Eduardo Nunez to DL, Doug Bernier recalled

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

They have played together in Rochester 2013-2014. Without digging deeply, Doug has out-OPSed James both years, and James is no longer in the part of his minor league career where much further growth can be expected. We're going to throw that out and go with 21 and 18 games this year, respectively?

Bernier is almost 10 years older, but yeah, even his limited 2015 numbers don't suggest a precipitous fall-off yet.  Even at that age, he's still likely to have more pop than Beresford and draws more walks (albeit with a more strikeouts too).

 

I would have rather seen someone else entirely.  I think there are enough opportunities for playing time on this roster that we don't need to carry a likely "he's just the 25th man" guy even for a couple weeks.

[KGB]

 

 

 

I would have rather seen someone else entirely.  I think there are enough opportunities for playing time on this roster that we don't need to carry a likely "he's just the 25th man" guy even for a couple weeks.

 

Agreed - Nunez, Bernier, Beresford are all non-factors.  Would have been nice to bring up an actual player who could help the team.  With Nolasco back in the rotation, we'll need more long relief pitchers.

[jokin]

 

"Loyal soldier?" Beresford has been in the organization since he signed... in 2005.

 

The difference being... a loyal soldier vs. still viewed as a prospect who might possibly be claimed after roster removal?

[jokin]

 

Correction: Beresford has been a minor league free agent each of the last THREE winters (after 2012, 2013, and 2014).  He has re-signed with the Twins each time.

 

He would not get claimed on waivers.

 

But he is still only 26, not a month away from 35.

[Hrbowski]

The main reason that they did this was is because of the rewarding that teams are into, but how about rewarding Beresford for sticking around for so long? He should get a shot at the big leagues, and he is hitting .359, even Jose Martinez has preformed better than Bernier, but I guess I can just hope that Doug will be a fine 25th man.

[Hrbowski]

Oh, I forgot to mention that Reynaldo Rodriguez has been the Redwings second best hitter this year.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

But he is still only 26, not a month away from 35.

True.  But it means Beresford has basically been free to seek a better opportunity for 3 years now.

 

He's probably more likely to be claimed than Bernier, but their chances of that happening in May 2015 are probably 2% and 1%, respectively.  I doubt it was a factor in this decision.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

The main reason that they did this was is because of the rewarding that teams are into, but how about rewarding Beresford for sticking around for so long?

I think Bernier previously got a call-up over Deibinson Romero, who was similarly a much younger but long-time Twins farmhand who elected to stay in Rochester for several seasons.  Maybe they prefer to reward the outside minor league free agents that come here (like Yohan Pino too), rather than the minor league free agents who simply stay here?

 

Romero finally left the Twins this winter, for a minor league deal with the Pirates, and is off to a good start for their AAA club (.302 AVG, 4 HR).  Still probably isn't likely to see MLB with them.

[Hrbowski]

 

I think Bernier previously got a call-up over Deibinson Romero, who was similarly a much younger but long-time Twins farmhand who elected to stay in Rochester for several seasons.  Maybe they prefer to reward the outside minor league free agents that come here (like Yohan Pino too), rather than the minor league free agents who simply stay here?

 

Romero finally left the Twins this winter, for a minor league deal with the Pirates, and is off to a good start for their AAA club (.302 AVG, 4 HR).  Still probably isn't likely to see MLB with them.

Yeah, and his defense is awful as usual, but I never heard anything about Beresford's defense.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Yeah, and his defense is awful as usual, but I never heard anything about Beresford's defense.

As Seth has noted, Beresford has seen less SS action as he'd moved up the minors (getting almost zero now), and has never been anything more than an emergency 3B.  Maybe he doesn't have the arm to move off of 2B?

[Seth Stohs]

 

The difference being... a loyal soldier vs. still viewed as a prospect who might possibly be claimed after roster removal?

 

But if he's a prospect, they have other guys who could be optioned/DFAd.

