Deilbinson Romero?

[KirbyHawk75]

Does he have any chance of making the roster? Could he push Plouffe until Sano is ready?

[Twins Fan From Afar]

Some will disagree, but I think Romero will start at Rochester, Sano at New Britain, and Plouffe in Minnesota. The real question, though, is who will be where in July, or September!

[stringer bell]

One of the Twins Cities columnists predicted that Romero would make the Twins as a Plouffe alternative and backup first baseman. I really can't see it. He is almost as old as Plouffe, plays no better defense and has never really excelled in the minors. I see Plouffe as the far superior option to Romero and they have basically the same function.

[stringer bell]

Some will disagree, but I think Romero will start at Rochester, Sano at New Britain, and Plouffe in Minnesota. The real question, though, is who will be where in July, or September!

I see Sano in Rochester to start the season, with Romero filling in as DH/3B.

[Danchat]

I'd actually rather see Romero play 3B, but there's 2 big problems. Plouffe is getting paid and Romero isn't on the 40 man. Oh well, it doesn't really matter because Sano is almost here.

[cmathewson]

1. The Twins need a right-handed power bat off the bench.

2. Chris Colabello is probably not the guy (long swing, poor plate coverage, mistake hitter).

3. If you take Colabello out of the equation, Romero is the best in-house option right now.

4. The Twins need to make room for Sano at Rochester.

 

All these points lead to the reporter's conclusion that Romero is the guy, assuming he can play first base. My thinking is the Twins will sign a free agent instead. The list of right-handed power bats on the free agent market includes Morales, Cruz and Wells. As these guys go into spring training without contracts, I can see the Twins signing one of them to a one-year bargain contract. My money is on Wells, who could push Willingham to DH against left-handed starters and can serve as a corner defender late in games.

 

That would push Romero back to Rochester and Sano to New Britain, at least to start the season.

[oldguy10]

I seriously doubt the Twins will sign a free agent at all, hope I am wrong, they'll limp along with the likes of Parmelee, Mastroianni et al off of the bench, remember where you heard this and other members will agree I am sure. Oops, forgot Colabello, it is torture watching him bat, who else will second that notion?

[tobi0040]

1. The Twins need a right-handed power bat off the bench.

2. Chris Colabello is probably not the guy (long swing, poor plate coverage, mistake hitter).

3. If you take Colabello out of the equation, Romero is the best in-house option right now.

4. The Twins need to make room for Sano at Rochester.

 

All these points lead to the reporter's conclusion that Romero is the guy, assuming he can play first base. My thinking is the Twins will sign a free agent instead. The list of right-handed power bats on the free agent market includes Morales, Cruz and Wells. As these guys go into spring training without contracts, I can see the Twins signing one of them to a one-year bargain contract. My money is on Wells, who could push Willingham to DH against left-handed starters and can serve as a corner defender late in games.

 

That would push Romero back to Rochester and Sano to New Britain, at least to start the season.

 

I agree with 1-4, however when Sano bumps Plouffe in June, I think Plouffe is the best in house right handed candidate (better than Romero). Not sure if you see it that way or not. Plouffe is only three months older and Romero's numbers in the minors don't blow you away.

[Thrylos]

One of the Twins Cities columnists predicted that Romero would make the Twins as a Plouffe alternative and backup first baseman. I really can't see it. He is almost as old as Plouffe, plays no better defense and has never really excelled in the minors. I see Plouffe as the far superior option to Romero and they have basically the same function.

 

That particular columnist is new to the Twins and not familiar with the Twins organization and the fact that Romero has played only 39 games at 1B in his 7 year career, last one being in 2011; so I would take what he writes with a grain of salt.

 

Can Romero win a spot? Sure. Ramirez did last spring. He had been pretty solid in the minors with doubles power and around .800 OPS in both AA and AAA. I think that this is his last chance to make the team with this organization. On the other hand, the Twins have signed Brandon Waring as a MiLB FA with an invite, who is similar in age, also bats RH and has split his time between 3B and 1B. Romero is better defensively, good hands, so so range. It will be interesting to see what happens. Plouffe can also play OF.

[Seth Stohs]

Does he have any chance of making the roster? Could he push Plouffe until Sano is ready?

 

Zero chance. Plouffe is significantly better. There's really no comparison, offensively or defensively.

[cmathewson]

I agree with 1-4, however when Sano bumps Plouffe in June, I think Plouffe is the best in house right handed candidate (better than Romero). Not sure if you see it that way or not. Plouffe is only three months older and Romero's numbers in the minors don't blow you away.

 

Yep. You're right. Good point.