Article: Twins DFA Kennys Vargas, Acquire OF Cave From Yankees

[Nick Nelson]

FT. MYERS – It was only a matter of time until the Minnesota Twins moved on from Kennys Vargas, whose redundancy following the Logan Morrison acquisition combined with a lack of remaining options essentially punched his ticket off the 40-man roster.

 

So it was no surprise to see the Twins announce on Friday they'd designated the slugger for assignment. It was, however, a bit surprising that the move made room for a newly acquired player: 25-year-old outfielder Jake Cave, who comes over from the Yankees organization.The Twins traded 19-year-old pitcher Luis Gil for Cave, who joins Zack Granite and Robbie Grossman in the mix for a backup job in the outfield. Paul Molitor indicated that he might get Cave, who had recently been designated for assignment himself when the Yankees signed Neil Walker earlier this week, into the lineup as soon as Saturday.

 

A sixth-round draft pick out of high school back in 2011, Cave owns a career .767 OPS in the minors but experienced a breakout of sorts last summer with Class-AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, slashing .324/.367/.554 with 15 home runs in 72 games. He had previously never reached double-digits in the homer column.

 

"He made some adjustments that we thought led to the power surge that he had, and we think those will continue going forward," said Derek Falvey, who added that the scouting staff gained familiarity with Cave while scouring New York's system during Jaime Garcia trade discussions last July.

 

Gil had thrown only 65 innings in the Twins system, all in the Dominican Summer League, in which he posted a 3.32 ERA, 10.1 K/9 rate, and 6.4 BB/9 rate. He missed the 2016 season after undergoing shoulder surgery. Falvey described him as a "hard-throwing right-hander."

 

"He certainly has some upside and I think that's what they identified."

 

Cave has played all three outfield positions in the minors but more center than anything else. Falvey suggested that he profiles better in the corners, but is usable in center. A left-handed swinger whose 1.000 OPS against righties towered over his .638 mark against southpaws last year, Cave seems a somewhat odd fit on a 40-man roster that already features Eddie Rosario, Max Kepler and Zack Granite.

 

Falvey said that such considerations are secondary when trying to add a desirable talent.

 

"With the way we're structured there're a few non-roster candidates or otherwise who fit on the other side of the coin there," explained Minnesota's chief baseball officer. "To just add another position player with three options remaining who we like has value to us, whether it's for now or in the future."

 

Reading between the lines, it seems likely Cave will head to Rochester to open the season but he could be a useful depth piece, especially if the power strides stick as Falvey hopes.

 

Meanwhile, the team will try to work out a trade with Vargas, or else see if he lands somewhere on waivers. The Rays, who beat the Twins 11-1 at Hammond Stadium on Friday, appear to be a logical fit and multiple Tampa media members noted as much in the press box.

 

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[gunnarthor]

I like the trade since Vargas wasn't part of our future but man, we certainly are collecting LH OFers. I agree with others that our AAA OF should be pretty good but I'm not seeing how they move unless we're trading Kepler or Rosario sometime.

[Dman]

Yeah if this guy is for real it should set them up for a trade.  They can't keep them all for long anyway.  If the Rays really do like Kepler I wonder if he could headline a deal for Archer?  Cave should have the arm for right and the speed to keep those raindrops honest.  This needs to be a part of something bigger to make it worth collecting outfielders.  FYI he was the Yanks 27th rated prospect per MLB.  Not a bad get for a lottery ticket.

Edited March 16, 2018 by Dman

[jkcarew]

Still not clear on if Cave automatically (or otherwise) is added to the 40-man.

[dbminn]

Best wishes to Vargas. Hopefully he gets a chance wherever he lands. He has been the type of player where I change my mind every once in a while. Can look so lost at the plate and then look so good a little while later.

 

My prediction has been White Sox or Rays for Kennys.

[Tom Froemming]

 

Still not clear on if Cave automatically (or otherwise) is added to the 40-man.

