Sano to the Outfield

[tobi0040]

IMO, it's less that and more people have chosen their sides.

 

Argument 1:

 

Trevor Plouffe is a nice little third baseman, but he's no All-Star and you don't block a potential talent like Sano with him.

 

Argument 2:

 

Trevor Plouffe is a nice little third baseman, and it's been ten years of wandering through the wilderness post-Koskie for the organization to find a nice, little third baseman. Which is also about the time frame from Gaetti to Koskie. Guys like Plouffe don't come around everyday, so if Sano can't field third base and we commit to him there it could be trouble.

 

Both are very Faustian bargains, full of win or lose. It all comes down to which devil you want to deal with. But you never win when you deal with devils. And if you look at a team that successfully dealt with this same situation, there's a reason both Rendon and Ryan Zimmerman are still in Washington.

 

Completely agree. When it comes to 3B, it is kind of like don't quit your job until you have a new one. 

[nicksaviking]

So having some speed and a good arm will make for a smooth transition to the OF?  This guy's been playing 3B for four years now, learning the OF is not going to be his quickest way to the MLB. 

[TheLeviathan]

so if Sano can't field third base

 

 

This is the real crux to me.  There are some that seem to believe this is true and I'm not sure how they can be so definitive on that point.  

[laloesch]

My head may explode if the Twins move Sano off of a premium position before he's even played a game at it just to keep Plouffe in the lineup.

 

Exactly my thoughts as well.  I don't understand the love affair with Plouffe.  He's not the greatest thing since sliced bread.  I think it's premature to move Sano away from 3rd at this point. 

[tobi0040]

Exactly my thoughts as well.  I don't understand the love affair with Plouffe.  He's not the greatest thing since sliced bread.  I think it's premature to move Sano away from 3rd at this point. 

 

Near 4 WAR position players don't grow on trees. 

 

The four teams still playing have I think 7 position players with a higher WAR than Plouffe (I looked a few days ago). 

 

It is the willingness to toss Plouffe aside I don't understand.

[diehardtwinsfan]

IMO, it's less that and more people have chosen their sides.

 

Argument 1:

 

Trevor Plouffe is a nice little third baseman, but he's no All-Star and you don't block a potential talent like Sano with him.

 

Argument 2:

 

Trevor Plouffe is a nice little third baseman, and it's been ten years of wandering through the wilderness post-Koskie for the organization to find a nice, little third baseman. Which is also about the time frame from Gaetti to Koskie. Guys like Plouffe don't come around everyday, so if Sano can't field third base and we commit to him there it could be trouble.

 

Both are very Faustian bargains, full of win or lose. It all comes down to which devil you want to deal with. But you never win when you deal with devils. And if you look at a team that successfully dealt with this same situation, there's a reason both Rendon and Ryan Zimmerman are still in Washington.

Argument 3: Sano was hurt and had some issues in AA. He needs more seasoning to answer those questions. Plouffe is an above average 3B, and his value is more likely to rise than fall. This decision can be punted for 6-12 months.

 

I'm not sure if this is dealing with devils. It seems like it's a win in both the short and long term.

[tobi0040]

Argument 3: Sano was hurt and had some issues in AA. He needs more seasoning to answer those questions. Plouffe is an above average 3B, and his value is more likely to rise than fall. This decision can be punted for 6-12 months.

 

I'm not sure if this is dealing with devils. It seems like it's a win in both the short and long term.

 

Yeah, the two guys in question will make about $3M this year.....so it is not a huge pressing issue.  This should not prevent any other moves.

[Kwak]

IMO, it's less that and more people have chosen their sides.

 

Argument 1:

 

Trevor Plouffe is a nice little third baseman, but he's no All-Star and you don't block a potential talent like Sano with him.

 

Argument 2:

 

Trevor Plouffe is a nice little third baseman, and it's been ten years of wandering through the wilderness post-Koskie for the organization to find a nice, little third baseman. Which is also about the time frame from Gaetti to Koskie. Guys like Plouffe don't come around everyday, so if Sano can't field third base and we commit to him there it could be trouble.

