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Twins Bolster IF, OF Depth With Latest Pickups

By Scott Wessels

May 14, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers left fielder Drew Stubbs (15) is doused with water and Powerade and bubble gum after hitting a walk off home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the tenth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers defeat the Blue Jays 6-5 in extra innings. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
May 14, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers left fielder Drew Stubbs (15) is doused with water and Powerade and bubble gum after hitting a walk off home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the tenth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers defeat the Blue Jays 6-5 in extra innings. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Twins Claim Infielder Ehire Adrianza on Waivers, Sign outfielder Drew Stubbs to Minor League Contract.

With Spring Training opening in less than a week, the Twins’ new front office is quickly shaping the off-season roster at the last minute.

While Twins fans were excited by the new additions to the front office, Derek Falvey and Thad Levine made only small splashes during the usually busy Winter Meetings.

They outbid for the services of a defensive catcher, Jason Castro, who they hope will bolster both their pitching staff and infield defense. And then in December and January, they failed to wow anyone with a handful of minor league contract signings.

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But, in the past week, they have added a pitcher (Matt Belisle) who will compete for a late-inning, high-leverage spot in the bullpen.

Then they picked up a slick-fielding shortstop (Adrianza) who immediately becomes the go-to end-of-game defensive replacement if he sticks, off waivers.

Finally, yesterday, they signed the once-promising outfielder Stubbs to the already crowded mix of outfielders to a minor league contract with a Spring Training invite.

Of the three, Drew Stubbs is probably the most well-known, making an impact early on in his career with the Cincinnati Reds’ organization. The eighth overall pick in the 2006 draft made his debut with the Reds in 2009.

By 2010, he appeared to be in their long-range plans, hitting .255 / .773 OPS / 22 HR / 77 RBI. In each of his first two full seasons, he scored 90+ runs with 30+ stolen bases. Yet, the Reds traded him to Cleveland for an older Shin-Soo Choo. The same three-team trade that yielded Trevor Bauer for the Indians from the Diamondbacks.

The reason? He strikes out. A lot. Like, a lot a lot.

While he walked 63 times and stole lots of bases for the Reds in 2011, he also joined four other Major Leaguers to ever strike out at least 200 times in a season with 205. At the time, it was good for third on the all-time list.

Since then, the likes of Chris Davis and Chris Carter have accomplished the feat more than once. But they hit 40+ home runs in a season. And even Carter, the reigning N.L. home run champ, had problems finding a new club before signing with the Yankees yesterday.

But Stubbs does bring a potent bat, good speed, and above-average defense with him to Ft. Myers. He manned the center field position for the Colorado Rockies in 2014, his last full season with any ballclub.

By the end of the next Summer, Stubbs was DFA’d by the Rockies, picked up by the Texas Rangers, released, signed by the Atlanta Braves, released, re-signed by the Rangers, released, and then signed by the Baltimore Orioles, and then once again released. From phenom to journeyman in five years.

MLB: San Francisco Giants at Atlanta Braves
MLB: San Francisco Giants at Atlanta Braves /

Meanwhile, Ehire Adrianza is not known for his bat, not in the slightest. Yet, he probably has a better chance of making it with the Twins than Stubbs.

The new Twins’ front office values defense, and saving runs, versus an outfielder would might hit 20+ home runs and create fewer runs. While not as sexy, it is more efficient.

Welcome to the new age of baseball, Minnesota. Catcher Castro was paid handsomely to frame pitches, even though he has trouble hitting them himself. He signed a multi-year contract (Twins outbid at least two other clubs) that pays him $8.5 M for 2017.

Castro has hit .232 in six big league seasons, with 62 home runs. Carter’s one-year deal with the Yankees was for just $3.5 M, and he’s hit .218 with 150 homers in just four full seasons in the majors. New age, indeed.

Adrianza’s glove will be valuable here at Target Field. He’s mostly played shortstop throughout his career, and his defensive stats, when he does play short, are Adrelton Simmons-esque.

If the Twins struggle defensively with Jorge Polanco playing out of position there, look for them to sacrifice some offense there for someone who can cover the left side, and make up ground in the hole for Miguel Sano at third base.

The expectations out of the shortstop position have changed since Cal Ripken and Robin Yount re-defined the position in the 80s. But in the last few years, many teams are harking back to the age before it, where a player who can save you defensively is just as important.

Truth be told, if Minnesota gets the numbers they expect from the other positions, they could afford to have a weak bat or two in the lineup as long as they provide elite defense. Remember, a record 11 Twins hit double digit home runs last year.

And they do get ungodly power numbers from their second baseman, Brian Dozier, a position many other clubs sacrifice power for defense.

If Joe Mauer can bounce back at first, and the Twins get decent power out of their DH, a light-hitting shortstop who ignites the team on defense, instead of the plate, might be just what they need to get back to respectability.

Next: Writer Attends TwinsFest as a Fan

Update: To make room for Ehire Adrianza on the 40-man roster, the Twins DFA’d reliever Pat Light for assignment. Light was acquired in a trade deadline deal last Summer for Fernando Abad.

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