Article: Twins With Winning Bid On Korean Slugger

[Pardon My Dinger]

This Sano as an outfielder stuff is sooooooo stupid. We FINALLY have a superior defensive OF (that can  hit, no less), and we're going to just plug Sano in LF where he's never played? Plouffe is gone. Sano is on 3rd. There is no other way.

[diehardtwinsfan]

I got to admit that I nearly spit my lunch out today when I saw the ESPN ticker.  Completely unexpected.  I'm a tad bit skeptical, but I have to admit that I really like the them going for it.  It's an aggressive boom or bust move, from a team that could use some impact players.  My somewhat random thoughts:

 

1)  If it fails, I hope they don't do a Danny Santana or a Nishikoia move...  send to to Rochester if it's clear he isn't ready.

 

2)  I don't think this means the Twins lost leverage with Plouffe.  If anything, teams will know he's on the block, and given the lack of 3B options out there, I think the Twins will move him for something of value.  I don't see it being Lucroy (as the Brewers are rebuilding), but I could see Norris or Braves prospect Christian Bentancourt, whose internet searches seem to get confused with Christiana Bentancourt for some strange reason   I could also see them moving him for a couple of high ceiling low A prospects, and given the top heavy nature of the system right now, I wouldn't be against that if they have another means to fill the C spot. 

 

3)  I do hope that the Twins have a fall back plan if this doesn't work.  They have a few ways to juggle the roster as they can move Mauer to OF, or call up Kepler/Buxton/Vargas, which I suppose that's the likely scenario.

 

4)  I have to think that this the end for Arcia.  Perhaps he still starts in RF, but there isn't going to be a DH spot for him if his defense is attrocious as always.  I wouldn't be shocked if he's moved this offseason as well.  I'm a bit down on that if he is.  Too much potential in that bat, so unless he's the prospect moved for a guy like Lucroy, I'm not a fan. 

 

5)  I really hope that this isn't it.  Given the oddly aggressive nature and the rumors of the Twins planning on going crazy internationally next year, I'm really thinking that there may be a couple of other bold moves that aren't so characteristic of Ryan.  I may rethink my thoughts on him stepping down at the end of the year if he keeps this up... even more so if he hits on some of them.

 

 

[Mike Sixel]

So what the difference between Bak and ABW?  Lots more money?  A massive brand identity in ROK?  They must be planning on selling jerseys by the boxcar to justify this investment.  Hey, maybe a 2 for 1--tossing in a free Nishioka jersey when buying Bak's at full price?

I was also wondering this.

[gunnarthor]

 

So what the difference between Bak and ABW?  Lots more money?  A massive brand identity in ROK?  They must be planning on selling jerseys by the boxcar to justify this investment.  Hey, maybe a 2 for 1--tossing in a free Nishioka jersey when buying Bak's at full price?

Confidence that one can hit in the majors?

 

I know Walker is a polarizing prospect and I hope he turns into an absolute stud but the Twins would be stupid to make plans for 2016 requiring them to count on Walker (or Arcia). 

[Thrylos]

 

This Sano as an outfielder stuff is sooooooo stupid. We FINALLY have a superior defensive OF (that can  hit, no less),

 

Who is that?  

 

All the Twins' OFs had less than 99 OPS+, which means that they were average hitters, and since that includes MIFs, less than average OFs with the stick.

[Platoon]

So if Park is signed, and Plouffe isn't traded, Sano has to play OF. Period. That could be exciting? Or they could start Sano in Rochester for OF experience, but then they couldn't answer the phones at One Twins Way. This whole deal could have made sense if they had an opening at 1B. Or the ability to make an opening at 1B. But they don't. There are so many things the Twins needed, but a 1B/DH wasn't on the list. If I was Hicks or Rosario I would not take out any long term apartment leases. If he trades Kepler, well then it's time to wonder what the long term plan really is?

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

So what the difference between Bak and ABW?  Lots more money?  A massive brand identity in ROK?  They must be planning on selling jerseys by the boxcar to justify this investment.  Hey, maybe a 2 for 1--tossing in a free Nishioka jersey when buying Bak's at full price?

 

the K/BB rate?  He sported a 1:1 ratio at one time... something Walker never did.  He Ks, I get that, and it's a concern.  But Walker doesn't exactly walk (AFL not withstanding).

[LewFordLives]

I hate this deal. I haven't posted in a while but hate this deal so much I need to vent....

 

1. Power is not the Twins biggest problem. There are only two teams in all of baseball who had a worse OBP than the Twins. How is a guy who's never played MLB and is strikeout prone going to improve that?

