What is the Twins' Greatest Need?

[Brock Beauchamp]

And yet somehow there is nearly universal crying from this forum to move Sano before the kid has had more than a cup of tea in AAA.

I don't know about "universal". I think there are plenty who believe Sano should stick at third for as long as humanly possible, myself included amongst that number.

 

Maybe we're just not vocal about it because it seems so obvious.

[bird]

Ace, catcher, 2-way corner OF

[HitInAPinch]

I'll say it:  The best thing the Twins can do to improve themselves is a new GM.  I give credit where credit is due:  we wouldn't be talking about all these [hopefully] great young players coming through the Twins farm system if it wasn't for Terry Ryan. 

 

That being said, he doesn't seem to have the touch when selecting useful veteran talent to support a rebuilding team.  Ryan also is too close to the players.  A GM needs to be heartless.  Traded players while they were still in their prime and don't wait for the jump in salary and everyone in the league knows it.  I've read many teams consider him a good choice for team president.

 

Back on topic:  who would I trade?  If I'm a real GM, anyone and everyone is available for a price.  

Terry Ryan wouldn't do it.

[ashbury]

 

And yet somehow there is nearly universal crying from this forum to move Sano before the kid has had more than a cup of tea in AAA.

Sano made a nice play today charging a slow roller. Later in the same scrimmage he over-ran a sharply struck grounder to his left. Similar to a recent game with the big squad, actually. At the moment he's a mixed bag on defense, and I am anticipating an unpleasant reception if he's brought up and messes up a few.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Sano made a nice play today charging a slow roller. Later in the same scrimmage he over-ran a sharply struck grounder to his left. Similar to a recent game with the big squad, actually. At the moment he's a mixed bag on defense, and I am anticipating an unpleasant reception if he's brought up and messes up a few.

 

I hope not, most of what people don't like about him is wrapped up in his size.  The problem is that 6'5 and 240 isn't what it used to be in a good way.  Guys are getting bigger and more athletic and we have to be open to letting Sano work and get better.  

 

We saw what Plouffe was able to do with regular work and coaching, so just because Sano is big and will have some growing pains is a really, really bad reason to move him to the OF.  Let him see if he can stick at a premium position first.  And be flexible when he makes mistakes, that's part of every guy's development and not everyone who turns into a solid fielder is a gold glover at Sano's age.

[Minniman]

No guarantee clauses on two particular contracts.

 

[nicksaviking]

I'm blinded by Buxton so my concern with Rosario defensively is barely on my periphery. However, should the Twins ever find themselves with too many OFs (I know, it sounds like science fiction), being able to put CF on his resume likely would increase Rosario's trade value, even if it's not actually his best fit.

[kab21]

 

And yet somehow there is nearly universal crying from this forum to move Sano before the kid has had more than a cup of tea in AAA.

You misunderstand.  I don't think he should be moved right now.  I simply don't think 3B is his MLB position and that the Twins shouldn't trade Plouffe because they have a 3B in the minors to take over.  And the same is true of Rosario.  I don't think he is a true MLB CF but the Twins don't have anyone nearly as good as Plouffe at the position. 

 

Imo the Twins biggest need is an elite/near elite player (or two) somewhere (anywhere) on the field.  They actually have fairly competent player almost everywhere but there are just too many that project as below average (but not awful) to average.

[TheLeviathan]

I wouldn't trade Plouffe either, but there is zero reason to move Sano off 3B either.  There was a sizable thread bashing the decision not to put him in the outfield yesterday.

 

I think that would be a ridiculous decision at this point.

[jay]

I wouldn't trade Plouffe either, but there is zero reason to move Sano off 3B either. There was a sizable thread bashing the decision not to put him in the outfield yesterday.

 

I think that would be a ridiculous decision at this point.

I would say there's a bigger group saying to trade Plouffe than there is saying to move Sano to the OF now.

 

I wouldn't do either...

[DocBauer]

No to moving Sano off 3rd. He has the ability. He looks pretty good. He's still learning, isn't polished yet, and he WILL make some mistakes. Deal with it.

 

Absolutely no reason to deal Plouffe now, and probably not any time this season. Maybe next off season.

 

As to the original topic...as stated elsewhere, it really can depend on an attempt to acquire a prospect or someone ready (or almost ready) to help now. I have a lot of love for Garver and Turner, but another catcher would be smart. A hard tossing leftie to place in the pen would also be smart.

 

And while I am not a Nunez or Herrmann hater, you go out and acquire a 25th man with positional flexibility and offensive talent who could at least be a fill in starting player, and you just made a smart move.