2016 outfield

[Keepplouffe24]

With Hunter retiring, the twins have some holes in the outfield. With Buxton (and possibly Kepler) starting in AAA, the twins only have 2 outfielders. I also would like to shop Rosario, due to his extremely high trade value. The question is, who are the 4 outfielders on opening day?

I recommend that we move Sano to the outfield. I believe that due to his inability to play 3rd, and plouffe being above average on both sides, we should move him to right. By July, hopefully our outfield could be Buxton, Hicks, and Sano.

Another option is to pick one up via free agency. I do not think that we should be spending money on position like outfield when we have many internal options, and many more glaring needs. So, what are your thoughts on who should be where in the outfield in 2016?

 

 

[nytwinsfan]

I think most people assume Arcia will get a chance to start the year in one of the corners.  I completely share the sentiment that that should not be his long-term position, as I have grown used to having competant (or even excellent) corner outfield defense over the past year.  But it may make sense for the first part of the year while Kepler and Buxton are in AAA. Then, once one or both of Buxton and Kepler are called up, Arcia will either be let go (if he's terrible), moved to DH (if Plouffe is gone and Sano slides over to 3rd) or platooned as a combo corner outfielder/DH, bench bat against righties. So assuming no injuries, and that Arcia is not atrocious in Spring Training/April, I assume it will be Rosario/Hicks/Arcia until May or June, when it gets crowded in the outfield really fast.

[SwainZag]

What makes you think Rosario's trade value is extremely high?  It could be, but aren't young, team controlled players what the Twins should be wanting right now?  With a limited supply of OF talent right now, why would they shop him and for what?

[ScrapTheNickname]

Sano's inability to play third? That's the first I've heard of that! He seems like he an excellent, cat-like thirdbasemen. Until I see or hear otherwise I think that is the general consensus among fans. He didn't play third there much this year because 1) Plouffe was ensconced there, and Sano hurt his hamstring and could barely run.

 

Re: Outfield. Lots of unknowns. Will Hicks hit? Will Buxton hit? Will Rosario hit? They can all play D, we know, but can they really hit? Kepler (and Arcia) waiting in the wings. It's October, who knows.

[Keepplouffe24]

 

What makes you think Rosario's trade value is extremely high?  It could be, but aren't young, team controlled players what the Twins should be wanting right now?  With a limited supply of OF talent right now, why would they shop him and for what?

 

He doesn't walk nearly enough and we need some damn pitching

[Mike Sixel]

Arcia and placeholder veteran on a bounce back type deal, that's my guess.

 

I actually would not be opposed to Sano in the OF, but I think I'd try him at 3B first.

[dgwills]

I absolutely would not trade Rosario or move Sano to the outfield. Rosario may be the best pure hitter of our outfield prospects and he plays good defense. Why would you not want him on your team? Sano is most valuable as a third basemen. He could be an average defender there, but will always be below average defender in the outfield. Trade Plouffe and give him his shot. Plouffe is league average now and is unlikely to improve in any meaningful way. Now is the time to trade him.

Ideally we would start the year with Rosario, Hicks, and Arcia. Then end the year with Rosario, Buxton, Kepler, Hicks as fourth outfielder and Arcia as DH or bench bat. Who knows what will happen of course and if we end up with three good outfielders out of the five we should be happy.

[Mike Sixel]

I also don't get the desire to trade a young, "high value" player at this point in the team's lifecycle of competitiveness.

[MileHighTwinsFan]

Have to pencil in Arcia as a lead candidate for next year - with the expectation that he has to perform in spring training.  I expect to see a veteran or two in camp.

 

I am wondering about what is going to happen to Cuddyer? Seems like he may be a man without a position next year for the Mets.  I wonder if he could be had for a low price.

[lukeduke1980]

Shane Robinson  

[Willihammer]

 

I am wondering about what is going to happen to Cuddyer? Seems like he may be a man without a position next year for the Mets.  I wonder if he could be had for a low price.

