Souhan "first game impressions"

[gunnarthor]

http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/blogs/298822711.html

 

I know some don't like Souhan but I do.  Here were his quick takes

 

1) Santana has great range at short - I thought he looked great defensively today, too.  That play at third with Plouffe to get Iglaseas (I think it was him) was really nice.

 

2) Schafer better play better defense than that. - Comerica is pretty big but he certainly looked a little hesitant out there.

 

3) Price was good but Twins (esp Suzuki's almost-HR and Santana's liner) got some nice contact with no results. -  I was happy with some of the contact by our guys.  They'll have games where a few of those things fall.  

 

4) Joe West has to ask for help, the game could have been a lot more fun. - Obviously, we already have a thread on this but Ausmus was stupid for taking Price out.  That doesn't get brought up enough.  

 

5) Hunter was still angry after the game.  - Glad to hear that, actually.  I'm sure most players want to win against their former team but I'm glad he's upset about it.  Better than reading about the fun bunch anyway.  

[stringer bell]

Don't disagree with anything stated.  I've been pretty happy with Santana's SS play in the spring and yesterday.  Hard to judge jumps in the OF, but I know that despite excellent speed, Schafer has never graded out as even average in center field.  Still don't think any of the candidates for the CF job would have caught Cespedes' triple, however.

[jorgenswest]

Schafer has over 2000 major league innings in CF. He is a -26 DRS and a -9 UZR. At the time of his acquisition, we saw links from both the Astros and Braves blogs/reporters about his inability to take a good route in CF.

 

He has been the opening day line up four times in his career. He didn't stick in the line up the previous three times. It seems unlikely he will stick this year. Even if he sticks, he is not going to suddenly turn into a good defensive center fielder at this point in his career. If he could defend well, he wouldn't be at his fourth stop.

[MileHighTwinsFan]

Posted this in the game thread, but seems more appropriate here.

 

Schaefer and Arcia against a tough lefty confirms he won't go exclusively with platoons - although the first game is hardly a good measure of the extent he will use matchups to set a line up.

 

Not calling on Santana to bunt with 2 on, no out and the heart of the order coming up suggests that he is not going to be all about manufacturing runs.  

 

 

[jimmer]

 

Posted this in the game thread, but seems more appropriate here.

 

Schaefer and Arcia against a tough lefty confirms he won't go exclusively with platoons - although the first game is hardly a good measure of the extent he will use matchups to set a line up.

 

Not calling on Santana to bunt with 2 on, no out and the heart of the order coming up suggests that he is not going to be all about manufacturing runs.  

He may have asked Santana to do that if they were closer in score and later in the game, like within a run or two.  Not sure that was the time to give up an out against a pitcher who was having no problem with getting us out all game to begin with.

[jokin]

 

Posted this in the game thread, but seems more appropriate here.

 

Schaefer and Arcia against a tough lefty confirms he won't go exclusively with platoons - although the first game is hardly a good measure of the extent he will use matchups to set a line up.

 

Not calling on Santana to bunt with 2 on, no out and the heart of the order coming up suggests that he is not going to be all about manufacturing runs.  

 

 

You might have missed it, but the TV announcers spent a great deal of time early in the broadcast giving Molitor's rationale for starting Schafer and Arcia-  Opening Day is about recognition of who earned the starting jobs, not the day to employ platoon strategies- again, according to the new manager  (of course, Escobar also "earned" a spot, but that's a different thread...).

[twinscowboysbulls]

There is a serious possibility we have a very good and young SS. This is extremely exciting. I think if Santana keeps playing and Plouffe tears the cover off it, we should try to trade Plouffe at some point and let Escobar take 3rd until Sano is ready.

[Mike Sixel]

I am very glad they moved Santana back to SS.......that's his best chance to be a long term Twin, imo. 

[MileHighTwinsFan]

 

He may have asked Santana to do that if they were closer in score and later in the game, like within a run or two.  Not sure that was the time to give up an out against a pitcher who was having no problem with getting us out all game to begin with.

 

Don't disagree - just commenting on the decision as insightful on Molitor's managing style.   I think other managers might have bunted knowing that a single from one of his top two hitters or even a sac fly would have broken the ice against a guy who was dealing.

[Major League Ready]

 

There is a serious possibility we have a very good and young SS. This is extremely exciting. I think if Santana keeps playing and Plouffe tears the cover off it, we should try to trade Plouffe at some point and let Escobar take 3rd until Sano is ready.

I would love to see Sano stick at third but his size does not bode well for that happening.  Plouffe should bring back a player(s) that will help the club toward contention.  Unfortunately, his size is going to make that very difficult.  I have a friend who watched him carefully and met him in person.  The man is just flat big.  It would help if he was the type that would work hard on his body (ie. KLove  & Bazz).  However, that seem very unlikely. 

 

Maybe he was inspired by Yadier Molina this spring.  He looked way better than previous years.  It just amazes me that some "professional" baseball players don't stay in shape.  Not to isolate Molina, I am just using him to provide a specific example, but was Molina's excuse for the last few years? 

[Mike Sixel]

I hate typing this.......but I don't like their odds this year, and I think Sano can play 3B for 2 years or so.....so I think Plouffe should be available. I just see them as redundant for 2 years....so go for it, deal Plouffe.

[HitInAPinch]

 

I would love to see Sano stick at third but his size does not bode well for that happening.

I wouldn't get too hung up on his size right now.  Here's another case: 

 

Scott Rolen:  6' 4" 245 lbs.  8 Gold Gloves, 7 All Star selections. 

 

Sano's biggest problem is he can't [ Currently ] hit a breaking ball.  At only 21, there's time to work on that, too.

[HitInAPinch]

I'm going to respectfully disagree on the use of Price.  First game of the year, a 4-0 lead, a pitch count of 100 and, well, it's the Twins.  Why wring out your ace this early in the year?