Option C(astellanos)

[cmoss84]

We missed out on our big money aces. A big impact 3B will either cost age/money (Donaldson) or top prospects and money (Arenado/Bryant). So why not spend money and invest in a completely different direction?

 

Nicolas Castellanos has played over 500 games in his career at 3B. He is one of the best hitters in all of MLB. He is also 28. Does anyone ever want him to step foot at the hot corner again? Doubtful! But in an era valuing flexibility, Castellanos might be undervalued. My question is, could he transition to 1B? With so much experience at 3B, I would guess yes (he has to have decent hands, right?). He is also 6'4". He could also play RF for us in a pinch. He could eventually transition to DH if Sano moves to 1B later on (or Kiriloff).

I would love it if the Twins offered 5/100 or even 6/120 and made Castellanos a key part of our lineup during his prime years.

Am I way off here? What do you think?

[MMMordabito]

Sano/Polanco/Arraez/Castellanos = Odds on favorite for worst starting infield in MLB 2020

 

 

[jorgenswest]

His career wrc+ of 112 doesn’t leave much space for decline as a DH or below average defense in a corner.

 

I do see him as someone that might enter spring without a finding a long term deal and be open to a one year and maybe an option. I wouldn’t want to commit to 5 or 6 years. In that case I would bet on Kirilloff, Larnach or Rooker.

[Shaitan]

It's an interesting idea, but I don't think it makes sense. He's a good player, but I don't view him as a different maker, rather more of a Cuddyer type.

 

If that's their approach, they could've kept Cron for $6-7mil.

[cmoss84]

Thanks for your input-definitely appreciate all responses! I am getting the feeling I value his bat more than most. I also should have noted that since this team isn't built on defense, defensive flexibility and premium bats are the direction I would go at this point...save a defensive specialist to put in late (Iglesias/Echevarria).

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I would love it if the Twins offered 5/100 or even 6/120 and made Castellanos a key part of our lineup during his prime years.

MLBTR predicted a 4/58 contract for him at the start of the offseason, so I'm guessing you're a bit high. Either in your estimate or otherwise.

 

He hasn't played 3B in two years, and he wasn't good there, or anywhere else. And DH is blocked in Minnesota, at least for 2020.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Here was a Fangraphs article from September: "No, Nicholas Castellanos Is Not Getting a $100 Million Contract"

 

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/no-nicholas-castellanos-is-not-getting-a-100-million-contract/

 

Unless you *really* buy his Cubs HR binge, he doesn't look like a particular good investment for the 2020 Twins.

[cmoss84]

MLBTR predicted a 4/58 contract for him at the start of the offseason, so I'm guessing you're a bit high. Either in your estimate or otherwise.

 

He hasn't played 3B in two years, and he wasn't good there, or anywhere else. And DH is blocked in Minnesota, at least for 2020.

4/60? Man I was way off!!

 

I didn't say I wanted him to play 3B, however. Mentioned him transitioning to 1B and playing OF in a pinch...

[cmoss84]

Here was a Fangraphs article from September: "No, Nicholas Castellanos Is Not Getting a $100 Million Contract"

 

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/no-nicholas-castellanos-is-not-getting-a-100-million-contract/

 

Unless you *really* buy his Cubs HR binge, he doesn't look like a particular good investment for the 2020 Twins.

Thanks for posting this-good stuff!

I am definitely in at 4/60 or higher. Points taken though!

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I didn't say I wanted him to play 3B, however. Mentioned him transitioning to 1B and playing OF in a pinch...

Yeah, I get that. I'm just not so sure. 1B was pretty open the last 2 years for the Tigers too, with Cabrera hurt or parked at DH, and Castellanos didn't get a single look there.

 

And he's got a 112 wRC+ Steamer projection, 120 ZIPS. That's not bad, but not really worth a 4/60 investment from this Twins team either.

