

The point is, there are plenty of full time players in the big leagues. 

 

[Riverbrian]

1 hour ago, ashbury said:

Polanco has always been defensively challenged due to his arm, and he's fast approaching the end of his useful shelf-life anywhere at all on the diamond.  Unless they would use him as a full-time DH, it would have been hard to find him enough plate appearances this year.  He was the right one to move.  I'm unimpressed by the return the FO managed to get, and expected him to be packaged with a pitching prospect for an established or MLB-ready starting pitcher, but apparently all the other FOs saw the same player in Jorge that ours did.

The end of his useful shelf life anywhere? That's a subjective viewpoint that I don't necessarily agree but I do want to point out that he is much younger than you and I. 

I do disagree that other FO's saw the same player as our front office. 

The Mariners gave up a top 100 prospect and gave up 8 million in cash in order for the the Twins to pay 4 million of Desclafini. Plus add 10.5 million to their 2024 payroll for Polanco. 

After you factor in the 4 million that the Twins pay disco. The Mariners are essentially paying 14.5 for Polanco this year... now compare that with the price of free agents. And then look again at the top 100 prospect, another prospect and a relief pitcher that we also got in return. 

The Mariners paid quite a bit to get him.

[ashbury]

33 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

It's not that obfuscated. 

As soon as first pitch tonight. The Twins will have faced 4 lefty starters in a 6 game stretch.

But... that's not even my point.

People keep justifying the loss of Polanco because of the presence of Julien. 

Injury? Manager Choice? whatever the reason? Castro and Santana are playing everyday and Julien still isn't.

It's even less obfuscated than you make it.

Castro is a switch-hitter.

Santana is a switch-hitter.

There.  Mystery solved.  The Twins are playing an aggressive strategy of intra-game Platoon Ball, brought to an extreme by the absence of Correa, and constrained only by the league's 13-player roster limit.  I'd have to do more research than I want to, to back up my guess that we haven't seen the likes of this in many, many seasons.

[DJL44]

21 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

Take out all the pitchers...~55% of that 94%. Take out the players who spent time in the IL, and in the minors. Get back to me with what that 6% looks like.

The point is, there are plenty of full time players in the big leagues. 

I already took out all the pitchers. Taking out players who spent time on the IL is nonsensical - you can't be a full-time player if you're stuck on the IL. That would make Byron Buxton a full-time player in 2023.

There were 23 players who missed less than a week of the 2023 season, less than one per team. 13 position player spots * 30 teams = 390. 23/390 = 6%. If I add back in the pitchers and all of the position players who played at least one game we're at 23/1457 or 1.6%.

[Major League Ready]

15 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

I already took out all the pitchers. Taking out players who spent time on the IL is nonsensical - you can't be a full-time player if you're stuck on the IL. That would make Byron Buxton a full-time player in 2023.

There were 23 players who missed less than a week of the 2023 season, less than one per team. 13 position player spots * 30 teams = 390. 23/390 = 6%. If I add back in the pitchers and all of the position players who played at least one game we're at 23/1457 or 1.6%.

Nice work.  The current injury situation is being used to portray Castro and Santana as something they are not (full-time players).  They are playing every day right now because we have a lot of injuries, they are switch hitters and they both hot hitters at the moment.  They will be part-time players if injuries normalize.  

[ashbury]

1 hour ago, Riverbrian said:

The end of his useful shelf life anywhere? That's a subjective viewpoint that I don't necessarily agree

You glided past the equally subjective "fast approaching."  I'm not saying he's there yet.  He's playable at 2B for the time being, so long as his bat remains playable.  He's like a power-hitting Donovan Solano, who is currently toiling at AAA in El Paso and not really excelling so far; Polanco is still a step up from Solano, assuming the bat warms up from a cold April.

Don't misunderstand, Polanco has always been a sentimental favorite for me and I kept hoping they could find one missing tweak to his game that would let his arm suffice at SS.  But it's not just the arm anymore; it was painful watching a batted ball clank off his chest in the post-season when he was pressed into emergency duty at 3B when Royce Lewis was injured.  There was also a less-than-stellar play on a batted ball when he was at 2B later.   I have no doubt 29 GMs around the majors noticed that in October too.

