Is Harrison Bader This Year’s Byron Buxton Insurance?

Will Bader sign for less than $4 million? If not, he is not really an option .... unless Falvey gets the go ahead to spend more money ($140M). As it is Keirsey Jr. can play centerfield. An even better option is to allow the new left fielder, Emmanuel Rodriguez, to slide over to centerfield when Buck needs a day off. Emmanuel does not discriminate when it comes to hitting LH pitching either.

27 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

As it is Keirsey Jr. can play centerfield.

Unlikely he does it as well as Bader.

I sure hope not. He's basically Austin Martin with better defense. This team needs to find a way to score runs. Keirsey and Martin should be able to handle the backup OF jobs until Rodriguez is ready. I'd rather they focus on getting a first baseman who can hit. Walker would be great. Diaz would be good. Goldschmidt or Santana would be ok. I like Miranda but don't think he's our long term answer at first.

I would go with Keirsey and Martin. Martin’s defense will improve with experience in the outfield. He has the athleticism and experience will lead to better reads particularly with balls in front of him. They are less expensive and can be optioned so the insurance isn’t locked in the bench all year.

16 minutes ago, LambchoP said:

He's basically Austin Martin with better defense.

Like, a LOT, LOT, LOT better defense. Bader is a 95th percentile outfielder and Martin is a 5th percentile outfielder.

It's like saying "Byron Buxton is basically Jorge Soler with better defense."

Bader is one of the few CF who are good enough that it would probably make sense to move Buxton to a corner when they're both in the game at the same time.

2 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

But when Kiersey puts up a .620 OPS he can be optioned. The Twins will have to roster Bader all season.

Was it a problem that they had to roster Michael A Taylor for the whole season in 2023?

41 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Like, a LOT, LOT, LOT better defense. Bader is a 95th percentile outfielder and Martin is a 5th percentile outfielder.

It's like saying "Byron Buxton is basically Jorge Soler with better defense."

i agree.  Martin's outfield defensive skills are absolutely atrocious.

6 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Yeah, it was an issue. The board seemed to see the HR but missed the .278 OBP and 35% K rate. He was an offensive black hole.

Taylor kept the Twins from using Andrew Stevenson as their starting CF in 2023.

9 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

They can't afford to give another roster spot and 300-400 PAs to a guy they know can't hit.

I agree. That's why they can't afford to give scholarships to Martin, Keirsey and Helman. They should already be passing over those guys in favor of Luke Keaschall and Emmanuel Rodriguez if they're looking for upside.

So, I'm not that all into WAR, but one needs to go back to 2021 since Bader was worth a crap. In sum, by the end of each year Bader is back on the market and another team believes he will suddenly become Mr. 2021 again.

Just say no.

21 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

Personally, I'm sick and tired of 1 year re-tread rentals. The Twins need a guy who can be an every day center fielder for the foreseeable future. The team should trade for that player.

The notion we have had to think about a “contingency plan” for this player since he was in his 20s tells you all you need to know.  He’s 31 today and this isn’t going to magically get better.  The mere fact the Twins have to think this way dilutes his value immensely.  

About a month ago there was an article about Buxton somehow becoming Torii Hunter.  How can a Twins fan with any merit make such a comparison?  It’s actually insulting.

The Twins lowered bar so much for Buxton that is had a cumulative NEGATIVE affect on the team.  

Boy I sure wish they'd give Kiersey a shot instead of getting these retreads let's go with our younger guy! No let's go get some no hit all field vet. Just dumb!

26 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Still, while I don't have much hope that Martin, Keirsey or Helman will amount to much with the bat, I have zero hope that Bader will. And that's three options you could try instead of one you can't get rid of.

Hope that they will amount to much with the bat: nobody

Hope that they will amount to much with the glove: Keirsey

High confidence they will be a great glove, no bat: Bader

4 minutes ago, olerud said:

Boy I sure wish they'd give Kiersey a shot instead of getting these retreats let's go with our younger guy! No let's go get some no hit all field vet. Just dumb!

Exciting, young talent Keirsey was born May 13, 1997. He will be 28 next season.

Over the hill, decrepit, aging veteran Bader was born June 3, 1994.

Keirsey is younger, but not enough to matter. Both players should be considered finished products.

56 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Martin has nearly 1500 outfield innings between his college and pro career. I'd like to think he'll see improvement as he gets more innings, but I don't think we should act like he just stepped foot out there for the first time this year. He's been taking fly balls for a long time. There's a very real chance he simply isn't a very good outfield defender.

I do think it matters that last year was the first where he was primarily an outfielder with 80 starts across AAA and the majors. I would guess it was the first year the bulk of his time in preparation and training was in the outfield. I think that makes a difference. I would not be signing a decline phase short side platoon veteran with Martin, Keirsey and Helman in the organization with options.

45 minutes ago, jorgenswest said:

I would not be signing a decline phase short side platoon veteran with Martin, Keirsey and Helman in the organization with options.

I would sign just about anyone I could find to avoid relying on Martin, Keirsey and Helman.

4 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

I would sign just about anyone I could find to avoid relying on Martin, Keirsey and Helman.

Minor league invites to all who are interested: Bader, Laureano, etc. Sure, $1M sounds fair.

2 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

But when Kiersey puts up a .620 OPS he can be optioned. The Twins will have to roster Bader all season.

Everybody seems to want these glove only players in the offseason, then when they continually fail to come through when the season starts everyone wants them gone. But they just won't go away.

Neither do the lousy rookies or quasi-rookies.

1 hour ago, olerud said:

Boy I sure wish they'd give Kiersey a shot instead of getting these retreads let's go with our younger guy! No let's go get some no hit all field vet. Just dumb!

Spring training will tell which old or newbie Twins May be a positive element.

So far, AAA newbies have been worse than retreads.

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

Hope that they will amount to much with the bat: nobody

Hope that they will amount to much with the glove: Keirsey

High confidence they will be a great glove, no bat: Bader

Very well said

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

Exciting, young talent Keirsey was born May 13, 1997. He will be 28 next season.

Over the hill, decrepit, aging veteran Bader was born June 3, 1994.

Keirsey is younger, but not enough to matter. Both players should be considered finished products.

I disagree, know he's not a ton younger but he's been in our system and he's dealt  with his share of setbacks but I think he can be substantially better than bader! But they always go with vets.