So he's not the worst player.

Well this changes everything!!  

Yeah, I really don't like this move. Signing Belisle was a fine move (they were going to add a reliever, so a 40 man spot had to be opened no matter who it was), but it's too early to give up on Park. I think he'll clear waivers, but it's not a given. The rumors of signing Napoli make more sense now...

We need a lot more posts to reach Joe Benson levels, people....

As a starter Park > DSan

 

As a bench player DSan > Park

Whether it be Park or someone else, someone had to do something about the excess of DH/1B on the roster. I don't think DanSan is at all safe, but I think that he is a separate issue from Park/Vargas. They were not in competition for a spot. And if the choice was Park or Vargas, I would have kept Vargas also. But in no way did I see this coming. Nor do I see any sense in Napoli or Morneau. Two players I really like. This just isn't the place for them. (Unless the ticket sales dept. is in charge of the roster)

It's a strange move. I'm glad they signed Belisle, but to dfa Park? I never saw that coming. I expected DaSan or maybe Tonkin. But it's not a horrible move.

 

As a starter Park > DSan

 

As a bench player DSan > Park

Depends on the type of bench player you wanted.

 

If a pinch hitter, Park>DSan

If a pinch runner or position player, DSan>Park

 

As a starter Park > DSan

 

As a bench player DSan > Park

 

Disagree. Dan San literally adds negative wins to the roster. We don't know that about Park yet.

Is this actually just a shrewd move to distract us from not trading Dozier?

 

As a starter Park > DSan

 

As a bench player DSan > Park

I agree, but based on an earlier post:

 

As a bench player - All but 6 MLB players > DSan

 

If Polanco is playing SS, Escobar can fill the DSan role just as well.  A super utility guy is a nice luxury, but I think this team should aim a bit higher with that roster spot.

Edited February 3, 20179 yr by wsnydes

 

In 2015 DanSan was rated by Fangraphs as the 300th best player of 316 with the number of at bats Santana had.

Who was last on the list? I want to send him this. 

 

 

One of the comments on the Star Tribune article was "Who was the Twins director of Asian scouting - Helen Keller?" I had to chuckle at that one, sometimes you just have to laugh...

 

Or cry, because he still has a job with the organization after bringing both Nishioka and Park on board...

 

I'm not sure I agree completely on Polanco. Ideally he is a 2b, but I think him at 3b next year would be about getting the best defensive alignment with the best bats in the lineup.

 

You do realize that Polanco has started a grant total of 21 games at 3B and 9 of those for the Twins last season, correct?   Third base is not Polanco's forte...

 

The best defensive alignment with the best bats will be Sano at 3B and Polanco at SS and both of them should be given the opportunity the Twins gave to players who were worse than either with them with the glove, like Koskie, Morneau and Cuddyer.  Got to play them at least for a full season in a rebuilding team.

 

Is this actually just a shrewd move to distract us from not trading Dozier?

I wonder if it's a direct result of not trading Dozier, though I struggle with the idea it's a distraction.

 

With Dozier still on the team, this is a low OBP slug-happy lineup. I wonder if sacrificing Park is a result of Dozier still being on the roster. Time will tell with additional moves and whether the Twins strive for more lineup balance with a higher average/OBP hitter to replace Park.

 

Twins DFA Michael Tonkin to make room for Adam Brett Walker.

 

Adam Brett Walker has cleared waivers and was outrighted to the Braves' AAA team, for what it matters...

Edited February 3, 20179 yr by Thrylos

You do realize that Polanco has started a grant total of 21 games at 3B and 9 of those for the Twins last season, correct? Third base is not Polanco's forte...

 

The best defensive alignment with the best bats will be Sano at 3B and Polanco at SS and both of them should be given the opportunity the Twins gave to players who were worse than either with them with the glove, like Koskie, Morneau and Cuddyer. Got to play them at least for a full season in a rebuilding team.

I definitely think that will be the primary lineup to start the season, but I think they'll move it around a little.

 

Makes sense for Sano to go 120ish at 3b amd 35ish at dh.

 

How does Danny Santana survive over Park?

He was my pick to go. If we really need a utility infielder that can't hit. We can always call Vielma up. 

Expect him to be a Twin.  Talk about calculating the odds.  A player under performs, gets injured, plays all season in the minors after an aborted MLB career and is owed multiple years and multiple millions when there are other sluggers on the market!  Yup, he passes through, and he is still a Twin.  Low risk gamble.  If he goes the money is off the books, if the stays we took no risks with potential.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-twins-quit-on-byung-ho-park/

 

 

How does Danny Santana survive over Park?

As of now this post has 39 likes. That must be some sort of record.

 

Danny Santana is to Molitor what Nick Punto was to Gardenhire.

Case Closed

Except Punto had more value.

 

Wow this is a surprise. I'd rather dfa Vargas over Park. Hopefully he clears.

Agree with the first sentence. Disagree with the second sentence. Agree with the third sentence.

You do realize that Polanco has started a grant total of 21 games at 3B and 9 of those for the Twins last season, correct?   Third base is not Polanco's forte...

 

The best defensive alignment with the best bats will be Sano at 3B and Polanco at SS and both of them should be given the opportunity the Twins gave to players who were worse than either with them with the glove, like Koskie, Morneau and Cuddyer.  Got to play them at least for a full season in a rebuilding team.

A rebuilding team needs to develop pitchers, Groundball pitchers Duffey and Gibson need a solid shortstop. Last year's trio of Nunez, Polanco and Escobar playing injured was disastrous for them. Has there ever been a discrepancy between ERA and xFIP than Duffey's numbers last year?

 

If the Twins want a guy to grow into a position on a corner, I concur. I can't join your argument for a shortstop.

Interesting. I thought there was some potential there. He looked good when healthy at the beginning of the year.

 

I wonder if it was a mutual thing (Park wants to go back to Korea where he is a superstar, and the Twins need to clear a logjam at DH).

 

So, I guess the logic is this.  Park won't get claimed.  He needs some time in AAA since we don't know what we have in him. He's unlikely to get claimed b/c there are more reliable RH power bats.  Letting him start the season in AAA clears the way for Vargas to start as the DH.  I suppose that all makes sense but, dang, I like Park.  

I generally agree, but when I think about it the only thing I really like about Park is the dinger he hit over the batter's eye last year. That's only one swing out of a whole season.

 

Players generally swing better from their natural side. (ex- Aaron Hicks). It's very difficult to have balanced left/right splits unless the player has a VMart/Beltran hit tool, players that likely wouldn't have platoon split issues to begin with. So again, why waste the energy on switch hitting?

Because having switch hitters in the lineup can screw up the opposition's bullpen rotation.

So if Park is claimed and we sign Napoli....what then?

 

I agree. I don't think DH only, but I could see 30ish games there. Probably a good thing, allows him to play 155 this year.

And give him a break from playing in the field from time to time. Large people fatigue more easily, leading to an increased likelihood of injury and such.

I can't tell if you actually mean that or are making fun of me . . . I'm leaning towards the latter.

I really thought it was a great post.

 

As of now this post has 39 likes. That must be some sort of record.

 

That number is where it is because we can only LIKE something once.