BREAKING: Twins Agree to One-Year Deal With Outfielder Harrison Bader

[NYCTK]

1 hour ago, Riverbrian said:

It's lost on me but I see it frequently on TD. People are so afraid that Helman or Martin or Keirsay will OPS .620 that they will pay 6 million for a player that they know will OPS .620. 

Because Martin also sucks on defense. Why are people here so unaware of this.?

[chpettit19]

1 minute ago, NYCTK said:

Wonderful. Your opening day roster is probably a much worse team than the actual Twins. 

Starting a 22 year old with a 30% strikeout rate in the minors and no backup plan. Can't imagine why the Twins didn't go that route instead. 

You're right. Way better to tie themselves to a guy they know will be below average instead. Again, your assessment of this team all offseason has been that they're a below .500 team. But suddenly Harrison Bader is saving the day? Now we're on the right track? 

This move doesn't improve their chances of making the playoffs or advancing once they get there. You're acting like Bader is some kind of star but you don't even want him starting. You're talking out of both sides of your mouth. 

[tony&rodney]

20 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Another "the roof is leaking so we should burn down the house argument". 

It is prudent to see if the Rodriguez can handle AAA before you give him a starting position in the majors. His batting profile is quite weird, extremely patient to the point where it may all turn south as soon as he reaches a level where pitchers can hit their spots.

Should the Twins trade Jenkins if they think he's not ready this spring? How about Marco Raya? They should probably trade everyone they drafted in 2024 and 2023 and all the 16 year olds they signed out of Latin America in January. After all, if the Twins think they're not ready, the only logical thing to do is trade all of them.

Your first line is out of line.

The history of special players getting put right in the starting lineup is long. Cal Griffith ordered Rod Carew to be in the lineup every day. Last year Milwaukee played Jackson Chourio for two months before he came around. Joe Mauer never played at AAA and he would have been up a year earlier if he wasn't still working on catcher specific skills. The Twins have had their share of Rookie of the Year winners but it has been a while. 

Rodriguez is well ahead of other minor leaguers. His 90% line drive rate leads all minors players. His on base is spectacular. His defense is excellent. How many times have you watched him play. He has definite faults. He strikes out a ton and whiffs on pitches he should hit. He toys with AA and AAA pitchers including the top pitchers at that level.

We don't know how he will turn out and if he will manage at the MLB level until he gets the opportunity. Emmanuel is fully developed  physically. The guy needs a challenge. Jenkins needs repetitions and experience at AA. They are different players at different points in their development. Rodriguez has already pounded everyone at the minor league level. He is a classic boom or bust prospect that has a very high value right now. An athlete like Rodriguez rises to the confidence shown in him. There are times an organization or individuals within a system don't believe in a player. That doesn't work well. Get value while value is ripe.

[NYCTK]

1 hour ago, tony&rodney said:

Emmanuel has more at bats in AAA than both Chourio and Merrill from last year's rookie class. That argument doesn't carry with special players. Mauer never played AAA and had only 73 games at AA.

I think we all sample more than ten beers across a period of time before we settle on an opinion of our "go to" favorite beverage. People often sample many omelets before their opinion rests on one that works for them. 

Perhaps the Twins don't believe in him and think he is not ready. If that is the case, trade him. The value will never be higher. Kansas City will gladly stick Emmanuel in the lineup. We can then enjoy his at bats from a close experience.

This feels like Johan. Free Emmanuel.

Those two are much less risky players than Emmanuel. Chourio was the number 2 prospect in baseball for a reason, and Merrill was a defensive stud.

I know a lot of people like Emmanuel on defense but when the scouting reports say "we think he'll be able to stick in CF for a bit" that usually means he's an average to below average fielder at the position. 

[chpettit19]

3 minutes ago, NYCTK said:

This is what the Tigers did. Some vets were bad so they just played the kids. 

Anyone acting like the Twins are handcuffed to Bader are just admitting Rocco should be fired immediately. 

Rocco doesn't cut players. We've all admitted that this is about Falvey and Rocco. It's a strategy thing we don't like. They are handcuffed to Bader because they'll choose to be. That is our problem. Nobody is denying that. You're the one denying the realities of how this regime works to defend Harrison freaking Bader as some sort of savior. We're advocating for the Twins to change their strategy. You can say that as they should fire Falvey and Rocco or however you want. But that's our argument. You're the one arguing against other things than what we're saying.

[chpettit19]

Just now, NYCTK said:

Those two are much less risky players than Emmanuel. Chourio was the number 2 prospect in baseball for a reason, and Merrill was a defensive stud.

