Byung-ho Park Impact on Sano

[Ncgo4]

The Twins have made a surprising major move in the off-season with Park. I am just going on the assumption that he will be an impact player. Assuming that we've acquired a big time big bopper of a first baseman, the impact on the remainder of the lineup is huge.

 

The first consideration is Mauer. $23 million is committed to a likely .270 hitting, no power local legend. Probably the Twins will think that at this money they should play him. Where? Probably not first base so that leaves DH or perhaps right field. If it's first base, that puts Sano on the field somewhere, most likely third. That in turn puts Trevor Plouffe on the block. They could put Sano or Mauer into the outfield, but that in turn means that Rosario, Buxton, Hicks & Keppler will have a fifth player inserted into the mixup.

 

The question then becomes what does Miguel Sano look like I early March? He left Minneapolis weighing about 255 lbs (give or take 10 lbs). Does he go home to Mamma and come back at the same weight? Perhaps he really takes to that home cookin' and come back at 275. Or does he hop on the Berrios' band wagon, work like a dog and come back at 235 looking and playing like an honest-to-God 3rd baseman?

 

This is a critical off-season for the Twins and Sano. If he really takes his potential seriously and decides to do everything he can to be the best he can be, we could have a real bone crushing middle of the line up. Will he look at the Park deal and decide that the Twins are serious so he should be too?

 

I can't wait for Spring Training.

[ashbury]

Ryan made specific comments leaving Mauer at first base. That removes one "moving part" in this exercise.

[Seth Stohs]

Mauer's staying at first base. Park will play DH. They can flip-flop from time to time.

 

My assumption is Plouffe will be traded.

 

People worry way too much about Sano at 260. He's a great athlete at 260. He can play third base. Not as well as Plouffe, but he can be an average defender. He may not be the same impact player at 230... at least not now. Maybe in 7-8 years, he should consider that, but not yet. 

 

He hit his first Dominican Winter League homer last night and played 3B. He's playing every day.

 

If for some reason Plouffe isn't traded, Sano can play LF alright. I think then Rosario or Hicks get traded. That could happen either way too. 

[Shane Wahl]

Sano at third, Mauer (resurging like Morneau) at first, Park DHing, Arcia initially in RF, Plouffe traded.

 

That is the route I would take.