Demoting Oswaldo Arcia

Oswaldo Arcia figures to be a big part of the Twins future,
but he's returning to Triple A this weekend.

No matter which stat you want to lean on, Oswaldo Arcia has been one of the better hitters in what has been a rather punchless Twins lineup.

Ten hitters have had more than 100 plate appearances for Minnesota this season. Arcia, whose 107 plate appearances is lowest on that list, ranks third in batting average (behind Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau) and on-base plus slugging (behind Mauer and Josh Willingham), second in slugging percentage (behind Mauer), tied for second in home runs (behind Willingham).

And Friday night, after the Twins were one-hit in Detroit by Anibel Sanchez (Arcia was 0-for-3), Arcia was optioned out to Triple A Rochester, one of the roster moves necessary to activate P.J. Walters to make the start today. (As of early this morning, the Twins had yet to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Walters.)

Demoting Arcia is probably for the best.

Arcia had just one hit in his last 18 at-bats, three hits in his last 29. Pitchers had essentially stopped throwing him fastball strikes, and he wasn't adjusting well to the steady diet of breaking balls and changeups. And, to be blunt, if he ain't hitting, he ain't helping. His defensive skills are not strong; Chris Parmelee is a better defensive outfielder.

Arcia's a good hitter, or at least he's going to be a good hitter, and he'll adjust. He'll get his at-bats in Triple A, and the Twins will save on his service time while he's getting those at-bats. He'll be back.