Article: Why isn't Jamey Carroll playing?

[Don't Feed the Greed Guy]

Why isn't Jamey Carroll playing?

 

1. The Optimist's View: It's all about player development: Playing Carroll is a backward move on a team that is in full rebuilding mode. Let's see what Escobar, Dozier, Florimon, and Plouffe can do...

 

2. The Pessimist's View: It's all about the $2 million option. It this was about winning, early on, the one pure #2 hitter--Jamey Carroll--would be in the lineup. It makes sense to put Mauer at #3 if this team is serious about winning, right now. But this is about money. IF the team exceeds expectations over the first half of the season, they can increase Carroll's playing time over the second half, stay in contention, and still save $2M.

 

So, are you a pessimist, or an optimist?

[snepp]

1.5?

[Brock Beauchamp]

It this was about winning' date=' early on, the one pure #2 hitter--Jamey Carroll--would be in the lineup. It makes sense to put Mauer at #3 if this team is serious about winning, right now.[/quote']

 

You had me until this point.

 

This team is better with Mauer in the second spot in the lineup. That's painfully obvious to anyone who isn't mired in a 1950s baseball mindset. By moving Mauer up, you're putting your best OBP guy second and sliding every good hitter in the lineup forward, giving the 3, 4, and 5 hitters an extra 100 PAs over the course of the season.

 

I don't understand why anyone WOULDN'T think Mauer was a good fit for the #2 spot in the lineup.

[Ultima Ratio]

This simple fact is that there are trade-offs with all the MI guys. Some are more sound defensively, some are younger, some are know commodities but more expensive, some are cheaper with some potential, some get on base.... it's not like Carroll is head and shoulders better than only other MI guy -- just shoulders.

 

 

I'm fine with him as utility until someone fails to hold it down. Plus, someone has to PR for Plouffsie.http://deephousepage.com/smilies/conf40.gif

[jokin]

 

I don't understand why anyone WOULDN'T think Mauer was a good fit for the #2 spot in the lineup.

 

Well, it did take Gardy's descendance to Lame Duck/Out on a Limb status for him to finally buy in to the concept.

[stringer bell]

Jamey Carroll is a player to be appreciated and admired. He has parlayed moderate at best talent into a long career. He is a utility player with limitations and he is 39 years old. He will not be part of the Twins when they contend for postseason play and because of that he shouldn't be getting much playing time. I also believe that the money matters to the club. That means there is even more incentive to keep him under 401 plate appearances.

[halfchest]

It's not about the 2 million it's about the possible future value. If one of Dozier, Florimon, or Escobar breaks out, and by breakout I mean proves to be a serviceable starter, there's five more years of a mostly cost controlled starter. I think all three are still viable to become serviceable starters. By that I mean they can all be solid to above average defensively and not be lost with the bat. I'm not expecting a ton from any of these guys but say best case scenario these three can fill SS, 2B, and Utility for the next few years that allows for more money to be poured into other areas.

 

I guess what I'm saying is it makes sense to start these guys and give them an extended look to see if they can truly hold their own. I believe the Twins can find one starter and a utility guy out of these three and that alone represents solid value for future hopefully contending Twins teams in 2014 and beyond

[Guest USAFChief]

I complain about the Twins penny-pinching ways all the time, with what I feel is good cause, and even I don't think it's about the 2014 player option. I like Carroll, he seems like a stand up guy, he plays hard and he plays smart, and he's not totally futile at the plate. But it simply makes little sense to give Carroll steady playing time when the team is trying to fill SS and 2B not just for 2013 but for the next few years at least. There's also no guarantee Carroll, at 39, would prove better than what's currently out there if he was to get an every day job. Personally I have my doubts he has what it takes to be an every day major league SS anymore.

[Rosterman]

I am surprised, too. If anything, I would be playing him to add some value to him as a player as you never know when a team may need a temporary middle infielder with experience. His trade value would increase maybe just a tad. Otherwise, there is little need for him. Better to replace him with lower priced commodities like Olmeda or Sober in the minors, who pack a little more punch and could be a bench bat. Escobar has shown that he can play and is a comfortable replacement, at least at shortstop. I will praise the argument that it is always nice to have a veteran presence on the bench, but the Twins basically increased their coaching staff by a couple of names. And if I was going to have a vet presence, I would've signed Thome to be a DH/bench guy/presence...and maybe someone, again, like Rauch out in the bullpen.

[johnnydakota]

If we are not going to play him , why not trade him?

with jeter out till midseason or longer , maybe the yankees will be looking to shoreup

there infield