I know a lot of people like Emmanuel on defense but when the scouting reports say "we think he'll be able to stick in CF for a bit" that usually means he's an average to below average fielder at the position. 

Merrill had never played CF as a professional. Not 1 single inning. He didn't make the roster because he "was a defensive stud." He made it for his bat and they hoped he could play CF.

[USAFChief]

5 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

You're the one denying the realities of how this regime works to defend Harrison freaking Bader as some sort of savior.

...

You're the one arguing against other things than what we're saying.

In the same paragraph. 

 

Heh

[nicksaviking]

7 minutes ago, NYCTK said:

Because Martin also sucks on defense. Why are people here so unaware of this.?

Screw the defense. Every single year this team fails when they have runners in scoring position. EVERY SINGLE YEAR. And it's because they keep giving meaningful at bats to Baders and Margots and Taylors and Gallos and Vazquezs and Simmonss. They can't keep signing these glove only guys and think things will change.

Willie Castro not being able to get to one extra flyball a week pales in comparison to this team having a runner on 2B followed by the next guy at bat striking out then the next one meekly grounding out to end the inning every single game. It's unwatchable baseball. If they can't afford to hire the hitters who will stop doing this, they need to start rostering the guys who they don't know yet if they can't do this.

[USAFChief]

1 hour ago, tony&rodney said:

Emmanuel has more at bats in AAA than both Chourio and Merrill from last year's rookie class. That argument doesn't carry with special players. Mauer never played AAA and had only 73 games at AA.

I think we all sample more than ten beers across a period of time before we settle on an opinion of our "go to" favorite beverage. People often sample many omelets before their opinion rests on one that works for them. 

Perhaps the Twins don't believe in him and think he is not ready. If that is the case, trade him. The value will never be higher. Kansas City will gladly stick Emmanuel in the lineup. We can then enjoy his at bats from a close experience.

This feels like Johan. Free Emmanuel.

If ERod proves ready., he'll be up a d manning an OF spot soon enough. Bader won't stand in his way. Bader isn't ERod's competition. 

.Meanwhile, we maybe won't have to endure Martin in CF twice a week or more.

[tony&rodney]

1 minute ago, NYCTK said:

Those two are much less risky players than Emmanuel. Chourio was the number 2 prospect in baseball for a reason, and Merrill was a defensive stud.

I know a lot of people like Emmanuel on defense but when the scouting reports say "we think he'll be able to stick in CF for a bit" that usually means he's an average to below average fielder at the position. 

Merrill had never played an inning in CF before running out there for the Padres, not even in the minor leagues. Merrill was not rated as highly as Rodriguez is currently, really the same range though. Chourio, highly rated, struggled mightily for more than 50 games and didn't turn it around until June last year, after more than 50 games. These guys both played for teams that are better/ more competitive than the Twins.

I understand nobody wants me to ask how many times have you watched a guy, so I will quote someone who has scouted him a fair amount, from Fangraphs. The following squares with my own personal views. 

"The thing that is going to pop off the screen at you when Rodriguez reaches Minnesota is his defense. He isn’t an elite speedster with huge range; instead, he has incredible skill at the catch point. He makes spectacular plays around the wall and while going to the ground. His reads, routes, instincts and ball skills in center are all spectacular, and right now, he has the foot speed to play there." - Fangraphs

As I stated elsewhere, Emmanuel is ready. He is a classic boom or bust player. I'm not understanding why the Twins are so reticent to put a rookie in the lineup. I'm not talking about easing them in either. Who is demonstrably better as a potential outcome? A couple of years ago the Twins gave Joey Gallo well over 300 PA all the way into September before they pulled the plug. This has happened again and again with vets. Good for them and they earn a little extra money too, which is a good thing. Now it is time to allow that lattitude to a rookie who might be around for awhile. The Twins have nothing to lose. 

[chpettit19]

1 minute ago, USAFChief said:

In the same paragraph. 

 

Heh

Yes. Where those statements belong. Thanks for randomly pointing that out.

Have you read the whole thread? Seen their arguments and ours? I stand by my statement 100%. It wasn't even the first time in this thread I pointed out they were arguing against points people weren't making. And he is denying that this regime doesn't cut players. 2 things can be true at once. Especially when covering multiple interactions. Glad you got a giggle out of it, though. 

[NYCTK]

17 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

You're right. Way better to tie themselves to a guy they know will be below average instead. Again, your assessment of this team all offseason has been that they're a below .500 team. But suddenly Harrison Bader is saving the day? Now we're on the right track? 

