Rocco Baldelli to Royce Lewis: “Come Ready to Work” at Second Base for Twins

[Road trip]

47 minutes ago, Old Twins Hat said:

I clicked on this article when I read the title:  Come Ready to Work

The body language, facial expressions and easy-going smile of Royce -- when on the field and interacting with opponents -- has really been bothering me.

The ultimate goal of a professional baseball player is to win.  And when the team is not winning, or even when they are, it's more than a little off-putting to appear as if you are in a greeting line at a wedding.

C'mon Royce, get the game face on and play to win.  It's not a popularity contest.

If only it were so...  I suspect for a very long time now that the ultimate goal of an average professional athlete is to:

1. Obtain the largest salary possible
2. Obtain as much endorsement money as possible by creating a "brand"
3. Extend their career as long as possible, so as to better maximize #1 and #2 above.
4.  Win... so long as the first three are taken care of

This post is not meant as a slam on Royce at all.  I'm sure he wants to be the best at his craft, as most professional athletes do.  That should help translate to winning, as well as take care of #'s 1 and 2 above.  But in the grand scheme of things there is a limited amount that any one player can contribute to the winning formula for a MLB team, and frankly a game face (or not) has very minimal impact.  I can't think of a player that smiled more than Kirby, and he certainly contributed to a lot of winning.

 

[TopGunn#22]

I have no problem with Lewis working out at 2B.  It's clear that if we make the playoffs neither Julien or Farmer is an option for the position.  Someone stated that Brooks Lee will not make the playoff roster unless there is an injury.  I vociferously disagree.  Lee is ON that playoff roster ahead of either Farmer or Julien.  

One of the things about Lewis that I find interesting is that he had a cannon for an arm when we drafted him.  He had Tommy John surgery, but he's a couple years removed from it.  Most pitchers come back after rehabbing with the same or even great velocity.  What has happened to Lewis's arm strength.  He frequently bounces throws to 1B from 3B.  Lee clearly has a better arm.  If Lewis still had "his cannon" we wouldn't be talking about moving him to 2B.  

I also don't agree with the concern that Lewis would be in greater danger of getting injured playing 2B.  This might have been the case in the rough and tumble 1960's and 1970's when base runners routinely went in hard to 2B to "break up the double play.  But that's just not the case anymore.  

If I'm the Twins, once Brooks Lee is healthy, I just might DFA Farmer.  he certainly wouldn't be on MY playoff roster with Lee, Lewis and Miranda on the team.  I'm not 100% sure the Twins are trading Julien this off season with his value cratering.  But much like Kirilloff, I would hang onto him and see if they catch fire with St. Paul and far better with the Twins in 2025.  THEN I would consider trading Julien at the deadline to pick up some pitching.  

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Royce Lewis should be the Twins shortstop. 

People know this. It is unfortunate however that on this website, you can count on one hand the number of people willing to say so, and still have fingers left over. 

There is still more context that was left out from the Provus-Baldelli interview, if anyone is truly interested and has time.

The funny thing about this is that Castro is not really that good at short. But by the Twins logic, the inferior player is the one who is immovable?

[LA Vikes Fan]

There's no question that our best Offensive lineup has Lewis at 2B. That would allow Miranda to play every day at 3B and get his bat into the lineup in place of Julien or Farmer, and allow Castro to be the super utility that he should be playing at least 2 days a week in LF in addition to 2-3 days a week at various IF positions. It also opens up a spot for Lee next year when Miranda becomes the every day 1B. I think Lewis can easily play 2B and it's hard for me to see that a 2B has any more injury risk than at 3B now that runners can't take out the 2B in the double play. 

Lewis at SS is interesting, but ultimately irrelevant in the  short term as long as we have Correa.  Maybe in a few years? I would say playing 2B makes it easier more Lewis to slide over to SS in the future than a life at 3B. Lewis at 2B? Yes, please.  

[mickster]

42 minutes ago, LambchoP said:

Sounds to me like they don't see Correa getting back on the field anytime soon. With Lee healthy again, they can play Lewis at 2nd, Lee at SS and Miranda at 3rd. Probably the best way to get all their bats in the lineup. I still think for 2025 they'll have Lewis at 1st to try and keep him healthy, and not worry about his poor throws. That is only if we don't sign a legit power hitter to play first, which would be a real long shot. If anything maybe they'll offer Santana another year...