Quote

but I do want to point out that he is much younger than you and I. 

Me moreso than you., my friend, but you are kind.  😀

Man, what I'd give to go back and be Polanco's age again, and resume being a terrible, terrible right fielder in slow-pitch.

Quote

After you factor in the 4 million that the Twins pay disco. The Mariners are essentially paying 14.5 for Polanco this year..

I think this gets it backward.  To whatever degree both teams thought that DeSclafani was dead money, you need to subtract the $4M, not add it.  The Giants are paying Disco $6M not to pitch for them, the Mariners are paying $2M for the same services, and the Twins took the Mariners off the hook for the remaining $4M.  In effect, and again only if you saw the pitcher as worthless, the Mariners are paying Polanco $6.5M.

[Riverbrian]

Just now, ashbury said:

It's even less obfuscated than you make it.

Castro is a switch-hitter.

Santana is a switch-hitter.

There.  Mystery solved.  The Twins are playing an aggressive strategy of intra-game Platoon Ball, brought to an extreme by he absence of Correa, and constrained only by the league's 13-player roster limit.  I'd have to do more research than I want to, to back up my guess that we haven't seen the likes of this in many, many seasons.

I solved that mystery along time ago. 

And I'll add that Polanco is a switch hitter to your list. 

Most should have also solved this mystery. Yet, many on this thread still think that Julien covers for Polanco and they attach words like full and time to Julien while typing covered, Polanco not needed, no room, or my favorite log jam. 

Julien doesn't cover for Polanco because the front office has this aggressive platoon ball thing.

This same platoon thing that makes Castro and Santana full time while Julien waits for right handers to step on the mound. And that sentence hopefully clarified my original post in this thread. 

You don't have to do much research on it. The Twins haven't done anything to this degree ever to my knowledge. 

We didn't start last season with this extremism.

The current shape of our platoon system arrived at the exact time that Julien, Kirilloff and Wallner hit our shores after 2023 got under way. 

Why did they hit our shores at all. Injuries. 

Injuries that always happen... and the same injuries that will make Castro full time and force Farmer and Margot to face more right handers than left handers. 

. 

[USAFChief]

37 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

Nice work.  The current injury situation is being used to portray Castro and Santana as something they are not (full-time players).  They are playing every day right now because we have a lot of injuries, they are switch hitters and they both hot hitters at the moment.  They will be part-time players if injuries normalize.  

1. I never said Castro is a full time player.

2. Santana, on the other hand, was absolutely signed to be a full time player.

3. However, the point being discussed in the post you quoted was "There are no every day players in MLB anymore "

Which is categorically false.

[CCHOF5yearstoolate]

On 4/28/2024 at 9:08 AM, Doctor Gast said:

My analysis is very objective not based on negative & positive hype on social media to sell FO transactions but on personal observations based on the player & the situation. 

CCHF you have been riding me because my analysis doesn't line with your social media hype filter. It's early to officially judge the Polanco trade except for DeSclavani. Social media hype declared DeSclavani would have a considerable impact on the Twins. How dare I to dispute this & to say he'd have no impact (stating my reasons)! Have you admitted you were wrong?

That's not objectivity, that's favoritism.

What in the world do you mean by "social media hype filter"? That's nonsensical.

I have replied to your comments because they are presented as fact when it is clearly your opinion with very little basis other than your feelings. You also love to give yourself credit for previous predictions or comments in bashing the front office, which comes off as a person who only ever brings up when they were right (or just says they were right after the fact). You seem to have a great memory for when you were right, and essentially no memory for when you were wrong.

I have no problems admitting when I was wrong - I recently did so regarding Justin Topa's injury and my prediction on Varland's start to the season. 

When was the last time you admitted you were wrong? Has it ever happened? 

[Major League Ready]

23 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

1. I never said Castro is a full time player.

2. Santana, on the other hand, was absolutely signed to be a full time player.

3. However, the point being discussed in the post you quoted was "There are no every day players in MLB anymore "

Which is categorically false.

