Odds & Ends: Chapman, Bradley, Rays, Twins

I think that Polanco could make a great fit for the Twins, giving them a plus defender at the position that can consistently be at least decent at the plate.

They still would need to figure out the shortstop situation, unless they really want to go back to the Punto/Harris combo, and third base probably won't be (shouldn't be) filled by Danny Valencia next season.

I still think that trading Joe Nathan isn't the worst idea, although unfortunately his value is likely down given the flood of Closers hitting the market, although Nathan is better than any of them.

I just don't see how the Twins can keep a closer around at that kind of price if they want to keep Mauer, Morneau, and others around.

I think I'd rather see Lopez manning second base for the Twins next season.

I'd prefer to have the additional OBP and speed. The fact that he's a switch hitter is a nice bonus as well, especially since he's been a bit tougher on lefties over the past few seasons, an area which the Twins have historically had issues.

Unfortunately, there's a lot of players I'd like to see the Twins take a shot with, but they won't have the payroll.

Some combination of Beltre, Lopez, a trade for Hardy, and a Harden/Bedard type would make me quite the happy camper though.

When you look at the Twins need at 2B I think you should look at it from the perspective of what role in the linup it would fill. Because when I look at the Twins lineup next year I see this:

1. Span CF 23SB .392OBP
2. GAPING HOLE
3. Mauer C 28HR .444OBP
4. Morneau 1B 30HR .516SLG
5. Cuddyer RF 32HR .520SLG
6. Kubel DH 28HR .539SLG
7. Young/Gomez LF ??
8. 2B/3B/SS
9. 2B/3B/SS

The single most important thing (outside of locking up Mauer) is finding someone to hit in the two hole in front of Mauer and the 30HR .500+SLG threesome behind him. If you can find a player at 2B/SS/3B who can bring an elite OBP you will score massive amounts of runs from your 1-6 even if the last three in the order are patched together. The answer to the 2B and #2 spot is sitting right there in FA:

Felipe Lopez

Lopez's .383OBP was 4th best for all regular second basemen only behind Zobrist, Utley, and Castilla and 3rd best if you don't count Zobrist as a 2B. He would cost a first round pick and a sizeable chunk of available funds but the Twins would still have enough flexibility to bring in Hardy (I know this is the idea for about 60 other teams) and bring back Pavano. As long as they solidify their #2 spot they should feel comforable finding two starters out of Hardy-trad, Valencia, Punto, Harris, Buscher, Tolbert, Castilla or a bargan FA/trade.

The Chapman thing is so easy to predict its almost laughable. He flies around country enjoying the sites, comes back to NY, tells Cashman was offered 25 million by the Sox, next day signs with NY for 30.
This is baseball today folks. No hate here just used to it.

The latest Elias Rankings have Lopez as a Type B free agent. Am I misinformed, or are those who are citing Lopez as a Type A?

I agree that signing Lopez at the cost of a first round pick changes things, but if he's a Type B, then I don't see why we wouldn't go after him.

The .383 OBP isn't sustainable, but .350 or better should a reasonable expectation, which would couple nicely with another strong OBP season from Span to set the table for Mauer, Morneau, Kubel, and Cuddyer.