I agree that if Branyan were picked up, and used in the manner that you describe (i.e. in a sort-of DH platoon) that he would be an aid to the offense. A team full of Russell Branyans is more potent offensively than a team full of the type of players that currently populate the Twins bench. Whether the Twins would use him in an intelligent matter is another issue. I don't want to drag the managerial staff through the mud too much, but they did play Rondell in left in 37 of his 91 games last season (I assume that decision was based solely on his offense).

Even so, I think the Twins would be better served to evaluate the pieces they currently have going forward this season, with an eye on next year. Are you looking at Branyan as Rondell's replacement beyond this year? That, to me, is the only justifiable rationale, Branyan being a piece that will have a significant impact in 2008 and beyond. In order to keep him around, the Twins would have to negotiate a new contract with him, and (not knowing what else will be available) I would think they might be able to do a little better.

Kubel can't start in LF and DH. He also can't start in LF and sit on the bench. He also can't start at DH and sit on the bench.

I’m not sure I like it though, if the Twins were to sign Branyan, I could see him taking away at-bats from Kubel, when the Twins should use these non-competitive upcoming months to evaluate whether Kubel is an everyday major leaguer or if he’s suited for some other role.

Whether the Twins employ the roster intelligently and whether Branyan can help the team are two separate issues. Branyan gives the Twins better choices than they have with Jason Tyner or Luis Rodriguez around. I mean, if we're saying that I get to make changes to the team, I'm installing someone who has the good sense to realize Kubel needs to be playing every day.

Even if we are going to go there, I don't think the Twins are really going to put Rondell in the outfield, Kubel has worked his way above Tyner on the depth charts, and Branyan's defense in LF is definitely worse than Kubel's. I don't think Branyan would take a significant amount of playing time from Kubel even if he was around. For instance, when Garrett Jones was around in his second stint, Ford was the one taking playing time from Kubel--not Jones.

I'm not sure I like it though, if the Twins were to sign Branyan, I could see him taking away at-bats from Kubel, when the Twins should use these non-competitive upcoming months to evaluate whether Kubel is an everyday major leaguer or if he's suited for some other role.

Say that Branyan was hitting .290/.322/.519 this year. That's basically equivalent to Rondell White's career line (.286/.338/.465), and I'm guessing you would say that's a pretty decent line. The only difference between that line and what he has actually hit this year is changing some walks to singles. Are singles more valuable than walks? Absolutely. Is it the difference between terrible and pretty good? Not at all.

Players like Branyan make me wish we listed the "slash" stats as (1B/AB)/(BB/PA)/ISO. It's basically all of the same information, just broken down into component form.

Branyan has been terrible this year. And yet, way better than Nicky Poo-Poo at the plate: 197/322/426 in 146 PA.