Backup Outfielder

[twinscowboysbulls]

The more I look at our OF defense, it would really be nice to pick up a cheap good defensive OF. Unless Pridie is just that....Can anyone tell me what his defensive numbers are? Or don't they keep track of all the UZR numbers for Minor Leaguers? Sure would be nice to have a guy to stick in for Delmon late in games....yikes.

[kab21]

Pridie is an excellent defender.

Rocco Baldelli is still out there. Just saying...

[Iastfan112]

Pridie is an excellent defender.

Rocco Baldelli is still out there. Just saying...

Doesn't Baldelli have some massive injury concerns, or did he get his health issues straightened out(some condition that made it so he had no energy/hurt more after playing)?

[kab21]

Pridie is an excellent defender.

Rocco Baldelli is still out there. Just saying...

Doesn't Baldelli have some massive injury concerns, or did he get his health issues straightened out(some condition that made it so he had no energy/hurt more after playing)?

the Twins don't need an everyday player. He's a backup that would platoon some. And he's better than Pridie and cheap.

RH'd - check. Capable CF'er - check. Cheap - check.

[torii_hunter_mvp]

rock would definitely be a nice addition to the team. he cant play everyday anymore, but he would be a nice 4th outfielder and could play a few days a week and dh if necessary. he's tough against lhp.

i've spoken to him recently and he doesnt expect to ever be able to play everyday again, but he wants to play for a team that gives him a chance to win. he's a good kid and would be a good fit in any clubhouse.

[crapforks]

Asking that the Twins sign another key FA might be too much. I would be OK with Punto/Tolbert/Cuddyer being the 1-2 inning/day CF replacement. Pridie can get to MN an be the black hole in the lineup within a day or two. That'll probably have to do.

[Rocketpig]

Taking a flyer on Baldelli is a good idea but other than that, I think the roster is pretty much locked down.

And for the first time since I can remember in the JR/BS era, I'm totally okay with that.

[everyday]

i say sign gomes and baldelli and go with a 5 man bench.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Asking that the Twins sign another key FA might be too much. I would be OK with Punto/Tolbert/Cuddyer being the 1-2 inning/day CF replacement. Pridie can get to MN an be the black hole in the lineup within a day or two. That'll probably have to do.

Signing Baldeli to what would likely be the league minimum would allow us to DFA Pridie. My guess is he gets a minor league contract with a spring invite, and if he shows he capable of playing defense and hitting LHP, he will get a job. In the end, the payroll doesn't change much. Not sure I'd count this as a FA signing. I could see this, though I tend to think they are done at this point, unless Crede begs them to take him for the minimum...

[Iastfan112]

Pridie is an excellent defender.

Rocco Baldelli is still out there. Just saying...

Doesn't Baldelli have some massive injury concerns, or did he get his health issues straightened out(some condition that made it so he had no energy/hurt more after playing)?

the Twins don't need an everyday player. He's a backup that would platoon some. And he's better than Pridie and cheap.

RH'd - check. Capable CF'er - check. Cheap - check.

If one of our OF(especially Span) went down for a month for example would we really want a guy who could only play half the games? This is just speculation on my part Baldelli could be healthy/healthier now and my point is a non-issue.

[kab21]

If one of our OF(especially Span) went down for a month for example would we really want a guy who could only play half the games? This is just speculation on my part Baldelli could be healthy/healthier now and my point is a non-issue.

Would you rather want to have Pridie for every game?

[Pseudofool]

If one of our OF(especially Span) went down for a month for example would we really want a guy who could only play half the games? This is just speculation on my part Baldelli could be healthy/healthier now and my point is a non-issue.

Would you rather want to have Pridie for every game?

We can't have optimal redundancy at every position. Come on.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Don't we have a pretty nice CF prospect or two in AA this year. Seriously, if Span went down for a period of time, I could see calling up one of those guys to fill in for a week or two. They probably won't be any worse hitters...

[Klobs]

He's right, Baldelli makes no real sense, if your worry is that Span is out for five days with something minor, and the Twins need someone to play center.

[VodkaDave]

Kepler


/thread

[Rocketpig]

Picking up Baldelli as a potential injury replacement is silly. He can't play every day so he's worthless in that capacity.

As a right-handed bench bat and a guy who can play all OF positions as a sub makes a lot of sense, though. He'd be a nice complement to Thome.

[Rocketpig]

Doesn't Baldelli have some massive injury concerns, or did he get his health issues straightened out(some condition that made it so he had no energy/hurt more after playing)?

the Twins don't need an everyday player. He's a backup that would platoon some. And he's better than Pridie and cheap.

RH'd - check. Capable CF'er - check. Cheap - check.

If one of our OF(especially Span) went down for a month for example would we really want a guy who could only play half the games? This is just speculation on my part Baldelli could be healthy/healthier now and my point is a non-issue.

In that case, DL Span and call up Pridie. Either way, having Baldelli as a late-inning defensive replacement or as a PH improves this team. No by a lot but given the money it would take to sign Rocco, it's not a huge risk.

[alskntwnsfn]

They should have picked up Reggie Abercrombie right after they traded Señor Excitemento. Excellent defense. He's like Mike Cameron but more inconsistent at the plate, and a better basestealer. Oh well. He'd be a perfect fit for a team in need of a 4th/5th outfielder.

[kab21]

He's right, Baldelli makes no real sense, if your worry is that Span is out for five days with something minor, and the Twins need someone to play center.

I think Baldelli would be able to suck it up and play a grueling 5 days in a row. He's not half-dead (the Twins already have one zombie).

[TheSquad]

Baldelli isn't a good option for the same reason that Crede isn't a good option. With Thome sucking up one of the bench spots you really handcuff yourself if you sign someone who can't play every day. Unless the twins go with a 5 man bench Baldelli doesn't fit.

[jewscott]

Picking up Baldelli as a potential injury replacement is silly. He can't play every day so he's worthless in that capacity.

The reason you take a flyer on a guy like Baldelli is in hopes that this is the year everything heals up.

With that said, I fully expect Tolbert to play centerfield two days a week, get frosted tips, and do all the things Denny Hocking used to do to piss us off.

[Klobs]

Picking up Baldelli as a potential injury replacement is silly. He can't play every day so he's worthless in that capacity.

The reason you take a flyer on a guy like Baldelli is in hopes that this is the year everything heals up.

I don't know that his mitochondrial myopathy is going to "heal up."

[alswearingen1]

There are lots of speedy centerfielders who can't hit much out there. Several were signed to minor league contracts and not all of them will make their respective teams. When one of those guys is released, the Twins can sign him for the minimum and take Pridie off the major league roster. This is a problem that really doesn't need to be solved until opening day.

[a-wan]

I don't know that his mitochondrial myopathy is going to "heal up."

Isn't that the same problem Anakin had? He turned out fine and dandy. Greatest Sith lord ever.

[neboo]

Willy Taveras was released today. If he was cheap enough he would be a nice backup OF/pinch runner.

[Vervehound]

one internal option that hasn't been mentioned is rene tosoni. he needs at least a half season in 3-a but he fits the profile of a fourth of'er to a tee.