Molitor: Sano could be called up soon

[howeda7]

http://www.startribune.com/miguel-sano-could-be-called-up-soon-molitor-says/307657841/

 

Do it, TR! If this descent to .500 can't be stopped, at least make 8 AB's a game can't-miss....

[DaveW]

Buxton CF

Mauer 1B

Dozier 2B

Sano DH (3B one time a week)

Plouffe 3B

Hunter RF

Rosario LF

Suzuki C

Polanco/Santana/Escobar SS

 

Hicks: 4th OF, PR, defensive replacement.

 

 

 

[nater79a]

I'm wondering if Sano isn't up by this weekend when the Cubs come to town. Doesn't mean he can't be sent back down after a bit, but this team needs an offensive jolt right now.

 

Ever since 3B Nico Goodrum was promoted to Chattanooga it had me wondering whether something was in the works for Sano.

[DaveW]

Buxton, Sano, Bryant, Russell, Rizzo would make for some fantastic baseball to watch.

[Squirrel]

 

Buxton CF

Mauer 1B

Dozier 2B

Sano DH (3B one time a week)

Plouffe 3B

Hunter RF

Rosario LF

Suzuki C

Polanco/Santana/Escobar SS

 

Hicks: 4th OF, PR, defensive replacement.

I could live with that lineup!

[DaveW]

As could I

 

I think in that scenario you send Vargas back down as well. Hicks can still get a start or two a week as well for either Rosario (against tough LHP) and to spell Hunter (who I think is starting to show signs of his age a  bit)

 

Starting Sano as the every day DH allows him to focus 100% on his hit  tool, toss him in 3B and 1B once a  week to keep him "fresh" as well, plus infield etc before games as well.

[RedBull34]

 

Buxton, Sano, Bryant, Russell, Rizzo would make for some fantastic baseball to watch.

AND I HAVE TICKETS FOR THE 19TH.

 

Also don't forget Schwarber!

[Squirrel]

I've said before that I'm not sure I want Sano up and not play, but this team needs something. And maybe a little bit here and there would be okay for his development and adjustment to the big leagues. This team just needs a shot right now to shake them out of this decline before it steamrolls.

[DaveW]

 

I've said before that I'm not sure I want Sano up and not play, but this team needs something. And maybe a little bit here and there would be okay for his development and adjustment to the big leagues. This team just needs a shot right now to shake them out of this decline before it steamrolls.

When you say "not play" I assume you mean the field? Call me crazy but I don't see it as huge of an issue as some other folks, you just give him extra INF before games and give him a start a game and I think he will be fine. Hell, there are some games where a third baseman only gets 2 or 3 balls hit his way anyways.

[Bark's Lounge]

I'll say this. If they indeed call up Sano, it will certainly be nice to see a RH hitter hit an HR out to the opposite field at Target Field. I certainly miss that occurrence.

[Squirrel]

 

When you say "not play" I assume you mean the field? Call me crazy but I don't see it as huge of an issue as some other folks, you just give him extra INF before games and give him a start a game and I think he will be fine. Hell, there are some games where a third baseman only gets 2 or 3 balls hit his way anyways.

Yeah … that's what I meant. But as I indicated … I'm rethinking that because I think it's what the team needs.

[jokin]

Yeah … that's what I meant. But as I indicated … I'm rethinking that because I think it's what the team needs.

At this point, Dozier and little-used part-time player Nunez (25 June PAs) are the only players over 92 OPS+ in June (even Rosario is only around 80 OPS+). Even with the recent flurry of extra base hits, the Twins of course, collectively have the worst OPS+ in the AL for June, @ 63! While hopefully all of those recent gap XBH hits hint that a turn is in the offing, I still don't see any alternative for really kick-starting this offense into a higher gear on the 40-man roster than Sano.

[Squirrel]

 

At this point, with Dozier and little-used part-time player Nunez (25 June PAs) as the only players over 92 OPS+ in June (even Rosario is only around 80 OPS+). The Twins of course, collectively have the worst OPS+ in the AL for June, @ 63! I don't see any alternative for kick-starting this offense on the 40-man roster.

Isn't Sano on the 40-man? Or are you saying further outside the org?

[jokin]

Isn't Sano on the 40-man? Or are you saying further outside the org?

