Arbitrary Thoughts: OF Trevor Larnach

[Riverbrian]

17 minutes ago, AKTwinsFan said:

Even as he proved to be a very good lhp hitter Baldelli would bench him. He had a more productive season than Wallner. Less HRs but more hits and RBIs. The constant platooning of him though would make him cool off when hed be on a hot streak.

Great Post

The best way to cool off a hot streak is to bench the hot streak.

I'm not saying that Larnach had hot streaks (I'm sure he did) and I'm certainly not implying that Trevor Larnach didn't get opportunities against left handed hitters this year.

I am saying that generally... Benching a hot hitter is benching a significant short term advantage in favor of strict adherence to the platoon that produces a slighter short term advantage. Is the left handed hitter hot right now? It doesn't matter... He's left handed therefore his hotness isn't a factor. The left handedness is the only factor that matters. 

It's a dial and not a light switch... it stands to reason that if a hitter is seeing the ball well and his swing is locked in... he will not only hit better against right handers at that moment but also against left handed hitters at that moment... if the manager doesn't allow him to left handers when he is playing his best baseball... you are left with a small sample baked in lower numbers that everybody points at and says... See... he can't hit lefties. It says so right here over these 20 AB's he got.    

 

[S Bart]

22 hours ago, RpR said:

Larnach had better defense numbers, and similar offense numbers this year than Wallner; get rid of Wallner and keep Larnach.

Not sure....but I do believe that there is too much hype on Wallner. If he doesn't fix his hitting challenges, he may not make it through next season. Home runs are great but not when your BA hovers just above 200.

[LA Vikes Fan]

16 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

There are a lot of people on this site that I respect who disagree with me on this and it's OK... You are one of the respected. 

I appreciate you at least acknowledging the argument. 

There is an argument to be made in that regard. I'd say the argument is for 3rd best hitter on the team. Or 4th. But... Larnach is one of a small group of remaining major league bats on this current roster. 

Buxton and Keaschall were clearly 1 and 2 but after that? 

Jeffers is probably #3 but Wallner and Larnach are in that ball park and it could be argued for all of them. 

When people start talking about removing one of the small, tiny group of major league hitters. They are talking about removing one of the few. With miles of roster space below him that has to be addressed. 

 

 

I'm persuaded by your argument that the Larnach decision may be more nuanced than just "he's too expensive at $4.5M and not that great". You're right that he was probably our 4th or 5th best hitter last year depending on how you look at Jeffers and Martin. Hard to just let that walk when the price is "only" $4.5-5M on a team that should have lots of payroll space.  4th OFs and UTLs make that much or more. 

To me, the problem is shoehorning Larnach onto the roster. I start with the proposition that Martin needs to play everyday in 2026. Not 3-4 times a week as a 4th OF, every day as the starting LF unless he shows us that the last 2 months of 2025 were an aberration. If he can continue to hit .275 plus with a .360 plus OBP and an OPS even in the .725 range, he's the everyday leadoff hitter. That allows Buxton to take his 35 HRs to the #2 or 3 hole where he can drive in 100 runs instead of 80 on the same performance. We NEED middle of the order bats; Martin's performance helps us let Buxton be one of those bats (we're still 2 short). 

So now you have Wallner and Larnach - what do you so with them? Wallner could hit 30 HRs a year with an .800 OPS and he's pre-arb so you have to keep him and play him. There goes RF or DH most days. We need to get more athletic, faster, and better on defense because Buxton and Wallner are the only 2 guys we have likely to hit 20 or more HRs a year so we have to run, steal bases, and play good defense to have any chance to be successful. Larnach doesn't help us there. Roden, Jenkins, Emma, and even Outman might and we need to find out early in 2026. Gonzalez could be one of those middle of the order bats we need so desperately. We just don't have an everyday OF or DH spot for Larnach if we want to get better, IMHO.

What we do have is an opening at 1B. Clemens is not the answer, not even close. He's a fun guy to have on a lousy team. I don't want to be that. While I would seriously consider moving Keaschall to 1B, Lee to 2B, and play Culpeper or a real glove man at SS to improve our infield defense and help the pitching, it looks like that thought is at least a July away.  If Larnach wants to stay and get a $4.5-5M salary, he needs to spend every waking off season hour learning 1B. That's the only place he fits with the Twins, IMHO, and he isn't going to get that kind of a deal if he is non-tendered. I think he could be a decent 1B with the bat if he can handle the position with the glove. 