Hoping Santana comes back.   If Julien is still in the organization, maybe he puts on a 1B mit.  Castro is better as the swiss Army knife and Martin, although I am not a huge fan, seems to inject something in the lineup and can play the Margot role as well as inf backup.  I prefer Royce in the infield 2b or 3b.   Lee can provide relief at 3b, ss, and 2b.   Todays baseball has players moving all around.

[Riverbrian]

The typical utility player is typically created by not having an every day position. IE Bench Player. Not countin the catcher spot. You only have 3 extra players on an MLB roster and to be an extra player you need to cover more than one position.  

Willi Castro became a utility player because he didn't earn an every day position with the Tigers. 

There is no reason that a player with an everyday position can't play other positions if the need arises just like the typically created utility player plays other positions.  

 

[bean5302]

2 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

A player changing positions is not musical chairs.

Being rigid positionally results in better players on the bench and lesser players starting. 

You have your best players, and then you have your "not the best" players. I'm not sure why you'd think moving your best players around will benefit the team, but it sure seems players improve their defense by having static positions. Moving Royce Lewis to 2B changes what in terms of players on the field? What depth does it add? We have lesser depth at 3B than 2B. 

In any case, the article speculates no definite positional change is incoming. Moving your franchise cornerstones around willy nilly is a pretty good way to depress player salary (and trade value), though, so who knows?

[bean5302]

11 hours ago, Hosken Bombo Disco said:

I am trying to envision the New York Yankees moving Derek Jeter around the infield. 

Yep. They pushed Alex Rodriguez to 3B so the lesser fielder, Jeter, could stay on SS. I'm not sure how that would work today with metrics, but you reward your best players and team favorites with a position they earned most of the time. Giving your star players who've earned their positions and roles directives they're going to move around is unusual.

Mookie Betts has been moved around a bunch recently, but he volunteered and wanted the opportunity. The Dodgers didn't tell him. Come ready to play!

[USAFChief]

3 minutes ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

I've not heard the Twins saying it, but I thought I heard it on a telecast or read it in the Strib that the team has had him taking reps at 2b before games.

Thanks. 

I've searched and searched...can't find anything other than this article. 

[Riverbrian]

3 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

You have your best players, and then you have your "not the best" players. I'm not sure why you'd think moving your best players around will benefit the team, but it sure seems players improve their defense by having static positions. Moving Royce Lewis to 2B changes what in terms of players on the field? What depth does it add? We have lesser depth at 3B than 2B. 

In any case, the article speculates no definite positional change is incoming. Moving your franchise cornerstones around willy nilly is a pretty good way to depress player salary (and trade value), though, so who knows?

It depresses player value only if he can't play the position adequately. Which I think is a mistake to assume. 

When Royce Lewis hits free agency. Being able to Play 3B and 2B increases the number of serious suitors for his services. Because it isn't just the team looking for a 3B that are in play. Teams looking to fill either positions are going to pick up the phone. The more suitors... the higher the value. 

I'm not suggesting that Wallner should play SS. Everything is within reason of course. 

The Padres have moved Merrill to SS to CF, Xander to 2B from SS. Jurickson Profar is playing LF after playing multiple IF positions prior, 

That's just one team adjusting to put the best team on the floor. You can go through the remaining 29 teams and find examples of positional adjustment made by almost every organization in order to the put the best players in the lineup. 

From Joey Gallo to Jazz Chisholm. 

 

[bean5302]

Just now, Riverbrian said:

It depresses player value only if he can't play the position adequately. Which I think is a mistake to assume. 

When Royce Lewis hits free agency. Being able to Play 3B and 2B increases the number of serious suitors for his services. Because it isn't just the team looking for a 3B that are in play. Teams looking to fill either positions are going to pick up the phone. The more suitors... the higher the value. 

I'm not suggesting that Wallner should play SS. Everything is within reason of course. 

