Article: Joe Benson claimed off waivers by Rangers

[PseudoSABR]

Rhett Bollinger

‏@RhettBollinger

Joe Benson was placed on outright waivers and claimed by the Rangers

 

I can't believe they just let him go.

[Oxtung]

Yeah that seems like a strange decision. There were plenty of players available with absolutely no upside who could have gone....

[Oldgoat_MN]

There was some chatter about Benson and the Twins being at odds.

The guy had looked so promising. Perhaps he will step up with a change of scenery.

 

I know it sounds stupid, but it happens. Good luck Joe.

[DaveW]

Benson is 25 and has a .558 ops in 70 games at AAA. Not a huge deal, he has been in the system 7 years, the twins knew what they had

[PseudoSABR]

the twins knew what they had

If they knew about problems with his attitude, they should have traded him while he had some value. They need to anticipate these kind of situations.

[COtwin]

I wish him luck. I hope he has a blessed future and finally makes it.

[Brad Swanson]

It's an odd choice, in my opinion, but I understand why it was made. Benson might get a shot in Texas. He's kind of got a Texas-style brash personality. Personally, I always liked Benson and I hope he puts it together for the Rangers.

[joeboo_22]

Problems I have with this move.

 

A. he has upside, was hurt all of last year, yeah he has had a slow start, but again he has showed signs of upside in the past.

 

B. 5 catchers 1 CF on the 40 man roster, Doogie told me on twitter they are searching to add another CF, but that would require another 40 man move, so why not drop a catcher right now (Butera), and if a better CF is available then just do a Benson for CF swap.

[Reginald Maudling's Shin]

What's strange is that if Benson could have put together a few weeks of decent production in Rochester, he could have been called up, perhaps even for the rest of the year. Why drop him for Drew Butera, or all the scrub pitchers still on the 40 man?

[ThePuck]

Hope he goes off with the Rangers

[Nick Nelson]

You can view the page at http://www.twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=1772-Joe-Benson-claimed-off-waivers-by-Rangers

[Brock Beauchamp]

If they knew about problems with his attitude, they should have traded him while he had some value. They need to anticipate these kind of situations.

 

I think there's a good chance that his "attitude problem" (if it existed at all) did not rear its head until he absolutely fell on his face.

 

Not a lot you can do at that point. The guy hasn't been a productive player since 2011, at which point he was a top prospect in the system. There's a good chance that he hasn't taken his fall from grace... gracefully.

[IdahoPilgrim]

As far as letting him go for nothing, that's what they were looking at next year as well, when he was out of options and probably would still not be ready for the major league roster.

 

As far as trading, who would trade for him, given his recent track record and the knowledge he will be available for free in a few months anyway - it's not as if he was going to contribute to a contender in a pennant run.

[big dog]

If they knew about problems with his attitude, they should have traded him while he had some value. They need to anticipate these kind of situations.

 

Twenty teams or so refused to pick him up off waivers, so it's hard to imagine they could have gotten a player with much up side for him.

[Guest USAFChief]

All made necessary because Gibson isn't "consistent."

 

This organization is off the tracks.

[ThePuck]

Twenty teams or so refused to pick him up off waivers, so it's hard to imagine they could have gotten a player with much up side for him.

 

20 teams?

[jorgenswest]

Is the Twins, the media or the fan that like to pull the attitude card when a guy leaves the organization?

 

As a baseball player, his struggles began before the injury and have persisted. I can't think of a comp where someone has struggled similarly in AA/AAA at 24/25 and then became successful at 26. He is out of options next year and will need to be in the majors or exposed again.

 

However, this is not the decision I would have made. I would have brought up Gibson and there would be no 40 decisions to make.

 

Given the decisions about Walters, they have some older guys on the 40 that are unlikely to be useful major leaguers long term. Collabello, Ramirez, Butera, Fien, Roenicke and now Walters come to mind. Doesn't sound like building for the future to me.

