Chris Herrmann Promoted

[Seth Stohs]

He probably should have been up all along, but the Twins have promoted Chris Herrmann to the big league club. He is expected to be there for Opening Day (Monday).

 

No news about whether the Twins are DLing Arcia or Willingham at this point. Those would seem to be the possibilities.

[Squirrel]

JB ... good call in the game thread earlier.

[Thrylos]

No news about whether the Twins are DLing Arcia or Willingham at this point. Those would seem to be the possibilities.

 

Or, finally someone has seen enough of Bartlett to cut the cord...

 

Herrmann played first base for the first time in his career at Rochester today...

[TKGuy]

Legitimate OF and 3rd catcher. Colabello should be back up 1b

[Squirrel]

Does Hermann play left field? Or do you move Kubel over and have Hermann play right? (Assuming that one of Hammer/Arcia is DL'd and the other 'day to day.')

[snepp]

Does Hermann play left field? Or do you move Kubel over and have Hermann play right? (Assuming that one of Hammer/Arcia is DL'd and the other 'day to day.')

 

He's played primarily right during his time in the majors, but primarily left in his minor league games.

 

So I guess it's just a matter of whatever floats Gardy's boat.

[Seth Stohs]

I'd say Herrmann in LF with Kubel in RF.

 

As we heard on the broadcast today, the Twins were going to give Arcia Monday off along with Tuesday's off day and then evaluate on Wednesday if they needed to DL him.

 

That was a good plan until Josh Willingham was hit by a pitch today. The Twins need an outfielder, and Chris Herrmann is a very good outfielder, so the move just makes sense.

 

Sure, the move also gives a third catcher, but would anyone really take Colabello out of the lineup to play Pinto right now?!

[Mr. Brooks]

 

Sure, the move also gives a third catcher, but would anyone really take Colabello out of the lineup to play Pinto right now?!

 

No, you let Cola play while he's hot.

But at least now Pinto can be used as a pinch hitter.

[Chance]

Can our lineup not be:2B Dozier 1B Mauer3B PlouffeRF ColabelloLF KubelDH PintoC SuzukiCF HicksSS Florimon

[Mr. Brooks]

Can our lineup not be:2B Dozier 1B Mauer3B PlouffeRF ColabelloLF KubelDH PintoC SuzukiCF HicksSS Florimon

 

Our OF defense isnt enough of a circus already, now you want Cola out there?

[jokin]

He's played primarily right during his time in the majors, but primarily left in his minor league games.

 

So I guess it's just a matter of whatever floats Gardy's boat.

 

Or sinks his sub?

[LaBombo]

Sure, the move also gives a third catcher, but would anyone really take Colabello out of the lineup to play Pinto right now?!

How about taking Gadzuksie out of the lineup to play Pinto? His hot start is even more likely to end abruptly than Cola's given his firmly established history of being a .235 hitter with poor plate discipline.

 

In any case, the injuries to Willi and Arcia and the debut of SuperUte Bartlett in the outfield have revealed how shallow the organization is in terms of MLB-ready outfield depth.

[jokin]

How about taking Gadzuksie out of the lineup to play Pinto? His hot start is even more likely to end abruptly than Cola's given his firmly established history of being a .235 hitter with poor plate discipline.

 

In any case, the injuries to Willi and Arcia and the debut of SuperUte Bartlett in the outfield have revealed how shallow the organization is in terms of MLB-ready outfield depth.

 

Revealed to whom? The 2013 "Replete with Clete/Stick with Hicks" OF should have revealed their shallow situation to the Twins decision-makers on that matter. Unlike most of us on TD who were already concerned about OF dpeth after the Span/Revere purge, the Twins actually doubled down on last year's strategy. When the reveal of today's LF debacle leaves you pining for some Willingham web gems, and then having the likes of Chris Hermann coming to the rescue, the term "shallow" in describing the OF depth situation is probably too kind.

And the urgency of this immediate situation still doesn't even address the still-"deeper" issue of only having one person qualified to play CF on the 40 man roster.

 

But let's celebrate the new record just set on "Least amount of time for Gardy to break his vow of only needing 2 catchers". But at least the "Free Pinto!" faction now get to see a guy, who could potentially be among the 5 best hitters on the team, get 2 or 3 more PAs per week.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Damn. I was really pulling for Fryer.

[Halsey Hall]

I really thought it would be Mastro, but Herrmann is fine too.

[Seth Stohs]

But let's celebrate the new record just set on "Least amount of time for Gardy to break his vow of only needing 2 catchers". But at least the "Free Pinto!" faction now get to see a guy, who could potentially be among the 5 best hitters on the team, get 2 or 3 more PAs per week.

 

Assuming Herrmann is coming up and Arcia is going to the DL, Herrmann is coming up as an Outfielder, not as a third catcher. Yes, he can catch, but the fact that he's a terrific defensive corner outfielder is why he's the guy coming up.

[Mr. Brooks]

Assuming Herrmann is coming up and Arcia is going to the DL, Herrmann is coming up as an Outfielder, not as a third catcher. Yes, he can catch, but the fact that he's a terrific defensive corner outfielder is why he's the guy coming up.