Wait, why don't we find a $5m free agent 1B instead? Who the heck is that? 33 year old Rhys Hoskins who is weak with the glove, has no speed, and is coming off of injuries and a $17M salary? Good luck getting him for $5M or even $10M and he isn't that much better of a hitter than Larnach any way. Ty France, he of the 88 OPS+, and .680 OPS? He's solid with the glove, but he's 31, coming off his 3rd straight down year and has no power. His one advantage might be his salary in a platoon with Larnach or Clemens. UGH on the second.  Luis Arraez, Wilmer Flores, Josh Bell? Not any better than Larnach, arguably worse and probably more expensive. Naylor would be great but he is gong to cost $20M a year plus on a multi-year deal, Ryan O'Hearn is $15m plus, and Pete Alonso in $25M plus. Bottom line, there isn't anybody unless we're going to spend serious money. Moreover, why would any of these guys come to MN where the team isn't very good, the stands are empty, and ownership is in flux? They're going to get the money wherever they go, may as well be a good situation.  

So, bottom line for me is Larnach learns to play 1B or there just isn't a place for him. On the other hand, there is a spot for him in 2026 if he does learn 1B. Let's nor pre-judge whether he can do it, let's give that a shot. It might be a $4.7M gamble but it fills a real hole if it turns out. Oh, and by the way, it's only a 1 year gamble. 

[Blyleven2011]

Think about this  ...

Twins are getting a new manager and coaches , new ideas and inspiration ...

Under Rocco they looked dead in the water  , played possum dead at home and got killed on the road , the players never truly came to play for Rocco and Falvey's plan , look at all the veteran players they signed and kept playing them regardless of their lack of production  ( does Margot and gallo come to mind ) , who would give full effort playing for an organization that couldn't see the light and continue to take a roster spot from someone better  ...

Im in a positive mood that a new manager and coaches ,  the players will play harder and some might even have career years , ( one thing standing in the way though and that is falvey stays out of it because the players all knew Rocco was just a peon , in my opinion the players lacked any inspiration from Rocco because he wasnt the leader , falvey was ) ...

I like larnach and I say tender him and build up his trade value and trade him at the deadline if others are ready to step into his shoes , I know there are probably some that can step into those shoes now but the point is he is a major league player and should prosper more under a new direction  ... 

Enthusiasm will be up next season and the core will play better ...

Remember sports fan , you heard it here first  ...

Im not always right but I'm never wrong ...

[Riverbrian]

1 hour ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

 

To me, the problem is shoehorning Larnach onto the roster. I start with the proposition that Martin needs to play everyday in 2026. Not 3-4 times a week as a 4th OF, every day as the starting LF unless he shows us that the last 2 months of 2025 were an aberration. If he can continue to hit .275 plus with a .360 plus OBP and an OPS even in the .725 range, he's the everyday leadoff hitter. That allows Buxton to take his 35 HRs to the #2 or 3 hole where he can drive in 100 runs instead of 80 on the same performance. We NEED middle of the order bats; Martin's performance helps us let Buxton be one of those bats (we're still 2 short). 

 

I appreciate your entire post. It's a good well thought out post.

I want to focus on this one section.

Don't get me wrong... your entire post is worthy of thought and discussion but before we talk about the rest of it... this section is where we diverge. It's actually where I diverge with most posters.   

Martin doesn't need to play "Every Day". Don't get me wrong... Martin had a great 156 AB's in the 2nd half. He was a difference maker on the base paths even after you consider the rather large mistakes that he made on them from time to time. I loved watching him play. 

I want Martin in the lineup next year but he doesn't have to play every day. Larnach doesn't have to play every day, Wallner doesn't have to play every day. Outman doesn't have to play every day. 

There are two players who should play every day. Buxton and Keaschall based on performance and Buxton probably won't play every day either due to rest requirements.  

The rest can compete and nobody should have to get splinters. 

Take the two catchers out of the mix because they have their own specialized rotation. Take Buxton and Keashcall out as true every day players. It leave you with 9 players for 6 lineup spots with CF Buxton, Keaschall 2B and C out of the mix. 

Divide that equally... I'm not saying it should be divided equally but if you divide that equally... all of those 9 players will play 2 out of 3 games. True competition for playing time. May the best man win. Would you like to play 3 out of 4 games or 4 out of 5... Earn it! Out perform your teammates. We will provide the opportunity for you to do that... but we will provide the opportunity for your teammate as well. Earn it! Let the players make the decision instead of pre-determining the decision and trying to shoehorn the pre-determination in until it eventually proves you right or wrong.  

