What moves would you make right now?

[Pardon My Dinger]

 

 It just seems like everyone is pressing right now.  Trying to hard to get that big hit, trying to hit that 5-run HR.  They need to relax a little bit at the plate, i don't even know.

In Sano's case, this is compounded by the public humiliation of running around a part of the field he's only ever heard tell about. 

[zenser]

I would just like to see some players take some accountability.  They need a leader to get in someone's face and say something to him and get pissed off a little bit.  I would like to see someone step up and take charge of this team and be a leader.  I want someone to get pissed when someone takes a poor AB or not tag up and attempt to score when you are on third and a fly ball to the OF and let the other guy know that isn't how we play the game.  I don't care who that person is.  I just want to see some fire on this team.

[tobi0040]

 

And it's been part of my continuing argument that Plouffe should have been traded.  The lineup construction makes very little sense, completely ignoring the fact they're playing Sano in RF.  Too many low obp right handed bats. 

 

I used to be firmly in that camp.  But what we don't know the internal evaluation of a 270 pound third  baseman

 

Further, it may have been an investment at 3B where he was going to be bad this year anyway, but if they have concluded he wasn't going to be there long they aborted mission and concluded that he is likely a DH in 1-2 years, or 1-2 months if the RF expiriment goes bad.

 

I think the Twins remember the struggle we had between Koskie in 2004 and Trevor Plouffe in 2012.  Lamb, Punto, Cuddyer,  Bautista, etc. 

 

It looks like the market is better for 3B nowadays.  But it wouldn't be the first time where un-neccesary anxiety plays a role in roster/lineup construction for the Twins.

[bluechipper]

Send down Park and Buxton, bring up Polanco and Mastroianni.

 

Play Rosario, Kepler, Arcia in OF, Mastro 4th OF, bats first when he starts. Sano to DH.

 

DFA Casey Fien, bring up Graham. Put Jake Reed on the 40, bump him to AAA, next in line for middle relief. 

 

1. Dozier (Mastro when he starts over Kepler)

2. Mauer

3. Escobar 

4. Plouffe

5. Arcia RF

6. Sano DH

7. Rosario CF/LF 

8. Kepler, LF/CF (platoons with Mastro)

9. Catcher

 

If Perkins doesn't pick up his game soon, he goes to setup man, Jepsen becomes closer. Get ready for Burdi.

 

Jake Reed has put up Casey Fien numbers so far. I don't think he's higher in line than Chargois right now.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Should we congratulate Bruno on the work he did over 800 AB's last year for Sano and Rosario

The "work" Bruno did?  Those guys succeeded last year on their natural talent, in spite of the strikeouts (and in Rosario's case, the lack of walks).

 

Dozier and Escobar would be better examples of possible Bruno success stories.  But if he can't help Sano, Buxton, etc. fulfill some more of their potential as hitters, perhaps he's not a good coach.  Again, I wouldn't fire him right now, but his Twins resume, with the persistant big K numbers across the board, isn't looking that strong at the moment.

[alarp33]

 

I used to be firmly in that camp.  But what we don't know the internal evaluation of a 270 pound third  baseman

 

Further, it may have been an investment at 3B where he was going to be bad this year anyway, but if they have concluded he wasn't going to be there long they aborted mission and concluded that he is likely a DH in 1-2 years, or 1-2 months if the RF expiriment goes bad.

 

I think the Twins remember the struggle we had between Koskie in 2004 and Trevor Plouffe in 2012.  Lamb, Punto, Cuddyer,  Bautista, etc. 

 

It looks like the market is better for 3B nowadays.  But it wouldn't be the first time where un-neccesary anxiety plays a role in roster/lineup construction for the Twins.

 

Without rehashing old discussions that have been beaten to death... I'm simply trying to ignore Sano for now, and say I don't like Plouffe in the lineup period, once they made the decision Park would be in the lineup.  I think it is 1 too many low obp high strikeout right handed bat.  I like Kepler more

[tobi0040]

Without rehashing old discussions that have been beaten to death... I'm simply trying to ignore Sano for now, and say I don't like Plouffe in the lineup period, once they made the decision Park would be in the lineup. I think it is 1 too many low obp high strikeout right handed bat. I like Kepler more

I assumed trading Plouffe meant Sano to 3b. Who plays 3b?