 

If we was willing to sign a 1 year deal, maybe it would be worth a gamble -- but even then, if his 1B defense isn't very good, you're kind of stuck with him there for the year.

[sdangus]

The last thing the Twins need is another liability on defense. I just don't think they can chance taking a risk on Castellanos being able to hack it at first base.

[cmoss84]

You guys bring up some valid points. The question I have for you then, is why do you trust Sano at 1B, but not Castellanos?

[Otto von Ballpark]

You guys bring up some valid points. The question I have for you then, is why do you trust Sano at 1B, but not Castellanos?

Because it's easier to trust one guy, than two? If Sano is at 1B, that means we upgraded defensively at 3B. If Castellanos is at 1B, that means Sano is still at 3B...

[Rosterman]

I'm picturing 1st base i solid with Garver/Sano and or Gonzalez. Quite frankly the Twins can go with Gonzalez and Sano at third for 2020, too.

 

So the only thing would be a move of someoen like Rosario (and Marlins out of that hunt now). 

 

Next year i a different story, with Cruz and Gonzalez coming off the books. I also hope that the Twins do take a look at Garver as a first base possibility more than catcher. Don't see him being the durable guy behind the plate, but rather than a 1B who can also catch. With Jeffers and perhaps Rortfeldt in the wings, the Twins could be in for longterm surprises behind the plate for the next decade.

 

Sano continues to be the one mucking up the system. Does he play third. Is he a possible first baseman. Or better to just put him into the DH role 2021 and beyond with the possibilities that he can play in the field in interleague games, if necessary.

[sweetmusicviola16]

 

You guys bring up some valid points. The question I have for you then, is why do you trust Sano at 1B, but not Castellanos?

That's my question as well. He has 6 errors at 1B in essentially 25 games there. In a full season at the position that amounts to over 35 errors. If we're serious about contending in 2020 is that really what we want?

[cmoss84]

Sano/Polanco/Arraez/Castellanos = Odds on favorite for worst starting infield in MLB 2020

You might be right, but how much worse is it than last year's defense? Is his bat worth it? To me...yes.

[cmoss84]

Because it's easier to trust one guy, than two? If Sano is at 1B, that means we upgraded defensively at 3B. If Castellanos is at 1B, that means Sano is still at 3B...

I guess my point is you have to pick your poison.

 

I'd like an addition of Donaldson, but it is (A) not guaranteed and ( does not come without its own risks...

[sweetmusicviola16]

I actually had thought about a Castellenos signing myself. Mostly in looking ahead with Cruz maybe moving on after 2020. I had two options in mind. Nick at 1B and everyone else stays as is or a move to 1B by Rosario or Kepler and Nick playing COF.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I guess my point is you have to pick your poison.

That's my point too, and Sano plus Castellanos might be a double shot of poison on defense.

[cmoss84]

If Donaldson signs:

 

3B: Donaldson - age 34-38 seasons, expensive (4/100?)

1B: Sano - not exactly a great 1B

 

If Castellanos signs:

 

3B: Sano - below average to average 3B

1B: Castellanos - age 28-32 seasons, has never played 1B. Can also be 4th OF. 4/60? or more? 

 

I actually like both moves, but neither is foolproof...actually both come with a lot of risk. But both worth the risks IMO. 

[goulik]

From what I have seen of Sano at 1B, I have great concerns about moving him there. He has been sub par at 3B to be sure, but at 1B he was just down right bad. A good 1B erases what could have been throwing errors by the infielders. Cron’s scoops were under rated and erased lots of errors before they happened. This means the rest of the infields defense that we are complaining about was actually over rated. I don’t know if bringing Donaldson in at 3B and moving Sano to first actually improves the infield defense.

[sweetmusicviola16]

 

From what I have seen of Sano at 1B, I have great concerns about moving him there. He has been sub par at 3B to be sure, but at 1B he was just down right bad. A good 1B erases what could have been throwing errors by the infielders. Cron’s scoops were under rated and erased lots of errors before they happened. This means the rest of the infields defense that we are complaining about was actually over rated. I don’t know if bringing Donaldson in at 3B and moving Sano to first actually improves the infield defense.