Yes, Cave is on the 40-man. Here's the language used on the team's press release:

 

"To make room for Cave on the 40-man roster, the Twins have designated first baseman Kennys Vargas for release or assignment."

[Bob Sacamento]

Met Luis Gil on the backfields in Instructs in 2016 while he was rehabbing, good kid skinny as a pole at the time, the Yanks see a kid set to breakout this year like Graterol broke out last year.  Good velo with reportedly good spin rate, a nice lotto ticket for the Yanks.

 

Cave was highly expendable for the Yanks with their OF depth.

 

 

[jkcarew]

 

Yes, Cave is on the 40-man. Here's the language used on the team's press release:

 

"To make room for Cave on the 40-man roster, the Twins have designated first baseman Kennys Vargas for release or assignment."

Thanks.  But if something else was up, they could have simply DFA'd Vargas and deferred adding Cave to the 40-man, until they wanted/needed him on the 25-man.

 

Curious.  I guess the only thing that's clear at this point is that 30 years from now both Vargas and Gil will be in the Hall of Fame.

[DuluthFan]

 

Thanks.  But if something else was up, they could have simply DFA'd Vargas and deferred adding Cave to the 40-man, until they wanted/needed him on the 25-man.

 

Curious.  I guess the only thing that's clear at this point is that 30 years from now both Vargas and Gil will be in the Hall of Fame.

 

Cave had to be kept on the 40 man roster. The Yankees DFA'd him from their roster. The Twins essentially jumped to the head of the waiver wire by trading for him.

 

He is depth for the Twins so they can preserve the options and development time for their non-roster prospects. They now have two outfielders (Granite & Cave) they can freely bring up and down as the need requires.

[Mike Sixel]

Cave had to be kept on the 40 man roster. The Yankees DFA'd him from their roster. The Twins essentially jumped to the head of the waiver wire by trading for him.

 

He is depth for the Twins so they can preserve the options and development time for their non-roster prospects. They now have two outfielders (Granite & Cave) they can freely bring up and down as the need requires.

Which prospects are they protecting?

 

Not opposed, just seems like other positions are bigger needs. That said, if they like him a lot, great.

[TheLeviathan]

I hope someone gives Vargas 500 ABs this year.

[Platoon]

I know the 13 man staff causes bench problems, but overall I am still sorry to see Vargas go. Hope he ends up somewhere where he gets a good amount of AB's without being yo yo'ed up and down. No idea how successful he will be, but here was the wrong place at the wrong time.

[mikelink45]

This makes no sense - yes DFA Vargas and let him prove himself where they give him a real chance.  But I read the LF summary on TD and with Kiriloff, Baddoo, Wade I do not see Cave as a need.  Maybe they will prove me wrong.

[Tommygun921]

Vargas, Kepler and Hughes to TB for Archer. While eating a bunch of Hughes salary.

[beckmt]

Cave is AAA protection against an injury longer than a few days in the outfield.  If he preforms he may enable one of the corner outfielders to headline a front end starter trade.  If not probably a better depth piece than Grossman, long term.  Not a bad get.

[beckmt]

Twins probably see as much or more upside than Granite in Cave.  Will see how it shakes out.

[jkcarew]

 

Cave had to be kept on the 40 man roster. The Yankees DFA'd him from their roster. The Twins essentially jumped to the head of the waiver wire by trading for him.

 

He is depth for the Twins so they can preserve the options and development time for their non-roster prospects. They now have two outfielders (Granite & Cave) they can freely bring up and down as the need requires.

Thanks for the reminder.  DFA'd, not yet waived.

 

As many have stated, the left-handed thing is weird.  Just stockpiling value...you'd think some will get moved at some point...but I guess no harm/no foul (for now) when he comes will the full compliment of options.

[goulik]

Granite is a fourth outfielder, defensive replacement, pinch runner, base stealer.

Wade is a potential everyday outfielder that needs to develop some pop.