[jokin]

 

We know why they kept Arcia, I would have as well.  We don't know why they are refusing to use him.  Hell, they had Eduardo Nunez pinch hit in the 9th yesterday

 

Bingo. I was thinking the exact same thing yesterday. Nunez took a pitch directly to the wrist on Sunday, but like a good trooper (and 25th man whose job is always on the precipice), trotted out like a good trooper as the last man standing and feebly struck out.

 

Methinks there might be a level of disagreement between the GM and the manager over what Arcia's role might be defined.

[jokin]

 

I assumed trading Plouffe meant Sano to 3b. Who plays 3b?

 

Polanco?

 

(The Twins seem to be pretending that Sano never proved himself at 3rd all of those years in the minors).

[jimbo92107]

 

Jake Reed has put up Casey Fien numbers so far. I don't think he's higher in line than Chargois right now.

Okay, then bring up Shaggy. I'm easy! ;-)

[alarp33]

 

I assumed trading Plouffe meant Sano to 3b. Who plays 3b?

 

Obviously.  What I simply meant was I'm not trying to rehash the Sano argument for the 1000th time.

 

I was replying to a post that talked about lineup construction, and offered my opinion.... IGNORING Sano (which is another point in favor of trading Plouffe), there are too many RH low obp high K bats in this lineup, that is one of the 5 reasons I would've traded Plouffe. 

[SwainZag]

 

Bingo. I was thinking the exact same thing yesterday. Nunez took a pitch directly to the wrist on Sunday, but like a good trooper (and 25th man whose job is always on the precipice), trotted out like a good trooper as the last man standing and feebly struck out.

 

Methinks there might be a level of disagreement between the GM and the manager over what Arcia's role might be defined.

 

Or it was hey.....you had 4 hits yesterday you get 1st shot at pinch hitting today.  They were down 3 in the 9th, I really wouldn't look too far into 1 pinch hitting at bat.  Arcia was on deck to pinch when the game ended 2 days earlier.

[tobi0040]

The "work" Bruno did? Those guys succeeded last year on their natural talent, in spite of the strikeouts (and in Rosario's case, the lack of walks).

 

Dozier and Escobar would be better examples of possible Bruno success stories. But if he can't help Sano, Buxton, etc. fulfill some more of their potential as hitters, perhaps he's not a good coach. Again, I wouldn't fire him right now, but his Twins resume, with the persistant big K numbers across the board, isn't looking that strong at the moment.

I agree with you but it cuts both ways.

 

When do they get the credit and when do they take the blame? If they succeed it is all natural but fail and on the coach? I don't 100 percent know the answer.

 

I would have hoped Rosario dedicated his off-season to hone the strike zone a bit and Sano on conditioning and potentially dialing back his swing with 2 strikes. But it looks like neither did that.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I would have hoped Rosario dedicated his off-season to hone the strike zone a bit and Sano on conditioning and potentially dialing back his swing with 2 strikes. But it looks like neither did that.

When every other hitter on the team seems to have the same problems "honing the strike zone" for the past few years, that suggests perhaps there isn't a resource on this club that is able to help them.

[gocgo]

I'll be the contrarian here.  I don't think you make any moves.  What's the point?  What move are we going to make that is going to get us out of this hole?  None.  I think you write off the year (that's right, I said it), you let them play, assess as the year goes on as to what you want to do next year.  At some point, some of these guys have to realize that they are playing for a job next year.  

 

or....

 

We take the approach that we've been in every game other than 1 and our offense has let us down.  Thinking back to last year, we weren't even competitive in our early losses.  So, stand pat and hope that our offense turns it around and those 1 run losses turn into 1 run wins.  Either way, stand pat.

