Sano won't play 3B AT ALL this year.

[Seth Stohs]

 

True, neither you or the team have said that, but plenty of posters on here are saying that.

 

I should have said that no one with the Twins has said that he can't play 3B. Some have alluded to that, including Gleeman's tweet used in the original post. I think it's an important distinction. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

I agree. I wonder if Molitor is as unhappy about this as many posters are here. Again like you said, why else would he come out and say it in such a way at this time?

 

ugh

 

I can't imagine he's disappointed to have Plouffe and Sano on his roster, and in doing so, they just have to figure out what is best for the team in 2016. I know I'm big on prospects, but in 2016, it's not about anything but trying to win in 2016. That's his job.Obviously he gets the bigger picture, but they also have to do things and say things to promote confidence in their players.

 

And, by playing a year in RF isn't going to hurt his ability to play 3B in the future. There are other factors (like his size and agility that may affect his ability to play 3B down the road, but I also think they're trying to push Sano to get in better shape. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

So, if Plouffe gets injured, does this mean Sano won't slide to 3B? So they'd just play Nunez there? It'd be better to use Sano as a backup 3B and have Arcia or Kepler play RF for the time. (not to mention, if Park flounders, Sano should move back to DH.)

 

The Twins have to know Sano's long-term position is not RF. If it isn't 3B, then it's probably 1B. What I'm saying is that if either Plouffe gets injured or Kepler proves himself ready, Sano should be ready to move from RF. Miguel should not play the whole season at RF.

 

My guess, and it's just a guess, is that if Plouffe is going to be on the DL for an extended period, that would change things. Maybe in that case Sano would move to 3B and they'd call up Kepler. Everything is subject to change at any time when there is a new variable. 

 

I would guess that the Twins have zero interest in Sano DHing at any point in the first four months of the season. His weight has been mentioned several times as a reason they don't want him DHing full time. 

[h2oface]

Did I read somebody referred to Sano as "Sandoval light"? The Panda is a belly with legs. Sano is so muscular and his body is nothing like Sandoval at all. I can't that I find any justice in that comparison.

 

I think this whole thing is total BS now. But I am used to disappointment since 1991.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I assume Esco will stay put, but his calling card was versatility. I don't think Santana has been ruled out as an option in the infield.

 

Escobar's calling card for his whole career has been his versatility. That's why it's taken more than a couple of years to finally go into a season with a job that is his. I think it'd be important for Molitor to be clear that he is the team's shortstop at this point. 

 

Let's not forget that the players do read papers, or at the very least people tell them what is in the paper. Some of what is said is a direct message to the players. It may depend on the player. Obviously Molitor is talking to the players in person too, but maybe it takes reading it for the players to take it seriously. 

 

 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I can't imagine he's disappointed to have Plouffe and Sano on his roster

 

Yes, lost in all of this is that Plouffe is a pretty good third baseman.

[Seth Stohs]

 

No that IS NOT the only thing that matters. If Sano can play 3B (a place where not many hitters of his caliber can play even mediocre defense) then that makes room for an additional big bat in the corner OF or DH or 1B. In 2018-20 when Plouffe is gone and we are trying to fit Kepler, Park, Walker, Diaz, Arcia, Vargas, and/or any number of available DH, corner OF, or 1B free agents into the corner OF/1B/DH part of the lineup, the Twins are going to be stuck with one fewer such big bat, and instead will get a light-hitting 3B. That is going to take away drastically from our lineup.

 

I'm not sure if people don't understand/agree with the above point, or they just don't care if the team is somewhat worse overall. I can't imagine it is the latter. So why don't you agree with/believe in the concept of positional value?

 

I get the idea of positional value. It's a wonderful thing. But for the 2016 team at least for now (and things are always subject to change), the best thing for the team is Plouffe at 3B and Sano in RF(or maybe DH, but they also have Park and Arcia in the picture). 