 

2. If all they wanted was a power hitting DH type they have plenty of other cheaper options to choose from. Best case scenario, this guy hits .250 with 25 HRs. Not horrible, but Arcia can already do that for a fraction of the price. Morneau is also available and can also be had for a fraction of what they'll end up paying this guy over the course of several seasons. Worst case scenario is Park is a total bust and the Twins end up eating tens of millions of dollars.

 

3. Where are they going to play him?  He's supposedly a decent fielding first baseman. Is he going to be happy in a DH role?  

 

I have really questioned the Twins roster management these last few years, and this deal just adds to my skepticism.

[Vanimal46]

Do you still have the wheels to be our stopgap RF until Kepler is ready Lew?

[kab21]

 

This Sano as an outfielder stuff is sooooooo stupid. We FINALLY have a superior defensive OF (that can  hit, no less), and we're going to just plug Sano in LF where he's never played? Plouffe is gone. Sano is on 3rd. There is no other way.

Conversely we finally have an infield that can field and yet all offseason some are trying to trade Dozier and Plouffe so we can start a rookie and Sano in the infield.

 

Sano's bat is what is interesting.  He will be a poor defender at 3B and he will likely be a poor defender in the OF.  In addition to that at some point somebody will be injured (like Mauer) and he will rotate out of the OF.

 

 

[ashbury]

I hate this deal.

You wrote up a good counterpoint. I think the problem with it is that the deal can't be judged alone. We kind of need to see where Ryan is going with this. And since the signing (if negotiations are even successful) can't occur extremely soon, and any further moves hinge on this, I'm personally going to have to suspend judgement for a while. Maybe Ryan will explain sooner rather than later. But in the meantime it's fun to speculate.

 

If by New Years Day the logjam of corner infield/outfield players is still there, shades of Ye Badde Olde Days of Doumit and Willingham, then I'll join you in disliking the deal. And if it lingers into Spring Training then we're in WTF territory. I have long been very tired of hearing "and, if nothing else, his bat will play at DH" about player after player. We obtain them because they are easy to obtain, up-the-middle players (and starting pitchers) being the coin of the realm. It's the path of least resistance.

 

My guess when all is said and done is that Ryan is angling for a significant starting pitching acquisition, with a lot of moving parts to make that happen. I like Ryan and think well enough of him to look for something that isn't the path of least resistance. But if all we do as a result of this signing is trade Plouffe for a late-inning reliever who throws gas, then I'll be underwhelmed, because acquiring such a reliever could probably have been accomplished a lot more simply.

[Danchat]

 

Best case scenario, this guy hits .250 with 25 HRs.

Umm, I believe you should at least raise your best case scenario. He could definitely hit better than that. Who knows, maybe Park has a great rookie season (.270 & 30+ HRs) and then MLB pitchers have to adjust to him.

[ashbury]

Umm, I believe you should at least raise your best case scenario. He could definitely hit better than that. Who knows, maybe Park has a great rookie season (.270 & 30+ HRs) and then MLB pitchers have to adjust to him.

It's a long season. A result like that would be after pitchers adjusted to him, and adjusted again.

[SwainZag]

 

Umm, I believe you should at least raise your best case scenario. He could definitely hit better than that. Who knows, maybe Park has a great rookie season (.270 & 30+ HRs) and then MLB pitchers have to adjust to him.

 

Best case scenerio they get a version of Chris Davis light paying a fraction of the contract and they get to keep their 1st round pick.

 

Worst case scenario is he can't adjust, spends time between AAA-MLB and never really succeeds and they trade Vargas cheap and he goes on to be a 30-35 HR threat for the next decade with another team.

[TNLooky2015]

CONSTANT ALL STARS - THAT HAVE AND WILL BE PAID OUTRAGEOUS MONEY THIS OFF SEASON

ADAM JONES - 74 RUNS; 24 BB; 25 2B; 3 3B; 27 HRS; 82 RBI; 3 SB; 259 TB; 102 SO; 546 ABS; .308 OBP;

 

JUSTIN UPTON - 85 RUNS; 68 BB; 26 2B; 3 3B; 26 HRS; 81 RBI; 19 SB; 246 TB; 159 SO; 542 ABS; .336 OBP;

 

FOR THE RECORD - SANO HAD BETTER STATS IN THE MLB THAN HE DID IN THE MINORS IN 2015!

 

ABW II - 85 RUNS; 58 BB; 33 2B; 4 3B; 35 HRS; 121 RBI; 14 SB; 282 TB; 217 SO; 556 ABS; .316 OBP;

 

It's evident Walker and others are on the way out.  No spot for him any time soon with the addition of Park and an already crowded outfield.  They better talk to their prospects before all of them are asking to get out of town.  (Kepler; Rosario; or Hicks and Plouffe)  They all have to be saying "What the hell? -  Sano in the outfield?  - A multi million dollar 1B/DH?  -   What the hell is in store for me?"