No doubt there are many full-time players.  These arguments can be easily manipulated to fit a scenario.  My objection was not the point you made.  I was referencing a big deal being made out of Julien not starting some upcoming games because of LH starters.  We know that 70+ percent of IPs will be by RHP.  It's one of those things that are true and misleading at the same time given Julien will start far more games than coming off the bench.  

I am not nearly as sure as you where Santana is concerned.  Kirilloff has far more ceiling at this point.   Why would they start Santana at 1B over Kirilloff now that Kepler is healthy and Kirilloff is not needed in the OF?  It seems more plausible that Santana could be trust into any everyday role (as he has) by injuries but it seems like a real stretch to say they signed him intending for him to be a primary starter.  I said it at the time.  I hope their plan A was not a 38 y/o that has not been good in 4 years.

[CCHOF5yearstoolate]

8 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

Edouard Julien is not a full time player. He has only started 3 of the last 6 games. 

Willi Castro and Carlos Santana are full time players.

Edouard Julien will not be starting tonight. So make it 3 out of 7. 

Even so, Julien has the most plate appearances on the team. 

Edit - nevermind I see this point has been made!

Edited April 29, 2024 by CCHOF5yearstoolate

[USAFChief]

26 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

No doubt there are many full-time players.  These arguments can be easily manipulated to fit a scenario.  My objection was not the point you made.  I was referencing a big deal being made out of Julien not starting some upcoming games because of LH starters.  We know that 70+ percent of IPs will be by RHP.  It's one of those things that are true and misleading at the same time given Julien will start far more games than coming off the bench.  

I am not nearly as sure as you where Santana is concerned.  Kirilloff has far more ceiling at this point.   Why would they start Santana at 1B over Kirilloff now that Kepler is healthy and Kirilloff is not needed in the OF?  It seems more plausible that Santana could be trust into any everyday role (as he has) by injuries but it seems like a real stretch to say they signed him intending for him to be a primary starter.  I said it at the time.  I hope their plan A was not a 38 y/o that has not been good in 4 years.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/02/al-notes-mejia-bellinger-yankees-carter-twins.html

 

Santana was always gonna get the overwhelming majority of playing time at 1b.

 

[Major League Ready]

55 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/02/al-notes-mejia-bellinger-yankees-carter-twins.html

 

Santana was always gonna get the overwhelming majority of playing time at 1b.

 

I can see a set of circumstances where Polishuk's opinion would play out but Baldelli is by no means saying Santana is going to be the everyday 1B.  He said it would not necessarily be a traditional platoon.  It's also a best case scenario where Santana is at least average offensively and I sure don't know what we are going to get out of Santana.  If he sucks like he did early on, putting Kirilloff or Miranda at 1B and having the other one of these two DH is the better option.  Miranda was not really in the picture when Polishuk offered this opinion.  We would have to assume Baldelli opts for a far worse option in a scenario where Miranda continues to play well of Santana is as bad as he was the first 20 days of the season.  

[Schmoeman5]

On 4/27/2024 at 1:57 PM, HerbieFan said:

1000% no chance that DeSclafini was the main piece.  He was a salary throw in.  Gonzalez and Topa were piece #1 and #2.  I hated to see Polo go, but thought this was a really good get for a declining 2B.  If Bowen ever contributes as a starter or as a reliever, so much the better.

Everybody who says Gonzalez is the #1 piece in the trade and to those who disagree and say the trade wasn't meant to improve the 2024 roster. Did you all not hear Falveys statement about NOT trading for prospects. Desclafani was going to be the 4th or 5th starter and Topa was going to shore up the pen.. He has yet to throw a pitch and DeSclafani never will. Yet this is how you're defining this as a trade win for the Twins. Look the Twins got the 71st ranked prospect in all of baseball who we never heard of before. Twins won this deal hands down. 😄 

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, Schmoeman5 said:

Everybody who says Gonzalez is the #1 piece in the trade and to those who disagree and say the trade wasn't meant to improve the 2024 roster. Did you all not hear Falveys statement about NOT trading for prospects. Desclafani was going to be the 4th or 5th starter and Topa was going to shore up the pen.. He has yet to throw a pitch and DeSclafani never will. Yet this is how you're defining this as a trade win for the Twins. Look the Twins got the 71st ranked prospect in all of baseball who we never heard of before. Twins won this deal hands down. 😄 

Executives are paid to say one thing and do another. At the moment the salary dump alone is a win for the Twins. I wasn't joking when I said Polanco for DeSclafani was a net win and we haven't even seen the best two players in the deal (Topa and Gonzalez) contribute yet.

