Wolfson: Sano to get a look in OF

[Nick Nelson]

KSTP's Darren "Doogie" Wolfson had an interesting tweet today based on speaking with Paul Molitor:

 

 

We've heard before about Sano in the outfield as a possibility, but this is the first time I've seen definitive steps toward making it a reality.

 

It's one way of getting the young slugger out of the DH spot and into the field, but there are a couple obvious issues at play:

 

1) The Twins already a have quite a few young players lined up for the OF between Hicks, Rosario, Buxton, Arcia and Kepler.

 

2) The emphasis on quality outfield defense seems to be increasing for this organization, and it's hard to imagine Sano -- who weighs 250 lbs and has never played a professional inning in the outfield -- being even average at a corner spot. 

 

Still, there's nothing wrong with getting a look at him out there. What do you think? 

[Nick Nelson]

Here's the text of the tweet linked in that post, for those who have Twitter blocked at work:

 

Sano will get OF work in the Dominican League. Molitor told me he's thought plenty about Sano in the OF. #mntwins

[Mike Sixel]

And some of us were ridiculed over this.......

[Parker Hageman]

Overhearing Molitor's conversation this afternoon about that possibility, he believed that Sano, when healthy, moves surprisingly well. In his triple at Detroit, StatCast said he hit 19 mph rounding the bases.

 

 

That's fairly comparable to what Buxton reaches in the outfield...

 

 

 

Obviously there are instincts, first step quickness, routes, etc that Sano will be behind the curve on but, if he is able to quickly develop those traits, having him in the outfield and having another DH type on the bench would greatly improve the lineup. 

 

Molitor did say he really enjoyed the coverage his outfield had with Rosario, Hicks and Buxton, so who knows how far this project goes.

[nytwinsfan]

Uggh. Even putting aside his ability in the OF, and acknowledging in theory that it would be beneficial for him to have that capability of playing there: (1) this increases his chance of injury, especially as someone who has never played there before (just watch as he sprains or jams a wrist), and (2) starting in about late May or early June, 2016, the outfield is going to get really really crowded.

[nytwinsfan]

Fixed that for you.

 

Obviously . . .  having him at Third Base and having another DH type on the bench would greatly improve the lineup.

 

[Parker Hageman]

 

Fixed that for you.

 

Nah. I like Plouffe just fine.

[Willihammer]

Sounds like they are doing the math-  Buxton needs AAA time, Arcia is no great shakes defensively, Arcia is out of options, they want to bring in another bat, but don't want to be cornered into trading Plouffe or Arcia to keep Sano's bat in the lineup. Seems like a good move to me.

[Boom Boom]

Sano was always destined for first base. You know it, I know it, and the Twins know it.

 

It'll be a shame when there are no more round holes to jam square pegs into and the Twins start casting off promising youngsters because, by god, Mauer's at first base forever.

[Winston Smith]

I'm not sure how this makes sense. Wouldn't it make more sense putting Mauer in the outfield and Sano at 1b?

[drjim]

If wonder if this means Hicks or Rosario are on the block. That isn't talked about much, but could make some sense to balance assets on the roster, and they should have pretty significant value as potential CFs.

[Parker Hageman]

 

Sounds like they are doing the math-  Buxton needs AAA time, Arcia is no great shakes defensively, Arcia is out of options, they want to bring in another bat, but don't want to be cornered into trading Plouffe or Arcia to keep Sano's bat in the lineup. Seems like a good move to me.

 

Yeah, it could also be a ploy to keep other teams from low-balling the Twins if they are thinking about trading Plouffe. If teams knew Sano was going to be the next third baseman, they could leverage that against the Twins when trading for Plouffe. But, if the message is that they want to keep Plouffe and move Sano into the outfield, now the Twins have potentially increased their return

[Vanimal46]

Nothing wrong with getting more position flexibility from Sano. Then again I'd still like him to get as many reps as possible at 3B....

[nicksaviking]

 

Nothing wrong with getting more position flexibility from Sano. Then again I'd still like him to get as many reps as possible at 3B....

 

This is what I most agree with.  I have no problem if he gets some OF flexibility, but I would worry that he won't be able to develop at 3B.  If Plouffe is the 3B here next year, Sano will basically have only played the position for a half years worth of AA games in three years.  The team would be getting awfully close to burning the 3B bridge before they ever gave him a chance.

[nytwinsfan]

 

Nah. I like Plouffe just fine.

More than a platoon of Rosario, Kepler, and Hicks (and maybe Arcia) in the corners?

[Mike Sixel]

I fail to see how making him a RF is a bad thing, if he can do it.......I also fail to see how making him a 1B is a bad thing, as they SLOWLY move Mauer out of the lineup.

 

I remain surprised he didn't play any OF in the minors, frankly.

[tobi0040]

If the Twins view Sano as the 3B of the future and believe whole heartedly they will trade Plouffe this off-season, than this comment makes a ton of sense to me.

 

It tells the rest of the league that we don't need to move Plouffe, therefore provides us some leverage. 