 

Sano playing RF in 2016 (for however long) doesn't mean that they can't move him to 3B againt in 2017 or 2018 (or second half 2016). So those things from the first paragraph aren't out of the picture. They can still happen. Nothing is stopping that from happening.

 

 

[Seth Stohs]

 

So what happens now with Max Kepler? If you have a healthy Buxton, Eddie Rosario plays like last season and improves and now Sano.

 

Isn't that just another variable that can alter plans? There's nothing wrong with Kepler going to AAA and proving that he can handle that level for a couple of months. If he dominates AAA for the first two months, then it's OK to alter thinking and lineup again. Sounds like a good situation to have too much talent. That hasn't been the case with the Twins for a while. 

[Boom Boom]

If the Twins are really planning to keep Sano off of 3B all season then it seems unlikely that they will ever move him back there.

 

Which is fine... but the position he really should be playing is first base.

[Riverbrian]

Molitor made a mistake.

 

Using Schwarber... Here's Theo doing a better job explaining a similiar situation.

 

http://www.csnchicago.com/cubs/cubs-still-dont-have-all-answers-kyle-schwarbers-future

 

My personal opinion... I really hope Molitor is able to become a little like Maddon. Be resourceful and figure out how to get the best bats in the lineup. Someday that might mean playing Arcia in RF and Sano at 3B. It didn't hurt the Cubs last year and I don't think it hurt the Rays before that. I also don't believe that Maddon is the only Manager capable of doing such things.

 

When Molitor gives absolutes like that. It scares me.

[nytwinsfan]

 

Your premise assumes studs at all positions.  Few if any teams can field a line-up like that.  Virtually every team will have to make decisions sacrificing offense for defense at any number of places around the field.  Basically, you can try to balance your strengths and weaknesses around the field.  Sure you can say that Sano at 3rd would allow you to move in another Sano in right, but we don't have any more Sano's.  The player we'd move into right would have to outhit Nunez by a wide enough margin to compensate for Sano's defense at third.  Nunez hit well enough last year, and Sano fielded poor enough (ok in limited big league duty) to make that possibility far from a guarantee such that it warrants moving Sano back to the infield.  

But the premise of the bolded sentence is wrong. It doesn't have to be "another Sano" to make it worthwhile. It just has to be someone who is better than the light-hitting 3B who will be playing 3B if Sano is in the OF or 1B/DH. And yes, you need to consider the defensive downgrade, but (1) in a year or two Sano's defensive, like Plouffe's did, will likely improve IF HE PLAYS 3B REGULARLY (hence the problem with today's comments by Molitor), and (2) even if his defense is worse than Nunez/some other light-hitting 3B the added value of a replacement or above-replacement level DH/1B over Nunez/another light-hitting 3B is likely to outweigh the defensive downgrade.  You can't just worry about this year. It is more important to have your best lineup for 4-5 years to come than to make your lineup/defense (maybe) slightly better this year.

[Craig Arko]

Molitor made a mistake.

Using Schwarber... Here's Theo doing a better job explaining a similiar situation. http://www.csnchicago.com/cubs/cubs-still-dont-have-all-answers-kyle-schwarbers-future

My personal opinion... I really hope Molitor is able to become a little like Maddon. Be resourceful and figure out how to get the best bats in the lineup. Someday that might mean playing Arcia in RF and Sano at 3B. It didn't hurt the Cubs last year and I don't think it hurt the Rays before that. I also don't believe that Maddon is the only Manager capable of doing such things.

When Molitor gives absolutes like that. It scares me.

I'm less certain "not expected to" constitutes an absolute than you are. It's "not expected" to snow this weekend. Are we sure about that?

[Riverbrian]

I'm less certain "not expected to" constitutes an absolute than you are. It's "not expected" to snow this weekend. Are we sure about that?

Yeah... I'm really hoping that Paul was a victim of Rhett Bollinger and DaveW journalism.

 

I didn't like the "even on the days Plouffe sits" part.

