Article: Twins Arbitration Predictions

[Seth Stohs]

You can view the page at http://www.twinsdaily.com/content.php/2516-Twins-Arbitration-Predictions

[Thrylos]

I think that they all will settle. Duensing was the best LHP in the pen (other than Perkins) and Swarzak is a great guy to have around, since he can do many things. People do not realize Plouffe's value. If you look at this OPS+ in 2013, a down season, it was close to Dozier's and Willingham's. This team does not have many power RH hitters. I just wish that Gardenhire played Plouffe at a corner OF position instead of third base and I bet that he would be better with the glove than Willingham/Doumit/Parmelee/Colabello/Arcia who played out there last season. Maybe this will happen when Sano is ready.

 

The other thing that needs to be mentioned is that these guys are nice guys, which goes long ways.

[Brandon]

Deunsing will get between 1.9 million and 2.0 million. I can see him being traded in the next week to clear a roster spot. I can also see him still pitching here as well. I do not see him being non-tendered because he does have trade value. Even if it is for a low A c prospect at best.

 

Swarzak will get between 900k and a Million. I would say the 800k is accurate from MLBtraderumors but he pitched so many innings from the pen that performance warrants a higher salary. Being in the pen warrants the increase be small.

 

Plouffe 2.1 million seems about right this is the one I have given the least thought to. I know I shouldn't but I already see him as gone when Sano arrives. I would almost be ok with just letting him go and bringing up Diebenson (I know I misspelled this) Romero after last weeks spending splurge. It would only be for 2-3 months anyways. The only reason I am against it is because Plouffe can play elsewhere if need be (injury to others) and the 6 week power surge 2 years ago.

[DAM DC Twins Fans]

I wonder if the Twins will non-tender either Swarzek or Duensing to create a needed spot on the 40 man roster (39 now) for Hughes and Nolasco. Albers, Hendricks, Deduno and Gibson can all be put in the long relief spot...just a thought...may be out in LF.

[Shane Wahl]

I would like Plouffe batting behind Mauer against lefties.

 

I would like to see Swarzak be a 7th inning middle reliever who may be able to dial it up more for the K. I would have expected Achter to maybe fill that role. It isn't clear to me that Burton and Fien are going to be able to maintain.

 

Duensing has good value as a lefty specialist and this can be maximized by trade deadline time.

[Kwak]

I think at least one of these guys are offered a two-year contract. Duensing is the most likely followed by Plouffe. I think it makes these guys easier to trade as well and that would be one of the motivations for a two-year deal.

[bird]

I think that they all will settle. Duensing was the best LHP in the pen (other than Perkins) and Swarzak is a great guy to have around, since he can do many things. People do not realize Plouffe's value. If you look at this OPS+ in 2013, a down season, it was close to Dozier's and Willingham's. This team does not have many power RH hitters. I just wish that Gardenhire played Plouffe at a corner OF position instead of third base and I bet that he would be better with the glove than Willingham/Doumit/Parmelee/Colabello/Arcia who played out there last season. Maybe this will happen when Sano is ready.

 

The other thing that needs to be mentioned is that these guys are nice guys, which goes long ways.

 

This makes a lot of sense to me. A couple of recent comments from these guys on Twitter are highly complimentary of the Twins (and of Gardy BTW). Both Plouffe and Swarzak have reached out to new acquisitions with comments like "you'll love Minnesota", and Plouffe tweeted something like "pumped about Gardy's new contract." And I agree that the Twins may value Plouffe more highly than we generally do. Also, they have that loyalty thing going and tend to reach agreements with their arb-eligible players.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

I think they'll all settle, but I don't think that's on the horizon. They'll just tender them contracts tonight... the exchange of figures doesn't happen until January, I don't believe.

[Thrylos]

I think they'll all settle, but I don't think that's on the horizon. They'll just tender them contracts tonight... the exchange of figures doesn't happen until January, I don't believe.

 

January 17th to be exact. I got all the important off-season dates here.

[lee_the_twins_fan]

Swarzak and Duensing will be signed soon. Both are good pitchers and deserve their salaries.

 

I'm not crazy about offering Plouffe a contract - especially for $2 million. I don't care for his inconsistent hitting and poor fielding. Maybe he would be better in a corner OF position. But in 2013, his hitting did not justify his continued play at 3B - or as a corner OF.

[Thrylos]

But in 2013, his hitting did not justify his continued play at 3B - or as a corner OF.

 

Did Willingham's and Doumit's ?

 

2013 OPS+ : Plouffe: 94 , Willingham: 98, Doumit: 96

 

And he has higher upside than both (he is entering his prime while the others have exited it) and will cost just a fraction...

 

I just don't get the Plouffe hate.

[Seth Stohs]

Rhett Bollinger just tweeted that the Twins have announced that they have tendered contracts to Brian Duensing, Anthony Swarzak and Trevor Plouffe. No non-tenders.

[stringer bell]

Rhett Bollinger just tweeted that the Twins have announced that they have tendered contracts to Brian Duensing, Anthony Swarzak and Trevor Plouffe. No non-tenders.

No surprise. I do like all three players for what they will receive in salary. Reality is, however, that none of the three will be important players for the Twins when they have a winning team. It wouldn't surprise me to see any or all moved within a year.

[ND-Fan]

I agree with you on that because talent coming up is going to surely pass them quickly. Also both pitchers have trade value. The reason for Plouffe hate is that he has a lot of talent and has shown flashes of it at time to time. Then he seems like space cadet forgetting what he needs to do become top player having poor at bats to playing poorly in the field this makes him frustrating to watch. I guess he reminds me of kid never had to work hard because his talent always could carry him but now in the majors he needs that talent but also work ethic and intelligence he's never had to do before and I wonder if he can develop it.

[Sleestax]

All three seem like steals to me. I did not realize the low value of great relief pitching! Swarzak c'mon that guy in my mind is worth much more than projected! Very happy that all three were tendered AND that we added some rotation guys! I just love exclamation marks today I guess....ok one big time trade is what I'm waiting for....Price or Stanton!!!

[VandyTwinsFan]

Swarzak had the second highest WAR for pitchers on the team, after Perkins. Two relief pitchers had a better WAR than the entire starting staff...