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Michael Rand started RandBall with hopes that he could keep lies from conquering the minds of the weak. So far, he's only succeeded in using the word "redacted" a lot. He welcomes suggestions, news tips, links of pure genius, and pictures of pets in Halloween costumes here, though he already knows he will regret that last part.
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Wednesday (The best free agent value on the Twins?) edition: Wha' Happened?
Posted by: Michael Rand under Professional baseball, Twins fans Updated: August 8, 2012 - 9:18 AM
He arrived on the Twins with a history of hitting for power, but also for not being able to stay on the field. He had been overlooked after playing on losing teams for his entire career. He signed a deal here, and based on his production is now locked up with a very modestly priced contract that keeps him here through 2014. And he has been instrumental for a team that has scored the most runs in MLB since July 1 and is averaging 5.1 runs per game over its past 74 games -- and a 39-35 record during that span since an awful 10-26 start. That 74-game pace would put the Twins among the top two in MLB currently in runs scored per game and would put Minnesota on a pace to win between 85 and 86 games over a full season.
We most certainly could be talking about Josh Willingham. But, in this case, we are talking about Ryan Doumit, a player who tends to get a little overlooked in a Twins lineup featuring breakout years (Ben Revere, Trevor Plouffe), sudden cleanup power (Willingham) and redemption to a degree from a couple former MVPs (Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer).
After three more hits last night -- including a critical double during the ninth inning rally -- Doumit is up to .295 with 12 homers and 55 RBI. In his past 36 games, starting June 22, he is hitting .356 with six homers and an OPS near 1.000 (.995). He is the definition of versatility, as a switch-hitter who has started games at catcher, DH, left field and right field. He is not a great fielder, but he has hardly been the butcher at catcher we were led to believe he would be. Let's also not forget his intangibles: His walk-up music is "Mother" by Danzig, and he looks a bit like ONE OF US actor Seann William Scott.
His power is hardly a revelation; his OPS is .831 -- last year, with the Pirates, it was .830. He was presumably expendable because he has not been able to stay injury-free in much of his career, never appearing in more than 124 games. That said, his game seems far more suited to the American League, where he can DH (he has eight home runs and a .939 OPS in 127 DH at bats for the Twins). His versatility is perfect for a team that needs to give Joe Mauer a break at catcher. And for now, his contract -- initially a 1-year, $3 million deal extended mid-season to a 3-year, $10 million deal -- rivals that of Willingham's 3-year, $21 million deal for the best value on the team.
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