stringer bell

A pretty good conversation here. I am on record as supporting the acquisition of Bonifacio, but the numbers can be convincing either way. On a couple of points I just don't know enough. Three years ago, he played 67 games at short and 36 at third. He has played a lot in center. Why he has played only second and corner OF, probably has something to do with his team's roster, unless there was an injury. I don't know if Bonifacio can capably play third and center, but if he can, IMHO it tips the scales to picking him up.

OBP not BOP.

Bonifacio has a lifetime BOP of .322 with a .360 and a .330 leading in to 2013. He was terrible for the Jays, but had a .352 for the Royals in 42 games. I think he's a low-cost upgrade in an area of need.

That is the nice thing about having a versatile player. Bonifacio could get ABs at several different positions. It is close to a sure thing that someone that Bonifacio can replace will struggle or be injured. He's versatile enough that he can get plenty of PAs even if somebody like Plouffe goes off. The club needs speed and that is Bonifacio's best quality.

Bonifacio has played 136 games at third base and 198 in the outfield, his only value is not as a second baseman. He offers a likely leadoff hitter and someone with plus baserunning skills, including speed. That he is capable of playing six positions and is better defensively than three of the Twins' incumbents gives him unique value to the Twins. As noted above, he isn't going to put the Twins over the top in the division race, but for $3M he can improve the club. I think it is worth it, if the Twins wouldn't have to part with an A or B prospect.

BTW, if the Twins have some speed to be "harvested", it should happen this year. They have added one of the best baserunners ever to the coaching staff.

I'll defend Gardy here. I am sure that he believes in the stolen base, but under the right circumstances. The Twins have precious little speed to play with and most analysts says that a 75% success rate is the threshold to be an asset. The Twins have few players who can steal at a 75% clip, so there's that. The game situation has to be right and the Twins trailed big often in the last three years. Adding someone who can steal well above 75% of his attempts at the top or bottom of the order would be a good thing, and something that Gardenhire would use properly, IMHO.

You're probably right Jokin, although the Dodgers have signed two utility infielder types already this offseason. Here is what I see--Bonafacio is a good baserunner (undeniable), he's capable at second, better defensively than what the Twins have playing either corner OF spot, and his hitting is OBP-fueled and is marginal. Marginal is adequate for someone who brings his versatility. Bonus questions: Can he be a platoon alternative at third and short? Can he handle center field? If the answers are positive to the two bonus questions, then yes the Twins should pick him up. If he could raise his offense a tick or two, then he should be in the lineup almost every day somewhere.,

It appears that a lot of teams will have an interest in Bonifacio. His skills really do match up with Twins' needs--he has base stealing ability, switch hits and can play second, third and the outfield. A versatile guy like Bonafacio would render Mastroianni pretty useless, but it could pave the way for either a 13th pitcher or third catcher. The other downsides to Bonafacio are the fact that he hasn't played much third base for a few years and that his offense isn't really all that good. Still, he would be valuable if everyone stayed healthy and more than that if someone like Dozier was injured. On a related topic, I really don't know what to think of Escobar. He seems to have a little punch in his bat, but the overall numbers are really unimpressive. Defensively, he seems okay, but doesn't have that great range to be more than decent at the three infield positions. Sounds like the classic infield utility guy to me.

If Bonaficio is good enough to start some games at third, second, short and center, he could be a 10th regular. A guy who could maybe start 20 games at second and 40 at third against RH pitching, and start against LH at center, short, and left could get 500 plate appearances. Sort of a poor-man's Tony Phillips. I don't know if he is a good enough hitter or good enough at short and center to be considered for such a role, but if he's adequate in the field and better with the stick than Plouffe or Dozier hitting LH and Florimon and Presley hitting RH, then go get him. Adding a base-stealing threat and potential lead-off hitter would be a bonus.

Moot point. Sorry, grammar police.

It is funny how a year can be a total outlier. As I stated, Mauer has a noticeable platoon split lifetime, but last year actually hit better against left handers. Michael Cuddyer, a career .270 hitter hit .330 last year in no small part because he killed right handed pitching to the tune of .360 BA. Cuddy has had a career where he's crushed left handers, but struggled against right handers, yet there he is with an OPS well north of .900 against RH pitching. Totally unsustainable, but for a season Michael Cuddyer and Joe Mauer defied their platoon splits.

