How would Joe Benson look in CF this year?

[nokomismod]

If we are in what I believe is rebuilding mode, I would like to see what we could get for Denard Span (AA or AAA pitching prospect maybe). Span has decent at bats, but I would like to see someone in CF with a better arm. Last night Denard had 3 misplays (not backing up Willingham, and letting Hunter gain 2nd base twice).

Your thoughts?

[diehardtwinsfan]

Too soon to say in my opinion on whether we should be rebuilding... that decision gets made in June... As for an answer to your question, I'd guess pretty decent defensively and a bit lost at the plate. He needs some AAA time, and I'm all for giving it to him.

[Kneelb4zerg]

Whether we are rebuilding or not, the Twins need to explore trade options to get some young impact players at positions of need (especially pitching), and trading Denard and/or Revere is the perfect way to do it since Benson is almost ready and Hicks may not be far behind.

[cr9617]

Most likey, he would look overmatched at the plate.

 

I'm all for moving anything that can improve the pitching talent at the AA and AAA levels. Still miffed that the Twins didn't have the balls to sell everything they could at last years trade deadline. Opportunity missed....

[CDog]

(not backing up Willingham

Not exactly the main point of this thread, but did you see where he was positioned? He had like a mile (all distances approximate) to get over there, and in fact did. I can't say for sure I noticed if he sprinted the whole way or not, but he had a long way to go and he was the one to field the ball and throw it in.

[James]

Not exactly the main point of this thread, but did you see where he was positioned? He had like a mile (all distances approximate) to get over there, and in fact did. I can't say for sure I noticed if he sprinted the whole way or not, but he had a long way to go and he was the one to field the ball and throw it in.

Agreed. I don't think that was a defensive misplay at all. In fact, Span is considered a very good CF. I think it is a little early to start talking about trading Span and bringing up Benson. This is probably a conversation that should be started somewhere around mid-June when we have a better idea of how Benson is doing in AAA and how we are starting to stack up in the league.

[Riverbrian]

Agreed. I don't think that was a defensive misplay at all. In fact, Span is considered a very good CF. I think it is a little early to start talking about trading Span and bringing up Benson. This is probably a conversation that should be started somewhere around mid-June when we have a better idea of how Benson is doing in AAA and how we are starting to stack up in the league.

I like Span defensively... usually. However, last night. 2nd base was gained on him twice. Not saying that 2nd base would have not been gained but he had a shot each time and didn't come through. On the Willingham play... I can't fault Span for that.

 

As for Benson... Who knows... Isn't room right now... It's too early to tear apart the team... If the dismantle bell rings... Here he comes and I'll be pulling for him. Injuries... He will be up soon enough.

[nokomismod]

Not exactly the main point of this thread, but did you see where he was positioned? He had like a mile (all distances approximate) to get over there, and in fact did. I can't say for sure I noticed if he sprinted the whole way or not, but he had a long way to go and he was the one to field the ball and throw it in.

That's a really good point. I was wondering if that was the case. Bourjos must tend to hit balls to the opposite field then.

[stringer bell]

Benson isn't hitting yet at Rochester. I guess it wouldn't make sense to call him up until he has gained a little confidence at the plate. Benson is already pretty good defensively and will get better with more experience as he was more of a football player in High School and he has had some injuries limited his playing time in the minors.

 

 

I mentioned on another thread that I would really love to see an OF of three of Benson/Hicks/Span/Revere. They would have great range, and Hicks and Benson have good arms to boot.

 

Personally, I would rather the team move Revere when the time comes. I see his weak arm and total lack of power as flaws that he can't make up for. He's got great range and isn't afraid to sacrifice his body, but someone else can have the negatives. Span is signed to a pretty team-friendly contract, is a proven leadoff guy who hits lefties and a more than capable defender. Add Hicks and Benson and you have the tools for a truly great defensive OF sometime this decade.

[Seth Stohs]

Benson is already the best defensive CF in the organization, but he would struggle offensively.

[MWLFan]

We are getting ahead of ourselves in the Benson conversation. June or a injury may bring him up, but on April 12 we need to slow down a bit. Also I see a lot of Benson and Hicks talk, but don't forget Morales and Arica who are a bit behind them but could make a real big jump this year. Both could be the corner outfielder of the future.

[deanlambrecht]

What's missing in this analysis is the willingness of other teams to take Span in a trade. I think people are waiting to see if concussion-effects are truly cleared up. If the answer to that question is yes, and if Benson is prepared to step into CF by the trade deadline, then I'd be stunned if the Twins aren't considering moving Span. The jury is still out on both counts, however.

[freddy]

For the RIGHT pitching propects....There is not too many guys on the 25 man roster, that arent available. I say give Benson a shot. See what they got.

[Dilligaf69]

I think if /when the Twins fall out of it Span will definitely be dangled for sure. Rumors are he was last yr so no reason he would'nt be this yr as well.

[Mike Sixel]

I worry about dealing Span, the guy is a very good player when healthy. I have no interest in trading every day players for reliever (thank goodness they didn't get Storen for him.....). The only way to deal Span is to get a good ML starting pitcher, or great pitching prospect, or young position player for the INF that you know is going to be league average or better. Otherwise, Span is worth more to the Twins than to another team....

[Thrylos]

I think that competing or not the Twins should trade Span at the deadline to help them compete (if they are competing in 2012 and) in 2013. In recent memory a similar trade was that of Nate McLouth from Pittsburgh to Atlanta (when he was at the peak of his value as Span is) for 2 of Atlanta's top 5 prospects and a young MLB-caliber SP all under team control for many years. If you look at the Twins' rotation in 2013, you have to see that it needs work... So got to give something you have excess (OF depth and in 2012 became more that in 2011 because Angel Morales is back and stronger than ever) to get something you don't (SP.) As a matter of fact in some Twins top 10 prospect lists there will be at least 4 outfielders in the middle of the season (Arcia/Benson/Hicks/A. Morales - alpha order.) Cannot accomodate them all. Something has to give.

