The Twins are currently going through what I can only describe as the major league equivalent of open tryouts. They've got a few positions set in stone, like centerfield and 2 rotation spots, and pretty much everything else is up in the air. They're not competing, they're already below the Orioles in the AL standings, and they're trending further downward. And so we're just throwing people out there at this point.
The good side of that is that the guys who've been platooned the past few years and haven't been able to start everyday are finally getting more opportunities to play. Brooks Lee had to wait for injuries to both Carlos Correa and Royce Lewis to make his debut last year, and until Correa got dealt he was a utility guy. Now he's got short to himself. At the very least, Lee is producing, with 13 homers and 54 RBIs, but he's doing this with barely any defensive support and not a lot of contact hitting. Lee, like Lewis, was a prized prospect that has matured into an above-average infield bat without much versatility. It's good that he's hitting alright but it doesn't feel like he's doing much else right now.
Already, the Twins have been chucking some recent trade returns out there to see if there were any immediate dividends. James Outman is hitting about as well as he did in LA, Alan Roden stunk it up then got hurt, and both Mick Abel and Taj Bradley got lit up in their premier Minnesota starts. It sucks cause both Abel and Bradley have flirted with greatness, but this isn't a very comforting circumstance. Having to pitch for this team now, to essentially keep the lights on, isn't a great way to reestablish yourself.
The really frightening bit is that the only people who are still on this team, and healthy, and have a WAR of more than 1 are Byron Buxton, Joe Ryan...and Luke Keaschall, who's been active since the deadline. Two stars and a rookie. Everybody else is replacement level, and a lot of other guys are just good at one thing. Matt Wallner's fundamentally a good hitter, but he hits .217. Royce Lewis is good for the occasional long ball but they're way more spread out this year. Ryan Jeffers is an above-average hitter but a liability behind the plate. This is a team that seemed to be a swiss army knife of intriguing young guys that could be platooned, and now that they all have room to start they're not accomplishing anything.
I hate to say it, but next year might not be pretty either. It might be more of this. Sifting pieces around until they fall into holes. Who knows if Ryan or Buxton will even stick around. I know Buxton wants to retire as a Twin but I'd prefer he retire with some dignity.
Coming Tomorrow- A big guy who hits all sorts of stuff, and even he can't make the Cardinals good.
No comments:
Post a Comment