Who Can Be Minnesota's Fourth Outfielder?
by Jesse on Dec 20, 2009 9:12 PM EST
in Speculation
49 comments
It's been a slow couple of weeks for baseball fans in Twins Territory, as we wait for news of a third baseman sighting or maybe a Joe Mauer extension. But this is something of an under-rated question for the off-season check list: who will the Twins have as their fourth outfielder in 2010?
I'm already assuming that, left to right, Ron Gardenhire's outfield will be Delmon Young, Denard Span and Michael Cuddyer. You could jot Jason Kubel down as the fourth outfielder, but I'm happy to pencil him in as simply "DH". Right now there is no obvious answer for that fourth guy because there's nobody left to backup Denard in center field.
Remember this guy? He had a couple of decent offensive seasons with the Cubs a few years back but his value was in his defense. In 2004 he was one of the best center fielders around (33.8 UZR/150), and even outside of that season he was always a guy who fielded his position very well. It seems he should be a lot older considering how long he's been playing, but the guy just turned 30.
Patterson wouldn't have been a bad option, if he hadn't already signed a minor league contract with the Mariners. So who else fits the bill?
Crisp is just 30 as well, and managed to perform a pretty solid disappearing act in Kansas City last year. He's played a lot of outfield over the years, and in general he's done it well. Like Patterson he's not really a threat with the bat in his hands, and he hasn't been able to duplicate the success of his 2005 breakout season, but his value is in his glove and his ability to backup a position that nobody on the major league roster could do for the Twins. At least, nobody that you'd want out there for any kind of an extended period of time.
Unfortunately it looks like Crisp will be off the market shortly, as the Athletics have been tied to him over the last few days.
Baldelli just turned 28 at the end of the season, and again it's hard to believe after all he's been through. He's lucky to still be playing the game after his medical condition was mid-diagnosed, and he's a long time removed from finishing 3rd in rookie of the year voting (2003) and from his last solid offensive season (2006). In spite of those red flags there is some upside with Baldelli; he's younger than most of the guys on this list, he's versatile and he's likely to come at a bargain rate.
I like Baldelli. If only so I can cheer for a guy called Rocko (hey, no more Boof). But clearly there's got to be a guy out there who doesn't have that kind of a rap sheet on health.
Pods is coming off one of his best seasons at the dish, and in spite of turning 34 in March is probably one of the best free agent players of the profile we're looking for. That career .340 OBP isn't great, but there's a lot worse around. Traditionally his defense isn't a good as most of the guys on this list, but he has two things that play in his favor: he played all three outfield positions in 2009, and he's very fast. Anytime you can close a gap, that's a good thing. And like John Madden used to say, you can't teach speed. Actually he probably still says that.
Podsednik is not a starter. But he does have value as a fourth outfielder, and I think you could do a lot worse.
Chavez turns 32 in February and, in spite of being a decent contact hitter, doesn't have a lot of value at the plate. He does have good speed, but (and you might be picking up on a trend here) his value lies in his defense. Over the course of his career he's logged hundreds of innings at all three outfield positions and, as a general rule, he's played all three at a high level.
Obviously because of his offense (career 75 OPS+) this isn't a guy you want to expose a great deal at the plate. Also, there should be some concern over how his knee is after tearing his ACL last June. But as far as defensive options on this list go, Chavez might be the best one.
Gathright is one of those guys who has some good tools, and either hasn't learned how to use them or they just aren't as good as we were told they were. He had a great year in part time with the Royals in 2007, but in general has been underwhelming in terms of performance. But again, he's quick and he plays all three outfield positions. He's good at stealing bases.
This is a popular guy, and I don't really expect him to sign with a team that won't start him everyday, but at this point in his career I have to wonder if he's at a crossroads. He'll turn 36 in June and, although he put up good offensive numbers for the Giants in '07 and '08, he's clearly not the player he was in his prime.
Winn can play all three outfield positions, and if he's looking to sign with a team with a legitimate chance for October, if he's looking to sign with a good team for a lesser role to get that shot at a ring, then maybe this is something he considers. If the price is right, Winn would be my choice of anyone on this list.
Then there's the internal option. Pridie is younger than anyone on this list, just turning 26 in August. He can backup Denard in center field, he has a little pop in his bat, and I have to believe he'll be playing with something to prove. But he strikes out way too much at the minor league level, is allergic to getting on base, and has no major league track record to show what he can bring to a club with any certainty.
