Aledmys Diaz: Do we want him and at what cost?

[diehardtwinsfan]

If he can stick at SS, I'd say go for it.

[tmerrickkeller]

In a year of experimentation that we're facing, with prospects (hopefully) coming up and the team not yet ready to contend unless a ton of things click, I don't see the Twins spending big dollars on a relatively unknown quantity from Cuba. Lots of reasons why:

 

1. Signability issues versus large-market teams

2. I think the Twins consider the pipeline of Santana, Polanco, Goodrum to be adequate

3. The possibility of signing Turner at #5 in 2014

4. There are a lot of options (weigh them how you will) in-house. Florimon will play good D and not hit very much. Escobar showed more pop in the second half of last year and is considered a strong fielder (though arguably more suited to be a backup because of his ability to play multiple positions). Then we also have three wildcard possibilities in Jason Bartlett, Dozier moving over from 2nd when Rosario is ready, and the return of Nishi (ok, I'm joking about that one). But a long-shot possibility is that T. Plouffe starts playing a lot more SS when Sano comes up. Stranger things have happened.

[cmb0252]

Definitely go get this kid. He is young and reports sound pretty good. I prefer him to Drew by a lot. I haven't seen any experts throw out possible contract size but I'm sure we will start to hear rumors after his show case.

[Mike Sixel]

Wait, so you don't add an asset (even if he moves to another position he's tradable) for nothing other than money? It doesn't cost a pick. It doesn't cost daft money. It doesn't cost a roster spot. It costs nothing but money. I don't get how any number of SS in the system would make this team say "we don't need more assets", and when you look at the SS in the system, I really don't get it.

 

If he becomes a tradable asset, all they did was spend money to make a trade, or, buy a future player. Assuming they have money to spend, which seems obvious given the $25MM they just got for nothing other than existing, I don't see any reason other than not wanting to spend money for not doing this*

 

*assuming he's a legit prospect, of course.

[Mike Sixel]

How is using your assets to get better, panicking, exactly? That's what the money is for....to get and retain players.

[Guest USAFChief]

How about 'sane'

It's "sane" to pick the guy who has never played minor or major league ball in the US over the guy who has, and successfully to boot, to throw money at?

[nicksaviking]

The Twins may take Trea Turner, a speedy college junior SS, in the 2014 draft. He projects to be a SS if he makes it to MLB. He's a potential leadoff hitter who can steal bases (which would allow the Twins in 2016 to bat Buxton #3, Sano #4 and Mauer at 2 or 5 depending on his power numbers after the move to first and considering his age). No need to panic at SS. There are a lot of options including trading for one.

 

Why would you trade for one if there are options other than having to give up a prospect? Also any GM who doesn't consider a free agent SS because he MAY draft one in six months should not have a job. For one, Turner may go before the Twins pick, for another, he may not be that good and may not be worth the #5 pick. Plenty of people have Turner a lot further down the draft boards.

[nicksaviking]

It's "sane" to pick the guy who has never played minor or major league ball in the US over the guy who has, and successfully to boot, to throw money at?

 

It's sane to go after the younger guy you may be able to include in future plans, who is more likely cheaper and doesn't require a draft pick. It seems much less sane to give three years at $10 mill per to an injury prone, 31-year-old who skated by on RHP and home splits which mask a clear and quick decline into what should be a bench/utility role.

[beckmt]

Go for it. We have extra money for the next few years and this would bring another player into the system that would have an upside. Not all will work, but any extra talent can always be used(even as a trade chip)

[Brock Beauchamp]

Why would you trade for one if there are options other than having to give up a prospect? Also any GM who doesn't consider a free agent SS because he MAY draft one in six months should not have a job. For one, Turner may go before the Twins pick, for another, he may not be that good and may not be worth the #5 pick. Plenty of people have Turner a lot further down the draft boards.

 

This, this, this.

 

The upcoming draft should have zero bearing on the construction of this year's MLB roster. Take the BPA in the draft (as one should in every draft) and then base your MLB roster decisions on your current roster, available trades/free agents, and a couple of guys in the upper minors.

[pierre75275]

for OF I meant give Parmelee another shot out there this year. Also wouldn't mind seeing Plouffe get some outfield reps if/when Sano comes out. I'd love to see if Plouffe could fill a utility DH/corner OF/IF role at some point.

Don' t forget Arcia....I know there are so MANY!!

[Jerr]

This, this, this.

 

The upcoming draft should have zero bearing on the construction of this year's MLB roster. Take the BPA in the draft (as one should in every draft) and then base your MLB roster decisions on your current roster, available trades/free agents, and a couple of guys in the upper minors.

 

 

This, this, this:jump:

[Willihammer]

Agreed, there's not nearly the hype on this guy as there was for Abreu, his price should be much less

 

That being said, if the Dodgers, Yankees or another big club wants him, we probably can't kid ourselves, the Twins would have to overpay to pry him out of the big market, contending team.

 

Well the Dodgers picked up Arreabeunaciaobellasonnybono today, maybe they wouldn't be a player.

 

I'm all for stocking up on promising Cubans, I'm just skeptical that this guy is any good, from what little I've read about him. I would hate for it to turn into another Nishi situation.

