Question of the day: What if Joe Crede needs a DL stint?

by cmathewson on Jul 23, 2009 11:17 AM EDT

According to the Star Tribune, Joe Crede will see shoulder specialist Dr. Lewis Yocum when Twins are in Los Angeles to play the Angels. Based on Crede's own words, the shoulder seems more serious than just a mild inflamation of the AC joint, which is what the team's medical staff diagnosed. It is looking more and more likely that Crede will go on the DL. The question is, what do the Twins do to fill his roster spot if he does?

Poll

What should the Twins do if they have to put Joe Crede on the DL?

Call up Danny Valencia

143 votes

Get by with a Buscher/Harris platoon and get some bullpen help

14 votes

Get by with a Buscher/Harris platoon and call up Morales

20 votes

Get by with a Buscher/Harris platoon and call up another middle infielder

5 votes

Make a trade for Freddy Sanchez, who can play third or second.

103 votes

285 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

What to do

If Valencia is the future, you call him up. Have to add him to the 40-man. Means Macri is gone, right?

Grudzielanek is still a couple of weeks away, and if push comes to shove, he can step into third if Crede isn’t back…

which also means the Twins could still be in the market for Sanchez (or Wilson). The question is, do you keep Alexi around for abckup, or include him in the trade. If you can’t keep, say, Sanchez, is Tolleson, Dinkelman or Tolbert adequate (eh, Punto, I guess) for 2010. The 2010 questions are astronomical! Which is why giving Valencia a shot now, rather than just September, could be crucial.

Twins infield 2010: Morneau, Sanchez, Harris, Valencia. Bench: Punto, Morales, Tolleson, someone who cn also play first, an outfielder.

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by rosterman on Jul 23, 2009 11:35 AM EDT reply actions

That lineup still doesn’t solve our biggest problem: Defense.

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by fetch9 on Jul 23, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Defense is our biggest problem?

I thought the combined batting average of .170 was our problem..

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by FoulJack on Jul 23, 2009 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Macri would be the first choice

if a roster move is needed imo; but with Bonser and Neshek out for the season and on the 40-man, we could probably add 2 players to the 40-man with mere procedurals, and not lose anyone (potentially).

by ajmargarine on Jul 23, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

I think we have room

I’d put Boof on the 60-man first.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Jul 23, 2009 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Pat is on the 60 day...

…disabled list. But Bonser isn’t, so he could be added without having to release anyone.

by roger13 on Jul 23, 2009 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Sanchez

Sanchez has an option for next year that would likely be picked up so we would be set at the MI with him and Harris. While Harris might not be ideal he’s not bad. That and I do think Tolleson would be ready by next year to give us something at least. Plus there’s always Plouffe who could be the next Span (high pick, good potential, mediocre in minors but clicks in the majors).

Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?

by halfchest on Jul 23, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions

I’ve been thinking about this since word on Crede first came out. Part of me says you’d bring of Valencia. But, he hasn’t played a full seasons at AAA and is it worth rushing him?

If he comes up and does great, that’s awesome. But if he struggles, could it delay his development or ‘make him think’? Just seeing how Gomez or Young maybe should have spent a year more but were rushed by the Rays/Mets.

by Twins Territory on Jul 23, 2009 11:52 AM EDT reply actions

Gomez and Young

were quite a bit younger than Valencia is now when they were first called up. I don’t think most ballplayers are as fragile as most think. I saw bring him up to see if he can stick. We are likely depending on him for next year anyway. If he doesnt at least he gets an idea of what it really takes to succeed at the major league level to take back with him at AAA.

I also dont really get upset about starting his arbitration clock. If he is our best option, he is our best option.

by guinness junky on Jul 23, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Arbitration clock

It’s not a big deal, really. People are upset about Gomez wasting serfdom on the bench, for example. Well, he’s not earning a lot of money right now for future arbitration years. The only negative is an earlier free agency when he does break out.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Jul 23, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions

true

I would only be in favor of bringing him up if he is going to play and not sit on the bench.

by guinness junky on Jul 23, 2009 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

That’s more of a development statement than a money statement.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Jul 23, 2009 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Absolutely...

It’s a development issue as opposed to money or service time. And, it’s not even really a question of the option year that would be “wasted” if he came up… the assumption would be that he will be up for good next year anyway, so he wouldn’t require all three option years.

And, for the record, Gomez and Young are still both younger than Valencia. Almost two years.

by SethSpeaks on Jul 23, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions

You get another option year if he would stay up all year next year anyways.

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by fetch9 on Jul 23, 2009 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Also

If Crede goes on the DL, 58% chance the Twins call up Tolbert and platoon Butcher and Harris at 3B.

by ajmargarine on Jul 23, 2009 11:52 AM EDT reply actions

This is probably right

I don’t really like it – I think the Bridan Buschris platoon would be acceptable, but it means either Tolbert or Casilla is in the lineup everyday.

Can someone ship some HGH or something to Ft. Myers to get Grudzielanek into game shape more quickly?

"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein

by BeefMaster on Jul 23, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Gardy is probably working with some scientists to clone Punto as quickly as possible. Then he can start Punto at third, Punto at short, and Punto at second. They will bat one – two – three respectfully.

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by taskersd on Jul 23, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions

You mean

They’ll bat 9-1-2. Mauer’s gotta bat 3rd.

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by joeiscool12 on Jul 23, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Danny V

I’m hopeful for Valencia’s future MLB Twins career, but I think calling him up now has two significant negatives that make it undesirable:

1) Starts his arb clock.
2) Potentially delays his development – as Twins Territory said, he hasn’t played a full season at Rochester yet.

