The Twins and Alexi Casilla have avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract worth $865K, tweets SI.com's Jon Heyman. It was his first time eligible for arbitration.
Casilla, 26, missed almost two months of the 2010 season after having surgery to remove bone spurs from his throwing elbow. When he was on the field, he hit .276/.331/.395 in 170 plate appearances, a nice rebound from a .202/.280/.259 effort in 2009. The departures of J.J. Hardy, Orlando Hudson, and Brendan Harris have created an opening for Casilla to get regular playing at one of the middle infield spots. New pick-up Tsuyoshi Nishioka will handle the other spot.
MLBTR's Arbitration Tracker shows that the Twins still have five players eligible for arbitration: Matt Capps, Kevin Slowey, Glen Perkins, Delmon Young, and Francisco Liriano.
I’m excited to see what Casilla can do with an everyday spot
Ugh. See: 2009.
you consider 80 games a good sample? he played more games in 2008 and performed quite well really
I consider the 2009 season’s 80 games a good sample when that’s basically how long he played before being demoted from a starting role due to ineffective play. In 2008 he began the year playing a limited role and took over later. Also was demoted to AAA in 2007 after initially failing when handed a starting role. Looking at the history, its been where ‘Lexi started the year that determined how well he played, hopefully this year is different.
I consider the 2009 season’s 80 games a good sample when that’s basically how long he played before being demoted from a starting role due to ineffective play. In 2008 he began the year playing a limited role and took over later. Also was demoted to AAA in 2007 after initially failing when handed a starting role. Looking at the history, its been where ‘Lexi started the year that determined how well he played, hopefully this year is different.
you consider 80 games a good sample? he played more games in 2008 and performed quite well really
Ugh. See: 2009.
Don’t know all that much about him, but I’ve never been a big fan of him. IIRC, I’ve heard a few times he has poor work ethic, and that just wouldn’t fly with me. Cheap signing though, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
I think the poor work ethic days are behind him he got sent to AAA for something related to this. Also if there is one team that wouldnt let poor work ethic fly with its the Twins
This is true. He was banished to AAA for a few months in ’09 for half-assed efforts in the field and at the plate. He put up a .340/.379/.449 line in his AAA stint and seems to have put his attitude demons behind him. Gardy seems to like him now, and that’s why he’s gonna get another chance.
I’ve attended 4 games in a little more than 2 seasons that ended with walk off singles from Alexi. He’s clutch when it counts! There isn’t another Twins with as many walk-offs in that span.
Game #159 or so in ’08 vs CWS
Game #2 in ’09 vs. SEA
***Game #163 in ’09 vs DET***
Game #161 in ’10 vs. TOR
Well, if you aren’t going to get many hits, you’d better make them count.