Would you sign any of these guys? How much of a concern is a fourth outfielder to you at this point?
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Dustin Martin
He can also play all 3 outfield positions and has more power than Pridie. I think you’ll see an open competition between Pridie and Martin in spring training. The window for either will close quickly as Revere, Tosoni and Morales move up a level in 2010.
I like Winn or Chavez best. Chavez would make us not miss Gomez at all.
Dustin Martin and Jason Pridie
Dustin Martin and Jason Pridie are both having phenominal winter ball seasons. Martin is right at .300 and has 6 homeruns and Pridie is batting something like .381. I think both deserve a chance to make the team. We don’t need to bring in anyone at a high price to be the fifth outfielder (Kubel is really the fourth outfielder). He would be used mostly as a defensive replacement and pinch runner. That being said, I would be all in favor of some sort of right handed power bat for the bench, and that would be neither of those guys.
Bench construction.......
I vote for a bench bat, too. The sticking point is needing to carry to middle infielders, for some reason…because of Punto’s contract, Casilla’s promise, or Tolbert’s need.
You also have to think what the team ahs in the wings. If, say, Span goes down, not only who plays centerfield, but who becomes the leadoff hitter.
Makes you wish we did keep Gomez as the backup, put Kubel in left, and get rid of Young.
Then we have a bat for DH who can also play, say, first or third (maybe the OF). Glaus could’ve been a nice signee then.
But…all pipedreams and non-reality moves.
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I like Endy
It’s too bad the Ms re-signed Langerhans cause he’d be a good one.
Jeff Fiorentino is another guy Id like to see get a shot. I’m pretty sure he’s going to Japan but he plays really good D in the corner OF. No idea about him in center though.
That is disappointing
I would’ve liked to see a Langerhans signing if only for the challenge of coming up with a pancreas-related nickname for him.
"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
Kubel's the 4th OF, Pirdie will be the 5th
He’s playing for the league minimum, he has very good speed and is (by reputation at least) a very good defender. I believe he was voted the best defensive of in the IL last year or the year before. So I don’t see the Twins paying 2 or 3x more on someone else when it would also require them to cut someone (probably Pirdie) from the 40 man roster.
I do think Kubel will get a lot of time at both corners (and if Young tanks, he becomes the LFer and Gardy rotates the DH again). Whoever the 5th outfielder will be will mostly be getting spot starts in CF, late inning defensive replacement in LF and/or pinch running. Pirdie’s skill set works well enough for that.
Agree--I like the inhouse option well enough
Pridie, Martin, Tosoni—good defenders, and cheap. So much outfield talent in the pipeline, it would be hard to see much money being thrown at any of the free agent choices. Plus, bringing in a veteran will just mess with Delmon’s head.
Keep in mind, if Delmon is terrible, or if Span or Cuddy have a serious injury, there’d be real trouble. But none of the guys on this list could really replace Span or Cud, so if it came to that, they’d have to explore in season trade options anyhow.
Yeah, just what a big-league team needs...
…a fifth outfielder who in his past two AAA seasons had a .300 OBP.
At least Pridie did cut down his whiffs last year, but after striking out a monumental 152 times in 2008 despite having no real pop in his bat, last year’s progress in that area is not terribly impressive, as a player like Pridie should never whiff 152 times in a season.
He still never takes a walk, though.
Might as well go get Jason Tyner rather than Jason Pridie, who should have go on from here to have a forgettable AAA career.
Amused observer of the old ladies backyard laundry gab.
by Johnny Safron on Dec 21, 2009 12:24 AM EST up reply actions
+1
I just don’t see the Twins plopping down anymore than minimum for a back up outfielder. They’ll fill this need from within. The off the cuff guess is Pridie, but the team has a lot of outfielders and it’s possible one will impress and win the job.
I think they can get a veteran MFA to compete for the job
Baldelli, Church, Patterson. Any of the three would be a huge upgrade over Pridie and not much more expensive. Maybe you pay ’em $1 million if they make the club out of spring training.
Martin is not much of a fielder in my book. Tosoni needs more seasoning. A veteran makes the most sense, imho.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
Every fall...
…there are plenty of Twins’ fans who gripe that the Pohlads didn’t do this and didn’t do that, and that’s why the Twins don’t go to the World Series.
