So what does the outfield look like now?

[strumdatjaguar]

Plouffe played the outfield in past.  Why not move him back to RF, with Sano at 3B?  Plouffe is versatile and a very good athlete.  Rosario in LF.   Competition between Buxton and Kepler for CF, and possibly they prove unworthy of breaking with the big league club, but Arcia does show his worth again.  Then Arcia in RF, Plouffe in LF and Rosario in CF.  The Twins have flexibility in the OF if they're willing to move Plouffe there.  Don't give up any more pieces in the outfield, make Plouffe a piece to use there.

[stringer bell]

Plouffe is slow, really slow, and when he played in the outfield, he was unsure of himself and hesitant. At this point Sano has a chance of being the better outfielder, but I don't think he should be there. If Opening Day were tomorrow, I'd have Rosario, Buxton, Arcia left to right. Arcia is out of options. It is his last chance. He showed enough in the previous two years to merit another chance despite last season's failure. Danny Santana can be a fourth OF. By the end of 2014, I thought his defense was adequate. With more experience, he could be decent or even better. Kepler, barring injuries, starts 2016 in Rochester, but either he or Walker could be a call-up if someone is injured or struggles. I don't see any point in signing a veteran outfielder. I'm pretty sure Buxton will be up fairly early. Kepler or Walker need someone to falter or to dominate AAA.

[SydneyTwinsFan]

_{As of now I'd expect Rosario in LF, Buxton in CF and Arcia in RF.  And I'm good with that.  I'm optimistically hoping for a strong bounce-back from Arcia next year - there is too much talent there for the 2nd half of last year to be a true indicator of his long-term worth.}

_{I can see them re-signing Robinson and using him as a 4th OF at the start of the year until Kepler is ready, at which point Kepler comes up to play RF and Arcia falls into a OF/DH rotation.  With Rosario, Buxton and Kepler there is no need for a defensive 4th OF, so having Arcia as a PH/DH option would be fine.}

_{I expect Plouffe to be traded (Angels?) and Sano is slot into 3B with Park at DH.}

 

_{1. Buxton CF}

_{2. Mauer 1B}

_{3. Dozier 2B}

_{4. Sano 3B}

_{5. Park DH}

_{6. Arcia RF}

_{7. Rosario LF}

_{8. Escobar SS}

_{9. Murphy C}

 

_{Suzuki C}

_{Robinson OF}

_{Santana UT/IF}

_{Vargas PH/DH}

[stringer bell]

 

_{As of now I'd expect Rosario in LF, Buxton in CF and Arcia in RF.  And I'm good with that.  I'm optimistically hoping for a strong bounce-back from Arcia next year - there is too much talent there for the 2nd half of last year to be a true indicator of his long-term worth.}

_{I can see them re-signing Robinson and using him as a 4th OF at the start of the year until Kepler is ready, at which point Kepler comes up to play RF and Arcia falls into a OF/DH rotation.  With Rosario, Buxton and Kepler there is no need for a defensive 4th OF, so having Arcia as a PH/DH option would be fine.}

_{I expect Plouffe to be traded (Angels?) and Sano is slot into 3B with Park at DH.}

 

_{1. Buxton CF}

_{2. Mauer 1B}

_{3. Dozier 2B}

_{4. Sano 3B}

_{5. Park DH}

_{6. Arcia RF}

_{7. Rosario LF}

_{8. Escobar SS}

_{9. Murphy C}

 

_{Suzuki C}

_{Robinson OF}

_{Santana UT/IF}

_{Vargas PH/DH}

There's really no need or purpose for Vargas in your scenario and with Sano being unproven at third, I think the Twins keep Eduardo Nuñez. I think Buxton becomes the biggest question mark in Spring Training. It seems very apparent to me that the Twins believe he's on the cusp of really breaking through. It's a gamble, but I think they're right. I think Plouffe is gone too, but they aren't going to give him away.

[SydneyTwinsFan]

 

There's really no need or purpose for Vargas in your scenario and with Sano being unproven at third, I think the Twins keep Eduardo Nuñez. I think Buxton becomes the biggest question mark in Spring Training. It seems very apparent to me that the Twins believe he's on the cusp of really breaking through. It's a gamble, but I think they're right. I think Plouffe is gone too, but they aren't going to give him away.

On reflection, I agree with this.

[Rosterman]

You can still go to arbitration with Plouffe/ You can still start spring training with Plouffe, Sano, Buxton, Arcia, Rosario, Kepler on the roster and fighting for spots. Someone will come up lame at third base, and Plouffe could fill in. You might need Plouffe in the outfield if Buxton goes down. Rosario might become Santana Part Two. Kepler might not be ready. It is sad to see Hicks go, but unless so many names fall apart, he was going to become a highly paid reserve outfielder as he enters arbitration, and for his sake, he probably deserves a chance at a fulltime job somewhere.

 

[Major League Ready]

 

Sano in LF would be a unmitigated disaster.

 

 

Sano in LF would be a unmitigated disaster.

And you know this how?  Have you seen him play the OF?

[dougkoebernick]

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.

w

 

Good thoughts - thanks for sharing

[dougkoebernick]

"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.

I just don't think he is the guy in a corner spot down the road. You can do better than him when it comes to the bat without giving up a lot of defense. To me he is a solid CF and that's his spot whereas Kepler is a better corner OF down the road. Just my two cents.

[Pardon My Dinger]

LF Rosario

CF Buxton

RF Rasmus

 

1. Rosario was great in left. Why mess with that?

2. If Bux starts in AAA, he'll just light it up like he did this year and force his way up. I give it three weeks. What's the point?

