Missing Ingredient for 2014 Twins

[Brandon]

This post may be nitpicking a little but an area of concern that hasn't been talked about much is finding a backup IF that can hit a little and play good defense at SS and 3B. Both Plouffe and Sano have below average gloves comming into next season so it would be nice to have a solid late game defensive replacement for them. Also with Florimon having a below average at bat it would be nice to have a solid back up to sub for a bit while Florimon figures things out with the bat. I would like to see us sign Punto for that purpose as he would be great if kept under 200 AB for the season. I do not believe Escobar has the bat for this assignment.

[twinsnorth49]

You had me.......until the Punto part.

[Shane Wahl]

I would roll with Deibinson Romero and Eduardo Escobar as backup infielders.

[Ultima Ratio]

There is so much I cannot believe is serious here.

[howieramone1406390264]

This post may be nitpicking a little but an area of concern that hasn't been talked about much is finding a backup IF that can hit a little and play good defense at SS and 3B. Both Plouffe and Sano have below average gloves comming into next season so it would be nice to have a solid late game defensive replacement for them. Also with Florimon having a below average at bat it would be nice to have a solid back up to sub for a bit while Florimon figures things out with the bat. I would like to see us sign Punto for that purpose as he would be great if kept under 200 AB for the season. I do not believe Escobar has the bat for this assignment.

 

I like Sano and Florimon side by side, with Escobar backing up 3B, SS, and 2B. Both Florimon and Escobar can still pick it up a notch as hitters with more major league PA's. We may get our SS of the future as early as the 2014 draft and I see Polanco as our future utility infielder, but we can contend with what we have.

[Brandon]

I get that we have escobar/ Bernier/ Australian IF whose name escapes me. I think it would be something to consider have someone who can play sold defense at 3b in the later innings or occasionally spelling whoever is starting. Also since Florimon has a weak bat it might be a good idea to have someone who could step in should he be hitting .190 at the allstar break. I said Punto being half serious as he would work for what I am suggesting but it would make sense to have someone that could handle that. while I think Escobar can handle most of the defense I do not think he could handle the bat for a stretch. There really isn't anyone able to successful be able to step into SS for an extended period if need be. What happens if Florimon gets hurt? I am not suggesting a starter. Just someone that can hit around .250/.330/.370 off the bench and field at a better than league average rate.

[Chance]

Half the guys on our team can't do that. If we have a bench guy that can and play SS he would immediately.

[Joe A. Preusser]

I disagree with the initial post, Escobar does have the bat and glove to be a nice utility IF. And remember, Dozier is probably 50-50 to end up back at SS anyway, with Flori back in AAA.

[Kwak]

Fortunately for posters Punto has better options than the Twins--and he will choose one of them.

[stringer bell]

Twins Daily posters need a nemesis. Butera is gone, so they need some light-hitting false-hustle guy like Punto (I know, I know, he has some skills) to oppose. This is just like Democrats needing the Tea Party.

[Mike Sixel]

Um, what is the point of brining in a old utility INF on a team likely to win less than 80 games? They should be rolling the dice on guys that might be good in 2-5 years. Go try the AAA/AAAA guys that are blocked. Go try a guy that was once thought of as maybe going to be good. Not sure why, unless you are doing a lot of other things to make them competitive, you want to bring in an old utility INF. It doesn't fit with the rest of what they need to do.

[nicksaviking]

I think the utility infielder can wait until the serious issues get sorted out. Besides, should we really be concerned if a utility infielder can hit if the starting SS can't? Or the 3B or 1B? Or any of the outfielders or the DH?

[Thrylos]

Um, what is the point of brining in a old utility INF on a team likely to win less than 80 games? They should be rolling the dice on guys that might be good in 2-5 years. Go try the AAA/AAAA guys that are blocked. Go try a guy that was once thought of as maybe going to be good. Not sure why, unless you are doing a lot of other things to make them competitive, you want to bring in an old utility INF. It doesn't fit with the rest of what they need to do.

 

I agree with you, especially with Escobar able to play quite a few positions, but Ryan does not.

 

Proof?

 

2 words: Jamey Carroll...

[big dog]

I agree with you, especially with Escobar able to play quite a few positions, but Ryan does not.

 

Proof?

 

2 words: Jamey Carroll...

 

I don't understand what you mean. They gave Carroll away.

[Thrylos]

He signed Carroll in 2012. Totally unnecessary .

 

Jason Bartlett too

[DaveW]

I have the perfect answer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark

 

 

 

 

 

DeRosa

[James]

Where's the like button when you need it!

 

Mark DeRosa is always the answer. Too bad there's only one of him. Can we clone him and have him play all 9 positions?

[Guest USAFChief]

If we do get someone who can "hit around .250/.330/.370...and field at a better than league average rate" I suggest Florimon can fill the missing ingredient hole.