Do you want to avoid losing playing time to your teammates. Don't get out played. 

This selecting a LF, CF, RF and calling the rest bench is how you limit your possibilities. It's how you let Logan Morrison take you down or Royce Lewis for that matter.

True Competition... pouring 13 players through the filter is the quickest way back. Limiting your selections to 9 and calling the rest bench is the longest way back because I will place a bet with anyone who will take it.  Here's the bet... Not everyone of the chosen 9 is going to make it. We will be lucky if 6 of the chosen 9 make it.

Your odds of finding 6 players to move forward with are simply better with 13 players through the filter at all times compared to a chosen 9 players.   

You can play Buxton, Martin, Wallner, Larnach and even Outman frequently enough. Nobody has to get in the way of anybody.

Unless they just out perform them and earn the right to be in the way.    

Jenkins, GG, Erod. People are going to get injured... they should get their time in the sun and they should be allowed to compete when their time comes. 

I'm guessing that an outfielder will get traded. Weather they do or don't... I'm with you. I'd like to see a candidate converted to 1B. Don't know who the best candidate is for that but yeah... Convert someone because we have a big giant lake sized hole at 1B that needs water to fish in.     

[SteveLV]

3 pages on an ok player who is slated to make more money than he is likely to produce.

Keep him, trade him or non-tender him, it will make no meaningful difference to the Twins' future.

[TopGunn#22]

I can agree that against RH pitchers Larnach might be our 3rd best hitter on "some" days.  But I've got to believe that if the Dodgers are willing to pay a 38 year old relief pitcher $14 million dollars for this past season NOT to be their closer (Kirby Yates) there have to be about a dozen teams who would look at $5 million for a "serviceable" LH hitter against RH pitchers (which make up about 70-75% of ALL pitchers) as an acceptable cost.

I realize that a decision whether to go to arbitration with Larnach must be made by the end of November, but I'm not sure I'd offer him arbitration before I would make the biggest move of the Twins off season...trading SP Joe Ryan.  And I don't see a move like that happening until early-mid December.

I think Joe Ryan was pretty miffed about the whole trade deadline ordeal.  But I also think his value has never been higher.  Trading Ryan gives the Twins a great chance to re-shape the roster with some players that could fill some big holes.

Boston Gets:  Joe Ryan BBTV of 47.0  

Twins Get:  Wilyer Abreu  33.0  Gold Glove RF with power.  26 years old.  Payton Tolle  13.9  20 year old LH Starting Pitcher, Triston Casas  0.0  1B/DH  25 years old.  TOTAL Value:  46.9   

By acquiring the 26 year old Abreu the Twins have no need for either Larnach or Wallner.  In fact, acquiring Abreu frees the Twins up to trade Wallner for a young, major league Catcher.  Wallner's  BBTV of 28.5 may or may not have fallen a bit.  But his value all by itself is higher than that of Kyle Teel 24.8, Edgar Quero 14.6 (both Chicago White Sox) and Harry Ford 19.1  Seattle Mariners.  This value is rather old but I haven't seen his name pop up on BBTV for awhile.  That 19.1 value surely hasn't increased as Ford had just 8 plate appearances in the major leagues this year.  But he's 21 years old, believed to be MLB ready and is blocked by Cal Raleigh.  

I have to believe that the White Sox and Mariners would be intrigued with the undisputed "KING of OPS" Matt Wallner.  

These 2 trades would set the Twins up with the following lineup and rotation:  I'll start with the lowest rated Catcher of the above three, Edgar Quero even though Teel and Ford are distinct possibilities.  

C  Edgar Quero   1B  Tristan Casas  2B  Luke Keaschall  SS  Brooks Lee (to start the year)  3B  Royce Lewis  RF  Wilyer Abreu  CF  Byron Buxton  LF  Larnach? Austin Martin? Roden?  Walker Jenkins?  Your DH/1B would be a rotating position, or you could make a deal for a RH bat like 1B Yandy Diaz who is only valued at 4.7.  The Twins could add his solid RH bat at a cost easy to bear.

That lineup has power, but makes contact far more consistently than any lineup in recent Twins history.  With the exception of Larnach (if he's still around) there is no obvious "platoon" candidate.

