The Carlos Santana Fit Is Just Too Smooth

I usually try to be very pragmatic about these things and try to find at least something positive about it, but... on this one, I just can't.  I'll be honest, I've never been a big fan of Santana even though in his prime he was a pretty decent player, and I'm always for the team finding creative ways to get even just a little bit better...  

However, this idea doesn't seem like it would be the best fit.  That being said, I would still pull for him as a player and team if they did bring him in (it's just what you do), but I truly think there are just as good options out there or internally that could also fit the bill.

well, no 1-year deal is going to be that terrible, but I'm a little concerned that Santana is hitting the wall at this point. I'm also not sure how well he really fits as a platoon bat: he hits lefties well, but has never really been a destroyer of them, and his splits over the last 3 years aren't that encouraging...and neither are his career splits. (He's been better against lefties, but there's not a giant difference). But the other aspect his...how well would he accept the role as a platoon bat? he's been a starter full-time for 13 seasons, including last year.

he'll be better defensively than Jose Miranda or Donovan Solano, but a healthy Miranda might be significantly better as a hitter. Solano won't give you any power at this point, and he won't give you a real boost against LHP, but he will give you professional ABs. 

I guess the other thing i worry about with this club is Sunk Cost Fallacy on these kind of veteran signings. Look at how long Gallo hung around on the roster before getting dropped. Now, injuries played a huge part of that, but if Santana is cooked and Miranda is destroying the ball in AAA, will they eat the remaining $4M or so of a Santana contract to bring up Miranda or will they keep hoping to get back some of the value and hope that Santana turns it around? That worked for Kepler, but bombed for Gallo. but Kepler is also 7 years younger than Santana (and had an option year left on the contract).

Rolling with the kids worked better for the team last season. Think i would pass.

Santana is a good fit. Duvall is also good fit because he can play outfield as well as 1B. Sounds like the Twins are talking to both of them.

The drop from 133 to 118 against lefties in a year is a bit concerning to me given the age, if it falls the same amount again he's just a league average hitter against lefties and I'd rather see the at bats go to someone younger like Miranda or Severino

I also liked the suggestion of trading for Connor Joe of the Pirates that was in another thread.

Don’t want to derail this thread but we are now looking to maximize the $4 million in savings from the Polanco deal?  The Pohlads need to be seriously roasted for the way they are setting the payroll this year. Why have the fans just accepted this crap?

40 minutes ago, Linus said:

Don’t want to derail this thread but we are now looking to maximize the $4 million in savings from the Polanco deal?  The Pohlads need to be seriously roasted for the way they are setting the payroll this year. Why have the fans just accepted this crap?

I'm fine with them not spending much money on position players. They have a decent starting lineup (Kirilloff is the weakest starter) and depth in the high minors but need to improve the bench with an additional RH bat. That doesn't have to be expensive.

They needed to spend the money on starting pitching. DeSclafani makes them better than they were but that statement is damning on it's own.

 I just don't see this happening.

1 - He's not the Santana of the past at his age 38 season

2 - I really think this team likes having the ability to fill the DH role by slotting it with someone who needs a day off in the field.  

This ownership likes its players to be able to handle multiple/different roles.  Having someone who can only play DH and 1B contradicts that plan.

I can't say I hate the idea, but if it were up to me, i would pass.  Whatever resources we have to spend should be put towards top end starting pitching.  A @2 or @3 guy.  We have right handed bats in the minors that I would like to give a chance.  Austin, Lee, Severino.  Trade Gordon for whatever you can get and open up a spot for some higher ceiling youth.  I also haven't given up on Larnach and Miranda for OF/IN bench spots.  If we ever get a tv contract maybe they would open the checkbook for a Montgomery.

At what point do we count on younger players to take the bull by the horns? I understand that we need big bats but isn't that what we have a farm system for? This idea seems like its Joey Gallo 2.0 

I don't think $6.75million is cheap if he's only signed to bat against LHP.  That's a lot of money per AB. The money could be better spent elsewhere.

Bellinger is a good fit, maybe Soler. That is about it right now. So the Twins need to just go with what they have in some combination of Trevor Larnach, Joe Miranda, Nick Gordon, Austin Martin, Anthiny Prato, and Michael Helman. Enough with the retreads and veteran has beens. Don't pay more than $2 million for Duvall or any of the others still out there. Bellinger? Soler? Does anyone really think the Twins are signing these players to multi-year big money contracts?

Santana doesn't move the needle much for me.  We may as well go with one of our internal options.  This team does have a lot of holes.  Not gaping one really but holes none the less.  The starting pitching while great last year is now iffy.  Too.many unproven starters and players you hope do well.  Same with the young talent.  Very good potential but very unproven.  Best thing would be for the young guys to step up and show their potential.

A right handed hitting outfielder is more important, given the current roster makeup. But this move wouldn’t surprise me, given Falvey’s Cleveland roots. It would push Miranda off the 26 man roster, though, as platooning at first against lefties and DH occasionally seems to be his ticket to the active roster. But spending some time in the minors to learn a new position and regain his confidence at the plate is not a bad idea.