[Doctor Gast]

1 hour ago, CCHOF5yearstoolate said:

That's not objectivity, that's favoritism.

What in the world do you mean by "social media hype filter"? That's nonsensical.

I have replied to your comments because they are presented as fact when it is clearly your opinion with very little basis other than your feelings. You also love to give yourself credit for previous predictions or comments in bashing the front office, which comes off as a person who only ever brings up when they were right (or just says they were right after the fact). You seem to have a great memory for when you were right, and essentially no memory for when you were wrong.

I have no problems admitting when I was wrong - I recently did so regarding Justin Topa's injury and my prediction on Varland's start to the season. 

When was the last time you admitted you were wrong? Has it ever happened? 

Many fans get their info from social media. People use social media to pass their agenda to the general fans, During FA, owners pass their hype & agents pass theirs. FO uses social media to pass their agenda & justify their actions. Let me give you a personal experience. When Donaldson was signed, I bought into the hype (Kool-Aid) & I was wrong. From then on, I don't accept anything on social media as gospel w/o checking the source & do my due diligence. 

personal observations based on the player & the situation. 

personal observations is not trusting in what other say but personally checking it out & use only unbiased sources. based on the player is knowing who the player is, example; when everybody were down on Royce Lewis & Austin Martin I still believe in them because I know who they are not only as a player but as a person. The situation is knowing the underlying conditions that affect the results. 

Richard Olivar has been one of my favorite prospects. He's a very athletic & very good-hitting catcher. On one of the 1st podcasts over a year ago, I heard he had above average arm. I was all excited that he could become an elite catcher that we desperately need. But now I read he has a below-average arm if that is true, I made a mistake & in my book, he shouldn't be a catcher & I dropped him from my list. I don't play favorite. When I make a mistake I'll admit. 

Topa didn't have a history of injuries you can't predict his injury & his injury is short-term & Varland is a good pitcher & great RP we all want him to take that next step.

 

 

 

[Riverbrian]

4 hours ago, ashbury said:

You glided past the equally subjective "fast approaching."  I'm not saying he's there yet.  He's playable at 2B for the time being, so long as his bat remains playable.  He's like a power-hitting Donovan Solano, who is currently toiling at AAA in El Paso and not really excelling so far; Polanco is still a step up from Solano, assuming the bat warms up from a cold April.

Don't misunderstand, Polanco has always been a sentimental favorite for me and I kept hoping they could find one missing tweak to his game that would let his arm suffice at SS.  But it's not just the arm anymore; it was painful watching a batted ball clank off his chest in the post-season when he was pressed into emergency duty at 3B when Royce Lewis was injured.  There was also a less-than-stellar play on a batted ball when he was at 2B later.   I have no doubt 29 GMs around the majors noticed that in October too.

 

I did glide past the "fast approaching" but I've kept a view all along the watchtower... two riders are approaching and that club option has begun to howl. Until the riders get here... Polanco could help this offense in 2024. 

As for the defensive concerns. OK... but it's not a defense only decision because the bat must be factored in. In those playoffs... even with a ball clanking off his chest. Polanco was chosen to play 3B over Farmer against righties and chosen to play 2B over Julien against lefties. His combination of offense and defense added up to more and it gave him a full time job at the top of the order against both hands. I think all 29 GM's notice all of that.  

4 hours ago, ashbury said:

I think this gets it backward.  To whatever degree both teams thought that DeSclafani was dead money, you need to subtract the $4M, not add it.  The Giants are paying Disco $6M not to pitch for them, the Mariners are paying $2M for the same services, and the Twins took the Mariners off the hook for the remaining $4M.  In effect, and again only if you saw the pitcher as worthless, the Mariners are paying Polanco $6.5M.