The more I think about it, the more I want to move either Kubel or Morales. I love both of their sticks (heh heh), but defensive liabilities mean that only one of the two can get significant playing time at the MLB level. Both have decent trade value (Jose much more so, I imagine).

formerly known in these parts as adamb

by ravenfly on Jul 23, 2009 12:19 PM EDT reply actions

Not a bad idea

I like the idea of Morales as a trade chip – good-hitting catchers are hard to come by, so I’m sure he would have a lot of value. It does leave a bit of a hole, though, especially if the unthinkable happens and the Twins can’t re-sign Mauer, or Mauer gets injured. Drew Butera is basically the anti-Morales (good glove, no bat), and even if all goes well, I don’t know that I’m comfortable with him as the everyday backup in 2010… is there anyone else lurking in the minors?

"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein

by BeefMaster on Jul 23, 2009 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Ramos...

…has everything needed to be a future star behind the plate and in the batters box. Unfortunately, he has had a series of injuries which are about to make this a non existant year. Hopefully, he can get back at it before the end of August.

by roger13 on Jul 23, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks

I thought there was someone else there, but I could not put a name on him.

"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein

by BeefMaster on Jul 23, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Two things

I actually like the idea of bringing up Valencia quite a lot, particularly if he gets to play on a regular basis in Crede’s absence. It’s not a situation where he is being “rushed” really and he’s certainly old enough to handle it. I don’t think bringing up Valencia means that we don’t try to make a trade for Sanchez/etc. in addition. Crede is a new problem. The rest of our infield has problems even with him.

by dctwin on Jul 23, 2009 12:33 PM EDT reply actions

I noticed that...

“I’ll get in the fetal position and cry” isn’t an option…

… it’s all of the options.

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by joeiscool12 on Jul 23, 2009 1:28 PM EDT reply actions

It’s what I do to deal.

Strikeouts are boring - besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls. More democratic. -Bull Durham

by fischean on Jul 23, 2009 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Upgrade the MI

By upgrading the MI we’ll be dropping people off the 40 through trade. I would think to get a guy like Sanchez it would at the very least take trading one of our pitchers that is already on the 40 man and possibly a guy like Casilla in there as well.

Maybe we could trade Punto too. I wish.

Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?

by halfchest on Jul 23, 2009 1:30 PM EDT reply actions

Kelly Johnson

Anyone think he might be a decent target for 2B? He’s rumored to be available now that he’s off the DL and Martin Prado has taken over 2B for Atlanta.

by jeffn48 on Jul 23, 2009 2:46 PM EDT reply actions

I'd like Johnson, I'd give him a shot.

The question is how much ATL would want for him.

by Jesse on Jul 23, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Hopefully they'll look into it

by jeffn48 on Jul 23, 2009 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions

my 2 cents

They should trade for Sanchez and bring up Valencia. This way we can see what Valencia brings to the table while Grudz gets in shape. If Valencia runs with the position he can keep it and Grudz either gets released or someone else goes down.

More depth = good.

If Valencia does bad. The team might do bad = end of this season yay Bill Smith Good Job…..Way to agressively do nothing……

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by doofus on Jul 23, 2009 2:56 PM EDT reply actions

I'm starting to think

that we shouldn’t get Sanchez unless we also go after an established starting pitcher too

by ajmargarine on Jul 23, 2009 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Correct

by Sheldon on Jul 23, 2009 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Put me down in the camp that says that would be foolish...at best.

decent position players can be traded for without too much damage to the farm system.
decent starters never come cheap.

Mr. Sheldon, do you have any idea what the Pirates are asking for (in terms of prospects) for Freddie Sanchez?

Have you not heard all of the GMs around the country (many of whom have a lot more money than do the Twins) already say that JP Ricciardi has the luxury of asking a king’s ransom in return for Roy Halladay … and so he has?

The Pirates wanted at least three players for Sanchez and the Jays have been asking for at least 5.

Both teams have insisted on getting top flight prospects. Pirates at least one top flight prospect and the Jays at least two, and maybe three.

Get back to us after that freshman year of college where you have taken economics 101. The Twins are a small market team with a set payroll, they rely on young cheap talent. On ESPN last night Buster Olney, while breaking down the potential for a Halladay trade said, ALL teams are becoming more and more reliant on young cheap talent. The past several years of “runs” have been brought to you by: young cheap talent. Now that everyone is realizing just how important that is, the Twins are likely to lose a bit of an advantage there.

I don’t think this team is not in a strong enough position to give up 5 solid prospects for a run at a playoff spot.

by montanatwinsfan on Jul 24, 2009 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions

* that should read 8 solid prospects

by montanatwinsfan on Jul 24, 2009 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm heading into my junior year of college

for your information. But back to the main topic … Have you ever heard of spin doctoring? Have you ever heard of asking for more than you think you will get in hopes that some fool will actually give it to you? Just because the Jays and Pirates are asking for a fortune now doesn’t mean that they can’t be negotiated with. Most teams back off their demands when they realize nobody is going to appease them. All I know is that Johan Santana was traded for 1 decent prospect (Gomez), 1 stiff (Humber), and two other guys that may or may not be decent. And that was on condition that Santana sign a 6 year contract extension.

by Sheldon on Jul 25, 2009 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions

By the way

I don’t particularly appreciate the fact that your inference that since I haven’t had as much schooling as you I can’t possibly know much. I have been following baseball my whole life. It’s not a difficult game to understand, and I don’t need an economics class to know that Halladay costs a lot of money. While the Twins don’t have the money of the Yankees, attendance has been rising the last couple years and they should be making some more revenue in the new ballpark next year. You make the Twins sound like the Washington Nationals. Please.

by Sheldon on Jul 25, 2009 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions