Well if I would have known this...............

[Platoon]

Well if I would have known there were this many solid examples of Twins players changing positions in recent history I would have not spent that many sleepless nights pondering the Sano Experiment! If Michael Rand had published this earlier I could have spent my time more productively, like solving global warming or figuring out why squirrels are not afraid of heights?

 

Rand, whose tongue is normally planted firmly in cheek might have gotten it stuck on the pump jack handle this time. Either that or his humor has gotten too subtle for even my sophomoric tastes.

 

http://www.startribune.com/let-it-sano-twins-lineup-is-full-of-players-who-switched-positions/367546051/

[Rosterman]

There's so many factors that teams take into play when they position a player in the majors. Yes, Plouffe was too big to be a shortstop, yet Mauer was, at one time, too big to be a catcher. At second and short you worry about the pivot and accuracy of the throw. Your strength in the outfield is coverage and arm, be it straight thru or on target to a cut-off guy. And then you have to mesh well with the other guys on the field. The gems are those utility guys who CAN play second, short AND third.

[bluechipper]

Mauer, Dozier, and Plouffe all moved to easier defensive positions. RF is easier to play than 3B generally speaking, but maybe more of a work in progress for Sano than for a guy who is just moving around the infield.

[jay]

I love you, Michael Rand.

 

It may or may not work out, but I do know that far too much has been made of it. Particularly around here.

[Platoon]

I love you, Michael Rand.

It may or may not work out, but I do know that far too much has been made of it. Particularly around here.

I posted this, and hell, I don't even disagree with you. I think the interest shown is not just driven by this topic, but a general frustration with the FO, and a series of seemingly confusion ing decisions.

[Otto von Ballpark]

I am not sure I understand the point of Rand's article. Sure, other Twins have changed positions, but generally under very different circumstances than Sano. Sano is being moved, while apparently healthy, after an elite offensive performance, and after only 9 MLB games at his original position. I would guess those guys generally aren't moved, particularly not for the likes of Plouffe or Park.

 

(Although I say this as a Plouffe supporter who is simply a bit puzzled about our off season strategy.)

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I am also a Plouffe supporter. Has too much been made about Sano moving to the outfield? Yeah, possibly. 

 

Or another way to say it...is there too much being made about how the Twins are displacing a future All-Star and elite talent in order to keep a 2-3 WAR guy who is struggling to hit fastballs, keep his position? Each person can judge that for themselves. 

[ScottyB]

Let's add a few more to the list of guys that switched positions.  Cuddy as mentioned drafted as a SS, but also played 3B, 2B and 1B before shifting to RF.  How about Chuck Knoblauch who moved from SS to 2B to LF; Harmon who started out at 2B, moved to LF to 3B and 1B, Sir Rodney from 2B to 1B, Ernie Banks SS to 1B, Jackie Robinson played all through the infield.  And let's not forget that Sano's manager knows a little about switching positions.  He played SS with the Gophers, and with the Brewers went from 2B to 3B to LF to 1B before becoming a fulltime DH.  Sano will be fine there for a couple of years before he moves back to 3B and eventually 1B.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Don't forget, Babe Ruth moved to RF from pitcher too!

[brvama]

This concern about shifting positions seems to have an underlying disregard for the athletic ability of the player(s) involved. They are generally gifted athletes and young. If they are expected to adapt/learn better hitting skills shouldn't they be expected to learn different positions within their skill level.

 

Some move because of deteriorating skill levels, but if they have other skills that are needed for a different position it shouldn't be impossible to make that switch? Happens all the time. If you can react to hard hit balls at third base or catch pop-ups behind you in left field and you are not a Clydesdale; then doesn't it seem reasonable that playing corner outfield is within your ability?

 

Many like to propose a move to first base say from third as an easy transition. But while the fielding translates easily, mastering the footwork and receiving balls in the dirt will take some practice. But it has been proven time and again.

 

Since Sano is very important to the offense, is young and athletic, and is not yet at Plouffes level of defense, a short term move to the OF is a reasonable conclusion. Some are suggesting a move to first base, but doesn't that require learning a new position also. If he can't make that move to the OF at this age, I'd have to question his fielding ability.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Since Sano is very important to the offense, is young and athletic, and is not yet at Plouffes level of defense, a short term move to the OF is a reasonable conclusion. Some are suggesting a move to first base, but doesn't that require learning a new position also. If he can't make that move to the OF at this age, I'd have to question his fielding ability.

That's not necessarily the argument, though.  Some believe Sano is already close enough to Plouffe defensively, others believe he could be with more MLB experience at the position, which a move to the OF would preclude (perhaps permanently, if the Twins don't trust Sano at 3B now they probably will trust him less after being away from the position for a year or two).  Some believe that Sano can move to RF but it will be a suboptimal alignment, others believe that the acquisition of Park may not be worth the trouble.  Etc.

 

It's not necessarily a simple question of, "can Sano handle RF?"  It's generally a question of whether it is a necessary or optimal move for the team and player at this time.

[scottz]

Please remember, too, that from Little League through Babe Ruth I played every position. (If you want to include beer league softball, you can also add in Rover, but no one should take my softball career as seriously as my Little League through Babe Ruth career). I only was Catcher or Pitcher a few times though, and not too much at 1B or CF, but I did give it a try. Predominantly, I was a 2B, 3B, or corner outfielder, filling in at SS, too. Therefore, it won't be an issue for Sano.

 

On a totally unrelated note, I played the tuba, but would occasionally grab a trombone and eventually learned how to play a basic scale all on my own. So again...no problem switching things up, so Sano should be just fine.

[brvama]

 

It's not necessarily a simple question of, "can Sano handle RF?"  It's generally a question of whether it is a necessary or optimal move for the team and player at this time.

I can understand and can't readily dismiss that argument. I appreciate your clarification. However, there is a segment that has not promoted that position regarding to Sano. I will say I'm not that convinced he is that close to Plouffe defensively yet. I do believe that he'll be fine there, and they would be fine with him at third. Maybe it's the optimistic mindset I have, but I do think all this will sort out this year and could happen before the season is over. Again thanks for your insight.