Does Andrew McCutchen Do Anything For You?

As a replacement for Garlick I am fine with it.  He is a vet and known to be a good team guy.  As pointed out, he does not make the difference, but I would take him as a Garlick replacement, if he is fine being a platoon pinch hitting type guy. 

How much would it cost the Twins to sign Cutch? Who would lose playing time if Cutch were signed? These 2 key questions need to be answered first.

No. The grass isn’t greener. The bar of free agency is closing, he isn’t ant prettier 

Does Garlick still have options?  If so - why not take a chance to see if he bounces back?  My only request is if he starts off slow - don't be afraid to pull the plug on him and move on before June.

NO, raising the floor should not be a priority at this time.  Agree, FO whiffed badly on not bolstering the lineup with  guys like Abreu or Hill,  This offense looks average at best unless everything breaks right - limited injuries, bounce-back seasons, etc.  I'd rather the FO concentrate on adding at least one needle-mover than someone like McCutcheon. That's a very tough job now at this stage of the offseason but the Wonder Boys put themselves in this spot.   Nibblin' around the edges is not the ticket to restoring fan interest..

Sure. We could probably do better in a trade, but he is likely an upgrade on Garlick from a total value perspective.

And, as noted, he has a Nelson Cruz-like reputation in the clubhouse. 

No - for the same reason I rant about signing Gallo - these guys do not make us better.  Our only chance for improvement is in the young guys.   Let them play, move the deadwood and get all the young players in to sort things out.  We are not going to sign the big star (Correa and Boras played us) and thus we need a different strategy.  Look at how Cleveland chose youth, speed, fielding, and pitching to carry them into the playoffs. 

This would be another exciting game changing move by the FO, right along the lines of the Gallo signing. I honestly don't understand what their plan is with the OF. 

At this point unless trades are made that really move the needle go with the younger players and see what they can do. Most of the top prospects are old enough to either sink or swim. It's time to see if Kirloff, Larnach Miranda, Lewis, Wallner and some of the pitchers are going to be impactful, The season is shaping up to be another bust so might as well go all in.    

I cannot see any viable plan for 2023 from the FO. Maybe as a replacement for Garlick McCutcheon works. But the Gallo signing was a head scratcher given all the young lefty hitting outfielders now on the roster. The FO seems to be chaotically reaching for life preservers right now. 

Absolutely yes. Great guy, a hustler who knows how to hit, though his prime is clearly behind him. He can teach younger players how to be a 'team', and how to run the bases better, and he has a super attitude. Look at it this way....he's already better than Gallo without playing one game. Given the option of Cutch as a DH or pinch hitter vs. Gallo, there is no option. 

I'd be for it, if we hadn't signed Gallo. Larnach, Kiriloff & Kepler trade values are down, I wouldn't want to trade any of them at this point. But with Gallo signed we can't trade him until June and we are forced to trade Kepler. Only way I'd consider McCutchen now is if we find good trades on Kepler & Wallner.

When cherry picking stats from June 5th (or 6th - you used two different starting points), you state that he put up "stellar" overall numbers of .252/.343/.427 and against LH pitchers a "whopping" .245/.345/.479.  First, I would say that neither of these slash lines is "stellar" or "whopping" and second, to me it seems that these numbers show a lower batting average against lefties, statistically the same on-base %, and a little higher slugging percentage (probably three to six additional XB hits).  I fail to see any superiority to Garlic.

2 hours ago, Trov said:

As a replacement for Garlick I am fine with it.  He is a vet and known to be a good team guy.  As pointed out, he does not make the difference, but I would take him as a Garlick replacement, if he is fine being a platoon pinch hitting type guy. 

I agree. He replaces Garlick and Celestino because Kiriloff can play CF for 70 games when Buxton is hurt. (Assuming he's not on the IL at the same time as Buxton).

Not the guy I targeted, for sure. He's probably on my 3rd tier. But for 1yr and cheap, I'm at least interested. Not asking him to be a starter, just a good role player and clubhouse guy.

I'd like the idea more if I felt confident the 2021 version of him was what we'd see in 2023. But there are no guarantees. 

I think there's 2 better choices out there, but that's just my opinion. 

I was wondering how far down I'd have to scroll to see "former...." and "leadership," mentioned.

As it turns out, not very far. 

In a word:  absolutely not.

This is the first time I’ve ever seen the word “whopping” and .245 batting average used together.  I like McCutcheon, but .245 is not whopping.

2 hours ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

It's not that it's cherry-picking - hell, I don't even trust L/R splits over a full season, much less a partial - but having watched McCutchen play quite a bit last season, he had a pretty strong cooked vibe at the plate.

Like I said, there's a chance he rebounds in 2023 but Milwaukee is a friendly place to hit and he didn't. I'd run with Garlick over acquiring McCutchen, though I want to see the Twins find a RHB outfielder better than both.

I think that's the biggest problem. he might just be cooked as a hitter. Might he do better over the course of the season in a reduced role, where he'd stay fresher and healthier, never being expected to play 130-140 games? Possibly, but it's definitely a gamble.

