The Best Defensive Outfielders in Free Agency

I think Rasmus is the only choice because they have to sign somebody that can play CF, potentially anyway.  It boggles my mind that there are people comfortable going into next season counting on Hicks in any way, shape or form.  He has given no indication that he has figured anything out at the plate.  He has to start next season in Rochester until he proves he can hit at AAA which means we need a CF.  If Hicks finally gets it (which I hope he does) than either he or Rasmus can move to LF.

 

At this point, if I had to bet $50, I would say that Rosario has a better chance of making the club next year than Hicks.

This is just my speculation, but I think the Twins may hand Hicks CF or LF from April to the end of June.  One last look to see if he takes a step forward.  If not they cut the cord or hopefully make him a 4th OF/platoon in a corner. (.750 OPS against lefties).

I say that because he is former first round pick they have invested a ton in and really looked promising at one point.

I can probably be convinced that Rosario/Hicks/Schafer/Arcia will be a much better OF in 2015 than the guys the Twins had out there in 2014 (even though 75% of the "new" names were on the roster last year).

Even with that confidence that they can't possibly get worse, I still want to see the Twins be at least a little bit aggressive and acquire a player with good-to-great defense in LF that can hit better than Hicks/Schafer. I'm not asking for much, honest!

Interestingly, the thing that may prevent us from landing a high-upside FA pitcher -- lack of capable outfielders -- may be the thing that helps us land Rasmus.  Minnesota has to look like the closest thing to a guaranteed CF job in 2015, which might be important to him after losing such a job in Toronto.

 

Might it even be enough to land him on a reasonable 3 year deal, like Hughes last offseason?  Honestly, looking at our outfielders, there's probably a starting job for the taking over the next 3 years.

I agree with this - even if he's not in CF for all three years, there's room for Rasmus even if he hits like he did in 2014 - it would be an improvement over what the Twins have had (not including Willingham when he was healthy) in CF/LF for a long time.

I see a ton of similarities between Rasmus now and Hughes last season.

Both were first round picks. Both were top prospects (Hughes got up to 4 I believe. Rasmus was 10 in 2007). Both came up young. Hughes at 20 and Rasmus at 22.

Both showed flashes of being really good.

Hughes had a 3.03 and 4.19 era at 23 and 24 with good k rates

Rasmus had an ops of 859 as a 23 year old. He has had an ops plus over 100 in four seasons. His ISO was better than Miguel Carreras last year. His 162 game average is 24 hr and 29 2b

Both accumulated mlb average type numbers by the time they hit FA, despite being young (4.50 era for Hughes and 751 ops for Rasmus). Yet both were dismissed by their teams as busts and let test free agency

I would pursue the same type of deal that we gave Hughes but he would likely cost more money than $8M a year.  So 3-30 or 3-33 or so. If he would rather do the make good one year thing, I would give him that. Maybe you extend him mid season if he plays well or at minimum get a pick if he gets the huge deal he may be looking for next off-season. In the meantime I think he produces more than any others on this list, stabilizes our OF defense, and gives you a ton of upside like Hughes did.

Lots of opinions, lots of options.

 

My point, I guess, on Hicks/Schafer, is that I would rather go with them and wait for Buxton if we all assume that he will be the CF of the future rather than be unprepared this season at the Starting Pitcher situation.

 

I don't have the stats in front of me, however, I believe that I heard the Twins were either first or second in the AL in runs scored the second half of the season.  Must be some production in that line-up and with a Molitor philosophy of being more agressive on the basepaths, I think we will score runs.

 

Taking Hughes out of the equation, the other starters - Gibson, Nolasco, Correia, Pino, Deduno, Swarzak, May, Darnell, Pelfrey, Milone, and Johnson - had a combined ERA of 5.22.  A starting staff ERA of 5.22 will not keep you in many games.

 

I also believe money will be an issue.  Will Ryan go up to $30 million "annually" in new free agent spending?  I'm of the opinion that that will be the high side if he does.  So the question is, "Where do we put that money -- outfield or starting pitching?"

 

Reliable starting pitching - if they will come to Minnesota - will cost $10-12 million per starter.  If we get two then there is not the money left for the price of a Rasmus type CF.

 

I'm all for having a plan but I would like to find solid starting pitching instead of relying on May, Meyer, and Millone (and Nolasco).  If they falter, what happens to the season?  In my opinion we can suffer a little in CF more than we can at SP.

 

Just my opinion.

I guess the issue with standing pat is you start the year with an OF of Hicks, Arcia, Schafer, and probably Danny Ortiz.   Rosario and Buxton probably start the year in AA and both need a ton of reps given last year.

What happens if Arcia blows his knee out?  Yikes. 

I would love Rasmus or someone via trade.  But I think Terry signs a guy in his 30's on a one year deal like Morgan.

I would love Rasmus or someone via trade.  But I think Terry signs a guy in his 30's on a one year deal like Morgan.

I'd even take that at this point considering he didn't even do that much last year or the year before to address the lack of depth in CF.

I'd even take that at this point considering he didn't even do that much last year or the year before to address the lack of depth in CF.

I would take that over nothing, just for depth.   But it would be a let down if we don't pursue Rasmus and/or options in the trade market.

Agreed - and really, the 30+ 1 year contract guy is only acceptable if he was paired with another acquisition of a starting pitcher that is better than a bargain bin pickup.

Morgan is a headcase.  With so many young players projecting to be on the Twins roster, I'd stay away from exposing someone like him to that clubhouse.  Rasmus has a ton of potential, but haven't we been hearing that for years now?  I like Aoki, and he would be a fine addition to the Twins, but I would guess at his age he seeks a team with a more immediate chance to compete. 

To answer the question at hand, I guess I'd say roll with the OF on the roster and concentrate on the rotation

How they fill this position is the most crucial personnel decision of this offseason. If they get it right, they have the potential to upgrade half the roster with one move: LF + 12 pitchers.

The good news is we reached out to Torii Hunter on the first day.  So our priorities are in order. 

SARCASM

I don't think Rosario has earned himself anything except a look-see for a promotion to AAA. A hot month in a league about the same level as AA doesn't show me enough.

Going with Aaron Hicks to start the season for the third time should get Terry Ryan fired. There is plenty of room for two free agent outfielders on the roster and in the payroll. There is actually less room in the rotation than there is in the outfield. Only 40% of the rotation slots are up for grabs versus 60% of the outfield.