The Rotation:  Lopez, Ober, SWR, Bradley, Matthews, Abel, Tolle.  There are 7 arms as primary competitors.  The BP remains a mess with only Sands, Funderburk and ??  as probable locks.  Festa must prove himself healthy before being considered for any role.  

I believe if the trades I've listed above can be completed, and they are not outrageous possibilities, a bona vide Closer needs to be signed.  I nominate Ryan Helsley or Devin Williams.  It may only be for a one year deal for them to rebuild their value.  If the Twins are in contention they could hold onto that Closer or deal him at the deadline. 

There are a LOT of young players with promise in the Twins farm system.  Maybe only Walker Jenkins is a true potential star.  There is major league talent there.  Some of that talent needs to matriculate to the Twins in 2026/2027.  But players like Abreu, Quero, Casas, Tolle and a Yandy Diaz type would inject a better brand of baseball along side Buxton and Keaschall.  Better defense, more consistent contact.  The young SP's will have ups and downs.  The BP, even with a veteran Closer with something to prove will have ups and downs. 

But in the A.L. Central, if there are more Ups than Downs, the Twins could very well compete.   

[LA Vikes Fan]

32 minutes ago, TopGunn#22 said:

I can agree that against RH pitchers Larnach might be our 3rd best hitter on "some" days.  But I've got to believe that if the Dodgers are willing to pay a 38 year old relief pitcher $14 million dollars for this past season NOT to be their closer (Kirby Yates) there have to be about a dozen teams who would look at $5 million for a "serviceable" LH hitter against RH pitchers (which make up about 70-75% of ALL pitchers) as an acceptable cost.

I realize that a decision whether to go to arbitration with Larnach must be made by the end of November, but I'm not sure I'd offer him arbitration before I would make the biggest move of the Twins off season...trading SP Joe Ryan.  And I don't see a move like that happening until early-mid December.

I think Joe Ryan was pretty miffed about the whole trade deadline ordeal.  But I also think his value has never been higher.  Trading Ryan gives the Twins a great chance to re-shape the roster with some players that could fill some big holes.

Boston Gets:  Joe Ryan BBTV of 47.0  

Twins Get:  Wilyer Abreu  33.0  Gold Glove RF with power.  26 years old.  Payton Tolle  13.9  20 year old LH Starting Pitcher, Triston Casas  0.0  1B/DH  25 years old.  TOTAL Value:  46.9   

By acquiring the 26 year old Abreu the Twins have no need for either Larnach or Wallner.  In fact, acquiring Abreu frees the Twins up to trade Wallner for a young, major league Catcher.  Wallner's  BBTV of 28.5 may or may not have fallen a bit.  But his value all by itself is higher than that of Kyle Teel 24.8, Edgar Quero 14.6 (both Chicago White Sox) and Harry Ford 19.1  Seattle Mariners.  This value is rather old but I haven't seen his name pop up on BBTV for awhile.  That 19.1 value surely hasn't increased as Ford had just 8 plate appearances in the major leagues this year.  But he's 21 years old, believed to be MLB ready and is blocked by Cal Raleigh.  

I have to believe that the White Sox and Mariners would be intrigued with the undisputed "KING of OPS" Matt Wallner.  

These 2 trades would set the Twins up with the following lineup and rotation:  I'll start with the lowest rated Catcher of the above three, Edgar Quero even though Teel and Ford are distinct possibilities.  

C  Edgar Quero   1B  Tristan Casas  2B  Luke Keaschall  SS  Brooks Lee (to start the year)  3B  Royce Lewis  RF  Wilyer Abreu  CF  Byron Buxton  LF  Larnach? Austin Martin? Roden?  Walker Jenkins?  Your DH/1B would be a rotating position, or you could make a deal for a RH bat like 1B Yandy Diaz who is only valued at 4.7.  The Twins could add his solid RH bat at a cost easy to bear.

That lineup has power, but makes contact far more consistently than any lineup in recent Twins history.  With the exception of Larnach (if he's still around) there is no obvious "platoon" candidate.

The Rotation:  Lopez, Ober, SWR, Bradley, Matthews, Abel, Tolle.  There are 7 arms as primary competitors.  The BP remains a mess with only Sands, Funderburk and ??  as probable locks.  Festa must prove himself healthy before being considered for any role.  

