To trade or not to trade Plouffe this offseason.

[gopherman23]

I think legitimate cases could be made for either side of this argument.

 

Plouffe is 12th among qualified MLB 3rd basemen in both OPS and WAR. He clearly has some pretty good value and we have a guy in Sano, who should be able to play the position for at least a few years.

 

I am honestly fine if the Twins do either with Plouffe. I think it would be smart to dangle Plouffe+ to see if we can get a significant upgrade at either C, SS , or starting pitching. Emphasis on C an SP.

 

I'd like to hear other peoples thoughts on this.

[snarkerbarnyard]

I would prefer to trade him. I know he's probably a lot better than Sano defensively, but Sano's bat (which profiles well anywhere you put it) profiles REALLY well at third base. Also, Sano at third opens up a spot at DH, which can be filled with a big bat from either within (Arcia, Vargas, ABW) or outside (Sign Chris Davis?, trade?) the organization. Plus, Plouffe could be helpful in netting us a player we really need, like a catcher, shortstop, or quality SP.

[kab21]

If you do trade Plouffe then under absolutely no circumstance do you target a C or SS.  The number of teams that want to trade for a late 20's solid to very good 3B with two years of team arb remaining is already small.  If you restrict the trade to MLB or MLB ready C or SS (rare that teams have surpluses) then you are completely forcing a trade and will almost certainly come out on the losing side.

 

If you trade Plouffe then you pick the 5 contending teams that need a 3B and go for the best prospect package that you can get.  And then you turn around and those prospects or the prospects that you have for the C or SS that you want (if one exists).

 

I am not real keen on trading Plouffe but perhaps if someone is offering a top 50 and a top 100 prospect then I could be on board.  I would have to feel real certain that the org had a real big bat for DH (Vargas?) or would sign someone.  No reason to make room for a question mark.

[TNTwinsFan]

Mauer....Damn it. I think I'd rather see Plouffe at 1B and Mauer on the bench. He just doesn't do anything for me. With Kepler and ABW2 (whom I thought was originally a pretty good defensive 1B) waiting in the wings, it may be smart to hild onto Plouffe until one of those two are ready. Can you Imagine having a rotation of Buxton, Rosario, Hicks, Kepler ABW2, Plouffe for OF/1B/DH?! And I left out Vargas if he figures thisngs out. Where does/should Mauer fit? I say, early retirement and go join your brother on one of the Twins' coaching staffs somewhere. Earn that $23mm in another way for the Twins Organization. Enjoy your family, you're still a young man and there is no shame in hanging up the spikes and trading them in for those really comfortable managerial tennis shoes.

 

So don't trade Plouffe. Trade Arcia instead. Especially if he has a strong Spring Training. And again, Mauer should step up...and step down.

[kab21]

Mauer isn't going to be benched or enjoy early retirement.  He will definitely be starting at 1B/DH next year.

[Shane Wahl]

Yes, trade Plouffe.

[twinssouth]

No, don't trade Plouffe, trade Mauer instead. Games I saw, the infield Is so much better with Plouffe playing. Sano needs a little more consistency, then I'd put him full time at 3rd. Keep Plouffe, add Kepler, subtract Mauer. Seems he has a hard time holding that big bat, swing is late 1/2 time. He plays a easy position but when watching him, nothing stands out.

[Twinsoholic]

Twinssouth, 

 

Mauer has a full no trade clause. He's retiring in Minnesota as a Twin.

 

Gopherman23, 

 

Yes, trade Plouffe, and I agree with Kab21. Trade Plouffe for the best prospect package you can get--unless there is a GM willing to swap Plouffe for either a really good ss or catcher (not likely). 

 

 

[Eris]

I would not trade Trevor Plouffe.  This year he has been the second best player on the team (maybe third if you project out Sano to the end of the season).  Additionally, his BABIP is 0.282  -- meaning he has not been especially lucky.  He is the Twins best defensive player at 3rd base and at 1st base.  In addition, he is a good character guy with a strong work ethic.  The Twins have struggled for years (probably since Cory Koskie) to find an above average defensive 3rd baseman.  Sano has not really played enough innings to judge his value as a defensive 3rd baseman.  I would either play Sano at 3rd with Plouffe at 1st.  Or convert Sano to a first baseman and play Plouffe at 3rd.  

 

Looking at positions of need, would the Nationals trade Ramos or the Padres trade Norris for Plouffe (insert other catchers of interest)?  I think the answer is no and so other prospects such as Berrios or Kepler would need to be included in such a transaction.  

[TheLeviathan]

It's fine to target a catcher or a shortstop, i think the "under no circumstance" stuff is pretty silly.  Letting other teams know what you're looking for is far more likely to net a return you want to take.  