Yes he is. Of course, the Twins might want to call the Orioles and see if they can have Parmelee back.,,, He was called up tonight, played both RF and 1B.... and went 4-6 in his debut, with 2 HRs

[Oldgoat_MN]

Since Sano was 16 years old he has never, ever played first base or outfield for the Twins at any level.

The idea of putting him there in MLB is a disaster waiting to happen

 

That said, it would not actually shock me if they tried to hide him in right field.

 

Sano at first base in a major league baseball game should be enough to get the manager fired immediately.

 

And some of you who keep suggesting it.... I'm keeping an eye on you.

 

 

[jokin]

Since Sano was 16 years old he has never, ever played first base or outfield for the Twins at any level.

The idea of putting him there in MLB is a disaster waiting to happen

 

That said, it would not actually shock me if they tried to hide him in right field.

 

Sano at first base in a major league baseball game should be enough to get the manager fired immediately.

 

And some of you who keep suggesting it.... I'm keeping an eye on you.

BRef begs to differ. They mark him down for one game played at 1B for Beloit. 7 chances, 7 put outs, 0 errors.

 

Speaking as an ex-first baseman, I gotta tell you, the Learning Curve ain't at all steep- like it is at other positions. There's a reason it's the position players with no experience except at their own original position go to when they are no longer physically capable to play at the more challenging position.

 

Sano came up as a SS, although I highly doubt he'll get any time over there at 1B, I think he could master it to an acceptable level pretty quickly.

 

And I'd consider taking even money that he would be better than Arcia or Delmon on his first trip out there, and quickly be adequate to acceptably decent in less than a month.

[Oldgoat_MN]

 

Speaking as an ex-first baseman, I gotta tell you, the Learning Curve ain't at all steep- like it is at other positions. There's a reason it's the position players with no experience except at their own original position go to when they are no longer physically capable to play at the more challenging position.

Sano came up as a SS, although I highly doubt he'll get any time there, I think he could master it to an acceptable level pretty quickly.

 

Mutter, mutter, mutter... 

 

Maybe so....  but it still makes me nervous.

 

I should mention too that I am not as concerned about his 3B play as some seem to be. I suspect he is an adequate fielder. Not as good as Plouffe, maybe, but adequate.

 

[DocBauer]

My two bits; I'd have Sano at 3B more than 1 game per week. Not only for development, but to keep him in the flow of the game. No reason Plouffe cant play a game or two a week at 1B, plus DH once, and Mauer can DH a game or two, or even sit a game or two. At this point in time, Mauer not playing once or twice a week will not be a major detriment to the lineup.

[stringer bell]

 

Since Sano was 16 years old he has never, ever played first base or outfield for the Twins at any level.

The idea of putting him there in MLB is a disaster waiting to happen

 

That said, it would not actually shock me if they tried to hide him in right field.

 

Sano at first base in a major league baseball game should be enough to get the manager fired immediately.

 

And some of you who keep suggesting it.... I'm keeping an eye on you.

Agree. The OP said one game a week at third and one at first.  The better way would be two games at third with Plouffe moving over to first for one of those games.

[dbminn]

My bet is that Sano will be called up before July 6, when the Twins face Baltimore at home:

• The games this weekend will probably sell out, with Buxton and all of the young Cub talent. No need to increase sales this week.
• No DH required between June 22 and July 1, when the Twins travel to NL ballparks.
• The Twins finish their road trip with KC, beginning July 2. They may bring up Sano for KC, as kind of a tease to promote ticket purchases for the last homestand before the All-Star Game.

I could see the Twins elevating Polanco in the third phase of this project. Might as well see if he can play a little SS in the big leagues. The rebuilding begins in earnest.

[Blackjack]

 

Buxton CF

Mauer 1B

Dozier 2B

Sano DH (3B one time a week)

Plouffe 3B

Hunter RF

Rosario LF

Suzuki C

Polanco/Santana/Escobar SS

 

Hicks: 4th OF, PR, defensive replacement.

 

Leave Buxton down at 8 or 9 until August, keep the pressure off of him.

 

[Otto von Ballpark]

My bet is that Sano will be called up before July 6, when the Twins face Baltimore at home:

• The games this weekend will probably sell out, with Buxton and all of the young Cub talent. No need to increase sales this week.
• No DH required between June 22 and July 1, when the Twins travel to NL ballparks.
• The Twins finish their road trip with KC, beginning July 2. They may bring up Sano for KC, as kind of a tease to promote ticket purchases for the last homestand before the All-Star Game.