3. TR is on a mission. Supposedly the ooh lads gave him "carte blanche" (don't remember where I read it but I for sure saw that somewhere). He's trying to posture right now and it's kind of transparent but I really think there's lots more to come.

4. Sano is at 3b because let's not be stupid.

[Pardon My Dinger]

LF Rosario

CF Buxton

RF Rasmus

 

ooh lads

 

*pohlads

[DocBauer]

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

Will quibble about one item. Santana will be a nice utility INF/OF for the club. But if the team is going to give Arcia a real shot...and his LH power and potential would be welcome...they need to bring in a RH counterpart to face LH pitching and be a late inning defensive guy. Now, Robinson could sort of be that guy. But he would be better as a AAAA guy and they should look for someone a little better via FA or trade.

[Old Twins Cap]

Any scenario that has Sano or Plouffe in the outfield in 2016 is not a real thing.  I skip over those posts.

 

Sure, it's  Hot Stove season, but there are limits.   At my age, there need to be limits.

 

Plouffe and Sano are infielders.  You don't compete in MLB when power hitting infielders play the outfield.  

 

And you can't convince the Twins pitching staff that they are better off with a couple of mashers masquerading as ballerinas where flyballs become RBI triples.

 

Ain't gonna happen.  Ever.

 

Ever. 

[DocBauer]

Plouffe is slow, really slow, and when he played in the outfield, he was unsure of himself and hesitant. At this point Sano has a chance of being the better outfielder, but I don't think he should be there. If Opening Day were tomorrow, I'd have Rosario, Buxton, Arcia left to right. Arcia is out of options. It is his last chance. He showed enough in the previous two years to merit another chance despite last season's failure. Danny Santana can be a fourth OF. By the end of 2014, I thought his defense was adequate. With more experience, he could be decent or even better. Kepler, barring injuries, starts 2016 in Rochester, but either he or Walker could be a call-up if someone is injured or struggles. I don't see any point in signing a veteran outfielder. I'm pretty sure Buxton will be up fairly early. Kepler or Walker need someone to falter or to dominate AAA.

Stringer...you and I are in agreement about 95-99% of the time. That's part of the reason I like you so much. Lol And I agree with you about Nunez as well. (Actually almost giddy about a duo of Nunez and the athletic Santana as out utility guys!)

 

But I am going to disagree with you about a veteran OF addition. As the roster appears to be constructed now, it appears the Twins have two distinct directions to go.

 

1* Rosario in a corner, Buxton in CF, (I think we're totally in sync on this, along with a lot of us), and add a veteran OF like Span, Aoki or Fowler to hit at the top of the order and provide insurance for Buxton not being ready for the job. And to possibly join him at the top of the order when he is ready, Dozier moving down obviously. (I have only recently come around to this way of possible thought)

 

2* What I think the Twins intended is what I think they will actually do. And that is, acquire a solid, veteran RH bat for the OF to work with the enigmatic but very talented Arcia. You are absolutely right that he deserves another chance. And I believe the reason the Twins were so interested in bringing Hunter back for one more season was not just for attitude and leadership, but because they wanted insurance, and a partner to compliment Arcia.

 

I am still a big fan of Santana and his potential as a valuable and talented utility player who may yet find his niche as a starter somewhere, but I don't think he is ideal as Arcia's complimentary piece, (though he can and will play and help in the OF) I don't have the right name at this moment, but I think that veteran RH bat and late inning defensive replacement piece would really help solidify a 4 man OF. (Sano, Escobar, Santana, Nunez, Dozier, Mauer and Parks as your obvious INF)

[jsteve96]

 

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. 

i wish i could see them spending big on an OF'er but no way i see it happening if Park already is costing 6-8 AAV... along with a few M on a RP

[jsteve96]

all of our line ups start with Arcia in a corner then at midseason its Kepler.. what if Oswaldo actually hits how he should, then what do we do? sell high at the Deadline and start Kepler or roll with the flow?

[DaveW]

 

all of our line ups start with Arcia in a corner then at midseason its Kepler.. what if Oswaldo actually hits how he should, then what do we do? sell high at the Deadline and start Kepler or roll with the flow?

Kepler has like 5 at bats above AA so far, right? I think it's a little early to assume or even worry that Kepler will be ready for the majors by mid season (I know you aren't saying its a given). If the Twins suddenly have 4 very good OF for 3 positions, and a very good DH (Pak) then they suddenly have a very good problem to have. More often then not, someone takes time to develop, gets hurt or just flat out becomes a bust. Counting on one top prospect to fill in a spot down the road? Thats ok, but to count on multiple guys with question marks (Arcia, Buxton, Kepler) and their potential to help in 2016? That sounds like potential trouble.

Note: Rosario is far from a "sure thing" as well and could certainly take a step back as well. Though I am confident he will at least continue to play well enough in 2016 to earn his every day role.

[Eris]

 

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.

 

 

Maybe the Twins don't think that Sano will be an effective third baseman long term either because of his capabilities or size.

[HitInAPinch]

 

"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.

I don't get that either.  Not nearly enough reps there to make a decision.

[Trevor0333]

Plouffe will be traded or they have the same issue next year or possibly even this summer with Kepler. Why move Sano to OF for 1 year when Kepler is already knocking that door down too. The Twins FO is as in love with Kepler as they are Berrios/Buxton/Sano & Rosario is not far behind (in their minds).

 

Plouffe will be moved, I'd try and tie Nolasco to him in an Angels trade to make sure there is room for Duffy/Berrios