[IdahoPilgrim]

Is that "20 teams passed on him" thing accurate? I thought in waivers every team in your own league had a shot before the other circuit did. If Texas took him, then there must have been 13 other teams that passed - unless they've changed the way waivers works.

[ThePuck]

Is the Twins, the media or the fan that like to pull the attitude card when a guy leaves the organization?

 

add the announcers...

[joeboo_22]

He was hurt most of the season last year, struggled but I think most of the struggles were because of injury. He wasn't cleared to play until February either so he didn't see a ton of pitches. Its realistic that by July he starts hitting and is a decent outfielder.

 

But that isn't the big issue I have, the big issue I have is there is no CF on the 40 man roster other then Hicks, if Hicks gets hurt tonight and has to go on the DL, another roster move has to be made anyways, so its defeats the whole purpose. That or Parmelee can play CF

[TwinsFanInPhilly]

Maybe he just isn't as good (or never will be) as some of you think.

[joeboo_22]

And I'm sick and tired of the "attitude issues". Its the biggest cop out the Twins use for there own failings. Some people just need a change of scenery, a different person coaching them, etc.

 

Remember how Perkins attitude was a problem when he was struggling? Give me someone with a bad attitude who can throw harder then 88mph

[joeboo_22]

Maybe he just isn't as good (or never will be) as some of you think.

 

That is realistic, only so many people are in the majors, injuries hurt things as well. But its not so much that they are giving up on him, its that they are giving up on him, while not having a problem with Drew Butera or 5 pitchers who throw fastballs slower then Verlanders changeup, and when they find another CF which apparently they are looking for another move will have to be made anyways.

[IdahoPilgrim]

I don't have any inside knowledge, but I doubt this is about "attitude" issues. My guess is that this is about non-performance, clear and simple, and the fact that the clock has just about run out on him anyway.

[big dog]

20 teams?

 

Waivers are in reverse order of records, right? I thought that meant that teams with records worse than the Rangers had first shot at waiver claims.

[Danchat]

In the end, this was going to happen. The only difference is it happened now instead of in 2 months. I'm fine seeing him off, I'm just worried, because, y'know, we have 5 catchers and 1 CF!!! (I guess Wilkin Ramirez makes it 2 but still...) We need to get another CF up here, even if it's Clete Thomas or Antoan Richardson.

[TheLeviathan]

I think there's a good chance that his "attitude problem" (if it existed at all) did not rear its head until he absolutely fell on his face.

 

Not a lot you can do at that point. The guy hasn't been a productive player since 2011, at which point he was a top prospect in the system. There's a good chance that he hasn't taken his fall from grace... gracefully.

 

Fine, but he's 25. And he plays a position we only have one other capable player at who happens to be hitting well under .200. This is a bit mind-boggling.

 

Since this is a lost season (something the Twins even seem to be aware of) why not call up Hendricks? He's proven all he can in AAA already, so rather than dump a 25 year old that plays a position of needed depth, why not just call up Liam?

 

There is literally no way to wrap your head around this choice. There may have been a dozen better options.

[IdahoPilgrim]

As far as CF depth, if necessary we do have Clete Thomas. Yes, he's not on the 40-man, but room could be made. And unlike Benson, Thomas has actually been effective this year...

[stringer bell]

I liked Benson's potential, I guess I still do. Perhaps a fresh start will get him going. He had the ability to change a game with his legs, his arm, and his glove. As the PP article says, his hitting lagged. As for "attitude problems", I think all premier athletes are used to succeeding and getting better. Benson may not have handled setbacks and frustration that well, but I doubt he is a clubhouse cancer or anything like that. I wish Benson the best, but it looks like this move is best for both the player and the team.

[stringer bell]

As far as CF depth, if necessary we do have Clete Thomas. Yes, he's not on the 40-man, but room could be made. And unlike Benson, Thomas has actually been effective this year...

He also hasn't played in several weeks IIRC. If Hicks goes down, the replacement is Antoan Richardson.