So what does the outfield look like now?

[dougkoebernick]

Hicks getting traded made a lot of sense. He is not a corner OF and sometime in 2016 the CF of the future will be the CF of the now. What does that leave the Twins? Here are my prediction/thoughts:

 

Sano gives LF a go (unless everyone is right about Plouffe getting traded than I'll delete this ridiculous post). The guy is athletic and much worse athletes have been in the outfield and survived and even thrived. At the end of the day, it's baseball. He can run, catch and throw so give him a shot - especially if he is open to it. 

 

What happens with the remaining two spots? Shane Robinson is the total fallback for CF but here's what I think happens. They go to Spring Training and Buxton, Rosario and Kepler go all out. Buxton focuses solely on CF but the good thing is (and Seth can correct me if I'm wrong) that Kepler and Rosario are pretty solid CF options as well. If Kepler does a good job in the spring and Buxton doesn't then Rosario and Kepler get the CF and RF spots. If Buxton plays well they'll put him in CF and most likely Rosario goes to RF. Should Kepler, Buxton and Rosario all play well in spring training then we should all being jumping up and down in excitement about the Twins having to make a tough decision on that.

 

If Plouffe gets traded that may end up with the Twins having a future outfield of Kepler, Buxton, and Rosario. To me that is a pretty good outfield. I really think that one of Buxton and Kepler locks down a spot out of spring training. If Kepler needs more work and Sano is at 3B then Arcia goes to LF. I truly believe that Arcia had some sort of ailment that altered his swing and my hope he is healthy and in shape and ready to go in the spring.

 

So what's my final guess?  Sano goes to 3B because Plouffe goes to the Angels. Rosario starts in RF.  Buxton starts in CF.  Arcia starts in LF. Kepler starts in AAA. Robinson is the 4th OF. Kepler gets called up after Arcia pulls a hammy on May 11th. 

 

[gunnarthor]

I think Rosario/Buxton/Sano is the most likely scenario but the team could decide that Buxton needs another two months in AAA.  Then they could go with a top-gap like Rosario/Robinson/Sano.

 

A few other ideas - they could resign Span on a one-year, make good contract.  I doubt this happens at all b/c if Span wanted a make good year, he wouldn't want to do it here.  So if he signs here, it'll be a four year deal and Boras is his agent now.  But Rosario/Span/Sano and then when Buxton is ready, Plouffe is moved or Mauer or Park is benched.

 

They could also let Rosario start in center and give Arcia a last shot - Arcia/Rosario/Sano.  Probably not ideal.  

[Trevor0333]

I can't believe Ryan wouldn't be able to find value for a Plouffe trade. I don't buy the Sano to OF rumblings.

 

I gotta believe its going to be a Rosario/Buxton/Kepler with Arcia as the 4th OF.

[Mike Sixel]

 

I can't believe Ryan wouldn't be able to find value for a Plouffe trade. I don't buy the Sano to OF rumblings.

 

I gotta believe its going to be a Rosario/Buxton/Kepler with Arcia as the 4th OF.

 

On day 1, Kepler and Buxton both here? I doubt it, not impossible, but I doubt it.

[jsteve96]

 

Hicks getting traded made a lot of sense. He is not a corner OF and sometime in 2016 the CF of the future will be the CF of the now. What does that leave the Twins? Here are my prediction/thoughts:

 

Sano gives LF a go (unless everyone is right about Plouffe getting traded than I'll delete this ridiculous post). The guy is athletic and much worse athletes have been in the outfield and survived and even thrived. At the end of the day, it's baseball. He can run, catch and throw so give him a shot - especially if he is open to it. 

 

What happens with the remaining two spots? Shane Robinson is the total fallback for CF but here's what I think happens. They go to Spring Training and Buxton, Rosario and Kepler go all out. Buxton focuses solely on CF but the good thing is (and Seth can correct me if I'm wrong) that Kepler and Rosario are pretty solid CF options as well. If Kepler does a good job in the spring and Buxton doesn't then Rosario and Kepler get the CF and RF spots. If Buxton plays well they'll put him in CF and most likely Rosario goes to RF. Should Kepler, Buxton and Rosario all play well in spring training then we should all being jumping up and down in excitement about the Twins having to make a tough decision on that.

