If I ran the team, Lee would be playing third in AA. Lewis would be the shortstop when healthy. Martin would be in LF or second depending on how they feel about Julien at second. AK would get every chance to be healthy. If so that works, Miranda is your DH and backup at first and third.
I think they are hoping for a major bounceback, health from everyone, and to add players at the break. Also, trying not to look cheap.
But, he's here for 1 year. It's not what I'd do.....
Right? He's the starter until June or July, when he's either benched or traded (unless everyone is healthy and better than last year, maybe he's a legit starter and not traded). Unless Kepler is traded, Larnach is on the bench or in the minors. Heck of a draft record for this FO.....
So, I guess Gordon is on the bench now. As is Larnach, and Wallner in AAA. Not sure how Larnach shows he belongs while sitting on the bench. Martin is in AAA now, maybe AA.
How will they live up to expectations if Gallo is playing, and they aren't?
If he's even good, let alone great, he won't be back in MN. This solves nothing in the long run. Nothing.
If they can't bring up the youth and have them produce, they can't win no matter how many Gallos they sign. At some point, you have to bite the bullet. Passing on all the great players or even next tier of players was that point for me.
He put up .6 WAR with his great defense last year.
Projects aren't trash. Go look at how they actually do......
He's projected for 1.1 fWAR...........1`.1. Kepler is projected for 1.9. It isn't close. And, for 11 million dollars. And, unless Kepler is traded, they are blocking youth for a year for what? What is fixed long term (or even short term)?
Because they were better than him last year? Oh, wait.
100% this is about not looking cheap and praying Gallo is great. But who cares? It is one year. It solves nothing at all, other than blocking Wallner or Larnach or other players.
Gallo put up 0.6 WAR last year. He was below replacement level. Wallner was better.
This reinforces my point about CC.....
You can have CC and two rookies, or three Joey Gallos.....
He put up 0.6 WAR last year! He's projected for 1.1.
Martin or Wallner can do that.
They are desperate to spend money and not look cheap. That's the only explanation at this point. Good thing they didn't sign Bassit.....