You don’t go to the World Series by counting on Jason Pridie to suddenly become a big-league player.
He’s a dime-a-dozen schmuck, based on what he’s shown. Sure, he could have some miraculous smack on the head and become a big-leaguer, but there’s no reason to believe that will happen.
You can’t make it to the World Series with a guy like that as your fourth outfielder, so if that’s where you are setting your sights you are conceding any shot at the World Series and also conceding any legitimate reason to gripe about the Pohlads not doing enough to get beyond the first round of the playoffs.
Jason Tyner was a better ballplayer at 25 than Pridie is.
No aspirational big-league GM would want this guy as a fourth or even fifth outfielder.
Amused observer of the old ladies backyard laundry gab.
by Johnny Safron on Dec 21, 2009 7:43 PM EST up reply actions
really don't like "schmuck"
unless there’s a good reason for calling him that.
He’s in the Twins organization and I’ve never heard of him causing trouble. The only “complaint” I’ve heard is “he’s not good enough” – I suspect he’d like to be better too.
Once you’re in the postseason, the marginal difference in 4th outfielders is not going to be the difference between winning and losing. Definitely hyperbolic to say you’re conceding the world series based on who you pick for your 4th outfielder.
actually 5th of
actually 5th OF, pinch runner, defensive specialist, and back up CF. I doubt the 150 or so AB he gets makes that big of a difference (5-10 extra hits to be precise) is not worth the extra .5-.7 million in cost for a different OF. Pridie can do all of thosse but hit. and do them well.
I would be willing to take any of these options listed above on a minor league contract to compete with Pridie but the majorleague portion would not top 650k with maybe a bonus for 300+ plate appearances in case of injury and they get to play almost everyday.
Doofenschmirtz Evil, INC.
Phineas and Ferb
The difference between a catch or a near catch on a ball hit to the wall with the bases full is a minimum three runs. Carlos will be missed no matter what gardenhire says. Punto made a base running mistake and the"manager" felt sorry for him. Gomez made the same mistake and he was traded.
To be honest
I was sorry to see GoGo leave, but do you think it came down to just one play? I think it had more to do with getting JJ Hardy than getting rid of someone for one mistake. Yeah, Gardy thought he was irritating, but he also said this about him too.
…when you see him out there in center field covering all that ground and then some of the offensive things he can do that other people can’t do, that’s why the guy is in the big leagues.
"Is it normal to wake up in the morning in a sweat because you can't wait to beat another human's guts out?" -Joe Kapp
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Dec 26, 2009 4:46 PM EST up reply actions
Also agreed.
It’ll take a little shuffling, but we can make this work in-house. We’re expanding our payroll, but there are limits; also, most of the discount options available look to me to be running a high Craig Monroe Experiment risk.
http://www.realityfish.com
by Robin G on Dec 21, 2009 11:37 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
If the Twins had stuck with Craig Monroe...
…rather than bringing up Monroe High School grad Randy Ruiz – the in-house option – it’s likely the Twins would have not gone to a 163rd game in 2008 and would have made the playoffs.
Monroe was a worthwhile gamble. Pridie isn’t.
Amused observer of the old ladies backyard laundry gab.
by Johnny Safron on Dec 21, 2009 8:19 PM EST up reply actions
5th in the outfield
I would actually like someone with a better option as a bench bat, as Kubel can sub in either corner…and let’s just keep the CF backup at AAA Rochester until needed.
The bench has Morales, Tolbert, maybe Punto if not a starter. Do we need someone like Quinlan, perhaps? Is there a Thome out there the Twins can sign, that can DH when Kubel plays the field?
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Good point
Cuddyer could slide over if Span got hurt. Heck, didn’t he start a game out there last year? And didn’t LNP use to run around out there?
I still don't like it
Yeah, Cuddyer started a game or two in center last year, and I think Punto played a few innings there early in his Twins tenure, but they were not really all that good there (although somewhat ironically, Cuddyer made a game-changing misplay after being moved back to right in one of those games), and I’d much rather have a real backup on the roster in the event that Span gets an in-game or day-to-day injury. Also, as others have mentioned, a backup centerfielder could come in as a defensive replacement for Delmon late in games, too.
