Is this the Real Schoop?

If he keeps this up throughout the year, why not sign him for a 3 or 4 year contract? Gordon is not capable of producing what Schoop or Polanco can at at the plate. It's probably going to be a couple years before Lewis is ready (not a great start to his year) nor is there a need to rush him.

 

On a side note, I'm really liking the starting 9! I'm liking what Cron has brought to the table with his surprisingly good glove work; already mentioned what Schoop is doing; Polanco is one of the hottest hitters in baseball right now; Rosario tops even Polanco in that category; Buxton is not a black hole at the plate and is running around everywhere; Garver is destroying the ball; and oh yeah...some dude named Nelson Cruz continues to do his thing with the bat...wow!

Im not willing to crown him a silver slugger award winner yet, but he is a weapon I'm glad to have. If he can post numbers somewhere in the middle of his 2017-18 ones it'll be aight. If he comes close to 2017... RIGHT ON!!

Is which Schoop the real Schoop?

 

The .143/.200/.179 hitter in 9 games at Target Field?

Or the .372/.426/.791 hitter in 11 games on the road?

 

I'm thinking the real Schoop hasn't showed himself yet. Those splits are bizarre.

Is which Schoop the real Schoop?

 

The .143/.200/.179 hitter in 9 games at Target Field?

Or the .372/.426/.791 hitter in 11 games on the road?

 

I'm thinking the real Schoop hasn't showed himself yet. Those splits are bizarre.

Pretty crappy weather for our home games so far

If he keeps this up throughout the year, why not sign him for a 3 or 4 year contract? Gordon is not capable of producing what Schoop or Polanco can at at the plate. It's probably going to be a couple years before Lewis is ready (not a great start to his year) nor is there a need to rush him.

 

On a side note, I'm really liking the starting 9! I'm liking what Cron has brought to the table with his surprisingly good glove work; already mentioned what Schoop is doing; Polanco is one of the hottest hitters in baseball right now; Rosario tops even Polanco in that category; Buxton is not a black hole at the plate and is running around everywhere; Garver is destroying the ball; and oh yeah...some dude named Nelson Cruz continues to do his thing with the bat...wow!

How much are you willing to invest on a guy who, if Buxton continues to improve, could be hitting 8th or 9th? Pitching is still, by far, the greater need on this team. If Gordon doesn’t look like he will be ready in 2020 (even as a 9 hole hitter), I’m fine with another stopgap move simply because the bat doesn’t have to be that potent.

I like what I see right now. I also view him as a placeholder. With Polanco locked up, I don't think you tie down both middle infield spots considering that there are 3 1st round SS's developing in the minors.

I feel bad for Dozier on a human level, but as far as being a professional baseball player I’m not surprised he's struggling. He had a charmed run but was always so dead focused on pull power that it was bound to bite him I’m the rear. As it often did between his hot streaks.

 

As for Schoop, I don’t think he’d be prohibitively expensive and I don’t think you ever worry about blocking “prospects” that you don’t know when or if they’ll arrive. This team also doesn’t have the pitching to accept unnecessary wildcards in any given lineup slots next year. Sign the known quantity and trade him later if you must.

I feel bad for Dozier on a human level, but as far as being a professional baseball player I’m not surprised he's struggling. He had a charmed run but was always so dead focused on pull power that it was bound to bite him I’m the rear. As it often did between his hot streaks.

 

As for Schoop, I don’t think he’d be prohibitively expensive and I don’t think you ever worry about blocking “prospects” that you don’t know when or if they’ll arrive. This team also doesn’t have the pitching to accept unnecessary wildcards in any given lineup slots next year. Sign the known quantity and trade him later if you must.

Brian Dozier a. k.a LoConnor was cool. He is an example of a player that will never be as valuable to any other organization. After watching his body language last year when he pinch hit for the Dodgers in the World Series it was clear something had broken his spirit. Whether it was the Dodger's clubhouse or leaving Minnesota I don't know. It's prolly never gonna be the same for him anywhere else.

How much are you willing to invest on a guy who, if Buxton continues to improve, could be hitting 8th or 9th? Pitching is still, by far, the greater need on this team. If Gordon doesn’t look like he will be ready in 2020 (even as a 9 hole hitter), I’m fine with another stopgap move simply because the bat doesn’t have to be that potent.

I guess I'm suggesting that School could be more than a stopgap...having the middle of the field solidified for a few years with Polanco, Schoop, and Buxton is the stuff of Championships. They're all relatively long and about to move into their prime years. Like other posters above have mentioned, prospects are just that until they prove themselves; go with the known quantity. I would argue that in doing so in this case, it allows the Twins Front Office to go after that much needed pitching (whatever known quantities that are available at the time.) I would also have to think that having a quality lineup and defense would go a long way to signing said known pitching quantities.

 

If Schoop continues to produce I vote for extending him a couple years.

I don't feel bad for Dozier. I am sure the twins gave him a reasonable offer, but probably too short and his agent advised against it.  If he valued his place in the org he should have taken it.  Schoop?  I expect ~.250, ~20 hr, ~65 rbi. His home and way splits should normalize.  

