Article: The Fall Of Joe Benson

[Brad Swanson]

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=1774-Joe-Benson-Not-a-Twin-Minnesota-Twins

[Han Joelo]

As Frank Costanza said to George Steinbrenner: "Why the Hell did you trade Jay Buhner?!"

 

Every organization has moves that can come back to haunt them. The Twins have their own set of guys reclaimed from other teams that are performing well. I wish Benson the best. I don't read too much into Ryan's quote about his emotions; if anything I view it opposite. He said they didn't want to take his edge away, just help him not let his emotions overwhelm him.

 

I'm not sure how related this all is, but didn't he break his hand punching the wall in anger at some point? Is this the same "hamate" injury that has dogged him and affected his hitting?

[jmlease1]

I'm not buying the suggestion this had anything to do with "attitude" issues. Bottom line: the Twins had a guy who was struggling, hadn't advanced his performance in the high minors, hadn't shown that he was anywhere close to being able to perform in the big leagues, and they thought they could get him past waivers. And they nearly did. (Think about how many teams passed on Benson before Texas claimed him)

 

It's too bad, because I had high hopes for Benson and he seems like a good guy. But his last 2 seasons have been awful and he seems to have stalled out.

[CharacterGroove]

This was the right move for all parties. Benson was broken in the Twins organization; he was not going to realize his potential in that environment. It was time to let him go and wish him luck. All involved hope that he can resurrect his career.

[PopRiveter]

Did you see Thrylos' report last week? Kyle Gibson and the Red Wings at the Lehigh Valley IronPigs today and it was so close - Blogs - Minnesota Twins News & Rumors Forum

To me, that's the danger of not controlling your emotions.

A 2-year skid has got to eat you up. Benson failed to break the slump after 2 years of patience. I read Ryan's comments and see a foreshadow of what could- and eventually did happen. Guys who play with their heart outside their uniform can tear themselves to pieces when things go wrong. To me, his comments are about as much an attack on his character as they would be if he said, "he needs to shake this off and play with confidence again." I don't see it as an indictment of Benson's personality or seriousness. But Benson got down and couldn't get back up. Day after day for 2 seasons. That has to feel awful.

I hope he finds something good in Texas.

The door here was open long enough.

[Brad Swanson]

Did you see Thrylos' report last week? Kyle Gibson and the Red Wings at the Lehigh Valley IronPigs today and it was so close - Blogs - Minnesota Twins News & Rumors Forum

To me, that's the danger of not controlling your emotions.

A 2-year skid has got to eat you up. Benson failed to break the slump after 2 years of patience. I read Ryan's comments and see a foreshadow of what could- and eventually did happen. Guys who play with their heart outside their uniform can tear themselves to pieces when things go wrong. To me, his comments are about as much an attack on his character as they would be if he said, "he needs to shake this off and play with confidence again." I don't see it as an indictment of Benson's personality or seriousness. But Benson got down and couldn't get back up. Day after day for 2 seasons. That has to feel awful.

I hope he finds something good in Texas.

The door here was open long enough.

 

This is a really good point. I think I was confusing emotional and fiery and these are clearly two completely different things for Benson. If he beats himself up that much then who knows, maybe he needs some professional counseling or something. It's possible the Twins had him working with a psychologist, but the more I learn about Benson, the clearer it becomes that he was a prime candidate for a fresh start elsewhere.

[jimbo92107]

"...I think there is a solid MLB player within Joe Benson."

 

Exactly. If Joe Benson decides to do it, he can become a solid major leaguer. Problem is, he's been trying to be Superman, but his body's not made of steel. Swinging for homers and crashing into walls is no way to make it in a sport whose season lasts for 162 games. Benson needs to tone down his bonsai approach to something more sustainable, a style that lets his body survive and his batting average rise to a reasonable level.

 

This was Carlos Gomez's problem a couple years ago; it's Joe Benson's problem now. Gomez found a reasonable balance. I hope Benson can do the same in Texas.

[greengoblinrulz]

For me, its not the actual move of Benson that bothers me....he's been bad.

Its not putting an injured guy like Butera thru waivers as NO team is gonna take him, injured or not. If he clears, you keep Benson also but the organization had given up on Benson & put him thru since they knew he would be claimed. They had never been huge backers of Joe's IMO.

[gunnarthor]

For me, its not the actual move of Benson that bothers me....he's been bad.

Its not putting an injured guy like Butera thru waivers as NO team is gonna take him, injured or not. If he clears, you keep Benson also but the organization had given up on Benson & put him thru since they knew he would be claimed. They had never been huge backers of Joe's IMO.

I'm not sure about some of your comments but I think one possible reason they wanted to move Benson might have been b/c they were moving Arcia back down to AAA and they didn't want Benson influencing Arcia in any bad ways. Callis had an interesting podcast a few weeks back that touched on the difference in attitude at AAA than any other minor league level.

 

I don't think it's fair to say the Twins weren't big backers of Benson. He was one of the few players they went overslot for back in Carl's draft days. They promoted him straight from AA to the majors.

 

I wish it had worked out for Benson. I think he could've been a nice 4th OF option and a bat that could punish LH pitching for us. I was hoping they'd give him another chance at the ML level this year but he's so far back on the depth chart at this point that he's not going to be part of our future.

[DAM DC Twins Fans]

I expected this move--it was right for the Twins and right for Benson who has been thru hell since Sept. 2011. He needs a change of scenery. Will he turn it around in Rangers org.?? Who knows...what surprised me is that 28 teams passed on him...he almost snuck thru waivers...so all of MLB has low expectations for him

[greengoblinrulz]

I'm not sure about some of your comments but I think one possible reason they wanted to move Benson might have been b/c they were moving Arcia back down to AAA and they didn't want Benson influencing Arcia in any bad ways. Callis had an interesting podcast a few weeks back that touched on the difference in attitude at AAA than any other minor league level.

