Article: Twins Sign Jason Kubel to a Minor League Deal

[jokin]

And hasn't Doumit stated he doesn't want to C any longer.

 

Please provide the alleged quote. Other than Howard Sinker's out of context comment (presumably ascribed to Terry Ryan), that Doumit was done playing C, it was for the rest of 2013, only, has there been any other direct-source reference about Doumit's ongoing positional status?

[stringer bell]

Have there been reports that Kubel's struggles were injury-related? I know that he's spent time on the DL and I wonder if health has something to do with what looks like decline. He isn't that old and he is less than two years removed from All-Star caliber hitting. It could be that sporadic at-bats would spur the downturn. Since Kubel is offense-only", if he's not hitting he's not playing.

[jokin]

I really hope Ryan has a plan to trade Doumit. The problem is Doumit's value is crap right now. He might net something at the deadline if he hits like 2012 instead of 2013, but it's looking like there's very little room for him... though for whatever reason, Gardy seems to have no problem finding PT for him.

 

From Mike Berardino on Thursday, wrapping up the Winter Meetings- a baseball official told the reporter that Ryan has rebuffed inquiries about Pinto being available in trade, but that Doumit IS available, but has received very low interest from prospective clubs. Regarding the catching situation, Ryan said he wasn't worried at all about Pinto's injury. Regarding the overall catching situation going into 2014, he said this:

 

“We’re paying attention to it. I’ve got a few other things on our plate, but certainly you pay attention to about any area.”

 

So, IOW...It sounds like adding a SP and another bat are higher "plate" priorities at this point.

[jokin]

Have there been reports that Kubel's struggles were injury-related? I know that he's spent time on the DL and I wonder if health has something to do with what looks like decline. He isn't that old and he is less than two years removed from All-Star caliber hitting. It could be that sporadic at-bats would spur the downturn. Since Kubel is offense-only", if he's not hitting he's not playing.

 

That's what makes the Orioles major league deal all the more intriguing. He certainly would have had the chance to platoon as a DH or RF there. Makes one think that Ryan has promised Kubel that he will get a very fair shot at the full-time RF slot.

 

Has anyone discovered if Kubel has an opt-out date when he can void the contract and move on? I'm guessing that the date on the contract is very early in the season.

[Brandon]

Hopefully Doumit gets moved back to back up Catcher and gets 200-300 AB behind the plate and none as a DH unless he is hitting the snot out of the ball. That allows Either Willingham or Kubel to DH or play LF. They could rotate back and Forth and Arcia in RF with Colabello on the bench for power.

[Kwak]

That's what makes the Orioles major league deal all the more intriguing. He certainly would have had the chance to platoon as a DH or RF there. Makes one think that Ryan has promised Kubel that he will get a very fair shot at the full-time RF slot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Has anyone discovered if Kubel has an opt-out date when he can void the contract and move on? I'm guessing that it's very early in the season.

 

My guess is that Kubel begins in Rochester (still not on the 40-man roster!), with a promise for "seconds". Parmelee (or Colabello) makes the active roster for April, but has a three to six week "make-good" period. If (when!) he "fails again", Parmelee is DFA'd with a promise to receive a AAA contract if he wants it. Kubel would be added to both the 40-man and active roster taking Parmelee's spot. Considering the time frame would be April/May other teams have already filled their rosters and are less likely to want to sign Parmelee than in February/March. I would also expect that Kubel doesn't finish the season with the Twins--he will be traded or DFA'd in/by August. Space will be cleared for a promotion of an OF prospect presently in the minor leagues.

[jokin]

My guess is that Kubel begins in Rochester (still not on the 40-man roster!), with a promise for "seconds". Parmelee (or Colabello) makes the active roster for April, but has a three to six week "make-good" period. If (when!) he "fails again", Parmelee is DFA'd with a promise to receive a AAA contract if he wants it. Kubel would be added to both the 40-man and active roster taking Parmelee's spot. Considering the time frame would be April/May other teams have already filled their rosters and are less likely to want to sign Parmelee than in February/March. I would also expect that Kubel doesn't finish the season with the Twins--he will be traded or DFA'd in/by August. Space will be cleared for a promotion of an OF prospect presently in the minor leagues.

 

+1 Pretty cogent analysis. Kubel could be gone earlier if say, he has a May 15 deadline in his contract and, miracle of miracles, Parmelee is raking. On the flip side, Kubel might actually stay on as the cheap "veteran presence" should the Twins be able to unload Wil.ingham and/or Doumit

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

So, IOW...It sounds like adding a SP and another bat are higher "plate" priorities at this point.

 

I'd say they should be if they are still adding talent. My concern, like I said before, is that Doumit will get way more PT this season than he should... just as he did in 2013.

[Danchat]

MLB Trade Rumors said that Kubel received a major league offer from the Orioles.

Man, Baltimore sure loves former-Twins! I'm sure they would have claimed Hendriks if the Cubs didn't claim him!

[jokin]

I'd say they should be if they are still adding talent. My concern, like I said before, is that Doumit will get way more PT this season than he should... just as he did in 2013.

 

 

Exactlty right. If Doumit (and Willingham) are on the active roster, they are going to play.

[jokin]

MLB Trade Rumors said that Kubel received a major league offer from the Orioles.

Man, Baltimore sure loves former-Twins! I'm sure they would have claimed Hendriks if the Cubs didn't claim him!

 

 

The O's are also finalists for Grant Balfour. All joking aside, it seems like the Orioles would make a good trade partner for the Twins. Let's go Terry.

[JP3700]

A little off topic, but I just don't get the disdain towards Ryan Doumit. I've read on and on about how bad Doumit is behind the plate, and in the outfield (which I agree with). But, now I keep seeing suggestions of replacing him with inferior players.

 

First it was John Buck. An equally inept catcher who sports a career wRC+ of 85 compared to Doumit's 104.

 

Now it's Kubel. Who has a career wRC+ of 107 compared to Doumit's 104. Kubel's career UZR/150 in the outfield is (-15.0) compared to Doumit's (-10.6). So it's not like he's bringing in any additional defensive value. If anything, Kubel's even worse.

 

Doumit is essentially John Buck and Jason Kubel merged together. A switch hitter who's a poor defensive catcher/outfielder that hits above league average. Yet, the Twins should replace him with guys who do half of what he does?

 

I'm all for upgrading the team. But, you could do a lot worse than Ryan Doumit. You could have John Buck or Jason Kubel instead.

[SweetOne69]

MLB Trade Rumors said that Kubel received a major league offer from the Orioles.

Man, Baltimore sure loves former-Twins! I'm sure they would have claimed Hendriks if the Cubs didn't claim him!

 

The Orioles had priority over the Cubs. So if they wanted him they could've had him. All 14 AL teams passed on Hendriks.

[twinscowboysbulls]

I'm okay with the move. They aren't counting on him, so anything he can do is a bonus.

 

Now is the time for TR to strike a deal. We need to get rid of some of these log "toothpick" jams, or whatever you guys are calling them now haha.

 

Deal a prospect a couple relievers, Diamond, Doumit and find a back-up catcher and a hitter or SP.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Yeah, I think it's time to clean out some reliever "depth". The Twins simply have too many warm bodies, most of which have shown the talent to get MLB hitters out on a regular basis. Move at least one - maybe two - of them.

[goulik]

Trade 2-3 relievers for prospects and whoever loses the fifth starter battle and is out of options gets a bullpen spot LR/6th starter