Reusse: Sano has some growing up to do

[Seth Stohs]

Patrick Reusse wrote up a column tonight saying that Miguel Sano has some growing up to do, some maturing.

 

Within it, he definitely goes after the 22-year-old's work ethic this offseason and preseason, especially knowing the change to right field was happening.

 

 

The No. 1 flaw for the Twins in their Sano strategy was not the idea of putting him in a corner outfield position. The No. 1 flaw was making no impact with their pleas to Sano to get in prime condition.

 

Pretty hard-hitting column.

[bluechipper]

The "getting his priorities straight" comment from Molitor is a little concerning, but Sano seems to have a great personality and an ambition to be great, so I'm not too worried about him overall.

[gunnarthor]

It is what it is. 

[Shaitan]

A 22 year old who doesn't focus soley on work? Stop the presses.

[curt1965]

I wonder what will happen if he starts to miss multiple games because of "nagging" injuries. Peer pressure might be the only thing to get his attention if his absence from the lineup really starts hurting the team.

[DaveW]

LOL

 

Spoiler alert:

This really isn't worth wasting a click on, as it's just typical trash coming from the Reusse and/or Souhan sections of the dying Star Tribune.

 

Instead of potentially criticizing the Twins for creating a situation where you are playing one of the greatest young talents you have ever had out of position, you write up a hit piece with flimsy "comments" and take cheap shots at a guy that could very well hit 500 HR some day (hopefully all for the Twins)

[DaveW]

Also shaming Sano for going home for couple weeks in the off-season is so freaking cheap. He isn't obligated to show up weeks early for spring training, why is he crapped on for going home and visiting family and friends?

 

 

[DaveW]

 

I wonder what will happen if he starts to miss multiple games because of "nagging" injuries.

If that is the case the Twins should immediately move him back to his natural position of 3rd base or have him DH.

 

At that point you give Plouffe an OF glove.

[USAFChief]

Reusse is a smart guy, who knows people and knows baseball.

 

We'll see how it plays out, but I wouldn't be quick to dismiss out of hand what he has to say.

[DaveW]

 

Reusse is a smart guy, who knows people and knows baseball.
.

2 of those three are debatable to say the least.

This seems to be the new manidate when it comes to the Strib to generate page views: "Make some outlandish claims about the best player on the local teams" first it was Souhan and his ridiculous article on Parise (5 goals, 7 points in the last 2 games lol) now it's Reusse trying to stir up a bunch of crap in regards to Sano.

It's just lazy, cheap, and reeks of click bait, and the real sad thing is they are about 8 years to late to this crap, as even Bleacher Report and SB Nation have started to pretend to care about "real" journalism theses days.

[DaveW]

Most amazing to me, is these "comments" and articles are being written about a guy who had a .916 OPS and 18 HR in 80 games as a 21 year old!

 

What has Sano done on the field wise to deserve this? Now if it is July and he is struggling with a .800-.840 OPS (which is hardly struggling anyways) then feel free to bring this garbage up, at least then it sorta a tiny bit of sense, but now? WTF?

 

Even more ridiculous is that Nolasco, a guy who has done worse than nothing in his time as Twin, comes out a couple weeks ago and says, to the media, that if he doesn't get a rotation spot he will basically pout and demand a trade. Yet, we don't see any damning articles or "quotes" from management about Nolascos work ethic, attitude, etc

 

Only in Minnesota! I can't wait for the inevitable Strib piece about how Karl Anthony Towns isn't "mature" enough or something.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Maybe somebody hacked Reusse's account?

[DocBauer]

Most of us, and all of us to a degree, are removed from the daily grind of information and observation as the Twins themselves are. That might be stating the obvious, but I think it's important to remember. To my best recollection, we have never heard a discouraging word previously concerning attitude, teamwork or personal improvement work. And while this article doesn't paint the most favorable light on Sano in regard to his office season, there is also nothing overtly negative, problematic or systematic either.

 

While I would offer no excuses for not working as hard as he can, or doing everything he possibly could to be the very best he can be, he is only 22. He is certainly not the only extremely talented youngster to find everything perhaps coming a bit too easy for him, at least at first. I'm not going to read too much in to this, or get paranoid about anything negative regarding Sano until or unless something arises.