[KGB]

 

 

(The Twins seem to be pretending that Sano never proved himself at 3rd all of those years in the minors).

He might have proved himself in the minors, which is why they have used him as DH & RF   

[tobi0040]

When every other hitter on the team seems to have the same problems "honing the strike zone" for the past few years, that suggests perhaps there isn't a resource on this club that is able to help them.

Over 7 games, sure. And if it doesn't improve over some period of time than you probably need a new voice

 

But nobody expected the Twins to be 13th in runs last year and 12 teams had a higher k rate. I would have expected a worse ranking regarding k's given Rosario skipped AAA. Buxton had 59 AB's in AAA and the GM admitted he rushed him. Sano was always going to whiff a lot.

 

It is as much or more about the minor league programs and approach, as well as the GM not caring about k's. The Park signing is evidence of that to me.   I also believe and maybe that feeds into my opinions that our GM has more influence over the everday reps than people think (therefore it is not always the coach's issue).  And he tends to want his signee's to be playing.   Nolasco, Park, J.R. Graham.  His minor league FA, etc.

 

Bruno's full record as hitting coach is 13th (2015), 7th (2014), and 25th (2013) in runs (since 2013) abd 18th, 22nd, and 28th in k rates

[nicksaviking]

 

Polanco?

 

(The Twins seem to be pretending that Sano never proved himself at 3rd all of those years in the minors).

 

Yes, Polanco is one of the few opportunities to at least try to balance the strikeout/walk ratio of this team which is out of control at the moment. They need to try to find a spot for him, and even though the Twins likely would be loathe to unseat a veteran, Plouffe's spot is the most logical.

[alskntwnsfn]

I'm fine with the people we have in place and generally in how the playing time has been allocated. It's only been about a week and damn near anything can happen in a week of baseball games. So we need more information before making long term changes. 

 

It's too early to cut bait on the SanoRF experiment or Park, until that changes we have to see it through even if it means taking some lumps in April/May. 

 

The biggest improvements right now need to come from within. 

 

The bullpen needs to settle in and hit their spots. Perhaps DFA Fien or somebody else if their struggles continue. Maybe May has something mechanically going on as to why he's thrown so many wild pitches. Review the tape. Try to fix any issues. Clear the head and move forward, what's done is done. I'm sure they are doing this. 

 

On the hitting side, several guys need to have a better approach or hitter specific issues. Sano seems a bit pull happy right now. Maybe oppo BP drills? Park looks a little overmatched on fastballs from the ABs I've seen, shorten up and/or move up the BP screen? Buxton has looked better but let too many good pitches (meaning middle 1/3 fastballs) go by early in the count in the early games. He also has to be more selective with two strikes. Yes, you have to protect, but good hitters have the confidence to let close balls go. Rosario, more selective especially on high pitches. Also, Mauer is being given an enormous gap in RCF gap, hopefully he's working on stroking pitches to center/RCF in BP. 

 

How long these issues persist will say a lot about Bruno and the staff. If fans or announcers can pick up some of these things then you know opponents are game planning it, so the adjustments have to come quicker. 

 

That's one of my biggest concerns with this team, is the hitting approach analysis/process. I remember a few years ago Rod Carew got in touch with Chris Colabello who was 0-for-a-month with nearly as many K's. Told him to move closer to the plate, which was PAINFULLY obvious. He did and promptly went on a tear though his annual hitting stats were still putrid. That's the type of stuff that can't happen. 

 

Further, if any members of the media happen by this forum (and I'm sure some do occasionally)... how about some specific questions about how hitters are addressing their issues right now? We always hear they are "working their tails off" but given the years of less than expected performance, it's time to pull back the curtain a little bit and offer a deeper explanation about exactly how we are trying to get better. If not, at some point you have to assume that either 1) it's not happening or 2) it's not being done very well at all.  

[goliath]

With Baltimore 6-0 and the Twins 0-7 some kind of Freaky Friday thing happened that opening series, it wont be reversed until a Twin and an Oriole get hit by a pitch the same day

[DAM DC Twins Fans]

Not sure if I do this now or wait till June--but it is time to go with the kids that are supposed to lead us to contention in 2017 to 2020. 

