Best Reason to Sign A.J.

[strumdatjag]

Reason #3: Professional Hitter and DH off the bench, and he has some power

Reason #2: Backup Catcher and mentor to Pinto (trade Doumit)

But the #1 Reason is:

He'll be retiring soon and he wants to go into broadcasting. I want him associated with the Twins when both happen (one leads to the other). Think of anyone who would be more entertaining (albeit probably sometimes infuriating) than AJ as a color guy (Bert? Coomdog? Jelly Roll Smalley? Dazzleman? NAH! AJ is the guy!):shoot:

[Jdosen]

Pierzynski owns a career 94 wRC+ and is going to be 37 years old. I think he still has value, but it is not as a DH.

[strumdatjag]

But the real reason is to get him and the public ready for AJ on FSN or K-Twin

[James]

I was assuming that all you were going to post was a picture of AJ and his bleach blonde hair.

[Rosterman]

A.J. can DH as well as, say, Doumit. Plus, he can catch. Plus he is a "player." Love him, hate him, he makes things happen for better or for worse.

[nicksaviking]

His temperment might be helpful in the bland clubhouse but surely there will be some internal resistance from those who still embrace the mild and reserved demeanor. Those same individuals likely carry more weight in personell moves off the diamond, which is why I suspect the Twins want nothing to do with a bold and brash broadcast personality.

[Lefty74]

Reason #3: Professional Hitter and DH off the bench, and he has some power

Reason #2: Backup Catcher and mentor to Pinto (trade Doumit)

But the #1 Reason is:

He'll be retiring soon and he wants to go into broadcasting. I want him associated with the Twins when both happen (one leads to the other). Think of anyone who would be more entertaining (albeit probably sometimes infuriating) than AJ as a color guy (Bert? Coomdog? Jelly Roll Smalley? Dazzleman? NAH! AJ is the guy!):shoot:

 

 

We we need some life and accountability in the clubhouse! Who on the current roster is willing to be the least bit vocal? It's a long season and joe Mauer is an incredible talent but by all indications loathes taking any leadership role. AJ would change some of the country club mindset. Sign him!!!

[LaBombo]

First three google hits for AJ Pierzynski after his name:

 

A.J. Pierzynski most hated

A.J. Pierzynski stats

A.J. Pierzynski fight

 

Almost anything the club does to take away playing time from young players who have a chance to contribute is just shooting themselves in the foot. Signing AJ would be upgrading the foot-shooter from a .38 to a 9mm.

[Riverbrian]

I will take AJ for his role as clubhouse pain in the ass. I don't care if he hits .190 or if he even steps on the field.

 

I didn't like the bland play of the Twins last year and I didn't like reading or hearing reports of a bland locker room.

 

A pain the butt guy just might make other players better. A pain in the butt guy... Might show our precious young players how to start spitting on the opponent instead of getting spit on by the opponent.

 

The 2014 season needs some toughness displayed for all to see to build for 2015 and beyond.

[Lefty74]

Amen!!

[Shane Wahl]

First three google hits for AJ Pierzynski after his name:

 

A.J. Pierzynski most hated

A.J. Pierzynski stats

A.J. Pierzynski fight

 

Almost anything the club does to take away playing time from young players who have a chance to contribute is just shooting themselves. Signing AJ would be upgrading the foot-shooter from a .38 to a 9mm.

 

Exactly.

[Boom Boom]

Heyman says the Twins are in talks with AJ!

 

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/writer/jon-heyman/24223934/twins-talking-to-aj-pierzynski-about-a-return-to-minnesota

 

As a backup, I like it.

[Marta Shearing]

Great move. Make it happen Ryan!

[raindog]

I'm fine with it as long as Pinto plays the majority of the time and it's just a one year deal.

[old nurse]

Can he frame the low pitch?

[John Bonnes]

Good lord - I'm going to need to learn how to spell his name again? First Mientkiewicz, now this?

[John Bonnes]

I wonder if there is something they know about Doumit that we don't yet ? He and AJ seem like awfully similar players.

 

And while ole I would be very interested in AJ in the broadcast booth, I'd be even more interested in him coaching at the end of his playing career.

[DaveW]

I wonder if there is something they know about Doumit that we don't yet ? He and AJ seem like awfully similar players.

 

I think they just realize that Doumit is a very poor catcher defensively and if called upon would not be a realistic answer as the primary catcher.

 

AJ is nothing earth shattering, but he is still solid defensively, can handle the "primary catcher role" and still has a solid OPS (.722 94+ last year, .827 120+ the year before) and 15-20 HR power.

 

If anything the interest in AJ and Salty indicates to me that they aren't confident at all that Pinto can stick defensively full time at Catcher. I know we all want to believe that Pinto could become that every day catcher with a .850 OPS behind the dish, but the fact that the Twins DH'ed him half of the time at AA shows how they feel about him full time behind the dish.

 

If anything, I think Pinto could hopefully become a "better" Ryan Doumit, 100 games at DH etc and 40 games or so behind the dish as back up C.

[Chris Schad]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/j-pierzynski-catcher-minnesota-twins-2014-225700673--mlb.html

 

I kind of went over the AJ possibilities in this article, but I'll also add this.