Having switch hitters (Florimon, Doumit, Hicks, Escobar) automatically increases the numbers used in the article. Going deeper, using switch hitters with substantial platoon splits really doesn't improve production if they get substantial at-bats on their "weak" side. So, if Hicks got a day off (when he played every day) vs. a lefty or Florimon got a day off vs. a righty when he played against a lefty, it wouldn't be utilizing platoon advantages. Incidentally, Mauer hit very well against lefties last year, but his career platoon split is very stark. Career vs. righties: .932 OPS, career vs. lefties: .760 OPS

In signing three major league starters, I think the days of sub-MLB level starters is over. The team is "blessed" with eight or nine third through fifth starters. Starting pitching depth shouldn't be a problem. Starting pitching quality--still a problem.

OK, if this thread is considered hijacked, so be it. I never met the man, but I have always loved Cuddy's attitude and appreciated his effort. There may have been whispers that Cuddy loves the camera etc., but he's always given maximum effort on the field and never complained where he was in the lineup or in the field. I've seen lots of compliments about how he's played the game and dealt with younger players. No one is going to be loved by everyone in the clubhouse, but I think Cuddyer is a great example of how a MLB player should go about his business.

Did not see that one coming.

1) Switch-hitters would figure here. They can be regulars and always enjoy the platoon advantage. 2) From point 1, this is why I regard K Morales as very desirable for the Twins. I love the idea of Morales hitting between Mauer and the Hammer (later Sano). 3) The managers still have a tough time with platoons with 12-man pitching staffs. Teams can be constructed to maximize all of their roster and that would include a platoon or two. What is good is to have players with positional flexibility to figure into the mix. For example playing Escobar at third often against righthanders and sometimes at second vs. righties and use him at short vs. lefties. Further, if a regular (Mauer, Arcia, Willingham, Dozier) gets a day off, make sure it is when they don't have a platoon advantage and fill the spot with a guy who does have that edge.

If I were the GM, I sign Morales to a three-year deal. I love the idea of a switch hitter with no appreciable platoon splits in the middle of the lineup. I subtract two starters in separate small trades--Correia and Worley adding in a prospect with Worley to acquire a shortstop who'll be contributing by mid-season next year at the latest. The prospect would be in the range of Harrison/Walker and if both are needed to be traded, do it. Willingham goes by mid-season, but he should be in the lineup every day to rebuild some trade value. Hicks and regrettably Pinto start the season in Rochester, but both are recalled before Memorial Day.

I think Mauer's K rate and BABIP last year were both aberrations. I sincerely doubt he'll strike out 100 times this year in well over 600 PAs (if healthy all year), but I also doubt he can sustain the otherwordly BABIP. They should balance out to another .300+ BA and .400+ OBP.

I see Sano in Rochester to start the season, with Romero filling in as DH/3B.

One of the Twins Cities columnists predicted that Romero would make the Twins as a Plouffe alternative and backup first baseman. I really can't see it. He is almost as old as Plouffe, plays no better defense and has never really excelled in the minors. I see Plouffe as the far superior option to Romero and they have basically the same function.

C-Suzuki, Fryer IF-Mauer, Dozier, Florimon, Plouffe, Escobar, Bartlett OF/DH-Kubel, Willingham, Presley, Arcia, Mastroianni SP-Nolasco, Hughes, Correia, Pelfrey, Diamond BP-Worley, Swarzak, Thielbar, Duensing, Burton, Fien, Perkins

Hardy at Target Field as a Twin: .252, 1 HR, 23 RBI, .652 OPS. He OPSed .758 on the road that year. Maybe he's not a great fit at TF.

Didn't Kyle Lohse get less per annum than his qualifying offer? I think he's a Boras client.

I'd certainly like to see Pinto start the season as the Twins regular catcher, but I won't be overly concerned if Suzuki starts the season getting most of the starts. Pinto has a bit of work to do, having played just a month in Rochester. I hope he starts the season with the Twins, but if he doesn't, good play at Rochester will get him back to Minnesota soon enough. It's a long season, first of all, and secondly, everyone will get a chance to play and if Pinto is better, I trust he'll get plenty of work.