[tobi0040]

 

Yeah, it could also be a ploy to keep other teams from low-balling the Twins if they are thinking about trading Plouffe. If teams knew Sano was going to be the next third baseman, they could leverage that against the Twins when trading for Plouffe. But, if the message is that they want to keep Plouffe and move Sano into the outfield, now the Twins have potentially increased their return

 

I didn't see this comment when I made mine.  Great minds Parker.  Great minds.

 

I honestly believe Sano is our 3B and we will move Plouffe.  So I think that is what this is.

[Mike Sixel]

 

If the Twins view Sano as the 3B of the future and believe whole heartedly they will trade Plouffe this off-season, than this comment makes a ton of sense to me.

 

It tells the rest of the league that we don't need to move Plouffe, therefore provides us some leverage. 

 

Teams aren't stupid......really, all this cloak and dagger stuff is silliness, either on their part, or ours. No one buys this is PR stuff, or if they do, then it provides no leverage. Really......this is as bad as "sell low"......

[TheLeviathan]

This sounds a lot like "We're going to make Arcia a LF"

 

In other words, a completely ridiculous idea that they likely won't stick with.

[Old Twins Cap]

The only real leverage the Twins have with other teams interested in Plouffe is to say:  "That's your best offer?  We'll deal Plouffe to someone else because their offer is better."

 

Of course, it helps to have more than one team interested in Plouffe.

 

Sano is nothing more than a great problem to have for the Twins.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Better now than next season but Sano has only had a half season at 3B the past two calendar years, I think he still needs serious reps there, no?

[James]

Well, I'd rather see Sano get some reps in the outfield during winter ball than in spring training.

 

I don't see this as a big deal at the moment.  He'll either prove that he's not an outfielder, or prove that he could play a decent enough right field for a few games in the first half of a season before they trade Plouffe.

[Dman]

Makes me wonder if the feeling is that the offers for Plouffe will not be substantial enough to make it worth trading him.  He may be worth more to the Twins playing than in Trade.  Thing is the Twins need to try hard to trade Plouffe this year or risk getting nothing or almost nothing after this year.

 

Sano has much more value as a third baseman than as an outfielder.  especially since we have several guys lined up out there as it is.  Nothing wrong with position flexibility as it allows the Twins to mix and match more but his home needs to be third base.

 

Or maybe the Twins have no plans what so ever to trade Plouffe.  Ryan does seem to have empathy for the human element and may be reluctant to break up team chemistry.  Who knows.  I just hope they are thinking this through.

[Shane Wahl]

Seems pretty silly. Plouffe needs to be traded because that peak has already occurred and Sano will be fine defensively at third. Meanwhile . . . the OF is the *last* spot to move anyone else to!

[nytwinsfan]

 

Yeah, it could also be a ploy to keep other teams from low-balling the Twins if they are thinking about trading Plouffe. If teams knew Sano was going to be the next third baseman, they could leverage that against the Twins when trading for Plouffe. But, if the message is that they want to keep Plouffe and move Sano into the outfield, now the Twins have potentially increased their return

Ok, that's a very good point.

[Kwak]

Or, maybe it means exactly what it says  "...we need a place to play Sano [in the field] and OF is a need for the team."  3B is not  a long-term position for Sano (1B might be though), and OF may well be a good parking spot for 3+ years.  The Twins could be (are right now) in a strong position to trade OFers for real needs elsewhere.  If Sano can be at least as effective in the OF as Cruz (and for that matter most of the over-sized sluggers past and present in the OF) this "experiment" is a viable option.  

[Mike Sixel]

 

Or, maybe it means exactly what it says  "...we need a place to play Sano [in the field] and OF is a need for the team."  3B is not  a long-term position for Sano (1B might be though), and OF may well be a good parking spot for 3+ years.  The Twins could be (are right now) in a strong position to trade OFers for real needs elsewhere.  If Sano can be at least as effective in the OF as Cruz (and for that matter most of the over-sized sluggers past and present in the OF) this "experiment" is a viable option.  

 

Amen.....

 

I'd add that I agree with the whole, "he'll be at 1B in 2-3 years" thing strongly. So the question is, what to do with him in the mean time.

[amjgt]

Can't we send Plouffe to the Dominican to play some OF?

[Vanimal46]

 

Makes me wonder if the feeling is that the offers for Plouffe will not be substantial enough to make it worth trading him.  He may be worth more to the Twins playing than in Trade.  Thing is the Twins need to try hard to trade Plouffe this year or risk getting nothing or almost nothing after this year.

 

Sano has much more value as a third baseman than as an outfielder.  especially since we have several guys lined up out there as it is.  Nothing wrong with position flexibility as it allows the Twins to mix and match more but his home needs to be third base.

 

Or maybe the Twins have no plans what so ever to trade Plouffe.  Ryan does seem to have empathy for the human element and may be reluctant to break up team chemistry.  Who knows.  I just hope they are thinking this through.

 

Agreed on all counts. Plouffe needs to be traded this offseason. We all know this, and every GM in the MLB is probably aware of it too. The value of Plouffe seems to be all over the map, as a trade piece to acquire that coveted young C or SP. I recall listening in to one of the latest Gleeman and the Geek podcasts, where John and Aaron's expectation is to get a good bullpen arm for Plouffe. Not sure if that's going to be a disappointment or not, but I agree with their expectation....