Injuries and Departures Push a Bench Role into the Twins' Top Offseason Needs

Polanco would be a great Super Utility Guy. Better than Trashcan Marwin. Arraez at 2B. Lewis ultimately at short. Blankenhorn and Gordon get to compete for positions too. Outfield of Buxton, Kepler, Kiriloff, Rooker, Rosario, and Larnach (sans two). Kiriloff also backs up Sano at 1B. Then we see how it shakes out. Some will earn spots and others will get demoted or DFAed. It’s time for the Twins Meritocracy.

Adrainza would be cheap, even if you sign him will not be out much if someone moves past him for playing time, With that said, I am all for a youth movement, Time to give Gordon, Blankenhorn, Jeffers, Kirilloff, and Rooker opportunities to see what they can do at MLB level, Lewis and Larnach may be mid to late season callups. 

Francisco Lindor is a free agent and would solve the SS problem.  And he would add a bat that can actually make contact with a pitch.  Trade away Sano, Polanco, Kepler.  Replace Sano and Kepler with Rooker/Larnach and Kirilloff.  And if Lewis looks ready, bring him up to play all the outfield spots as a replacement for whomever needs a rest.

Great article and even timely, though the Hot Stove is a ways away.

The bench failed a lot in 2020. Like ANY team or ANY player, how much stock do you place on any under performing player in a short and crazy season?

First of all, shame on anyone to just blast Marwin or Adrianza. While Gonzalez may have not lived up to his contract, be did a fine job in '19. While he looked slow and his bat disappeared in this past season, his defense was largely good to great. Adrianza continued to play fine defense, though his OK bat also disappeared. I was pleasantly surprised by Cave in CF defensively, but his offense is just so inconsistent. (Not so sure Wade hasn't surpassed him). Avilla was a smart signing, seemed solid behind the plate, but appears done.

While I doubt the primary lineup will be different other than Rosario...finances and young talent...the bench needs to be addressed.

I don't know who at this point, though the OP presents options, a 5th STARTING CALIBER infielder needs to be brought on board. Thats what Marwin was tbe past two years. The Twins need that 5th guy to play decent defense with a solid bat to fill in where he can, even if be isn't a normal SS option. Next, tbe Twins need to decide if Adrianza's bat is dead, or was it just a bad year. The guy plays great defense and his bat was solid for his role in 2018-19. Can you count on him in '21?

On paper, Blankenhorn and Gordon are almost perfect replacements. ONE GAME and a couple balls be didn't get to doesn't diminish my hope that Blankenhorn couldn't be a nice super-sub. But I'm not going to bet on him to start next season. Talk about hard luck cases, Gordon has dealt with everything from intestinal issues...seemingly resolved...to injuries where Adrianza got promoted ahead of him, to a bad covid situation that robbed him of most of his projected 2020 taxi squad season. The ability is still there to be a quality player, at least in a reserve role.

For a team with a still wide open window, I am hoping for Blankenhorn and Gordon in 2021 but NOT banking on them and I am looking via trade or FA for a viable Marwin replacement and very possibly/probably an Adrianza replacement as well.

I'm also looking to move on from Cave as well. I like him, but as stated, I Want someone more consistent in everything they do. I want someone to play good defense and provide some more consistent offense. Everyone seems to state they want a RH hitter for this spot. I'm not sold on that. Kepler, Kirilloff and Larnach are all LH. Rooker is RH. So is Buxton. Only Kepler can fill in at CF. Last I checked, most pitchers are still RH. I just want someone to be a legitimate option offensively and defensively for that spot.

I think catcher is solid as is with Jeffers and Garver. And Garver is absolutely not the hitter we saw in '20. But it would be very smart to sign a veteran MLB/AAA guy to compete and provide depth.

Spend $ for a Marwin replacement. Do the same for Adrianza..maybe. let Blankenhorn and Gordon earn their opportunity. Find a legit 4th OF. Grab the best AAAA catcher you can.

Francisco Lindor is a free agent and would solve the SS problem.  And he would add a bat that can actually make contact with a pitch.  Trade away Sano, Polanco, Kepler.  Replace Sano and Kepler with Rooker/Larnach and Kirilloff.  And if Lewis looks ready, bring him up to play all the outfield spots as a replacement for whomever needs a rest.

I'd LOVE for Lindor to become a Twin--I enjoy watching that man play the game. 

But the idea of sticking an infielder in the outfield is one that I hope has died in the Twins organization.  I remember Santana, Escobar, Sano and I think someone else being stuck out there, with predictable (poor) results.  If Lewis has shown in the minors that he can play outfield, OK, but it's not an entry level position for a major leaguer. 

I'm fine with looking internally for one of these spots and externally for the other. Trying to find a strong-glove SS should be a priority, especially if they could fill in a little at 3B as necessary. Then you can let Blankenhorn & Gordon fight it out for the other spot with the loser waiting in the wings in the minors to step in for an additional injury.

Not sure who that SS backup is yet, but I think they'll need to go outside the organization for it. Not sure Adrianza should be run back again; he's ok defensively, not great and if he's not hitting he's just another utility guy.

I would love to say bring up Lewis and let him play all over. He profiles as a good defender at short, and possibly fantastic at third or in center. But it appears that his bat isn't ready, and we don't want to miss out on the potential of an all around star. Sigh

Polanco as the utility guy, and Lewis up at SS. Keep Arraez at 2B, especially against righties, and have Polanco back up all positions in the infield and play every day. Blankenhorn should be able to help too, but a man can dream on an Eduardo Ecobar reunion too, right?