 

I don't think it's fair to say the Twins weren't big backers of Benson. He was one of the few players they went overslot for back in Carl's draft days. They promoted him straight from AA to the majors.

 

I wish it had worked out for Benson. I think he could've been a nice 4th OF option and a bat that could punish LH pitching for us. I was hoping they'd give him another chance at the ML level this year but he's so far back on the depth chart at this point that he's not going to be part of our future.

Bad influence on Arcia??? Never heard a word EVER about Benson in that regard.

As far as Twins not bein high on Benson, Ive been saying that for past 2 yrs....back to his solid AA yr in 11. Didnt just happen last night.

Im not even saying Benson didnt earn this......he did BUT Butera was a FAR better option as he woulda cleared waivers & they could still keep him.

Arcia was also hurt today (dont know how serious), bet they would like to have Benson back now as they are very short on OFs currently since they wont promote for a couple wks.

[CharacterGroove]

I suggest some should look at this from the perspective of the Twins making perhaps not the best move from their perspective, but undoubtedly the best move for Joe Benson. To give the young man a chance.

 

Weigh that against any inconsequential move involving Butera or some other prospect who is also not a part of the Twins short, medium, or long-term plans. Unlike Butera, Benson still has a small chance somewhere else. Now that can happen.

[70charger]

I suggest some should look at this from the perspective of the Twins making perhaps not the best move from their perspective, but undoubtedly the best move for Joe Benson. To give the young man a chance.

 

Weigh that against any inconsequential move involving Butera or some other prospect who is also not a part of the Twins short, medium, or long-term plans. Unlike Butera, Benson still has a small chance somewhere else. Now that can happen.

 

But this doesn't help the posters here to dump all over the Twins. And thus it doesn't fit the narrative.

[greengoblinrulz]

I suggest some should look at this from the perspective of the Twins making perhaps not the best move from their perspective, but undoubtedly the best move for Joe Benson. To give the young man a chance.

 

Weigh that against any inconsequential move involving Butera or some other prospect who is also not a part of the Twins short, medium, or long-term plans. Unlike Butera, Benson still has a small chance somewhere else. Now that can happen.

Then dont DFA him....just release him. They were hoping he would pass thru. There is ZERO chance this was done to benefit Benson

[70charger]

Then dont DFA him....just release him. They were hoping he would pass thru. There is ZERO chance this was done to benefit Benson

 

Different result. Now that Benson is claimed, he's got to stay on the major league roster. Undoubtedly better for him than being released and signing a minor league contract somewhere and ending up off the 40-man...

 

...which will be where he ends up next year anyway, so who really cares that much?

 

Edit: sounds like I'm advocating for this position, so I'll add:

 

I don't like this move. I think Hermsen should been given up instead, and come on, he's passing through waivers if we're honest with ourselves.

 

I also don't necessarily think that the Twins are doing this to be nice to Joe, but it's an interesting perspective.

[NoCal]

Benson reminds me of another player who had fabulous tools, but in that instant when he needed to relax and let his skills manifest, he couldn't. That player was Billy Beane. The lesson that Beane took from his own experience is one that he now applies to building a team: there is a "sixth tool" - call it makeup, personality, character, whatever - that separates the successful major leaguer from the skilled, but non successful. And often that tool shows up in the numbers, the stats. Scout the player for tools, but pay attention to the actual performance. Benson is like so many other great athletes who could not translate that ability into high performance in the major leagues, and it frustrates him. An example of a skilled athlete with an abundance of that sixth tool - Joe Maurer.

[Mr. Brooks]

Different result. Now that Benson is claimed, he's got to stay on the major league roster. Undoubtedly better for him than being released and signing a minor league contract somewhere and ending up off the 40-man...

 

...which will be where he ends up next year anyway, so who really cares that much?

 

Edit: sounds like I'm advocating for this position, so I'll add:

 

I don't like this move. I think Hermsen should been given up instead, and come on, he's passing through waivers if we're honest with ourselves.

 

I also don't necessarily think that the Twins are doing this to be nice to Joe, but it's an interesting perspective.

 

He doesn't have to stay on the major league roster. Perhaps you meant the 40 man roster? Texas assigned him to AA.

[CharacterGroove]

Then dont DFA him....just release him. They were hoping he would pass thru. There is ZERO chance this was done to benefit Benson

 

Then who does it benefit? You believe the Twins thought it unlikely thatanother team would pick him up? Okay. So maybe the organization did want him in the fold. Or maybe the Twins thought it likely that another team would pick him up. Then Mr. Benson would be in a favorable position with another organization.

 

The third option is that the Twins just didn't know what would happen, but recognized that those were the two results. One ostensibly benefited the team, the other Mr. Benson.

[beckmt]

One point has not been noted in this tread. Can you waive an injured player on your 40 man roster. Do not know for sure the rule on this, but do not think you can. Twins have many outfielders coming. Benson unless he played better was just blocking playing time for the younger player. He could also read the reports and was probably pressing. Fresh start will be good for him.

[cmathewson]

Thrylos posted something recently about his visit to a Red Wings and Iron Pigs. The post was primarily about Gibson's near no hitter. But he had some interesting comments about Benson in it. In a nutshell, Benson had the worst body language he had ever seen. He slammed helmets, pounded his bat on the ground, and spent most of his time in the dugout with his head in his hands. As poorly as he played, his body language screamed "Release me!"

[diehardtwinsfan]

Perhaps it did... Either that or the Twins had some pretty strict instructions on what they wanted him to do and he couldn't do it...

 

He seems to have gotten off to an OK start in Texas.