I just got home from Target Field. I took my soon-to-be-four-year-old daughter to the game and we had a really great time. The highlight was the absolute blast by Michael Cuddyer, a three run homer that gave the Twins a 4-0 lead. The other highlight was the second terrific game in a row for Wilson Ramos.
As you recall, as spring training went along, the biggest roster question involved the backup catcher. Should the team go with the defensive minded Drew Butera? Or should they go with top prospect Wilson Ramos? At the time, the answer was easy. Ramos only had 56 games above the A ball level.
Drew Butera was a slightly better defensive catcher, and at 26, we didn't care if he would play very little. We all knew that he wouldn't hit at all, and I don't think anyone should have realistically expected him to hit much at all. His defense, in my mind at least, has been as good as advertised. He does a good job of blocking pitches. He has done a very nice job working with pitchers and calling games. And he has a good arm. However, it is also possible that Butera's offense may be even worse than the hype. He was overmatched by AA and AAA pitchers, so it makes sense that he would really struggle with big league pitchers.
In my book, I have Ramos ranked as the team's #2 prospect, behind only Aaron Hicks. There was never any question about the talent of Wilson Ramos. No, I don't think anyone would expect him to notch four hits in his first Major League game. And even fewer people had predicted that he would have seven hits in his first two games. But there was never any questioning his bat. We all know that he can hit for average and should eventually hit for power, although nothing in his minor league record really indicates that. However, the scouting side of the game, where you look at his size and his swing, and it's pretty clear he has a ton of power potential.
But what has changed since the end of spring training? Yes, Wilson Ramos has started his big league career by going 7-9 (.778) through two games as the team's starting catcher. He has done an adequate job behind the plate. That is definitely making people forget that in his time at AAA Rochester, he hit just .179.
So depending on how long Joe Mauer is out, what are the Twins to do when he is able to come back? As I see it, they have four options, and I will briefly discuss each and then ask for your comments and thoughts on the situation.
Option #1 - Trade Joe Mauer - I mean, imagine what the Twins could do with an extra $22.5 million each year for nearly the next decade. I mean, Ramos is embarking upon a Hall of Fame caliber career, right? Think of what they could get in terms of prospects and who they could get in future free agency. For some reason, I see this option being quite unlikely.
Option #2 - Send Drew Butera to Rochester - This would mean, of course, that Wilson Ramos is the team's backup catcher. With Jim Thome and Jason Kubel around, Ramos would get very few games as the team's DH. He would likely play only slightly more than Butera has. Sure, he could take batting practice in the big leagues every day, and occasionally be a right-handed pinch hitter, but he would not play much. Unless there was a follow up transaction where the team dealt Delmon Young, Jason Kubel or Jim Thome, so that Ramos can play nearly daily, I just don't think this option makes much sense. You don't want to stunt the growth of prospects of this caliber.