Same thought occurred to me as I was watching the game last night. Seems like a decent buy low option who might help fill a leadership void while accepting part-time duty.

[Cap'n Piranha]

 

He doesn't walk nearly enough and we need some damn pitching

 

We're fine on pitching.  You can always be better, but it's not a glaring black hole, and the only way to get more pitching that's not currently on the team is to take a bad deal in order to get rid of Hughes or Santana, or not allow Duffey/Berrios/May to be starters.

[Cap'n Piranha]

The Twins skipped the full youth movement last year due to unexpected contention (thanks largely to Dozier and Hunter being on fire in May).  This is the year we need to get the young players in to see if the rebuild will work, or if we're going to need to re-start it.  Buxton needs to be the CF from day 1.  Sano needs to be at 3rd from day 1.  Arcia needs to get every day AB's from day 1, and if he's not working out, Kepler needs to be called up by mid-June or July.  Duffey and Berrios need to get starts.  It's time to clear out the vets, and see if the kids can take us home.

[USAFChief]

Have to pencil in Arcia as a lead candidate for next year - with the expectation that he has to perform in spring training.  I expect to see a veteran or two in camp.

 

I am wondering about what is going to happen to Cuddyer? Seems like he may be a man without a position next year for the Mets.  I wonder if he could be had for a low price.

Cuddyer signed a two year deal and is owed $8.5m in 2016.

[Reider]

Rosario has earned a corner outfield spot. Hicks will also likely make the team out of spring training. Cuddyer is a good option, but I was thinking Denard Span as he would solve the lead off hitter problem the Twins have had since he was traded away. If/when Buxton/Kepler/Arcia are ready to take over those other 2 outfield spots, Span could always be traded again for another pitcher.

[TheLeviathan]

The future of RF is some combination of Arcia/Kepler/Hicks.  

 

Not Plouffe...that should about wrap his involvement in this thread up.

[Willihammer]

 

Cuddyer signed a two year deal and is owed $8.5m in 2016.

Right I think he meant trade price, I know I did.

 

The Mets have Conforto, Lugares, Granderson, and are reportedly interested in bringing back Cespedes. They could roll with those 4 plus Cuddy but that might overkill and probably would push a guy like Nieuwenheis out of the picture.

[USAFChief]

Right I think he meant trade price, I know I did.

 

The Mets have Conforto, Lugares, Granderson, and are reportedly interested in bringing back Cespedes. They could roll with those 4 plus Cuddy but that might overkill and probably would push a guy like Nieuwenheis out of the picture.

Cuddyer for Nolasco. Done and done.

[SwainZag]

 

The Twins skipped the full youth movement last year due to unexpected contention (thanks largely to Dozier and Hunter being on fire in May).  This is the year we need to get the young players in to see if the rebuild will work, or if we're going to need to re-start it.  Buxton needs to be the CF from day 1.  Sano needs to be at 3rd from day 1.  Arcia needs to get every day AB's from day 1, and if he's not working out, Kepler needs to be called up by mid-June or July.  Duffey and Berrios need to get starts.  It's time to clear out the vets, and see if the kids can take us home.

 

Buxton was clearly over matched at the plate last season, why does he NEED to be opening day CF?  His glove is obviously ready, but I see nothing bad in letting him hit some AAA pitching next season and not throwing him back into the fire. 

[Kwak]

The Twins need a proven OF that will:  hit, hit for power, play solid defense, and provide leadership--someone like Cespedes.  The savings from Hunter's contract and Pelfrey's contract will cover Cespedes deal.

 Arcia?  DH, PH, and emergency OF use only.  Hicks/Buxton?  Keep one, trade the other.  Be realistic, we're not looking at two  Willie Mays here.

[SwainZag]

 

The Twins need a proven OF that will:  hit, hit for power, play solid defense, and provide leadership--someone like Cespedes.  The savings from Hunter's contract and Pelfrey's contract will cover Cespedes deal.