 

Bring them up now and play them.  That means--Kepler in RF on a daily basis, Sano at DH, Buxton in CF, keep Rosario on a short leash and if doesn't work bring up AB Walker.  More importantly--bring up Duffey and Berrios NOW and pitch them every 5th day.  Move Nolasco to pen, DFA Fien, cut any other pitcher we got--maybe bring up Shaggy and put him in the pen as well.

 

Yes, these guys may struggle and not all will work out--but we can see what we got.

[tobi0040]

I would cut Casey Fien yesterday. He should receive the Staufer treatment soon enough because he will continue to fail. I would demote BY Park to Chatanooga, as he needs to see more fastballs like the big leagues not more junk like AAA. I would cut Oswaldo Arcia, if Molitor will not even pinch hit for the obvious guys with Arcia what is he even doing on the major league roster. Cut Arcia and give him a chance to succeed elsewhere, he doesn't look like he will ever get out of Molitor's doghouse, if your not going to use him to DH or pinch hit why keep him.

Gotta follow the money. Stauffer was due to be paid a lot more after his 15th appearance. That is why he was cut.

 

Fien is signed all year at 2.3 million. So expect more time so Terry can prove himself right.

[tobi0040]

Not sure if I do this now or wait till June--but it is time to go with the kids that are supposed to lead us to contention in 2017 to 2020.

 

Bring them up now and play them. That means--Kepler in RF on a daily basis, Sano at DH, Buxton in CF, keep Rosario on a short leash and if doesn't work bring up AB Walker. More importantly--bring up Duffey and Berrios NOW and pitch them every 5th day. Move Nolasco to pen, DFA Fien, cut any other pitcher we got--maybe bring up Shaggy and put him in the pen as well.

 

Yes, these guys may struggle and not all will work out--but we can see what we got.

Solid point. A top farm system should develop good MLB players and if they don't we are in for a very long period of bad baseball. So give them some time. If they are out matches over a longer period than they may need seasoning

[d-mac]

 

When every other hitter on the team seems to have the same problems "honing the strike zone" for the past few years, that suggests perhaps there isn't a resource on this club that is able to help them.

 

Or it's a symptom of an organizational problem with coaching/development.

[leopoty]

Would it be crazy to bat Mauer leadoff? I agree, for a limit time, bench Park and play Kepler. Something like this: 

 

1. Mauer

2. Escobar

3. Dozier

4. Plouffe

5. Sano DH

6. Kepler

7. Rosario

8. Suzuki

9. Buxton

[diehardtwinsfan]

The problem right now is the record amount of Ks that this offense is generating.  Some of that will definitely correct itself. Some guys are pressing I'm sure.  Some I think was pretty noticeable this spring.  I wouldn't have went north with Buxton for this very reason, but he's one guy, and there are several right now.  I wouldn't be surprised at all if Buxton and Sano get a quick hook if they don't pick things up.  Rosario might be up there too, except that we really don't have a CF.  Walker probably wouldn't be an improvement there, but I'd like to believe that Kepler would

[Platoon]

I think if I spent all winter assembling this team, and all spring training making decisions on what's the best current deployment, I'd give it more than a week before making big decisions.

 

Although, figuring out how to put more usable options in the pen might not be a bad idea immediately.  It's just "mind boggling" how they're to afraid to use a guy like Tonkin in a prominent role, for a couple years now, while simultaneously afraid he'll be claimed by another team, so he must be kept on the 25 man roster.

You might add Arcia to that list!

[pierre75275]

Why platoon Kepler and Aria? Don't they both bat left-handed?

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Agree with the Fien detractors, and i agree with the play Arcia or cut him. I'm not yet ready to send Park to AAA. He seems to be patient and have a good eye, but struggling to catch up to MLB heat. Tough to learn that in AAA

[Blake]

Swap the triple AAA club for the MLB club and see what happens.