A bench bat isn’t the worst idea in the world, although I’d point out that if they sign a decent-hitting 3B or 2B, that leaves Punto as the only starter who would pretty much ever be pinch hit for, so it’s not like the new guy would be used a ton unless he’s good enough that they’d platoon him with Kubel. If they get a bench bat, though, it should be at the expense of Harris’ roster spot (assuming new 2B or 3B and leaving Tolbert as the utility infielder), not the backup centerfielder’s.
"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
Unless the entire lineup starts to switch hit, like Punto does,
…this just isn’t true: >>A bench bat isn’t the worst idea in the world, although I’d point out that if they sign a decent-hitting 3B or 2B, that leaves Punto as the only starter who would pretty much ever be pinch hit for,<<
Teams have played the lefty-righty percentages for at least 90 years. And with good reason. It’s not going to suddenly stop.
Amused observer of the old ladies backyard laundry gab.
by Johnny Safron on Dec 21, 2009 8:23 PM EST up reply actions
Not shouldn't, but won't
I agree that there are situations in which it makes sense to pinch hit for one of your starters even if he’s an otherwise good hitter, in order to gain the platoon advantage. I’m just saying that Gardy doesn’t do it for very many players – I don’t know that Crede or Delmon were pinch hit for at all last year, and they’d be the worst non-Punto hitters on the 2010 team (assuming for the moment that they re-sign Crede or a roughly equivalent hitter).
If they do decide to get a “bench bat”, I’d probably lean toward a lefty over a righty, even though the conventional wisdom is that the Twins have too many lefthanded hitters. On one hand, a righty provides some lineup balance, and he could split time with Kubel at DH. On the other hand, four of the Twins’ five best hitters (Span, Kubel, Mauer, Morneau) are lefthanded, and there’s zero chance that Gardy ever pinch hits for one of them except in an injury situation – if you want to utilize the theoretical “bench bat”, a guy who gains an advantage coming in for one of the lesser righthanded guys seems to make more sense.
"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
Get a real bat
Instead of going for a defense-first 5th OF / backup CF like Patterson, Chavez, Baldelli, etc, I’d rather live with Pridie or Martin and take advantage of the no-field OF/DH buyer’s market out there. Guys like Branyan, Vlad Guerrero, and Thome are all out there in the top tier, and one or more of them is going to have to take a well below market value contract.
Looking at the second tier, there are guys like Reed Johnson, Rick Ankiel, Jack Cust, Jermaine Dye, Brian Giles, Austin Kearns, Xavier Nady, Mike Jacobs, Aubrey Huff, etc still out there. I’d rather sign one of them cheaply as a backup OF/DH, give some pop off the bench. Span can play nearly every day, and it’s more likely that we’ll need someone to spell Delmon during his cold streaks, and putting Kubel in the OF does that. Which mean’s we’d need someone for DH.
If Span gets hurt, all bets are off. We’d be in big trouble even if we signed an Endy Chavez.
by Adam Peterson on Dec 21, 2009 11:10 AM EST up reply actions
-1
The last thing the Twins need is another no-defense bat for the outfield. Kubel and Young are poor defenders, Cuddyer’s below average. They essentially have three RF, one CF and no LF. Someone plays out of position in LF already. They need a guy who can play defense in what is still going to be a large LF and backup Span. There’s already backups for the corners. If they get enough infield depth then I suppose Punto can backup CF but I’d rather have someone else. If I had my druthers, Delmon would be dealt for a decent LF (DeJesus?) and then they could sign one of those DH bats.
The additional bat would not be for the outfield
but rather for DH, moving Kubel to the OF. As I noted, I think we’re more likely to be in need of a replacement for Delmon in LF than for Span in CF.
This is all assuming the going in position of Delmon-Span-Cuddyer in LF-CF-RF, of course. If I had my druthers, I’d want a better LF as well, but it looks like we’re going to hope that Delmon finally gets it this year. Given this, what are we doing to do if he doesn’t get it?
by Adam Peterson on Dec 21, 2009 3:14 PM EST up reply actions
If I had my druthers, Delmon would be dealt for a decent LF (DeJesus?) and then they could sign one of those DH bats.
I’d like a trade along those lines, and Dayton Moore seems like he might actually do a trade for DeJesus with Young as the centerpiece. I think our need to upgrade in LF is almost as important as the need to upgrade at 2B or 3B – maybe more important if we manage to sign someone for one position at 2B or 3B.
