Should Eddie Rosario Be Benched for Not Hustling?

Lets not pretend this is unique to Eddie.    Its always been a pet peeve of mine whether its taking 2nd base or 3rd when a guy gets thrown out in a close play you can almost always see on the replay where they are watching the play and you can see the moment they make the decision, just like Eddie where they run in a different gear, when they could have made it there if they had been running from the start.   Nothing new here.    Criticize him all you want for trying to take 3rd with two outs.

Lets not pretend this is unique to Eddie.    Its always been a pet peeve of mine whether its taking 2nd base or 3rd when a guy gets thrown out in a close play you can almost always see on the replay where they are watching the play and you can see the moment they make the decision, just like Eddie where they run in a different gear, when they could have made it there if they had been running from the start.   Nothing new here.    Criticize him all you want for trying to take 3rd with two outs.

I don't understand.  Are you saying it isn't reasonable to call him out in that situation for it?  I like Eddie and I don't like Steve Stone, but I have no trouble with Stone taking that stance.  None at all.

Yes, he should be benched.

I'm even more bothered at Baldelli for being fine with it than I am with Rosario.

I stuck up for Esdie when Molitor had a fit over him stealing an open third base with two outs, and later had him sent down. But the one last night wasn't excusable. First off it's an unwritten rule, do not make the first or third out at third base. Secondly he did not hustle, posed, sloughed off, or dogged it. Take your pick. The problem isn't simply this play. His attitude in the last 6? weeks has seemed somewhat poor. Lacksidasical efforts catching fly balls, not exactly hustling chasing gap shots. Something is amiss. Basically he doesn't seem happy right now. I know that's a view from a distance, but frankly he gives the impression of someone who doesn't give a bleep!

I think Eddie (and Berrios to a lesser extent) are a little butt hurt they didn't get contract extensions last off-season like their peers Polanco and Kepler. They were both likely asking for more money, but it's gotta suck knowing your boys are set for life while you're still arbitration eligible. Might not be a bad time this offseason to extend Berrios and test the trade market on Eddie.

I don't understand.  Are you saying it isn't reasonable to call him out in that situation for it?  I like Eddie and I don't like Steve Stone, but I have no trouble with Stone taking that stance.  None at all.

You can talk to him about it but go take a look at the replays of everyone that tries to take an extra base and it is close and you will see that Eddie is the rule, not the exception.    If you call him out call out everyone that does it because it happens a lot.    I'm fine with that too but what makes this one special?   Buxton does it a lot but his coasting speed and his extra gear speed are both so fast he gets away with it.  

Or maybe Baldelli is shrugging it off publicly as to not make a scene while privately admonishing Rosario. It certainly wouldn't be the first time a coach falls on the sword publicly and honestly I don't have a problem with it. 

I think Eddie (and Berrios to a lesser extent) are a little butt hurt they didn't get contract extensions last off-season like their peers Polanco and Kepler. They were both likely asking for more money, but it's gotta suck knowing your boys are set for life while you're still arbitration eligible. Might not be a bad time this offseason to extend Berrios and test the trade market on Eddie.

The Twins approached each of them and they both passed. I'd guess each could've had deals similar to what Polanco and Kepler accepted but they voted to gamble on themselves. It'll likely work out in Berrios' favor and possibly Rosario's as well. I doubt Polanco and Kepler signing deals pisses them off; the amount they were offered by MN on the other hand is another story. 

4 games up with 10 to play? No, you don't bench Eddie Rosario and his 30+ HR and 100+ RBI.

Now's not the time.

It sucks to see lack of hustle, but there's a time and a place for discipline, and now ain't that time or that place.

Rosario is due for another six days of workload management rest this year. Does that count?

I immediately thought of my dad saying "Never make the third out at third base." That was what pissed me off.

That being said, a lot of Twins didn't get two hits last night.

You can talk to him about it but go take a look at the replays of everyone that tries to take an extra base and it is close and you will see that Eddie is the rule, not the exception.    If you call him out call out everyone that does it because it happens a lot.    I'm fine with that too but what makes this one special?   Buxton does it a lot but his coasting speed and his extra gear speed are both so fast he gets away with it.  

So what is wrong with calling everyone out?

Several games ago, Rosario struck out on strike three. The pitch was in the dirt and got away from the catcher. Instead of running to first, Rosario walked back to the dugout. Is this any better than when Piug didn't run to first on that comebacker to the mound?? To me, it isn't! 

I don’t think benching him helps anyone. I’m also not sure it even sends a message. This isn’t high school. He’s still getting paid. Better off just talking to him about it in private. I didn’t think the “pose” was overly long. But he does need to be smarter than making the third out at third. I’m not even sure he looked at the base coach. He kept looking behind him. THAT to me is a bigger problem with Rosario. Bad decision making. Frequently.

The coach is there for a reason. If he’s waving you on and you get thrown out, that’s on him. But if you don’t even look at the coach and get thrown out, that is blatant stupidity.

Nice play Polanco!

So what is wrong with calling everyone out?

Not a thing.   I said it was one of my pet peeves and I would be fine if someone posted every time someone dogged it and then got thrown out.    We're not on opposite sides here.    Singling one guy out for what many many players do or have done just seemed unfair.    Talk to him about it by all means.   Bench him or publicly call him out?  Probably not.

Eddie is starting to get hot. I think as a manager you need to know how to motivate and discipline your players. Eddie's game is to showboat and have fun. I think it's great having a guy with his attitude on the team as it breeds a certain cotagious confidence (not afraid of the moment). 

So no, I do not think you bench him. You do not want him pouting with the playoffs only two weeks away. Talk with him about it and move on. The OF is thin and the Twins need him playing well to have a chance.

BTW, did you notice he is no longer limping when he's running. To me being at the game last night I was big picture happy about the speed he once he finally kicked it in gear.

Eddie is a fabulous player, been one of my favorite Twins for years now, and I love the spark and the moxie he brings to the table.

But--------

The brain cramps show up throughout the season, and have throughout his tenure with the club. However, when they show up in bunches in the middle of a September pennant race- a race we Twins fans, and the Twins players themselves have not been a part of in a looooooong time- that needs to be dealt with.

All the injuries we have now, it's impossible to bench him. He's also showing signs of heating up again, after a long dry spell. But if I'm the Mgr, I'll keep your bat in the lineup alright, but by God, I'm gonna hold that 7 spot open for ya until you figure a couple things out. 2-3 or even 4 games in the 7 hole should be a strong enough message.

There ain't no guarantee of playoffs yet. One look at the Rays and As in the standings could give you shivers if Cleveland manages to catch us. And there ain't no guarantee about another playoff chase 'next year.' Ask the world champion Red Sox about that. Every damn game, every damn atbat counts.

Get on it, Eddie.

I cant say i like it. I think that Rocco prolly had a private, and brief discussion with Eddie about leadership and setting examples. We dont know. And we never will. Rocco is not going to ever publicly rip anyone. And you know what? Im ok with that.