This is a very good article using solid info to shed light on a confusing situation. I think the Twins have handled this properly. Hopefully he can be a depth piece as they chase a wild card spot this year and then non tender him this fall.
The arbitration system will decide this problem. Don't know what the arb number will be but probably pushing $5 million next year. Non tender and there isn't anything he can do the rest of this year to change that.
He scorched two balls last night. He's much different than Hicks was. Buck is not passive at all and still takes a healthy hack (too healthy imo). Hicks was so passive almost hoping for a walk.
I'm a big Polanco fan and happy that he is playing well. Still believe his best position is 2nd but love his overall game. Polanco, Vielma, Gordon and Polacios; the Twins suddenly are deep at a position that was a wasteland for years.
I still think he has to make his swing more compact and focus on contact. He's long to the hitting zone so he has to start a little early which negates his ability to recognize pitches. I would lower his hands and ditch the leg kick. He needs to look at video of his manager.
His first start had a pretty low percentage strikes which is the main thing they are watching. Interesting piece in THE WSJ about Strasburg Syndegaard and others pitching exclusively from the stretch as it simplifies mechanics and doesn't diminish their velocity. Yet the twins added to his windup last year. Makes you wonder...
Duffeys problem is his fastball. It sits around 90 and the command is inconsistent. Unless he is lights out with his curve good hitters just wait on the fastball.
I think it will be interesting to watch vargas number of abs compared to Park. If Kenny doesn't get many of the dh turns soon that tells me that Park wins the job.
I would be the GM that TD hates. I would rarely if ever spend big money on a free agent. Instead I would plow that money into scouting and international signings. Scott Bowman kept the Canadiens dynasty alive by trading popular productive players before they hit their decline. Free agency is mostly fools gold.
It's an interesting topic. I'm sure it's real but quantifying it seems to be difficult. The count in which the "framed" pitch would be huge. The old 2 and 1 is way different than 1 and 2 theory.