I believe if the trades I've listed above can be completed, and they are not outrageous possibilities, a bona vide Closer needs to be signed.  I nominate Ryan Helsley or Devin Williams.  It may only be for a one year deal for them to rebuild their value.  If the Twins are in contention they could hold onto that Closer or deal him at the deadline. 

There are a LOT of young players with promise in the Twins farm system.  Maybe only Walker Jenkins is a true potential star.  There is major league talent there.  Some of that talent needs to matriculate to the Twins in 2026/2027.  But players like Abreu, Quero, Casas, Tolle and a Yandy Diaz type would inject a better brand of baseball along side Buxton and Keaschall.  Better defense, more consistent contact.  The young SP's will have ups and downs.  The BP, even with a veteran Closer with something to prove will have ups and downs. 

But in the A.L. Central, if there are more Ups than Downs, the Twins could very well compete.   

Much as I don't want to trade Ryan, this is actually pretty interesting. Abreu is a legit MLB player with several years of control remaining, probably a #6 hitter but could be a middle of the order bat, and Tolle is 22 and Boston's #2 prospect. Those two alone are probably a little light on the return so the addition of Casas makes sense, Is he the 2023 or 2024 Casas (very good) or the 2025 version (awful)? If he's the good version, great trade. If all we get is the bad Casas, Tolle has to be a legit front line starter for us to get fair value. Worth a shot IF we are going to trade Ryan. I'd still rather keep him. 

I'm with you on Devin Williams or Ryan Helsley. A formerly good closer coming off a bad year looking for a pillow contract to rebuild value makes a lot of sense for this team. 

[stringer bell]

Trevor Larnach is a proven mediocrity. Yes, he might be the third or fourth best hitter against right handed pitching for the Twins both this year and next year, but if he is, the team isn't good enough to win half of their games. I don't see a lot of upside there (less than Wallner, for example). If he's only a placeholder, I think this retooling makes him (and his contract) expendable. 

[Riverbrian]

3 hours ago, TopGunn#22 said:

I can agree that against RH pitchers Larnach might be our 3rd best hitter on "some" days.  But I've got to believe that if the Dodgers are willing to pay a 38 year old relief pitcher $14 million dollars for this past season NOT to be their closer (Kirby Yates) there have to be about a dozen teams who would look at $5 million for a "serviceable" LH hitter against RH pitchers (which make up about 70-75% of ALL pitchers) as an acceptable cost.

I realize that a decision whether to go to arbitration with Larnach must be made by the end of November, but I'm not sure I'd offer him arbitration before I would make the biggest move of the Twins off season...trading SP Joe Ryan.  And I don't see a move like that happening until early-mid December.

I think Joe Ryan was pretty miffed about the whole trade deadline ordeal.  But I also think his value has never been higher.  Trading Ryan gives the Twins a great chance to re-shape the roster with some players that could fill some big holes.

Boston Gets:  Joe Ryan BBTV of 47.0  

Twins Get:  Wilyer Abreu  33.0  Gold Glove RF with power.  26 years old.  Payton Tolle  13.9  20 year old LH Starting Pitcher, Triston Casas  0.0  1B/DH  25 years old.  TOTAL Value:  46.9   

By acquiring the 26 year old Abreu the Twins have no need for either Larnach or Wallner.  In fact, acquiring Abreu frees the Twins up to trade Wallner for a young, major league Catcher.  Wallner's  BBTV of 28.5 may or may not have fallen a bit.  But his value all by itself is higher than that of Kyle Teel 24.8, Edgar Quero 14.6 (both Chicago White Sox) and Harry Ford 19.1  Seattle Mariners.  This value is rather old but I haven't seen his name pop up on BBTV for awhile.  That 19.1 value surely hasn't increased as Ford had just 8 plate appearances in the major leagues this year.  But he's 21 years old, believed to be MLB ready and is blocked by Cal Raleigh.  

I have to believe that the White Sox and Mariners would be intrigued with the undisputed "KING of OPS" Matt Wallner.  

These 2 trades would set the Twins up with the following lineup and rotation:  I'll start with the lowest rated Catcher of the above three, Edgar Quero even though Teel and Ford are distinct possibilities.  

C  Edgar Quero   1B  Tristan Casas  2B  Luke Keaschall  SS  Brooks Lee (to start the year)  3B  Royce Lewis  RF  Wilyer Abreu  CF  Byron Buxton  LF  Larnach? Austin Martin? Roden?  Walker Jenkins?  Your DH/1B would be a rotating position, or you could make a deal for a RH bat like 1B Yandy Diaz who is only valued at 4.7.  The Twins could add his solid RH bat at a cost easy to bear.

