Article: Offseason Primer: The Core Seven (?)

[Darius]

I’d reluctantly concede a Core 3 at this point: Berrios, Gibson, Rosario.

 

I’m not sure you can even call that “a core.” I’m not sure any of them are at an elite level, or ever will be. Berrios may be eventually, but there are still plenty of inconsistencies there. They’re really just the “Pretty Good 3.”

 

Sano might be out of the league by this time next year. There are risks there in regards to behavior, health, conditioning, and performance. Frankly, he can’t be counted on for anything st this point.

 

It doesn’t really look like Buxton will ever figure things out offensively. It doesn’t really look like he’ll ever be to stay healthy, either. Banking on him for anything outside of half a season of great defense from the 9-hole is a prayer. Certainly not anything you want to build around long-term.

 

Kepler appears to be a solid role, unspectacular role player, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Time is starting to run out to prove that he’ll fulfill the expectations created by his minor league career. Good guy to have around, but hardly a franchise cornerstone.

 

Polanco is a black market Dominican supplement away from his second offense....and isn’t really that great of a defensive shortstop to begin with.

 

If we’re considering Mitch Garver a “core” player, we’re in trouble.

 

Who knows it Romero will ever pitch 100+ innings effectively in a major league season. He seems to fade hard every year, even in the minor leagues. How many more years does a guy need to ramp up?

 

There is nobody else worth mentioning that had stepped foot on a major league diamond. It’s probably time to start thinking about the next “core.”

[Mike Sixel]

I don't see Kepler as a "core" player given his consitent mediocrtiy for three (!) full time seasons. He was outplayed by Cave last year - Cave, 13 HRs, .269/.318/.481 (.797) 1.5 WAR in one half seasonr, Kepler .224/.319/.408 (.727) 2.6 WAR in a full season. Kepler doesn't deserve to start next year unless he moves to 1B and/or beats out Buxton for a starting OF job. I really don't understand why this board is still so high on him. I understand why everyone was 2 years ago or even going into last year but he hasn't taken that necessary step forward at the plate to be starting on a good team. Guys who perform like Kepler has the last 3 years are the 4th OF on a good team and we may have found someone better in Cave. We need to find out what Cave can do - we may already know what Kepler can do and it's not good enough unless he takes a major step forward.

 

Conversely, I could see Garver as a "core" player as a better than average bat at a premium position. He has to work on his defense but it did get better over the season.I still would love to trade AAA pitching for Realmuto but that's probably a pipe dream.

Kepler was 13th in RF war. If he's a fourth outfielder, there must not be as many teams as I think there are.

[Mike Sixel]

For example, the Yankees had five hitters put up more WAR than that. Were all the other players backups, not good enough to start for a great team?

 

The Brewers had four.

 

Teams don't have nine starters that put up very good war.

Edited October 18, 2018 by Mike Sixel

[beckmt]

Players develop at their own rate, and some fail.  To those of you who are impatient, I would love to be an opposing GM (like in a fantasy league) who could get a decent player for very little by waiting out the impatient GM.  Aaron Hicks is the poster child for this type of player.  He played his way into the doghouse and was traded for a player of much less upside and value.  

I put much of this on the coaches the Twins have had and the inability to bring out the best in players.  It can be done, we just have to find the correct coaches to help.  Buxton and Sano have to be given every opportunity to succeed, if they fail then he have the problem of what to do with them.  

The biggest difference I have seen in the playoffs, is the pitching is much better, whether it be starting for some clubs or the bullpen for others, or in the case of Houston some of both.  

[hatz0008]

As far as the Yankees go, wasn't Posada a part time player until 2000 when Girardi retired and then he hit his stride?  I think Pettite was more so that core four piece since he debuted in 1995 and led the league in wins in 1996 on that historic team.

[yarnivek1972]

As far as the Yankees go, wasn't Posada a part time player until 2000 when Girardi retired and then he hit his stride? I think Pettite was more so that core four piece since he debuted in 1995 and led the league in wins in 1996 on that historic team.

