The Minnesota Twins claimed Taylor Motter on Monday and his addition could create space for the Twins to add more offense to their bench.
The Minnesota Twins roster has taken some major hits due to both injuries and suspension. That has tested the Twins depth that they tried to create in the offseason and it seems that the front office isn’t entirely happy with what they have seen from that depth.
We first saw the Twins swing a trade for slugging first baseman and designated hitter Chris Carter. Carter hasn’t done much the last two seasons, but as recently as 2016 led the National League in home runs. Now Monday, the Twins have claimed Taylor Motter after he was designated for assignment by the Seattle Mariners.
Motter hasn’t proven to offer too much with his bat over his major league career as he has hit .267/.269/.326 and has a .595 OPS. In seven games this season Motter is hitting .267/.353/.467 and has a .820 OPS. His real value comes with his super-utility defensive abilities. Motter is naturally a shortstop and has spent the most of his time there defensively, but he can play all over the infield as well as the outfield.
Just Monday we posted here at Puckett’s Pond about the struggle of the Twins offense but yet the need to continue to focus on defense. Motter very well may help the Twins to still focus on defense while adding a much-needed bench bat. Now no, Motter himself doesn’t allow that to happen, but in a series of moves he could.
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It doesn’t seem that anyone outside of the front office truly knows the plans for Motter as a Twin at this point besides the fact that we know he is headed to Triple-A Rochester. If he goes to Rochester and shows the Twins front office something worthy of a promotion to the majors here is some speculation as to how he could bring someone with him to help the Twins anemic bench.
Ehire Adrianza has clearly struggled with his bat for the Twins, but it is Gregorio Petit who should be looking over his shoulder with the Motter addition. If Motter was promoted to the majors with his ability to field the outfield Ryan LaMarre as the Twins fourth defensive outfielder would also become expendable. Yes, Robbie Grossman is still on the roster but no one wants to see him playing defensively so he isn’t included in that count of outfielders.
Since Motter is able to essentially be the defensive player that both LaMarre and Petit are currently that creates an extra bench spot for a bat first player. Someone like the previously mentioned Carter or if he ran into a hot streak, Kennys Vargas. Neither player gives us something to be super excited about right now, but they both do represent some powerful bats with potential for some powerful pinch-hit at-bats.
Next: An update on the Twins 2017 Draft class
None of that may happen, but regardless the Twins acquired an intriguing player on Monday. Stay tuned here at Puckett’s Pond as we see how the Twins season and roster moves continue to take shape.