 

While that may be true, it does at least allow Pinto to pinch hit without the fear of losing the DH, does it not?

[Jim H]

Herrmann doesn't really do a lot for me, but he is likely the best choice, right now. I doubt if you want to add Parmelee or Mastroianni, to the 40 man roster right yet. They have to earn it. Plus you still have the same problem of sending Parmelee down that you did this spring. The Twins roster is inperfect, we know that, and the depth is less than compelling. Still, they have showed more offense than most of us expected. I think the pitching will come around, so I am still optimistic, a bit, about this team.

[jokin]

Assuming Herrmann is coming up and Arcia is going to the DL, Herrmann is coming up as an Outfielder, not as a third catcher. Yes, he can catch, but the fact that he's a terrific defensive corner outfielder is why he's the guy coming up.

 

I get why he's now the starting LFer tomorrow. He has a good arm and he's certainly better than Hammer and Kubel, but I didn't see enough last season that led me to conclude that his overall OF defense was "terrific". Anyway, this misses my point in that the over-riding aspect I was referring to remains in effect, IMO. And that is- the strong likelihood that he's up to stay. His versatility is nice to have available, and he showed glimpses in ST of breaking through as he has in the past- but it was only 17 ABs- more likely another tease and a mirage. In larger samples, he hasn't yet mastered AAA pitching, let alone Major League, he still likely ends up as a net drag on the 25 man as a 5th OF/3rd C (2013 WAR -0.3/2014 WAR -0.4). Hope I'm wrong and he comes out like Cola has and makes things regarding playing time issues even more interesting.

[jokin]

While that may be true, it does at least allow Pinto to pinch hit without the fear of losing the DH, does it not?

 

We can only hope. I'm not sure if Gardy has declared his set of rules for playing 3 Catchers simultaneously yet.

[Joe A. Preusser]

While that may be true, it does at least allow Pinto to pinch hit without the fear of losing the DH, does it not?

 

If he chooses to, Gardy can play all 3 at once (Suzuki C, Pinto DH, Herm OF) as long as he's got someone else to play OF if Suzuki gets hurt. You onky lise your DH if you sub THAT player out.

[Mr. Brooks]

If he chooses to, Gardy can play all 3 at once (Suzuki C, Pinto DH, Herm OF) as long as he's got someone else to play OF if Suzuki gets hurt. You onky lise your DH if you sub THAT player out.

 

I'm aware of the rule, it was a rhetorical question, because Seth insisted he's not our 3rd catcher.

[stringer bell]

I think it is up in the air as to who would/will be sent down when Arcia is considered healthy. Herrmann could stay and Pinto could go, Herrmann could stay and Arcia could go or Herrmann could stay and Bartlett could go. Of course, if Herrmann is 0-10 or 1-20 and underwhelming as an defensive OF, it's easy to send him down. The Twins might want to send Arcia out for a short rehab assignment even if he's only out for two weeks because he never really got going in the regular season. The need is there for an outfielder and the lack of a backup to Hicks remains, but Herrmann does provide versatility.

[Seth Stohs]

I'm aware of the rule, it was a rhetorical question, because Seth insisted he's not our 3rd catcher.

 

Obviously he is the third catcher by being on the roster, but he's most likely to start in LF if Arcia's on the DL and Willingham can't play. Once Willingham can play and until Arcia comes back, his value will again be in his versatility.

[Marta Shearing]

Does Hermann play left field? Or do you move Kubel over and have Hermann play right? (Assuming that one of Hammer/Arcia is DL'd and the other 'day to day.')

To me the most sense is colabello RF, kubel LF, Pinto DH.

[Heimer]

Mr. Brooks cool it

[Kwak]

Hmm, 3rd catcher who can sorta play OF, or real OF who can also play CF? Ok since he's not on the 40-man, kind of a problem for Mastro.

[jokin]

To me the most sense is colabello RF, kubel LF, Pinto DH.

 

That's probably the best offense right now, but man oh man, Cola in the OF last year was a bit, "adventuresome". I wouldn't mind Gardy trying it out, but at some point, aren't the pitchers going to stage an insurrection?

[Marta Shearing]

Assuming Herrmann is coming up and Arcia is going to the DL, Herrmann is coming up as an Outfielder, not as a third catcher. Yes, he can catch, but the fact that he's a terrific defensive corner outfielder is why he's the guy coming up.

Herrmann is a below average outfielder. I have vivid memories of horrendous botch jobs last year. Cola's no gem either, but this team needs offense. Don't let the first six games fool you. Herrmann provides no offense. To me he's nothing more than outfield insurance and allowing Pinto to DH.

[cmathewson]

He is not going to hurt you out there, but he is not "terrific" either. I liked what I saw at the plate in ST. So he has a chance to add some offense. Also, when both Arcia and Willingham's are healthy, I hope he stays ahead of Bartlett. Gardy says Bart can play anywhere. But I saw him in the OF in spring and today and it wasn't pretty.