Article: Short Memory: Twins Sign Jason Bartlett

[Parker Hageman]

ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick tweeted out this morning that the Twins have signed former shortstop Jason Bartlett to a minor league deal which includes a spring training invite.

 

Bartlett, who is a career .271/.336/.366 hitter, did not play in 2013.

 

I assume this is a prelude to bringing back Johan Santana.

[Jdosen]

Nothing to be worked up over, yet still eyeroll- and laughter-inducing.

[Mike Sixel]

"Super Bowl homie", or maybe "we're coming, we're comin". Not sure which applies here.

 

Not sure why this is a better idea than giving the young guys they have a shot, or finding a AAA/AAAA player that has been blocked. But, this is one minor move. Let's hope this is not a prelude to going after old guys, and not rebuilding.

[Boom Boom]

The Twins need depth at the position. They seem to have decided that Escobar is a utility infielder and they don't have any prospects at shortstop that could otherwise challenge Florimon, so I'm OK with this. I'd rather they sign a shortstop that's an obvious upgrade over Florimon, but whatever.

[jctwins]

This is the kind of serious move I think we all have been waiting for.

[Mike Sixel]

jctwins, if the like button was still showing up for me, I'd like that.....

[Nick Nelson]

You can view the page at http://www.twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=2467-Short-Memory-Minnesota-Twins-Sign-Jason-Bartlett

[Twins Twerp]

They still might sign someone else (even though the SS market is after the the top two). This is a minor league deal, if it works…genius. If not, no big deal. My question is, what was Jason doing last year? AAA, independent, Japan, rehab, smelling the roses?

[Twins Twerp]

They still might sign someone else (even though the SS market is after the the top two). This is a minor league deal, if it works…genius. If not, no big deal. My question is, what was Jason doing last year? AAA, independent, Japan, rehab, smelling the roses?

[Seth Stohs]

Nice, fun signing. His wife is from Rochester. I want to say that he lives there in the offseason as he's done a lot for the Red Wings in the offseasons the last several years, even since he left the organization.

 

I am certain he's being promised nothing. He basically hasn't played for two years. The Twins have some options for Rochester infield, like Beresford, Santana, etc., but if he makes the AAA roster, would be a nice story, and if he doesn't, oh well. And, if he makes the Twins roster at some point in 2014, that would be a great story!

[TheLeviathan]

I'm pretty ok with this, it at least has some upside.

[PseudoSABR]

Though this is--just that--a minor deal. I think this should subdue the notion that Gardy was ill-disposed with Bartlett.

[Thrylos]

I hope this is a sign that the Twins will bring back Matt Garza (and Eduardo Morlan)

 

I see this as a potential AAA depth signing, and somewhat redundant to the re-signing of Doug Bernier. If Bartlett plays for the Twins in 2014, unless he is back to his crazy Rays season form, it would mean that 2014 was a waste too...

[Seth Stohs]

He's maybe a replacement for Ray Olmedo.

[Shane Wahl]

He was last good in 2009. He won't want to end up in Rochester so there is nothing to do this. Can't be, right?

 

But . . . on a typical Shane note, if he DOES want to stay in Rochester . . . James Beresford, Danny Santana, and Eddie Rosario will have to make room, or something, for a washed up player. Typical.

[spideyo]

Any idea if his contract will have one of those clauses where if he isn't added to the major league roster by X date he can ask to be released?

[diehardtwinsfan]

I'm surprised Bartlett could only find a minor league deal. Smart on his part since if he finds any sort of shred of his former self, he's going to unseat Florimon pretty easily. Bartlett was a plus defender whose bat had some upside.

[jorgenswest]

They probably make similar minor league free agent signings every winter. He isn't going to hold Rosario and Santana.

 

Rosario's defense may hold him back. They may decide he doesn't have the skill to play second defensively and move him to LF. If that happens, Bartlett's signing will not be the reason.

[TheLeviathan]

Though this is--just that--a minor deal. I think this should subdue the notion that Gardy was ill-disposed with Bartlett.

 

I'm not sure how a minor league deal almost a decade later fixes the fact that Gardy chose Castro over him. I'm not sure anything fixes that stupidity.

[Dman]

Unless Dozier regresses or gets hurt I don't see Rozario at 2nd base anymore. I think he ends up back in the outfield after things shake out. I know Beresford doesn't hit the long ball but I like his defense better at second and I think he will be a good hitter as well. Santana I don;t know what to think. I really think Bartlet is a long shot but why not give him a shot? If he hangs out in Rochester anyway and has some baseball left in him maybe he makes our team or maybe if does well in AAA we can trade him who knows.

[Reider]

I don't have a problem with the signing.

[howieramone1406390264]

I'm not sure how a minor league deal almost a decade later fixes the fact that Gardy chose Castro over him. I'm not sure anything fixes that stupidity.

 

I distinctly remember Gardy having mixed emotions over Bartlett being included in that trade. There is no stupidity to fix.

[jorgenswest]

It would be a mistake to move Rosario if he can field the position.

 

It is unlikely that Dozier's HR/OFB rate of 14.4% is sustainable. It is more than double his rate as a minor leaguer. The difference is 10 home runs.

 

It would be wise to see if Dozier's power is really a new skill before moving Rosario.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I distinctly remember Gardy having mixed emotions over Bartlett being included in that trade. There is no stupidity to fix.

 

Agree. A team looks for long-term stability at short and Bartlett was becoming that guy. One of Smith's biggest mistakes.

 

If he's healthy I have no problem with Bartlett coming back as a utility guy, late inning SS/3B type.

[TheLeviathan]

I distinctly remember Gardy having mixed emotions over Bartlett being included in that trade. There is no stupidity to fix.

 

As I referenced with Castro - it had nothing to do with the trade and everything to do with indefensible decisions to send Bartlett to AAA in 2005 and 2006 in favor of giving several hundred at-bats to Juan Castro.

 

All because of some bizarre, as-yet-undefined lack of "middle infield leadership" that has hurt this team on more than one occasion.

[notoriousgod71]

I would rather watch the 2002 (or 2006 Twins) at their present age than the crap they've run out there the last three seasons. Bring on Johan!

[Monkeypaws]

Not sure i like him better than Pedro.

 

I think PF is a breakout candidate next season.

[howieramone1406390264]

As I referenced with Castro - it had nothing to do with the trade and everything to do with indefensible decisions to send Bartlett to AAA in 2005 and 2006 in favor of giving several hundred at-bats to Juan Castro.

 

All because of some bizarre, as-yet-undefined lack of "middle infield leadership" that has hurt this team on more than one occasion.

 

So you're complaining about how he was handled before he became a star on our favorite team. It was indefensible, bizarre, and as-yet-undefined? All's well that ends well.

[PseudoSABR]

I'm not sure how a minor league deal almost a decade later fixes the fact that Gardy chose Castro over him. I'm not sure anything fixes that stupidity.

I never claimed that it had; however, it does put to bed the notion that Gardy choose Castro based on some personal beef with Bartlett. Again, I'm not defending in any way the Castro move.

[TheLeviathan]

I never claimed that it had; however, it does put to bed the notion that Gardy choose Castro based on some personal beef with Bartlett. Again, I'm not defending in any way the Castro move.

 

Whose to say whatever personal beef it was hasn't just died out over time? Or that Gardy didn't get much of a say in the matter?

 

It's clear Gardy didn't like something about Bartlett - and it couldn't have had any rational basis in talent or ability to play the game.