Front Page: Is It Time To Platoon C.J. Cron?

[John Bonnes]

It is probably time for the Twins to consider benching C.J. Cron. Cron has been a far cry from the good player he was in the first half of the year. Since the calendar flipped over to July, Cron has hit just .209/.284/.358 and he hasn’t looked good defensively at first base.

 

On the year he has really struggled against right-handed pitching with a .698 OPS and only an 80 wRC+ (while annihilating lefties to the tune of a 1.063 OPS and 167 wRC+). Cron has been worth just .3 fWAR this season and his wRC+ is 104, meaning he’s about a league-average hitter while playing a position that should produce more offensively. His defense has been below average (-2.7 UZR) and as we are all well aware, Cron doesn’t provide any value as a baserunner (-3 BsR).Part of Cron’s decline could certainly be attributed to the thumb injury he suffered in early July which has landed him on the 10-day IL twice. His offensive numbers have been way down and Cron has hit more ground balls and fly balls than line drives, which seemed to power his first half surge. His line drive percent has gone down from 24.3% in the first half to 17.5% since. Cron has also seemed to have had trouble catching up with fastballs of late. He has whiffed on nearly 35% of fastballs so far in August.

 

 

Whether watching Cron play or looking at the numbers, it is becoming abundantly clear that he should not be an everyday player at this point in the season. This begs the question of whether there is a better player to trot out to first base. In actuality, there may be several.

 

As referenced in the opening paragraph, Cron has hit lefties very well, so he should continue to see playing time when the Twins face left-handed pitching. But the majority of MLB starting pitchers are righties and we have seen that Cron shouldn’t be in the lineup in this scenario.

 

However, Minnesota doesn’t really have any left-handed options to platoon with Cron, as the best 1B options appear to be either right-handed hitters in Miguel Sano and Mitch Garver, or switch hitters who hit better against lefties in Marwin Gonzalez and Ehire Adrianza. Technically, left-hand hitting catcher Jason Castro played about 11 innings of first base when he was with the Astros, but he seems unlikely to play first at this point. The Twins could also get aggressive and call up left-handed AA OF/1B top-prospect Alex Kirilloff, but that would start his service-time clock and coming up and playing a big role in such a crucial stretch of games is asking a lot from the 21-year-old.

 

Of the players already on the 25-man roster, Sano seems to be the best option to slide over to first. Sano is a below average defender at third and his long-term home will most likely be at first base anyway. If the Twins non-tender Cron after this season, Sano is probably the most likely internal option to take over at first, so he could gain additional experience now and the Twins would get an extended look as well.

 

Sano certainly seems to enjoy hitting as a first baseman. In an admittedly small sample size (seven games), Sano has hit .360/.448/.720, good for a 200 wRC+. For what it’s worth, Sano’s defense at first has also rated better than Cron’s (again -small sample size). Sano’s splits against righties are also significantly better than Cron’s (112 wRC+ vs. 80 wRC+).

 

For the time being, this would mean that Ehire Adrianza would get more playing time at third with Marwin Gonzalez currently splitting time in right field with Jake Cave. Once Buxton comes back, the Twins would have the luxury of using Gonzalez more at third, where he rates the best defensively this season. However, Adrianza has hit righties pretty well this year (107 wRC+ compared to Gonzalez’s 83 wRC+), and although his defensive numbers at third haven’t been great so far in 2019 (SSS), his career numbers are better than Sano’s.

 

Of course, the Twins could also get Mitch Garver some playing time at first. The Twins have been getting Garver more starts at catcher of late, but playing him at first would be a nice way to utilize his potent bat. Garver has destroyed lefties (1.147 OPS, 189 wRC+), but like Adrianza and Sano, he has been much better than Cron against righties as well (.864 OPS, 119 wRC+). Garver has hardly played any first base this year, but he has played the position in the past.

 

Any or some combination of the previously mentioned players would offer an immediate upgrade over Cron. The Twins have an opportunity to not only improve offensively by getting Cron’s bat out of the lineup against righties, but also to improve defensively by getting Sano off of third more often. Cron could still play against lefties (and pinch hit) and the extra rest might be good for his thumb if it is still bothering him.