 

If Plouffe gets traded that may end up with the Twins having a future outfield of Kepler, Buxton, and Rosario. To me that is a pretty good outfield. I really think that one of Buxton and Kepler locks down a spot out of spring training. If Kepler needs more work and Sano is at 3B then Arcia goes to LF. I truly believe that Arcia had some sort of ailment that altered his swing and my hope he is healthy and in shape and ready to go in the spring.

 

So what's my final guess?  Sano goes to 3B because Plouffe goes to the Angels. Rosario starts in RF.  Buxton starts in CF.  Arcia starts in LF. Kepler starts in AAA. Robinson is the 4th OF. Kepler gets called up after Arcia pulls a hammy on May 11th. 

this is the first time I've laughed at a post because it was actually funny and not just dumb.. the ending where Arcia pulls his hammy got me dying over here LOL MAY 11th at home vs the Orioles

[jimmer]

Span doesn't need to take a one year deal.  He had a good, if abbreviated, season and he was, at worst, a 3.4 WAR player in each of the previous three seasons..  Maybe we can sign him for two years and trade him for Meyer's brother (just kidding). 

[JaleelWhite FanClub]

I can't see Buxton starting opening day. A Plouffe makes WAAAAAY too much sense, so I'll assume it happens and Sano avoids the outfield. I would hate (or cruelly love) to see the team try to sell Shane Robinson as the opening day centerfielder after what he put up last year. Rosario now has to stay, right?

 

This leaves them with ... LF - Rosario, CF - FA or trade acquisition from Plouffe deal, RF - Arcia. Yuck!!!

 

[jsteve96]

but for real, Sano in the OF is a mistake. use plouffe as like the 6th man of a basketball team where he plays just about as much as the starters just isn't technically one of the starters. i like this as my line up to start the season

1) Buxton/Santana CF (depending on ST)

2) Mauer 1B

3) Dozier 2B

4) Sano 3B           

5) Park DH

6) Rosario RF

7) Arcia LF

8) Escobar SS

9) Murphy C

and with Plouffe mixed in at third, 1st, DH getting about 80-90 starts

[Blake]

If the Twins are able to negotiate a deal with Park, then I think Plouffe is gone and Sano takes over third.

 

It will be interesting to see what a Plouffe trade will bring in return.

[jimmer]

What does the outfield look like now?  It's likely the most inexperienced OF in the game with no proven MLB starting caliber players.  Exactly what one wants from a team that will supposedly contend for the WS starting next year or the year after.

[Vanimal46]

 

I can't believe Ryan wouldn't be able to find value for a Plouffe trade. I don't buy the Sano to OF rumblings.

 

I gotta believe its going to be a Rosario/Buxton/Kepler with Arcia as the 4th OF.

 

That's the OF I'm hoping for, minus Arcia. But I doubt that's what it will be until mid-season in 2016. Now that Hicks is gone, I think the Twins have to look for a stop-gap OF to sign. Span was thrown out in a previous thread before and it didn't make sense until this trade happened. Now it would actually be a good option. 

All I gotta say is no more Jordan Schafer types for the OF. 

[gunnarthor]

And, of course, there are a lot of things still up in the air.  It's possible Park doesn't sign and Sano goes back to DH.  The Twins could add someone else in FA.  Ryan probably has a few moves left to make.

[DaveW]

Sano in LF would be a unmitigated disaster.

[nytwinsfan]

 

but for real, Sano in the OF is a mistake. use plouffe as like the 6th man of a basketball team where he plays just about as much as the starters just isn't technically one of the starters. i like this as my line up to start the season

1) Buxton/Santana CF (depending on ST)

2) Mauer 1B

3) Dozier 2B

4) Sano 3B           

5) Park DH

6) Rosario RF

7) Arcia LF

8) Escobar SS

9) Murphy C

and with Plouffe mixed in at third, 1st, DH getting about 80-90 starts

Except switch Escobar and Murphy to put more speed before Buxton, which is what the Twins tend to like to do anyway even if you don't agree with it. Also, I assume this is against a lefty.  Against a righty, I'd move Arcia up to 5th and slide Park back to 6th.