The Padres have moved Merrill to SS to CF, Xander to 2B from SS. Jurickson Profar is playing LF after playing multiple IF positions prior, 

That's just one team adjusting to put the best team on the floor. You can go through the remaining 29 teams and find examples of positional adjustment made by almost every organization in order to the put the best players in the lineup. 

From Joey Gallo to Jazz Chisholm. 

 

Wide variety of guys there with dubious comparability to a young, cost controlled face of the franchise player, but in general, players viewed as utility guys get paid less than players who are viewed a starting position players. That's an "in general" situation.

[Mike Sixel]

2 hours ago, Old Twins Hat said:

I clicked on this article when I read the title:  Come Ready to Work

The body language, facial expressions and easy-going smile of Royce -- when on the field and interacting with opponents -- has really been bothering me.

The ultimate goal of a professional baseball player is to win.  And when the team is not winning, or even when they are, it's more than a little off-putting to appear as if you are in a greeting line at a wedding.

C'mon Royce, get the game face on and play to win.  It's not a popularity contest.

Heaven forbid people be happy

[Riverbrian]

22 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

Wide variety of guys there with dubious comparability to a young, cost controlled face of the franchise player, but in general, players viewed as utility guys get paid less than players who are viewed a starting position players. That's an "in general" situation.

Utility guys are dubbed utility guys because they are players 10 through 13 on the roster. They HAVE TO play multiple positions because you can't staff your team with a back up at all 9 spots so the last three on the roster have to become utility to cover.   

If an everyday player plays multiple positions adequately. It would be insane for a club to pay them less because they are capable at multiple positions. 

In regards to this particular discussion. If you want Lewis, Miranda, Santana, Wallner, Larnach and Kepler in the lineup against right handed pitchers. That's 6 players for 5 spots. 3B, 1B DH, LF and RF. Correa if healthy is the SS, Buxton if healthy is the CF and the Catcher position is a catcher. 

That leaves 2B as a possible spot to upgrade. 

Out of Lewis, Miranda, Santana, Wallner, Larnach and Kepler. Who would you put at 2B? 

Being inflexible positionally. Takes one of these 6 out of the lineup and puts your utility guy Castro at 2B.

If Correa or Buxton is hurt come playoff time. Castro goes to SS or CF. This puts Farmer or Julien at 2B against right handers while one of the above 6 are on the bench because... because we can't ask Lewis to help us make the team better with a positional adjustment. 

 

[chpettit19]

1 hour ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

I've not heard the Twins saying it, but I thought I heard it on a telecast or read it in the Strib that the team has had him taking reps at 2b before games.

 

1 hour ago, USAFChief said:

Thanks. 

I've searched and searched...can't find anything other than this article. 

It was mentioned on the broadcast the other day, including a quote from Rocco about it not being their plan to move him there, but wanting him to be ready if they have to/do.

[ashbury]

Quote

“You need to come ready to work,”

I just thought that was such an odd construction for Rocco to say, about a guy who everyone raved about his makeup while coming up through the minors.  I went to the podcast linked in the article, and found the discussion of Lewis at around the 11:45 mark.  The full context was a little less ominous, with Rocco seeking to reduce some anxiety he perceives from Lewis about being immediately shifted to second base - Rocco took pains to add that it won't happen "right now," nor "next week," nor "probably the week after that." 

Lewis is only third base for now.

The phrase wasn't meant to throw anyone under the bus.  It was actually "just come ready to work." "Just" is a little less pointed than "you need to," the paraphrasing the article offered, as though he wasn't already.

So now I find the phrase only a little odd.  😀

[chpettit19]

1 hour ago, bean5302 said:

Wide variety of guys there with dubious comparability to a young, cost controlled face of the franchise player, but in general, players viewed as utility guys get paid less than players who are viewed a starting position players. That's an "in general" situation.

