Speaking of low walk rates...

by ubelmann on Dec 20, 2006 2:48 AM EST in News

Caseintheface is on top of things, getting in the first word on the Twins' Rondell White signing. (AP blurb, espn.com blurb, PiPress, STrib (by LEN3).) This isn't exactly a surprise, but now it's official. For the first half of the year, Rondell put in one of the worst performances in the history of the DH position, but now that the Twins have been through that, I doubt they'll let it happen again.

Some numbers:

AVG/ OBP/ SLG .182/.209/.215 -- Pre-ASB/Injured, 2006 .321/.354/.538 -- Post-ASB/Healthy, 2006 .286/.339/.476 -- Career (translated)

With most players, the low walk rate would really worry me, but Rondell hasn't walked all that much throughout his entire career anyway, and he's been fairly successful. I'd say Rondell can hit for something like .285/.330/.450 if he doesn't play when he's injured. That's not great, but it's better than I would expect out of a Tyner/Ford platoon. It would also make some sense if the Twins try to rest him semi-frequently against RHP, as he's shown reasonably large platoon splits over his career:

.314/.364/.508 -- White vs. LHP .276/.330/.451 -- White vs. RHP

There are all kinds of plate appearance totals that can escalate the value of the contract, but I don't think that'll be much of a problem as long as the plate appearances that he makes are healthy ones.

It's a bit unfortunate that White will be patrolling LF given his noodle arm, but Gardy has already shown a tendancy to put Ford in as a defensive replacement for White late in close games. In this situation, I think an offense/defense platoon makes some sense since it seems to cost a lot more than $2.75M to get a corner outfielder that can hit and throw these days.

At the end of the day, this move won't make or break the Twins' season. It's not great, it's not terrible, it's just a way to fill a position for a year or two.

Now if you haven't already, go read what caseintheface has to say about White.

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Kubel

....some confirmation or at least acknowledgment of my worried comment a few days back about whether Kubel's knee is right/ever going to be right.

In the Star Tribune Story it's mentioned that the Twins will use him to spell Kubel while his knee heals. So now the question, is that boiler plate caution talk or do they really have doubts about his knee even though Kubel has been attempting recover for perhaps 7 months by spring training?

by MNPundit on Dec 20, 2006 8:45 PM EST reply actions

Concern

I think there will always be concern over Kubel's knees. Even with all that rehab, you never can be totally sure how they'll handle the strain of play, especially on that turf. It would be prudent to spell him a bit at the beginning so his, hopefully strong from rehab, knees can get used to what will be asked of them.

It is a worry, but it's something we just have to hope turns out right.

"Baseball is great because you can't take a knee or kill the clock. You have to put the ball over the plate and give the other guy his damn chance." C Stengel

by AdamOnFirst on Dec 20, 2006 9:07 PM EST up reply actions

Don't forget...

that he only has 3 more years on that turf, including this one. I still think he'll be fine longterm.

by djskilbr on Dec 21, 2006 3:00 AM EST reply actions

YUp

Yup, but worst case sceneario, that's plenty enough time for his bad knees to tank his career... :(

Not that 'm saying they will, but it worries me a bit. He was so talented, and it's sad to think he's probably already lost something at 25.

"Baseball is great because you can't take a knee or kill the clock. You have to put the ball over the plate and give the other guy his damn chance." C Stengel

by AdamOnFirst on Dec 21, 2006 3:23 AM EST up reply actions