Michael Taylor

[ppearson50]

From MLBTraderumors. "Taylor is a once-hyped prospect who, at age 28, has never really seen much time at the MLB level. After a strong effort this spring, he figures to draw some interest from around the league."

 

He is 6 foot 6, 255, plays centerfield and bats righthanded. Oakland has had a loaded outfield so he never got much of a shot there.

 

We will have to see if this changes how committed the Twins are to Jason Bartlett. I get that Gardenhire wants a versatile bench but I don't think many of us expect much of anything out of Bartlett this year.

 

I think we could find a few at bats for this guy.

[ppearson50]

Forgot to put that he just got DFAed.

[Beezer]

I think he would look good as a right hand platoon with Kubel in the corner and put Willingham at DH. I like Hammer but he just is not capable of playing in the field anymore. Kubel is no gold glover but certainly leaps and bounds ahead of Hammer at this stage. I know he hasn't liked DH but it really is the only spot for him any more. Perhaps it would even help him stay healthier and make it possible for better production. This would give us a much better option to fill in for Hicks in CF if he needs a day off or we pinch hit for him late. I like the idea of picking up Taylor. I think he might be able to hit .250 with some occasional pop if he got a chance. Trouble is I don't think the Twins want to give up Bartlett. He seems to be on the team on the basis of attitude rather than tangible. Tough to change the FO / Manager opinion if that is what they want.

[snepp]

Taylor has never been a centerfielder, he should be viewed as a corner-only option.

[Thrylos]

Taylor has never been a centerfielder, he should be viewed as a corner-only option.

 

+1

 

He was with the Phillies for a while and I have seen him play both at Reading (AA) and Lehigh Valley (AAA) and despite being one of the center pieces in the Roy Halladay trade, he is an stick only corner OF with Delmonian instincts on the field. Would he be an upgrade over someone like Wilkin Ramirez and the like at the AAAA level? Maybe. But at this point, even Colabello's stick is better than his, and Taylor is out of options.

[raindog]

Well, Bartlett isn't a centerfielder either. I'm sure Taylor could handle it better than he could.

 

edit: He's got 29 total games played at CF in the minors. Better than Bartlett.

[snepp]

edit: He's got 29 total games played at CF in the minors. Better than Bartlett.

 

Delmon Young has 30 total games played in CF, in the majors.

 

Would you run him out there?

[Jim H]

It is not impossible to find useful players off the waiver wire. The Twins have managed to do it a few times over the years. Generally though you are looking pretty much at the type of guys the Twins put on waivers this spring. Guys out of options, with rather limited upside, and poor recent production. So if one the waiver wire guys has a special skill you really need that is better than your bottom of the roster or maybe a youngish guy you could stash at the back of the bullpen or at the end of bench, you might take somebody off the waiver wire. Mostly though you are probably trading your marginal guy for somebody else's marginal major league guy.

[minn55441]

It is not impossible to find useful players off the waiver wire. The Twins have managed to do it a few times over the years. Generally though you are looking pretty much at the type of guys the Twins put on waivers this spring. Guys out of options, with rather limited upside, and poor recent production. So if one the waiver wire guys has a special skill you really need that is better than your bottom of the roster or maybe a youngish guy you could stash at the back of the bullpen or at the end of bench, you might take somebody off the waiver wire. Mostly though you are probably trading your marginal guy for somebody else's marginal major league guy.

 

I agree for the most part, but Marginal for most teams is different than marginal for the Twins, Astros and Cubs. Most teams marginal means that they are on the border line of making their top 25. Our marginal, means that they are border line major leaguers. The cast offs from the powers have to be better than Kubel and Bartlett.

[jokin]

Delmon Young has 30 total games played in CF, in the majors.

 

Would you run him out there?

 

Hmmm.....decisions, decisions.....Is there an Option 3 guy with 31 CF games played?

[strumdatjag]

Pick him up. Demote Bartlett and have Escobar back up Hicks in Center, or call up Mastro if and when ready and needed.

[Danchat]

Pick him up. Demote Bartlett and have Escobar back up Hicks in Center, or call up Mastro if and when ready and needed. [/Quote]

I just don't understand why Mastroianni or Herrmann didn't make the team over Bartlett. Both are capable outfielders and batted better than Bartlett. Last year we didn't even carry 2 backup infielders. Why do we need 2 now?

 

Whatever, I'm crying over split milk now. Back on topic, if he's free, I'd take a crack at Michael Taylor just to see if we can tap into his lost potential, but if the A's haven't been able to, we sure won't do it.

[twinscowboysbulls]

Seems like Gardy is going to cut down Florimons at bats as a RH.