This move doesn't improve their chances of making the playoffs or advancing once they get there. You're acting like Bader is some kind of star but you don't even want him starting. You're talking out of both sides of your mouth. 

You mistake me knowing a signing improves a bad team for thinking a signing makes a bad team good. 

Feel free to go back and read every comment I made here. Never claimed he's a star. Even admitted that Austin Martin is very likely going to be a marginally better hitter next season. I'm just not delusional enough to think that taking playing time away from Austin Martin is a bad idea.

So many people seem to have forgotten that defense is a part of baseball. 

[JD-TWINS]

7 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

I'll take Castro over Bader.

And I'll take any sliver of potential with Martin, Kiersey or Helman. They can all be sent packing when they don't perform. Those guys never get much leash. Call up the REAL prospects next. If none of them pan out, you only missed out on an unproductive veteran player anyway.

I seriously don't care about subpar defense from the 2nd option in CF. I care that this team for years signs these kinds of players and then acts stunned when they are the worst team in the league at driving in runs with guys in scoring position. That is 10x more frustrating than not catching an extra line drive once a week.

I too think Castro is just fine whenever needed in CF ……up to even 80-90 games.

Bad news is he’ll either be traded OR he’ll have to play 3B or 2B regularly because Lee & Julien can’t hit or Lewis is hurt.

My point is the odds are Castro wouldn’t/won’t be available to play CF.

[NYCTK]

20 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

In the same paragraph. 

 

Heh

Because I think Harrison Bader is better than either Martin or Keirsey, that actually means I'm betting money on him winning AL MVP. 

 

[chpettit19]

2 minutes ago, NYCTK said:

You mistake me knowing a signing improves a bad team for thinking a signing makes a bad team good. 

Feel free to go back and read every comment I made here. Never claimed he's a star. Even admitted that Austin Martin is very likely going to be a marginally better hitter next season. I'm just not delusional enough to think that taking playing time away from Austin Martin is a bad idea.

So many people seem to have forgotten that defense is a part of baseball. 

If he doesn't make a bad team good, who cares? That's literally our argument for not signing him. If the team is going to still be bad, why would you want them wasting PAs on a guy who won't help them be good now or in the future? 

Martin, Keirsey, Helman, Rodriguez, Eeles, McCusker, etc. all may be worse than Bader. Maybe way, way worse. But they at least have a chance of being better. If the team is going to be bad anyways why wouldn't you want them to give the young guys a chance to learn and improve and maybe be better?

Them still being a bad team is all the more reason not to tie yourself to a bad veteran player. Use that time to develop young players.

We haven't forgotten that defense is a part of baseball. We weight it differently. That's the same weak argument people give to defend every glove only guy. We judge his all around game to not be meaningfully better than the all around game of the other options. 

[nicksaviking]

5 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

I too think Castro is just fine whenever needed in CF ……up to even 80-90 games.

Bad news is he’ll either be traded OR he’ll have to play 3B or 2B regularly because Lee & Julien can’t hit or Lewis is hurt.

My point is the odds are Castro wouldn’t/won’t be available to play CF.

But Bader can't hit, so it's the same difference. Except with Lee and Julien, there is a possibility that they actually will hit. Or Keaschall or E-Rod or Martin or which ever of the cheap, optionable internal guys they want to try.

[tony&rodney]

Harrison Bader is athletic, which is a plus. He runs well. He also is a good glove, something lacking last year from the Twins. These are positive points. Bader was ok in the first half of last season and did manage a career high in PA. However, Harrison cratered badly in the second half. Perhaps the Twins can use him once a week and as a defensive replacement in the 9th inning.

[NYCTK]

28 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Rocco doesn't cut players. We've all admitted that this is about Falvey and Rocco. It's a strategy thing we don't like. They are handcuffed to Bader because they'll choose to be. That is our problem. Nobody is denying that. You're the one denying the realities of how this regime works to defend Harrison freaking Bader as some sort of savior. We're advocating for the Twins to change their strategy. You can say that as they should fire Falvey and Rocco or however you want. But that's our argument. You're the one arguing against other things than what we're saying.

Well. There should be a new owner by June. Maybe they'll do everyone a favor and fire Rocco and Falvey mid season. Fingers crossed! 

[NYCTK]

1 minute ago, chpettit19 said:

If he doesn't make a bad team good, who cares? That's literally our argument for not signing him. If the team is going to still be bad, why would you want them wasting PAs on a guy who won't help them be good now or in the future? 

Martin, Keirsey, Helman, Rodriguez, Eeles, McCusker, etc. all may be worse than Bader. Maybe way, way worse. But they at least have a chance of being better. If the team is going to be bad anyways why wouldn't you want them to give the young guys a chance to learn and improve and maybe be better?

Them still being a bad team is all the more reason not to tie yourself to a bad veteran player. Use that time to develop young players.

We haven't forgotten that defense is a part of baseball. We weight it differently. That's the same weak argument people give to defend every glove only guy. We judge his all around game to not be meaningfully better than the all around game of the other options. 

Hey man, if you're selling this season for future seasons that's an entirely different argument and I'm not opposed to that strategy either. 

I was under the impression people here wanted to improve the 2025. That's my bad. 

[DocBauer]

Since there's so much to unpack here, guess I'm going the bullet point route to address them:

1] I don't believe anyone here has ever stated that platooning is a bad tactic. It's OVERBUILDING a roster for platooning that shortens your roster as well as SHORTENING the potential of your LH bats. A young, talent LH hitter will never hit LHP if he's never allowed to even try. I have ZERO problem with having a good RH bat who platoons with a LH bat on occasion. It's just playing matchup ball. Say, a good RH bat...who doesn't completely suck against RHP...filling in for Larnach and Wallner once in a while. But to make it your MANTRA is short sighted.

2] Bader, by himself, with good defense, some power, and speed, is not a bad addition unto itself. Forgetting $ for a moment, there's value in what he can offer. IF he's used as a true 4th OF/PR/defensive replacement. But if he ends up with 400 PA, then your system and roster building is in error. And the risk/thought is, we're going to have another Margot situation of a poor hitter playing as a regular when he SHOULD be in that 4th OF role.

3] IF you have a limited budget and have some offensive concerns, then why not look for the best BAT you can find and and use the players IN YOUR SYSTEM that are available to fill in the backup spots on the cheap? We know Castro is OK once in a while in CF. We have NO CLUE if Keirsey or Helman can be viable bench players for the Twins and even help cover CF. But we DON'T KNOW because they've never been given a chance DESPITE being drafted and developed by the current FO. 2024 would have been a great opportunity to try and find out, instead of sticking with Margot and Farmer all season until a couple cups of coffee at the end of the season.

Few, if anyone, are saying Bader has NO VALUE. He actually does, especially if he's ACTUALLY USED as a 4th OF, defensive replacement, PH, occasional batter against LHP. But history shows a viable concern he'll be used more than that. And with a limited budget, why not "risk" lesser defense in CF that might be OK with younger players ...especially your #2 prospect already on the 40 man...and use that $ to add a BAT that can actually make a difference?

The arguements here make Bader a fall guy, and that's a bit unfair to him. But he's the most recent example where roster construction is being limited in imagination.

Again, personally, as the roster sits NOW, I would have run with the various options on hand for CF and maybe signed Grichuk for a BAT that could help in the corners, AND at DH for slightly less $.

4] BETTER VALUE might be shedding Paddack's salary, and combine it with the Bader $, and make a move with Tampa Bay for Diaz to play 1B. You suddenly have a quality and fairly productive 1B to settle your INF, and Miranda can continue to play some 1B/3B and DH. CF? You probably lose some defense, but you have a collection of guys to see if they can ACTUALLY play the position...which you haven't tried yet...and have the potential to match what Bader provides offensively. And again, this includes your #2 prospect that may or may not be ready DAY ONE, but he's super talented and already on the 40 man.

Not necessarily Bader's fault he's being used as a whipping boy here. And IF used properly and the Twins SOMEHOW could suddenly pull off a good deal for Diaz, we might not be having this huge debate. But the reality is...and my one major complaint with the FO...is spending $ on mediocre role players instead of someone who could MAKE A DIFFERENCE and ignoring guys they've actually drafted and developed to see if THEY could be inexpensive role players for the bench.

Sorry you're being turned in to a punching bag Mr. Bader. You aren't a horrible ballplayer. But you are an example of short sighted thinking for a team on a limited budget. You'd be just fine as a veteran role player addition if our team had the payroll to just make you a depth addition.

[nicksaviking]

2 minutes ago, NYCTK said:

Hey man, if you're selling this season for future seasons that's an entirely different argument and I'm not opposed to that strategy either. 

I was under the impression people here wanted to improve the 2025. That's my bad. 

You need to stop pretending those who think Bader is not a good baseball player don't also want that.

[chpettit19]

1 minute ago, NYCTK said:

Hey man, if you're selling this season for future seasons that's an entirely different argument and I'm not opposed to that strategy either. 

I was under the impression people here wanted to improve the 2025. That's my bad. 

I'm not. But I view the team differently than you. I don't view Bader as a "significant improvement" like you've said he is. I see him as, at best, a marginal improvement. Just like Paddack, Vazquez, and Castro are marginal improvements on what cheaper players can do. The marginal improvement strategy for multiple guys on the roster has proven to be ineffective so I want it stopped.

But your argument has been that he's more than a marginal improvement but you now say you still don't think they're a good team. And at that point I question why you defend this move. What does the team get out of it if they're still bad? Why should anyone be excited for going from 75 to 76 wins? Or even from 75 to 78 wins? What use is that? 

[mnfireman]

If Emma and Keaschel are tearing up AAA on May 15 and can't get called up because Bader is on the roster that is roster mismanagement.

And nothing builds a player's confidence more than telling him he can't and probably never will hit same sided pitching and signing a guy to take those PAs (Larnach & Wallner).

Having said both those things, I don't mind the signing, but in terms of player development and future roster construction,  it was probably unnecessary.

[tony&rodney]

3 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

Since there's so much to unpack here, guess I'm going the bullet point route to address them:

1] I don't believe anyone here has ever stated that platooning is a bad tactic. It's OVERBUILDING a roster for platooning that shortens your roster as well as SHORTENING the potential of your LH bats. A young, talent LH hitter will never hit LHP if he's never allowed to even try. I have ZERO problem with having a good RH bat who platoons with a LH bat on occasion. It's just playing matchup ball. Say, a good RH bat...who doesn't completely suck against RHP...filling in for Larnach and Wallner once in a while. But to make it your MANTRA is short sighted.

2] Bader, by himself, with good defense, some power, and speed, is not a bad addition unto itself. Forgetting $ for a moment, there's value in what he can offer. IF he's used as a true 4th OF/PR/defensive replacement. But if he ends up with 400 PA, then your system and roster building is in error. And the risk/thought is, we're going to have another Margot situation of a poor hitter playing as a regular when he SHOULD be in that 4th OF role.

3] IF you have a limited budget and have some offensive concerns, then why not look for the best BAT you can find and and use the players IN YOUR SYSTEM that are available to fill in the backup spots on the cheap? We know Castro is OK once in a while in CF. We have NO CLUE if Keirsey or Helman can be viable bench players for the Twins and even help cover CF. But we DON'T KNOW because they've never been given a chance DESPITE being drafted and developed by the current FO. 2024 would have been a great opportunity to try and find out, instead of sticking with Margot and Farmer all season until a couple cups of coffee at the end of the season.

Few, if anyone, are saying Bader has NO VALUE. He actually does, especially if he's ACTUALLY USED as a 4th OF, defensive replacement, PH, occasional batter against LHP. But history shows a viable concern he'll be used more than that. And with a limited budget, why not "risk" lesser defense in CF that might be OK with younger players ...especially your #2 prospect already on the 40 man...and use that $ to add a BAT that can actually make a difference?

The arguements here make Bader a fall guy, and that's a bit unfair to him. But he's the most recent example where roster construction is being limited in imagination.

Again, personally, as the roster sits NOW, I would have run with the various options on hand for CF and maybe signed Grichuk for a BAT that could help in the corners, AND at DH for slightly less $.

4] BETTER VALUE might be shedding Paddack's salary, and combine it with the Bader $, and make a move with Tampa Bay for Diaz to play 1B. You suddenly have a quality and fairly productive 1B to settle your INF, and Miranda can continue to play some 1B/3B and DH. CF? You probably lose some defense, but you have a collection of guys to see if they can ACTUALLY play the position...which you haven't tried yet...and have the potential to match what Bader provides offensively. And again, this includes your #2 prospect that may or may not be ready DAY ONE, but he's super talented and already on the 40 man.

Not necessarily Bader's fault he's being used as a whipping boy here. And IF used properly and the Twins SOMEHOW could suddenly pull off a good deal for Diaz, we might not be having this huge debate. But the reality is...and my one major complaint with the FO...is spending $ on mediocre role players instead of someone who could MAKE A DIFFERENCE and ignoring guys they've actually drafted and developed to see if THEY could be inexpensive role players for the bench.

Sorry you're being turned in to a punching bag Mr. Bader. You aren't a horrible ballplayer. But you are an example of short sighted thinking for a team on a limited budget. You'd be just fine as a veteran role player addition if our team had the payroll to just make you a depth addition.

