Front Page: Should Eddie Rosario Be Benched for Not Hustling?

[Cody Christie]

Eddie Rosario is one of five Twins hitters to hit 30 home runs or more this season to help the team set a new standard at the big-league level. He was arguably one of the team’s best players during the 2018 campaign and he has helped the Twins to get to where they are this season. That being said, he might have cost the Twins the game on Wednesday night.

 

Does that mean the team should think about benching him for not hustling?Minnesota’s offense was sputtering against the White Sox as they used most of their bullpen to preserve a one-run lead. Rosario stepped up to the plate in the eighth inning with two outs already recorded. He smashed a ball to the right-field wall, but took some time admiring it in the box. The end result turned out to be what many consider a baseball sin… being thrown out at third for the final out of an inning.

 

In a year where home runs are flying out at a record pace, Rosario might have thought he had hit another home run. There’s also a chance that he didn’t think the center fielder would get over to help out on the play. Any of these excuses could apply to the play as it unfolded, but it still doesn’t make up for not hustling out of the box.

 

White Sox analyst Steve Stone called out Rosario after the play. “Eddie Rosario did not hustle out of the box and it’s a good thing for the Sox," Stone began. "He poses. If he's hustling, there's no play at third base."

 

Stone went on to say: "I mean, he's been doing this the whole series. And apparently the Twins are fine with it. This could cost them a ballgame. In the grand scheme of things, it might not keep them out of the division title, but you’ve got to hustle out of the box whether you think it’s a home run or not."

The Twins will still likely win the American League Central in the days ahead, but a close game against an inferior opponent isn’t exactly the time to let down your guard. Rosario is a leader on this team, and he needs show that on and off the field.

Twins Manager Rocco Baldelli didn’t seem too concerned about the play after the game. Minnesota might not have other options in the outfield either with Max Kepler continuing to be banged up. Rosario is back in the line-up on Thursday night, but maybe it’s time for Baldelli to send a message.

 

Do you think Rosario should have been benched? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

 

Click here to view the article

[Dantes929]

Lets not pretend this is unique to Eddie.    Its always been a pet peeve of mine whether its taking 2nd base or 3rd when a guy gets thrown out in a close play you can almost always see on the replay where they are watching the play and you can see the moment they make the decision, just like Eddie where they run in a different gear, when they could have made it there if they had been running from the start.   Nothing new here.    Criticize him all you want for trying to take 3rd with two outs.

[ewen21]

 

Lets not pretend this is unique to Eddie.    Its always been a pet peeve of mine whether its taking 2nd base or 3rd when a guy gets thrown out in a close play you can almost always see on the replay where they are watching the play and you can see the moment they make the decision, just like Eddie where they run in a different gear, when they could have made it there if they had been running from the start.   Nothing new here.    Criticize him all you want for trying to take 3rd with two outs.

I don't understand.  Are you saying it isn't reasonable to call him out in that situation for it?  I like Eddie and I don't like Steve Stone, but I have no trouble with Stone taking that stance.  None at all.

[twinsnorth49]

Benched? No, reminded of the importance of being a leader and setting a good example? Sure. 

 

Now, benching him for his plate discipline...……..that's another story, lol. At least a few games down in the order to hopefully help him get his head out of his ass. 

 

 

[twinsnorth49]

That ball travels another 5 feet and this isn't even a conversation. 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Last night was not Rosario's first time to dog it. I absolutely hate plays where a player is not hustling 100%. I hope the matter has been handled privately, instead of publicly embarrassing the player. I hope Rocco said something to Eddie in private and hopefully Cruz did too.

[h2oface]

I guess Baldelli doesn't care about loafing out of the box. Maybe he didn't notice it? Just didn't see it? he didn't make it part of the play he described in the interview. Players admiring and not running drive me nuts. Admire after you round first and it goes out. Then take your time. Celebrate around the bases. I love it. Loafing out of the box? Not a fan. This is not unique to Eddie, or unique to others on this team or in MLB. Now or in the past. Same with running out grounders and missed third strikes. It is, however, not a behavior set to encourage by not dealing with it.

 

I have no problem with one handed catches. I mean, name me outfielders that use 2 hands. I can't. One hand is just fine.

 

I don't think he should be benched. I think Baldelli needs to have an affect on him behind the scenes. Maybe he has. I hope so. And I hope all on the team noticed it and learned from it.