 

Posada started 52 games at catcher in 1997. Then 85, 98 and 136 in 2000. So, the Yankees eased him in to the full time role, but he was the primary catcher as early as 1998.

[DrNeau]

1. C- Garver
2. DH -
3. LF - Rosario
4. CF - Buxton
5. RF - Cave
6. 3B - Sano
7. SS - Polanco
8. 2B -
9. 1B - Austin
-- Bench --
10. OF - Kepler
11. C - Astudillo
12. IF -

-- Pitchers --
13. SP - Berrios
14. SP - Gibson
15. SP - Pineda
16. SP -
17. SP -
18. RP - Rogers
19. RP - May
20. RP -
21. RP -
22. RP -
23. RP -
24. CP -

 

Anyone not on this list is expendable.

[Major League Ready]

 

I agree with the general sentiment that these guys are the core. And I would also include Garver in the group now. These are the guys we need to show up and play to their capabilities. We've seen it. Now show it more consistently. (Though Rosario has).

Of course, there's another potential "core" group arriving in a season or two to add to this group we should all be pretty excited about.

I'm a little touchy on Mejia even though I like him. Touchy only because he was slowed the first half, took a while to get going, and has had issues with pitch counts. So while I like his potential still as a SP, I just have this feeling he may be destined for the bullpen. Teaming hum with Rogers wouldn't be a bad thing though.

 

I am not sure I go along with Rosario being consistent. His OPS was .622 for the 2nd of 2018. He was more consistent in 2017 but the league has figured out they don't need to throw it over the plate. Rosario was among the very worst in all of MLB in terms of swinging at pitches outside the strike zone. He is going to be an elite hitter if he develops plate discipline but I seriously doubt he is ever consistent going forward unless he becomes a more professional hitter. Many of his ABs the 2nd half were absolutely horrible.

[old nurse]

 

1. C- Garver
2. DH -
3. LF - Rosario
4. CF - Buxton
5. RF - Cave
6. 3B - Sano
7. SS - Polanco
8. 2B -
9. 1B - Austin
-- Bench --
10. OF - Kepler
11. C - Astudillo
12. IF -

-- Pitchers --
13. SP - Berrios
14. SP - Gibson
15. SP - Pineda
16. SP -
17. SP -
18. RP - Rogers
19. RP - May
20. RP -
21. RP -
22. RP -
23. RP -
24. CP -

 

Anyone not on this list is expendable.

If the deal is right, they are all expendable.

[ashbury]

If the deal is right, they are all expendable.

This is self-evident, but also not very useful for armchair-GM planning purposes in 2019. Certainly if a bluebird flies in the window, you graciously accept the good fortune. But the Phillies aren't going to swap us Aaron Nola for Berrios, ditto the Rockies and Kyle Freeland. So, for all practical purposes, Berrios is not "expendable".

 

 

[Major League Ready]

 

If the deal is right, they are all expendable.

 

I am sad to say I agree. The core or players I would not trade consists of Berrios Rogers, and Polanco (at 2B). I really value Garver's steady improvement so I am ok with him being considered part of the core. Buxton and Sano have so little value right now that I seriously doubt a deal comes along that would make sense to give up on their upside.

 

If we could get a return representative of the best of Rosario, great. His lack of plate discipline drives me nuts. Aggressive is fine. Astudillo is aggressive but he does not swing at pitches 16 inches off the plate. It does not appear to be not pitch recognition. Therefore, it should be correctable. He should be getting better with experience but it appears to be getting worse.

[h2oface]

There is no core. No core 2, no core 3, no core 4, no core anything. Maybe at the end of next year this can be a discussion with merit. If you settle for any of our players being core right now, your expectations will be self fulfilling mediocrity or worse.

 

 

[h2oface]

 

Polanco is a black market Dominican supplement away from his second offense....and isn’t really that great of a defensive shortstop to begin with.

 

Here, here! Even Twins' fans seam to pretend cheaters are acceptable. That is not name calling, it is a historical reference. Very recent history, at that.