The Twins have signed utilityman Tzu-Wei Lin to a minors contract, according to MLB.com’s transactions page. Lin chose to become a free agent after the Red Sox outrighted him off their 40-man roster in October.
Originally signed as an international free agent out of Taiwan in 2012, Lin spent the last nine years in Boston’s organization, and he saw big league action in each of the last four seasons. The first two of those seasons saw Lin hit a respectable .256/.348/.380 over 139 plate appearances, but he has posted only a .416 OPS over 79 PA since the start of the 2019 season. It adds up to a career slash line of .223/.298/.316 over 218 PA and 101 games.
Lin offers the ability to play virtually all over the field, as he has appeared in at least one game at every position except first base. That range around the diamond includes an inning at catcher back on August 13 of this year during a 17-8 loss to the Rays, and an inning of mop-up time on the mound in a 13-1 loss to the Orioles on September 24.
The bulk of Lin’s MLB playing time has come as a shortstop and second baseman, so he provides Minnesota with some extra depth behind Jorge Polanco, who underwent ankle surgery in October. Lin (who turns 27 in February) will help fill the utilityman void left behind by free agents Marwin Gonzalez and Ehire Adrianza. There has been some speculation that the Twins might look for a new regular shortstop and move Polanco into a super-utility role himself, though Lin certainly seems like more of a depth option than someone ticketed for even a platoon role.
good to see him get another chance
Agree. Good glove and range for middle IF depth, plays 3b, CF and can fly around the bases, just not great base stealer.
Kind of a guy organization loves to have at AAA who is solid with the glove and speedy, ready if needed.
One thing Twins fans.. He’s out of options..
He is the type of player who should clear waivers fairly easily.
Not a bad move. If anything else he can be the utility guy If someone gets injured
I’d like to see Adrianza back instead, but hey that’s cool I guess
It’s a minor league deal. Doesn’t preclude bringing back Adrianza…
loved tzu-wei treat him right
Nice depth piece for the Twins
Hope he does well. Baseball’s version of Lin-sanity.
Lin was always a solid defender in the infield and outfield. The only question from the time the Red Sox signed him was if he would hit well enough to stay in the mlb. Maybe he will do better against AL Central pitchers.
Good. Glad he’s gone from Boston. Pretty much a guaranteed out
Completely agree. He was only good for defensive plays and baserunning.
Don’t worry–you can count on Bloom to replace Lin with a similar lower cost scrub. Lin was making too much $$
Assuming Bloom acquires a second baseman then Arroyo is Lin’s replacement who, yes, came to the Red Sox via the waiver claim.
Arroyo can hit,More than Lin could do
Obviously
This is depressing
Given it’s a minor league deal I don’t think it’s a terrible signing. Do think however he will only be a bench piece at the most if he makes it to the majors.