Revisiting Max Kepler...

[bap3141]

10 hours ago, August J Gloop said:

Max only needs to go if they're running into payroll issues (which I doubt), otherwise his production is worth the streaky bat.

Maybe move him to a team that has a problematic contract from a previous administration. Javy Baez is a good example. He's making 24M this year, but wouldn't be shocked to find the (constantly) rebuilding Tigers would do Kep for Baez straight up (maybe one suspect/prospect to save face). That would put Baez at a 2023 payroll price of essentially 15M which his defense alone is worth. Of course that still leaves the Twins on the hook for 24-27, but the cost of wins will go up and his price is set. Maybe the Tigers are comfortable with a complimentary piece being paid like a team leader <shrug emoji>. He just seems more suited to being a contributor to a contender than a focal point of an emerging franchise. 

I could see a road to the Twins adding Baez and keeping Kep, but it's tough to see both of their downtrend bats in the lineup. You can totally stash a hitter like Baez at 9, cuz he can be explosive for a week and he's got good wheels. That means Kep would need to rediscover the line drive or there would be two pretty iffy spots in the lineup. 

Max appears to be of limited utility in acquiring pitching. So it might be most realistic to be considering his D and occasional offense a part of the team? 

Interesting take. Baez is a guy that's not even on my radar. Hypothetically, if the Twins were to trade for him, where do you see them playing him?

I guess he could DH but that seems a waste of his glove. Or play him at 3rd, move Miranda to 1B and Arraez to DH? 

Just curious what your thoughts are on Baez?

[August J Gloop]

10 hours ago, bap3141 said:

Interesting take. Baez is a guy that's not even on my radar. Hypothetically, if the Twins were to trade for him, where do you see them playing him?

I guess he could DH but that seems a waste of his glove. Or play him at 3rd, move Miranda to 1B and Arraez to DH? 

Just curious what your thoughts are on Baez?

Baez would play second. When he was with the Cubs, he played a lot of 2nd early on and was possibly the best in the game at turning double plays and laying down tags. He showed ++ range. Polo could settle in to a super utility role or take over first base (if Arraez is also moved for pitching). 

Polo and Farmer could both rotate through the infield, keeping all legs fresh and offering minimal daily downgrades to the lineup. Farmer could be left side understudy and Polo on the right, taking more DH days himself as he's also generally a plus offensive bat, who could use less time on his feet.  

[nicksaviking]

9 minutes ago, August J Gloop said:

Baez would play second. When he was with the Cubs, he played a lot of 2nd early on and was possibly the best in the game at turning double plays and laying down tags. He showed ++ range. Polo could settle in to a super utility role or take over first base (if Arraez is also moved for pitching). 

Polo and Farmer could both rotate through the infield, keeping all legs fresh and offering minimal daily downgrades to the lineup. Farmer could be left side understudy and Polo on the right, taking more DH days himself as he's also generally a plus offensive bat, who could use less time on his feet.  

Why do the Twins want poor hitting players though? They can improve the offense by not having Baez or Kepler and it would cost them a whole heck of a lot less to do it.

[August J Gloop]

1 hour ago, nicksaviking said:

Why do the Twins want poor hitting players though? They can improve the offense by not having Baez or Kepler and it would cost them a whole heck of a lot less to do it.

They want overall positive win value players. Baez has never been worth less than 2 wins in a full season. He had a tough year last year offensively, sure. But I'm buying the bump on him getting into a good lineup and thriving. Last year was his first bad full year in a while. I don't think he's permanently stuck there.  

[bap3141]

1 hour ago, August J Gloop said:

They want overall positive win value players. Baez has never been worth less than 2 wins in a full season. He had a tough year last year offensively, sure. But I'm buying the bump on him getting into a good lineup and thriving. Last year was his first bad full year in a while. I don't think he's permanently stuck there.  

I agree that he's not a bad player. I remember having this discussion with people regarding Mark McGwire in 1991, Wade Boggs in 1992, Frank Thomas in 1998, etc.

I don't know that I would take the risk on him though. Certainly a new and interesting idea that I hadn't seen yet.

[August J Gloop]

59 minutes ago, bap3141 said:

I agree that he's not a bad player. I remember having this discussion with people regarding Mark McGwire in 1991, Wade Boggs in 1992, Frank Thomas in 1998, etc.

I don't know that I would take the risk on him though. Certainly a new and interesting idea that I hadn't seen yet.

I love risk when it's not mine!