 

That inflamed it for me.

[nytwinsfan]

 

I get the idea of positional value. It's a wonderful thing. But for the 2016 team at least for now (and things are always subject to change), the best thing for the team is Plouffe at 3B and Sano in RF(or maybe DH, but they also have Park and Arcia in the picture). 

 

Sano playing RF in 2016 (for however long) doesn't mean that they can't move him to 3B againt in 2017 or 2018 (or second half 2016). So those things from the first paragraph aren't out of the picture. They can still happen. Nothing is stopping that from happening.

Seth, but not playing him at 3B all year long really lowers the chances he'll be able to play 3B again in 2017 or 18, at least with much competence. We all saw how much Plouffe improved over the last 2-3 years at 3B by playing there regularly. Sano by Molitor's account, won't even be playing their in practice because he'll be focused on OF. I just think its unrealistic to expect him to take a year off from 3B and go back and be adequate or close to adequate in 2017 or 2018.  I want to do well in 2016, I really do. But lowering our chances of Sano sticking at 3B for 2017 to 2020 (plus increasing injury risks for him and probably Buxton) just isn''t worth moving Sano to the OF. This is a decision they will regret.

[GACbaseball]

Yeah... I'm really hoping that Paul was a victim of Rhett Bollinger and DaveW journalism.

I didn't like the "even on the days Plouffe sits" part.

That inflamed it for me.

I think the overall message behind this is that they want him to have a consistent position, not bouncing around between RF and 3B. Maybe they think that positional changes is what caused Danny Santana to struggle and want to simplify things for Sano.

 

All I know is, Miguel Cabrera didn't play a game at 3B for the Marlins in 2004. Yet he was still able to become an MVP at 3B or 1B. Positions are fluid, it does not matter at all where Sano plays defense this year. The most important and difficult thing is to make sure his bat is his focus. That may be accomplished by keeping in him in RF to a) diminish his thinking about most things not related to hitting and keeping his weight in check/getting him used to a 162 game grind of playing defense everyday

[Blackjack]

 

 

 

If Plouffe were to be traded in July, the situation changes. But if Sano is going to be the right fielder, he needs as many reps and as much time out there as they can get him. 

This. People are reading too much into the 'no third base' comments. I think the Twins are just trying to make it easier on Sano, concentrate on right field, don't be thinking about two positions.

 

If Plouffe was traded, how many days of practice would it take to become comfortable at third, a position he played a lot coming up thru the minor leagues???

[ThejacKmp]

The thing that bothers me isn't Sano in the of, it's that when plouffe gets a day off they're not going to move Sano in for a game to get Aricas bat in the lineup. I'd rather see that then Nunez or Santana playing third

[Blackjack]

 

Is this team incapable of determining positions for guys in the minors or are we doomed to these Plouffe/Dozier/Sano decisions forever?

I agree on Plouffe and Dozier. I never did understand why Plouffe played at SS all the way up thru the minor leagues but then hits the Show and they decide he wasn't a shortstop -- What the heck??!

 

Sano is a different story. The Twins realized the market for third basement was weak and that the team was better off with both Sano and Plouffe's bats in the lineup.

[Brock Beauchamp]

That would probably be for the best, but they speak to the media every day, and they probably get the same questions over and over, and they have to say something. There could be something about pushing Sano. Could be something about giving Sano the confidence or push or whatever that this is going to happen. Of course, everything is subject to change with any change of circumstances.

Fair enough.

[Platoon]

So what happens now with Max Kepler? If you have a healthy Buxton, Eddie Rosario plays like last season and improves and now Sano.

And an Arcia out of options. There's either going to have to be a trade, or an injury, otherwise Max had better start looking for good German restaurants in Rochester.

[Platoon]

Yeah... I'm really hoping that Paul was a victim of Rhett Bollinger and DaveW journalism.

I didn't like the "even on the days Plouffe sits" part.