 

Benching Cron also gives the Twins a chance to get Garver’s bat into the lineup more often and to get Adrianza, who has played very well in limited opportunities, more time on the field. Finally, once Buxton comes back, playing Cron less will allow Minnesota to continue getting Gonzalez in the lineup.

 

So what do you think? Should the Twins continue to roll with Cron? If not, which combination of players do you prefer to play in Cron’s place?

 

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[Mike Sixel]

I've been asking for Garver at first for a month, at least. Yes please.

Edited August 16, 2019 by Mike Sixel

[gunnarthor]

It's been 19 games and less than 80 at-bats due to thumb injuries. 

 

I'd give him more reps and assume he'll get back into the groove that he had in the first half. Fans are too quick to give up guys during struggles - Sano, Buxton, Polanco, Kepler etc. Cron's our best first base option right now on a team that should be playing in October. 

[jkcarew]

If you're removing Cron from the lineup to insert Garver...probably worth a try.

 

If Cron is healthy and simply slumping...

 

Removing Cron from the lineup to insert Gonzalez or Adrianza...beware the small sample size trap. Those moves would be unlikely to help offensively over the longer term. And none of the options are likely to improve the infield defense materially...maybe the opposite.

[Mike Sixel]

It's been 19 games and less than 80 at-bats due to thumb injuries.

 

I'd give him more reps and assume he'll get back into the groove that he had in the first half. Fans are too quick to give up guys during struggles - Sano, Buxton, Polanco, Kepler etc. Cron's our best first base option right now on a team that should be playing in October.

It's not like his career indicates he's anything special... Garver is significantly better.

[Darius]

I get that preaching patience seems like the “enlightened” opinion to have, but the Twins don’t have the luxury of being patient, IMO.

 

We’ve already basically given away the division (I don’t think there’s much of a shot to outlast Cleveland unless we take 4-5 of the 6 remaining games). Tampa is right on our heals (2 games) and Oakland isn’t that far behind Tampa.

 

There is a real possibility that this team misses the playoffs. You still want to put yourself in the best position. This is no time to be patient. We’ve already seen where patience can get you. This team needs to be concerned with one thing, winning every single game possible from here until year-end.

 

If you think Cron provides the team the best chance to win every game, more power to you. I do not, especially when Cruz comes back. I’d take Sano at 3B, Garver at 1B, Castro at C every time.

 

People are bringing up defense? Doesn’t Cron lead the MLB in dropped balls at first base?

 

Last point, unless you are just looking for a cheap contract to keep payroll down (which I’m sure the Twins are), Cron isn’t coming back next year anyway. There is no upside to keeping him in the lineup if he’s not producing today.

[howieramone2]

 

It's not like his career indicates he's anything special... Garver is significantly better.

Most players career numbers show they are nothing special. Garver will be our starting catcher next season and is nothing special defensively. Don't muddy the waters by playing him at first. Cron was one of our better pickups this off season. The FO astutely picked him up in a salary dump.

[beetlebum71]

The key to this all is getting Buxton back.  That allows you to play your best defensive OF, and your best defensive IF.  Slide Sano to 1B against righties and have Gonzo/Adrianza play 3B, and have Cron and Sano on the corners against lefties.  I'd be fine with Garv Sauce playing some 1B against righties, as well, but the coaching staff seems reluctant to do that, so I wouldn't hold my breath.  As long as he's playing about 2 of 3 games behind the plate, I'm OK with that.  It's possible that his reduced work load is contributing to his other-worldly production.  

 

This was a really great write-up of the situation.

[gunnarthor]

 

It's not like his career indicates he's anything special... Garver is significantly better.

Gaver has played first base 40 times in the minors and 9 times in the majors. The Twins don't seem inclined to use him there. And, before his injury, Cron was having a heck of a season - .271/.329/.503 - in more PA than Garver has had this season. He's a good player. 

[Trov]

I have been down on Cron all second half.  I hope for his sake it is just the thumb injury, but his defense is not good and he is not hitting right hand pitching.  The issue is with Buxton hurt and Tortuga out there are not a lot of options.  Either Cave, Schoop, or Adrianza need to play if Cron does not.  Schoop is worse than Cron, and Cave for most part is worse too, so that leaves Adrianza.  