"So [Kouzmanoff]’s going to make decent monkey, but he’d be affordable." - Jesse
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Dec 21, 2009 3:15 PM EST up reply actions
I've posted before
We need a bat off the bench. We’ve got 4 outfielders on the roster and 2 leftfielders, Kuble and Young. We have no late inning pop off the bench. Punto comes up with a man on second, Who’s going to Pinch hit. How about a lefty comes in to the game in the late innings, we only have Harris if he’s not playing 3B. Harris,Pridie,Tolbert,Casilla,Morales, not a strong bench.
by b1 on Dec 21, 2009 3:49 PM EST up reply actions
I say
In-house, third base is the real problem and any money should be spent there not on some unimportant bench spot. An awesome 4th outfielder is a luxury that the twins cannot afford. Kubel is fine as the the 4th guy, when hes not at DH he can play the field, Pridie is probably could for the CF backup but won’t get all that attention. You have to remember we are replacing Carlos Gomez at this spot, i don’t care who it is he’ll probably be better than Gomez. Now don’t get me wrong I know his defense was invaluable, and also amazing, but if you can get a guy with defense half as good as Gomez as long as he can average he’d still be way better than the highlight of the Santana deal. Gomez was atrocious at the plate.
Want Railings got tohttp:// www.Kassonconcrete.com
Luxury.......
With 12 pitchers, a defensive replacement is a luxury. Even if he would be for Delmon. I would see Kubel getting more time in the outfield and Delmon being the bench guy if the Twins got a legit DH, who might also play 1B/3B and/or OF. It would be nice if you had guys at AAA who could comfortably fill-in, if the need arose (or the bench guys fill-in and the AAA guys take the space on the bench). That’s the dream, really.
AN outfieldder goes down, you move Kubel to the OF, use Morales — say — as DH, and bring up a back-up catcher. Punto or Hardy or Crede go down, you have Tolbert taking their place, and you bring up Toby Gardenhire — say — to ride the bench.
The Twins do need to compose a bench. You need someone who can actually hit a fly ball if Punto comes up with a runner on third and one out. Do you go to Tolbert? Would you choose Pridie? Do you use Morales? Is Alexi the go-to guy? Is Harris the million-dollar king of pinch?
The reality is you need a backup catcher, a backup infielder (only one) and someone who can play 1st/maybe 3rd/DH/OF. So cvounting that last spot, you can stock bench players on a 13-man roster.
You then hope that you hav Tolbert or Dinkelman or Singleton or someone who is near major league ready to be the sub when the sub moves to fulltime, or you have the Jason Tyner (or Denard Span) who comes up and makes the plays and maybe wishes you suddenly don’t have to choose between 4/5 outfielders when all the ails are back.
For part of a game or a game, you COULD play Cuddyer in centerfield, or second base, or third base. You can play Punto at first or centerfield. Joe Nathan could catch!
You don’t keep players just because they are out of options, cheap. Maybe you can keep a Pridie around and let him suck on the bench and bat 35 times if your outfield stays healthy. But if you put Kubel on the field, do you have Delmon DH?
I guess you put Kubel in RF and have Cuddyer play 1st and Morneau DH. Or Morales catch (heaven forbid) and Mauer DH.
Play out the situations and who do you want where when IT happens!
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You've got to be kidding me...
With 12 pitchers, a defensive replacement is a luxury.
AN outfieldder goes down, you move Kubel to the OF, use Morales — say — as DH, and bring up a back-up catcher.
So, what happens if Span goes down for a few days? Or when he needs a day off? Who do you trust to play center field? Young? Cuddyer? Kubel? Punto? Do you expect Span to play 9+ innings for 162 games?
You need a back up for center field. It’s not a luxury, it’s a necessity. It’s as important as a back up catcher. No team in their right mind would break camp with only one player you can rely on to play center. Yes, you CAN put a corner outfielder in center in an emergency situation. You can also have a position player pitch a inning in a blowout loss. Planning on doing it, on even a semi-regular basis, is just idiotic.
I can’t believe we even have to debate this. This is basic roster management. The fact is that if the Twins don’t sign another center fielder, Pridie will be on the 25-man roster. -Because you NEED a back up for center field.
-Flip
They already have Pridie
If Span is out long-term, they have Pridie. If they want to give him a day off, they need a backup. I’m with you that they need a backup – partly because they can switch out Delmon in late innings with a backup also.
