Comparing Restovich To Ortiz
A couple days ago, the Twins waived Michael Restovich, opting to carry four catchers. First of all, this proves my belief all along that the Twins have been sugar-coating Joe Mauer's condition. If they really believed he was going to be able to catch there would be no reason to carry a fourth catcher. What I can't figure out is why the team has insisted on making Mauer's injury seem less serious than it is. Who cares if his knee is hurt? Obviously, no one wants that but the Twins receive no benefit for making his injury out to be less than it is. It's not going to help him rehab any quicker.
Secondly, I think the Twins are making a similar mistake with Restovich that they made with David Ortiz, although obviously on a different level. Ortiz was an average to good major league player for the Twins. He showed the ability to hit for power to all fields, drive in runs and, yes, strike out. But the Twins didn't feel the need to keep him. Now he's one of the best power hitters in the big leagues. He credits part of his success to an environment where he is encouraged to hit home runs rather than focusing on not striking out.
Restovich has suffered a similar fate during his tenure with the Twins organization. His mind, if not his swing, has been constantly meddled with. "We know you can hit home runs," the Twins basically said to him. "But we don't want that. Not if it means you're going to strike out too." Unfortunately, the Twins will be looking for a true power threat for a long time unless they change this attitude.
I think Restovich and Ortiz will also be similar in what happens to them after leaving the Twins. No, I'm not saying Resto will be an All-Star or hit 40 home runs this season. I am saying that when he gets a chance to get 500 at-bats a year--and it looks like it won't be with Tampa--he will be a solid major league player, presenting a valid power threat for some team. Ortiz went from average major leaguer to All-Star. Restovich will go from solid minor leaguer to solid big leaguer.
Yes, Terry Ryan, he will also strike out. But isn't that a trade-off you need to consider?
Secondly, I think the Twins are making a similar mistake with Restovich that they made with David Ortiz, although obviously on a different level. Ortiz was an average to good major league player for the Twins. He showed the ability to hit for power to all fields, drive in runs and, yes, strike out. But the Twins didn't feel the need to keep him. Now he's one of the best power hitters in the big leagues. He credits part of his success to an environment where he is encouraged to hit home runs rather than focusing on not striking out.
Restovich has suffered a similar fate during his tenure with the Twins organization. His mind, if not his swing, has been constantly meddled with. "We know you can hit home runs," the Twins basically said to him. "But we don't want that. Not if it means you're going to strike out too." Unfortunately, the Twins will be looking for a true power threat for a long time unless they change this attitude.
I think Restovich and Ortiz will also be similar in what happens to them after leaving the Twins. No, I'm not saying Resto will be an All-Star or hit 40 home runs this season. I am saying that when he gets a chance to get 500 at-bats a year--and it looks like it won't be with Tampa--he will be a solid major league player, presenting a valid power threat for some team. Ortiz went from average major leaguer to All-Star. Restovich will go from solid minor leaguer to solid big leaguer.
Yes, Terry Ryan, he will also strike out. But isn't that a trade-off you need to consider?
posted by Joe Siple | 6:11 PM
1 Comments:
Hey, I read your column on here since Ryan Daggit showed me it. I think you do a great job. Right now though, I think you are totally off base. Restovich can hit 40 home runs but with the Twins style of play and their need to have to compete ot face existence, they can't afford the strikeouts. They already are going to face a lot of strikeouts with Morneau and Jacque and adding to that hurts an offense that isn't exactly a threat all the time. Yes we lost Ortiz, but ask Houston, I think it is, that lost Johan to us what they are thinking right now. We should be kissing Terry Ryan's feet for keeping my favorite team but yet cash strapped team because of a stingy owner competive. Trade places with the Royals or Rockies then think where the Twins stand
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