Is he an upgrade over Garlick? Maybe? He's going to be less helpless against righties...probably? He's going likely to be less effective against LHP. McCutcheon might actually be healthier?

4 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Not the guy I targeted, for sure. He's probably on my 3rd tier. But for 1yr and cheap, I'm at least interested. Not asking him to be a starter, just a good role player and clubhouse guy.

I'd like the idea more if I felt confident the 2021 version of him was what we'd see in 2023. But there are no guarantees. 

I think there's 2 better choices out there, but that's just my opinion. 

4 hours ago, Lou Hennessy said:

Not sure I'd call a four month stretch to finish a season "cherry picking" but your points are heard loud and clear. Like I said, I wouldn't expect him to carry the team, but he could marginally improve the lineup from the right side.

This is the question - assuming McCutcheon could marginally raise the floor (a pretty big IF), should we try to get him? The answer depends on if we're possible contender where 2-3 wins could make the difference in making the playoffs or winning a series, or are we father away then that and thus should use this as a development year? I personally don't see a lot of upside to improving from 75-80 wins to 82-83 wins so we can say we're a contender. The mediocre middle is a bad place to be. Either try to contend or try to develop so you can contend sooner rather than later. Don't play for 3rd place instead of 4th. 

I'm the eternal optimist but I don't see this Twins team as a few wins away from contention.  We have a solid rotation missing a true #1, a decent bullpen that could improve to solid if we sign a Fullmer type, average defense (above average OF with a below average IF), and a below average hitting lineup which lacks speed and is short on power. That's your current 2023 Twins. Sounds like 75-85 wins depending on where we fall on the bad vs. perfect health spectrum. 

My view is play the young(ish) guys like Larnach, Kirilloff, Gordon, Miranda, and Lewis when he's ready, plus Wallner and Lee in the second half. Don't sign a McCutcheon type to take away ABs unless you really think we can contend. I don't. In fact, I see the only way to contend being to play the young guys and hope they fulfill their promise quickly.  Assuming health, get Miranda 600 plate appearances this year, 500+ for Gordon, Larnach and Kirilloff, and 250+ for Lewis, Lee and Wallner in the second half if you can. If possible and deserved by early performance, add Julien and Martin into the mix. Get 30 plus starts for Ryan and Ober, and 10-15 for Varland and SWR. Try to get Paddack back in the rotation for 8-10 starts after his TJ rehab. If that means trading vets at the deadline, moving Maeda to the BP, and/or living with a lesser defensive SS who hits while Farmer becomes the UTl who can play SS, do it. Most of these guys are 25 or 26, not 21 or 22.  Play them and play them this year. Live with the consequences. 

I like McCutchen and I like trey Mancini but you can’t take either in until you trade one of the current LH corner outfielders. You can’t have Garlick, Kepler gallo, Kirilloff, Gordon and larnach all on the roster and add another.

3 hours ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

 

This is the question - assuming McCutcheon could marginally raise the floor (a pretty big IF), should we try to get him? The answer depends on if we're possible contender where 2-3 wins could make the difference in making the playoffs or winning a series, or are we father away then that and thus should use this as a development year? I personally don't see a lot of upside to improving from 75-80 wins to 82-83 wins so we can say we're a contender. The mediocre middle is a bad place to be. Either try to contend or try to develop so you can contend sooner rather than later. Don't play for 3rd place instead of 4th. 

I'm the eternal optimist but I don't see this Twins team as a few wins away from contention.  We have a solid rotation missing a true #1, a decent bullpen that could improve to solid if we sign a Fullmer type, average defense (above average OF with a below average IF), and a below average hitting lineup which lacks speed and is short on power. That's your current 2023 Twins. Sounds like 75-85 wins depending on where we fall on the bad vs. perfect health spectrum. 

My view is play the young(ish) guys like Larnach, Kirilloff, Gordon, Miranda, and Lewis when he's ready, plus Wallner and Lee in the second half. Don't sign a McCutcheon type to take away ABs unless you really think we can contend. I don't. In fact, I see the only way to contend being to play the young guys and hope they fulfill their promise quickly.  Assuming health, get Miranda 600 plate appearances this year, 500+ for Gordon, Larnach and Kirilloff, and 250+ for Lewis, Lee and Wallner in the second half if you can. If possible and deserved by early performance, add Julien and Martin into the mix. Get 30 plus starts for Ryan and Ober, and 10-15 for Varland and SWR. Try to get Paddack back in the rotation for 8-10 starts after his TJ rehab. If that means trading vets at the deadline, moving Maeda to the BP, and/or living with a lesser defensive SS who hits while Farmer becomes the UTl who can play SS, do it. Most of these guys are 25 or 26, not 21 or 22.  Play them and play them this year. Live with the consequences. 

Can't disagree with you. The key to 2023 and beyond is getting healthy...an exhausted comment I know, but factual...and setting up the young talent to actually succeed.

I'm with you on that. I think most would agree. 

