3 Speedy Free Agents Who Could Jumpstart the Twins' Sluggish Offense

[DocBauer]

A hard NO to all 3 offerings listed, unless you have any lingering concerns about players currently rostered and you want Iglesias on a small, 1 yr deal for 2B. At least he can hit a little. But while he may be fast, he doesn't steal bases. So other than taking an extra base, he doesn't do anything but provide a mediocre 1 year fix for much of anything. 

IMO, one of the biggest mistakes the FO made in 2024...I'm a supporter but will call out disagreements...was not allowing Helman and Keirsey LEGITIMATE opportunities to display any potential they might have when injuries hit and the roster was floundering. You should ALWAYS look internally if you have guys actually PRODUCING at the AAA level!

Look, I bring up Helam and Keirsey A LOT. I've done it before the season began, during the season, and now after the season. That DOESN'T mean I think either of these guys are any sort of guarantee, or will even stick for anything other than the short term. There's actually a number of players in the system, in the top 20+, that are athletic and fast, and some can even hit and have power/pop. But Helman and Keirsey are both college players that had some early injuries, then missed 2020, and have bloomed late. BOTH have been riding impressive 2 year streaks of hitting, OB%, pop/power, and are athletic, speedy players, who have been forced to sit in the system instead of getting opportunities when injuries struck. 

Why? Why wouldn't you look internally when guys YOU DRAFTED have done well? Helman is a RH version of Castro, with possibly better OF defense, and more power. While he's had a couple injuries the past couple of seasons, he's been excellent at the plate and on the bases. They've even brought him to ST each of the past two seasons. Keirsey was the higher draft choices, has been at least as good of a hitter, with similar pop/power, and at least as much speed and SB ability.

They gave a chance to a similar age Castro as a FA signing and were well rewarded by doing so. Is the fact that he had MLB service time the only reason he got a chance to develop with the Twins? You got a HUGE reward by giving him a chance. But you didn't offer up a same age, and a slightly older age, player(s) a reasonable opportunity to see what they could do given a legitimate opportunity?

A couple years ago the FO was smart enough to bring in BOTH Stewart AND Jeff Hoffman as fliers for the pen. Both impressed. Stewart, as I recall, went to AAA briefly and then was recalled. Hoffman pitched as well, if not better, and was cut. And he's been a mainstay in the Phillies pen for 2 consecutive seasons now. IMAGINE having BOTH of them in the Twins pen the past 2 years?

My biggest complaint with the FO is INTERNAL scouting at times. Honestly, it's a pretty small blip all things considered, but they also allowed LHRP Coulombe to leave for nothing to the Orioles that same season.

You want to add some speed? Great. Speed alone means nothing. You want to add speed and athleticism to your roster? Then go ahead and do what you've done the last couple of drafts and add some better speed/athletic players to the system. And again, if you follow the draft, the IL signings, and the MILB system, you will see more speed and athleticism being brought on board.

But that doesn't change 2025. And the options presented in the OP offer little to nothing other than a pipedream of SOMEONE SUDDENLY learning how to hit and steal bases.

Even with a rise in payroll, and/if a move or two to add more $ to make a move, what combo player who can hit, play defense, maybe provide some power, and adds speed is even available? I suppose the FO could trade 3 top 20 prospects to someone for such a player that's cost controlled, but it isn't happening.

It's too late to see if either Helman or Keirsey are REMOTELY proven that they might enhance the 2025 roster. A MISSED opportunity by the FO. But with questions about 1B and another RH bat of at least DECENT quality who can not stink against RH pitching, they are left to internal options that have been ignored thus far.

If at all possible, the FO should be looking for a RH OF that can hit LH pitching but be "OK" against RH arms. They SHOULD be looking at Keirsey, Helman, AND Martin EVERY SINGLE DAY in ST next February to see if ANY of them have the ability to contribute, even for the short term for other prospects on their way. They also should ABSOLUTELY bring Eeles in as a non roster invite! He might ONLY be a good story. But considering how he obliterated MILB even at the AAA level, how could you NOT want to give someone like that an honest look?

Speed/athleticism is not totally void on the current roster with health. Better base running should be stressed for sure. But more speed and athleticism is not just coming. It's POTENTIALLY better if you give your own backyard a legitimate chance to show what they might be able to do. 

[David HK]

Speed is one big priority, to be sure.  But in-house candidates far outshine those listed.

