Thread: Any Chance Dozier Replaces ... Valencia?

When the Twins signed Carroll, Ryan made a point of saying that Carroll can play third base. As I watched Valencia pop out on a first pitch that looked high and outside, I thought to myself "I wonder if the Twins would think about calling up Dozier to play shortstop and move Carroll to third base?"

Just had a thought I'd run past people. I'm not sure how I feel about it.

If Dozier was hitting better, maybe... but Valencia's been hitting better of late. Had a couple of big hits in New York. He'll be fine.

Originally Posted by Seth Stohs

If Dozier was hitting better, maybe... but Valencia's been hitting better of late. Had a couple of big hits in New York. He'll be fine.

Oh, I don't think it would happen now. I'm thinking maybe end of May or beginning of June.

And the club seems pretty thrilled with Carroll's glove at short. Besides if the time frame is end of May or June, an opening will surely arise in the infield due to injury. Carroll is 38 and Casilla is already playing on borrowed time.

I really don't think Carroll will move from SS that's obviously where he is meant to be, don't mess with what's working. Plus he doesn't have the strongest arm for 3rd.

I am starting to think I would rather have him come up and replace Lexi. He can really make some bad plays.
1) Ugliest bunt of the season tonight.
2) Throw from doumit bounces off his glove into center field
3) error at second leads to run in the 6th, next play he doesn't get to first to cover on a bunt?

Gardy used to play second, this has to drive him nuts.

Originally Posted by asmus_ndsu

I really don't think Carroll will move from SS that's obviously where he is meant to be, don't mess with what's working. Plus he doesn't have the strongest arm for 3rd.

If you factor in range plays to the right and the typical deeper position played by SS. I believe you need a stronger arm for short.

Originally Posted by John Bonnes

When the Twins signed Carroll, Ryan made a point of saying that Carroll can play third base. As I watched Valencia pop out on a first pitch that looked high and outside, I thought to myself "I wonder if the Twins would think about calling up Dozier to play shortstop and move Carroll to third base?"

Just had a thought I'd run past people. I'm not sure how I feel about it.

John, if you were to replace Valencia as the 3rd baseman, I'd be damn happy.

I like what Carroll brings at SS. But I've never been sold on Casilla as the long-term answer at 2B, and I'm becoming less convinced that Valencia is at 3B with each game.

I'd like to see Dozier at some point this season, but in the meantime, I wouldn't mind seeing more Plouffe and even Burroughs in the infield.

Maybe they wouldn't be more effective overall, but they'd be less frustrating. Valencia and Casilla are maddeningly inconsistent, and prone to doing really dumb things at times. I was pretty underwhelmed when the Twins signed Carroll, but I'm strarting to appreciate his ability to keep it simple and consistently make the right play.

I think if Valencia gets bumped, they'll give Burroughs a shot first. The other day when he started he looked pretty good in the field

If the concern is "what's possibly best for 2012," maybe you consider bringing Dozier in for SS and moving Carroll to 3b. Maybe. IMO though, if 2012 is your only concern, you'd be better off moving Carroll to 2b, and getting Casilla out of the everyday lineup rather than Valencia. It's possible Burroughs is even a better answer at 3b against RH pitching, if we're only worried about 2012.

But if the concern is "what's best for 2013 and beyond," Carroll isn't an answer to anything, particularly 3b. I'd rather give Valencia another chance to prove he is or isn't going to be the everyday third baseman.

Valencia is an average third baseman. He hit surprisingly well in 2010, not so much last year. He's got some power, which the team sorely lacks. To give up on him because he has a few bad at bats is silly, I think. He actually hit well in late innings with the game on the line last year. What could be inexcusable is for him to lose his focus, as I believe he did when the Twins were in their doldrums. I don't think Valencia's defense is bad--but I don't think it is above average either. Having Burroughs available to give him some days off, particularly against tough righthanders, is fine. I don't think Burroughs or Carroll are guys that move Danny off third base. That guy might be in Beloit this year.

If Mark Trumbo can play 3B... sort of, why not see if Parmelee can? Maybe we can trade Valencia for 1920-30-ish Pie Traynor? All of this is realistic, right? Maybe we can wait 2-3 years for Sano.

I didn't think Dozier's defense would play well at 3B.

Originally Posted by Bark's Lounge

If Mark Trumbo can play 3B... sort of, why not see if Parmelee can? Maybe we can trade Valencia for 1920-30-ish Pie Traynor? All of this is realistic, right? Maybe we can wait 2-3 years for Sano.

Was Mattingly the last left handed thrower to make a play from 3b?

Originally Posted by jorgenswest

Was Mattingly the last left handed thrower to make a play from 3b?

No, that was 2nd base, but point taken. Our 3B situation is sort of a bummer.

in a word, no.

Originally Posted by minn55441

I am starting to think I would rather have him come up and replace Lexi. He can really make some bad plays.
1) Ugliest bunt of the season tonight.
2) Throw from doumit bounces off his glove into center field
3) error at second leads to run in the 6th, next play he doesn't get to first to cover on a bunt?

Gardy used to play second, this has to drive him nuts.

In defense of Casilla on the bunt, he couldn't have gotten to first any faster. Hendricks should have lead him, and I'm sure they will have the pitchers and Casilla work on the play before the game today.

Maybe we could occasionally play Hughes at 3rd - that would push Valencia! Oops

Scott Miller of CBSSports.com reports the Padres are prepared to release Orlando Hudson if he ''doesn't turn things around soon.''

If true, the Padres would be forced to eat the remainder of Hudson's $5.5 million contract this year and a $2 million buyout option in 2013. Miller notes that Hudson's tenure could ''coincide with the return of Logan Forsythe,'' who underwent ankle surgery in March. Hudson, 34, is hitting just .156/.191/.200 with one stolen base in 47 plate appearances this season.
Related: Logan Forsythe

Source: CBSSports.com