That lineup has power, but makes contact far more consistently than any lineup in recent Twins history.  With the exception of Larnach (if he's still around) there is no obvious "platoon" candidate.

The Rotation:  Lopez, Ober, SWR, Bradley, Matthews, Abel, Tolle.  There are 7 arms as primary competitors.  The BP remains a mess with only Sands, Funderburk and ??  as probable locks.  Festa must prove himself healthy before being considered for any role.  

I believe if the trades I've listed above can be completed, and they are not outrageous possibilities, a bona vide Closer needs to be signed.  I nominate Ryan Helsley or Devin Williams.  It may only be for a one year deal for them to rebuild their value.  If the Twins are in contention they could hold onto that Closer or deal him at the deadline. 

There are a LOT of young players with promise in the Twins farm system.  Maybe only Walker Jenkins is a true potential star.  There is major league talent there.  Some of that talent needs to matriculate to the Twins in 2026/2027.  But players like Abreu, Quero, Casas, Tolle and a Yandy Diaz type would inject a better brand of baseball along side Buxton and Keaschall.  Better defense, more consistent contact.  The young SP's will have ups and downs.  The BP, even with a veteran Closer with something to prove will have ups and downs. 

But in the A.L. Central, if there are more Ups than Downs, the Twins could very well compete.   

Not bad. No idea what teams would offer and decline but I like the aggressive hastening of the rebuild.

I'd say. Mayer and Casas... If the Red Sox offer that. 

I'm listening. 

If I trade Wallner... Catching is not what I'm going to acquire. Catchers require rest and their value is deeply rooted just being catchers for 100 games if they are a workhorse. I know we have a big hole at catcher but I'd rather the Twins punt the position and trade Wallner for almost every other position. If I trade Wallner... but let's be clear... I'd like to keep him. 

Now the Bullpen... I like your idea. Bullpen is the one place that I would spend money on this off-season.

Otherwise... I'm out of the free agent market until they find some youth to build around.

I'd bet on Williams or Helsley as good come back bets. I wouldn't offer a pillow deal. I'd go two years. Help us build the pen back up in 2025 and give us one more after that. 

My needs are less complicated. Give me a young 1B and a young SS and I'll roll with the offense as is. 

Casas, Keaschall, Lewis, Mayer, Lee and Clemens along with Buxton, Wallner, Larnach, Martin and Outman... It's going to be Outman... The Twins are not letting him go. 

Jeffers and Pereda. 

I could live with that. 

The starting pitching is still going to pretty good. Ryan's a blow but we got some decent options. 

Bullpen? Uff Da? Well... It starts by going out and getting a dude. 

It's fun to think about what you or I would do. I do it alot but I just don't know what the other GM's would do. 

[tony&rodney]

4 hours ago, TopGunn#22 said:

Joe Ryan BBTV of 47.0  

I don't have BTV but saw on this site (TD) that Joe Ryan had a 73 value in July. How does he go from 73 to 47?

[RaoulDuke]

I think Larnach's ceiling is a platoon/ 4th outfield guy.  The bat is the only asset, and the power is the only real plus, but he doesn't show it enough because of contact issues.  

They need an outfield spot to test some guys out at which means Larnach and Wallner are now fighting for the same spot, I prefer Wallner.

 

 

[JADBP]

10 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

I appreciate your entire post. It's a good well thought out post.

I want to focus on this one section.

Don't get me wrong... your entire post is worthy of thought and discussion but before we talk about the rest of it... this section is where we diverge. It's actually where I diverge with most posters.   

Martin doesn't need to play "Every Day". Don't get me wrong... Martin had a great 156 AB's in the 2nd half. He was a difference maker on the base paths even after you consider the rather large mistakes that he made on them from time to time. I loved watching him play. 

I want Martin in the lineup next year but he doesn't have to play every day. Larnach doesn't have to play every day, Wallner doesn't have to play every day. Outman doesn't have to play every day. 

There are two players who should play every day. Buxton and Keaschall based on performance and Buxton probably won't play every day either due to rest requirements.  

The rest can compete and nobody should have to get splinters. 

Take the two catchers out of the mix because they have their own specialized rotation. Take Buxton and Keashcall out as true every day players. It leave you with 9 players for 6 lineup spots with CF Buxton, Keaschall 2B and C out of the mix. 

