Ryan: Sano to the OF

[amjgt]

http://www.kfan.com/onair/twins-blog-38057/twins-announce-plans-to-move-sano-14169360/

 

Could still be posturing for a Plouffe trade, but I'm not so sure, at this point.

[Vanimal46]

He can continue with this story all winter long if he wants. I'm still not going to believe it, and think a Plouffe trade is on the horizon. 

[bird]

Maybe it's unwarranted, but the Twins are displaying confidence that:

 

1. Sano can thrive in the OF

2. Park can handle MLB pitching

3. Murphy can settle in as a MLB average catcher

4. Mauer can do better than we saw in 2014

5. ???

 

This will be interesting....

[gunnarthor]

I do honestly think that is Ryan's plan.  But I think he'll change his plan if someone makes a strong offer for Plouffe.  But maybe Sano's defense at third isn't as good as the Twins want.  There is no need to move Plouffe if the Twins don't trust Sano's defense.

[bird]

 

He can continue with this story all winter long if he wants. I'm still not going to believe it, and think a Plouffe trade is on the horizon. 

 

 

I can see why you think this, but I get this sense that he means what he's saying, for better or for worse. Ryan just doesn't strike me as a posturer.

[TheLeviathan]

Not a fan.

[gunnarthor]

 

Maybe it's unwarranted, but the Twins are displaying confidence that:

 

1. Sano can thrive in the OF

2. Park can handle MLB pitching

3. Murphy can settle in as a MLB average catcher

4. Mauer can do better than we saw in 2014

5. ???

 

This will be interesting....

Good post.

 

I do think Sano will be ok in the OF.  He's a big dude but he runs well enough. He's big, not unfit.  He won't be worse than Hammer or Cuddyer and could be better.  His arm is strong.  And with Buxton in CF, range won't be the worst issue.

 

Park is the million dollar question but I think he ends up being a solid #5 hitter for us.  Others have made the adjustment, he can too.

 

I think Murphy/Suzuki platoon will be good enough.  I'm not really concerned there, honestly.

 

Mauer .... man.  The optimist in me says that many non-PED guys that were great hitters (and Mauer was) had a great career year after a few down years.  Maybe it's luck, maybe it's health but Mauer could have a rebound season.  But yeah.

 

[Mike Sixel]

I'm told Ryan is one of the most honest men around, and he's said this more than 1 time now.

[gunnarthor]

From that article - "It’s those talents that landed Park on the Twins radar more than a decade ago when Byung-Ho was still in high school. With a scout permanently placed in Korea, the Twins have followed Park through his amateur and professional Korea, taking a liking to him very early on. In fact, they liked him so much that the forecasted exactly when he would become available for posting with the MLB after his military requirement was fulfilled in Korea."

 

So, if nothing else, the Twins have done their due diligence on this guy.

[jlanky]

Regardless of the logjam, it is wise to hold onto Plouffe until Park is proven.  Sano is ticketed for 1B once the albatross is gone anyways.  If he can survive in the OF for a few years it would benefit the team.  He may not be the best OF, but we have to remember who has been patrolling the OF for the last several years.  I doubt Sano will look like Nunez, Big Willy Style, or Arcia out there.

[gocgo]

I think you see Sano in the outfield this year and transitioned to first base as Joe declines into DH/part time fielder.

[dbminn]

I think Plouffe will be traded only if the Twins get a reasonable return. Since a trade isn't guaranteed, Ryan has to plan that all four players will be on the roster.

 

I don't like the idea of Sano playing the outfield. I'm not as worried as some are about injury. I just want to see good OF defense backing a pitching staff that puts the ball in play. Still, having all four players is not a bad scenario. Added power is needed and at least one of the four will get injured during the season.

 

 

[maxisagod]

The Twins could also trade Plouffe midyear, or next year. For more or less return depending on how he does. By then we may know if Sano can be a outfielder, or if Park can hit in the MLB, or if Mauer rebounds, or if Murphy is a MLB average catcher. If one of those things is still a question make, you still can trade Plouffe  to solve it. Right now he's not bring in an ace starter and relievers seem low. 

[GMinTraining]

I have to imagine the Kepler's - Arcia's - Walker's probably wish they were left off of the 40 man at this point.  Better chance of making another team by getting drafted in the Rule 5 than playing regularly for the Twins any time soon.  If the Twins moves work out - each of the above guys becomes a 4th outfielder IMO.  Not enough spots to play everybody.

 

Some may only be 4th outfielders, but I think their upside is much better than a 4th outfielder.  IMO

[James]

 

I think Plouffe will be traded only if the Twins get a reasonable return. Since a trade isn't guaranteed, Ryan has to plan that all four players will be on the roster.

 

I don't like the idea of Sano playing the outfield. I'm not as worried as some are about injury. I just want to see good OF defense backing a pitching staff that puts the ball in play. Still, having all four players is not a bad scenario. Added power is needed and at least one of the four will get injured during the season.

This.  Exactly this. 

 

I believe that Sano to the OF is TR's plan.  I also don't think that he'll turn down a good offer for Plouffe.  I also think that TR's just planning on not getting a good offer Plouffe, that's all.

