Twins outfielder/DH Robbie Grossman has been diagnosed with a fractured left thumb, the club announced (h/t Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press, on Twitter). Grossman is expected to miss at least three weeks, manager Paul Molitor said (also via Berardino, on Twitter).
The Twins have come to lean rather heavily on the switch-hitter over the past two seasons. This year, in particular, he has seen near-regular time in the corners and as the designated hitter. Grossman carries a .242/.367/.363 batting line with seven home runs on the year. He has also walked 60 times against just 64 strikeouts.
Minnesota has managed to remain in the AL Wild Card picture despite moving a few veterans at the deadline. But that doesn’t necessarily mean the club will be angling to add players to make up for the loss of Grossman.
In all likelihood, the Twins will dip into their system for a replacement. Assuming the club prioritizes a bat over outfield capability, Kennys Vargas would be the obvious choice. He has managed only a .243/.289/.429 batting line in 190 major league plate appearances this year, but brings big power from the left side. Byung Ho Park is also still down at Rochester, though he carries a .254/.312/.413 slash in 382 trips to the plate and isn’t on the 40-man roster. Young outfielder Zack Granite will also be a consideration, though he didn’t hit much in his first run at the majors earlier this year.
If the Twins prefer an outfielder and decide to consider outside acquisitions, then Mets veteran Curtis Granderson could represent a potential targets. Role players such as Matt Joyce of the Athletics could also be hypothetical possibilities, or perhaps the Twins could get creative and go after a non-40-man player such as Scott Van Slyke of the Reds. It seems somewhat unlikely that the Rangers will dangle Carlos Gomez, given that they too are still a plausible Wild Card team.
Odd player; hard to figure out the value on a guy who walks but doesn’t hit for any power and has no defensive ability. Not much of a runner either. There used to be a fair amount of guys like this but he’s a rare skill-set. He’d be a perfect pinch – hitter but teams don’t carry pinch-hitters anymore because of the 13-man pitching staffs.
Well said
Word. Hopefully it’s the last we see of him in twins territory. September callups will be here by the time he’s back and they are far better options coming at both places Robbie’s been playing.
Agreed. I don’t see why the new FO and Paul Molitor see him as a key player and regular starter. He walks, that’s great, but with zero speed and AWFUL base running skills all that walk did was stop anyone after him (who actually knows how to run the bases, when to take an extra base, etc.) from being effective. Yes you can only score if you get on base, but scoring once you get on base doesn’t just happen by accident and Grossman’s skills to score once on the base are FAR below the other options. He also has no business in the field, he just can’t cut it.
What’s wrong with having a guy like Robbie until our prospects are ready to graduate? Robbie has been a solid option for us and he cost us nothing to get him, considering that he’s been a steal.
Upton? Santon? Joey Bats?
I think Stanton is the most logical choice to fill in for Grossman
I could not have said it better fine sir. Lol
They will likely value outfield ability over Vargas.
If they valued outfield ability Grossman wouldn’t have the roster spot. The guy is only slightly better than Sano was in the outfield.
wasn’t he drafted by the bucs?
I believe he was traded to Houston for Wandy Rodriguez.
Blessing in disguise for the twins. Molitor’s favorite heading to the DL, hopefully they do not call up Vargas or Granite. We need a consistent power bat at dh/4th outfielder and Mitch Garver fits the bill. Make the move That!
Thad