 

Also, I think that an OF of Willingham/Revere/Plouffe-Doumit is not much of a drop-off than one of Willingham/Span/Doumit-Revere-Plouffe. It seems that Plouffe has been the odd man out in the OF equation so far and at this point getting him some PAs instead of Span would not hurt.

[jimbo92107]

I don't know how many people here remember when Span played right field, but he was fantastic. Bring up Benson, move Span to right, then sit back and enjoy a good outfield. Willingham has his clumsy moments (not his reputation), but with a boom stick like that, you accept the occasional misadventure in the field.

[Top Gun]

Is this the idoit board or what?

[Thrylos]

Is this the idoit board or what?

No. For the "I do it" board, look at the DIY channel website.

[Guest USAFChief]

Is this the idoit board or what?

It is now.

[mhanson93]

It is now.

Well played

[Montecore]

What happened to Rene Tosoni?

[Thrylos]

What happened to Rene Tosoni?

Broke a finger. Out for a bit and with Carson and Benson the only outfielders, Hollimon, Towles and today Butera (and Dinkelman of course) have all been playing OF.

Tosoni will be back next week it sounds like. Wilken Ramirez on the DL does not help either

[gil4]

If we are in what I believe is rebuilding mode...

I'm not ready to concede that. Baseball is a funny game. We could have a pretty strong lineup. Losing Baker hurts, but you never really know with pitching. Let's wait until late June to talk rebuilding (hopefully late June in 2020 or so.)

[Thrylos]

To reply to the original question of the title:

 

Joe Benson had 4 strike outs in 5 PAs tonight. His batting average is down to .133. For comparison purposes, Butera's is at .213 (Small sample size, but I'm sayin'...) I don't think that Joe would look at the CF this year for a while.

[nicksaviking]

If the Twins fall out of the race, Span is a prime trade chip, but it will be too hard of a pill to swallow if they are still hanging around, simply because the team really has no other options for a leadoff hitter.

[shs_59]

Too soon to say in my opinion on whether we should be rebuilding... that decision gets made in June... As for an answer to your question, I'd guess pretty decent defensively and a bit lost at the plate. He needs some AAA time, and I'm all for giving it to him.

WELL SAID buddy well said, took the words out of my mouth.

 

Trading Denard Span ? Please, he's a top 10 leadoff hitter in the game... and plays at least an average defensive CF... Joe Benson while a slight upgrade defensively is:

A) Right handed Hitter, with many more K's and less productive AB's as Span this year in 2012

Not a leadoff hitter like Span

C) Not the run-scorer/ base stealer at the top the lineup as SPan is when healthy.

[twinstalker]

Is this the idoit board or what?

I understand the sentiment, though I might be a bit nicer about it. Two things have been bugging me about Span: he's looked a bit lackadaisical in the OF thus far, and I'm not sure what's up with his concussion. HOWEVER, finding a .370 obp decent CF who can hit both lhp and rhp is pretty rare. He's on a pretty good contract, and I really don't think the Twins are going to be able to replace his leadoff, CF, and obp skills.

 

The Twins almost dealt him for a reliever a couple years ago, but they couldn't even get the guy with Span. I wouldn't count on the Twins to score a major victory by dealing him. Outside of one trade where he was dealing from a position of strength with one of the easier GM marks, Ryan has never shown himself to be adept at making major league trades.

[Riverbrian]

 

The Twins almost dealt him for a reliever a couple years ago, but they couldn't even get the guy with Span. I wouldn't count on the Twins to score a major victory by dealing him. Outside of one trade where he was dealing from a position of strength with one of the easier GM marks, Ryan has never shown himself to be adept at making major league trades.

??? Tough grading curve... Eye of the beholder... I think Terry Ryan can hold his head high in consideration of his portfolio of deals.

 

He has lost some trades. In hindsight who hasn't. Every GM has, even the greatest Baseball GM in the world(insert name here).

 

I myself once traded my car for an actual polar bear. I did research and a polar bear was 100,000 dollars in value at the time. My car had 30,000 miles. This was a no brainer. Then the truck shows up and drops the bear off at my house. The neighbors started complaining immediately. I had to build an enclosure because it turns out it was pretty strong and the rope and stake that worked for my dog wasn't getting it done. You would be surprised at the cost of seal meat and how much they eat and how much there was to clean up after, and worst of all, The bear didn't like to be hugged at all and those claws are real. I tried to give it a hug and it sliced me pretty good and I had to walk to the emergency room bleeding terribly because I had traded my car.

 

That was a bad deal. We've all made em.

[diehardtwinsfan]

. Outside of one trade where he was dealing from a position of strength with one of the easier GM marks, Ryan has never shown himself to be adept at making major league trades.

That trade was one of the best ever, but it isn't as though he's made any really bad ones like Smith... The Twins usually came out as the better team in most of his trades, so much so that people were reluctant to deal with him... That said, if Benson emerges, this is precisely what Ryan is doing, as he will be dealing from a position of strength. As Arcia, Morales, and Hicks emerge (assuming they do), he may be able to do the same thing with Willingham and whatever guy settles in the RF job... not bad either.

 

I agree that Benson isn't there yet. He needs to cut down on the Ks, and I woudln't be surprised if the only MLB time he sees is in September. He has options, so this isn't a big deal. I also wouldn't be surprised if he's in AAA next year, as his batting eye needs some work. I think his upside is Cuddy, who has similar strengths/weaknesses at the plate, but with better defense. People forget that Cuddy took time to develop into what he is, and that's even more true with an impatient Gardy managing things.