With a significant number of infielders still available and few potential suitors, it appears the Twins’ patience may again work in their favor in the coming week. It certainly paid off in their signing of Jim Thome, who recognized the market reality and chose to get on a contender’s roster while he still had a chance.
Current conventional wisdom is that the infielder market hinges on the player widely regarded as the best available option — Orlando Hudson. So, why is the best infielder still available on February 1?
It’s simple. Teams are no longer willing to invest significant dollars in mid-level players like Hudson. Like many other industries, it seems MLB has discovered some rather obvious efficiencies thanks to the brutal economic times from which we are beginning to emerge. By forgoing mid-level veteran players and instead relying on young talent and superstars, teams can control payroll without much of a drop in overall team production.
Johnny Damon’s offseason is perhaps the most public example. Damon has been a superstar. But at this stage in his career, his numbers no longer qualify him as such. Teams can peice together a young OF platoon that comes close to Damon’s offensive production without having the liability of his aging limbs (arm and legs) in the field. The glitz of the Damon name just doesn’t seem to matter much suddenly.
Perhaps big market team owners are “hiding” behind the economic woes. Or maybe with more widespread use of sites like Fangraphs.com, big market fans are actually looking for production over glitz.
The thing about market trends is that they sometimes swing faster and farther than anyone could expect. Hudson, who has never received his big pay day, reportedly is looking for $9 million — and his most aggressive suitor, the Nationals, are offering a mere $3 million. If you are a Twins fan, this is great news.
It goes without saying, there aren’t many of us content with Alexi Casilla or Nick Punto as the starting 2B. That prospect is so deflating to the fanbase because neither is a legitimate starter for a team with serious championship aspirations.
Well, thanks to this unexpected swing in the market, there’s actually reason to believe we long-suffering cold stove watchers could see someone else in the 2-hole between Span and Mauer. There’s no question, strengthening the 2-hole drastically alters the Twins’ lineup.
Adding Orlando Hudson or Felipe Lopez (both switch-hitters, by the way) would add 20-50 points in OBP easily — maybe more, considering Mauer’s protection and about 10 HRs. Neither player was offered arbitration, so the Twins would not even have to give up a draft pick.
Signing one of these guys would add infield depth in case of injury, protect Span in the leadoff spot and allow Punto to be used in his most effective role.
If either player can be had for less than $5 million due to these remarkable market conditions, and the Twins let that opportunity pass in their first year at Target Field, I will be sickened.
However, if the Twins go get one of these veteran 2Bs and successfully re-sign Mauer to an extension before the season, I would argue the 2009-2010 offseason has been the best in recent memory — and the organization could ride a wave of momentum and good feelings into the new ballfield.
Filed under: 2010 Stadium Open, Alexi Casilla, Free Agents, Nick Punto | No Comments »