Jackson Merrill was a 20 year old making his debut in the majors and they switched positions for him to do it. Mookie is the obvious one today, but the Red Sox moved him to RF originally because of Pedroia being at 2B. Manny Machado switched between 3B and SS when he was a young, cost controlled face of the franchise player. Fernando Tatis Jr switched from SS to RF to get their best team on the field. Xander Bogaerts moved from SS to 2B. Some fella named Judged has moved around OF positions. Some dude named Soto has as well. Carlos Correa was going to move to 3B for the Mets. Cody Bellinger moved around the OF and 1B when he was winning an MVP award at the age of 23. Trea Turner moved from SS to CF back to SS with a stop at 2B along the way.

Couple of those guys got paid pretty well because they weren't seen as "utility guys" just because they switched positions a time or 2. There's got to be close to, if not over, 2 billion in contracts there. Definitely over once Soto signs. Maybe even pushing 2.5 to 3 billion after that and when Merrill gets paid. And that's just 10 guys.

[Riverbrian]

22 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Jackson Merrill was a 20 year old making his debut in the majors and they switched positions for him to do it. Mookie is the obvious one today, but the Red Sox moved him to RF originally because of Pedroia being at 2B. Manny Machado switched between 3B and SS when he was a young, cost controlled face of the franchise player. Fernando Tatis Jr switched from SS to RF to get their best team on the field. Xander Bogaerts moved from SS to 2B. Some fella named Judged has moved around OF positions. Some dude named Soto has as well. Carlos Correa was going to move to 3B for the Mets. Cody Bellinger moved around the OF and 1B when he was winning an MVP award at the age of 23. Trea Turner moved from SS to CF back to SS with a stop at 2B along the way.

Couple of those guys got paid pretty well because they weren't seen as "utility guys" just because they switched positions a time or 2. There's got to be close to, if not over, 2 billion in contracts there. Definitely over once Soto signs. Maybe even pushing 2.5 to 3 billion after that and when Merrill gets paid. And that's just 10 guys.

Great list... not comprehensive though but a real nice list. Gets a big thumps up from me. 

There is more beyond your list. This positional change fear that exists amongst us is unwarranted because precedence has been set and continues to this day and will continue into tomorrow. 

Since we are talking degrees of defensive talent at certain positions. This conversation can move closer to home. 

Let's add Jorge Polanco to your list. He played SS for us in 2019. I understand that he wasn't the best SS in comparison to other SS's around the league. I understand that Polanco is probably ideally better suited for 2B. However... Polanco played SS on a team that won 101 games. 

The team was better with Polanco at SS, Schoop at 2B and Sano at 3B... instead of Adrianaza at SS. 

2019 the year/101 Wins was the 2nd highest season total in franchise history! Only 102 in 1965 beat it. This year was also the year that Luis Arraez played 49 games at 2B, 21 games at LF, 17 games at 3B and 8 games at SS and 5 at DH. We got Arraez 366 plate appearances that way for a 124 OPS+.  

In the end... what is this discussion about. Lewis playing 2B? Is that really a concern? Only if he sucks at it. I'm willing to bet he won't be terrible but let's find out before the playoffs start.  

[chpettit19]

2 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

Great list... not comprehensive though but a real nice list. Gets a big thumps up from me. 

There is more beyond your list. This positional change fear that exists amongst us is unwarranted because precedence has been set and continues to this day and will continue into tomorrow. 

Since we are talking degrees of defensive talent at certain positions. This conversation can move closer to home. 

Let's add Jorge Polanco to your list. He played SS for us in 2019. I understand that he wasn't the best SS in comparison to other SS's around the league. I understand that Polanco is probably ideally better suited for 2B. However... Polanco played SS on a team that won 101 games. 

The team was better with Polanco at SS, Schoop at 2B and Sano at 3B... instead of Adrianaza at SS. 

2019 the year/101 Wins was the 2nd highest season total in franchise history only 102 in 1965 beat it. This year was also the year that Luis Arraez played 49 games at 2B, 21 games at LF, 17 games at 3B and 8 games at SS and 5 at DH. We got Arraez 366 plate appearances that way for a 124 OPS+.  

In the end... what is this discussion about. Lewis playing 2B? Is that really a concern? Only if he sucks at it. I'm willing to be he won't be terrible but let's find out before the playoffs start.  

Bobby Witt Jr was the other big one I forgot. He's played some 3B in the bigs. He's pretty young and pretty good.