I could see the Twins elevating Polanco in the third phase of this project. Might as well see if he can play a little SS in the big leagues. The rebuilding begins in earnest.

June 22-24 they play the White Sox. June 26-July 1 are the only games in NL parks left on our schedule. I wouldn't call Sano up immediately prior to those 6 games, but if they call him up a little earlier, 6 games isn't too much to work around. Sit Plouffe once and Mauer twice and Sano can still start half of them. 2 of the games are day games after night games, or day games before travel, perfect excuses to adjust the lineup anyway.

 

And I doubt the Twins are thinking ticket sales. I mean, they will try to sell tickets upon his promotion, but I highly doubt ticket sales are given any consideration about his promotion. They are not run by Calvin Griffith anymore.

[Platoon]

I want to see Sano here. And I realize that there are two available spots for him, Mauer and Plouffe. Someone suggested a rotation of the three. Fine if you keep Sano off first. I would imagine his head would be spinning enough without having to stand somewhere else in the field on top of everything else. As for the suggestions that he just come up here and head to left field? We been dere, and done dat!

[Platoon]

Everything in pro sports is about ticket sales. Hunter, the reunion tours, Mauer's contract, firing Gardy, signing name brand mediocre mid level pitchers, even being a contender is about ticket sales. I realize this sounds sarcastic, but it's not meant to be. Fan attention drives all revenue.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Problem I see is that guys like Sano and Buxton don't generate ticket sales for the average fan.  Folks like us will go out to see them, but not the average fan.  Winning will get the average fan out there now.  It's a bit easier with Buxton given that CF play has been pretty bad, but Sano is presently blocked by Plouffe, Mauer, and a Vargas who should have some time to work on his hitting.  

[nytwinsfan]

Don't understand why people think Polanco should play 3B. His problem at SS is mostly the arm, so playing 3B isn't going to help. And unlike SS, we have an excellent 3B and an excellent 3B prospect who is almost ready.

 

As for Sano, I'd like to give him a few more weeks at AA first. 

[dbminn]

 

Problem I see is that guys like Sano and Buxton don't generate ticket sales for the average fan.  Folks like us will go out to see them, but not the average fan.  Winning will get the average fan out there now.  It's a bit easier with Buxton given that CF play has been pretty bad, but Sano is presently blocked by Plouffe, Mauer, and a Vargas who should have some time to work on his hitting.  

 

 

Everything in pro sports is about ticket sales. Hunter, the reunion tours, Mauer's contract, firing Gardy, signing name brand mediocre mid level pitchers, even being a contender is about ticket sales. I realize this sounds sarcastic, but it's not meant to be. Fan attention drives all revenue.

 

Baseball is an entertainment business. Ticket revenues and TV are what keep the Twins solvent. It also allows them to invest in the team. The StarTribune has already ran a bunch of positive articles about Buxton. And Buxton is selling tickets:

 

http://www.startribune.com/buxton-buzz-helps-fuel-target-field-ticket-sales/307752671/

 

Here's a quote for you:

 

"The Twins arguably haven’t had such a highly anticipated debut since Joe Mauer in 2004, Justin Morneau in 2003, or even as far back as Kirby Puckett in 1984. St. Peter expects this excitement to fuel sales around the stadium, especially if Buxton can prove himself quickly. Buxton apparel will arrive at Target Field early Wednesday."

 

(Honestly, I didn't see this article prior to writing my first comment)

 

PS - I stand corrected on the schedule.

[DaveW]

 

Leave Buxton down at 8 or 9 until August, keep the pressure off of him.

I'm sorry, I don't see how him batting lead-off suddenly puts so much more pressure on him. The pressure is already on him big time to be the Twins next big thing.

[dbminn]

 

I doubt the Twins are thinking ticket sales. I mean, they will try to sell tickets upon his promotion, but I highly doubt ticket sales are given any consideration about his promotion. They are not run by Calvin Griffith anymore.

 

I agree that ticket sales are not the only thing but, as I commented above, they are incredibly important. I just made my best guess as to when Sano would arrive. Seems to me there's a confluence of events that will make sometime between July 2 and July 6 the best bet. It's also important that Sano has continued to improve at AA and nobody else has stepped up at DH.

[James]

 

AND I HAVE TICKETS FOR THE 19TH.

 

Also don't forget Schwarber!

I have tickets for that game too!  I definitely wouldn't mind being there for Sano's debut.