The Giants are not a factor. That deal with the Giants was done and over with. 

For he Mariners to acquire Polanco they had to pay in 8 million in order to make the deal work. If the Mariners don't pay 8 million... they don't get Polanco. The Twins agree to pay the remaining 4 million of the Mariners obligation to Disco. The Mariners pay the entire 10.5 Polanco money due this year. Plus a 750K buyout if they choose not to pick up his option next year which I won't tack on. 

That's 10.5 to Polanco plus 8 million minus 4 million spent by Seattle to put Polanco in a Mariners uniform. 

Plus Topa... Plus a top 100 prospect. Plus another prospect. 

The Giants were in the rear view mirror. 

I don't see how it goes down to 6.5M. 

Help me out please. 

 

 

 

[Major League Ready]

17 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

It's not that obfuscated. 

As soon as first pitch tonight. The Twins will have faced 4 lefty starters in a 6 game stretch.

But... that's not even my point.

People keep justifying the loss of Polanco because of the presence of Julien. 

Injury? Manager Choice? whatever the reason? Castro and Santana are playing everyday and Julien still isn't. 

Julien is leading the team in plate appearances so the “he is not playing everyday" argument lacks credibility.  Polanco’s primary value is 2B against RHP so yes Julien is the primary justification for Polanco being gone.  Julien is the far superior player in that capacity.  Against LHP Polanco is a career below average hitter.  He is easily replaced in that capacity.  He looked well below average at 3B.  Miranda is the better choice there right now.

Polanco is not a 1B.  He has never played the position so the fact Santana is playing 1B has little relevance.  Also, Santana has 2 less PA than Julien but in your eyes Santana is a “full-time” player while Julien is not.  The bias here in twisting their roles is quite evident.  

Casto is simply a better player at this point.  He was the better offensive player last year as well as this year.  He is a far superior base runner and a better (more flexible) defender.  That’s why his WAR was higher than Polanco last year and it’s why he has a .8 WAR YTD while Polanco has a negative WAR.

[dxpavelka]

On 4/27/2024 at 7:19 PM, Schmoeman5 said:

Twins are 1 injury to Ober, Ryan, or Lopez to a throwaway season because of lack of depth at starting pitching. Your talking about Doncon and Gonzales as if they're ready to step in and contribute. That's your objective baseball analysis? CCHOF 😃 What part of that trade helps the Twins right now?

What part of that trade helps the Twins now could also have been applied to the Jose Berrios trade for two and a half years.

 

[Riverbrian]

23 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

Julien is leading the team in plate appearances so the “he is not playing everyday" argument lacks credibility.  Polanco’s primary value is 2B against RHP so yes Julien is the primary justification for Polanco being gone.  Julien is the far superior player in that capacity.  Against LHP Polanco is a career below average hitter.  He is easily replaced in that capacity.  He looked well below average at 3B.  Miranda is the better choice there right now.

Polanco is not a 1B.  He has never played the position so the fact Santana is playing 1B has little relevance.  Also, Santana has 2 less PA than Julien but in your eyes Santana is a “full-time” player while Julien is not.  The bias here in twisting their roles is quite evident.  

Casto is simply a better player at this point.  He was the better offensive player last year as well as this year.  He is a far superior base runner and a better (more flexible) defender.  That’s why his WAR was higher than Polanco last year and it’s why he has a .8 WAR YTD while Polanco has a negative WAR.

I'm not going to argue full time definitions. And I'm especially not going to debate it with you. 

This is my post. It is accurate. 

23 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

Edouard Julien is not a full time player. He has only started 3 of the last 6 games. 

Willi Castro and Carlos Santana are full time players.

Edouard Julien will not be starting tonight. So make it 3 out of 7. 

You have responded to this post with:  "Misrepresentation". "Cherry Picked", "manipulated", "True but misleading", "Lacks Credibility", "biased". 

I repeat... my post is accurate.  

Willi Castro has started 13 straight games and 16 out of the last 17 games. 

I understand that injuries are the reason. He may not be the intended full time player yet he has started 13 straight games.