 

The key is not to be desperate, not to say you'll only take a catcher centered deal.  You take the best deal, but you sure as hell try and target a team need in the process.  

 

And yeah, trade him this offseason.  I think it's a huge mistake if we don't aggressively shop him.

[Craig Arko]

Plouffe is pretty much a peak trade chip this offseason. Get a good return, preferably a catcher. Gotta do something.

[jorgenswest]

Plouffe will be an asset to the team next year. The Twins don't need to shop him. The a Twins do need a catcher. If in the process of finding that catcher Plouffe is a good fit in return, trade him.

 

The Twins need to focus on filling needs rather than selling off valuable assets.

[TheLeviathan]

Plouffe makes an ideal trade asset because he's been productive, they have Sano to play third, and Plouffe is coming up to a point where you have to make a very tough decision: let him walk for a pick or extend a guy already into his thirties to a deal.

 

I'd prefer to trade him before we arrive at that point.

[Thrylos]

Depends.

I'd say keep him over Hunter for a DH/1B/cOF role.   But I'd rather see what Kepler does in that role.  So, yes, trade him.  Unless they are planning on re-signing Hunter; Plouffe will be better than that.

[Halsey Hall]

Of course you trade him.  He was terrible defensively when he started playing 3rd.  Morneau was bad at 1st.  Sano will learn and his bat will do many wonders. 

[jorgenswest]

Rather than trading him for potential future assets, they can keep him and his contribution to the 2016-2017 teams. Kepler has nice potential but it might take him his two remaining option years before he is contributing. Vargas may be ready to contribute but it is not a guarantee. The Twins are a better team in 2016 with Plouffe and unless a trade returns a different asset for the 2016 team, they should keep him.

[kab21]

 

It's fine to target a catcher or a shortstop, i think the "under no circumstance" stuff is pretty silly.  Letting other teams know what you're looking for is far more likely to net a return you want to take.  

 

The key is not to be desperate, not to say you'll only take a catcher centered deal.  You take the best deal, but you sure as hell try and target a team need in the process.  

 

And yeah, trade him this offseason.  I think it's a huge mistake if we don't aggressively shop him.

Do you have any idea how hard it is match a trade like that?  If you want a C/SS then it is going to take 2 trades possibly not involving the same prospects that were acquired.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Do you have any idea how hard it is match a trade like that?  If you want a C/SS then it is going to take 2 trades possibly not involving the same prospects that were acquired.

 

What good does it do to hide what you want?  Let it be known.  You may not get it and you might take a different package you like, but hiding your desired target position doesn't do you any good IMO.

[Craig Arko]

Pretty sure every GM in the game already knows the Twins need to target a catcher.

[Turd Furgeson]

Plouffe has trade value and Sano needs to play at third every day. Trade Plouffe and if we can get a C back that'd be great, but I don't think we need to be overly picky about that, just get a good return. Sano is not a great defender but he's good enough and we may be able to squeeze some more offense in this lineup with Sano playing a position and someone else playing DH. 

[Tibs]

I think trading Plouffe definitely should be considered. I think there are also positives in keeping Plouffe. He's a guy I like having on the Twins but I would understand if the Twins traded him this offseason. I'd shop him around and see what we could get.

[kab21]

 

What good does it do to hide what you want?  Let it be known.  You may not get it and you might take a different package you like, but hiding your desired target position doesn't do you any good IMO.

I have never said that they should hide their target.  It is reality that the trade market for 3B like Plouffe is limited.  It isn't because Plouffe isn't good or valuable but rather that a lot of teams have 3B or aren't interested in a veteran.

 

For example (a quick scan so I might be wrong on 1 or 2 - it doesn't change the point)

AL East - every team is set at 3B

AL Central - Chi and CLE need a 3B but will they trade for a veteran?

AL West - Angels (Freese is a FA) and Astros possibly

NL East - WAS (probably not with Rendon) and MIA/ATL (rebuilding)

NL Central - MIL (rebuilding)

NL West- Padres (possibly) and ARI (possibly)

 

This shows there are maybe 5 teams that would want to trade for Plouffe.  There just aren't that many teams in the market for Plouffe.  Those teams are unlikely to have an extra SS or C available (aside from SD with Norris).

[Richie the Rally Goat]

 

Rather than trading him for potential future assets, they can keep him and his contribution to the 2016-2017 teams. Kepler has nice potential but it might take him his two remaining option years before he is contributing. Vargas may be ready to contribute but it is not a guarantee. The Twins are a better team in 2016 with Plouffe and unless a trade returns a different asset for the 2016 team, they should keep him.

