Twins in on Yuli Gurriel

Heck, bring back Sano if this is on their radar.

I hope not. There's no need for Gurriel here.

He's not my pick. Let MIA have him.

I would love for the Twins to sign him. I posted this in another thread two days ago.  He won the batting title two years ago and while he did drop to .244 last season, he was great in the playoffs. He also makes a ton of contact only striking out 14% of the time. We could use that in the lineup after moving Arraez. I think if you led off Buxton, Yuli hitting second with Correa behind him looks good. Real good. He still plays gold glove level defense at first base and he brings a ton of experience to the table.
 

Now, having said that, I was getting the impression that Kirilloff would now play first. I just don’t see a roster spot for Gurriel unless there is a trade coming that sends one or more of Kepler, Gordon, Larnach or Kirilloff somewhere for prospects or another bullpen upgrade.

Serious interest in Gurriel means that there are doubts about having a viable 1B on the roster, or because there's concern about table setting with so many hitters coming off poor performance, injury or simply new to the bigs.  However the fact that Miami seems to be leading the bidding indicates it's not serious concern.  

I imagine we'd see a trade for this role before we'd see a free agent signing of a 38 year old with a slowing bat that the Astros both love and let walk away.  This off-season isn't over yet.

6 hours ago, AstrosTwins said:

I would love for the Twins to sign him. I posted this in another thread two days ago.  He won the batting title two years ago and while he did drop to .244 last season, he was great in the playoffs. He also makes a ton of contact only striking out 14% of the time. We could use that in the lineup after moving Arraez. I think if you led off Buxton, Yuli hitting second with Correa behind him looks good. Real good. He still plays gold glove level defense at first base and he brings a ton of experience to the table.
 

Now, having said that, I was getting the impression that Kirilloff would now play first. I just don’t see a roster spot for Gurriel unless there is a trade coming that sends one or more of Kepler, Gordon, Larnach or Kirilloff somewhere for prospects or another bullpen upgrade.

Wait.  You mean a guy can win a batting title and then drop to .244......

We need a RH bat.  We could use more guys with his playoff experience. I wouldn’t hate it for those reasons.

His overall playoff stats are rather pedestrian.  Actually has a negative overall WPA in the playoffs.  But, he’s had some good series and big moments.  Also, can’t find a substitute for that experience.  Winning experience.  This roster is very immature in that regard (except Correa).

he's more washed than a jockstrap after game 162 hard pass

Miranda will play first/DH while Farmer plays third.

8 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

Wait.  You mean a guy can win a batting title and then drop to .244......

Yep. Although it's much more likely to happen to a player who is 38 years old than, say, one who is 25 years old.

I’m not seeing the value in Gurriel with the Twins right now. Hopefully Kiriloff is finally healthy and can showcase his elite batting skills and start all season at first base. 

Actually what the report says is that the Marlins are after Gurriel, and somehow the Twins are involved. It isn't clear at all that Gurriel is going to come to the Twins

Correa was his teammate for years at Houston, so I suspect our "assistant GM" is lobbying the FO to add him as an experienced player with championship experience.  I don't think that is a bad idea IF a 40 man roster solution is found, and IF the Twins perceive that his bat speed is still ok.  He had a horrible year in 2020 and rebounded in 2021, so maybe he still can deliver in a parttime role.  Even in last year's horrible year, he was pretty decent against lefties.  He also was much better against power pitchers last year which might indicate his bat speed is still ok.  He won a Gold Glove in 2021, so he can hold his own at first base.  I am not saying I would do the deal, but I am saying I wouldn't dismiss it out of hand as some might advocate.

17 hours ago, AstrosTwins said:

I would love for the Twins to sign him. I posted this in another thread two days ago.  He won the batting title two years ago and while he did drop to .244 last season, he was great in the playoffs. He also makes a ton of contact only striking out 14% of the time. We could use that in the lineup after moving Arraez. I think if you led off Buxton, Yuli hitting second with Correa behind him looks good. Real good. He still plays gold glove level defense at first base and he brings a ton of experience to the table.
 

Now, having said that, I was getting the impression that Kirilloff would now play first. I just don’t see a roster spot for Gurriel unless there is a trade coming that sends one or more of Kepler, Gordon, Larnach or Kirilloff somewhere for prospects or another bullpen upgrade.

Miranda is likely getting most of 3rd base but also some 1st. AK should be getting most of 1st but also OF and DH. Lewis will most likely be a super utility guy until he settles into a position unless he just takes Arraez’s role (minus 1st base) and carries at .300ba+ Julien also could be that guy.  We need to stop bringing in FA guys and let the youngsters get playing time. 

Not happening .. nor it should. We have too many options for 1st. 

Quote

According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Marlins are moving towards an agreement with free agent first baseman Yuli Gurriel.

2 hours ago, Fatbat said:

Miranda is likely getting most of 3rd base but also some 1st. AK should be getting most of 1st but also OF and DH. Lewis will most likely be a super utility guy until he settles into a position unless he just takes Arraez’s role (minus 1st base) and carries at .300ba+ Julien also could be that guy.  We need to stop bringing in FA guys and let the youngsters get playing time. 

The part about stop with the FA Guys and let the youngsters play cant be said enough.  Lets see what these prospects have or dont have.

4 hours ago, Nine of twelve said:

Yep. Although it's much more likely to happen to a player who is 38 years old than, say, one who is 25 years old.

Or a  guy with knees living on borrowed time.

Am I excited about this idea? No. But is there need still for some RH bat help? Absolutely. 

Look, even if AK is 100%, even if Kepler isn't traded, even if the Twins kept Larnach on the roster WITH Larnach, Gallo, and Gordon, the Arraez trade still leaves 12 position players and they need 13.

I could get behind a signing like Gurriel. At worst he provides experience, good defense, and a part time RH bat. Even at his age, he was damn good  year ago in 2021. Not saying it's some great move, or that I didn't/don't want better, just saying I could get behind a bench signing like this. 

We are making a large assumption that at thirty eight and half year old that he can have a rebound season. I'm not sure that he isn't on his way out. Besides sportec lists his value at 11.5 million dollars. I think we could use that money for b.p. help.

I would not give Gurriel too much.  If we could get him on a low cost to be right handed at bat and maybe bring back some value I am okay with it, but I would not pay him to be full time 1B. 

This is like a Nelson Cruz reunion, too many younger players need those at-bats.

Agree with all of those saying the time has come to let the talent come forth from our young players. They are ready.