Edited September 19, 2019 by h2oface

[Mr. Brooks]

Yes, he should be benched.

 

I'm even more bothered at Baldelli for being fine with it than I am with Rosario.

[Platoon]

I stuck up for Esdie when Molitor had a fit over him stealing an open third base with two outs, and later had him sent down. But the one last night wasn't excusable. First off it's an unwritten rule, do not make the first or third out at third base. Secondly he did not hustle, posed, sloughed off, or dogged it. Take your pick. The problem isn't simply this play. His attitude in the last 6? weeks has seemed somewhat poor. Lacksidasical efforts catching fly balls, not exactly hustling chasing gap shots. Something is amiss. Basically he doesn't seem happy right now. I know that's a view from a distance, but frankly he gives the impression of someone who doesn't give a bleep!

[Marcusesm]

I think Eddie (and Berrios to a lesser extent) are a little butt hurt they didn't get contract extensions last off-season like their peers Polanco and Kepler. They were both likely asking for more money, but it's gotta suck knowing your boys are set for life while you're still arbitration eligible. Might not be a bad time this offseason to extend Berrios and test the trade market on Eddie.

[USAFChief]

Were this an isolated incident, it wouldn't bother me as much.

 

A lot to like, but I've grown tired of Rosario's act. Every catch is an excuse to showboat (which has already resulted in one dropped ball this year). Wild throws that more than offset the good ones. He "styles" too much for my tastes. Lack of hustle out of the box.

 

A lot in common with Yasiel Puig, IYAM.

 

Really no option to bench him now though. I wouldn't mind an offseason trade.

[Dantes929]

 

I don't understand.  Are you saying it isn't reasonable to call him out in that situation for it?  I like Eddie and I don't like Steve Stone, but I have no trouble with Stone taking that stance.  None at all.

You can talk to him about it but go take a look at the replays of everyone that tries to take an extra base and it is close and you will see that Eddie is the rule, not the exception.    If you call him out call out everyone that does it because it happens a lot.    I'm fine with that too but what makes this one special?   Buxton does it a lot but his coasting speed and his extra gear speed are both so fast he gets away with it.  

[KirbyDome89]

Or maybe Baldelli is shrugging it off publicly as to not make a scene while privately admonishing Rosario. It certainly wouldn't be the first time a coach falls on the sword publicly and honestly I don't have a problem with it. 

[KirbyDome89]

 

I think Eddie (and Berrios to a lesser extent) are a little butt hurt they didn't get contract extensions last off-season like their peers Polanco and Kepler. They were both likely asking for more money, but it's gotta suck knowing your boys are set for life while you're still arbitration eligible. Might not be a bad time this offseason to extend Berrios and test the trade market on Eddie.

The Twins approached each of them and they both passed. I'd guess each could've had deals similar to what Polanco and Kepler accepted but they voted to gamble on themselves. It'll likely work out in Berrios' favor and possibly Rosario's as well. I doubt Polanco and Kepler signing deals pisses them off; the amount they were offered by MN on the other hand is another story. 

[bighat]

4 games up with 10 to play? No, you don't bench Eddie Rosario and his 30+ HR and 100+ RBI.

 

Now's not the time.

 

It sucks to see lack of hustle, but there's a time and a place for discipline, and now ain't that time or that place.

[notoriousgod71]

Rosario is due for another six days of workload management rest this year. Does that count?

[Rod Carews Birthday]

If Eddie Rosario were the only player in the league (or even on the Twins team) that doesn't hustle every step of the way, then I think that something (likely short of benching) would be warranted.  However, as stated above, that behavior is more the rule than the exception around baseball, so the short answer to the question is "no." 

 

I would also consider that the "publicity" on this comes out of the mouths of the White Sox announcers.  These guys are not exactly the "A" team in the broadcast world -- I live by Chicago -- and will frequently demagogue the opposing teams' players to make themselves look smart.  They also had a couple of their young players sounding like future hall of famers during the game last night, so take any of their comments with an entire barrel of salt.

 

Finally, to all of those folks out there who are down on Eddie Rosario, this is the guy who might be the catalyst for this team in many ways -- I am reminded of Gary Gaetti and when he left the Twins.  Does he swing at some bad pitches. . . yes.  Does he hit some of those same pitches out of the park. . . also yes.  Does he make some boneheaded plays in the field. . . yes.  Did he make perhaps the throw of the season a few days back. . . also yes.  He makes clutch plays.  He is a serious run producer.  You take a little bit of not very good (or very smart) with the good.  I very much hope that he is one of the guys they manage to sign long term.  Rosario is a winner and makes things happen on the field. 

