Twins: 3 players who should be dropped like a bad habit
As they consider moves this offseason, the Minnesota Twins should drop these three players like a bad habit.
The Minnesota Twins won the AL Central again in 2020, but they also extended an epic playoff losing streak to 18. Any moves they make are unlikely to be huge, mostly in an effort to fill voids in or bolster certain areas.
The Twins have some decisions to make on how aggressively they’ll try to retain some free agents, most notably designated hitter Nelson Cruz. Trades could be in play, as fans likely imagine a deal for Blake Snell or Sonny Gray to further fortify the starting rotation.
In trying to hone in on players the Twins should have little trouble parting with this offseason, an easy one is already gone. Outfielder Eddie Rosario was waived and not tendered a contract. So scratch him.
Still, the Twins should drop these three players like a bad habit this offseason.
Scouting Report. C. 3. Mitch Garver. player. 2. Pick Analysis. Minnesota Twins. 3.
Who is Mitch Garver? Is he the 31-home run in 93 games and 359 plate appearance guy from 2019? Or the guy who struck out on nearly 46 percent of his plate appearances in 2020? The truth is probably somewhere in-between, as an intercostal strain cost him time last season. The short season is also the crutch caveat.
Ryan Jeffers came up last season and filled in capably for Garver, at the plate (.273, .791 OPS) and defensively. This is where a small sample gets noted again, but Jeffers showed he belongs in the big leagues and he’ll be in the mix from the start next season.
Selling low on Garver coming off the shortened 2020 season would not be a great idea. But he’s already turning 30 soon (Jan. 15), and 2019 might be his clear ceiling. Catchers with 20-to-30 homer power over a full season are a rare breed, but with Garver it feels like a one-off. Future projections back it up too.
If the Twins can sell optimism on Garver to get some kind of pitching, they should deal him without hesitation.