Where we might disagree, somewhat, is still trying to win as many games at the same time. And I don't think either approach is mutually exclusive. The rotation has a chance to be pretty good, and offers some young talent and young depth. The bullpen, especially with another quality addition, maybe two, has a chance to be good to great. But right now, there really is NO-ONE to fill the role of RH OF bat to augment the lineup and depth. Martin isn't ready yet, and I think most of us agree Celestino has the tools to be a solid overall player, but lacks polish and has been rushed. And neither, at this point, seems to be a power plant type of bat. (Maybe in time). And that's OK.

And yes, someone probably has to be moved in some sort of deal to alleviate the crowded picture in the OF. But a RH bat who might add a couple more wins still does, potentially, do exactly that, add a couple more wins. And said bat wouldnt/shouldn't necessarily be an every day performer who blocks the young LH bats. He'd be time sharing and filling a role. And I believe there's room to make that addition, flesh out the lineup options, competing for as many wins as possible, while still running with the young guys. 

10 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

I'd be for it, if we hadn't signed Gallo. Larnach, Kiriloff & Kepler trade values are down, I wouldn't want to trade any of them at this point. But with Gallo signed we can't trade him until June and we are forced to trade Kepler. Only way I'd consider McCutchen now is if we find good trades on Kepler & Wallner.

Kepler has to be traded. Can’t sign Gallo with 3-4 other LH hitting corner outfielders behind him (Gordon - Walner - Kirilof - Larnach) & then keep Kepler as well.

Kepler - Celestino - Pagan together, maybe with a prospect if needed, for an arm is a great way to clarify our outfield options.

McCutchen may not mash LH pitching anymore but I’ll take his availability, his capabilities, & his leadership. I like him over Garlick. He could also displace Walner early in the year and then by July we decide if Garlick or McCutchen is our better option. He’s definitely worth the few million $ that we won’t be paying Kepler nor the FA pitchers we haven’t signed!

Love watching him play. It is fair to say that he could contribute more than Garlick.

That said, we have to concede that his last truly outstanding season was 2017. It is likely there is just not enough upside left in him six seasons out from that, which would be sad...

14 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Can't disagree with you. The key to 2023 and beyond is getting healthy...an exhausted comment I know, but factual...and setting up the young talent to actually succeed.

I'm with you on that. I think most would agree. 

Where we might disagree, somewhat, is still trying to win as many games at the same time. And I don't think either approach is mutually exclusive. The rotation has a chance to be pretty good, and offers some young talent and young depth. The bullpen, especially with another quality addition, maybe two, has a chance to be good to great. But right now, there really is NO-ONE to fill the role of RH OF bat to augment the lineup and depth. Martin isn't ready yet, and I think most of us agree Celestino has the tools to be a solid overall player, but lacks polish and has been rushed. And neither, at this point, seems to be a power plant type of bat. (Maybe in time). And that's OK.

And yes, someone probably has to be moved in some sort of deal to alleviate the crowded picture in the OF. But a RH bat who might add a couple more wins still does, potentially, do exactly that, add a couple more wins. And said bat wouldnt/shouldn't necessarily be an every day performer who blocks the young LH bats. He'd be time sharing and filling a role. And I believe there's room to make that addition, flesh out the lineup options, competing for as many wins as possible, while still running with the young guys. 

I don't think you and I are too far off. I agree that we're missing a RH middle of the order bat to hit 5 or 6 and could really use that kind of player. For me, adding that RH bat to mostly play a combination of DH and either 1B or LF works IF Kepler is traded. I want at least one OF position and half of the DH ABs open so Kirilloff, Larnach and Gordon can each be playing 5 days a week. I just don't see how we do that AND play Arraez, Kepler and Gallo 5 days a week. You have to think that Gallo has been promised an every day spot or he wouldn't have come to the Twins. Arraez is the defending batting champion and Kepler's defense is such that you have to think they are regulars going forward. We only have innings and ABs for these 6 guys at LF, RF, 1B, and DH. That's not enough for 6 players to play regularly, especially when they all hit left handed.   

I absolutely agree that adding a solid RH bat would help this lineup tremendously and could give us a few more wins. The problem is that I can't square that with getting enough innings and ABs for Gordon, Larnach, Kiriloff, and eventually Wallner, Lewis, Lee and Julien in 2023. I think the two ways to add the RH bat and create enough space without a tear down is either to trade Kepler to create an OF spot OR commit to playing Gordon 4-5 days a week at SS. Even then we're one starting spot short but that may be cured by injury or ineffectiveness. 

I think that there's a real choice here that we should make going into the season. One choice is to stay with what we have and add a RH bat. A few more wins, but not enough to contend in my view, and that choice would be made at the cost of needed development time for the guys mentioned above.  My choice would be to trade Kepler to create room for those guys to play even at the cost of a few wins. IF we trade Kepler there potentially is room for a RH bat as long as he's willing to play part time, but not for a full time guy. For me, the most important value is getting ABs for this next wave in 2023.