Can we rid ourselves of Rondell White yet?

by MNPundit on May 16, 2006 9:42 PM EDT Comment 13 comments

Is it possible that Rondell White is just done, that his skills disappeared in 2006? Even with his "10 game hitting streak" he's hitting .185 with an OBP of .194 before tonight. His power is almost non existent. Even Juan Castro has a higher slugging %.

Now some said just wait on white, patience, he will return to his form (which while not utterly spectacular was that of a solid veteran.

How much longer should we wait and who can we replace him with? Kubel and hope that he gets his licks in the majors and improves because he surely seems to have more potential than White?

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White

Let's check out White's splits by month and his preseason median PECOTA projection:

April: .136/.143/.148 May: .286/.302/.381 PECOTA: .286/.332/.449

He's still not walking, and his power isn't there yet, but the average came back this month. I'm not convinced he's going to be much better than he has been in May, but it's probably worth at least a week or two more to see what happens.

At the very least, April definitely looks fluky. If I had to guess at how Rondell would hit the rest of the way, I'd probably say something like .286/.317/.415.

by ubelmann on May 16, 2006 10:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think you have it about right Ubelmann

But frankly, that would be a disappointing waste of money.

Coulda kept LeCroy and gotten that.

by Eric in Madison on May 16, 2006 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The only problem...

...with LeCroy is that he's got pretty big platoon splits. The advantage to White was supposed to be that he could hit lefties and righties. Plus, White runs better than LeCroy (one of very few players who is slow enough that it really hurts you on the bases.)

I still think it was a good contract at the time it was signed, but you're right, it's been pretty disappointing.

by ubelmann on May 16, 2006 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No Need for DH

At least the Twins don't have to feel abd about benching White (or using him just off the bench) in National League games, although I'm waiting for the "B" squad game with White in right, Ford in left, Rodriguez at Third, Redmond catching, Punto at short. Nice to give the guys some playing time, even if you set yourself up to lose a game intentionally.

by twintown on May 17, 2006 12:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Punto at short

I think that's his natural position because he's playing better than I've seen him play in his career. He's certainly better than Castro, both in the field and at the plate.

I find myself wishing that the Twins would not tease us any longer. Just get on with the fire sale so I can see Bonsor, Bartlet and Kubel up here.

Joe Mauer for MVP.

by cmathewson on May 17, 2006 11:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

White since April

He's hitting close to .300 for the month of May, on a 10-game hittig streak, and hitting a lot of balls hard right at people. COmbined wiht his horrific early season slump, he's doing better than his numbers.

It's kind of the opposite of Castro, who started the season hot, hitting close to .400 for a week, before cooling off. Ironically, the two have similar averages even though Castro hasn't hit much since April 11 and White has hit protty well since May 1.

Joe Mauer for MVP.

by cmathewson on May 17, 2006 12:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

So, White's Hot...

Maybe now is the time to make that tarde with the Yankees. Send them White and Kyle Lohse for something!

Bring Back Matt LeCroy!

And, hey, there's always Mike Restovich, Brian Buchanan and Todd Sears floating around the systems of many out there!

by twintown on May 17, 2006 2:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sears

What ever happened to Todd Sears? I remember Peter Gammons saying he looked like the 2nd coming of Kent Hrbek after seeing a few games in the spring.

by TheMattWilke on May 17, 2006 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sears...

...is playing in Tacoma, the AAA affiliate of the Mariners. Sears is likely not anything like the second coming of Hrbek. Sears is old, and his stats have been pretty mediocre for a first baseman who has played a ton of AAA. He does seem to be working on setting a record for most PCL teams played for, though.

At any rate, so far this season Sears is putting up a .290/.327/.440, which is okay, but won't get him any time in the majors as he's behind both Richie Sexson and Roberto Petagine.

by ubelmann on May 17, 2006 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs