Dozier/Polanco

[stringer bell]

There has been much discussion on moving Dozier to make a place for Polanco. Personally I think it is good to carry one or two veterans to blend with the young players. Further, I think Dozier may well be a better player now than Polanco would ever be. As a switch hitter with decent on-base skills, I do think Polanco might be a better fit for the Twins going forward. FWIW, I am Dozier fan and think he should have been the team MVP a couple times in the past four years.

[h2oface]

Dozier, after all these years, still swipe tags and displays his glove to the umpire instead of keeping his glove on the runner. He misses many outs as the runner goes off the bag slightly. With instant replay, no need to ever show the umpire your glove. Just stupid. He also misses many outs by reaching out high instead of staying at the bag low. So aggravating.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

There has been much discussion on moving Dozier to make a place for Polanco. Personally I think it is good to carry one or two veterans to blend with the young players. Further, I think Dozier may well be a better player now than Polanco would ever be. As a switch hitter with decent on-base skills, I do think Polanco might be a better fit for the Twins going forward. FWIW, I am Dozier fan and think he should have been the team MVP a couple times in the past four years.

 

Dozier is a top 5 second baseman when things are going well (and I think technically year to date as well, though I haven't looked), so you're right that he may be better than Polanco will ever be.  I don't think that means keep BD. 

 

My 2 cents.  BD is under contract for 2 more years, at least one of which will be at best a pretender type season (perhaps last season's outcome is likely the best we can hope for).  Polanco is under control for 5 or 6 more seasons.  He has the ceiling to be a top 5 2B, though he will probably be more an OBP guy than a power guy (which given the team needs right now is probably a better fit). He will almost definitely be worse than BD next year, but that investment should pay into a nice career in MN and allow for above average production at 2B when BD is most likely hitting his decline.  He also has that whole out of options issue going for 2017.

 

With that case weighed, I think you maximize BD's value and get a nice spec or four to help other areas of the team, most notably catching and starting pitching.

[Mike Sixel]

Rebuilding teams trade veterans. Teams that refuse to admit they are bad, do not. Remember when people said the twins, cubs, and astros were on the same time line?

[Kwak]

Trading Dozier? OK--if the ​value is there! I'm not trading Dozier just to play Polanco--that's insane! I trade Dozier if the exchange appears to help the team significantly in the near (up to 3 years) future.  

[Mike Sixel]

Well, the manager won't play Polanco.....so, may as well trade him.

[SwainZag]

 

Rebuilding teams trade veterans. Teams that refuse to admit they are bad, do not. Remember when people said the twins, cubs, and astros were on the same time line?

 

Teams that rebuild well get value for their players, especially for cost controlled veterans.  If the market for Dozier isn't there and you have him for 2 more seasons....there should be no rush to get rid of him.  The Twins not trading Dozier doesn't mean they are admitting they aren't bad.  You don't get rid of asset, just to get rid of them.  The same goes for Santana.  At least IMO.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Dozier, after all these years, still swipe tags and displays his glove to the umpire instead of keeping his glove on the runner. He misses many outs as the runner goes off the bag slightly. With instant replay, no need to ever show the umpire your glove. Just stupid. He also misses many outs by reaching out high instead of staying at the bag low. So aggravating.

 

If these are the big concerns for Dozier, I think they should love him up for another 5 years! Ha!

[Seth Stohs]

 

Trading Dozier? OK--if the ​value is there! I'm not trading Dozier just to play Polanco--that's insane! I trade Dozier if the exchange appears to help the team significantly in the near (up to 3 years) future.  

 

This is kind of my thought ... trade him if you get a very good return, but definitely don't do it just to play Polanco - who may be almost as good as Dozier... (though likely more consistent offensively, maybe) Defense would probably be advantage Dozier. 

 

But, they need to play Polanco or trade him... I don't know.

[mudcat14]

 

 FWIW, I am Dozier fan and think he should have been the team MVP a couple times in the past four years.

 

Two time MVP for a team that played 78 games under .500 in four seasons.  Veterans who are experienced winners are valuable on a youth-laden team.  Dozier and Plouffe are decidedly not in that class.  Every AB Dozier takes away from Polanco hurts the rebuild.

[ScrapTheNickname]

I just got this fortune cookie with my take-out.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

I just got this fortune cookie with my take-out.

 

Hmm...  not sure what to think about the alternate fortune ending that you're supposed to put at the end of these.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I just got this fortune cookie with my take-out.

ok but what are the lucky lotto numbers?

[DocBauer]

IMO, with a little time, Polanco will be as good or better than Dozier defensively. I believe he will be a better hitter for AVG, but while his OB may be solid, I don't know that it will be better than Dozier's. Polanco has enough pop to hit a few HR, maybe even develop in to a double digit threat, but will never come close to BDO in that regard. However, I think he's capable of being a quality doubles and triples producer with consistent SB ability.

 

The problem is we don't know for sure what we have in him yet. Could he really be ready to replace Dozier as the starting 2B in 2017? Are we better off with him as a role player first as he settles in and then maybe trading Dozier? I think that's the direction I lean to at the moment. Dozier is a quality ballplayer and not an over 30 yo on a sudden decline slope. And with the Nunez trade, Polanco can now get the playing time and AB's he needs.

 

But unless there is a really nice offer/match this offseason, I say keep Dozier for now and see how things play out next season.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

IMO, with a little time, Polanco will be as good or better than Dozier defensively. I believe he will be a better hitter for AVG, but while his OB may be solid, I don't know that it will be better than Dozier's. Polanco has enough pop to hit a few HR, maybe even develop in to a double digit threat, but will never come close to BDO in that regard. However, I think he's capable of being a quality doubles and triples producer with consistent SB ability.

The problem is we don't know for sure what we have in him yet. Could he really be ready to replace Dozier as the starting 2B in 2017? Are we better off with him as a role player first as he settles in and then maybe trading Dozier? I think that's the direction I lean to at the moment. Dozier is a quality ballplayer and not an over 30 yo on a sudden decline slope. And with the Nunez trade, Polanco can now get the playing time and AB's he needs.

But unless there is a really nice offer/match this offseason, I say keep Dozier for now and see how things play out next season.

 

I think most would put money on Dozier being better in 2017. That's fine given that it won't likely be a good season. I agree with your assessment on Polanco. He could be a bit better defensively (though he makes some stupid errors from time to time), and offensively, he's going to be more of an OBP/doubles/10-15 HR guy at his peak. That's a good player at 2nd, and different than BD in so many ways, but given that the team has plenty of HR threats in Sano, Vargas, Palka, Walker, and Park, I don't think that they will have problems finding a combo that generates runs in the future. They do however, need to put guys in front of them who can get on base.

[Boom Boom]

I don't think Rob Antony would trade Dozier. He's the guy on all the marketing. The Ryan regime (most likely including Antony) see Dozier as a long-term fixture, one who you trade prospects to keep.

 

Whether the new guy would trade Dozier, we'll have to wait and see. IMO Antony is far more likely to trade Polanco.

[HitInAPinch]

The speculation on Polanco's potential keeps on a-rollin' !

 

1st:  You don't trade a Dozier for the next flavor-of-the-week. Let's see some more evidence. 

BTW:  I really like Polanco's potential as a hitter.

 

2nd:  The manager did play Polanco last night;  as a DH.  Getting his feet wet.  Escobar is back so he's the starting SS.  Dozier IS at 2nd.  I speculate that Molitor started D-San at 3rd because he hasn't figured out how/where to get Polanco into a infielder rotation.

 

Molitor's thoughts:  http://Molitor's thoughts: http://www.startribune.com/twins-notes-molitor-seeks-right-fit-for-polanco/388763971/

 

That, and Sano needed to take a seat.

 

3rd:  I want to see Polanco at SS.  I'm confused why the change completely away from SS.  Zero games at SS in AAA this year.

 

Moving forward, I'm more concerned who the team leader is.  I'm not convinced it's Dozier, but have no direct knowledge.  With the increased Latin America players, I think they probably traded that guy away last week.

 

[Mike Sixel]

Teams that rebuild well get value for their players, especially for cost controlled veterans. If the market for Dozier isn't there and you have him for 2 more seasons....there should be no rush to get rid of him. The Twins not trading Dozier doesn't mean they are admitting they aren't bad. You don't get rid of asset, just to get rid of them. The same goes for Santana. At least IMO.

So every other rebuilding team can find trades, and the twins just can't? I find that hard to believe that it happens over and over.

[magiklair]

 

So every other rebuilding team can find trades, and the twins just can't? I find that hard to believe that it happens over and over.

 

Yes this is getting old and has to be BS. They should look at the Yankees and some of their moves..(Excluding extending veterans).

[Kwak]

 

Yes this is getting old and has to be BS. They should look at the Yankees and some of their moves..(Excluding extending veterans).

The Yankees are trading proven, quality players. The Twins...aren't. 

[mudcat14]

The problem is none of the contenders has a need for Dozier.  Our best bet is to move him in the off-season to someone who has optimism for 2017.

[SwainZag]

 

So every other rebuilding team can find trades, and the twins just can't? I find that hard to believe that it happens over and over.

 

Finding trades and getting good value for your trades are two separate things.  I understand the need to get Jorge playing time in the field and at bats, but if that has to come at the expense at selling low on an asset, is it worth it?  I think it has been very well noted that right now, teams in contention looking for pieces are pretty set at 2nd Base and that Dozier has 2 years left on his deal. There are a lot of options other than trading him right now for the best you can get, IMO.

[wsnydes]

Trade Dozier now if you get a nice return on him.  If not, wait until the offseason.  Get Polcano in as many games as possible, preferably in the field and not at DH.

 

I'm also of the opinion that Polanco will be a better fit for the Twins in the future.  Will he be better than Dozier?  I think he can be or even better, but I don't know and I'm not sure I care.  The fit is more important at this point in my opinion.  I do feel like Dozier won't be around for most of this teams turnaround anyway.