What Happened To Oswaldo Arcia?

It almost has to be an injury that he is trying to play through.

In addition to Parker's #4, he is also by far the worst defensive OF on the roster.

I would say that he lost his spot in the lineup due to his defense and continued struggle against lefties.   He also was hot dogging it a bit, which is not what you expect from a guy on thin ice.

He was sent down and other stepped up, like Hicks and Rosario.  Then Sano came up and took the DH spot.  Not overly complicated.

Moving forward we have a few options options:

1) Give him another shot in a corner OF spot.  The issue is how can you take out Rosario or Hicks at this point? 

2) Give him a shot at DH.  This would involve a Plouffe trade and moving Sano to 3B. 

3) Platoon.  He has always been in the upper .700's in OPS against righties.  Last I checked that means about 80% of the games.

4) Trade him. 

5) Hold on too long and DFA him or trade him for a bag of peanuts.

Sorry guys, but methinks it will end up being #5.  #3 would be ideal but I don't think the Twins will ever devote a roster spot for a platoon player.

Check see if he needs glasses! If that isn't it trade him to the Red Sox, he can take the dh spot from Ortiz when he retires.

Who would be the better DH candidate going forward, Arcia or Vargas?

Nick, I've gotta believe it's all 3, exactly in that order. 

I haven't seen video of Arcia plate appearances lately, but the recurrence of the hip injury certainly would explain the good July and sudden failures again.  I don't know anyone how wouldn't sulk, at least a little bit.  And probably lead to #3.

I'm not 100% up on his contact, but believe his options are up and Twins lose him.  I'd be tempted to try to sign him on the cheap and see what plays out next year.

Nick, I've gotta believe it's all 3, exactly in that order. 

 

I haven't seen video of Arcia plate appearances lately, but the recurrence of the hip injury certainly would explain the good July and sudden failures again.  I don't know anyone how wouldn't sulk, at least a little bit.  And probably lead to #3.

 

I'm not 100% up on his contact, but believe his options are up and Twins lose him.  I'd be tempted to try to sign him on the cheap and see what plays out next year.

A lot of Arcia's power came from his strong hip turn, so a lingering hip injury would explain Oswaldo Arcia's predicament pretty well. Even if it's "healed up," he could be swinging the bat with a less vigorous hip turn for fear of re-injuring it, which would change his swing, killing his batting average and power.

Dang, what a lousy way to spend this transition year, stuck in AAA nursing a bad hip. Arcia could wind up going to some other team, then become Nick Swisher 2.0.

His career OPS is 4 points higher than our slugging all star.  I see 2 options.  1.  Close the book on 2015 and let him legitimately compete for a job next year.  2.  Let him go somewhere else, develop and make us look stupid once again.

Check see if he needs glasses! If that isn't it trade him to the Red Sox, he can take the dh spot from Ortiz when he retires.

 Ortiz's spot is currently reserved by Kennys Vargas

Or, #6:  Got passed by younger men who have "played a 'better' game".  Hicks has developed into (almost) the guy the Twins thought they drafted--he is a ML player.  Rosario has also "brought a better game" than Arcia.  Hunter has been what the Twins wanted him to be (except he needs considerable rest).  Buxton is still the Twins #1 prospect--and there is an OF spot waiting for him (whenever he "seizes it").  Others have shown that they have (or at least may have) ML stamped on their forehead.  In short, Arcia got "squeezed-out" by others.  The start of Arcia's  Rochester rehab went well--but he wasn't promoted like before--Arcia learned he was no longer "anointed" and is now "sulking" (Reason #2).  Reasons #3 may be due to his "weaknesses" have been exposed even at the AAA level.  I think Arcia perceived all he had to do was "mash" some HRs and he's on his way to "Millionaire Acres"--he has found out otherwise, and hasn't adjusted to a "new reality".  I expect his future is not in a Minnesota Twins uniform.  Don't cry "Masher Fans", the Twins have better options in the OF than Arcia.

Or, #6:  Got passed by younger men who have "played a 'better' game".  Hicks has developed into (almost) the guy the Twins thought they drafted--he is a ML player.  Rosario has also "brought a better game" than Arcia.  Hunter has been what the Twins wanted him to be (except he needs considerable rest).  Buxton is still the Twins #1 prospect--and there is an OF spot waiting for him (whenever he "seizes it").  Others have shown that they have (or at least may have) ML stamped on their forehead.  In short, Arcia got "squeezed-out" by others.  The start of Arcia's  Rochester rehab went well--but he wasn't promoted like before--Arcia learned he was no longer "anointed" and is now "sulking" (Reason #2).  Reasons #3 may be due to his "weaknesses" have been exposed even at the AAA level.  I think Arcia perceived all he had to do was "mash" some HRs and he's on his way to "Millionaire Acres"--he has found out otherwise, and hasn't adjusted to a "new reality".  I expect his future is not in a Minnesota Twins uniform.  Don't cry "Masher Fans", the Twins have better options in the OF than Arcia.

Yeah, not a bad thing that other guys came up and played well.  That is what has happened.

I will say that if we plan on moving Plouffe and having Sano DH, I have a tough time finding a better DH than Arcia, especially against righties.  So 80% of the time we get a .780 OPS or so out of that spot.  I will take it.

I could see a plotoon against righties where we throw Arcia in the OF when someone like Gibson is pitching, a ground ball guy.  That is more what I would consider rather than what the Twins will do. 

First question: Who do you think brings back more in a trade, Trevor Plouffe or Oswaldo Arcia?

Second question: Who do you want on the roster more, Trevor Plouffe or Oswaldo Arcia?