Agree with this and one has to wonder why another team didn't step in sooner if Bader had this much value. The lack of planning seems evident to me. The current payroll sits at $148 million or so. I never thought the Twins were closely tied to $125-130M, but now we are well beyond that range. This has become a pattern. 

I guess there may still be a couple of trades, perhaps even ones that include bigger salaries and more than just one or two players. We shall see what comes next but the current state of the team is a little strange.

[NYCTK]

8 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

You need to stop pretending those who think Bader is not a good baseball player don't also want that.

No offense, but I won't be listening to the opinion on whether someone is a good baseball player or not from someone that just said that they don't care about half of the game of baseball. 

[USAFChief]

8 minutes ago, mnfireman said:

If Emma and Keaschel are tearing up AAA on May 15 and can't get called up because Bader is on the roster that is roster mismanagement.

And nothing builds a player's confidence more than telling him he can't and probably never will hit same sided pitching and signing a guy to take those PAs (Larnach & Wallner).

Having said both those things, I don't mind the signing, but in terms of player development and future roster construction,  it was probably unnecessary.

Explain to me how Bader on the roster will prevent Keaschel's callup. 

As for ERod, he's not going to get called up as a 4th OFer, so i don't think Bader will stand in his way either.

[Jocko87]

How the hell did this turn into some sort of moratorium on Emmanuel Rodriguez? (I’ve watched him in person several times, this move does not affect him in the slightest, for the record).

This isn’t that hard.  Until we get a follow on move, which I believe is coming, Bader is MAT.  Bader is what Margot was supposed to be.  Which is a damn valuable role on this team.  It doesn’t rob squat from anyone.  

It's the same as Farmer.  Don’t hate the vet for being not great, hate that the kid couldn’t beat him out.  

[Finlander]

Full disclosure, I haven't read all 260+ posts, but I'll jump in anyway.

I don't believe Bader is a wasted roster spot at all. He fits a current need just fine. He has a gold glove as a legitimate center fielder. He's had around 18-20 steals in each of the last 3 years. He has a little pop. And he swings right handed - thank goodness. I'm not worried about his nosedive last year. Many of the Twins also struggled to maintain Mendoza-line output in their own second halves. Now hopefully all the howling about needing a rightie bat in the OF will quiet down and other needs can be pursued. If he plays well, and one of the minor league studs becomes ready to be called up, Bader can always be moved for a prospect mid-season. I like the idea of having his steady glove available on the bench come playoff time though. I like that he can play a solid CF if Bux is given some DH duties on occasion. Other teams will value him too if we choose to move him.

Solid unspectacular move in my opinion. He'll be useful.

[Jocko87]

1 hour ago, tony&rodney said:

Rodriguez is well ahead of other minor leaguers. His 90% line drive rate leads all minors players. His on base is spectacular. His defense is excellent. How many times have you watched him play. He has definite faults. He strikes out a ton and whiffs on pitches he should hit. He toys with AA and AAA pitchers including the top pitchers at that level.

We don't know how he will turn out and if he will manage at the MLB level until he gets the opportunity. Emmanuel is fully developed  physically. The guy needs a challenge. Jenkins needs repetitions and experience at AA. They are different players at different points in their development. Rodriguez has already pounded everyone at the minor league level. He is a classic boom or bust prospect that has a very high value right now. An athlete like Rodriguez rises to the confidence shown in him. There are times an organization or individuals within a system don't believe in a player. That doesn't work well. Get value while value is ripe.

One does not “toy” with pitchers at any level with a 30% strikeout rate.  

We get it, you like him, but he’s boom or bust, you love him, but he’s not being challenged except he’s injured and at AAA at 21. 

If you are correct in your scouting that he’s just twiddling his thumbs in the minors because he’s to good for these nerds, we have a different problem.  Personally, I haven’t seen that and I watch body language almost more than the baseball.  It’s part of my partially unreasonable faith in Brooks Lee.  

There’s a lot to be excited about with Erod, but this move means nothing to him.  There’s another forum for this discussion.

[nicksaviking]

1 hour ago, NYCTK said:

No offense, but I won't be listening to the opinion on whether someone is a good baseball player or not from someone that just said that they don't care about half of the game of baseball. 

This is just obstinate. Willfully and stubbornly.

The Twins ills are with the offense. I can only assume you haven't watched or listened to a game in the last two years, because this is very, very clear. So yes, they 100% should be prioritizing fixing the offense. This only hurts that effort.