Should the Twins Bring Back Carlos Santana in 2025?

[David HK]

Yesterday, I'd have said yes!

Today, I'd say resoundingly--- 😝😝😝

[dxpavelka]

15 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Apparently you didn't notice that meant he was getting worse every season. Santana is starting from an OPS of .760 this season. Drop 50 points off that and he's not worth starting. Drop 100 points off that and he should probably be cut from the roster.

The Twins have received Santana's best season in 5 years. Do you think they can do that twice in a row? It's a lot more likely he gives them a season like he had in 2021.

Drop enough points of Santana's .760 and eventually you get to Kirilloff & Julien.

[TopGunn#22]

Much like how I felt with Mike Taylor and Donny Solano last year, I feel the same about Santana.  You were able to get a career year out of Taylor and Solano but they weren't likely to repeat those (and they didn't) and with Santana approaching 39 years old you just can't bring him back.  As others have said, the $5-$8 million that would be spent on Santana needs to go to our pitching staff.  You probably can't get a good SP for that money unless a real solid SP is willing to sign for the M.L. minimum, but you could look to shore up a bullpen with a couple of veteran arms to go with Jax, Duran and Sands.

The Twins plan all along has been to begin promoting their young players.  Miranda, Julien and Kirilloff (if he can ever stay healthy) should be the plan at 1B.  Correa at SS, with Lewis and Lee to play 2B/3B will be the plan with Castro backing each of them up.

The outfield will have Buxton, flanked by Larnach and Wallner with the need to acquire a RH bat that is capable of playing all 3 OF positions.  Martin hasn't done enough to just hand him that spot.  They at least need to explore what options are available.  Somewhere in there is possibly a spot for Emmanuel Rodriguez, but not until All Star game or August 1st.     

This late season collapse is sharpening the focus on many changes that need to happen this off-season.  As others have said, even if we make the playoffs, the likelihood of a first round defeat is high.  I think our aspirations for this season were higher than a first round exit.  If the Twins FAIL to make the playoffs, then some big changes need to happen.  

This is similar to the end of the Zimmer/Spielman regime with the Vikings.  It was time for a change of leadership, philosophy and strategy.  If the Twins fail to make the playoffs, BIG changes need to happen.  

[stringer bell]

59 minutes ago, TopGunn#22 said:

Much like how I felt with Mike Taylor and Donny Solano last year, I feel the same about Santana.  You were able to get a career year out of Taylor and Solano but they weren't likely to repeat those (and they didn't)….

I’d nitpick that Solano has followed up his nice year with the Twins with an equally nice year with the Padres, but I agree with your point. 

[RpR]

5 hours ago, TopGunn#22 said:

Much like how I felt with Mike Taylor and Donny Solano last year, I feel the same about Santana.  You were able to get a career year out of Taylor and Solano but they weren't likely to repeat those (and they didn't) and with Santana approaching 39 years old you just can't bring him back.  As others have said, the $5-$8 million that would be spent on Santana needs to go to our pitching staff.  You probably can't get a good SP for that money unless a real solid SP is willing to sign for the M.L. minimum, but you could look to shore up a bullpen with a couple of veteran arms to go with Jax, Duran and Sands.

The Twins plan all along has been to begin promoting their young players.  Miranda, Julien and Kirilloff (if he can ever stay healthy) should be the plan at 1B.  Correa at SS, with Lewis and Lee to play 2B/3B will be the plan with Castro backing each of them up.                        

 

And that would be a losing proposition for the Twins. 

[mrcharlie]

On 9/17/2024 at 12:35 PM, Greglw3 said:

100% Yes.

He’s the Twins best clutch hitter, takes the best at bats of any Twins hitter consistently and has pounded 22 HR with the near certainty that he wins the Gold Glove at 1st base.  And he deserves it.

I guarantee if the Twins let him go they won’t find such a dynamic, fundamentally sound, clutch, gold glove winning player at 1st base.

This.  If only Carlos is willing to stay.