Why not Mauer to left?

[stringer bell]

 

Maybe Mauer can pick grounders and line shots better than Hosmer. I don't know. I do believe however that Mauer is still learning the position and has a ways to go before he gets good there. I'm sure other people disagree.

First of all, Mauer has played about 7 more innings in the outfield than Sano, so basically they are both non-outfielders. Plouffe is an experienced third baseman and average to above average, Mauer has played more than two years at first and is somewhere between a bit above average to a bit below average and might figure to get a bit better (I thought he was pretty good last year, but he still seems to hesitate before making throws). Sano has played a few innings at first and Plouffe a dozen games or so. Seriously, in order to keep Sano in the infield, the Twins would sacrifice defense at one or both corners. If Sano is a disaster in the outfield, then consider alternatives. I don't think it is optimum to try the youngster at a totally new position, but Mauer is under contract for three more seasons. He's invested two years learning one position, why have him invest another position for another year or two?

 

Miggy Cabrera played for over two years before moving to the infield. I think Sano can do the same. I'd still rather move Plouffe, but I understand the Twins logic.

[Minniman]

 

Agree. If Mauer offered to move to right field, I bet the team would accommodate him. Between Sano, Plouffe, Park and Mauer, Mauer would probably have the most success out there (or do the least damage). Park's natural position is first base, too.

 

Just what the Twins need ... a right fielder with no power.

[Minniman]

 

Mauer is the best 1B of the three, Plouffe is the best 3B of the three.

 

Sano is no going to magically injure himself because he's not playing 3B.

 

 

He will if he doesn't stop eating Twinkies and get off the Kent Hrbek diet for infielders.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Just what the Twins need ... a right fielder with no power.

Hey don't look at me--my first choice is a platoon with Arcia!

[theBOMisthebomb]

The future is now and Mauer is not our future. Bench Old Joe and make sure Sano and Park get full time status. We might not be able to trade Mauer but I do not understand why the Twins feel obligated to play him. Joe looks like a great part time/pinch hitter who we can plug in if someone gets injured.

[jimmer]

 

The future is now and Mauer is not our future. Bench Old Joe and make sure Sano and Park get full time status. We might not be able to trade Mauer but I do not understand why the Twins feel obligated to play him. Joe looks like a great part time/pinch hitter who we can plug in if someone gets injured.

Old Joe will be 33 next year, Park (part of our future, I guess) turns 30 during next season and hasn't played a professional game at any level for any MLB organization yet.

 

People are quick to just figure Park is MLB starter quality before doing anything as a MLBer.

[stringer bell]

 

Old Joe will be 33 next year, Park (part of our future, I guess) turns 30 during next season and hasn't played a professional game at any level for any MLB organization yet.

 

People are quick to just figure Park is MLB starter quality before doing anything as a MLBer.

Certainly, spring training will help the Twins decide what they have in Park. We can't be sure of his readiness, or Buxton's or a bunch of other guys. In addition, injuries happen. The chances of one of the four--Mauer, Plouffe, Sano, and Park--gets hurt somewhere along the way is pretty high.

[Twinfan & Dad]

Hosken Bombo Disco, on 12 Dec 2015 - 2:32 PM, said:

Agree. If Mauer offered to move to right field, I bet the team would accommodate him. Between Sano, Plouffe, Park and Mauer, Mauer would probably have the most success out there (or do the least damage). Park's natural position is first base, too.

 

Just what the Twins need ... a right fielder with no power.

 

 

We already have a 1st baseman with no power so why not put him in the outfield and move some power to 1st.

[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

I also used to really want the Twins to move Mauer to LF or RF, but it is looking like he is becoming pretty slow these days, and no longer the "athlete" he was 5+ years ago. Sadly, I personally think the best thing to do from here is to give him about an extra day a week off. I do not care how they choose this approach, but this would open up Sano to 3B/1B possibly during those days, or the new guy to play 1B and Sano DH those days.

 

Also, I have a gut feeling that we are in for an extended Mauer injury stint this upcoming season. If so, I think it would be best to immediately move Sano back to the corner IF. I would prefer that they flip-flop Sano and Plouffe back and forth from one side of the field to the other depending on what type of pull tendency lineup we would be facing on that day; with Sano being on the weak side every time.

[Jham]

As Molitor so aptly pointed out when asked about moving Mauer down in the order, Mauer lead the team in hitting, on base, and I'd assume batting with RISP.  We need clearly better options before tinkering with our franchise player who is somehow still one of our better players.  I don't know where to put him, but we probably need even last year's Mauer in our line up...

[Oxtung]

I think there is a very simple and clear solution to this. First, Sano should be at third base. Second, plouffe should move to first base. That keeps his glove in the infield and hides his arm. Mauer can move to LF where his arm will shine again. Rosario moves to right where his speed can track down the balls that clang off the overhang. Danny Santana can patrol CF and his speed can help cover some of the ground we lose with Mauer in left. Dozier would move back to his natural position of SS opening 2B up for Polanco. Park can DH and hit his 35 HRs per season that we signed him for and last, but not least, Nunez and Escobar can continue to get playing time in left field while letting Mauer rest.

