Article: Roster Speculation: The Position Players

[Shane Wahl]

Why Willingham wasn't traded at the deadline is still beyond my comprehension.

[Jim Crikket]

It would be interesting to read a quote about a batter, "right now, he's just looking to crush mediocre fastballs down the middle. In another week, he'll start working on laying off of sliders in the dirt."

 

Good point. Hitters certainly can tell when pitchers are working on specific pitches and they can sit on that pitch, so you have to be careful about putting too much stock in early ST hitting prowess. I guess I just take some comfort in seeing certain guys can catch up to a 94 mph fastball, even if they do know it's coming.

[Jim Crikket]

Aside from production and Parmelee's lack of options, the Twins also have a $2 million incentive to send Kubel to Rochester. Kubel has to clearly be the better option, and so far that's not looking accurate.

 

Parmelee, Arcia and Willingham will rotate the LF/RF/DH situation for the first month at which point Willngham basically becomes the default DH.

 

I don't recall, does Kubel have a contractual right to opt for a release from the Twins if he's not on the MLB roster out of camp? If so, that could affect their decision with him as much as the $2 million roster bonus would.

[minnymadness]

I don't like what I see in Kubel thus far and would like to get parmelee another shot. Arcia has nothing more to prove in AAA and would hurt his development to send him there. An interesting question would be if florimon is not ready for opening day.

[jhrieck]

This should be the Twins every day line-up. This would be achange in philosophy for the Twins so it will never happen. But what has theold philophesy done for them.

 

CF – Presley ( Not because I think he is good player. But tobe honest I don’t care if we destroy his confidence or not he is merely a placeholder until Buxton gets here.)

2B – Dozier

1b – Mauer

DH – Willingham (the Twins pitching staff is not good enoughto allow a terrible defensive player to play every day So either playWillingham or Arcia but both can’t play in the outfield. I’ll choose theyounger legs and better back.)

3B – Plouffe (Sink or swim time.)

RF – Arcia (Ideally I would like to bat him lower in theorder unfortunately, to many other guys in this line up that need to bat lower.)

C – Pinto (Probably more of a 60-40 split with Suzuki. I would like to seehim learning with the big league staff rather than AAA.)

LF – Hicks (His future with the Twins is Left Field.)

SS – Florimon (If he is injured I would rather see Santanathan Bartlett. Bartlett is done.)

 

The Twins will more than likely play Willingham in Left andDH Kubel. But will those two really score that many more runs than Willinghamand Hicks. Hicks defense will save more runs than Kubel will drive in. PlusHicks not giving away outs like Willingham, will help the starting Pitcherspitch more innings. Which saves the bullpen.

Backup Cather – Suzuki

Back up Inf. – Escobar

Back up OF. – Mastronni (I would split time in CF withMastronni and Presley neither player is good enough to play every day.)

 

To me the roster battle is for the 13th spot. Iwould like to see Ramirez ( I like his bat off the bench) but I don’t think the13th player would be a 5th outfielder. Colabello, is hereally a major leaguer? Parmallee, haven’t we seen enough. That brings me toKubel if there is 13th spot I’m sure the Twins will pick Kubel andthere is something to be said for having a veteran bat off the bench. I likeRomero he gives a little flexibility with 3B, 1B and outfield. I would give himsome time at 3B keep the pressure on Plouffe.

[Mike Sixel]

I too would prefer Hicks be in LF this year.

[nicksaviking]

I don't recall, does Kubel have a contractual right to opt for a release from the Twins if he's not on the MLB roster out of camp? If so, that could affect their decision with him as much as the $2 million roster bonus would.

 

I've never read about any opt out, in fact I would guess there is none since he has incentives for being on the MLB roster for 30, 60 and 90 days. Those incentives would seem pointless if he could opt out right away.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

I too would prefer Hicks be in LF this year.

Left or Right, he has a good arm, and it would allow Pressly/Mastro in CF to shift either direction. right may also be good for Hicks to relax a bit on fielding and work extra with Bruno in the batting cages. Plus it would put Hicks in his future role, giving him some extra adjustment time.

[SydneyTwinsFan]

What jmlease1 said.

 

I know you are there on the ground John, and so may have more insight than those of us thousands of miles away, but honestly taking Fryer, Mastro and Bartlett north instead of Pinto, Hicks and Arcia would be raising the white flag before a single pitch is thrown.

[SDFan]

I'm just curious - why Hicks in left and not right? From what I've read, his arm is better than Arcia's. That may not be true; it's just the impression I have going back even to when he was drafted. I haven't been to Target Field; does LF play a lot bigger than RF, so that range is a big factor?

 

In any case, count me in the group who is really pulling for Hicks this year.

[Thrylos]

It would be interesting to read a quote about a batter, "right now, he's just looking to crush mediocre fastballs down the middle. In another week, he'll start working on laying off of sliders in the dirt."

 

How about the quote from Buxton that he was just taking a bunch of pitches to get an idea of the strike zone

[ashbury]

How about the quote from Buxton that he was just taking a bunch of pitches to get an idea of the strike zone

 

Someone may want to inform the gentleman that the strike zone suddenly may look a little different when you decide to swing.

[Guest]

At least five players are likely to have their statistical rookie seasons in 2015 - Buxton, Sano, Meyer, Rosario and Santana. At least three of these will be among the most heralded Twins rookies since Mauer and Mourneau, and, collectively, it will be the strongest rookie class since 1982 with Hrbek, Bruno, Viola, etc. This matters to decisions about the 2014 roster because it could cause acceleration of other players onto the team, so that not too many players are having statistical rookie years at the same time.

 

Players such as Arcia, Pinto, Hicks and Gibson should be given every chance to establish themselves as major leaguers in 2014, so that not too many players in 2015 are going through rookie-related issues, such as figuring out how to handle themselves in the major leagues, being calm in the locker room and simply getting special attention from coaches.

 

Also, players who may still have some upside in their careers and possibly contribute in 2015, such as Parmalee, Escobar and Herrmann, should also get a more-extended opportunity to prove whether or not they can contribute. Veterans clearly on the downside, such as Kubel and Bartlett, or those on the sorry-but-it-never-really-happened side, such as Ramirez and Fryer, should get less of a chance than was given to previous fill-ins such as Tony Batista and Juan Castro. If they can't prove during spring training that they are clearly superior options to players who have possible growth, they should not be given a tenured position (like a scholarship) based on career accomplishment. If a veteran shows good talent during spring, great. Otherwise, all else being equal, someone scrapping to establish himself as a major leaguer will be a better fit for the 2014 Twins - and probably result in a better w/l - than someone trying to extend his career for one or two more years.

[beckmt]

Agreed, this should be the let's see what we got year. And move on from those who don't cut it.

[Mike Sixel]

Spot on Deduno, spot on.

[TheLeviathan]

Spot on Deduno, spot on.

 

Bah, I keep being told how much we need Correia. All this talk about not playing dead-end old guys is lies I say!

[cmathewson]

I missed it: Are you saying Bartlett can't back-up third base? I've heard he is working at all the infield positions, including first base. It is news to me that he's doing poorly at any of them.