In the meantime... take your misrepresentation, cherry picked, manipulated, true but misleading, lack credibility" biased and shove it. 

[Major League Ready]

13 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

I'm not going to argue full time definitions. And I'm especially not going to debate it with you. 

This is my post. It is accurate. 

You have responded to this post with:  "Misrepresentation". "Cherry Picked", "manipulated", "True but misleading", "Lacks Credibility", "biased". 

I repeat... my post is accurate.  

Willi Castro has started 13 straight games and 16 out of the last 17 games. 

I understand that injuries are the reason. He may not be the intended full time player yet he has started 13 straight games.

In the meantime... take your misrepresentation, cherry picked, manipulated, true but misleading, lack credibility" biased and shove it. 

Your post is accurate in your opinion.  Calling the player on the team with the most plate appearances a part-time player is ridiculous.  Then, when you single out a player with the same number of plate appearances (Santana) as a full-time player you are demonstrating bias and the statement has no credibility.  You are throwing a fit over losing a player that has negative WAR.

Is Julien the better player or not?  Is Polanco easily replaced against LHP or not?  Address the issues instead of stomping your feet and complaining I am mean.

[wabene]

Wrap it up, eh?

[CCHOF5yearstoolate]

13 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

personal observations based on the player & the situation. 

personal observations is not trusting in what other say but personally checking it out & use only unbiased sources. based on the player is knowing who the player is, example; when everybody were down on Royce Lewis & Austin Martin I still believe in them because I know who they are not only as a player but as a person. The situation is knowing the underlying conditions that affect the results. 

Here's the thing - you are biased. You cannot possibly "know who they are as a player and as a person" or all of the "underlying conditions that affect the results" (more word salad). You believe you know those things but the reality is that you do not have the resources to truly know them. Look at how much you've waffled on the strength of Ricardo Olivar's arm, and it's still unclear how good his arm is you're just going with the latest report you read on him.

The comment I initially responded to argues that now you can't be held to your predictions on Jorge Polanco performing well in Seattle because he's sad about being traded. Nothing objective about how he's still the same player but he's been unlucky, or any specifics about why you believe he'll rebound, just vibes. I have a hard time taking that kind of analysis seriously. 

Assuming that I don't do any of my own analysis and just get my opinions spoon-fed from the owners and their mouthpieces simply because I don't agree with you reflects more on you than it does on me. 

[Riverbrian]

2 hours ago, Major League Ready said:

Your post is accurate in your opinion.  Calling the player on the team with the most plate appearances a part-time player is ridiculous.  Then, when you single out a player with the same number of plate appearances (Santana) as a full-time player you are demonstrating bias and the statement has no credibility.  You are throwing a fit over losing a player that has negative WAR.

Is Julien the better player or not?  Is Polanco easily replaced against LHP or not?  Address the issues instead of stomping your feet and complaining I am mean.

You are arguing definitions... Please Stop!

Julien is a platoon player. I say that is not full time. You say that means I'm saying Part-Time. Please Stop! This is how you discuss things and I'm going to point it out every time that you do. 

The post below shows that you and I both recognize the amount of playing time we are talking about with a slight 5% difference. Please Stop! 

On 4/29/2024 at 9:45 AM, Riverbrian said:

I'll give you 75% instead of 70%... Neither number is full time. 

What's worse is... by typing 70% you know what I'm saying.  

Julien, Kirilloff and Wallner Larnach are not full time players and now that Jeffers has introduced himself as a DH option... It appears that Kepler is also not a full time player anymore.  

Willi Castro has started the last 12 consecutive games and Santana has started the last 9 consecutive games. They are playing full time... and they have both done a nice job over these stretches. 

I think Julien is the better player. The guy can hit and I don't have any concerns about his defense. 

It is my opinion that Polanco is not easily replaced against LHP or RHP. 

I've said these things multiple times. Are the issues addressed now? They were addressed before in multiple posts but did I really have to post them an additional time for them to be addressed properly at your request?  

Now you've added "ridiculous" and "throwing a fit". 

Let's be clear... I have expressed my opinions. The fit is thrown directly at you! 

