Article: Twins Designate Oswaldo Arcia

[AlwaysinModeration]

Let's compare Arcia to Grossman.

 

Arcia

Minors: 2119 PA, 297/358/517 for a 875 OPS (8 seasons)

Majors: 967PA, 240/303/429, 732 OPS (4 seasons)

 

Grossman

Minors: 3371PA, 271/379/392, 771OPS (9 seasons)

Majors: 870PA, 249/342/370, 712OPS (4 seasons)

 

All told, Arcia out OPS's Grossman 832 to 765.

 

For a team that generally is loyal to their players, why are they throwing away a player they have had in their system for a decade, in favor of an inferior player who happened to have a good 100 at bats?

[beckmt]

This could be wrong, but Arcia was not a fit here.  I am more disappointed in Molly as the manager than the front office.  TR is not going to tell Molitor who to play and how often, so this is the result.  Future needs to be here and playing, so trades and player movement is to be expected.  This could turn out wrong, but if Molly was not going to use him, what was to be done.  He may clear waviers(Doubt it, but possible).  Bet he is claimed and probably on waivers in another week or two to send to AAA. 

Don't see the love here. 

[HitInAPinch]

The demise of Oswaldo Arcia could likely be the demise of Buxton, Kepler and several others:  extraordinarily long swings.  I don't know where this all started, but I'd have to question how this got through the entire MiLB system.  I don't want to see a return to "The Twins Way", but reality should start setting in.

 

Arcia almost didn't make it out of Spring Training.  If I remember correctly, Darin Mastroianni, Carlos Quentin or Ryan Sweeney were the other options.  That tells me a lot.  His MLB .732 OPS [MLB average] is highly influenced by his occasional power.  Per FanGraphs: 

 

"The problem with OPS is that one point of OBP and one point of SLG are not equal. OBP is about twice as valuable as SLG, meaning that OPS overrates power hitters and underrates high-OBP guys."

 

My best hope for Arcia is that he ends up in Boston, somehow, and listens to David Ortiz.  There's a lot of similarities, except for the swing.  Ortiz has a short, quick swing [not choppy] that Arcia needs to be successful.  Best wishes!

 

 

[jorgenswest]

I am interested to see how Arcia's DFA resolves. The Twins must have assessed that he will not be claimed. They had other options and a great need for players with an upside.

 

I see two possible bright sides.

 

-Arcia makes it to Rochester and hits well given consistent playing time.

 

-Arcia is claimed by another club. He plays regularly and hits well. The eyes of the Twins owner are finally opened and the result is new management in the front office and on the field.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

His MLB .732 OPS [MLB average] is highly influenced by his occasional power.  Per FanGraphs: 

 

"The problem with OPS is that one point of OBP and one point of SLG are not equal. OBP is about twice as valuable as SLG, meaning that OPS overrates power hitters and underrates high-OBP guys.

True, and wRC+ at FanGraphs tries to correct for that.  Still, Arcia's career OPS+ and wRC+ are the same, 101.

[davidc3915]

 

I don't get it. Its not that there aren't goo reasons to want to keep Buxton/Kepler up here. And it not like Arcia was getting much time. But losing talent like that organizationally is just wasteful and there wer so many other options. One option not mentioned: send Park to AAA. He's on his way there anyway.

Do you think the front office is hesitant to send Park down because it would be an admittance of failure of their only off season signing?  Otherwise, he probably should have been sent down already.  Besides 1b/DH types didn't strike me as an offseason need anyway. 

[d-mac]

I'm going to be the contrarian here and say that this is probably what's best for Arcia. I doubt the Twins were either going to use him properly (as a platoon bat) and/or provide him the proper instruction in order to correct his contact issues. Nothing in this organization's history has shown they can do either, never mind doing both. Another team may very well unlock his potential, but it was never going to be the Twins.

 

In nearly 1,000 PA's Arcia has provided -0.5 fWAR, he has only had one season with above replacement value. And with the logjam of 1B/DH/RF types on this team- there just isn't space going forward for another strikeout prone, defensively limited, one dimensional player. 

[wsnydes]

 

Do you think the front office is hesitant to send Park down because it would be an admittance of failure of their only off season signing?  Otherwise, he probably should have been sent down already.  Besides 1b/DH types didn't strike me as an offseason need anyway. 

My guess is that they don't feel that sending him down would be beneficial.  I'm in that camp.

 

To your point, failing isn't an issue for me.  It happens.  It's failure to recognize or do anything about it, continuing and compounding the failure that is the problem.  Admitting mistakes and adjusting accordingly is the difference between crap leadership and competent leadership.

[nicksaviking]

 

All told, Arcia out OPS's Grossman 832 to 765.

For a team that generally is loyal to their players, why are they throwing away a player they have had in their system for a decade, in favor of an inferior player who happened to have a good 100 at bats?

 

To be fair to the team, Grossman has always had near elite on-base skills at all levels and this team absolutely needs more O even if it comes at the expense of the S.

 

My frustration comes from the roster construction and management, because this club should absolutely have room for both of those players. They're the worst team in the league, how is it possible to have run out of room for controllable, inexpensive young players?

[alarp33]

 

  His MLB .732 OPS [MLB average] is highly influenced by his occasional power.  

 

His MLB OPS vs Right handed pitchers is .785 (.316/.469).  I don't think you'll find many people who thought he should be a full time starter in the outfield. But he could've been an extremely productive LH Platoon at DH

[wsnydes]

 

I'm going to be the contrarian here and say that this is probably what's best for Arcia. I doubt the Twins were either going to use him properly (as a platoon bat) and/or provide him the proper instruction in order to correct his contact issues. Nothing in this organization's history has shown they can do either, never mind doing both. Another team may very well unlock his potential, but it was never going to be the Twins.

 

In nearly 1,000 PA's Arcia has provided -0.5 fWAR, he has only had one season with above replacement value. And with the logjam of 1B/DH/RF types on this team- there just isn't space going forward for another strikeout prone, defensively limited, one dimensional player. 

This is basically where I sit as well.  I'm fine with DH types, but there isn't room for him there.  Since I don't want to ever see him in the field again, that doesn't work.  That is compounded with the fact that the Kepler's of the world are going to be better in the long run, IMO.  Give me a guy that can field a position and bat with a better all around approach.  25 HR's a year are nice, but not if he's going to hit .210 and strike out 35% of the time.

 

I do think it's best for both parties in this situation.

[HitInAPinch]

 

True, and wRC+ at FanGraphs tries to correct for that.  Still, Arcia's career OPS+ and wRC+ are the same, 101.

thanks for that info.  I'm still not up on all the advanced stats.  Interesting stuff.

[Mike Sixel]

 

I'm going to be the contrarian here and say that this is probably what's best for Arcia. I doubt the Twins were either going to use him properly (as a platoon bat) and/or provide him the proper instruction in order to correct his contact issues. Nothing in this organization's history has shown they can do either, never mind doing both. Another team may very well unlock his potential, but it was never going to be the Twins.

 

In nearly 1,000 PA's Arcia has provided -0.5 fWAR, he has only had one season with above replacement value. And with the logjam of 1B/DH/RF types on this team- there just isn't space going forward for another strikeout prone, defensively limited, one dimensional player. 

 

I think everyone agrees with that first paragraph for sure.

[clutterheart]

 

What a lot of people who are hating this move should be aware of, is Ozzie never earned a full-time spot on BAD teams. Is not an outfielder, huge flaws in his approach... I've always thought he's been way overvalued around here because he a hit a few dingers that one time.

 

Who has "earned" playing time?  Park?  Nolasco?  Santana?  

 

Look.  lots of people are over the top here.  Its not likely he becomes a serviceable player.  But its a bad move for a last placed team to cut young players at the expense of old players

[tobi0040]

I think everyone agrees with that first paragraph for sure.

There is no question this is the best thing that has likely ever happened to Arcia. Usually we reserve that for the date he was married, or birth of children.

 

But I am pretty sure this is better than those.

[d-mac]

 

I think everyone agrees with that first paragraph for sure.

 

So my point is, other than the poor roster management that got us to this place, I'm not too bummed out. He was never going to be an above replacement level player with the Twins. Replacement level or worse players is not something this team needs more of.  

[gocgo]

I think this is the last time we see Arcia in a Twins uniform and possibly in a MLB uniform.  The reason I say this is because he is not a good outfielder.  He has some pop, but not enough to overshadow his poor defense.  That makes him a bad candidate for a NL team.  So, what AL team is looking for a DH?...I mean other than the Twins.  Think about it.  If the Twins don't want him as a DH, who does?

[gocgo]

 

Do you think the front office is hesitant to send Park down because it would be an admittance of failure of their only off season signing?  Otherwise, he probably should have been sent down already.  Besides 1b/DH types didn't strike me as an offseason need anyway. 

I think they are hesitant to send Park down because they think he can benefit from seeing more MLB pitching.  The guy obviously has power and can play a decent 1B.  I think the more MLB pitching he sees, the better off he's going to be for the next 2.5 years.

[Pardon My Dinger]

Designated for Assignment? What's the assignment? Hitting? Home Runs? Sounds good to me. 

[jimmer]

The Royals and Rays could use a DH.  They may even be smart enough to platoon him as a DH.

[wsnydes]

 

Who has "earned" playing time?  Park?  Nolasco?  Santana?  

 

Look.  lots of people are over the top here.  Its not likely he becomes a serviceable player.  But its a bad move for a last placed team to cut young players at the expense of old players

Fair points and I agree completely with your last paragraph.  But there are younger players arriving that exhibit more talent than a platoon DH.  They shouldn't sacrifice big league PT at this point either.  When Sano comes back, he'll likely get trotted back into RF again - which will be a direct result of an older player being entrenched at a position for some absurd reason.  I think that scenario reinforces your point better.

[Pardon My Dinger]

 

The Royals and Rays could use a DH.  They may even be smart enough to platoon him as a DH.