 

Once Buxton comes back, Gonzales can play infield more again, and once Tortuga gets back he can play first or catch and let Garver play more in field.  I think coaching staff knows the issue, but right now not a lot of solutions. 

[Splash]

I have no problem giving Adrianza more starts with either him or Gonzales playing first. But Cron should still play at least 3 games a week and hopefully he can start hitting like he did the first half

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Maybe Cron needs a stint on IL? Is the thumb still bothering him?

[Parker Hageman]

I'm not entirely certain Cron's increase in whiffs in August has anything to do with the thumb injury -- after all, when he made contact this month he's had the highest exit velocity of the season (95). It could play a role, specifically with timing, but another factor is that Cron was pressed into some tough assignments this month when Cruz went down. He had to face some guys with very good fastballs in Clevinger, Bieber and Civale that he might not have had Cruz been healthy (not to mention, starts against Keller and Foltynewicz).

 

That being said, Sano faced a lot of the same guys and maintained a low swing/miss rate at their fastballs. Still based on his exit velo, I'm in favor of letting him find it but it does merit consideration that if Cron can't handle the tougher right-handers, there's got to be someone available. 

 

[mikelink45]

Not sure if this is a good idea. Cron gave us a lot in the first half. Injury is difficult to heal when you are pushing yourself. If he needs to heal give him an IL break otherwise give him a good stint to prove himself before the playoffs.

 

Arraez has taken over for Schoop so Rocco has shown that he will make a change when he thinks it's logical.

[Trevor0333]

In the Playoffs given everyone is healthy

 

RHP 

 

Garver at 1st with Castro catching.

 

LHP 

 

Garver catching with Cron at 1st.

 

More Garv Sauce please....

[PDX Twin]

Does platooning make much sense in today's baseball? Most of the time the starting pitcher only pitches 4-6 innings. Unless you are right at the top of the order (and Cron is not), you only see the starter twice, then you see whatever relievers take over. Granted that there are a lot more right-handed relievers than lefties, but it seems like the era of the straightforward platoon vanished with the complete game.

[mrtwinsfan]

Once Buxton gets back, wth is goin on with him ?  Last night Bremer said hopefully he MIGHT be back for the cleveland series in september,  Anyone know anything ???

[Dave Overlund]

It'd be nice having Garver's bat in there more often, but I don't know if I'm ready to see him try to bail the infielders out with the month (season?) they are having defensively. 

[Mike Sixel]

Most players career numbers show they are nothing special. Garver will be our starting catcher next season and is nothing special defensively. Don't muddy the waters by playing him at first. Cron was one of our better pickups this off season. The FO astutely picked him up in a salary dump.

0.3 WAR.... Basically replacement level when you round. I'm not sure what people see.

[USAFChief]

Garver would be a disaster at 1B. Hands of stone.

[Rosterman]

Cruz being injured is a blessing, it ahs allowed the Twins to cycle guys thru the DH role. But if you decide to replace Cron at first, you should be looking at Sanop. You can have Gonzalez play third. Or, better yet, Arraez. You have to keep that bat in the lineup. And speaking of Cron, you also have to address Schoop. Both bring power to the lineup, but frankly Arraez and Adrianza are playing better ball overall.

 

A luxury of the Twins offense. Too much and not enough poisitions to play everyone that is producing.

[SpicyGarvSauce]

 

Garver would be a disaster at 1B. Hands of stone.

 

Cron hasn't exactly been a wizard over there lately as well - makes you appreciate what Joe Mauer did over the years at 1st with poor throws.