[singlesoverwalks]

I immediately thought of my dad saying "Never make the third out at third base." That was what pissed me off.

 

That being said, a lot of Twins didn't get two hits last night.

[ScrapTheNickname]

About a hundred comments have already been made on this topic on yesterday's game recap thread. I think the topic is exhausted.

 

Play on!

[ewen21]

 

You can talk to him about it but go take a look at the replays of everyone that tries to take an extra base and it is close and you will see that Eddie is the rule, not the exception.    If you call him out call out everyone that does it because it happens a lot.    I'm fine with that too but what makes this one special?   Buxton does it a lot but his coasting speed and his extra gear speed are both so fast he gets away with it.  

So what is wrong with calling everyone out?

[Mike Sixel]

Probably. But I won't begrudge them not doing it either.

[Strato Guy]

Several games ago, Rosario struck out on strike three. The pitch was in the dirt and got away from the catcher. Instead of running to first, Rosario walked back to the dugout. Is this any better than when Piug didn't run to first on that comebacker to the mound?? To me, it isn't! 

[yarnivek1972]

I don’t think benching him helps anyone. I’m also not sure it even sends a message. This isn’t high school. He’s still getting paid. Better off just talking to him about it in private. I didn’t think the “pose” was overly long. But he does need to be smarter than making the third out at third. I’m not even sure he looked at the base coach. He kept looking behind him. THAT to me is a bigger problem with Rosario. Bad decision making. Frequently.

 

The coach is there for a reason. If he’s waving you on and you get thrown out, that’s on him. But if you don’t even look at the coach and get thrown out, that is blatant stupidity.

[wsnydes]

If this were April, bench him. This is September however, so now really isn't the time.

 

Like Chief said, I've grown tired of his schtick and wouldn't mind an off-season trade for pitching.

 

What probably disgusts me the most is that he comes off as someone that doesn't care right now. If you don't care about important baseball at this point in the season, especially where the sit in the standings, then when is it that you care? That's troublesome and very concerning.

[operation mindcrime]

Nice play Polanco!

[Dantes929]

 

So what is wrong with calling everyone out?

Not a thing.   I said it was one of my pet peeves and I would be fine if someone posted every time someone dogged it and then got thrown out.    We're not on opposite sides here.    Singling one guy out for what many many players do or have done just seemed unfair.    Talk to him about it by all means.   Bench him or publicly call him out?  Probably not.

[gunnarthor]

Of course he shouldn't.

[Seth Stohs]

Of course not. 

[nokomismod]

Eddie is starting to get hot. I think as a manager you need to know how to motivate and discipline your players. Eddie's game is to showboat and have fun. I think it's great having a guy with his attitude on the team as it breeds a certain cotagious confidence (not afraid of the moment). 

So no, I do not think you bench him. You do not want him pouting with the playoffs only two weeks away. Talk with him about it and move on. The OF is thin and the Twins need him playing well to have a chance.

 

BTW, did you notice he is no longer limping when he's running. To me being at the game last night I was big picture happy about the speed he once he finally kicked it in gear.

[David HK]

Eddie is a fabulous player, been one of my favorite Twins for years now, and I love the spark and the moxie he brings to the table.

 

But--------

 

The brain cramps show up throughout the season, and have throughout his tenure with the club. However, when they show up in bunches in the middle of a September pennant race- a race we Twins fans, and the Twins players themselves have not been a part of in a looooooong time- that needs to be dealt with.

 

All the injuries we have now, it's impossible to bench him. He's also showing signs of heating up again, after a long dry spell. But if I'm the Mgr, I'll keep your bat in the lineup alright, but by God, I'm gonna hold that 7 spot open for ya until you figure a couple things out. 2-3 or even 4 games in the 7 hole should be a strong enough message.

 

There ain't no guarantee of playoffs yet. One look at the Rays and As in the standings could give you shivers if Cleveland manages to catch us. And there ain't no guarantee about another playoff chase 'next year.' Ask the world champion Red Sox about that. Every damn game, every damn atbat counts.

 

Get on it, Eddie.