 

Both are very Faustian bargains, full of win or lose. It all comes down to which devil you want to deal with. But you never win when you deal with devils. And if you look at a team that successfully dealt with this same situation, there's a reason both Rendon and Ryan Zimmerman are still in Washington.

An apt summary.  What will the Twins do?  Answering that question begs another:  "Who is the real Trevor Plouffe?"  Is he a "foundation-quality player?"--the type used to build a team around, or is he "a building-block player?" A complimentary player to the "foundation-types".  All of these "Trevor Plouffe" questions need an answer.  Based on the "payroll thread" story, the Front Office has established the acceptable range and Plouffe rates to get a very substantial pay increase after he reaches unrestricted free agency.  A decision to pay or trade is soon forthcoming. 

We [as fans] have watched the Twins "make-do" with the 3B position for long periods.  Is Plouffe "the guy" at 3B or not?  A great deal of salary allocation is in the balance based on the answer to that question.

[tobi0040]

An apt summary.  What will the Twins do?  Answering that question begs another:  "Who is the real Trevor Plouffe?"  Is he a "foundation-quality player?"--the type used to build a team around, or is he "a building-block player?" A complimentary player to the "foundation-types".  All of these "Trevor Plouffe" questions need an answer.  Based on the "payroll thread" story, the Front Office has established the acceptable range and Plouffe rates to get a very substantial pay increase after he reaches unrestricted free agency.  A decision to pay or trade is soon forthcoming. 

We [as fans] have watched the Twins "make-do" with the 3B position for long periods.  Is Plouffe "the guy" at 3B or not?  A great deal of salary allocation is in the balance based on the answer to that question.

 

I don't think 3-18-21 is out of the question right now or after next year....if we wanted to extend him.  I think we need another solid year first....but if Sano doesn't cut it at 3B I don't think this is a huge drain on payroll. 

 

If Sano is not a 3B and Plouffe leaves....we have to go out in the market and make a Mike Lamb or Jamey Carroll type....more than half the of the cost of Plouffe without any production.

[jay]

When it comes to 3B, it is kind of like don't quit your job until you have a new one. 

 

... that you know you like and can keep.

[TheLeviathan]

Argument 3: Sano was hurt and had some issues in AA. He needs more seasoning to answer those questions. Plouffe is an above average 3B, and his value is more likely to rise than fall. This decision can be punted for 6-12 months.

 

I'm not sure if this is dealing with devils. It seems like it's a win in both the short and long term.

 

Exactly, people are putting the cart before the horse right now.  Until we know that both A) Sano is ready and he can't play third - it seems a bit premature to say "go to LF kid!"

[nicksaviking]

Near 4 WAR position players don't grow on trees. 

 

The four teams still playing have I think 7 position players with a higher WAR than Plouffe (I looked a few days ago). 

 

It is the willingness to toss Plouffe aside I don't understand.

 

No one wants to toss him aside, but he hasn't been a 4 WAR player annually.  For his career, he's basically a 5 WAR player meaning 2014 was a severe outlier.  Hopefully it's a trend but looking at Plouffe's minor and major league performance, there's a pretty good chance last year was the best season he's ever going to have, and it might have been the most non-descript 4 WAR season anyone's ever had.  I think most of us believe ceiling trumps floor and we'd rather take Sano's high ceiling at 3B than Plouffe's high(ish) floor. 

 

No one's moving anywhere until Sano's ready for the MLB anyway, and from the way Ryan tells it, that'll be about the time Sano is registering for AARP.

[bird]

This is the real crux to me.  There are some that seem to believe this is true and I'm not sure how they can be so definitive on that point.  

These assumptions about the state of Sano's defense and the readiness of his offense have been the questions for me. Someone is going to have to convince me that Sano's development as a hitter is way advanced compared to his defense, either because his defense is terrible or his offense is spectacular, because I'm not really hearing that from the pros and I'm not convinced otherwise based on the metrics being tossed around.