How about Ichiro to platoon with Kepler?

 

I know he's left handed, but he hits lefties better than righties.

Wouldn't need much playing time.

Veteran presence.

Pretty darn cheap.

Maybe signing him would give the Twins a chance to lure Otani to Minnesota.

I see what you're trying to do, but I hope they go bigger.

It was his birthday yesterday. His 44th birthday. Love him, but I'll pass.

 

It was his birthday yesterday. His 44th birthday. Love him, but I'll pass.

Your point?

 

- B. Colon

 

Your point?

 

- B. Colon

 

"44 years old is nothing."

- Satchel Paige (1965)

 

Your point?

 

- B. Colon

 

My point, Bartolo, is that I don't want a 44-year-old player taking PT away from a still-developing player almost half his age. The Twins have options in the outfield, but were desperate for starting pitching when they signed you. That said, admirable performance this year for the Twins, and thank you!

Ichiro probably belongs on a national league where pinch-hitting and substitutions are much more common.  Ichiro set an MLB record in 2017 for most games pinch-hit in (109!).  At least, Ichiro should be on a team which has several poor-defending outfielders, which the Twins don't qualify.

 

As I've said before, the way things went with Nishioka in the past, and Park currently, Otani likely has close to 0% interest in coming to Minnesota.

I love Ichiro but if the Twins decide to platoon Kepler (and I have no strong opinion either way) they should get a RH masher who can be put in the 5 spot in the line up and just punish lefties.

My point, Bartolo, is that I don't want a 44-year-old player taking PT away from a still-developing player almost half his age. The Twins have options in the outfield, but were desperate for starting pitching when they signed you. That said, admirable performance this year for the Twins, and thank you!

we agree.

A) I am not going to turn Kepler into a platoon player this early in his career

signing Ichiro pretty much kills any chance of Granite developing in any role with the Twins next year

 

C) If you need an occasional platoon option for Kepler then the Twins already have Grossman as a cheap option that needs some playing time.

 

Ichiro is the type of player that could be a really great fit in the correct situation but that isn't the Twins next season.

It will be good to see what Lamonte Wade gets out of the AFL. If necessary, next year he might be able to approximate Ichiro’s age 45 offense, while playing better defense.