Adios Chris (Colabello)

[nicksaviking]

I think this shows the Twins are already convinced the holes in Colabello's swing can not be fixed. With Doumit also gone, the bench/DH options once again look to be completely left handed.

 

If the KBO follows through with this I wish Chris good luck.

[Jim H]

Chris is the odd man out--somebody has to go from 40 man and it is him. He is competing with Parmalee, Kubel, Willingham and Kubel (and Plouffe when Sano comes up) for 2 spots DH and RF/LF (Arcia has one.) Vargas has spot at Rochester. Too many bodies and Chris is 30 years old.

Go to asia and take the money and run.

 

 

Neither Vargas or D.J. Hicks has played above A Ball. I doubt if either will begin the year at Rochester. They won't block anyone at AAA to begin the year.

 

One of the problems for older, largely non-prospect guys like Colabello is that if you get a major league opportunity, like Colabello did, you have to take advantage of it. It may have been a short one, and he may have been jerked around a bit, but it was likely the only major league opportunity he is going to get. He has holes in his swing, is position challenged and when he didn't hit that well in his major league chance, ah well. At least he got a chance.

[mudcat14]

I would like to see some kind of RH bench option, but what the hell. CC could be very productive in Asia. IIRC, at least in Japan the pitchers are known to be shy about pitching inside. Don't know if that applies to the Korean's as well. If so, it could be CC's wet dream. A chance to extend his arms and go deep oppo is exactly what he is looking for at the plate.

 

Financially, I guess it all comes down to whether or not he thinks he can stick with a major league team. $300k is better than a AAA salary, but falls well short of the MLB $500k minimum.

 

As for the Rochester 1B gig, I agree that it won't be Vargas or Hicks. We do have several other options on hand already though. Debinson Romero, Reynaldo Rodriguez, the new Indy guy we just signed and even Sano could all end up there. Did Clement stay with the Twins or did he go elsewhere as a FA? Not sure that CC in AAA this spring would be blocking anyone, but he needs to cash in while he still can given his late entry into the affiliated ranks.

[Riverbrian]

Colabello is a great story and I really pull for guys like him.

 

I spend time thinking about each player as an individual human story... I don't think about Colabello as a batting average or a set of stats. I think about Colabello as a guy who is trying to forge a career and I try to imagine what it would mean to me if I was in a similar circumstance. After all... We are... most of us... in similar circumstances... Just different careers. We can relate to trying to get somewhere in life in our chosen profession.

 

I really do try to think about what it means to him... To his family... to all that are pulling for him. That's why I get upset with guys with talent who don't give it everything they have.

 

There are many who never get that chance to swing a bat in the majors and hoping with all their heart to get that chance and even fewer who get that chance and do lock down an every day job in the majors.

 

I pull for Colabello I really do... He has legitimate... no doubt... plus power... But... with all that said... I'm a patient guy... but... I just can't see him being successful against the Major League Pitcher with his approach at the plate. Pitchers of Major League Talent will easily keep busting him inside as he strides out for the outside pitch.

 

He has to change his approach to be able to turn on a pitch and fully utilize that plus power.

 

Korea or Japan would be a better place for him in my opinion.

[Shane Wahl]

This has to be good for Deibinson Romero's chances at getting a serious look for a bench spot. And I would take Romero over Colabello.

[Dman]

If this is true then I am bummed. I really thought the Twins might have caught lightning in a bottle with CC. With Mauer at First though there really isn't a good spot for him. I was hoping the Twins might be able to work out a trade with Houston or somebody for him at the very least. The way he played in AAA made me a believer. I think he can adjust to MLB but it appears I am in the minority here.

[Jim H]

This has to be good for Deibinson Romero's chances at getting a serious look for a bench spot. And I would take Romero over Colabello.

 

There are several of you prospect guru's that make statements like this about Romero. What do you see that I don't? He has never dominated any level, is not considered a good defender, and even as he has gotten closer to the majors, has been consistently outperformed by guys like Colabello and Parmelee. To me, he looks like he isn't even a AAAA kind of player.

 

This doesn't mean I am right. I am curious what you guys are seeing that I am not.

[Thrylos]

Colabello refused to play to Korea. Back to step 1. They still need a spot on the 40 man roster and it might be Fryer

[Benchwarmerjim]

Im guessing Terry Ryan offered Colabello in a trade to any team (with the return being any warm body) but no team took him up on it because they know the Twins are in a numbers crunch and could probably pick him off on a waiver claim.

[cmathewson]

I think he'll be DFAed at this point.

[cmathewson]

Colabello refused to play to Korea. Back to step 1. They still need a spot on the 40 man roster and it might be Fryer

 

It won't be Fryer. He's the third catcher.

[Top Gun]

The Twins will find out that Mauer at 1b is not a good idea!

[Brock Beauchamp]

The Twins will find out that Mauer at 1b is not a good idea!

 

And... Chris Colabello will be... Better?

[Thrylos]

It won't be Fryer. He's the third catcher.