Divide that equally... I'm not saying it should be divided equally but if you divide that equally... all of those 9 players will play 2 out of 3 games. True competition for playing time. May the best man win. Would you like to play 3 out of 4 games or 4 out of 5... Earn it! Out perform your teammates. We will provide the opportunity for you to do that... but we will provide the opportunity for your teammate as well. Earn it! Let the players make the decision instead of pre-determining the decision and trying to shoehorn the pre-determination in until it eventually proves you right or wrong.  

Do you want to avoid losing playing time to your teammates. Don't get out played. 

This selecting a LF, CF, RF and calling the rest bench is how you limit your possibilities. It's how you let Logan Morrison take you down or Royce Lewis for that matter.

True Competition... pouring 13 players through the filter is the quickest way back. Limiting your selections to 9 and calling the rest bench is the longest way back because I will place a bet with anyone who will take it.  Here's the bet... Not everyone of the chosen 9 is going to make it. We will be lucky if 6 of the chosen 9 make it.

Your odds of finding 6 players to move forward with are simply better with 13 players through the filter at all times compared to a chosen 9 players.   

You can play Buxton, Martin, Wallner, Larnach and even Outman frequently enough. Nobody has to get in the way of anybody.

Unless they just out perform them and earn the right to be in the way.    

Jenkins, GG, Erod. People are going to get injured... they should get their time in the sun and they should be allowed to compete when their time comes. 

I'm guessing that an outfielder will get traded. Weather they do or don't... I'm with you. I'd like to see a candidate converted to 1B. Don't know who the best candidate is for that but yeah... Convert someone because we have a big giant lake sized hole at 1B that needs water to fish in.     

This is a really bad idea.  Sorry but pitting the players against each other will not be pretty.  You and the players walking onto the field proud, strong, willing to compete their hearts out because they are part of a proud strong team.  You don’t want them walking onto the field thinking “I gotta outplay me teammate so I can get more money….”   That’s just wrong.  Build a TEAM,  not a bunch of players guys fighting each other.  

[Riverbrian]

5 hours ago, JADBP said:

This is a really bad idea.  Sorry but pitting the players against each other will not be pretty.  You and the players walking onto the field proud, strong, willing to compete their hearts out because they are part of a proud strong team.  You don’t want them walking onto the field thinking “I gotta outplay me teammate so I can get more money….”   That’s just wrong.  Build a TEAM,  not a bunch of players guys fighting each other.  

They don't think that already? 

You don't think the players hear footsteps. 

If it's a bad idea.

Entitlement may have just become one of the biggest problems in baseball.  

I'm literally asking that opportunity be provided to all and that playing time is earned. 

That's a bad idea? 

[TopGunn#22]

JADBP, Baseball is a team game with very specific and measurable individual statistics.  Every inning of every game players are competing to prove they deserve more AB's, more innings pitched, "I'm a better defensive player, put ME in at the end of the game for defense,"  I'm faster and have better base running instincts, put ME in to pinch run."  

This doesn't mean you are wishing bad things toward your teammates.  It's just part of the competitive nature of every athlete.  I was always a good teammate.  But I wanted to PLAY.  It's what drove me to work harder, make improvements.  

Wanting to play doesn't make someone a bad teammate.  Everything should be EARNED.  A player who is batting 9th should be happy they are in the lineup, but should also strive to move UP in the order.  And to do that, they have to EARN IT.  

[JD-TWINS]

23 hours ago, AKTwinsFan said:

Even as he proved to be a very good lhp hitter Baldelli would bench him. He had a more productive season than Wallner. Less HRs but more hits and RBIs. The constant platooning of him though would make him cool off when hed be on a hot streak.

He did have 500 plus AB’s & he didn’t hit LHP well….,,,I support keeping him and think he has value but it’s definitely only “good” v. RHP. That’s real.

[High heat]

I think Larnach is an easy non tender candidate. They tried to trade him at the deadline. They traded for 2 LH corner outfielders with 2 more top prospects in AAA as LH corner OF.  All are much better defensively.  
 

I hope Wallner gets a 1B glove this offseason.

[BrokenCompass]

They've given him plenty of opportunities. No more. 

We know what Trevor Larnach is, we've seen it. We're getting 20 homers, a .240 batting average, no speed and a passable OF glove. There's literally zero risk in giving the job to a rookie as we break camp in March. 

Thanks Trevor, good luck elsewhere.