2017 Twins Player Predictions: The Designated Hitters

Does Vargas hit better as a RHB or LHB? We know that Grossman is way better as a RHB and really should only start against LHPs. How about Park? I feel like the Twins don't have a great DH option against RHPs (the majority of DH ABs).

Seth, I'm actually quite surprised and impressed at the realistic-looking numbers you have with Robbie.

You seemed more high on him than virtually anyone last year, so I expected higher everything in your projections.

It seems crazy that Park would hit 24 home runs in half of a season. Are you sure that's not a typo?

I'm curious to see how long a look the Twins need for Park at AAA. Considering they removed him from the 40-man and that he also cleared waivers means he wasn't necessarily fitting into the plans of the new administration.

For Vargas, it was his job to lose and he lsot it. I look at a rewarding career for him overseas. Do the Twins send him there or does he go there himself. Better yet, does he stay in the Twins organization this season.

I don't see Grossman as a DH at-all. I see Mauer and Sano getting at bats in the position. But the flip side, right now, is "Who's on First" and "Who's on Third." Suddenly the though of having Trevor Plouffe as a bench player looks mighty tempting, especially at the salary he signed with the A's, which the Twins could've done if they had parted company i August.

They have no one to play first (Kepler?) and I don't want to see Escobar at third, ever, never.

Yes, at this point it would be nice to have the bat of Park, if he does hit for the power, and the ability of Park to play better than even Mauer at first. But we suddenly see the folly in dreaming of a great year for the Twins. They have weak catching at the plate, no bench whatsoever, the question of Sano at third of fulltime DH (but then who plays third) and the elephant in the room -- Joe Mauer. Will he be the Mauer of Real Old or just an aging Mauer of the now.

And I can't wait to see the new batting order and how many times it changes in the first week/first month.

Who are the mid-season managerial candidates for the Twins to look at? Is there any longterm hope for Dougie or Jake to become a Twins manager, or where the powers-that-be go outside the organization?

Is here a Fire Sale happening soon!?

I know this is unrelated to this article... but listening to Def Leppard is getting me hyped for Opening Day right now

I don't know if I'm overrating him but if he can do two things, I want him on the roster:

 

1. OPS against lefties at a .750 or higher clip, subbing for either Kepler or Rosario on a regular basis

2. Play acceptable defense, something he was able to do until last season according to advanced metrics (lots of SSS here)

 

His career OPS against lefties is .776, which was obviously helped by last season. In 2014/15, he was bad against LHP. In 2013, he was good. SSS for all seasons when you get down to it.

 

Anyway, my thinking is that Grossman doesn't have to be good to help this team, he only needs to fill in for other players' weaknesses and be acceptable in the role.

 

Time will tell whether he can live up to that relatively low standard.

Having been in attendance for the 2-error botch job Robert had last year, if he even smells the warning track dirt this season Molitor's job should on the line.

He's not just bad defensively, he's laughably, offensively bad out there. Bad angles, poor speed, bad judgement, below average arm. Other than throw himself in front of a screaming line drive to knock it down, I don't see what he brings to the table in the field.

38 HR out of the DH spot? I'll take it.