Minnesota Twins News: Eddie Rosario Optioned, Grossman Added
The Minnesota Twins have optioned outfielder Eddie Rosario and have added Robbie Grossman
The Minnesota Twins have sent Eddie Rosario packing down to AAA Rochester. In his place Minnesota has selected the contract of outfielder Robbie Grossman from the Rochester Red Wings.
Grossman was signed by the Twins to a minor league contract earlier this week. After playing just one game with the organization, Grossman has gotten the call. Between the Indians’ AAA affliate and the one game with the Red Wings Grossman has an .812 OPS through 143 plate appearances.
He’s been getting on base regularly with a .366 OBP and has hit 6 home runs. Grossman saw MLB action most recently with the Astros last year. He had 54 plate appearances but couldn’t get his bat going with a dismal .467 OPS.
OF Robbie Grossman, 2 days after signing w/ Twins, will be in uniform Thurs @ Target Field, replacing Eddie Rosario. https://t.co/hqe3ZKKLsk
— Phil Miller (@MillerStrib) May 19, 2016
He was more respectable at the plate in his two previous seasons.
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He’s had 764 plate appearances over 3 years in the majors and has a .668 OPS and has posted a 1.2 WAR. He’s a solid corner outfielder but is a bit of a liability in center field. He’s developed some pop. He strikes out too much but also elicits his fair share of walks.
Grossman does not have any option years remaining.
After an impressive debut campaign in 2015, Eddie Rosario has struggled mightily with the Twins this year. The team stuck with him for 118 PAs and an atrocious .224 OBP.
He was solid defensively but his offensive troubles sunk him down to a -0.4 WAR so far. Rosario must learn to get on base more if he wants to stick in the big show.
Evidently, the Twins still believe they can turn things around otherwise they ought to have called up Max Kepler or Byron Buxton to get them major league experience and prepare them for 2017.
Next: Poor defense costly in loss
The Twins are hoping that Grossman can provide an offensive spark to an outfield that desperately needs it. It’s a pretty far flung hope but he can’t do much worse than Rosario.