 

That would be Herrmann

[Top Gun]

Is Mauer 5th catcher?

[johnnydakota]

Colabello did turn down nearly 1 million to continue his dream of playing in the big leaques, Gotta admire his convictions ....

[lecroy24fan]

Fryer can't be taken off the 40 man until ST.

[minn55441]

Colabello did turn down nearly 1 million to continue his dream of playing in the big leaques, Gotta admire his convictions ....

So what do Terry and the Twins think of this decision? Is this similar to Hicks deciding not to play winter ball?

 

When your team decides to sell your rights and you decide not to go, is the writing on the wall? I can't see a scenario where the relationship isn't strained after something like this.

 

I completely understand Colabello's desire to not go. Is it worth a million to uproot your whole life and go someplace where you don't know the language, don't know the culture and really don't have any friends or family? I can see his side of things, but where does he now stand with the organization?

[nicksaviking]

So what do Terry and the Twins think of this decision? Is this similar to Hicks deciding not to play winter ball?

 

When your team decides to sell your rights and you decide not to go, is the writing on the wall? I can't see a scenario where the relationship isn't strained after something like this.

 

I completely understand Colabello's desire to not go. Is it worth a million to uproot your whole life and go someplace where you don't know the language, don't know the culture and really don't have any friends or family? I can see his side of things, but where does he now stand with the organization?

 

It probably depends on if the Twins were shopping him or if the KBO team came knocking at the Twins door. If the Twins DFA him I'm sure they told him that was a strong possibility and he should keep that in mind when making his decision.

[Seth Stohs]

Colabello did turn down nearly 1 million to continue his dream of playing in the big leaques, Gotta admire his convictions ....

 

Completely agree... I say Good for Him!!!

[Bark's Lounge]

Colabello refused to play to Korea.

 

Can't say I blame him. If there is no place for him on an MLB roster - the NPB seems like a much more worthwhile destination financially with a chance to have a fulfilled career baseball wise.

[Seth Stohs]

So what do Terry and the Twins think of this decision? Is this similar to Hicks deciding not to play winter ball?

 

When your team decides to sell your rights and you decide not to go, is the writing on the wall? I can't see a scenario where the relationship isn't strained after something like this.

 

I completely understand Colabello's desire to not go. Is it worth a million to uproot your whole life and go someplace where you don't know the language, don't know the culture and really don't have any friends or family? I can see his side of things, but where does he now stand with the organization?

 

I think Terry Ryan is happy with the decision and fully understanding. It's not like the Twins went to the Korea team looking to get rid of CC. The Korea team came to Ryan. It wouldn't have been a trade either. Just a sale. it's happening a lot right now since Korea changed it's rules.

 

It is nothing like not going to Winter Ball. CC would have been making a decision to leave the Twins. The Twins are likely thrilled to keep him around. Even if they do decide to DFA him, they will hope like crazy that he clears and stays in the organization.

[Seth Stohs]

That would be Herrmann

 

My guess is Fryer is the #3 catcher. I think he's pretty safe on the roster...

[Tibs]

I think I like Colabello even more after this. Turned down money to keep going after his dream.

[stringer bell]

The way I see it is that Herrmann is a third catcher. Fryer is a backup catcher. If the Twins keep two catchers and one of them isn't Pinto, it wouldn't surprise me at all for Fryer to make the club. If Pinto and Suzuki are the two catchers, Herrmann has a chance to make the club as a PH/C/OF.

[stringer bell]

My guess is Fryer is the #3 catcher. I think he's pretty safe on the roster...

Which roster Seth? The 40-man or do you mean he is safe to make the team out of Spring Training?

[Thrylos]

My guess is Fryer is the #3 catcher. I think he's pretty safe on the roster...

 

And all 3 Right handed and with Fryer not having much of flexibility to play elsewhere? I really don't see them carrying 3 in the 25 man roster. And I suspect that the emergency C will not have to be Escobar these days, but that guy at 1B who may handle it better if needed.

[Seth Stohs]

Which roster Seth? The 40-man or do you mean he is safe to make the team out of Spring Training?

 

40 man...

 

I think that the 25 man will either be Pinto and Suzuki, or Suzuki and Fryer. (depending on Pinto, of course)

 

I also agree that Herrmann is a Third Catcher moreso than a backup catcher.

[cmathewson]

That would be Herrmann

 

I disagree. Hermann is a converted catcher. He's still better at playing the outfeld than catching. He might make the team out of spring training because of his versatility. But Fryer is the only guy who could step in on a regular basis in case of injury, especially injury to Suzuki.

[cmathewson]

And all 3 Right handed and with Fryer not having much of flexibility to play elsewhere? I really don't see them carrying 3 in the 25 man roster. And I suspect that the emergency C will not have to be Escobar these days, but that guy at 1B who may handle it better if needed.

 

Point is, the Twins need three guys who are primarily catchers in case of injury. Hermann is not primarily a catcher. he's an outfielder who can catch. Ergo, Fryer can't be DFAed. Herman