Two new teams can be added to the list of potential Marcus Semien suitors, as SKOR North’s Darren Wolfson reports (Twitter link) that the Twins and Brewers have each spoken with representatives for the free agent shortstop. While Semien might not necessarily join one of those two clubs, Wolfson writes that there is some sense that Semien is “moving closer to a decision.”
Minnesota has been speculatively linked to Semien for months, considering that the Twins have been known to be monitoring the middle infield market as part of their rather broad range of free agent considerations. MLBTR’s Steve Adams wrote back in September that acquiring a new everyday shortstop or second baseman would allow Minnesota to shift either Jorge Polanco or Luis Arraez into super-utility duty, thus effectively filling Marwin Gonzalez’s old role as a Swiss Army knife off the bench.
Or, it isn’t out of the question that Semien could find himself playing elsewhere than shortstop, if the Twins were one of the teams considering him at other infield positions. It’s probably safe to assume that Semien would get the bulk of the action at shortstop in Minnesota, but if he was open to playing some second base (or even third base, to occasionally spell Josh Donaldson), it would further increase manager Rocco Baldelli’s flexibility in regards to lineup construction and in-game maneuvering.
J.A. Happ and Hansel Robles have been added on the pitching side, but the Twins have yet to make a significant position player move this winter. There isn’t yet any news on the Nelson Cruz front, and Minnesota already said goodbye to a notable power bat when Eddie Rosario was non-tendered (though the team hopes that top prospect Alex Kirilloff can immediately step in to fill Rosario’s shoes). Before salaries were reduced last season, the Twins had a non-prorated $132MM payroll projected for 2020 and currently have a little over $100MM committed for the 2021 roster, so there is theoretically room to add at least one more big salary while still not approaching their 2020 spending.
Signing Semien would perhaps be an even more interesting move from the Brewers’ perspective, and it would mark the first big-ticket addition of the offseason within an NL Central that has collectively seemed more focused on cutting payroll than planning to contend. It could be that the division’s general inactivity has given Milwaukee some inspiration in making a move that could separate the team in the playoff race, even if it means stretching the budget to some extent. Granted, there was considerable debate over what Semien’s next contract would look like even in the early days of the offseason, and as we approach February, it’s possible Semien’s asking price has dipped into the Brewers’ range. Milwaukee had a pre-proration payroll of just under $97.5MM in 2020 and are just shy of $85MM in projected payroll for 2021 thanks to some notable contracts (including Ryan Braun) coming off the books.
Semien would immediately solidify a rather uncertain left side of the Milwaukee infield, as Orlando Arcia and Luis Urias are respectively slated as the starting shortstop and third baseman. Daniel Robertson and Jace Peterson have also been added this winter as backup infield options. Similar to the aforementioned scenario with Semien and the Twins, Semien would likely mostly play shortstop in Milwaukee but perhaps also get some work at other infield spots to stay in the lineup every day while the Brew Crew juggles their other players in and out of the lineup.
Seems like the Blue Jays are linked with every free agent. Good for them. Good to see Toronto making a real effort to win.
…What does this have to do with Toronto?
I totally posted this reply in the wrong post oops…
dang i hoped the original post was a bold and very intentional meta-joke about Jays being “in on” every FA
Semien on a one or two year deal would be a good idea for the Twins. I don’t think he’s the superstar he was in 2019, but the guy he was in 2018 is still plenty valuable.
All reports suggest Semien looking for that multi year deal. I could see MIN offering a 1-year “show me” deal, but does Semien have enough confidence in himself to take it? This was supposed to be his big free agent year, but C-19 is complicating it. My guess would be MIL if they’ll go 3/$45. OAK certainly won’t…
Totally agree on Oakland being cheap. Milwaukee’s another nice fit, and could definitely win that division if Yelich bounces back. Were I in his shoes, I’d take a one-year show-me deal and bet on myself and the economy to improve, but it’s obviously his call.
Next years free agent class is stacked with better SS he should cash in now on a multi year deal
There will be lots of top SS, but that means there will also be lots of teams looking for SS. Also, some teams may not want to give out a multi-year deal to a SS just because next year’s class is so stacked.
I think Semien to the Brewers makes the most sense… for both sides.
Brewers roster is looking lack luster right now.
CF Cain
2B Hiura
LF Yelich
RF Garcia
SS Semien
1B Vogelbach
C Navaez/Pina
3B Urias/Arcia
Once you get past Yelich it is a massive fall off. Semien probably wont affect it that much. Maybe if they could bring in Cron to platoon with Vogelbach and also sign someone like Turner to play 3B, but that is a lot of money to dish out. I honestly wouldn’t be shocked if the narrative next offseason is the Brewers looking to trade Yelich as a part of a rebuild.
Or Yelich saying he wants out. He did this in Miami. Money makes no trade clauses go away.
I assume Semien would be third. Urias and Arcia are OK at SS. But not sure Semien would play third. Desperation time for Brewers at the corners.
What about Yelich?
@bravesiowafan ^^
They can’t afford him. Brewers only make small moves it been the pattern for a while
Like when they signed Cain and traded for Yelich or when the Signed Grandal and Moose? They make moves based off their perceived value and potential to win. They don’t just hand out 5 years contracts like large market teams. They will make moves on good players if the price is right.
Semien is thicc. He has a nice bat
My guess: Simien to the Twins.
Can we please have both Semien and Ozuna go to the Brewers? They’re the team I want to win the N.L Central.
No way I want those two in the NL unless they are on my team.
Wow. Friendship (Reds) ended
The brewers are a low payroll club…
Only if Ozuna can play first.
Come on Toronto, Semien can be a nice buy low high reward target. He did had a nice 2019 season!
1.Semien SS
2.Biggio 2B
3.Bichette 3B
4.Springer CF
5.Vladimir Jr. 1B
6.Teoscar DH
7.Lourdes Jr. LF
8.Jansen C
9.Grichuk RF
That would be a lineup that scares everyone.
@DrinkUp I think this is the year Vlad finally starts showing his potential. A 109 OPS+ through his first 183 games certainly isn’t bad, but I believe he’s in the running for a Silver Slugger this year. That would make for one of the best lineups in the AL.
Nah. Would rather have Didi if it’s a SS. Would rather have Kolten Wong over Semien and move Biggio to 3B.
I prefer Simmons, but wouldn’t mind this either.
No offense to the Twins and brewers, but like mentioned yesterday in a post.. Just too many middle IF of some quality available for them all to land a decent deal on either a 1y, even multi year deal and the fact these 2 teams are now involved? I hardly expect them to be showing Semien some kind of 12-15m long term deal many expected him to be getting, but probably along the lines of 8-10m 1y tops.
Musical chairs for Simmons, Semien, didi. last 1 to sign may end up with??
If Semien went to Milwaukee instead of the Reds, I might have to light myself on fire in front of GABP
Ozuna would make more sense for the Brewers if they knew for sure there will be a DH. Without that knowledge, Semien may be the only FA left that substantially upgrades the lineup. However, value- and fit-wise, I think La Stella is a more suitable target. Crew needs more than one body.
Why would anyone think that Semien would take a contract to play anywhere but shortstop? The guy was in the top 5 in the AL MVP voting in 2019 as a shortstop. That’s makes no sense.
Semien will play batboy if the price is right. If he gets a multi-year deal at an AAV he likes, he won’t care about positional value as his next deal would most likely look to move his mid 30’s body off of SS anyways.
Well…price was definitely right.
I assume the Brewers see him playing third. Since they have to be in desperation mode for corner infielders. Adding little offense at the corners is going to make the anemic offense worse. In Stearns I do not trust.
Bottom feeders again trying to feed