[DaveW]

 

 we have never heard a discouraging word previously concerning attitude, teamwork or personal improvement work.

There was that whole ridiculous "benching" because he pimped a monster HR a little too much. Of course they made that into a wayyyyy bigger story then it ever needed to be, and to be honest, is a little ridiculous anyways. Who on earth cares that a guy "admires" a 450+ home run blast for an extra second or two?

 

What is more ridiculous and embarrassing to me is that plenty of people, players and teams think that admiring a home run is a cardinal sin, while throwing a 90 MPH fastball at a guys head in retaliation is some how "ok"

[Seth Stohs]

Just an opinion, but Reusse knows what's going on. As shown in the article, he has comments from Molitor. There is no doubt that many with and around the Twins are saying the same thing, wondering aloud. As Reusse wrote, it has nothing to do with the work he does on the field in practices. But there are plenty of questions out there. 

 

If this was New York or Boston, this story would have been written weeks ago. Normally on these forums, we hear people complain about the media not being willing to call people out. Now when there is such an article, it's a bad thing by the writer. If the same article was written, questioning Joe Mauer's work ethic, I guarantee people would be responding different to this article.

 

I think that Sano will be fine. I think it was the right move to send him to right field, but there were a lot of times that the Twins didn't know where Sano was when he told them he would be places. Not a huge deal, but certainly not untouchable for local media. 

 

The fact that it was Reusse who wrote the article should have no bearing on that.

[DaveW]

 

 

 

If this was New York or Boston, this story would have been written weeks ago.

Sorry Seth, but this is just so false it hurts.

 

The NY media and Boston media are tough no doubt, but they would never write this garbage about a guy coming off the rookie campaign Sano did.

 

Now you may bring up the big Panda articles that have come out, but it's important to note that Pablo, in his first year as a Red Sox had a .658 OPS, so they are bringing up work ethic/weight/etc on a guy who had an OPS that was basically Nick Punto's average OPS (of course Punto isn't owed 90+ million over the next 4 years)

 

If Sandoval had Sano's numbers last year there is no way that article gets written, those writers would have been laughed out of town.

 

Ditto with New York, notice how all the anti A-Rod articles have been non existent this year, I wonder if that has to do with the fact that he was a very effective player last year....hmm... It's almost like these two franchises actually take a players productivity and results into play before trying to throw him under the bus (along with their journalists)

 

[USAFChief]

 

What is more ridiculous and embarrassing to me is that plenty of people, players and teams think that admiring a home run is a cardinal sin, while throwing a 90 MPH fastball at a guys head in retaliation is some how "ok"

Nobody thinks that.

[DaveW]

 

 

 If the same article was written, questioning Joe Mauer's work ethic, I guarantee people would be responding different to this article.

I would think it was a garbage article as well, but you are right, people would be responding differnetly.

What is the major difference between Mauer and Sano though?

 

Sano had an amazing 2015.

Mauer had a poor 2015 (for his standards)

 

(Full disclosure: I think Mauer has a big time come back year)

But in this case the criticism of Mauer could almost be understood. In Sano's case it makes zero, absolutely zero sense. Wait for him to actually struggle/make mistakes etc in games that matter. (i.e. regular season games...the ones that count) before you bring this crap up.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Sorry Seth, but this is just so false it hurts.

 

The NY media and Boston media are tough no doubt, but they would never write this garbage about a guy coming off the rookie campaign Sano did.

 

Now you may bring up the big Panda articles that have come out, but it's important to note that Pablo, in his first year as a Red Sox had a .658 OPS, so they are bringing up work ethic/weight/etc on a guy who had an OPS that was basically Nick Punto's average OPS (of course Punto isn't owed 90+ million over the next 4 years)

 

If Sandoval had Sano's numbers last year there is no way that article gets written, those writers would have been laughed out of town.

 

Ditto with New York, notice how all the anti A-Rod articles have been non existent this year, I wonder if that has to do with the fact that he was a very effective player last year....hmm... It's almost like these two franchises actually take a players productivity and results into play before trying to throw him under the bus (along with their journalists)

 

Got it... 

 

But you realize that in the article Reusse isn't questioning Sano's ability to produce, or that he did produce. He's basically just saying that there is some immaturity that MANY are concerned about.  Questioning that shouldn't be relegated to only when the players is playing poorly. Then it's just piling on

[DaveW]

 

Nobody thinks that.

