LaVelle E Neal from the Star Tribune is reporting that the Twins will sign shortstop Erick Aybar to a minor league contract. The veteran of 12 major league seasons will join the Twins at spring training soon. He'll compete with Ehire Adrianza for a utility infield spot or be the second utility man option for the time Miguel Sano is either on the disabled list or potentially suspended.Aybar debuted as a 22-year-old in 2006 with the Angels and remained in their organization through the 2015 season. He was an All-Star in 2014. He split 2016 between Atlanta and Detroit, and he played in 108 games for the Padres in 2017.

 

There have been rumors (or guesses) that the Twins might be making a move because of the DFA of JT Chargois which opened up a 40-man roster spot. However, this is a minor league deal which doesn't - at least not yet - require addition to the 40-man.

 

Erick Aybar is known for his defense at shortstop. In fact, he won a Gold Glove in 2011. He hit .234/.300/.348 (.648) with 15 doubles and seven home runs last year in San Diego. In his career, he has hit .271/.313/.372 (.684).

 

The Dominican turned 34 in mid-January.

 

More to come if details present themselves.

 

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Dude is no longer remotely a good player.

Reasonable depth move, given that he was willing to sign a minor league contract.

It doesn’t sound like it, but I hope this doesn’t become the reason we lost Chargois.

Minor league deal...that's fine.  

He's not taking a 40 man spot and he's basically insurance in case an infielder gets injured in the next month and/or Sano gets suspended. That's all this signing is.

Pushes Gordon back again to our 4th best SS prospect.

plus/minus, DRS, and UZR all list Aybar as below average at SS.   He has not played enough of the other positions to be of significance, and to be regarded as a "utility player".

He is an aging below average SS on both sides of the ball.   I just don't see him lasting with the Twins.

Pushes Gordon back again to our 4th best SS prospect.

Depending on how seriously you meant this, I may rescind my Like.

Except for the March 27th opt out date, I would assume this would be a move to give Gordon a chance to repeat at least the beginning of the season @ AA.  Not sure if Aybar would accept assignment to Rochester though.

I think a lot will hinge on what happens with the Sano case. Would the Twins rather have a moment of experience on the bench? Right now, they have TOO MANY minor league free agents stop-gapping the way for prospects at Rochester. Will see how spring training shakes out. Considering the Twins have 14 players on their 40-man and at least 13 expected to make the club.

The Dodgers got Shaggy? I really don't understand the logic of waiving him.

 

The Dodgers got Shaggy? I really don't understand the logic of waiving him.

Looks to me like the FO gave up on him and he wasn't close to making the 2018 roster. He's out of options in 2019 and who knows how much experience he'd have in the majors by then. I'm not happy to see Chargois gone especially when guys like Sanchez and Kinley are on the 40 man roster. I'd guess Falvey & Levine know something about him we don't know.

What year is it again?

 

plus/minus, DRS, and UZR all list Aybar as below average at SS.   He has not played enough of the other positions to be of significance, and to be regarded as a "utility player".

He is an aging below average SS on both sides of the ball.   I just don't see him lasting with the Twins.

 

This is the Twins. He will be playing left field.

Meh, I view this as just depth/insurance in case someone gets injured in ST or Sano gets suspended for a couple weeks. 

Also never hurts to have a veteran leadership in ST to maybe help coach/teach the youngsters.

If it was a major league deal or he was taking someone's spot I would be upset, but this is hard to get too worked up about at all.

Chargois throws hard, and dominated AAA somewhat, but clearly the Twins think he won't stick in the majors.. the MLB is littered with guys like that, additionally pretty sure the Dodgers have the last waiver claim spot, which means he almost passed through.

Guessing the Twins can reclaim him in a week or two when the Dodgers ditch him anyways.

It's a trap!

It has always been a dream of mine that the Twins sign Erik Aybar and also sign his brother, Gary Aybar. Just to see E. Aybar and G. Aybar on a jersey.

https://youtu.be/-XNFokmDKrE

Any more old, unsigned guys out there?

 

This is the Twins. He will be playing left field.

I know Falvine is a new regime and are not targeted here, but how can you not like this post....so good if even a twins fan from the last 5 years...

 

Any more old, unsigned guys out there?

Ichiro !!!

I hope Aybar is not actually "competing with Ehire Adrianza" for a utility infield spot. As insurance stashed in AAA or if something weird happens with Sano to start the season, it seems like a safe enough signing. But I'd much prefer to see Adrianza in the main infielder utility role.

I fail to see how winning a gold glove is evidence of Aybar being a good fielder

 

I hope Aybar is not actually "competing with Ehire Adrianza" for a utility infield spot. As insurance stashed in AAA or if something weird happens with Sano to start the season, it seems like a safe enough signing. But I'd much prefer to see Adrianza in the main infielder utility role.

Adrianza has hardly established himself nor should be guaranteed anything.  I think he's just fine and should beat out an aging veteran but there's no harm in competition

 

Any more old, unsigned guys out there?

You would give the FO ideas?

I am okay with signing him and dropping him.  Keeping him is another matter.  We have Ehire and Escobar to fill the utility roles and a number of minor leaguers ready to step in.  If they send him to the minors and have him start instead of one of our prospects I will also be upset with that.  My desire is to let him provide B game play, entertain the front office and step our of baseball at the end of spring training.

ST fodder

Or Aybar could be a minor league filler after another one of the Twins shortstop prospects gets dealt. 

Aybar is horrible. Will not beat out Adrianza.

He hasn't been good at defense in a long time. No idea why that was stressed....