 

Truly I can't think of a better way to handle this roster. It all just kind of falls into place naturally.

[nicksaviking]

As Molitor so aptly pointed out when asked about moving Mauer down in the order, Mauer lead the team in hitting, on base, and I'd assume batting with RISP.

Well that's true on the simple technicality of basing the team batting and OBP leader on qualified plate appearances (502).

 

But the Twins only had four such players last year, so it's not much of an endorsement.

[jimmer]

 

Well that's true on the simple technicality of basing the team batting and OBP leader on qualified plate appearances (502).

But the Twins only had four such players last year, so it's not much of an endorsement.

How small of a sample size do we count take into account?

 

If we go by 400 or more PAs, Mauer is 2nd in BA and 1st in OBP.

If we go by 300 or more PAs, Mauer is 3rd in BA and 2nd in OBP.

 

Is that far enough down the PA ladder? More than half the PAs he had?

 

If we go by 200 or more PAs, Mauer is 4th in BA, still 2nd in OBP.

If we go by 100 or more PAs, Mauer is still 4th in BA, still 2nd in OBP.

 

And this was an extreme off year for him.

[adorduan]

 

I think there is a very simple and clear solution to this. First, Sano should be at third base. Second, plouffe should move to first base. That keeps his glove in the infield and hides his arm. Mauer can move to LF where his arm will shine again. Rosario moves to right where his speed can track down the balls that clang off the overhang. Danny Santana can patrol CF and his speed can help cover some of the ground we lose with Mauer in left. Dozier would move back to his natural position of SS opening 2B up for Polanco. Park can DH and hit his 35 HRs per season that we signed him for and last, but not least, Nunez and Escobar can continue to get playing time in left field while letting Mauer rest.

Truly I can't think of a better way to handle this roster. It all just kind of falls into place naturally.

Why do we need to "hide" Plouffe's arm?  There is nothing wrong with it.

[Riverbrian]

In my opinion

 

Mauer does a nice job defensively at 1B. For the time being... it's probably best to play him there...

 

but... down the line?

 

If Park pans out... If Vargas starts crushing the ball... If Arcia comes around?

 

Mauer might need to start bringing some extra gloves to the park with him and Molly may need to get creative like Joe Maddon does. 

[nicksaviking]

 

How small of a sample size do we count take into account?

 

If we go by 400 or more PAs, Mauer is 2nd in BA and 1st in OBP.

If we go by 300 or more PAs, Mauer is 3rd in BA and 2nd in OBP.

 

Is that far enough down the PA ladder? More than half the PAs he had?

 

If we go by 200 or more PAs, Mauer is 4th in BA, still 2nd in OBP.

If we go by 100 or more PAs, Mauer is still 4th in BA, still 2nd in OBP.

 

And this was an extreme off year for him.

 

I'd like to think it was an off year, and I was really expecting a bounce back in 2015, but it just as likely could be a trend.  Hopefully he has a renaissance this season, but if it's still at the same production level as 2015 he shouldn't be batting anywhere but #2 or #6 or lower.

 

Even if Molitor or the team isn't basing the Mauer decision on any kind of advanced metrics, surely they see that his slugging and OPS aren't up to snuff for a 3-5 role.  Out of the top 9 guys who saw game action last year, he was 7th on OPS. Like it was previously, his average/OBP would have to be exceedingly exceptional for them to overlook his lack of power.

 

[gunnarthor]

 

I'd like to think it was an off year, and I was really expecting a bounce back in 2015, but it just as likely could be a trend.  Hopefully he has a renaissance this season, but if it's still at the same production level as 2015 he shouldn't be batting anywhere but #2 or #6 or lower.

 

Even if Molitor or the team isn't basing the Mauer decision on any kind of advanced metrics, surely they see that his slugging and OPS aren't up to snuff for a 3-5 role.  Out of the top 9 guys who saw game action last year, he was 7th on OPS. Like it was previously, his average/OBP would have to be exceedingly exceptional for them to overlook his lack of power.

First, it probably wasn't that much of an off year.  Mauer is what he is and that isn't going to change now.  But as to his spot in the batting order, having your best OBP guy #3 isn't bad.

 

I read a study on lineups at HBT a few years back and the first conclusion on lineups is that it really didn't matter.  On a day to day basis, fans greatly overreact to lineups.  But, the optimal lineup, in their analysis, was having your three best hitters in the 1, 2 and 4 spots.  The #3 spot was really overrated and having a competent hitter there would be enough.  

[nicksaviking]

 

First, it probably wasn't that much of an off year.  Mauer is what he is and that isn't going to change now.  But as to his spot in the batting order, having your best OBP guy #3 isn't bad.

 

I read a study on lineups at HBT a few years back and the first conclusion on lineups is that it really didn't matter.  On a day to day basis, fans greatly overreact to lineups.  But, the optimal lineup, in their analysis, was having your three best hitters in the 1, 2 and 4 spots.  The #3 spot was really overrated and having a competent hitter there would be enough.  