I get the Os on TV in the MASN market and saw Schoop at his best 2 years ago. I knew he would be an upgrade from Dozier especially in the intangible category. Dozier was/is in the Mauer camp of no spark, no fire; just show up and play and go home/hotel and do it again the next day. Schoop actually acts like he wants to win baseball games and enjoys playing baseball. I loved it when he hit the home run off Chris Davis and as he headed down to first looked at Davis and grinned. Not at Davis but seeing the humor in the situation and the enjoyment of it. Davis smiled back. Can't see Dozier doing that in a million years.

 

A note, I don't think the Twins bet on 1yr of Schoop. I think they would have been happy for an option or second year. I think Schoop is betting on himself for a 1yr.

That being said, two things you never do, or hesitantly do, is bet on a guy coming off a career year, or a poor year. The Twins have done both this year, and done so smartly.

1] Dime a dozen 1B power hitting types. Cron always put up solid numbers, but didn't play daily, got bounced or played behind other guys, but put up solid numbers. He finally got more than 500 AB in 2018, made some reported adjustments, had a career year, and was known by his new manager. The results, so far, are somewhat expected. He is providing a solid bat with power. Unexpected is just how good he has been defensively! Did anyone see or expect this? He looks as good as anything we saw Mauer do at 1B, or as anyone we have seen for YEARS at 1B. (Except for a few guys, we've been spoiled at 1B defensively for most of 30+ years).

2] Schoop plays a nice 2B. A lot of people want to scare you with a tremendous 2017 vs a really poor and injury plagued 2018. What about a couple very nice and productive years in '15 and '16? Only 27 and 2 really good years, one great year, and one bad season and he's some question mark?

Come on! Lewis is a year or two away. Gordon has real potential but is a year away, especially due to injury digging his 2019 start. Despite real infield depth, the other talent is a couple years away. This was a great move! I hope we re-sign him, already, for another season or two.

 

1) I'm happy with Cron so far. I've been very impressed with his defense, but I wouldn't put him in the conversation with Mauer yet. Joe should have won 1-2 GG's at 1B and Cron isn't quite at that level. But it's looking like a smart pickup overall. Need to see that OBP start sliding up, though.

 

2) Schoop does play a nice 2B, and has made some very nice plays that show good awareness of what's going on around him. (That throw he made after chasing down a wild throw into short right was fantastic, would have loved to see him rewarded with the out) He's healthy this year, which is a big deal. He's looking good.

 

I doubt anyone is on track for a sudden contract extension right now: Schoop bet on himself and I'm sure is going to want to test the market. If he hits like this, he'll get a nice deal. But thr reality is we're still in SSS territory, so the guys who might be struggling aren't going to accept a "buy low" offer, and management isn't going to buy high on the guys who are killing it right now until they see more.

 

Poor Dozier, he's hitting just .183 with a paltry .632 OPS. He's always a slow starter, but I didn't suspect his career would take such a 180 degree turn into becoming this so quickly.

 

I'd just keep giving Schoop starts and see how he goes for a full season. We have the money over future years to sign him to an extension, though I'd be wary if Polanco ends up as a long-term 2B. 

 

Nats just called up rookie infield prospect Kierboom to play every day in the IF somewhere also. Looks like the Nationals are already moving Dozier to a backup or platoon role.

 

I get the Os on TV in the MASN market and saw Schoop at his best 2 years ago. I knew he would be an upgrade from Dozier especially in the intangible category. Dozier was/is in the Mauer camp of no spark, no fire; just show up and play and go home/hotel and do it again the next day. Schoop actually acts like he wants to win baseball games and enjoys playing baseball. I loved it when he hit the home run off Chris Davis and as he headed down to first looked at Davis and grinned. Not at Davis but seeing the humor in the situation and the enjoyment of it. Davis smiled back. Can't see Dozier doing that in a million years.

I gotta disagree with you on this one. Brian Dozier is a very passionate guy that wants to win as much or more than most and is a good clubhouse influence. I knew he had the confidence to succeed in the majors; just didn't see the power developing like it did. I'm pulling for him to get going at the plate for the Nats; maybe start spraying the ball around again. I didn't think we would sign Schoop but I'm glad we did. Two years ago, whoever thought he'd be playing 2B for the Twins?

Edited April 26, 2019 by AceWrigley

Of all the issues I had with Dozier, his desire and passion for the game were never even remotely in doubt.

 

Is which Schoop the real Schoop?

 

The .143/.200/.179 hitter in 9 games at Target Field?

Or the .372/.426/.791 hitter in 11 games on the road?

 

I'm thinking the real Schoop hasn't showed himself yet. Those splits are bizarre.

 

Maybe the weather? Although it's been cold everywhere they've gone...

 

Of all the issues I had with Dozier, his desire and passion for the game were never even remotely in doubt.

I suspect many of us would say the exact same thing about JM.