Eduardo Nunez

[DocBauer]

Spy cake, even as I wrote my commentary, I knew someone would write almost exactly what you did. LOL

 

And you're not wrong. In fact, I did mention Plouffe as a poor mans version of Cuddy. (FWIW, Cuddyer remains one of my all time favorite Twins)

 

Cuddyer was, and probably always will be better than Plouffe. However, I maintain my original observations as to the similar parallels to their careers. Both were top picks, large guys at SS with power potential, who ultimately were moved off SS and saw time at 2B and 3B as well as the OF. Both played in the league at 25, though Cuddy had more plate appearances and a higher OPS. Both finally hit the 400 AB level at their age 26 seasons where Cuddyer posted a .752 OPS and Plouffe a .756 OPS.

 

The next season, age 27, is where Cuddyer really established himself and pulled ahead. But again, similarities between them, size, position shifts, good arms, and power potential. Potential that I believe Plouffe may still come close to realizing.

 

Not saying he will, but his overall game and hitting, his doubles power and decent RBI totals before his injury, mark this as Plouffe's best season at the ML level. If Sano were to take over 3B tomorrow...you know what I mean...Plouffe might have decent trade value to someone in serious need at 3B. But he has enough ability, has teased with power potential, that he MIGHT pull a Cuddyer and find his full stroke with a move to the OF. At worst, he might be a multi-position helper player, not unlike Cuddyer, who can offer something with the bat.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Spy cake, even as I wrote my commentary, I knew someone would write almost exactly what you did. LOL

You know, I almost agree with you, but I think Plouffe is basically a poor man's Cuddyer right now, and always has been.  Cuddy was a much higher draft pick, was moved off short after one minor league season, and was still a top 20 prospect as a corner OF -- he was always a prospect for his bat.  So after he hovered around a 100 OPS+ for his first 1100 PA, it wasn't all that surprising when he kicked it up a notch to 130 peak, 115 average at age 27.

 

Plouffe was drafted lower, was never ranked, and was mostly left to rot at SS in AAA.  He certainly wasn't drafted for his glove, but his offense never projected well enough to survive anywhere else.  Not that Plouffe couldn't still improve now, but pointing to an improvement for a better player doesn't really suggest anything about the likelihood of Plouffe doing it, particularly since Plouffe is already beyond the age and MLB playing time thresholds where Cuddyer saw his biggest improvement.

 

Actually, I find it kind of odd that we regularly see articles and comments suggesting/predicting a Plouffe breakout, when it is quite clear from the statistical record that he already had a breakout in 2011-2012, at age 25-26, which allowed him to become the ~100 OPS+ hitter (and average 3B defender) you see today.  It would be like expecting another breakout from Dozier next year, to 130 OPS+, or Perkins to a 250 ERA+ -- not impossible, but the odds have to be particularly low given what we know about the player's career trajectory already.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Actually, I find it kind of odd that we regularly see articles and comments suggesting/predicting a Plouffe breakout, when it is quite clear from the statistical record that he already had a breakout in 2011-2012, at age 25-26, which allowed him to become the ~100 OPS+ hitter (and average 3B defender) you see today.  It would be like expecting another breakout from Dozier next year, to 130 OPS+, or Perkins to a 250 ERA+ -- not impossible, but the odds have to be particularly low given what we know about the player's career trajectory already.

 

Indeed. Plouffe already broke out to become the league average player he is today.

 

Sure, he's shown marginal improvement to become a slightly more rounded hitter and a better defender but I think it's pretty safe to say he is who he is as a player.

[DocBauer]

Spy and Brock, I defer to your take and wisdom.

 

I think you are both probably correct.

 

Still not sure Plouffe won't have real value as a utility player with some offensive ability. At least until Polanco and a few others knock on the door.

 

Just curious on your opinion, were Plouffe to make the sudden move to corner OF full time, what kind of expectation might we see?

[Otto von Ballpark]

Just curious on your opinion, were Plouffe to make the sudden move to corner OF full time, what kind of expectation might we see?

Not sure.  The Twins didn't seem to like his defense out there a few years ago.  If it was Cuddyer-level defense, or a year-plus of that level while he adjusts, I don't think his 95-100 OPS+ bat would play in the corner OF.

 

I don't think he has much value as a utility guy unless he makes a triumphant return to the middle infield, and all signs suggest that is never happening.  His best play is affordable average stopgap 3B.

[nater79a]

Nunez is gone after the year IMO. They already have Plouffe and once Sano is up Plouffe will move to a utility role most likely. 

 

If Sano proves healthy over the winter I wouldn't be surprised to see Plouffe dealt at some point.  Even though he's adequate at best at 3B he has some pop in his bat and would fetch decent value back, especially if packaged with a prospect.  Nunez has more versatility than Plouffe and would be better in a utility roll IMO.

[Thrylos]

If Sano proves healthy over the winter I wouldn't be surprised to see Plouffe dealt at some point.  Even though he's adequate at best at 3B he has some pop in his bat and would fetch decent value back, especially if packaged with a prospect.

 

Plouffe is pretty much the same player as Danny Valencia is (other than being a nicer guy.)  Look how much Valencia has moved and what he was traded for.   I think that we collectively overvalue who we have in the Twins.  Got to remember that these guys are the people who have been playing every day in 4 horrible teams (and caused the horribleness in those teams.)  They just cannot be that good or desirable, with a few exceptions, and, unfortunately, Plouffe is not one of them. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

Spy and Brock, I defer to your take and wisdom.

 

I think you are both probably correct.

 

Still not sure Plouffe won't have real value as a utility player with some offensive ability. At least until Polanco and a few others knock on the door.

 

Just curious on your opinion, were Plouffe to make the sudden move to corner OF full time, what kind of expectation might we see?

I'm not knocking Plouffe at all, btw. I think he's a pretty versatile option if used correctly. If you give him time at third, spot start him in LF/RF, and use him in a semi-platoon role, he's a fantastic guy to have on the roster.

 

Can Plouffe start every day in the OF? I'm skeptical. I don't see enough bat for him to play in a corner outfield spot every day and his defense certainly isn't going to make up for any offensive shortcomings.