[Guest USAFChief]

It's sane to go after the younger guy you may be able to include in future plans, who is more likely cheaper and doesn't require a draft pick. It seems much less sane to give three years at $10 mill per to an injury prone, 31-year-old who skated by on RHP and home splits which mask a clear and quick decline into what should be a bench/utility role.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see which option provides more major league value over the next couple years.In any case I ask again...why not both?

[Mike Sixel]

Well the Dodgers picked up Arreabeunaciaobellasonnybono today, maybe they wouldn't be a player.

 

I'm all for stocking up on promising Cubans, I'm just skeptical that this guy is any good, from what little I've read about him. I would hate for it to turn into another Nishi situation.

 

It isn't a nishi situation. He'd almost certainly start in AA or AAA, not the majors. And you still have Floriman holding down the fort until someone arrives.

 

All this is is what it would be like if US players were FAs and not drafted. You pay to acquire talent.

[johnnydakota]

3 million per? isint that below leaque average?

[ppearson50]

The Dodgers just gave light hitting Cuban SS Erisbel Arruebarruena $25 million. I would say Diaz's price just went way up.

[johnnydakota]

It isn't a nishi situation. He'd almost certainly start in AA or AAA, not the majors. And you still have Floriman holding down the fort until someone arrives.

 

All this is is what it would be like if US players were FAs and not drafted. You pay to acquire talent.

 

Only report I have seen says he is major leaque ready hitter now, with potential 20 HR power.

Nuff said ....

 

Imagine Sano Diaz Dozier and Mauer= 70-100 Hr from your infield

[JP3700]

The Dodgers just gave light hitting Cuban SS Erisbel Arruebarruena $25 million. I would say Diaz's price just went way up.

 

Yeah, I'd say the price tag is going to be the big question here. Last year around this time (before Diaz was busted for lying about his age) reports had a Twins source saying "The projected money is getting out of hand" in regards to Diaz.

 

I haven't seen or found any projections, but I'd guess it would be somewhere in the Alexander Guerrero range. Diaz put up similar (slightly better) numbers to Guerrero in their age 21 seasons.

 

Guerrero got $7 million per, but is three years older. So maybe somewhere in the six year, $42 million range.

 

I'd do it due to the upside, but I'm not sure if the Twins would be willing to risk that much money on an unproven player.

[AHSaves]

The Dodgers just gave light hitting Cuban SS Erisbel Arruebarruena $25 million. I would say Diaz's price just went way up.

 

BLAST! I wanted to hear Blyleven try to pronounce that one!

[Major League Ready]

Put me in the "get him if he can stick at short camp".

 

He is 23 and does not require a trade or draft pick compensation.

 

Also, I agree with Mike, we can always use more assets.

[Otto von Ballpark]

I know nothing about Diaz, and I probably couldn't even pick Drew out of a police lineup, but it would be great to see some effort put into filling the shortstop position.

 

As I've painfully learned as a homeowner, once you know there's a problem, the longer you wait to fix it, the more likely it won't get fixed (or the more likely you will have to pay more for a fix on shorter notice).

 

I'm a realist, and I know the Twins aren't likely to contend in 2014, so throwing Florimon/Escobar out there again isn't the end of the world. But passing on potentially better options now does make it less likely that we will acquire one before 2015. (Same for 2016 and Danny Santana, I suppose, if you share my skepticism about him.)

[oldguy10]

spycake, I think it is way too early to be skeptical about Danny Santana whatever type of talent he has now. He may mature into a fine player and then again, not. But let's wait awhile before we pass judgment on him or any of the other youngsters for that matter.

[tobi0040]

I think the Twins should take an any and all approach to SS. So, yeah, let's go after him.

 

I agree to the general theory here of an all hands on deck approach at SS. I think you have to be a little hesitant as it sounds like scouts are saying 60-60 bat-power and 60-60 arm-range, based on very little tape.

 

Assuming this guy gets paid like Cespedes or Puig or anything near it, you have to be a little cautious given the lack of information. If he works out and you see it first hand that is another thing.

[tobi0040]

Yeah I think Nishioka will probably keep us a little gun shy on the international players. Guys like Sano are a different story because the relative investment is nothing.

 

MLB does need to include these guys in the draft. Maybe it was Keith Law who made the point of how crazy this is, the White Sox gave Abreau $68M and he would likely have been drafted behind Appel, Gray, and Bryant for sure. Those guys have essentially capped bonuses and salaries.

[JB_Iowa]

Scouted today by Yankees, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Mariners, Padres, Giants.

 

Per Morosi.

 

Twins not on the list but there are other days coming, I guess.

[Mike Sixel]

Keith laws point is that the draft is wrong, not that these guys should also have their earnings artificially repressed by the draft. I would not hold my breath waiting for the Twins to do this.

[Otto von Ballpark]

spycake, I think it is way too early to be skeptical about Danny Santana whatever type of talent he has now. He may mature into a fine player and then again, not. But let's wait awhile before we pass judgment on him or any of the other youngsters for that matter.

 

Too early to be skeptical? I am not saying cut the guy or anything. Just that we shouldn't hold back on another potential SS solution waiting for the guy.

[darin617]

End this dream of signing Diaz. With Jeter announcing his retirement after 2014 he is as good as signed by the Yankees.

[johnnydakota]

MLBRU is reporting an expected 20-30 million dollar contract for Diaz,While the Yankees have the name , we have only florimon in front of Diaz and we also have Pedro Anthony Oliva ....=)