That inflamed it for me.

I don't know which should be offended, Rhett or DaveW? But no matter what I am glad you offended someone! :)

[Blackjack]

 

Isn't that just another variable that can alter plans? There's nothing wrong with Kepler going to AAA and proving that he can handle that level for a couple of months. If he dominates AAA for the first two months, then it's OK to alter thinking and lineup again. Sounds like a good situation to have too much talent. That hasn't been the case with the Twins for a while. 

I agree with Seth, having Kepler at AAA for depth is a good thing. Posters keep predicting Rosario is going to regress, Kepler could take his place. Buxton has yet to prove that he can stay healthy and he hasn't proven he can hit major league pitching.  Sano, Plouffe, or Mauer getting hurt clears room for Kepler.

[Platoon]

As to Miguel's approach to RF, I have yet to read an account in which Sano is in the words of our past Bard of Phraseology "getting after it". He might be "goin about his business", but dragging his feet. This could be a message to Sano that he is not going to play himself back to third? I also beg to differ with those who contend that getting your best bats in the lineup, is the best lineup. It not!

[Craig Arko]

 

I don't know which should be offended, Rhett or DaveW? But no matter what I am glad you offended someone! :)

Me too. I offended someone and all I got was this lousy t-shirt.

 

 

[Reider]

 

As to Miguel's approach to RF, I have yet to read an account in which Sano is in the words of our past Bard of Phraseology "getting after it". He might be "goin about his business", but dragging his feet. This could be a message to Sano that he is not going to play himself back to third? I also beg to differ with those who contend that getting your best bats in the lineup, is the best lineup. It not!

 

Giving away a proven starting 3rd baseman for next to nothing just so Sano can play 3rd base isn't necessarily going to produce the best line up either!

[alarp33]

 

Giving away a proven starting 3rd baseman for next to nothing just so Sano can play 3rd base isn't necessarily going to produce the best line up either!

 

Unless of course Max Kepler is better than Plouffe (which he already is, or will be very soon)

[tobi0040]

 

Uh, yeah? If they decided Sano can't play third, surely that decision wasn't made over the offseason, right?

 

Yup.  This was completely botched by the Twins.  There are no two ways about it.

 

No reason why they could not have given him 15-20 games a year in the minors out there.  I see no logical downside to doing that, especially if we were very skeptical about him sticking at 3B.  We clearly had to be.

 

Prediction #1 :  Vanimal is spot on, Plouffe gets extended.  2-3 years, maybe an expensive option or two.  If we have concluded Sano can't play 3B, what is the plan at 3B past 2017?

 

Prediction #2: Sano is a full time DH starting June 1 (for the rest of his career).  This shifts either Park or Arcia to the OF and reverses one of the biggest positives of 2015 (OF defense).

[Reider]

 

Unless of course Max Kepler is better than Plouffe

 

Which he is not.

 

There's lots of talk about Buxton, Kepler, Arcia, Park etc... I'm sure some or all these guys will be great players in the future, but life isn't a video game. The Twins have a season to play in 2016. If these guys want to play regularly at the MLB level, they're going to have to earn it.

 

At the end of the day the Twins decided that they weren't going to give Plouffe away for nothing and keeping him was in their best interests. Fans need to get over it, seriously. Those guys mentioned above will get their chance in time, some sooner than others.

[DaveW]

 

Yeah... I'm really hoping that Paul was a victim of Rhett Bollinger and DaveW journalism.

 

What does that even mean?

[tobi0040]

 

Giving away a proven starting 3rd baseman for next to nothing just so Sano can play 3rd base isn't necessarily going to produce the best line up either!

 

Given the current roster construction, I don't know if that is the case.  Arcia's career OPS is actually better than Plouffe's.  We are taking Plouffe's bat over a corner OF.

 

In a Sano at 3B scenario, Plouffe would be a great super utility guy.  Get him in against lefties.  He can play 3B, 1B, LF, etc.