Article: Twins To Sign Erick Aybar

[DocBauer]

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.

Honestly, at Rochester, I think Gordon is the only prospect in the infield, so Aybar there to begin the season wouldn't be bad. But really, he's only here for depth due to injury or suspension and shouldn't last long.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

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.

Escobar looks like your starting 3rd baseman for 60-80 games, maybe the whole season. With that in mind, I wish the ST Fodder competition for Adrianza was a bit higher quality. If Sano isn’t firing on all cylinders, Moli will probably want another super-utility instead of Vargas

[Darius]

Could have a lot to do with the young shortstops in the system in a way nobody is talking about.

 

Another established, respected, reputable, spanish-speaker around the club could be very useful in terms of mentorship. Polanco comes to mind immediately, of course, but others could also benefit from picking his brain. Javier, Sano, Rosario, Etc.

 

He has been very successful, both individually and on good teams. He's won a gold glove at SS. He's been a high-end offensive player at his position. He's been an All-Star. He knows how to prepare, practice, conduct himself in the clubhouse and off the field.

 

It can't hurt to have a guy like that around camp as an example. If he ends up playing meaningful innings, there has been a catastrophe with Escobar/Polanco/Sano.

[Thrylos]

 

Could have a lot to do with the young shortstops in the system in a way nobody is talking about.

Another established, respected, reputable, spanish-speaker around the club could be very useful in terms of mentorship. Polanco comes to mind immediately, of course, but others could also benefit from picking his brain. Javier, Sano, Rosario, Etc.

 

The issue with that train of thought is that for Aybar to make the club he has to replace another established, respected, reputable, spanish-speaker, who in addition is younger and better than him on both sides of the ball and can play more positions than just SS, Adrianza or Escobar...

[Deduno Abides]

Ay Baramba!

[jimbo92107]

24 to 32 seems to be the age range of MLB players, with a few exceptions proving the rule. Aybar seems about worn out for the majors. As some have said, he might fill in for a few weeks if somebody gets hurt, but he's not a starter anymore. 

[mikelink45]

 

Honestly, at Rochester, I think Gordon is the only prospect in the infield, so Aybar there to begin the season wouldn't be bad. But really, he's only here for depth due to injury or suspension and shouldn't last long.

I cannot imagine Aybar being satisfied to be a bench backup for Gordon.

[ashbury]

I cannot imagine Aybar being satisfied to be a bench backup for Gordon.

Agreed. But he has played a tiny amount during his career at 2B/3B, and if he's willing to embrace a utility role for the remainder of his pro career then I don't think the position player roster for Rochester will be so full of near-ready young infielders that he couldn't play full-time at second or third, in preference to some other AAAA type of player.

 

He has the opt-out on March 27, and there's a recent MLBTR post saying he drew interest from the Reds and Rangers too, so the choice really is up to him.

[Brandon Warne]

 

Escobar looks like your starting 3rd baseman for 60-80 games, maybe the whole season. With that in mind, I wish the ST Fodder competition for Adrianza was a bit higher quality. If Sano isn’t firing on all cylinders, Moli will probably want another super-utility instead of Vargas

 

They should have signed Eduardo Nunez.

[Mr. Brooks]

They should have signed Eduardo Nunez.

They should have signed Todd Frazier.

Bargain of the winter.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

They should have signed Todd Frazier.

Bargain of the winter.

what do you do with Frazier if/when Sano is ready to man the hot corner? If he could be had so cheaply, could you trade him for anything of value? I have doubts

 

Nunez is at least somewhat versatile.

[Mike Sixel]

what do you do with Frazier if/when Sano is ready to man the hot corner? If he could be had so cheaply, could you trade him for anything of value? I have doubts

 

Nunez is at least somewhat versatile.

DH...

[Oxtung]

I just don't see Aybar being interested in going down to AAA at this point of his career. What would be the point? If he can't hack it at 34 he sure as hell isn't going to go down to AAA and turn it around for another run at the majors at 35.

[Brandon Warne]

 

They should have signed Todd Frazier.
Bargain of the winter.

 

I think Nunez is a better bargain. Can theoretically play everywhere with an above-average bat and he got just $4 mill per?

[DaveW]

 

The issue with that train of thought is that for Aybar to make the club he has to replace another established, respected, reputable, spanish-speaker, who in addition is younger and better than him on both sides of the ball and can play more positions than just SS, Adrianza or Escobar...

Or he could agree to goto AAA of course and help mentor guys.

And if someone goes down for ten games or so he could come up to the majors and play a depth role if need be (like 10 games, 1 start, a couple at bats etc instead of maybe calling up a youngster with upside and having him ride the pine)

Can never have enough MI depth IMO.

[DaveW]

 

I think Nunez is a better bargain. Can theoretically play everywhere with an above-average bat and he got just $4 mill per?

Yeah that was an insanely smart deal for the Red Sox, really no downside at all even if he is a bench player. 

[DaveW]

 

I just don't see Aybar being interested in going down to AAA at this point of his career. What would be the point? If he can't hack it at 34 he sure as hell isn't going to go down to AAA and turn it around for another run at the majors at 35.

You never know. I'm sure he realized when he signed with the Twins that he was a long shot to make the roster out of ST with all the depth and solid players they have a 2B/SS/3B etc

Maybe he is looking into a post playing career gig, like coaching or something.

Anyways, the point is, if he wanted to make a big league roster immediately the Twins weren't one of his better options IMO, and he probably realized that. So let's see what happens.

Or maybe Polanco is on the block or something else? Meh, I dunno.