Gardy cannot keep batting Brian Dozier and his .267 OBP as the leadoff hitter. It's been said before, but the only viable leadoff option for the team is starting to look like Joe Mauer. The Twins should be giving the most ABs to the best batters on the team. By pushing Dozier back, Mauer would have the same guys batting ahead of him as far as RBI situations go anyway. I feel the Twins have a slightly better chance to win by doing this. What are your thoughts about how the Twins are handling the leadoff role?

 

 

 

1. Mauer

2. Arcia

3. Willingham

4. Morneau

5. Plouffe

6. Doumit

7. Dozier

8. Hicks

9. Florimon

Arcia is pretty much the opposite of what Gardenhire looks for in a No. 2 hitter.

Mauersie isn't exactly middle infield material either, but he does alright.

Keep getting after it. Battle your tail off for a better lineup.

Arcia is pretty much the opposite of what Gardenhire looks for in a No. 2 hitter.

 

I think it's a bit unfortunate. There isn't anyone with a significant amount of speed that can be used in that spot besides Hicks who would be better at leadoff.

 

Arcia would be a good #2 if he can do what he's capable of. He's got the contact skills, a little bit of pop, and is only a below average runner. He'll also draw more walks when pitchers start respecting him.

Edited May 14, 201313 yr by YourHouseIsMyHouse

Hicks should be returning there soon. This will set it all back in place. I really would just start Carroll at SS or 2B and bat him leadoff until they are comfy with Hicks back leading off.

Also, this is where Mauer's doubles-power makes him not a good leadoff candidate. There is a tradeoff in OBP and SLG between the one and two spots. The best overall batter should bat second. Full stop. I kinda think that going forward only Hicks or Carroll should occupy the leadoff spot. Unless Escobar keeps it going.

Just call up Buxton

Mauer is the ideal #2 hitter. Dozier hasn't shown it yet at MLB, but he was a high OBP guy in MiLB (.370) and batted leadoff plenty. He is probably the best of the currently available bad options.

 

I think Escobar or Carroll in the lineup would be the only other options until Hicks shows he's ready for it again and I wouldn't call either of them a big upgrade over Dozier.

No point in Carroll over Dozier if we start sacrificing the development/evaluation of younger guys for a few extra wins this year, our "rebuild" will take longer. We are not getting to the playoffs this year. So let the young guys play and develop, or not.

 

On this same note. This is why we have the crappy draft position this year, high but not high enough. If we committed to developing young guys, the silver lining is top draft picks. No chance at Apple or Gray, because we tried to win a few meaningless games, at the cost of player development.

On this same note. This is why we have the crappy draft position this year, high but not high enough. If we committed to developing young guys, the silver lining is top draft picks. No chance at Apple or Gray, because we tried to win a few meaningless games, at the cost of player development.

 

I get your point, but who exactly did the Twins hold back and give that playing time to in 2012 to win a few more games?

 

Maybe Parmelee should have gotten more time to work things out, but sending a player back to AAA after struggling isn't a unique approach. I'm not really seeing any other examples that stand out to me.

I get your point, but who exactly did the Twins hold back and give that playing time to in 2012 to win a few more games?

 

Maybe Parmelee should have gotten more time to work things out, but sending a player back to AAA after struggling isn't a unique approach. I'm not really seeing any other examples that stand out to me.

 

LOL of all the things to try to blame the Twins for this one by COtwin takes the cake!

Ballplayers don't "tank" games nor do teams, especially in baseball for a freaking draft pick. It's not like any of these guys this year are Bryce Harper/Strausburg, and if the Twins were so hot for Appel they would have picked him last year.

Mauer is the ideal #2 hitter. Dozier hasn't shown it yet at MLB, but he was a high OBP guy in MiLB (.370) and batted leadoff plenty. He is probably the best of the currently available bad options.

 

I think Escobar or Carroll in the lineup would be the only other options until Hicks shows he's ready for it again and I wouldn't call either of them a big upgrade over Dozier.

 

I think you roll with Dozier for the time being and give it to Hicks once he puts a real nice week or two together.

I don't know why you'd move Mauer out of his optimal spot in the lineup just because you don't have a real leadoff hitter. The idea of a "leadoff hitter" is overrated anyway. Hicks will be back there soon.

it's a shame...Mauer has is hitting .465 this month with 20 hits, 10 of them doubles, and he's only been able to get 5 RBI. Be nice if people were getting on base in front of him.

I like Arcia but he shouldn't be in the 2 spot and Mauer should. Arcia's bat speed is amazing but he's already struck out 23 times, that's nearly 30%! And he's walking less than 5%. Unless there's a significant change in that, he's going to slump badly and get sent back to AAA.

it's a shame...Mauer has is hitting .465 this month with 20 hits, 10 of them doubles, and he's only been able to get 5 RBI. Be nice if people were getting on base in front of him.

 

lazy mauer still making outs most of the time.

lazy mauer still making outs most of the time.

 

I'm not really sure I get the sarcastic point you're making, but whatever.

Let's just plan on this in 2015.

 

CF Buxton

LF Hicksinator

C Mauer

3B Sano

RF Arcia

1B Parmelee

DH Pinto

SS Random FA

2B Rosario

CF Buxton

LF Hicksinator

C Mauer

3B Sano

RF Arcia

1B Parmelee

DH Pinto/Walker

SS Santana

2B Rosario

LOL of all the things to try to blame the Twins for this one by COtwin takes the cake!

Ballplayers don't "tank" games nor do teams, especially in baseball for a freaking draft pick. It's not like any of these guys this year are Bryce Harper/Strausburg, and if the Twins were so hot for Appel they would have picked him last year.

 

 

Did I say anything about tanking? I said if we aren't going to compete then sell out for development. The downside is a few extra losses that replacement level players like Butera, Mastro, and Carroll would have saved us. Accept those few extra losses are the difference in Appel or Gray and a much less projectable player. Would have preferred more Dozier, Parmelee, Plouffe, and even Hermann.

CF Buxsy

LF Hicksy

C Mauersy

3B (Miggy) Sano

RF Arcy

1B Walky

DH (Travy) Harrison

SS Polanco

2B (Eddie) Rosario

 

Jorge Polanco kind of ruins it.

I think you roll with Dozier for the time being and give it to Hicks once he puts a real nice week or two together.

 

Why? Hicks is being asked to do a lot , why not let him have the season to adjust to MLB pitching before we ask him to be the leadoff hitter?

To me Gardy needs to flip flop Ham and Morneau , till Josh gets back on track,

also moving Pony boy up and lowering Parm isnt a bad idea

LOL of all the things to try to blame the Twins for this one by COtwin takes the cake!

Ballplayers don't "tank" games nor do teams, especially in baseball for a freaking draft pick. It's not like any of these guys this year are Bryce Harper/Strausburg, and if the Twins were so hot for Appel they would have picked him last year.

 

Bullcrunch... In fact Scott Boras has suggested this to more then a handful of teams ...

Also ,im not saying throwing games , but by the end of May everyone knew we werent going to the post season. It would have been an ideal time to play Parmele , Dozier And maybe a handful of pitchers and other players.