The Twins’ perceived value through April

Here’s the thing, Minnesota. Joe Mauer has driven in more runs than he has left runners stranded. His OPS+ is in the top 20 in the AL. These are things I can pull from the Perceived Value chart. I can also tell you that he has been worth about $3.3 million this year, as told by FanGraphs, which extrapolated tells you he will be worth about $20 million this year. So, anyways, go ahead and boo Joe Mauer.

The argument, of course, is that he doesn’t hit home runs and grounds into double plays too often. First, his OPS+ of 141 tells us that Mauer’s ability to hit extra base hits more than makes up for his lack of homers. Second, his GIDP rate has more to do with the fact that he is left handed and hits the ball hard. If you look at the top of the GIDP rate in the AL, you will find it populated with names like Luke Scott, Mauer, Nick Markakis, Robinson Cano, and Asdrubal Cabrera. All except Cabrera are lefties and pretty decent ball players. Oh, and Cabrera is a switch hitter. If you want to get on anyone for their double plays, get on Danny Valencia and Ryan Doumit, who have done it despite hitting from the right side and in many fewer at bats, respectively. They check in at just 1 fewer GIDP than Mauer (4 instead of 5).

Other than Mauer, who is second overall on the team’s Perceived Value chart, Josh Willingham continues to be a tremendous signing for the Twins. he is second overall in OPS+ in the AL, behind only David Ortiz (sigh). The third place on the list belongs to Clete Thomas, who hasn’t played enough to inevitably drag his rating down. The most underrated player is likely Chris Parmelee, who has had an adequate season when looking at his OPS+, but hasn’t come through with many RBI.

Overall, the team is getting more runners on base than they did last year. That’s the good news. The bad news is, they have been less successful at scoring those runs. It’s only April, and so far, they have been a little unlucky. They have two great players on the team, and two very good ones (Denard Span and a Justin Morneau, if healthy). It’s going to turn around a little bit. Of course, every time I say that, they have a disaster of a game. But give it time.