[jokin]

 

But if he's a prospect, they have other guys who could be optioned/DFAd.

 

He's definitely not the right fit for a role at the major leagues at the moment- they apparently aren't going to cut any of their OFers yet... and with Escobar playing a ton in LF and Nunez out, the Twins have to have a guy they can count on who could play all three IF positions in a pinch, apparently Bernier gets the vote in that potential scenario.

[ashbury]

... the Twins have to have a guy they can count on who could play all three IF positions in a pinch

A scouting report from 2011:

 

"He has easy infield actions with good hands and range, but despite his pitching background, his arm strength is just average and may not be enough for him to be an everyday shortstop."

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/organization-top-10-prospects/2011/2611192.html

 

Things could have changed of course, but the arm may be why he's not gotten many minor league reps at third base, and thus hampers his ability to make any club as a true utility infielder, especially with a marginal bat even for that role.

 

I hate to sound so down on him. He "deserves" by hard work to get some time in the majors. But the competition for that role is so fierce. And so... not very important to a team's rebuilding strategy.

[Thrylos]

I think that the Twins missed an opportunity of bringing up Polanco and have him starting at SS and relegating Santana where he belongs, on the bench.   Polanco's clock started last season as well...

 

Pretty sure that Bernier was selected over Beresford (and the hottest middle infielder in the upper minors, Levi Michael) because he can play SS and 3B (and the OF and 1B in a pinch), whereas the other 2 are pretty much second basemen right now

[Mill1634]

Your kidding me...Again. Bring someone up who has potential please. 

[Danchat]

 

I think that the Twins missed an opportunity of bringing up Polanco and have him starting at SS and relegating Santana where he belongs, on the bench.   Polanco's clock started last season as well...

 

Pretty sure that Bernier was selected over Beresford (and the hottest middle infielder in the upper minors, Levi Michael) because he can play SS and 3B (and the OF and 1B in a pinch), whereas the other 2 are pretty much second basemen right now

Yeah, that's right, Polanco's clock did start last season, so I really hope to see him again sometime in 2015. That makes a lot more sense than Bernier or Beresford.

[Physics Guy]

First, why are we talking about Polanco's clock starting?  They sent him down shortly after and he has very little time accumulated.  As long as he doesn't come up anytime in the next month, why does that matter?  If he were to come up now, he might qualify as a Super 2 for arbitration.  I'm pretty sure they have three years of options on him and wouldn't be forced to keep him on the roster until 2017. 

 

I think that the Twins missed an opportunity of bringing up Polanco and have him starting at SS and relegating Santana where he belongs, on the bench.

 

Huh???  Take away the first series of the season and Santana is .297 coming into tonight (3/4 so far tonight). 

 

I don't understand the issue with bringing up Bernier.  He strictly becomes a late inning defensive replacement and allows other guys to get the AB's.  He can play all three IF positions.  If it means Rosario gets Nunez's AB, great.  If they are going to continue keeping Nunez around because Esco is passable in the OF (which seems true so far), Bernier is the logical callup.  If you want to argue for Pinto, I'll say he should have been up for Nunez prior to Nunez going on the DL.  This is a short-term solution only that doesn't take AB away from guys who should be getting them.

[Physics Guy]

...and Bernier made two nice defensive plays tonight.  Not quite Robinson ending the game nice, but still nice plays.

[ashbury]

Your kidding me...Again. Bring someone up who has potential please. 

Nick Gordon isn't ready.

[Mill1634]

 

Nick Gordon isn't ready.

Jorge Polanco is though.

[HitInAPinch]

 

Huh???  Take away the first series of the season and Santana is .297 coming into tonight (3/4 so far tonight). 

 

I'm with you on Danny Santana.  He'd make me a lot happier if he took a walk every now and then.  Now up to 100 AB's and only 1 stinkin' walk and 29 K's.  I'm putting the blame for 9 E's on his lack of SS development time last year.