The Twins have agreed to a minor league contract with outfielder Carlos Quentin, according to Jon Heyman (Twitter links). He’ll receive an invitation to MLB camp, per Heyman, and would earn $750K if he makes the MLB roster, Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN tweets. Quentin also picks up a June 1 opt-out opportunity if he hasn’t been added to the roster, per Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (via Twitter).
It had appeared that the veteran was headed toward retirement, though more recent indications were that he would pursue a return to the majors. His representatives have suggested he could factor in at first base or DH in addition to his usual corner outfield role.
Quentin, 33, was released last winter after he was shipped from the Padres to the Braves as part of the contract balancing equation in the (first) Craig Kimbrel trade. He caught on with the Mariners on a minor league deal, but appeared only briefly at Triple-A Tacoma before calling off his attempt to work back.
We last saw Quentin in the majors in 2014, when he scuffled to a .177/.284/.315 batting line while dealing with a steady progression of injuries. Of course, he’s done much more previously. Over the 2009 through 2013 campaigns, Quentin posted a strong .252/.346/.485 slash. While he’s never rated well as a defender, that robust production shows that the bat has never been much of an issue.
Minnesota certainly has little to lose by giving Quentin a shot at a return, but it’s not immediately clear how he’d fit in the club’s plans. The organization made a fairly significant investment in Byung-ho Park, who also profiles as a defensively-limited, right-handed slugger. And the club seemingly has the corner outfield covered with Miguel Sano (who’ll convert from third base), Eddie Rosario, prospect Max Kepler, and the still-youthful Oswaldo Arcia. First base remains occupied by Joe Mauer, with Park factoring as a part-time stand-in.
There’s always the possibility that Quentin could squeeze onto the roster as a veteran bench piece. But players such as Eduardo Nunez and Danny Santana look to be favorites to grab 25-man spots, given their youth and defensive flexibility for a club that has some questions in center and at short. Both Nunez and Santana are out of options, as is the left-handed-hitting Arcia, who may be facing his final shot in Minnesota.
For what it’s worth, though he hits from the right side, Quentin has actually been somewhat better against opposing righties over his career. If nothing else, he’ll provide a veteran option and some competition for the less-established players currently on hand.
I’m good with the Twins signing anyone to a MiLB deal. It’s the adding them to the 25/40 man after they don’t deserve it I have issue with.
So for now, I like this. If he deserves to be added later, I’ll still like it. Not sure how that will happen as there is already a log jam at corner OF and DH. People will need to fail or get injured, which I hope neither happens. Quentin used to be really good though, so worth the gamble.
As long as he doesn’t boot someone off the roster who deserves it more, I’m fine.
I don’t see that happening as of right now. Unless something happens to Rosario, Sano, Park, Mauer or Arcia on the bench. Those should be the locks unless injury.
If someone was going to get sent down, I could only image it would be Rosario or Park. Arcia is out of options, so I would hope they don’t do anything to get rid of him as of yet. Too young, too early.
Should be a lot harder to boot someone off the roster for no reason. Emphasis on “should be.”
Like when Bartlett booted Mastroianni off the roster and we went a season and a half with infielders in the outfield…
Yes, but I think you’d agree the talent we are talking about now is way better than the talent we were talking about then.
I mean Mastoianni is a 4th OF at best and Bartlett was a guy who was just done. I think if Bartlett wasn’t a former Twin he wouldn’t have even signed an MiLB deal with the Twins. Bartlett didn’t belong anywhere on the team and that was obvious 3 years before the Twins ever re-signed him. Then they gave him a free pass on to the team that he didn’t actually deserve.
This situation is different, the players Quentin may replace are expected to be good, way better than Mastro. And Quentin was a good player, but the injuries derailed him. If not for injuries, I’m confident he would still be good. I think it’s possible he could make the roster, but it’ll likely be very hard. They have until June to figure it out, unless injury or very poor performance.
And that infielder in the OF thing probably will never go away since Santana is getting an OF glove again. It’s terrible, but apparently the Twins are obsessed with trying to create a Zobrist. And they are obviously doing a bad job at it too.
My guess is that button will get hurt again, moving Rosario to center. Opening up right or left(which ever one sano will play) to Quentin. If that doesn’t happen I see him pinch hitting for people late.
Good for him
What a weird place for him to sign on. He’s about 5th on the depth chart at DH, his only option, and it means he’s headed to Rochester for April and May if he decides to stick with it this time instead of continuing to hang out at the beaches in San Diego.
IF he can do the job, they’ll find a place for him. Odds are against it but at this time of year, teams are bottom feeding.
Stick a fork in him he’s done
He’s actually not done. He was done and he retired. Then he decided he wasn’t done, and apparently one other party of relevance thought the same as well.
Can he pitch?
What a weird signing.. thought this guy was happy making out like a bandit sitting on the DL 75% of his career after that one MVP-esque season in Chicago.
But can he get on base ?
Wow, this guy is still around?
Did you read the article?
Yes, I in fact did. I was just trying to be sarcastic about his relevance at the major league level, which has been very sparse since he was traded by the Padres. But if you read the article, you would know that too.
I did read the article. That’s why I never asked if the guy was still around.
Again, it’s called sarcasm.
Good pickup, bringing Quentin in. It’s worth a flyer for outfield insurance.
Now, consider stocking up on pitchers for the same reason. Ohlendorf would be high on my list. But there’s also Guthrie, Breslow, Billingsley, Janssen, Johnson, Lincecum, Buerhle, Cliff Lee… these guys better days may be over and none maybe are Cy Young. But an incentive-ridden contract to have them in the back pocket? Why not?