[Det95Twins]

I'd like to suggest a different solution.  I think Cron is still recovering from injuries.  I think moving Sano to first makes sense in the long run and have Gonzalez cover 3B but what about getting Cruz to play 1B.  It's maddening to have him sit out interleague games.  I think something the Twins need to work on is defense.  The only defender they have that is great is Buxton.  Kepler's pretty good in RF but so-so in CF.  Polanco has been making too many errors lately.  Sano is not a good 3B.  Schoop is average.  Rosario makes too many ego mistakes.  Garver has gotten better as a C but he's in a big slump himself.  Getting Buxton back will make this team better defensively.  I think next year the lineup is going to be C Garver, 1B Sano, 2B Polanco or Arraez, SS Gordon or Polanco, 3B Gonzalez, LF Rosario, CF Buxton, RF Kepler and DH Cruz with a bench of Adrianza, Astudillo and Cave/AAA OF.  Cron and Schoop will move on, although I think they contributed more than expected.

[stringer bell]

I agree that the chances of Cron returning next year have diminished in the second half of the season. Also agree that Sanó is eventually going to end up at first, so playing him there now makes sense. 

 

Gonzalez has been very good defensively at third, but has barely played there since Sanó's return. I'd like to see Marwin at third and Sanó at first against RH pitching. I'm expecting Marwin to pick up his offense in these last six weeks. 

 

Garver at first? I am not sure about the defense. I am sure that Mitch's production is diminishing perhaps from his catching workload, perhaps from regression to the mean. Mitch is 7 for his last 52 with three walks and 16 strikeouts. Overall he's had a fantastic season, but he's not hitting well enough right now to force himself into the lineup on a daily basis.

[Dantes929]

 

Does platooning make much sense in today's baseball? Most of the time the starting pitcher only pitches 4-6 innings. Unless you are right at the top of the order (and Cron is not), you only see the starter twice, then you see whatever relievers take over. Granted that there are a lot more right-handed relievers than lefties, but it seems like the era of the straightforward platoon vanished with the complete game.

I don't think it changes anything all that much.    I think platooning makes a great deal of sense.    If you have 7 players that either switch hit or have good splits from both sides, having a platoon at a couple spots makes sense cuz some guys just hit lefties or righties way better.     A 3 or 4 player bench allows you to platoon a couple guys with guys like the Turtle or Adrianza able to cover any late inning emergencies.   If Cron faces a lefty a couple times and then a righty comes in get the left handed hitter in there.   Of course a lefty might come in later but you have still added an at bat of optimal matchups.     

[Dantes929]

 

Cron hasn't exactly been a wizard over there lately as well - makes you appreciate what Joe Mauer did over the years at 1st with poor throws.

Easy solution.   Get Joe out of retirement to platoon with Cron and as late inning defensive replacement.  Career .868 OPS against right handers.  Cron career .818 against lefties.   

[jkcarew]

 

Once Buxton comes back, Gonzales can play infield more again, and once Tortuga gets back he can play first or catch and let Garver play more in field.  I think coaching staff knows the issue, but right now not a lot of solutions. 

Not sure Astudillo is prominent in plans unless more injuries occur. If he came back today, it's possible he'd replace Cave...but, then Cruz returns. Having said that, Sept 1 is fast approaching, and I'm sure he'd be one they'd want on the expanded roster.

[Thebigalguy]

Good analysis. Cron is adequate. Cleveland is ascending. We need better than okay. Buxton’s return should ease the situation with Gonzalez at third sometimes. With late inning relief that actually holds a lead, we make the playoffs. IF adjustments can help but can’t keep balls in the park.

[Thegrin]

Cron is playing hurt and doing the best he can.  His injury is obviously affecting his fielding.  Remember how solid he was at first before the injury and how shaky he is now.

The solution is not easy to find for Baldelli.  Sano seems to be more engaged, when he plays 3b.  Adrianza doesn't hit enough to play first base as a regular.  There must be a reason for NOT playing Marwin at first.

I'd love to see them bring up Kiriloff, (ML Playing time be damned) but the likelihood of Kiriloff being more effective than the guys we got is probably small. 

So Baldelli struggles on with Cron, hoping he will turn the corner, and we hope Baldelli makes the right decisions, 

[adjacent]

My guess is that Cron is not fully healed of that thumb. My feeling is that when Astudillo is ready (he is already in rehab. assignment), he'll come back and Cron to IL. Astudillo can play 1st or can play 3rd and Sano 1st. When Buxton comes back that will help also, but it is not happening soon, it seems.