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  • Twins Sign Shortstop Tim Beckham

    Ted Schwerzler

    By Ted Schwerzler

    In 2008, the Tampa Bay Rays selected Tim Beckham with the first overall pick in the Major League Baseball draft out of Griffin High School in Georgia. Today the Minnesota Twins signed the now-32-year-old Beckham to a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training.

    Image courtesy of Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

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    A top 100 prospect back in 2010, Beckham has played 472 Major League games for three teams over six seasons. He was most recently at the big-league level with the Seattle Mariners in 2019, spending 88 games with them as a utility player. His .753 OPS was largely power-focused as he posted a .461 slugging percentage on the back of 15 homers and 21 doubles.

    For the Mariners, Beckham had carved out a niche as a swiss army knife. He played five different positions before being shelved. In August of 2019 Beckham received an 80 game suspension after testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug Stanozolol. With his suspension intact and no minor league season, Beckham went unsigned in 2020.

    Last season the Chicago White Sox gave Beckham an opportunity as he played in 45 games for their Triple-A club at the age of 31. Posting a .279/.330/.546 line, it was easily the best offensive stretch of his professional career. For Triple-A Charlotte, he spent time at first, second, third, and shortstop with shortstop being his primary home.

    The signing is interesting when looking at the context of the Minnesota Twins. Jorge Polanco is not viewed as a shortstop and sliding him back over after the big 2021 at second base would be odd. Royce Lewis and Austin Martin aren’t yet ready for Major League action, and while signing someone like Trevor Story would be a big splash, it’s probably a longshot. There’s also the reality that Minnesota needs depth at St. Paul. With the lockout impacting all players on the 40 man roster, plenty of talent that would play at Triple-A won’t be eligible to start the season.

    Derek Falvey suggested the Twins were not rebuilding and intended to be competitive in 2022. They aren’t going to be able to spend handsomely in every spot, especially with a need for pitching, but Beckham seems somewhat like a punt at a key spot if he’s given the reigns. In 2,200 innings at shortstop he’s been worth -25 defensive runs saved and the -10.4 UZR don’t paint a pretty picture when it comes to range. He’s never had a season in which he’s posted a positive DRS tally at the position.

    There are certainly concessions worth being made when a guy brings one specific aspect to the table as we saw last season with Andrelton Simmons. Beckham, though, isn’t a good defender and the only thing that says he can hit is a 45 game stretch at Triple-A from a season ago.

    As a utility player, there are questions too. Nick Gordon can likely be penciled into that role as things sit now, and brings an outfield ability as well as speed. Gordon isn’t a fit at short and that hurts his chances, but giving Minnesota that quickness off the bench is something the roster has been void of in recent seasons.

    It’s certainly nice that a move of substance was made today given the state of the lockout and Major League Baseball. It’d be less than inspiring however if Tim Beckham is trotted out by Rocco Baldelli on Opening Day for the Twins.

    What do you think? Is Tim Beckham here as depth, or because he’s seen as a frontrunner for a starting role?

    Ted Schwerzler - A blogger for nearly a decade, passion for baseball and the Minnesota Twins runs deep.
    Follow Ted Schwerzler on Twitter: tlschwerz

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    Posted by chpettit19,

    It honestly blows my mind that people get so up in arms over these minor league deals. Remember when Cave got resigned to a nothing deal and people's heads exploded because he was still on the 40-man and it meant he was basically guaranteed a starting spot and all that then he was removed from the 40-man like 2 days later? I know things aren't exciting with the lockout ruining the offseason, but we need to gain some perspective. These deals happen all the time. They aren't some org altering thing or any sort of guarantee that he's the starting SS opening day. It's a minor league deal with a ST invite. It means nothing. Teams hand them out like candy to get veteran players to take minor league deals. Can we all just relax?

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    Posted by chpettit19,

    16 hours ago, KirbyDome89 said:

    The primary source of consternation at the time of the Cave deal still exists today; he has an inside track to getting innings as the 4th OFer. Rooker doesn't look MLB caliber with the bat or glove, Larnach needs to show some sort of ability to handle off-speed pitches plus his corner D, at least in LF, is suspect, and Celestino was nowhere close to ready last year.

    The Twins showed no interest in signing a RH 4th OFer during the pre lockout FA. That doesn't mean they won't, they've got plenty of money, but time and options aren't on their side. 

    Barring a major splash at SS, Beckham's only roadblock (if he isn't awful in STP - big "if,") to getting innings at the major league level is a middling journeyman SS a la Simmons. It's highly unlikely we see Lewis in the majors this year, let alone at SS, and Martin seems destined to find a defensive home elsewhere. 

    In isolation, if the signings are about bringing in JAG to be minor league depth then sure, whatever. The issue is that they're seemingly a realistic step or two away from "filling," a couple glaring holes on the major league roster, at least currently. 

    To me you're just defining minor league depth. People were all angry last year because the Twins didn't have "depth" to deal with their injuries. Now people are mad that they have former major leaguers in the minors. Cave has no more of an inside track than any other player not on the 40-man. They're going to fill the 40-man before the season starts. They're not going to cut someone to put Cave on it over Rooker, Larnach, or Celestino.

    This is exactly what I'm talking about, though. They didn't sign Beckham to be their starting SS or waive Cave with the intention of him being their 4th OFer. I'm thoroughly confused by the idea that signing Beckham is bad if you expect their move is to sign a "middling journeyman SS" and you don't think Lewis or Martin are the answer at SS this year. Signing Beckham has no impact on, and makes no statement about, them making a "major splash" at SS. Either they're signing Story, a "middling journeyman," or making a trade. None of those things are impacted by Beckham. If you don't think Lewis or Martin are the answer you should be happy they added a former major leaguer between them and the bigs to give more cushion.

