44 minutes ago, Cap'n Piranha said:

We need to define the terms though--when we say backup CF, do we mean a guy who can play in CF max 1x a week to give Buck a rest?  If so, Kepler and Gordon are perfectly acceptable.  If by backup we mean a guy that can handle the position daily if Buxton is out for 10 days on the IL, then Celestino is the only option anywhere close to big league ready.

That said, Upton doesn't change any of that, so if the Twins sign him, it is at the expense of PAs for Kiriloff, Kepler, Sanchez, and Sano.  

His PAs would come at the expense of Kirilloff or Kepler vs LH pitching. There's not much reason to think he'd take PAs away from Sano or Sanchez.

41 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

His PAs would come at the expense of Kirilloff or Kepler vs LH pitching. There's not much reason to think he'd take PAs away from Sano or Sanchez.

I said that in the sense that I assume he plays corner OF or DH--by definition that means those 4 guys are the ones losing PAs.  Sure, Upton was good (130 wRC+) against lefties last year; but that's higher than his career marks against lefties, which leads me to believe there's a lot of room for regression (for comparison, he's a career 115 wRC+ against righties--last year was 76).  He turns 35 this year, and is a negative on defense (FG literally has him with negative defensive value every year since 2012), and I'm guessing he's not going to help on the basepaths either (FG has him negative 2018-2020, but positive last year; baseball savant oddly doesn't have data on him).

So what I feel like the Twins are getting, should they sign him, is a guy who will be around league average offensively against righties, but make your defense and team speed worse, and given that there's every reason to think Kiriloff can improve (AK actually has a better career wRC+ against lefties than righties), I just don't know what the purpose here is.

What could Minnesota offer him that any other team couldn't? That is the question!

 

If he wants to play in the future, he will want playing time, not just be a gench bat (or even a part-time designated hitter).

With Garlick added to the 40 (and active roster), does that mean the Twins are out on Upton?

Let's assume Buxton is out for at least 10 days, probably longer. Time for Upton? Maybe put him in right field, Kepler in center field, and the great unwashed cast of thousands in left. Wow, does that sound ugly. Never mind.

17 minutes ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

Let's assume Buxton is out for at least 10 days, probably longer. Time for Upton? Maybe put him in right field, Kepler in center field, and the great unwashed cast of thousands in left. Wow, does that sound ugly. Never mind.

Celestino needs to be in center. 

Upton or Garlick?   I'd go with Upton.  

28 minutes ago, cheeseheadgophfan said:

Upton or Garlick?   I'd go with Upton.  

I… don’t know. And I don’t think I care, frankly.

1 hour ago, cheeseheadgophfan said:

Upton or Garlick?   I'd go with Upton.  

 

1 hour ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

I… don’t know. And I don’t think I care, frankly.

No no no.  Big difference.

If you run into Upton, you say, "wait, didn't you used to be Justin Upton?"

If you run into Garlick, you say, "wait, are you still Kyle Garlick?"

13 hours ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

Let's assume Buxton is out for at least 10 days, probably longer. Time for Upton? Maybe put him in right field, Kepler in center field, and the great unwashed cast of thousands in left. Wow, does that sound ugly. Never mind.

No to Kep in CF except for an occasional backup. Celestino takes CF. CF is a CFer.

Latest on Upton via MLBTR:

Quote

The Diamondbacks have “considered” a reunion with Justin Upton, The New York Post’s Jon Heyman writes, though it isn’t yet clear what the 34-year-old outfielder is himself planning for his next step.  Upton has given some thought to retiring altogether after the Angels released the veteran last week.

 

2 hours ago, Otto von Ballpark said:

Latest on Upton via MLBTR:

 

Hah, I had forgotten Upton came up in Arizona. Seems like a lifetime ago.