[jimmer]

 

Sano in LF would be a unmitigated disaster.

Arcia, Willingham and Hunter show OF defense isn't a priority for this team.  Sano out there wouldn't be any worse than at least two of those, if not all three.

[BullDozier2]

I think I am starting to see what is gonna happen. The Hicks trade frees up an outfield spot that TR is threatening to fill with Sano. But that is all smoke and mirrors to gain leverage in a Plouffe trade. I say that Plouffe gets traded after we sign Park for a couple bullpen arms and prospects. Sano gets third and TR signs a big name outfielder during the winter meetings. 

[jimmer]

 

I think I am starting to see what is gonna happen. The Hicks trade frees up an outfield spot that TR is threatening to fill with Sano. But that is all smoke and mirrors to gain leverage in a Plouffe trade. I say that Plouffe gets traded after we sign Park for a couple bullpen arms and prospects. Sano gets third and TR signs a big name outfielder during the winter meetings. 

what big name OF do you envision Terry Ryan signing?

[diehardtwinsfan]

I was actually thinking more of a 1 year stop gap.  They have Buxton, Walker, and Kepler all in the high minors... all of whom have pretty high ceilings.  Rosario is already there now.  In theory, 2 of those 3 will be ready sometime next season. 

[Darius]

I will not be shocked when Buxton starts in AAA.

 

Kepler is starting in AAA.  We'll be lucky if we see him before September, the way this club operates.

 

If Arcia is part of any plan after his year last year, Ryan has to have full onset dementia.  You know, confusing total strangers with his long-dead mother, taking his pants off and peeing on an end-cap at the grocery store, and that kind of thing.

 

Sano should not be playing outfield.  I don't know how the FO can think that's a good idea.  Just let the kid hit, play first, and don't mess around.  How many years before he's Miguel Cabrera/Prince Fielder-esque physically, and moves to first anyway?  Two or Three?  Everyone is an athlete when they're 21 with a steam-engine metabolism.  I think we're all mistaken if we think that will last.  He's just too big.  Has there ever been a 300 lb outfielder?

 

That leaves..... nothing.  

 

There has to be plans to sign somebody.  Not saying its anyone big, but they have to be planning on an outsider coming in.

 

 

[Platoon]

I think I am starting to see what is gonna happen. The Hicks trade frees up an outfield spot that TR is threatening to fill with Sano. But that is all smoke and mirrors to gain leverage in a Plouffe trade. I say that Plouffe gets traded after we sign Park for a couple bullpen arms and prospects. Sano gets third and TR signs a big name outfielder during the winter meetings.

 

Your leverage in a Plouffe trade is lost once you sign Park. That said, I think no team will see the Twins as desperate to unload Plouffe in any case.

[gunnarthor]

 

Your leverage in a Plouffe trade is lost once you sign Park. That said, I think no team will see the Twins as desperate to unload Plouffe in any case.

If you move Plouffe before you sign Park, you lose some leverage on him, too.

[nicksaviking]

I think trading Hicks makes the prospect of re-signing Robinson even less likely.  My money is on an unsexy but useful RH free agent on a 1-2 year deal.  Robinson doesn't hit enough to be a regular, and as much as I have disagreed with Ryan's moves in the past, his work so far this off season has been about upgrading the offense.

 

Three moves already in November? We are on pace for a lot of activity this winter.

[Don Walcott]

Is there any reason why Mauer couldn't play in the outfield rather than Sano?

[DocBauer]

So what does the OF look like now?

 

Rosario is in one of the corner spots for sure.

 

I have maintained that Buxton has a very good chance of breaking with the club, and I think it's even more a sure thing. I say again, his talent will allow him to build on his experiences of last season so that even if starts a little slow, he will be a defensive asset while hitting at the bottom of the lineup. Obvious, the sooner he starts to become a real offensive asset at the top of the order the better.

 

I think this may open the door further for Arcia. I don't know that the trade was done with this in mind or not, but it is a result. There is no question his LH bat would be welcome to the lineup should it return to past standards. However, someone would be needed as a RH partner and late inning defensive replacement. Robinson?

 

Now...this is primarily because Kepler will almost certainly need at least a little time at AAA before being ready.