Bench
Bench players are best if they have a truly exceptional skill that can be leveraged. Pridie is a plus defender in CF, making him something like +15 in LF. Having a good defensive outfielder is a must with Young, Cuddyer, Kubel as the corner outfielders. Pridie could be worth 0.8 WAR just as a defensive sub for Delmon in the 8th and 9th. Pridie is a bad hitter, that doesn’t make him a bad 4th outfielder.
It's Pridie
The Twins are nothing if not predictable. They drafted him, lost him to college, then traded for him. Now they need a backup for late-inning defense and to fill in for Denard, someone with plus wheels and a good arm. And who is cheap. This is not hard to figure. Maybe Martin competes with him, but really, the better long-term prospect should play every day at Rochester, which is why Pridie goes with the Twins and Martin continues to develop at AAA.
Hopefully, this is small beer compared to 3B and the SP.
"You don't go to the WS with a fifth OFer like..."
Jason Pridie? Brett Gardner? Who’d the Phillie’s have? For all the time’s I’ve heard Cuddyer is overpaid, now I’m reading the Twins should be fretting about the fifth OF, when there are plenty of cheap in house options chomping at the bit—which is a plus of the Twins system—there are opportunities for the Jason Pridie’s and even Denard Span’s of the world.
Pay guys minor league chump change for years, make them ride the bus, and right when they have a chance to show their mettle, sign some has been or never will be to take their place. I don’t expect Pridie to have much of a career, or to be a Twin beyond this season, but I’d rather root for him to succeed than for some schmuck from outside the organization.
I wouldnt' mind Dustin Martin
at all as our 5th Outfielder in about mid-season (June or July)
but to begin he’s not the guy -I don’t think
how about the Twins interested in Kelvim Escobar ? I say sweeeeeet
and are the Twins one of the 3 ‘unnamed’ teams to offer SP or RP Justin Duscherer a contract? ( originally a S.D. native)
Rene Tosoni is good.
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Dec 22, 2009 12:51 AM EST reply actions
also guys, what to make of Scott Borass saying that Joe Crede wants to play For or IN Minnesota in 2010.
Initial reaction
happy?
choke?
in-different feeling?
I’m content with that, kind of glad to hear Crede knows his best chance to win in 2010 is playing for Minnesota even if he’s only starting at 3B for about 75-100 games for the year because of health and future (Valencia) + Brendon Harris.
Rene Tosoni is good.
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Dec 22, 2009 2:37 AM EST reply actions
Freel sucks
Baldelli or Chavez would be great
Vikings 4 the superbowl
He can play all those positions, but so can Matt Tolbert
Still, I wouldn’t want to see Tolbert in the outfield. Let’s get a real outfielder, not a futility guy.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
agreed
Patterson is horrible as well
Vikings 4 the superbowl
Gomes would be amazing
Vikings 4 the superbowl
Bring in Gathright… Since we have our starting outfield pretty much set up with Delmon, Span, and Cuddy (Kubel can play rf as well) we need someone who is versatile and can play more than 1 position… Gathright is fast can play all 3 of positions.. He’s not gonna start everyday so he doesn’t need to be awesome, just someone to fill the holes and make a few plays.
Pridie
He needs to go somewhere that I will never hear his name again..
Free agent
Can the Twins send him down, or does he have to pass waivers?
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Backup OF
What do the Twins really want with that spot? Do they want a really good defensive OF, but aren’t worried about his offense? Do they want someone that can spell all three regulars and maybe take some ABs in left field? Do they want someone who will play center only in an emergency such as an injury to Span?
The other factor in this decision is how much they are willing to pay. Ryan Church is out there and would cost a minimum of $3M. He can play all three OF positions, is a candidate to platoon with Delmon, and has experience as a pinch hitter. If the Twins are willing to put out $3M plus incentives, I think he would be ideal.
If the Twins just want a backup, I have submitted that there are probably 50 guys who fill the bill better than Pridie. Most of them would take a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. Many of these guys (Wise, Anderson, Patterson) have already signed, but somebody and probably a bunch of somebodies will be cut loose during spring training. I think it behooves the Twins to have a guy with a little experience in that role.
Finally, if they only want an OF for emergencies, maybe they could not have one. Tolbert played quite a bit of OF at Rochester (more than 3B) and Punto has experience out there as well.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Dec 30, 2009 10:34 AM EST reply actions
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