The "Former Nat Watch" Thread (2011)

[tomterp]

Oh, lighten up Spider.  Jerry's a really nice guy, and I'm sure our fans would be happy to put up with the occasional blunder in order to have him around.

Also, I hear John Patterson is working out, hoping to make a comeback.

[spidernat]

Oh, lighten up Spider.  Jerry's a really nice guy, and I'm sure our fans would be happy to put up with the occasional blunder in order to have him around.

Also, I hear John Patterson is working out, hoping to make a comeback.

Well played tomterp. 

[Nathan]

Oh, lighten up Spider.  Jerry's a really nice guy, and I'm sure our fans would be happy to put up with the occasional blunder in order to have him around.

Also, I hear John Patterson is working out, hoping to make a comeback.

he was pretty useful to have around this past season.

[Vega]

Klej is still walking a ton of guys, but he had a good season.

[Tyler Durden]

he was pretty useful to have around this past season.

He filled in pretty well for our best player when he went down for 50+ games.  I'm not sure what more you could ask of a utility player.

[Nathan]

He filled in pretty well for our best player when he went down for 50+ games.  I'm not sure what more you could ask of a utility player.

Can play anywhere on the field, not a waste at the plate.  A much better guy to have on the bench than say someone like Stairs, even if Stairs could still hit.

[tomterp]

Can play anywhere on the field, not a waste at the plate.  A much better guy to have on the bench than say someone like Stairs, even if Stairs could still hit.

He's what, 36?  Not much left in the tank.   I think we can do as well or better with some combination of in-house options.  Would have liked to see Antonelli get an audition for the role this year, but Lombo, Bixler could fill the gap.

[Tyler Durden]

I don't know - that period when Zim was out, we unexpectedly hovered pretty close to .500.  That wouldn't have happened without solid play from Hairston.  I'm not sure we would have done quite so well with any of the guys you mentioned for such an extended period of time.

I'd be open to options other than Hairston, but I'm not sure I'd want Bixler or Lombo to start 50 games for us if something similar happens in 2012.

[HalfSmokes]

Lombo and Bixler aren't replacement's for a guy like Zimmerman, but I'd trust lombo if a middle infielder instead of a corner infielder went down for an extended period. I'd rather not stock the last spots on the bench speculating which starter will get injured for an extended period

[Nathan]

All I'm saying is that he filled some pretty big shoes for an extended time and did an admirable job.  I'd much rather have that kind of player than a Stairs type that can't field and can't run, even if it turned out he could hit.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

You generally don't go into an offseason saying the guy we really need is a Jerry Hairston / Alex Cora / Omar Vizquel (now) / John McDonald / Willie Harris type, but these veterans who play multiple positions, can fill in for a couple weeks when players are injured, aren't overwhelmed by pinch hitting, and will go to dinner with rookies and help them adjust are useful.  W/r/t the Nats, maybe Bixler can do some of those tasks now for $1MM less than those guys will command, so you don't chase those vets as FAs, but I'd rather see those guys sit on the bench if our 4/5/6 infielders are each playing 155 games than have a guy like Lombardozzi atrophy in the majors with less than 150 ABs.

By the way, it was kind of cool to see Jon Lester say that one of the missing ingredients for the Red Sox this year was Alex Cora.  Joke about veteran leadership, but it does seem matter when things are falling apart for contenders.

Lester said he would love to see pending free agents David Ortiz and Jonathan Papelbon return next season. But he also thinks the team needs more high-character type players such as former Red Sox Alex Cora, Eric Hinske, or Sean Casey.

“We need that good veteran presence,’’ he said. “If you have somebody like that, it makes everybody better.’’

[Obed_Marsh]

Which former National posted a 34.2 VORP and 40 stolen bases in 2011?






Emilio Bonifacio.

[Nathan]

[Obed_Marsh]

He is somewhat limited in fielding postions, he only plays 2B, SS, 3B, LF, CF, and RF. He ain't no magic glove.

[MarquisDeSade]

He is somewhat limited in fielding postions, he only plays 2B, SS, 3B, LF, CF, and RF. He ain't no magic glove.

Of course not.  He also hit an inside the park home run.  Marlins 4 life...

[Obed_Marsh]

Jamey carroll is close to deal for 2 yrs and close to $7M with #twins. Very dependable player. Good move (tho not cheap)

#twins have agreed to deal with jamey carroll for 2 yrs and close to $7M. Will be their everyday SS

Jamey Carroll as starting SS at 2/$7M. Granted he is a such a nice guy.

[Lintyfresh85]

His .350 OBP is nothing to laugh at.

[Obed_Marsh]

His .350 OBP is nothing to laugh at.

A 38 year old utillity man pressed into the everyday SS role this early in the offseason is laughable.

[tomterp]

A 38 year old utillity man pressed into the everyday SS role this early in the offseason is laughable.

Agreed, that's crazy money for Jamie.  Good for him though, he's a really nice guy.   

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Agreed, that's crazy money for Jamie.  Good for him though, he's a really nice guy.   

He is well worth the money.  He is incredibly productive even if he does not get 600 PAs a year.  The past 3 years he's put up 1.6, 2.5, and 2.2 WAR in less than 1300 PAs.  IF you figure he is a 2 WAR player now and 1.5 next year, that is $17MM+ performance getting paid $7MM.  I love this signing for the Twins.  He'll make it worthwhile in just one year.

[tomterp]

He is well worth the money.  He is incredibly productive even if he does not get 600 PAs a year.  The past 3 years he's put up 1.6, 2.5, and 2.2 WAR in less than 1300 PAs.  IF you figure he is a 2 WAR player now and 1.5 next year, that is $17MM+ performance getting paid $7MM.  I love this signing for the Twins.  He'll make it worthwhile in just one year.

I've seen Jamey play, he's got limited range and that was when he was "only" 32.  He's going to be 38 and his age and lack of range will leave him fully exposed at SS.

[blue911]

Sounds like the Twins aren't counting on Span.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I see the report about SS but I'm betting he spends his time at multiple positions.  They have a hole at 2d.  If there are no further moves, Casilla, Carroll, and Plouffe will be shifted around to cover MI. 

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Here's LaVelle Neal from the Star-Tribune:
http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/blogs/133717193.html

Some reports have Carroll as the Twins’ everyday shortstop next season but the final decision belongs to manager Ron Gardenhire. There are indications that the Twins might continue to look for middle infield help.

Carroll’s numbers from last season, however, would easily out produce Twins’ shortstops last season, as Tsuyoshi Nishioka, Trevor Plouffe, Matt Tolbert and Alexi Casilla combined to bat .238 with a .292 on base percentage.

But Carroll isn’t much of a run producer. He had 17 RBI in 510 at-bats last season. Nishioka had 19 RBI in 221 at-bats.

Shortstop was an eyesore last year as Nishioka looked like he was in way over his head. He moved to short from second after suffering a broken leg on Apr. 7 from a hard take-out slide by the Yankees’ Nick Swisher. Plouffe was given a chance to claim the position late in the season but failed to impress. With Carroll in the fold and Casilla expected to start somewhere in the middle infield next season, Plouffe’s best chance to make the team appears to be as a utility player.

That sounds like they are committed to Carroll, but not necessarily at SS.

[blue911]

Don't forget Nishioka.