[USAFChief]

2 hours ago, Major League Ready said:

Your post is accurate in your opinion.  Calling the player on the team with the most plate appearances a part-time player is ridiculous.  Then, when you single out a player with the same number of plate appearances (Santana) as a full-time player you are demonstrating bias and the statement has no credibility.  You are throwing a fit over losing a player that has negative WAR.

Is Julien the better player or not?  Is Polanco easily replaced against LHP or not?  Address the issues instead of stomping your feet and complaining I am mean.

You're not using the correct measurement. "Team leading" number of PAs doesn't measure whether a player is a full time player. Measure against the league. One month in, and Julien trails the MLB leader by over 40 PAs. He's 30 behind dozens of players. 

Julien is not a full time player.

[Major League Ready]

1 minute ago, Riverbrian said:

It is my opinion that Polanco is not easily replaced against LHP or RHP. 

How hard is it to replace a below average hitter (against RHP) and at best average defender?  Let me help you out. Not very hard.

What does it matter if he is not easily replaced against RHP when we have a much better replacement.   You are ignoring the fact that he currently is a negative WAR player.  He has not been hard to replace at all.  Will that continue?  Probably not but the Twins early troubles were not a product of losing Polanco's production which has been poor.  The only possible place for him to play is against LHP at 2B over Farmer.  Farmer has been poor but Polanco's has also been bad against LHP this year with an OPS of .397 so relying on Farmer is no less suspect than Polanco against LHP given Farmer is the better career hitter against LHP.  I will take Miranda at 3B over Polanco at this point.  It's quite possible that won't be the case at the end of the season but right now I will take Miranda.

[Riverbrian]

5 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

How hard is it to replace a below average hitter (against RHP) and at best average defender?  Let me help you out. Not very hard.

What does it matter if he is not easily replaced against RHP when we have a much better replacement.   You are ignoring the fact that he currently is a negative WAR player.  He has not been hard to replace at all.  Will that continue?  Probably not but the Twins early troubles were not a product of losing Polanco's production which has been poor.  The only possible place for him to play is against LHP at 2B over Farmer.  Farmer has been poor but Polanco's has also been bad against LHP this year with an OPS of .397 so relying on Farmer is no less suspect than Polanco against LHP given Farmer is the better career hitter against LHP.  I will take Miranda at 3B over Polanco at this point.  It's quite possible that won't be the case at the end of the season but right now I will take Miranda.

Add "Let me help you out" and  "ignoring the fact" to the list. 

[Major League Ready]

3 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

You're not using the correct measurement. "Team leading" number of PAs doesn't measure whether a player is a full time player. Measure against the league. One month in, and Julien trails the MLB leader by over 40 PAs. He's 30 behind dozens of players. 

Julien is not a full time player.

My objection was classifying Santana as a full-time player and Julien as a part-time player.  Julien has played in 28 games and Santana 25.  They are within 2 PAs.  To classify one as a full-time player and the other as a part-time player is misguided. 

Perhaps more importantly, this is being positioned as a problematic for the team.  What's the problem if you have other players to match-up against LHP?  Granted, Farmer has been bad but he is a significantly better hitter than Polanco against LHP over their careers.  Why is it a problem to have Farmer or Castro or even martin play 2B against LHP.  Lot's of LH hitters are weaker against LHP.  Why is it a problem to match-up?  

[Riverbrian]

2 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

My objection was classifying Santana as a full-time player and Julien as a part-time player.  

 

 

26 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

You are arguing definitions... Please Stop!

Julien is a platoon player. I say that is not full time. You say that means I'm saying Part-Time. Please Stop! This is how you discuss things and I'm going to point it out every time that you do. 

The post below shows that you and I both recognize the amount of playing time we are talking about with a slight 5% difference. Please Stop! 

 

 

[Major League Ready]

2 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

Add "Let me help you out" and  "ignoring the fact" to the list. 

Well, if you can't argue a legitimate point I guess the comeback is to complain.  Are you or are you not ignoring that Polanco has been a negative WAR player?  Should we ignore his 167 BA or his .577 OPS?  How exactly would this have been helpful to the Twins?