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Greatest Minnesota Twins Shortstop Polls: Gagne vs Reboulet

By Michael McKee

May 11, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Baseball glove of Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kyle Gibson (44) on the dugout rail before the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Baseball glove of Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kyle Gibson (44) on the dugout rail before the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Puckett’s Pond faces off two notable Minnesota Twins players and you decide which one was greater

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Puckett’s Pond is enlisting your help in deciding who the greatest Minnesota Twins in history are at each position. Eventually we’ll square off each position against the others and wind up with the greatest Minnesota Twin, as selected by you. The first position we’ll be selecting is catcher. We’ll only be counting literal Minnesota Twins and not the pre-1961 Washington franchises. Players also will need 700 PAs as a Twin to qualify. We ask you to consider the player based solely on his time as a Twin and at the position specified.

We faced off Guzman vs Escobar in the first match up (You can still vote in that poll) and Cardenas vs Smalley in the second (vote here)

Matchup #3: Greg Gagne vs Jeff Reboulet

Reboulet was drafted by the Twins in 1986. He made his debut in 1992. He spent five seasons with the Twins. He was never the team’s starting shortstop but was highly effective in a back up role. For example, he was worth 2.6 WAR in 1995 while only playing in 87 games. He played his last game with Pittsburgh in 2003.

Reboulet had a below average bat, even for a shortstop, but made up for it with stellar defence. He had very little power and didn’t run much. He did have a knack for getting on base as evidenced by a .335 OBP. Overall, he posted a .659 OPS, 38 defensive runs above average and 4.2 WAR over 1173 plate appearances as a Twin.

Gagne was drafted by the Yankees in 1979. In 1982, he was traded to the Twins as part of package in exchange for Roy Smalley. Gagne would spend parts of ten seasons in Minnesota. From 1985 until 1992, he was the Twins primary short stop. He played his last game with the Dodgers in 1997. Gagne aided the Twins to glory in 1987 and 1991.

Gagne had an average bat for a shortstop but was an excellent defender. He leads all qualified Twins shortstops in defensive runs saved. He had some power and wasn’t very successful on the base paths. Over 3697 plate appearances as a Twin, he posted a .677 OPS, 106.7 defensive runs above average and posted 14.6 WAR

Who was the greater Twins shortstop? Have your say:

Next: Second Base Depth Chart

Feel free to leave your reasoning in the comments. Check back here for the rest of the match ups and to see who moves on.

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