Arcia, Vargas, Kepler, and ABW are all real big question marks, and Hunter will probably be re-signed (unfortunately). Mauer, Plouffe, and Sano rotating through 1st, 3rd, and DH wouldn't be all bad. It'd be nice if the Twins got defensive value from both Sano and Plouffe day in and out.

 

I think the tell would be if Sano starts increasing his work at playing first base this off season.

 

What they will do and what they should do, I think they will keep status quo and come into 2016 the same as 2015. I think they should either 1) move Mauer into full time DH or bench roll and get the defensive value from both Plouffe and Sano at the same time. 2) trade Plouffe

 

Of anyone on the team, he has the most ready player behind him on the depth chart and has the most trade value. its a really great problem to have, and if the team went option one, I certainly wouldn't be upset. If Sano ends up being the DH again in 2016, I'll be slightly annoyed, he has the fielding tools, and he needs to develop them.

[Winston Smith]

Trade anybody if it makes the team better.

 

The bigger question is Terry still able to make a trade like that? His track record isn't very good over the last 5-6 years around the Smith era.

 

From what I read here the only way he can make a trade to improve the team is by trading the top 15 prospects, 2 dozen Sweet Martha's cookies, two of Gardy's old bowling shirts and of course Duensing. IMO the cookies would be a deal breaker.

[Vanimal46]

There's no need to push Plouffe out of town, but I would certainly mention his name in any trade negotiation this off-season to gauge his value. If he can be included in a package deal to get a young near MLB ready player where we lack options, he's expendable. But I'd be fine if Plouffe were back in 2016 on an arb. contract if the right deal wasn't found.

[TKGuy]

Repeat after me:

 

1. We are not trading Mauer, nobody would take him anyways.

2. Mauer is not going to be moving back to catcher.

3. Mauer is going to be the 1b next year

4. Mauer is not going to be a backup.

 

Did I miss any?

 

I believe the Twins have to trade someone this offseason as there are not enough roster spaces available. Arcia cannot play OF well, so he is a DH ideally, as long as this season was a fluke. Vargas, adequate backup 1b, DH ideally. Sano will be in the lineup everyday, either as 3b or DH. Plouffe could also play OF, but only backing up Buxton, Hicks and Rosario. Plouffe is a proven commodity under team control for a couple of years, roll the dice and see what you can get I say.

 

As for C, I am intrigued by Turner and his bat has seemed to pick up somewhat. Great defensively, and viable if he can hit .240

[spinowner]

 

Trade anybody if it makes the team better.
 

This is the philosophy behind any trade. That, and trade from areas of surplus for areas of deficiency. Plouffe should be able to generate a pretty good return, but it does no good to trade him if it doesn't benefit the organization. And since no specific trade is on the table we can't say whether he should be traded or not. It depends on whom we'd be getting back.

[TKGuy]

Repeat after me:

 

1. We are not trading Mauer, nobody would take him anyways.

2. Mauer is not going to be moving back to catcher.

3. Mauer is going to be the 1b next year

4. Mauer is not going to be a backup.

 

Did I miss any?

 

I believe the Twins have to trade someone this offseason as there are not enough roster spaces available. Arcia cannot play OF well, so he is a DH ideally, as long as this season was a fluke. Vargas, adequate backup 1b, DH ideally. Sano will be in the lineup everyday, either as 3b or DH. Plouffe could also play OF, but only backing up Buxton, Hicks and Rosario. Plouffe is a proven commodity under team control for a couple of years, roll the dice and see what you can get I say.

 

As for C, I am intrigued by Turner and his bat has seemed to pick up somewhat. Great defensively, and viable if he can hit .240

[Badsmerf]

Be should very much be on the block. I like Plouffe a lot, and have championed him since he led the eastern league in doubles as a ss. He should have a good amount of value around the league.

 

Mauer is the problem. He has been bad without signs of coming out of it. He is still young enough where he could turn it around, but nobody should hold their breath. It makes matters a lot more complicated. When you think about how much better the roster would be with Plouffe at 3rd and Sano at 1st... makes it frustrating.

 

I could see a world where Plouffe is kept and turned into super utility guy. That isn't the best use of his talent, but it makes for a better 25 man roster. Would allow Hicks to sit against all rh pitching.

[Shane Wahl]

Some things:

 

More talk about Plouffe and the corner outfield. When have the TWINS mentioned this, and why on earth would we even consider messing with the future outfield?

 

Plouffe has good value, and I bet the list of teams who might be interested  = 8 or more.

 

The Twins must get a catcher.

 

Sano should be playing 3B as much as possible.

 

I am not giving up on Kennys Vargas.