Comments on: Sorry, mate: Twins designate Luke Hughes for assignment

By: CJ

CJ — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 06:10:53 +0000

Sorry mate, but I disagree.

He never really got a shot of being a regular at the Twins. Got some extended game time through other injuries last season, but was just a filler.

He wasn’t moneyballed over to the A’s because “he simply isn’t very good”.

I suspect Hughes may have the last laugh. We’ll see.

By: Mitch

Mitch — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:01:31 +0000

I won’t lose a minute of sleep over this roster move, but that being said, “…the loss is minimal” might be some of the efficiently stinging words you could ever hear regarding a career.

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 22:01:31 +0000

I’ve got a question for someone that understands baseball transactions better than I do:

My understanding is that when a player is DFA’s, the team has 10 days to either: 1. trade him, 2. release him, or 3. put him on waivers.

Say they choose #3 – waivers, and the player is claimed. Then, don’t they have another three choices: 1. let him go to the claiming team, 2. arrange for a trade with the claiming team, or 3. rescind the waiver and put him back on the roster.

So… what’s preventing the Twins from waiting a few days, then putting him on waivers, then when he is claimed rescinding him and putting back on the roster? I know it seems ridulous, but what if they only wanted 13 pitchers for a few days since Liriano threw such a short start.

Am I missing something? Is there some rule that would prevent this chain of events?

By: Hugh

Hugh — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:26:11 +0000

Ummm I hate to disagree, but I have to. Luke Hughes is far superior to Trevor Plouffe. I feel this was a stupid move by the Twins- why not send down a pitcher? Hughes can play first, third, a corner outfield spot and a passable 2nd base. Plouffe is a liability in the field no matter the position. Hughes has also been the better hitter. Perhaps this paves the way for Dozier or Nishi to come up. We do not have a back up middle infielder now- at least not a quality one. Where is Matt Tolbert when you need him?

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:12:07 +0000

Best for him if another team picks him up. Maybe new coaches might up his game a little. He’s been in the Twins system for a long time with little growth.

By: FMelius

FMelius — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:24:39 +0000

Hughes sure does seem likeable. And I sure did enjoy seeing him score the winning run for us vs. the Rangers last June!

Click the link for the FanGraphs game log:
http://www.fangraphs.com/wins.aspx?date=2011-06-09&team=Twins&dh=0&season=2011

By: Dave T

Dave T — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:02:23 +0000

I don’t think it’ll be much longer before Dozier is recalled, and Casilla will be taking Hughes spot as utility infielder.

By: sevenball

sevenball — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:54:00 +0000

I don’t think it’s Plouffe that Hughes duplicates – it’s Casilla. Hughes’ numbers compare favorably to Casilla, and Hughes might actually be the better defender. Given that Hughes’ salary is 1/3 of Casilla’s, I’d rather dump Alexi and give Hughes the shot.

By: Jimbo92107

Jimbo92107 — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:33:34 +0000

Generally solid but unspectacular defense, not enough production from his bat, decent base runner, but few steals. If Hughes had gone on a hot streak, this would not have happened. But he didn’t.

When I compare Hughes to Plouffe, Plouffe wins with a better arm, more versatility, better bat. Plouffe seems a bit more error prone, but that may settle down with more experience.

That said, how many guys in this Twins lineup are safe from a rising, ambitious young player? Almost none of them. Mauer, Morneau and Span will stick, but almost everybody else could get bumped within a few years.

By: thrylos98

thrylos98 — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:03:09 +0000

So, do you have any evidence other than anecdotal about his “sub par” defense? If you look at dWAR, UZR, and Runs Saved above Average, you will see that his defense is above average…