So are they giving up on Delmontello?

If they don’t go after Lopez it’s not necessarily about money (we don’t know what the market for him is right now, and actually I’m stunned he’s still out there).

It may very well be that the Twins don’t think he’s any good. They’d be wrong about that, but that seems to be what they think.

Not often to never. In all my research (meaning whatever I can remember reading since I wanted him at the trading deadline last year til now) is that he is a better than average 2nd basemen.

Oh yeah, .383 ob% last year. If the Twins don’t go after Lopez it’s because of money, not his glove.

So really, we’re just hoping the Twins are smart enough to think a Punto/Tolbert/Casilla “super platoon” isn’t adequate for 2B. I have a feeling it’s false hope.

I totally agree that a #2 hitter like Lopez should be a much higher priority, and if we get him our lineup’s main weakness is going to be Delmon Young and whoever’s playing 3B (unless Valencia turns out to be any good). I’d say that’s a contender’s problem.

But $4M isn’t totally over the wall for Thome. Assuming Gleeman’s analysis is accurate, which I do, and that Thome gets considerable playing time (350-400 plate appearances), he’ll be worth 1 win. This offseason, wins seem to be going for $3.5M-$4M on the free agent market. If we could get Thome on a $2M deal, then he’s worth it as a bench player (though the cut in versatility will still hurt, and I don’t know what that’s worth). The thing is, we don’t really know what kind of dollars they’re talking about; we only know that $4M is the absolute maximum the Twins should pay him based on how good he is and the maximum amount of playing time they’re going to give him. And at that rate he wouldn’t be a bad deal.

As “over the baggy” pointed out, his skills are diminishing, even his hitting skills against righties. Yes, if we get Lopez or another quality infield option, and somehow sign big Jim, then I won’t be as opposed due to the possible “bench presence” he may have.

Anything close to 4 million for this guy is ludicrous. We have other needs more pressing. Playing Kubel in the field that much, makes one of the most challenged outfields in all of baseball worse.

If the Twins were (hypothetical here) to get a legit #2 guy in the batting order, their lineup would be quite formidable. In this scenario, adding Thome, at that kind of price, is silly.

My gut tells me, they will sign big jim and Jarod W, and call it an off-season (maybe going after Crede), crossing their fingers that Joe will be impressed and give us that home town discount.

If we’re in “develop young players” mode, then no, we don’t want to platoon Delmon Young. But if we’re in “win now” mode, and platooning him with Thome will make us a better team for this year, then it’s not clueless. It’s just a decision.

Only a clueless organization signs a 40 year old aging slugger for the expressed purpose of taking plate appearances away from a young player they just committed a starting spot to. Especially when they have an enormous investment in him and he appeared to have broken out at the end of last season. And you are not only messing with Young, but with Kubel as well. Its a trading card plan.

“if we ever used him we’d also have to burn Pridie or Tolbert as a defensive replacement. ”

Isn’t one purpose of having defensive players like Pridie and Tolbert (or Cassila) on the bench to allow you to pinch hit for someone? Why would using them in that role be a problem? Unless he hits a home run, you are also probably going to pinch run for Thome, which those guys can do as well.

Why would Thome be a worse option as the last bench player than Alexi Casilla or Matt Tolbert? He can pinch hit for Harris and Punto. As the idea of platooning him with Young demonstrates, it allows you to use Kubel as an offensive fourth outfielder. Which means if Morneau, Cuddyer or Young get hurt you are not limited to Pridie as your only backup. It seems like he brings a lot more to the table than another utility infielder.