 

I would agree if his OBP was still around .400, or even head and shoulders above everyone else.  In 2015 his OBP was only impressive because of how poor the team was at getting on base, which really leads to a much bigger concern.  In 2014 nine of the Twins top 11 players in terms of plate appearance all had .310 OBP or higher (and all top 11 were over .300).  In 2015 only four topped .310, one of whom was the now departed Aaron Hicks. 

 

If Mauer is batting like he did last year and is hitting 3rd with a .340ish OBP and no power, I think the ball was dropped on the roster assembly.

 

For the record, I'm buying OBP improvements from Dozier and Escobar.  Hopefully Mauer too.

[Oxtung]

Why do we need to "hide" Plouffe's arm?  There is nothing wrong with it.

I must need to recalibrate my sarcasm emitter. I thought the fact that I moved every player to a new position would be enough but clearly not. So....

[DrNeau]

 

Mauer might need to start bringing some extra gloves to the park with him and Molly may need to get creative like Joe Maddon does. 

 

August 18th, 2011
Joe Mauer Plays 1st Career Game in RF

 

Quote from Twins manager Ron Gardenhire prior to the series opener:
"He smiled, and asked me if I was serious, and I said, 'Absolutely, I'm serious,' so he told me, 'Fine,' and he took some balls out there in early BP. He said he'd do whatever we needed him to do."

 

Quote from Mauer after the game:
"...hopefully, it's just today and we can get some guys in here, and it's just a one-time deal."

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Not exactly the type of reaction you're looking for when you ask your star player to help the team. Don't be surprised if that's his reaction when he's asked to step up again. Never heard quotes like that from Cuddy. 

[theBOMisthebomb]

August 18th, 2011

Joe Mauer Plays 1st Career Game in RF

 

Quote from Twins manager Ron Gardenhire prior to the series opener:

"He smiled, and asked me if I was serious, and I said, 'Absolutely, I'm serious,' so he told me, 'Fine,' and he took some balls out there in early BP. He said he'd do whatever we needed him to do."

 

Quote from Mauer after the game:

"...hopefully, it's just today and we can get some guys in here, and it's just a one-time deal."

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Not exactly the type of reaction you're looking for when you ask your star player to help the team. Don't be surprised if that's his reaction when he's asked to step up again. Never heard quotes like that from Cuddy.

 

This reminds me of the qoute from Rudy "That one play sums up your entire career." This one (outdated) quote sums up Mauer's entire career. Bench him in favor of Sano and Park and Plouffe.

[jimbo92107]

 

Sano is the fastest of the three (Mauer, Plouffe, Sano), the most athletic and the one most likely to adjust out there. It's an easy choice of the three.

Sano also may be a better athlete than people realize. He's not a Kennys Vargas. He's built more like an NFL tight end. Speed, power, coordination, great hands, and he can throw a bullet. Don't expect a lot of diving, but Sano might gun down a few guys at second base if they get greedy on a single. It'll be fun to see how the kid's arm compares to Cuddyer's. 

[Twinfan & Dad]

Spring training Mauer and Sano to left take some balls. Sano grab your glove and take some grounders at third, Mauer move to first. Joe hit the showers and relax Sano grab Joe's glove and man first. Lets see how this works out. If Sano is the most athletic 260 pound big man let's have a look at him all over but most of all grab your bat and mash. I am not a believer in Sano to the OF but it is what it is if Twins brass want to see what he looks like out there. I do think that as this plays out he will end up at 3rd and 1st.

[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

 

First, it probably wasn't that much of an off year.  Mauer is what he is and that isn't going to change now.  But as to his spot in the batting order, having your best OBP guy #3 isn't bad.

 

I read a study on lineups at HBT a few years back and the first conclusion on lineups is that it really didn't matter.  On a day to day basis, fans greatly overreact to lineups.  But, the optimal lineup, in their analysis, was having your three best hitters in the 1, 2 and 4 spots.  The #3 spot was really overrated and having a competent hitter there would be enough.  

 

 

Yeah, I think this might have been the same article that pointed out that the #4 hitter might actually be your most important spot in the lineup. The reasoning was this; first, if any of the first 3 hitters get on base to start the game, you'd be able to begin the game with your best hitter up with at lest 1 man on base. Second, if your first 3 hitters start the game by 3 up and 3 down, now you at least begin the second inning with your best hitter leading off, which could string a rally. So, essentially the #4 hitter has two ways in which he can be involved in a good sequencing situation. 

[Minniman]

 

Just what the Twins need ... a right fielder with no power.

 

We already have a 1st baseman with no power so why not put him in the outfield and move some power to 1st.

 

Is either a good option?

 

I hope that Mauer did heavy core, arms, and legs weight training in the offseason rather than play golf.

 

[Twinfan & Dad]

Is it time to revisit this idea. I read through the responses the first time I started this discussion and am curious if any opinions have changed. Personally I think Joe could play the outfield just as well as what we've seen from Sano. If we are going to shake things up and make desperate moves like TR is making, why not.