Alex

I’d like to see the bullpen improved as well, but in their three losses, the offense scored, 2, 3, and 4 runs. A bit more run support (or fielding) in two of those games and the equation changes. You’re not going to win a lot of games scoring 4 or fewer runs.

Not anymore.

I don't really like the Gomez/Hicks comparisons. Gomez was 23 his last year with the Twins. Hicks was 23 in the first year he was called up. And even though Gomez was younger and not very good, only his first season at age 21 was as bad as Hicks has been.

If I'm remembering correctly, teams shift the OF left on Mauer and IF to the right. He's waited back hit some soft grounders to the left for singles. I think that's possible, but hitting line drives to different locations would be a far tougher thing and could require a lot of mechanical changes for a hitter like Mauer who really doesn't pull the ball hard very often. At least, that's my thinking since major league pitching is tough to hit even when taking an approach that emphasizes one's strengths. If it were that easy, I think a lot more people could hit better in general.

That's fair, and we can certainly split hairs about what that means. I guess I'd argue that if he's already flagging after playing 28 games in the OF of 36 at this point in the season, that's an issue. He's the best of those three OF, so I'd be surprised if the expectation was for him to DH more than 25% of the time as he's the best fielding corner OF on the roster (and who has the potential bat for it).

1) Dumping Hicks is a bad idea at this point, but he should be in Rochester. (Remember when the Twins talked about "no free rides?" or whatever Hicks is getting one). Problem is, there's not many other options in the majors right now for a CF especially since the organization is hurting for depth. 3) Colabello: I think a guy needs a chance to slump and come out of it. He's shown some power and the Twins need it desperately. -- I'd replace those on the list with Kubel. Dating back to August of 2012, he's been pretty terrible and certainly not good enough for a weak defending corner OF. Though, this might not be possible until Arcia, and maybe Willingham return.

Hmmm, it's an interesting thought, but how could the plan have not been for this much time in the field? Or, at least a good amount? They started the season with the following players on the 25 day roster between corner OF and DH: Willingham, Arcia, Kubel, and Colabello. Even if you put CC on the bench, you still have Hammer Arcia and Kubel, all better suited to DH than play OF. Not sure I see a scenario where Kubel doesn't see a lot of time in the OF, even if Hammer had been healthy.

When I voiced concerns the roster had too many weak defensive outfielders (DH types) and essentially exchanging Kubel for Doumit wasn't a great idea specifically because it cost younger players chances to prove whether or not they belonged, several people responded by saying "The only thing keeping Parmelee out of the majors is Parmelee." I don't think that really holds anymore.

It's nice to see him doing well, but he's a 23 year old at High A, which is behind where you'd like to see him developmentally, even if he continues at this pace. As a point of reference, Florimon has similarly successful seasons at that age in high A.

A very similar article, but focuses on swing rates: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-twins-new-plan-dont-swing/

I'd just point out that a lot of the margins in baseball are thin, including the difference between Florimon's defense and an average SS in terms of runs saved. Accepting and finding those margins on a personnel (player) level and a game by game (stragegy: lineup construction, etc.) level is what makes one team a playoff contender and another a bottom feeder.

I agree with this post far more than your first, though I don't necessarily agree that just because the Twins make a decision means it's the right one. As others pointed out and you point out here, because we don't have another option that is much better there's not a compelling reason not to have him play. But there are a few issues. I think the point about his defensive skillset "coming around only every so often" is not because it's challenging to find fantastic fielders that can play SS but because it's challenging to combine that skillset with a minimum level of hitting that is required to play in the majors, and that minimum level of hitting is often represented by the shortstop position. Even at the most important defensive position, there is a minimum standard for hitting because a glove can only make up for so much poor hitting. Then there's a case that some might make that he's a good, but overrated SS. As an example, he ranks right in the middle of ML shortstops in Fangraphs UZR/150 in 2013. While we could debate the exact accuracy of such statistics, unique talents tend not to rank in the middle.

The limbo line for me is when he hits bad enough that you'd prefer to DH him over the pitcher. The Hicks comparison, while valid from small sample size standpoint doesn't hold up in other ways, like the fact (already mentioned) that he just hasn't hit -- ever. The other reason it's bad is that Hicks was 23 last year and Florimon is 27 this year and this isn't his first exposure to major league pitching (though he doesn't have 1000 plate appearances yet). Is Escobar really that bad defensively? I realize his numbers don't look much better, but he wasn't getting regular at bats and he has a smaller number.

Actually, if Dozier really has this kind of power, he might be a better a candidate for#2 than Joe, and Joe would actually make a great lead off hitter.

I have it on good authority TC Bear's backup outfielder of choice was Alex Presley.