 Arcia?  DH, PH, and emergency OF use only.  Hicks/Buxton?  Keep one, trade the other.  Be realistic, we're not looking at two  Willie Mays here.

 

Cespedes to the Twins is a pipe dream. He is going to get paid.

[Kwak]

 

Cespedes to the Twins is a pipe dream. He is going to get paid.

Like $20MM/year.  10.5 (Hunter)+ 5.5 (Pelfrey) + Balance from team or a trade of Plouffe for youth.

[SwainZag]

 

Like $20MM/year.  10.5 (Hunter)+ 5.5 (Pelfrey) + Balance from team or a trade of Plouffe for youth.

 

I'm not saying the money isn't around.  I am saying the Twins signing a 30 year OF to a $20M per year for the next 5-6 seasons seems pretty far fetched.

[Mike Sixel]

I'm not saying the money isn't around.  I am saying the Twins signing a 30 year OF to a $20M per year for the next 5-6 seasons seems pretty far fetched.

Especially since the owner says he doesn't like long term deals. Doing one for a 30 year old seems even less likely than doing one for Sano.

[MileHighTwinsFan]

 

Cuddyer signed a two year deal and is owed $8.5m in 2016.

 

That would be an easily absorbed contract and may only cost a low level prospect. 

[SwainZag]

 

That would be an easily absorbed contract and may only cost a low level prospect. 

 

Actually Cuddy is owed $12.5M next year.  I've always loved Cuddy, but he is a liability in the field and his .259/.309/.391 he put up this year could be found a whole lot cheaper than giving up a player AND paying him $12.5M next season.

[stringer bell]

Cuddyer is my all-time favorite player. I'd love to see him back in Minnesota as a RH DH, part-time right fielder and first baseman. Unless the Mets were to pay most of his contract, I don't see it happening. Of course, maybe Chief is on it by calling for trading Nolasco for Cuddyer.

 

When the the 2015 season was over for the Twins I predicted the starting outfield in 2016 would be (L-R) Rosario, Hicks, Arcia. I still think that is right. From the 40-man roster, the current fourth outfielder would be Danny Santana.

 

Buxton and Kepler most likely would benefit from AAA time. All five young outfielders have some potential to bust, but there are two options in the minors to take their place.

[mikelink45]

Buxton - yes he will be better, he has shown that at each level, with Rosario and Hicks and get Kepler up soon.  Arcia is bench here too.  KC has shown what speed and fielding can do.  And don't waste time or talent on a fill in outfielder.  Patience and persistence - the Twins have all the fielders that they need.  Sano?  Where did that come from?  It is the opposite of the KC model.  Put him at third where he has always played and mix in DH.  Our issue is and will continue to be the refusal to bench Mauer if he is not carrying his share. 

 

Lets make the splurge and fill the roster with our best potential talent and let them grow up together.  The last time we did it was with guys named Hrbek, Puckett, Gaetti...and that worked out pretty well. 

[DocBauer]

I know Buxton will be up eventually, as will Kepler. But I am not convinced Buxton is already destined for Rochester to begin the season. As talented a young man as he is, I believe there is a very good chance he will digest all his experience from this season during the off season and spring training and force his way on to the club.

 

He may not...no way he could that quickly...hit his full future all-star stride, but he would/could hit well enough to solidify CF defensively and help at the bottom of the lineup until he is ready for the top spot.

 

Arcia and Hicks as a quasi-platoon in RF.

[USAFChief]

Lets make the splurge and fill the roster with our best potential talent and let them grow up together.  The last time we did it was with guys named Hrbek, Puckett, Gaetti...and that worked out pretty well.

 

you mean when we added a FA DH like Chili Davis, a FA starter like Jack Morris, a 3b like Pags?

 

Or when they traded for a starter like Blyleven?