 

I think his attitude would be huge to get in that clubhouse. I don't think he'd destroy the culture there, but give it a shot in the arm. As a 37 year old veteran, he could play the Redmond role with a little more fire.

 

A.J. could also be a nice stopgap for Pinto to give him one more year of seasoning at Triple-A. His offensive stats were really nice up here, but I think his K to BB ratio was horrible. I'd like to see a couple more months at Rochester for him and then we'll see what we have.

 

If they think Pinto could be ready for late 2014 or 2015, they'll take A.J. Otherwise, they might give Salty a good luck. Either way, I think somebody is getting brought in.

[darin617]

[h=2]Best Reason to Sign A.J.[/h]Maybe Gardy will resign and take Rick Anderson with him and Molitor takes over as manager.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I think they just realize that Doumit is a very poor catcher defensively and if called upon would not be a realistic answer as the primary catcher.

 

Totally agree, but the only thing at stake next year is player development, so shopping for a second veteran catcher seems like such a waste of the front office's time and energy, considering the cost of playing time from Pinto/Herrmann, additional roster decisions, salary, etc.

[Otwins]

I think the development of the young pitchers is also an issue here. Bringing Meyer and Gibson up to the majors would go much smoother with a catcher that .... can catch. A vetran catcher is important for player development. Developing the young pitchers.

[DocBauer]

For those of us a bit older and with a longer memory, AJ was a hot prospect and a good player. While there MAY or may not have been some issues with his "aggressive" personality, let us remember that the real reason he was traded was because the Twins had the best prospect in baseball at the time in Mauer ready and AJ had real value that brought us 2 grea players and a temporarily good one in Bonser. And despite is "reputation" any real animosity is simply from his time with the hated pale sox.

 

He has been, and still is, an experienced and quality big league catcher. Also a leader of sorts and an offensive player to boot. You don't think any FA pitchers the Twins target wouldn't like to see the Twins being aggressive and providing a quality veteran backstop? Further, what real trouble has he ever really caused besides being a thorn in the backside of opponents? And said reputation has always been as that thorn BUT a good teammate.

 

Experience, defense, offense and a left handed compliment to Pinto whether ready out of spring or in to the season. A perfect fit for us!

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

For those of us a bit older and with a longer memory, AJ was a hot prospect and a good player. While there MAY or may not have been some issues with his "aggressive" personality, let us remember that the real reason he was traded was because the Twins had the best prospect in baseball at the time in Mauer ready and AJ had real value that brought us 2 grea players and a temporarily good one in Bonser. And despite is "reputation" any real animosity is simply from his time with the hated pale sox.

 

He has been, and still is, an experienced and quality big league catcher. Also a leader of sorts and an offensive player to boot. You don't think any FA pitchers the Twins target wouldn't like to see the Twins being aggressive and providing a quality veteran backstop? Further, what real trouble has he ever really caused besides being a thorn in the backside of opponents? And said reputation has always been as that thorn BUT a good teammate.

 

Experience, defense, offense and a left handed compliment to Pinto whether ready out of spring or in to the season. A perfect fit for us!

 

Welcome!

 

but I disagree. :-) ....but not necessarily... It would depend on AJ , is he ok being a part time player? Is he asking something reasonable? On its face it makes no sense so there must be a back story or bigger plan in the works. He's had a remarkable and injury free career and I loved the guy, no doubt. I also want to see what Herrmann and Pinto can do though.

[notoriousgod71]

I don't see A.J. being happy playing for a last place team.

[GBR]

And while ole I would be very interested in AJ in the broadcast booth, I'd be even more interested in him coaching at the end of his playing career.

 

AJ a coach in training under Molitor? It would be very unTwinsie to let a guy with fire inside run anything but its probably the change they could use. If not here AJ seems the type to be a manager at some point. Probably punch out a guy or two for gettin lippy.

[DaveW]

I don't see A.J. being happy playing for a last place team.

 

$$$$$

[strumdatjag]

Consider the sudden improvement to the current bench if AJ is signed as a backup to Josmil Pinto and Doumit is not traded. The bench suddenly has AJ from the left as DH and backup catcher, Doumit as a switch-hitting DH and reserve corner outfielder (and reserve catcher in an emergency/injury situation or late inning substitution), and Escobar and/or Bartlett as utility infielder plus Mastro as reserve corner and center Outfielder. That should add a few Twins runs over the course of a season. Plus, AJ is more likely to be an upgrade as Twins color guy in the booth after he retires.

[strumdatjag]

Finally, remember what Ozzie G said about AJ, "If you play against him, you hate him. If you play with him, you hate him a little less." AJ will get more than enough at bats between DH, pinch hitting and backup catcher. He'll kick a little butt in the clubhouse. And the Twins fans will "hate him a little less."

[Siehbiscuit]

I love this move and not because of his bat (which is solid for a catcher), but he calls a great game for his pitchers. How many no-no's and perfecto's has this guy caught. The ART of calling a game and working umpires and batters is an unmeasurable metric, but like those "framing" stats, it DOES have an impact. Being a pain in the @ss is a bonus for our clubhouse too. Pinto the everyday catcher and Steinbach, Mauer AND Pierzynski all can teach him the finer intricacies of handling a staff and calling a game. AJ is good at that.