Pretty sure plenty of teams in 2015 threw at other players in "retaliation"

 

Here is just ONE example of people getting upset about home run admirers, I only present you two articles but I promise you another 100 about this one will pop up if you google it. So no, clearly "some people" think that.

 

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/25340566/the-rangers-were-not-happy-with-jose-bautistas-bat-flip-unsurprisingly

 

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14943065/goose-gossage-rips-jose-bautista-toronto-blue-jays-nerds-ruining-baseball

 

 

[DaveW]

 

 

Got it... 

 

But you realize that in the article Reusse isn't questioning Sano's ability to produce, or that he did produce. He's basically just saying that there is some immaturity that MANY are concerned about.  Questioning that shouldn't be relegated to only when the players is playing poorly. Then it's just piling on

So him going to his home country to visit family and friends prior to spring training is immaturity? Sorry, I don't see it. Were all the other players and young players reported to the team 2-3 weeks before camp? Was this "expected" amongst all players? Did the Twins sign him to a contract prior to this season that locked him up through his arb years with guaranteed money with the understanding that he would show up early?

 

No?

 

Seems like a lack of understanding of a player from a different culture/country that is the issue (if there is even an issue) Again this all smells a lot like the "issues" the Twins had with another talented power slugger from the DR. In fact David Ortiz was such an issue and so immature/overweight etc that he only lead the Boston Red Sox to THREE World Series!

 

Whether this was directly fed to Reusse or not is irrelevant, he shouldn't be writing an entire article on it. It serves no real purpose and only ends up in a cheap attack on a player who has done nothing "wrong" to the fans and is the greatest pure power hitter this team has had since Killebrew (yes, he has even more power potential then the future hall of famer David Ortiz)

It's just a cheap "hot sports take" article to generate clicks. Not a coincidence this comes about a week after Souhan and his Parise "article" guess they gotta get the page views on the sports section since the Gophers Hockey team has been out of it for a while.

 

Also, what is "immaturity" anyways? As long as he is producing and he gets along with his teammates etc is there really an issue?

 

Immaturity to me is making a bunch of stupid comments to the media (Nolasco), getting in fights on the field, or getting into off the field issues.

[DaveW]

Also it's kinda disappointing to see Molitor taking this dig on him:

 

 

“He’s a young man who has a lot of things going on in his life. He has family and friends pulling on him, and a new agency [Roc Nation Sports] that’s trying to do things with him.

“We’re trying to keep his priorities straight as best we can. When I’ve watched him work on the field, it’s been good. Away from here …

“We’re trying to get him focused on the fact that once you do things to reach the big leagues, you have to do the things to remain successful and stay here.”

Molitor paused and summarized Sano’s spring with, “He’s done OK.”

 

 

Not sure why you need to take a shot at the kid in regards to his family and friends, and signing with an agency (Roc Nation) that has HIS best interests in mind. Molitor is a hall of famer and was the first 4 million dollar man in baseball, him bringing up Sano's agent is totally hypocritical IMO.

 

Him bringing up his "off the field" i.e. going back home to the D.R is hypocritical as well,  Molitor as a young player was actively using cocaine on and off the field. He eventually 'matured' and ended up ok, Sano has done nothing close to the same or has ever been accused to anything close to the same yet Molitor is taking digs at him to the press.

 

 

note: I don't "fault" Molitor or hold it against him that he was an active Cocaine user, personally, I could care less what an adult does or doesn't do on his own time. However, the fact is Molitor more than had his issues of "immaturity" and ended up just fine, to call out Sano for his family, agency is just so cheap. Nobody called out Molitor for his stuff back in the day (until it was revealed in court) At the end of the day as long as Sano produces, is a good teammate, doesn't make stupid comments to the fans/media and keeps his nose clean off the field, I don't see the issue whatsoever, thus these sort of things should never be written in the first place.

