Once again, Eddiie Rosario

[jimbo92107]

Thursday's game against the A's provided another reminder why Eddie Rosario is the best player on this Twins team. Not only did he gun down a runner from left field with a great assist by a stone-cold bluff by Mitch Garver, not only did Eddie drive in an important run with an expert double, but then, from second base, Eddie also helped his buddy Jorge Polanco get a hit. 

 

Nothing as bland as stealing signs, mind you. Instead, Eddie Rosario bluffed a bold steal of third while the pitcher was getting signs from the catcher. 3B was playing deep, and Eddie dashed almost halfway to the next bag before stomping on the brakes and dashing back to second. It shocked the A's pitcher, traumatizing him just enough to induce a ball on the next pitch. Then he tossed a lame something down the middle, and Polanco pounced on it to drive in Rosario.

 

I know it's too late to expect a miracle drive to the playoffs, but this last couple dozen games still can be entertaining for fans that enjoy baseball for its own sake. For us few baseball purists, watching guys like Eddie Rosario catching opponents by surprise is worth the price of admission. 

 

Otherwise, these last games do offer something else: a bit of hope. If you look at the current roster, you may notice that it is well stocked with guys that may figure into a serious contender for 2019. This is why I wanted the kids up even earlier than now. There is going to be a stretch of years from 2019 to about 2025 where this could be a very dangerous team. No guarantees, of course. But worth watching, eh?

[goulik]

For a few years the conversation has been about "Rosario isn't the guy, time to move on" vs "Patience, he could be great". Similar things were said with Gibson. I was in the patience group with Rosario and cut bait group with Gibson. But to be honest i don't think anyone thought Rosario would be this good.

Now we have to be patient with Sano, Buxton, and Kepler. This could be a fun ride. Hopefully they come along sooner than later...

[Lonestar]

So ... how much do you think Eddie Rosario will make in his first year of arbitration? How about his second and third year? How about his first year of free agency?

 

Would you extend Eddie Rosario? If NO, why not? Even if you would not, what do you think an extension would look like?

 

Eddie is going to be 26 next year. I think I would like to extend him this off-season for 5 years. My objective is not savings per se or even cost certainty. My objective is to extend team control. I would like to modestly front load the contract meaning that I would pay more than the first year's expected arbitration to incentivize training and to use some of the team's excess room under their artificial salary cap in 2019, leaving more room in later years. I am still talking about paying less in 2019 than in later years.

 

 

[jimbo92107]

 

So ... how much do you think Eddie Rosario will make in his first year of arbitration? How about his second and third year? How about his first year of free agency?

 

Would you extend Eddie Rosario? If NO, why not? Even if you would not, what do you think an extension would look like?

 

Eddie is going to be 26 next year. I think I would like to extend him this off-season for 5 years. My objective is not savings per se or even cost certainty. My objective is to extend team control. I would like to modestly front load the contract meaning that I would pay more than the first year's expected arbitration to incentivize training and to use some of the team's excess room under their artificial salary cap in 2019, leaving more room in later years. I am still talking about paying less in 2019 than in later years.

I give him a 5 year deal and a ton of money, equivalent to other stars of his caliber. Rosario not only is a star, he's also really fun to watch, because he loves to play tricks on the opposition. Players with a positive personality are the best thing about baseball. 

[bighat]

We've been wringing our hands about Buxton for the past 3 years. Meanwhile Rosario has quietly stepped up and become the standout future All-Star OF we've been waiting for. Offensively, defensively, and on the base paths, the guy's well above average in every category. The Twins sure did stumble across a diamond in the rough thanks to their 4th round draft pick in 2010.

 

This team is yours, Mr. Rosario, you earned it.

[jimmer]

Eddie, Eddie, Eddie!!!

 

1st Twins jersey I bought with a name since Mientke's.

[DocBauer]

This guys is amazing! He should have been in the All Star game this year.

 

I am NOT going to pat my back or pound my chest, but I've been a believer in him for years now. If someone really wanted to dig up TD records, (ugh, what a chore!), I have repeatedly believed in him. To say he is the best overall player on the team is not some "well, best player on a losing team" scenario. He will never win a batting title or finish amongst the leaders in OB, but the kid hits, he hits with power. He hits with big production. He is aggressive in all that he does. And sometimes, his aggressiveness gets the best of him. But for every overly-aggressive mistake he might make, he more than doubles or triples successful moves. His defense is generally excellent. He is young still, and played all/most of 2017 with a bad shoulder.

 

I've said repeatedly, if I was another team talking with the Twins about a big trade, he'd be #1 on my list. Still learning and developing, he could legitimately play any of the 3 OF spots and ignite my team.

 

BOO, to those who aren't fans. I would absolutely sign to an extension, for as long as I could.

[jimmer]

 

This guys is amazing! He should have been in the All Star game this year.

I am NOT going to pat my back or pound my chest, but I've been a believer in him for years now. If someone really wanted to dig up TD records, (ugh, what a chore!), I have repeatedly believed in him. To say he is the best overall player on the team is not some "well, best player on a losing team" scenario. He will never win a batting title or finish amongst the leaders in OB, but the kid hits, he hits with power. He hits with big production. He is aggressive in all that he does. And sometimes, his aggressiveness gets the best of him. But for every overly-aggressive mistake he might make, he more than doubles or triples successful moves. His defense is generally excellent. He is young still, and played all/most of 2017 with a bad shoulder.

I've said repeatedly, if I was another team talking with the Twins about a big trade, he'd be #1 on my list. Still learning and developing, he could legitimately play any of the 3 OF spots and ignite my team.

BOO, to those who aren't fans. I would absolutely sign to an extension, for as long as I could.

I have no problem saying I wasn't a believer until this year. Many times I said he was a 4th OF at best.

 

But then I saw him live and in person this season at TF on the first Fri-Sun of June and I was hooked. Now he's my favorite Twin. I've said a few times, I bought his jersey and it's the first Twins jersey I bought with a player's name since Mientke.

 

I have zero problem eating crow, in fact, I'll happily eat a ton of crow (and why not, I haven't been able to taste anything in weeks).

[DocBauer]

Nothing wrong with eating crow, in theory. I'd guess some Italian seasoning on the grill might make it palatable, LOL. Glad you have come around though. This kid is a player and a stud!

 

My favorite player!

[tarheeltwinsfan]

My wife and I were at our first spring training at Ft. Myers in 2016. As the Twins were practicing a little boy about 4 or 5 years old yelled from behind the fence to Eddie Rosario: "Eddie, you are my favowite pwayer.". Rosario told the child he couldn't talk right then, but would when practice was over...and he did. He posed for pictures with the young fan and his family. The next year at spring training, my wife and I were watching a game at Fort Myers when Rosario was introduced by the PA announcer: "The next batter is Eddie Rosario."   We then heard a small child's voice from the row behind us say, "Rosario?" We recognized the voice. We turned to look and it was the same child with his parents.  Rosario fans for life, because Eddie Rosario had taken the time to kneel down and talk with a young fan and his parents after practice. My wife and I also had become Rosario fans the day the little boy got to talk to his "favowite pwayer".

[Don Walcott]

Eddie, Eddie, Eddie!!!

 

1st Twins jersey I bought with a name since Mientke's.

First t-shirt with a name on it I’ve ever had, as a Father’s Day gift (at my request).