[jsteve96]

 

CONSTANT ALL STARS - THAT HAVE AND WILL BE PAID OUTRAGEOUS MONEY THIS OFF SEASON

ADAM JONES - 74 RUNS; 24 BB; 25 2B; 3 3B; 27 HRS; 82 RBI; 3 SB; 259 TB; 102 SO; 546 ABS; .308 OBP;

 

JUSTIN UPTON - 85 RUNS; 68 BB; 26 2B; 3 3B; 26 HRS; 81 RBI; 19 SB; 246 TB; 159 SO; 542 ABS; .336 OBP;

 

FOR THE RECORD - SANO HAD BETTER STATS IN THE MLB THAN HE DID IN THE MINORS IN 2015!

 

ABW II - 85 RUNS; 58 BB; 33 2B; 4 3B; 35 HRS; 121 RBI; 14 SB; 282 TB; 217 SO; 556 ABS; .316 OBP;

 

It's evident Walker and others are on the way out.  No spot for him any time soon with the addition of Park and an already crowded outfield.  They better talk to their prospects before all of them are asking to get out of town.  (Kepler; Rosario; or Hicks and Plouffe)  They all have to be saying "What the hell? -  Sano in the outfield?  - A multi million dollar 1B/DH?  -   What the hell is in store for me?"

 

sano's wRC+ was 151 in MLB, he was over 151 at every level in his career except single A in 2012 so the Miguel Sano info can be tossed out but i see the comparison of Upton and ABW, hopefully he works out.

[kab21]

It turns out that I might get to watch Park play this weekend in Taiwan.  WSBC Premier 12 seems to be competition for the WBC and they are playing the first round of the tournament in Taiwan this week.  The US/CA/Latin American teams are sending washed up MLB'ers and 2nd rate prospects but the Japan, SK and Cuban teams are stacked with Otani, Park, Gourriel (both), Despagnie and pretty much all of the top players.

 

In the first game Park went 2/4 with a 2B and a K against Otani (and the RP'ers).  Otani is the top Japanese pitcher (along with Maeda).

[Platoon]

I hate this deal. I haven't posted in a while but hate this deal so much I need to vent....

 

1. Power is not the Twins biggest problem. There are only two teams in all of baseball who had a worse OBP than the Twins. How is a guy who's never played MLB and is strikeout prone going to improve that?

 

2. If all they wanted was a power hitting DH type they have plenty of other cheaper options to choose from. Best case scenario, this guy hits .250 with 25 HRs. Not horrible, but Arcia can already do that for a fraction of the price. Morneau is also available and can also be had for a fraction of what they'll end up paying this guy over the course of several seasons. Worst case scenario is Park is a total bust and the Twins end up eating tens of millions of dollars.

 

3. Where are they going to play him?  He's supposedly a decent fielding first baseman. Is he going to be happy in a DH role?  

 

I have really questioned the Twins roster management these last few years, and this deal just adds to my skepticism.

And Arcia is LH hitter.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

CONSTANT ALL STARS - THAT HAVE AND WILL BE PAID OUTRAGEOUS MONEY THIS OFF SEASON

ADAM JONES - 74 RUNS; 24 BB; 25 2B; 3 3B; 27 HRS; 82 RBI; 3 SB; 259 TB; 102 SO; 546 ABS; .308 OBP;

 

JUSTIN UPTON - 85 RUNS; 68 BB; 26 2B; 3 3B; 26 HRS; 81 RBI; 19 SB; 246 TB; 159 SO; 542 ABS; .336 OBP;

 

FOR THE RECORD - SANO HAD BETTER STATS IN THE MLB THAN HE DID IN THE MINORS IN 2015!

 

ABW II - 85 RUNS; 58 BB; 33 2B; 4 3B; 35 HRS; 121 RBI; 14 SB; 282 TB; 217 SO; 556 ABS; .316 OBP;

 

It's evident Walker and others are on the way out.  No spot for him any time soon with the addition of Park and an already crowded outfield.  They better talk to their prospects before all of them are asking to get out of town.  (Kepler; Rosario; or Hicks and Plouffe)  They all have to be saying "What the hell? -  Sano in the outfield?  - A multi million dollar 1B/DH?  -   What the hell is in store for me?"

 

Let's not turn this into a Walker thread.  There's a minor league forum here and we can speculate about his future there.  Given he has 3 option years once he's added to the 40 man, I'll reserve judgement on said evidence, as no decision needs to be made on him for 3 more seasons. 

 

If the Park signing was evidence that someone was on the way out, I'd put money on that someone being Arcia and/or Plouffe. 

[Platoon]

I learned several things by watching the Park HR video. 99 meters is 324' and 118 meters is 379'. Those were numbers I saw on the fence down the LF line and in CF. those are not big parks. Dozier would love that LF measurement. The other thing I picked up was how to yell "touch em all Park" in Korean!