[Dozier's Glorious Hair]

 

note: I don't "fault" Molitor or hold it against him that he was an active Cocaine user, personally, I could care less what an adult does or doesn't do on his own time. However, the fact is Molitor more than had his issues of "immaturity" and ended up just fine, to call out Sano for his family, agency is just so cheap. Nobody called out Molitor for his stuff back in the day (until it was revealed in court) At the end of the day as long as Sano produces, is a good teammate, doesn't make stupid comments to the fans/media and keeps his nose clean off the field, I don't see the issue whatsoever, thus these sort of things should never be written in the first place.

 

A manager who struggled with personal demons in his youth trying to show guidance to one of his younger players isn't cheap, in my opinion. In fact, I find the implication that Molitor needs to keep his mouth shut about his players' behavior because of his own imperfect past rather silly, with all due respect.

 

As far as nobody calling out a young Molitor for his less-than-exemplary behavior, perhaps it would have done him a lot of good if somebody had. I'm sure he would say as much.

[Boom Boom]

I'm convinced. We need to trade Sano right now.

 

He's just doesn't do things the Twins Way.

[KGB]

Good article, Sano a great talent, but it will take more than that to become a great player.  He added about 70 lbs and gone from a gone from a shortstop to 1B/DH player in 4 years at the age of 22.  If he want the long-term success, he going to have to take his conditioning serious.

 

It's easy to blame the Twins front office, but player also need to take responsibility for what happens.  I'm glad they are pushing him to be better and not just coddling him because of his potential.

[Platoon]

I was here for 2½ weeks in early February and was at the ballpark most days to do a radio show. Sano was doing low-key drills with early arrivers for a couple of days, and then he was gone.

 

The word was he had gone to New York for a weekend for a well-paid autograph gig, and he would be back early the next week. He wound up going back to the Dominican Republic and stayed for two weeks, until camp was ready to open." >>>>>>>. So what do we make of the pablum that LEN, Bernadino, and the rest have been writing? Either Pat is completely wrong, or the others are company shills, or totally obtuse. I had wondered about Sano's buying into RF because of this: what you don't hear, is often times more telling than what you do hear. And what you did not hear wan any tales of Sano "work in his tail off" or "goin about his business" before camp opened. Mention was made of other players but his name was conspicuously absent.

[Platoon]

Most amazing to me, is these "comments" and articles are being written about a guy who had a .916 OPS and 18 HR in 80 games as a 21 year old!

 

What has Sano done on the field wise to deserve this? Now if it is July and he is struggling with a .800-.840 OPS (which is hardly struggling anyways) then feel free to bring this garbage up, at least then it sorta a tiny bit of sense, but now? WTF?

 

Even more ridiculous is that Nolasco, a guy who has done worse than nothing in his time as Twin, comes out a couple weeks ago and says, to the media, that if he doesn't get a rotation spot he will basically pout and demand a trade. Yet, we don't see any damning articles or "quotes" from management about Nolascos work ethic, attitude, etc

 

Only in Minnesota! I can't wait for the inevitable Strib piece about how Karl Anthony Towns isn't "mature" enough or something.

I thought Patrick made it fairly clear that there is a difference between talent, and effort. He did not doubt the talent, he even alluded to it. He did doubt the effort. His take on management was interesting. He did not throw them under the bus for moving him, but he acknowledged they have had little success in getting into his head, I would love to take the simplest route and say this is Sano reacting to the move, and while some of it may be, I doubt that the answer is that easy. One may disagree with Pat, but he knows more about baseball than 90% of the writers out there.

[Boom Boom]

Good article, Sano a great talent, but it will take more than that to become a great player. He added about 70 lbs and gone from a gone from a shortstop to 1B/DH player in 4 years at the age of 22. If he want the long-term success, he going to have to take his conditioning serious.

 

It's easy to blame the Twins front office, but player also need to take responsibility for what happens. I'm glad they are pushing him to be better and not just coddling him because of his potential.

All the effort in the world wouldn't have kept Sano at shortstop.

[Otto von Ballpark]

FWIW, Reusse has made the less delicate statement on his radio show that he believes Sano is basically broke because of his "family and friends" mooching off his bonus. So now he's doing things like switching agencies and attending autograph shows to make more money. Reusse suggested the Twins give him frequent weight clause bonuses instead.

[Platoon]

As an aside, I wish that when discussing retaliation people would remember there is a huge difference between plunking someone in the ass, for a perceived transgression, and head hunting. I can live with the former, the other is never ever acceptable.