Twins pitchers and catchers are reporting to Fort Myers as we speak for Spring Training, and even with the additions to the pitching staff they still could use help at shortstop. Not just right now, but for the future moving forward. Lucky for the Twins there is still one of the better shortstops in the league on the market and he could be had for much cheaper then most.
Shortstop Stephen Drew is still on the market and would be a HUGE upgrade over current shortstop Pedro Florimon. He also would provide the Twins stability at the position for the next two to three years allowing the Twins to find their shortstop of the future. Danny Santana, the Twins top shortstop prospect is still struggling with the defensive side of the position and won't have nearly the upside offensively as Stephen Drew.
A look at the numbers between the 3, Drew's numbers will be his average over 162 throughout his career. Florimon and Santana's numbers will be from the 2013 season:
Drew .264/.329/.435/.764 16hrs 72rbi 60bb 160hits 98ops+ and 126ks. Defensively had 8 errors and fielding % of .984
Florimon .221/.281/.330/.611 9hrs 44rbi 33bb 89hits 70ops+ and 115ks. Defensively had 18 errors and fielding % of .973
Santana .297/.333/.386/.719 2hrs 45rbi 24bb 160hits and 94ks. Defensively had 32 errors and fielding % of .946
As you can see from the numbers Santana has the potential to match Drew in hits, but nowhere near the power that Drew can bring. He also is nowhere near the defender that Drew is as well. He has a much better arm than Drew and could end up having more range, but still needs lots of work. Florimon is entering his age 27 season and is nowhere near the offensive player Drew is and Drew was actually better defensively. I've heard some call Florimon elite defensively, but I'd beg to differ. The other thing Drew does so much better than Florimon is that he gets on base. The Twins may have improved the pitching staff, but they will need to improve offensively as well and Drew would be a huge upgrade. The Twins could probably land Drew for 3 years 30-35 million, which would be a great deal for one of the better shortstops in the league.
What's holding it up you ask? If the Twins sign Drew, they would have to surrender their 2nd round pick. The Twins value draft picks, but as Brian Kenny on Clubhouse Confidential on MLB Network teams are overvaluing draft picks. He looked at the last 25 years in the draft, and less than 15% or something to that extent of players drafted from numbers 21-30 have even panned out to be serviceable major leaguers. The Twins would have to surrender pick number 45 as of right now. It could become pick number 49 if the other 4 players with pick compensation sign prior to Drew.
The Twins could add a shortstop that could be a difference maker at a very reasonable rate or they could use pick number 45-49 on a player that probably has a 5% chance to even be serviceable. Which would you choose?
Yeah, I think I'll take Drew too. Now, if only someone in those Target Field Offices could see what you and I see....
Written by Nick Calo, follow me on Twitter for more updates and sports thoughts @PRH1987
Shortstop Stephen Drew is still on the market and would be a HUGE upgrade over current shortstop Pedro Florimon. He also would provide the Twins stability at the position for the next two to three years allowing the Twins to find their shortstop of the future. Danny Santana, the Twins top shortstop prospect is still struggling with the defensive side of the position and won't have nearly the upside offensively as Stephen Drew.
A look at the numbers between the 3, Drew's numbers will be his average over 162 throughout his career. Florimon and Santana's numbers will be from the 2013 season:
Drew .264/.329/.435/.764 16hrs 72rbi 60bb 160hits 98ops+ and 126ks. Defensively had 8 errors and fielding % of .984
Florimon .221/.281/.330/.611 9hrs 44rbi 33bb 89hits 70ops+ and 115ks. Defensively had 18 errors and fielding % of .973
Santana .297/.333/.386/.719 2hrs 45rbi 24bb 160hits and 94ks. Defensively had 32 errors and fielding % of .946
As you can see from the numbers Santana has the potential to match Drew in hits, but nowhere near the power that Drew can bring. He also is nowhere near the defender that Drew is as well. He has a much better arm than Drew and could end up having more range, but still needs lots of work. Florimon is entering his age 27 season and is nowhere near the offensive player Drew is and Drew was actually better defensively. I've heard some call Florimon elite defensively, but I'd beg to differ. The other thing Drew does so much better than Florimon is that he gets on base. The Twins may have improved the pitching staff, but they will need to improve offensively as well and Drew would be a huge upgrade. The Twins could probably land Drew for 3 years 30-35 million, which would be a great deal for one of the better shortstops in the league.
What's holding it up you ask? If the Twins sign Drew, they would have to surrender their 2nd round pick. The Twins value draft picks, but as Brian Kenny on Clubhouse Confidential on MLB Network teams are overvaluing draft picks. He looked at the last 25 years in the draft, and less than 15% or something to that extent of players drafted from numbers 21-30 have even panned out to be serviceable major leaguers. The Twins would have to surrender pick number 45 as of right now. It could become pick number 49 if the other 4 players with pick compensation sign prior to Drew.
The Twins could add a shortstop that could be a difference maker at a very reasonable rate or they could use pick number 45-49 on a player that probably has a 5% chance to even be serviceable. Which would you choose?
Yeah, I think I'll take Drew too. Now, if only someone in those Target Field Offices could see what you and I see....
Written by Nick Calo, follow me on Twitter for more updates and sports thoughts @PRH1987