 

Does this open the door to a significant FA signing? I think only Ryan knows at this time, but I have warmed to the idea of Span, or someone similar, to play one corner and hit at the top of the order as insurance for the developing Buxton...OR...to team with him. This move would be better defensively, put Arcia on the bench, (if kept), and allow Dozier to slide down to a lower spot in the order where he would have more RBI opportunities, and his speed would still be a real asset.

[bluechipper]

Rosario, Buxton, Arcia is my hope.

[T.C.]

I think they go with LF- Rosario CF- FA (Span) RF- Arcia

 

Do this to figure out what you have in Arcia. It will help you buy time until Buxton can take over CF. If he's looking good, you can flip him for some bullpen help.

 

I like span on a 2/20 deal. He was injured last year and I think he would like coming back to MN. 

 

Then to complete my hypothetical scenario, trade Plouffe for bullpen guys and put Sano at third.

[olivia11]

There is absolutely no chance Miguel Sano is an opening day outfielder.  No chance.  Plouffe will be traded a few days after the Twins reach a deal with Park. 

 

This leaves an outfield of: Rosario (RF), Buxton (CF), Arcia (LF) with Danny Santana as your 4th outfielder until around June when Kepler comes up, takes Arcia's spot in LF.  Arcia stays on as a rotational DH when Mauer needs a day off and provides a much-needed PH bat for the late-innings.  The Twins want Buxton to take the CF job and, even if his bat isn't quite ready, I think they'll take his high upside, plus plus defense, and plus plus speed over a temporary fix through FA or Shane Robinson.  Also, it would be a hard-sell to try and get a FA CF to sign with the Twins knowing the #1 prospect in baseball is on his heels.

 

Opening Day Lineup: 

1. Buxton CF (They'll at least start him here)

2. Dozier 2B

3. Mauer 1B

4. Sano 3B

5. Park DH

6. Arcia LF

7. Rosario RF

8. Suzuki C

9. Escobar SS

 

Mid-Season Lineup: 

1. Buxton CF

2. Dozier 2B

3. Mauer 1B

4. Sano 3B

5. Park DH

6. Rosario RF

7. Kepler LF

8. Murphy C

9. Escobar SS

[Shane Wahl]

"He's not a corner OF." What does that even mean? 25 doubles, 15 homers, 10 triples, 20 steals with a .260/.340/.460 line is possible for that guy.

 

What made sense was an OF of Rosario-Buxton-Hicks, with Arcia DHing, Kepler waiting in the wings, Sano at 3B, signing a left-handed hitting catcher, trading Plouffe for 2X what they got for Herrmann, and signing one of the top 5 FA relievers.

[Thrylos]

I would really starting thinking of what the outfield looks like come, let's say, March 15, 2016.  What the OF might look like now, is a totally meaningless question.  Really.  Lots of off-season and a month of ST left to see what's going on.  

[Dozier's Glorious Hair]

 

There is absolutely no chance Miguel Sano is an opening day outfielder.  No chance.  Plouffe will be traded a few days after the Twins reach a deal with Park. 

 

This leaves an outfield of: Rosario (RF), Buxton (CF), Arcia (LF) with Danny Santana as your 4th outfielder until around June when Kepler comes up, takes Arcia's spot in LF.  Arcia stays on as a rotational DH when Mauer needs a day off and provides a much-needed PH bat for the late-innings.  The Twins want Buxton to take the CF job and, even if his bat isn't quite ready, I think they'll take his high upside, plus plus defense, and plus plus speed over a temporary fix through FA or Shane Robinson.  Also, it would be a hard-sell to try and get a FA CF to sign with the Twins knowing the #1 prospect in baseball is on his heels.

 

Opening Day Lineup: 

1. Buxton CF (They'll at least start him here)

2. Dozier 2B

3. Mauer 1B

4. Sano 3B

5. Park DH

6. Arcia LF

7. Rosario RF

8. Suzuki C

9. Escobar SS

 

Mid-Season Lineup: 

1. Buxton CF

2. Dozier 2B

3. Mauer 1B

4. Sano 3B

5. Park DH

6. Rosario RF

7. Kepler LF

8. Murphy C

9. Escobar SS

 

Perfect. All of it.