[kab21]

 

I learned several things by watching the Park HR video. 99 meters is 324' and 118 meters is 379'. Those were numbers I saw on the fence down the LF line and in CF. those are not big parks. Dozier would love that LF measurement. The other thing I picked up was how to yell "touch em all Park" in Korean!

I looked at all of the stadium measurements and they varied from 118 (387 feet) to 125 (410) in CF but some parks got really short down the lines typically 312-324 feet.  The bigger reason for the offensive numbers is that the KBO recently expanded from 8 teams to 10 teams and last year they lengthened the season from 128 games to 144.

 

But Park has had more than 2x as many homers as the #10th ranked HR hitter.  That is impressive.

[Pardon My Dinger]

 

 

 

Sano's bat is what is interesting.  He will be a poor defender at 3B and he will likely be a poor defender in the OF. 

Sano is NOT going to be a poor defender at 3B. His arm is an A+. He's got good hands. Plouffe was garbage at 3B at first, but he came around. No reason not to give Sano the same chance.

[DaveW]

 

Sano is NOT going to be a poor defender at 3B. His arm is an A+. He's got good hands. Plouffe was garbage at 3B at first, but he came around. No reason not to give Sano the same chance.

Poor is a bit over the top, I don't think Sano will be "good" at 3rd or even "average" but I think he can end up being a tick below average which is perfectly fine.

[ashbury]

Poor is a bit over the top, I don't think Sano will be "good" at 3rd or even "average" but I think he can end up being a tick below average which is perfectly fine.

Also, I think what Sano "will be" eventually in the field is a different matter than what he "will be" in 2016. I forecast the word "adequate" being used a lot in 2016, out of kindness, if he plays much at third. I think there would be some managers who would say, "he can't play there, for me," at present. Hopefully by the end of the season he will have smoothed out a few of the rough edges and progressed to being about average. He does some things well already, and I'm far from believing he's a lost cause. But he has to continue to dedicate himself to improving this part of his game, for him to have a future at third.

[Brock Beauchamp]

This isn't the route I would take with the team but I don't think it's terrible, either. Sano has put the team into a bit of a pickle... He needs to play every day but is young and athletic enough that you want him out in the field somewhere.

 

I would have tried to move Plouffe but then again, I haven't seen Sano play third much and the Twins certainly know more about his capabilities than any of us do.

 

I hope this isn't the long term solution, though... I'd like to think the Twins will give Sano plenty of starts at third this season and re-evaluate next offseason.

[Ncgo4]

Let's see now...29 years old. Hits a bunch of bombs. Strikes out a lot. Speaks no English (assumption on my part). Sounds a lot like Walker, except Walker is about 5 years younger and speaks English (also an assumption, I guess). Walker would cost us maybe $500,000 and this guy will cost us about $5 million PLUS a $12 million negotiating fee. Means we now have about $28 million worth of 1st base salary in 2 guys and we don't have a catcher that could throw out Earl Battey stealing 2nd base.

 

You can't say our GM lacks guts. If this works out, he'll look like a genius. If not, the Twins will start giving him random blood tests. Based on his track record, I'm hopeful he's better evaluating hitters than pitchers.

 

Seriously, what do they do with Mauer? With Hicks? With Keplar?

 

HERE'S MY PREDICTION, Kepler and Walker get bundled to someone like the Yankees and it becomes the Twin's version of " The curse of the Bambino!". We take on two first basemen with a combined 63 years of age, one of whom is at least partially disabled and more salary than the position commands. Unless this guy can hit in the majors darned near like he hit in Korea, this makes no sense at all.

[Otto von Ballpark]

TR mentions the possibility of spot starts at 3B for Park, although he is viewed as primarily a DH:

 

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_29092466/twins-win-negotiating-bid-korean-1b-byung-ho

[sane]

 

Means we now have about $28 million worth of 1st base salary in 2 guys and we don't have a catcher that could throw out Earl Battey stealing 2nd base.

 

..and Opening Day is only 142 days away!

[ashbury]

TR mentions the possibility of spot starts at 3B for Park, although he is viewed as primarily a DH:

 

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_29092466/twins-win-negotiating-bid-korean-1b-byung-ho

"maybe even spot-start at third for a day"

 

Adding a qualifier like "for a day" to an already backhanded term like spot-start really makes it sound like it has nothing to do with the overall strategy of what they're going to do with the lineup.

[Bob Sacamento]

 

Great chance for St Peter to expand the Twins brand into Korea!

The Twins have had a relationship with Korean clubs/players, being in Ft. Myers (Twins spring camp) I've seen a group of Korean pro players here the past three years working out with minor leaguers.