[gmarais66]

 

I do honestly think that is Ryan's plan.  But I think he'll change his plan if someone makes a strong offer for Plouffe.  But maybe Sano's defense at third isn't as good as the Twins want.  There is no need to move Plouffe if the Twins don't trust Sano's defense.

I would certainly trust Sano's defense at a position he's played throughout his minor league career, in contrast to a position he has never played. This is all posturing. Plouffe will be traded. His trade value will never be higher and Sano needs to play 3B, if he's going to play in the field. People continue to say that Sano is athletic, but he's no outfielder. Heck, Arcia is an outfielder and he looks pathetic out there. I cringe to think of what Sano would look like in the outfield.

[Dman]

If I had to guess I would say the return for Plouffe just isn't enough to make it worth trading him.  With Plouffe staying it does give us the option of an extra power bat.  If things work out so well that the Twins need to find space for players I am fairly certain they can trade him at the deadline next year and do just as well.

[Dantes929]

If Buxton starts the year in center then this all works out rather nicely.    If Park fails, if Plouffe is traded or if anyone has injury Kepler is hopefully on the near horizon.    After next year I am really hoping for a long stretch of Rosario, Buxton and Kepler in the outfield.   

[mickeymental]

 

Maybe it's unwarranted, but the Twins are displaying confidence that:

 

1. Sano can thrive in the OF

2. Park can handle MLB pitching

3. Murphy can settle in as a MLB average catcher

4. Mauer can do better than we saw in 2014

5. ???

 

This will be interesting....

the twins could fail on all these fronts and still have a very good season.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Plouffe is good, but not good enough to be dictating the playing time of one of the best young prospects in baseball.

[gunnarthor]

 

I have to imagine the Kepler's - Arcia's - Walker's probably wish they were left off of the 40 man at this point.  Better chance of making another team by getting drafted in the Rule 5 than playing regularly for the Twins any time soon.  If the Twins moves work out - each of the above guys becomes a 4th outfielder IMO.  Not enough spots to play everybody.

 

Some may only be 4th outfielders, but I think their upside is much better than a 4th outfielder.  IMO

Kepler needs more time in AAA.  Same with Walker.  Arcia was horrible last year.  Twins shouldn't expect anything from him this year.  If they're all good, great.  Too much talent is a great problem to have and the Twins can cross it when they know what they have.

[DuluthFan]

Moving Sano to the outfield now is a sign that the organization is making a push for the playoffs. They are trying to maximize value of their current 'core' team. If not now, when? Plouffe has two years of arbitration left. Dozier is a free agent in two years. Mauer has three seasons left. If there is a possibility of playoff run with these players on the roster, then now is the time. If this core of players is not enough, they can dismantle the team next offseason.

 

[Dantes929]

 

Maybe it's unwarranted, but the Twins are displaying confidence that:

 

1. Sano can thrive in the OF

2. Park can handle MLB pitching

3. Murphy can settle in as a MLB average catcher

4. Mauer can do better than we saw in 2014

5. ???

 

This will be interesting....

I have confidence in all the things you have listed including the ???.    Fans want sure things and fantastic plan B's for everything that might fail but its not really how it works.     In the Twins case plan B is simply depth.   Santana,  Kepler, Buxton, Sano, Mauer, Plouffe, Park, Arcia, Vargas to fill 3rd base, 1st base, DH and two outfield spots seems like a reasonable bet.

Not really worried about catcher.    Platoon to keep guys fresh and low bar for offensive production.

[beckmt]

Being realistic Plouffe is not bringing great returns at this time.  This may sort itself out during or after the winter meetings, but am more expecting it will be at the end of spring training this works itself out.  Arcia seems to be the main loser along with Vargas.  Those 2 might have to find new organizations to meet their expectations.  Too much talent is never a bad thing.

[Andrew]

Terry is bluffing....

 

 

I hope

[DJL44]

It worked for the 2003 Marlins....

[mazeville]

I still don't understand why Plouffe is considered this untouchable asset. He is a mid-level third baseman. Average to above average fielder. Decent power. Little in the way of average. The Twins have a strong third base prospect who was their best hitter last year. They have a new power hitting DH. They have MULTIPLE players who could step in and DH if Park doesn't work out. 

 

Putting Sano into the outfield is a dumb idea. The Twins are coming off of multiple years in which their outfield defense hurt them ... badly. We already have power hitting corner outfielders who can barely field. And Sano isn't even playing the position in Winter League! 

 

If this isn't posturing, the Twins are making a mistake. Again, I don't have anything against Trevor Plouffe. But the idea that the Twins would rather screw up their outfield just to keep a mid-level third baseman because they "couldn't get equal value in return" is just ridiculous. 

[AWOLNATION_11]

Lots of offseason and a full spring training still ahead.   I expect the roster will have more changes before opening day.   I'm excited to see what happens!

[DJL44]

Below average 3B defense will always hurt you more than below average RF defense.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Moving Sano to the outfield now is a sign that the organization is making a push for the playoffs. They are trying to maximize value of their current 'core' team. If not now, when? Plouffe has two years of arbitration left. Dozier is a free agent in two years. Mauer has three seasons left. If there is a possibility of playoff run with these players on the roster, then now is the time. If this core of players is not enough, they can dismantle the team next offseason.

That would imply a serious FA RP upgrade should be expected too, no?