    Is the better move for a team that says they want to compete to have no former major leaguers in the minors as depth for injuries to guys on the 40-man? That doesn't make even a little sense to me. Why is it bad to have former major leaguers (who, by the way, had at least a little success in the majors) in the minors? I don't understand how it's a bad thing in any way, shape, or form.

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    Brandon

    Brandon 2,195

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    • Posted

    They Twins have another option for 2B, SS, 3B.  I doubt he was signed to play SS.  He could get some games there.  It does seem the Twins budget has been cut.  We will find out of no other IF get signed. But like this article states he us likely to split time at 2b and 3rd and compete with Gordon for time.

    https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/02/twins-sign-former-top-pick-tim-beckham-to-minors-deal.html

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    Doctor Gast

    Doctor Gast 4,328

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    • Posted

    I see Gordon as a better utility player, it doesn't look than Beckman isn't any better than Gordon at SS, even worse. Yes we now have more depth but what is that quality of depth. But he has some power, to some that's all that matters. I'd rather Palacio have more time in spring training. IMO it's counter productive even more than Garlic because SS is more crucial. We need a real glove to help out our needy pitching

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    Rosterman

    Rosterman 3,922

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    • Posted

    Well, with the hint that it is a million dollar contract, sounds like they would have him on the 40-man if possible right now.

     

    I don't really see him taking a paycut and working in St. Paul. The Twins have Palacios at shortstop there, possibly Austin Martins, and maybe Royce Lewis fast-tracked after starting in Wichita. 

     

    By most account, I sadly expect Miranda to start the season at AAA until the Twins sort out Sano, Kirilloff, Garver and Donaldson for who plays when and where.

     

    The Twins  could also advance Bechtold or Speer to St. Paul. And, heaven forbid, they need a spot for Gordon if they don't find room for him on their bench.

     

    So shortstop will probab,ly be Beckham's job to lose.

     

    And this makes me think the Twins will be dumpster diving for castoffs if and when spring training happens.

     

     

     

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    High heat

    High heat 655

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    • Posted

    Gordon is now out of options and can’t go to AAA.  Last season the Saints had Maggi and Riddle on the roster for the saints.
     I’m sure this is a depth move and also allows the saints to fill out there roster if MLB doesn’t come to an agreement anytime soon!  Between AA and AAA they don’t have enough middle infielders to go around as currently structured.  

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    Danchat

    Danchat 11,131

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    43 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

    The Twins continue on the Yawn express.  Can we sign someone of significance?  I know it is a lockout, but this is not enough to get my pulse to change. 

    We literally can't sign anyone of significance with the lockout going on - unless Trevor Story wants to sign a minor league deal with us!

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    AlwaysinModeration

    AlwaysinModeration 4,343

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    I still have a bone to pick with Tim Beckham.  Several years ago I was sitting in the club level behind home plate, and Beckham fouled a ball straight back to me.  I nonchalantly caught it barehanded, while not spilling my nachos I was holding in my other hand.  The woman behind me freaked out because the ball seemed like it was coming right at her.

    Unfortunately Beckham hit a home run on the next pitch, and any chance of getting on camera with a replay of my catch was gone.

    A fan came up to me later that the radio announcers had exclaimed about the catch and that I had saved the woman behind me.

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    jmlease1

    jmlease1 6,071

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    • Posted

    As a depth signing and hedge against injury, I like the move. As a contender for the starting job, well, he'd better not be the number one seed.

    He's a perfectly reasonable option to have in AAA if the starting SS gets an injury that's going to put them on the shelf for longer than a week or so. But that's really the extent of the expectation, and anything else would be a bonus that you can't count on when assembling the team.

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    Dave The Dastardly

    Dave The Dastardly 3,384

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    11 hours ago, AlwaysinModeration said:

    I still have a bone to pick with Tim Beckham.  Several years ago I was sitting in the club level behind home plate, and Beckham fouled a ball straight back to me.  I nonchalantly caught it barehanded, while not spilling my nachos I was holding in my other hand.  The woman behind me freaked out because the ball seemed like it was coming right at her.

    Unfortunately Beckham hit a home run on the next pitch, and any chance of getting on camera with a replay of my catch was gone.

    A fan came up to me later that the radio announcers had exclaimed about the catch and that I had saved the woman behind me.

    Good move saving the nachos. They're about $20 for six of them, aren't they?

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    Thebigalguy

    Thebigalguy 212

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    • Posted

    It's doodling, don't you think? The guy has a pulse at a time when the MLB situation is still up in the air, and St. Paul needs players. I don't put much stock in the move, or think it means the team will go cheap. A stopgap. A bat. Not a glove. The likelihood that he makes the Bigs with the Twins out of spring training is minuscule, in my opinion.

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    Blyleven2011

    Blyleven2011 993

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    Everytime I see a signing like this I think back when falvy and levine were hired on and cleaned house with all personal  in minor leagues , scouting departments  and trainers etc.

     

    Falvy quote not mine is ..

    We have replaced all personal in the organization  with top quality professionals in all categories of positions  ...

    Doesn't falvy or levine listen to there scouting personal or are they just inadequate  at their position  ....

    Again this does nothing to move the needle for the competitive stance they speak of  ...

    Yes I see this as a depth piece for minors and not on the parent club ....

    I'd rather see Palacios  ,,, everyone raves about his defense and his hitting made progress last year in the minors .. 

    Palacios is eligible for the rule 5 draft and we could lose him if there is a rule 5 draft this year ...

    If he is still in the twins system I say play him at shortstop if defense is that good and hope the bat is better than Simmons ....

    Also if I was owner I wouldn't want to spend 400 thousand for a player just to play in the minors  ,,,, but FO could be crossing their fingers and also their toes and hope Beckman can have a career year 

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