What about the offense?

[Otto von Ballpark]

I dont think it will happen opening day but Escobar will eventually unseat Florimon this year. He's continued hitting very well with some pop with his countries home team in the winter leagues.

 

Also hitting well with some pop in that same winter league? Lew Ford.

[Marta Shearing]

So every minor leaguer is going to work out? And, ya, maybe, but not in 2014 or probably even a full year of 2105 given your names.....

Probably not. Add a free agent to a position of need in 2015. We'll know where we stand on Hicks and a few others by then.

[Trevor0333]

Also hitting well with some pop in that same winter league? Lew Ford.

 

Hahaha it definitely doesnt guarantee success but seeing a guy who historically hasnt had a lot of power continue to add some power across different leagues is still encouraging.

 

Also while Ford was an average defensive corner OF, Escobar is a very good defensive middle infielder. A .700 OPS from Escobar would be welcome, from a corner outfielder those are demotable numbers.

[jorgenswest]

I agree with the many that say we just roll with what we have, take our lumps. I might be ok with a couple one year deals to guys like Buck or Hart maybe but overall just let the kids play. Gotta hope some impending FA rebound and get their value so we can get something for them at the deadline.

 

Our chances of contending appear quite slim even with the rotation improvements, a couple middling FA bats isn't going to change that. Might as well give guys like Parmelee, Plouffe, Colabello etc. one more chance. If they click then you might have a valuable piece for the future roster or a guy who could be a legitimate piece of a trade package.

 

The Twins are probably one of few organizations that would put a John Buck behind the plate. Any team paying even a little attention to pitch fx data as it relates to catchers would not consider signing him.

[johnnydakota]

Probably not. Add a free agent to a position of need in 2015. We'll know where we stand on Hicks and a few others by then.

 

By adding quality free agents now , we have trade chips to add top prospects in the future if some of our own dont work out, building for today and tomarrow

[Marta Shearing]

That makes sense. I'd love Gardner. A shortstop who can hit would be nice. I'd put Dozier on the block and patch it together at 2nd base until Rosario's back.

[ashbury]

By adding quality free agents now , we have trade chips to add top prospects in the future if some of our own dont work out, building for today and tomarrow

 

By adding free agents now, we pay a salary that no other team was willing to top. At some later time that can change, to the extent that another team is now willing to expend further resources (in trade) to acquire that contract, but free agents aren't quite the fungible trading chips we sometimes make them out to be.

 

It's one of the things that annoy me (even while I exploit it) when playing sim games like Out Of The Park, when I sign an unneeded FA and immediately trade him for some tasty prospects.

[Guest USAFChief]

The Twins are probably one of few organizations that would put a John Buck behind the plate. Any team paying even a little attention to pitch fx data as it relates to catchers would not consider signing him.

Since debuting in 2004, Buck has appeared in over 1000 games and has compiled over 3900 PAs for 6 MLB teams. I'll wager he doesn't go unsigned this winter. Perhaps you're overestimating how teams view unproven pitch framing claims.

[Major League Ready]

By adding free agents now, we pay a salary that no other team was willing to top. At some later time that can change, to the extent that another team is now willing to expend further resources (in trade) to acquire that contract, but free agents aren't quite the fungible trading chips we sometimes make them out to be.

 

It's one of the things that annoy me (even while I exploit it) when playing sim games like Out Of The Park, when I sign an unneeded FA and immediately trade him for some tasty prospects.

 

This is a really attractive tactic on the surface. Part of me really likes the potential. However, I have to believe rolling FAs is a tactic that will not ingriate the the twins to future FAs. I know this notion is often dismissed but players don't like their life upset when there is nothing in it for them.

 

And, the door swings both ways in terms of value. What if we had signed Upton last year after trading Span and Revere. Who would give us anything to take on that contract right now. Willingham and even Doumit are examples too. You can say we could have trade high on Willingham but trading 1/2 way through the 1st of a 3 year deal would send a very bad signal to future FAs. That says we are signing you to flip you.

[jorgenswest]

Since debuting in 2004, Buck has appeared in over 1000 games and has compiled over 3900 PAs for 6 MLB teams. I'll wager he doesn't go unsigned this winter. Perhaps you're overestimating how teams view unproven pitch framing claims.

 

Maybe the a Twins are correct. Maybe it is meaningless. Did Buck's defense really cost the mets 20 runs last year? Did LuCroy save his team 31?

 

I hope they don't sign Buck.