Teams are smart. They aren't going to look at Royce and compare him to Castro as a utility guy.

[C_frommn]

People I understand the "injury" thing but he has suffered injuries @ 1st base 3rd base and outfield s Injury should not stop them from trying him at 2nd as for everyone else look @ his bat. He comes in and next thing you see is a Homer and that be against Lefties or Righties.

[Riverbrian]

6 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

Bobby Witt Jr was the other big one I forgot. He's played some 3B in the bigs. He's pretty young and pretty good.

Teams are smart. They aren't going to look at Royce and compare him to Castro as a utility guy.

Real time... The Pirates are transitioning Oneil Cruz to OF and doing it cold and it's happening right now. 

Bottom Line... If Royce Lewis isn't a consideration at 2B. 

We are one Correa or Buxton injury away from Farmer playing 2B in the playoffs while one of Santana, Miranda, Larnach, Wallner or Kepler watches from the bench. Yeah we could call up Lee and throw him into the playoffs or Martin or Julien to play 2B instead of Farmer while one of Santana, Miranda, Larnach, Wallner of Kepler watches from the bench. 

This is why I'm not concerned about positional changes. This is why I insist that there was room for Polanco and Julien on the same roster in the off-season. It's why I laugh at the talk of log jams. 

It's also why Margot and Buxton on the roster are potential time bombs that have needed solutions for awhile now. 

It's also why Buying at the deadline matters. The offense has been great this year but adding a hitter takes Margot or Farmer off the board and then maybe we don't need to move Lewis to 2B. 

It's also why... starving our young left handed hitters from left handed pitchers during the regular season is not a good idea because come playoff time... we will not know what we need. We might need Wallner to lineup against Rodon due to the lack of options. I'd hate to wait until the playoffs for Rocco to say... OK Matt go get em for the first time. 

[Mike Sixel]

My preference is CF until Buxton returns......with Lee at SS until CC returns. Miranda at 3B and I guess Julien at 2B (or Castro?). 

[Riverbrian]

13 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

My preference is CF until Buxton returns......with Lee at SS until CC returns. Miranda at 3B and I guess Julien at 2B (or Castro?). 

It will be interesting to see what the club does when Lee returns. Someone will have to report to AAA... could that person be Lee? 

[Mike Sixel]

Just now, Riverbrian said:

It will be interesting to see what the club does when Lee returns. Someone will have to report to AAA... could that person be Lee? 

That's my worry, yes. Gotta keep Farmer!

[Old Twins Hat]

4 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

Heaven forbid people be happy

I am not sure a player should be happy if they are not reaching their potential and the team is struggling to win.  I mean, what about the drive to get better?  It's work.

At a certain point, I want a competitor, not a glad-hander.

[Craig Arko]

8 minutes ago, Old Twins Hat said:

I am not sure a player should be happy if they are not reaching their potential and the team is struggling to win.  I mean, what about the drive to get better?  It's work.

At a certain point, I want a competitor, not a glad-hander.

Looks like unhappy is well represented. 

[jmlease1]

17 minutes ago, Old Twins Hat said:

I am not sure a player should be happy if they are not reaching their potential and the team is struggling to win.  I mean, what about the drive to get better?  It's work.

At a certain point, I want a competitor, not a glad-hander.

And as soon as Royce or someone else like him starts scowling out there, they're going to get slammed for not being happy when they're getting paid millions of dollars to play a game. (come on, we've all heard that BS before too)

People can be driven to improve and work like crazy and so on and still have a smile on their face and be upbeat and positive. You don't have to be a horrible miserable cynic like me to be successful.

The idea that Royce Lewis is some kind of glad-hander who dodges criticism because he smiles and works the room is ridiculous.

[Cody Christie]

Some new details from tonight

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, Old Twins Hat said:

I am not sure a player should be happy if they are not reaching their potential and the team is struggling to win.  I mean, what about the drive to get better?  It's work.

At a certain point, I want a competitor, not a glad-hander.

You don't think people should be happy at work? 

[Craig Arko]

16 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

You don't think people should be happy at work? 

I’m in tears every damn day, and I’m retired.