What's Next For Kennys Vargas?

First, we have to note that the Twins do not have to make this decision right now. Because they had DFAd JT Chargois late last week, the Twins 40-man roster was down to 39. So with the addition of Morrison, the Twins roster is back up to 40.

Second, we have to acknowledge that Kennys Vargas and Robbie Grossman are likely the two players most likely to be affected by the addition of Morrison since they are the two guys who would have been the primary DHs.

However, Grossman has the ability to play both outfield positions. That is important since Kennys Vargas can DH and also play a little first base. Those are the two positions that Joe Mauer and Logan Morrison can play. I mean, Morrison has played some outfield, but he’s played a total of 14 games in the outfield over the past five years.

The Twins could cut Robbie Grossman and pay only a portion of the $2 million he was awarded in arbitration. That is a possibility. But with Mauer and Morrison, Vargas is so redundent. And when the team gets only so many bench spots, versatility might be more important.

Last year, the Twins were able to get a fourth option for Vargas, but he is now out of options. In other words, he can’t be optioned to AAA in 2018 without being placed on waivers and potentially claimed by another team. In that scenario, the Twins would get nothing in return for him.

Unless the Twins sign more players to MLB deals, the front office does have until March 27th to decide what they will do. March 27th is the final day of spring training. It is also the day that Erick Aybar has an opt-out. As I mentioned in my Roster Projection earlier in the week, Aybar’s spot on the Opening Day roster may have a lot to do with whether or not Miguel Sano is able to be on the Opening Day roster (DL or suspension). If Aybar is added to the roster, that is when someone would need to come off of the DL.

Now, the front office is wise to wait. Hey, in the next month, Mauer could get hurt. Morrison could get hurt. Having Vargas around as long as possible makes sense for depth purposes. If the Twins do go with a four-man rotation and a 12-man pitching staff, maybe they will decide to keep Vargas and Grossman on the roster.

In the meantime, there are other options. The front office could consider trading Vargas. Teams certainly know that he is available, so they may be receiving some calls. They can hold out in hopes that they could receive a B- prospect for him, but at the end of spring, they might be able to get a C prospect for him. Maybe. A more elaborate study can be done by someone reading this to determine which American League teams might want a DH/1B. There could be interest in Vargas from a National League team as a pinch hitter or part-time first baseman too.

In the past, there were often rumors of interest from teams in Korea in Vargas. While that might be more difficult to do at this time of year, it isn’t completely impossible.

What's next for Kennys Vargas? I mean, he just needs to keep playing, getting his at-bats and working hard. At this point, he's essentially getting at-bats to show 29 other teams what he can do. I would guess that his agent has already contacted the Twins about attempting to trade him, and that may happen, but it's also wise for the Twins front office to take their time with that.

So now it’s your turn?

First, based on current players in the Twins system, would there be any way to have a roster that includes Kennys Vargas? Who do you think the other options might be? If you’re Derek Falvey and Thad Levine, what would you do?