I would like to see him come of the bench in SF. They could really use someone like him in that role. 

[rghrbek]

 

His MLB OPS vs Right handed pitchers is .785 (.316/.469).  I don't think you'll find many people who thought he should be a full time starter in the outfield. But he could've been an extremely productive LH Platoon at DH

 

I believe he has had over 600 plate appearances vs. right handed pitching in his MLB career, with over 34 home runs.   With Park's struggles, they probably could have got him a few more at bats at DH vs righties.   

 

From Gleeman:

"Oswaldo Arcia has played 251 games. Most homers in Twins history through 251 career games:

51 J. Hall

44 Morneau

44 Oliva

40 ARCIA

40 Gaetti"

 

Interesting decision.   Roster management and player development continue to be the thing I am most alarmed at, over the last number of years.

[Rosterman]

Well, this only works if you commit to play Kepler and Buxton every single day, which means Santana is the fourth outfielder and bench fodder with Centeno and Escobar (what a bench, eh). They should've sent down a pitcher with options (lots to choose from who are proving themselves marginal). Maybe they are hoping to get a trade bite.

 

But if you intend to play Santana, then Kepler or Buxton should be down at AAA playing everyday, and it would probably be Kepler, who seems to make the most of his work, although if you put Santana in center, then Buxton.

 

The Twins lose another player (probably) and not get anything in return. One that is young and still has some potential, not like 4-5 members of the pitching staff (not counting starters) plus a couple of promising outfielders who need to play and if they don't play up here, then you really lost someone. Better to have Santana playing at Rochester and re-developing his shortstop skills on a regular basis (in case you do part ways with Nunez).

[SarasotaBill]

Since the Twins are out of contention, it's in their best interests to maximize the evaluation of every player vs. wins. In fact since the top two picks in the draft have a significant advantage, there's additional incentive to view wins as secondary.

 

Keep Buxton & Kepler in AAA until late August (there's no rush - they have options left).

 

Play Arcia, Grossman, Santana, and Park as much as possible. Bring up and play Polanco after the ASG.  

 

But the Twins are short sighted.

[d-mac]

 

His MLB OPS vs Right handed pitchers is .785 (.316/.469).  I don't think you'll find many people who thought he should be a full time starter in the outfield. But he could've been an extremely productive LH Platoon at DH

 

That OBP leaves something to be desired. The major league average OBP this season is .320. For his career Arcia has a wRC+ of 115 vs RHP and 71 vs LHP. John Jaso, a very successful left handed platoon bat has a career wRC+ of 127 vs RHP and 57 vs LHP. Fangraphs doesn't have any split data prior to 2002, but David Ortiz had a wRC+ vs RHP of 139 and 63 vs LHP his last season with the Twins. Arcia just does not provide enough value with the bat to offset his defensive limitations or his struggles vs righties. 

[Dr. Evil]

I'm glad they finally made a decision on him. Personally, I think it's a good move for him and for the team.

[alarp33]

 

That OBP leaves something to be desired. The major league average OBP this season is .320. For his career Arcia has a wRC+ of 115 vs RHP and 71 vs LHP. John Jaso, a very successful left handed platoon bat has a career wRC+ of 127 vs RHP and 57 vs LHP. Fangraphs doesn't have any split data prior to 2002, but David Ortiz had a wRC+ vs RHP of 139 and 63 vs LHP his last season with the Twins. Arcia just does not provide enough value with the bat to offset his defensive limitations or his struggles vs righties. 

 

John Jaso is 32 and had all of 10 major league at bats by the age Arcia is today. 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Pretty disappointing, for all his warts, I think his cock-sure attitude is something this club needs actually. Arcia is the kind of youthful player with potential that if another team DFA'd him, we'd all be clamoring for the Twins to pick him up.

 

Ryan better think long and hard about his roster moves coming up, because if Buxton, Park or Kepler get optioned any time the rest of the year, he's going to have a lot of explaining to do.

 

Good luck to Arcia, I hope he goes somewhere that platoons him correctly and he goes on a tear. Perhaps that will spur changes for the Twins.

 

Also, I'd guess this means that Ryan isn't currently shopping Plouffe, Dozier or Nunez. Also disappointing.

Agree with all of this. Especially on Arcia's attitude.

 

Lots of energy and overconfidence which rubbed many people the wrong way. I'm not in the clubhouse but I never sensed it crossed the line. Arcia was always one of the guys holding the Gatorade bucket after fun wins. Always on the top step wanting his teammates to succeed. In three years he went from snapping bats over his knee to not snapping bats over his knee. That's maturity right there. Without knowing for sure, I will guess that Arcia was the closest thing we had to a Torii Hunter after Hunter left. I will miss him!

[Willihammer]

Twins' talent evaluators have been in lockstep with the rest of the league for some time now. Since they are currently the worst team in baseball and Arcia the last man on the roster, we can be confident no other team will claim him if he reaches waivers.

 

Not.

Edited June 17, 2016 by Willihammer