Cave is a potential every day outfielder with some pop.

I see what this move does and it's a good one for relatively nothing.

[SweetOne69]

Still not clear on if Cave automatically (or otherwise) is added to the 40-man.

The fact that Vargas was Dead, the answer is yes. You only DAD a player when you need an immediate spot on the 40 man roster.

[ashbury]

With left-handedness taking prominence, I just want to point out that Cave did display a significant platoon disadvantage against lefty pitchers in 2017, but both Wade and Granite were close to equally good against pitchers of either hand. So it's not like the AAA choices are all platooning candidates.

 

I'd expect that Kepler and Cave would make for a more difficult duo to manage around, if ever on the same 25-man roster.

[Craig Arko]

Likely depth insurance in case Rosario does not recover as quickly as hoped.

[DuluthFan]

 

Which prospects are they protecting?

Not opposed, just seems like other positions are bigger needs. That said, if they like him a lot, great.

 

They are protecting ALL of the minor league players that are not currently on the 40 man roster.

The Twins need right now is for a backup player who has options and can sit at AAA all season until there is need for an injury replacement. Why start someone's options clock ticking when there is no need. If no injury replacement is needed this season, then you would have wasted someone's option year.

Cave has already started his option years, Vargas had none and no position open for him. Grossman doen't have options remaining but at least he has several positions he can play.

[LaBombo]

So, SOOOO disappointed it turned out to be Jake Cave instead of Nick.  Couldn't they at least have gotten one of the current or former Bad Seeds, I'm thinking maybe Toby Dammit or Kid Congo Powers for a low A prospect?

[bcs4]

I can't remember a time in my entire life that I trusted management this much.  Feels weird.

 

I think Granite is at risk in the Cave trade.

 

I know that some here still want Archer, but I don't see a lack of SP in the Twins organization (did I just say that?).

[RIP BYTO]

I expect Boston to jump all over this.  Hey, it worked before.

[ashbury]

So, SOOOO disappointed it turned out to be Jake Cave instead of Nick.  Couldn't they at least have gotten one of the current or former Bad Seeds, I'm thinking maybe Toby Dammit or Kid Congo Powers for a low A prospect?

http://www.quickmeme.com/img/49/498794749f1ab35f1868fc509391c6f875e514ae6857d2382deee16176442a1e.jpg

[Otto von Ballpark]

Interestingly, Cave has all 3 of his option years remaining. He wasn't added to a 40-man roster until last November (which suggests the Yankees were concerned about losing him in the Rule 5 draft).

[PseudoSABR]

Cave lands on MLB Pipelines Top 30 list at number 26, one spot ahead of Granite. 

Edited March 17, 2018 by PseudoSABR

[Thrylos]

 

Twins probably see as much or more upside than Granite in Cave.  Will see how it shakes out.

 

These guys bring two different skill sets.  In the same league (IL) Cave hit .324/.367/.554, with .403 wOBA,  156 wRC+, 6.1 BB% & 27.6 K% and stole 1 base and Granite .338/.392/.475, with .386 wOBA, 144 wRC+, 7.7 BB% & 10.9 K% and stole 15 bases.

 

They both can play CF, but Garver is much better there.

[DocBauer]

I've been a hopeful fan and apologist for Vargas for some time. Really bummed it just never worked out with the Twins, for whatever reason(s). I wish him the best.

 

I think this move is a bit "meh" but it makes sense. You trade a young DSL "flier" prospect who is years away for a decent OF prospect with some offense and offensive potential, (And positional flexibility), with multiple options remaining to shore up your AAA team and provide call-up/roster flexibility. It isnt always Burger King where you can "have it your way" and just order up the same player but he hits RH or switch hits. You acquire young pkayers with potential who may help.

 

I'm really not crazy about Rochester's infield, but their OF and DH situation look good to bolster such a fine young pitching staff, and their seems to be a trio of young OF now for depth, competition and the magic word "potential".