Just as an example, Keirsey should have been up all year, and Margot should never have darkened our doorway.  

[Trov]

Having a guy with speed can be helpful, but over a full 162 game season their impact will be minimal if they cannot hit.  In a short series having guys that can steal bases and score from first on doubles is a huge thing.  You can pinch run them late in games for slower guys.  However, in a 162 game season they will need to get some at-bats.  Iglesias had a career year for Mets as a part timer.  The other 2 cannot hit and I doubt Iglesias will hit over 100 OPS over his career next year. 

I would not go out just to find guys that an run fast, if that is what you want, go pick up a track star. 

[Riverbrian]

Personally... I'd like to see the club increase the overall team speed. I'd like to see this... perhaps more than anyone. I'm watching what the Brewers and Guardians did on the base paths and it seems to be a clear weapon to create runs when runs are hard to come by. The rule changes have brought speed back into the game. 

However... as badly as I'd like to see team speed increased for better balance. I think it's important for all baseball teams.

The players with speed still have to be able to hit the ball.

I'm not going to advocate signing Garrett Hampson because he has some wheels. 

 

[Major League Ready]

3 Others .... Emmanuel Rodriguez / Luke Keaschall / Walker Jenkins.   

[Heiny]

Speed is fun, right? But in my opinion we need to change our approach on hitting entirely.  Our biggest problem in 24, to me, was the inability to score runners from scoring position with less than two outs.  How many times did we have runners on third with no outs and didn't score?  That's not just bad luck, it's a poor approach and poor coaching.  Also, what is the point of having 4 minor league teams if you can't seem to advance these players except for a few who really stand out.  Draft well, teach well and promote, especially with a limited budget. Optimally, there should be two or three rookies that contribute to the team every year.  That's on the front office.  We need top notch coaching to teach in every minor league team.  That's also on the front office.  Or, you need big bucks to buy top free agents.  And that's certainly not the Twins way.  Draft your speed and hit tools. And teach them to contribute depending on situations.  We always seem to have high hopes for several minor leaguers and they rarely pan out.  Yes, we have numerous home grown players on the roster but they seem to be missing some of the basics of situational baseball.  Especially scoring runners from second and third base.  This is where "I believe" we need to concentrate our efforts.

[mrcharlie]

On 10/20/2024 at 8:42 AM, AKTwinsFan said:

They got some guys with speed, they just need some better base running coaching. It doesn't take a Witt Jr. to steal bases. Just when and where to run. 

This is very true.  The coaches didn't have much to work with, but they misread numerous in game situations.  

[1985Fan]

Speed isn’t the only ingredient required for base stealing success. The base runner has to be able to read the pitcher to get a good jump, which is probably the most important skill. As others have said here, that is coaching. There also has to be awareness of the optimal count to attempt stealing. Counts that generate breaking balls are when attempts are most likely to be successful. Manager has to call for the steal to get the players thinking and focusing on it as a tool. It’s obvious Rocco does not value base stealing as a part of offense, and I don’t see that changing.

There are other base running skills that are lacking. Advancing on pitches in the dirt and passed balls, taking advantage of opponents weak arms, hit and run, etc. All skills that coaches should be able to teach at the minor and major league levels. This FO has not emphasized base running skills and it a shame because it’s a mental aspect of each players game that used to be a mandatory skill.
Rocco and FO like the station to station, wait for the long ball, Earl Weaver offense. That can work if you have power. With Santana leading the team with 22 home runs, it doesn’t take a genius to see that philosophy isn’t going to work with this roster. Rocco and Falvey will crunch the numbers and their stats will show to continue what they’re doing because injuries derailed the season. Same excuse for every season they don’t make the playoffs. 

[RpR]

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[RpR]

 

 

YES, at THRID BASE/

José Iglesias, Infielder
A veteran well-known to the Twins from his days in Detroit, José Iglesias, still possesses solid speed despite being 35 years old next season. In 2024, he ranked 99th in baseball, landing in the 83rd percentile for sprint speed. Iglesias doesn’t bring much power to the table, but he continues to hit for average, boasting a .337 mark in 85 games for the Mets this past season. His ability to play second base, third base, and shortstop makes him a versatile option to replace someone like Kyle Farmer. Iglesias’ speed and contact-hitting could provide the Twins with a spark that’s been missing.

[twinstalker]

LOL at including a guy who said in the middle of last year that it was his last season.