This is what I've been thinking too. Cron really wasn't too bad for the twins. The way I see it is if we did sign Donaldson I'd almost guess that we'd see a Sano trade. Yes this makes us much better on D but I'm not sure its an offensive upgrade at all. tbh signing JD is a splashy flashy move but no matter how I dice it I don't see it making us better. Maybe the opposite. But lets keep Sano off of 1B for any length of time.

[Doctor Wu]

 

From what I have seen of Sano at 1B, I have great concerns about moving him there. He has been sub par at 3B to be sure, but at 1B he was just down right bad. A good 1B erases what could have been throwing errors by the infielders. Cron’s scoops were under rated and erased lots of errors before they happened. This means the rest of the infields defense that we are complaining about was actually over rated. I don’t know if bringing Donaldson in at 3B and moving Sano to first actually improves the infield defense.

I'd agree with that assessment too. I just can't picture Sano stretching out and scooping balls out of the dirt. If that happened he'd be on the Injured List the next day.

[cardsfan]

Could Castellanos improve on his season at age 28? 88 xbh is a big number. He hits doubles, but, few triples and can't steal bases. Say he hits 60 doubles next year and 32 homeruns should be worth something.

 

If Castellanos signed with Boston he might set the record for doubles. His defense needs improvement.

[raindog]

I like this idea a lot if we don't get Donaldson. 

 

His OPS of .863 would rank 8th amongst first basemen last year. And that was playing the majority of games in a ballpark that did not suit him in Detroit. 

 

There's no way that even a bad corner outfielder with a lot of 3B experience can't hack it at 1B. I don't think he'll be a plus by any means, but he could handle the position. 

[DocBauer]

I appreciate the whole concept but not sure it fits. Donaldson, and his bat, fits at 3B with Sano moving to 1B where I think he should be solid to potentially better. SSS errors at 1B don't bother me too much at this point as repetition helps and his problem defensively isn't hands or length or charging or pop ups so much as it is just limited lateral range.

 

Castellanos has never played 1B and I just don't know I feel comfortable trying to learn it on the fly. I think the defense takes a dip that is not offset by a better bat vs adding a lesser bat but better glove at the spot.

[cmoss84]

https://www.mlb.com/news/nicholas-castellanos-texas-rangers-interest

 

I must not be completely crazy-here is an article by Jon Paul Morosi about how Texas could move Castellanos to 1B and sign a cheap 3B like Frazier.

 

The more I think about this, the more I think this option would be cheaper/less-risky (versus signing Donaldson) with a higher return. But hey, what do I know. 

 

SKOL VIKINGS! 

[Tomj14]

The odds are the Twins would offer one less year than Castellanos wants and he goes somewhere else.

Just saying!

[cmoss84]

 

The odds are the Twins would offer one less year than Castellanos wants and he goes somewhere else.

Just saying!

 

If we really are "in" on Donaldson, I don't see a reason why they could not spend less to get Castellanos, even if it was a bit of a splurge (especially if it is for a player entering his age-28 season). 

[nicksaviking]

I wouldn't say no, but I'm not really interested in Castellanos. He went from a possible fun buy-low reclamation project to possible 4-year deal because of only two months with the Cubs. I think I'd rather keep 1B open for Sano and/or one of the guys in the minors. I'm not a guy who pounds the table for defense, but he likely won't help. Since he's never played 1B and has been poor everywhere else I doubt he'd be a positive there, but more importantly, he'd be keeping Sano at 3B. 

 

Assuming Donaldson is a no, I think offensively I'd only be looking for trades to move Sano/Polcanco to the right side of the infield.

 

If they happen to make a trade that involves Rosario, AND Castllanos shows the willingness and ability to man 1B, then I suppose I'd have some interest in him.