If we are going to add a MI my preference would be Freddy Sanchez. I know he can't play SS. He could fill a gap until Dozier/Florimon/Escobar prove they can hit at the major league level. He is also a 2 hole hitter so Gardy could easily pencil him in at 2B and bat second.

It would be nice not to have Escobar, who is essentially the same player, as a replacement.

 

I've seen Florimon bat, but not Escobar. Escobar is still so young, and his minor league hitting progress (until 2012) was good enough, that I don't lump them together, unless you're telling me that he flails at good pitches the way Florimon does.

Interesting that Carroll is making $3.75 million this year, and made $2.75 million last year (for an average $3.25 million) -- yet his option for next year is only $2 million. How often is an option year -- a vesting team option, no less -- worth significantly less than the previous contract year(s)? Looks like the Twins were willing to overpay for 2012-2013 to avoid a fully guaranteed three year commitment? Or they projected him as a likely starter in 2012-2013 and more of a backup in 2014? Or both player and team were being realistic about Carroll's prospects as a 40-year-old in 2014? Or maybe Carroll has plans to retire after 2013 anyway, and wanted more money upfront...

 

In any case, Carroll is clearly our best middle infielder at this point, and his 2014 salary looks like a bargain compared to 2012-2013. And unless two of Dozier/Florimon/Escobar quickly establish themselves as solid major league regulars, he is quite likely to be one of our top two middle infielders going into 2014 as well. (For that matter, until Plouffe recovers his power stroke, he might be one of our best third base options as well.)

 

While the Twins would love to see younger, cheaper players establish themselves at these positions (hence why Carroll is not being considered for a starting role at the beginning of this season), there is no plan or order to keep his 2014 option from vesting. Nor should there be.

 

Interesting that you can know that with 100% certainty. You must have a bug in TR's office, or be his right hand man.

 

Its also interesting that, given they dont care at all about the vesting option, Carroll would be given no chance to win a starting job, when he is clearly a better option than Florimon and/or Dozier.