Reusse makes case for Danny Santana at shortstop

[Seth Stohs]

http://www.startribune.com/twins-shouldn-t-disregard-danny-santana-the-shortstop/414561533/

 

Patrick Reusse wrote an article making a case for Danny Santana to compete for the shortstop job. He isn't pretending that it is a great option, but while Santana and Molitor contend that he's more valuable to the team if he's able to play six positions, Reusse things the 26-year-old could still develop. 

 

 

 

The theory here is the Twins might be better off throwing Santana into the shortstop competition — with Jorge Polanco, Escobar and Ehire Adrianza — rather than have him chasing fly balls this spring.

Polanco is the projected starter, but in the middle of last season, he was playing second base in Rochester and was projected as a non-shortstop for the big leagues. Escobar had a poor season in 2016, and Adrianza’s history suggests he is Florimon II.

The gifts that once foresaw Santana as an everyday shortstop are still there. Did his nervous, failed attempt to seize the position at the start of 2015 end any thought of that?

 

 

[Nick Nelson]

"Nervous, failed attempt" pretty much describes his career at shortstop. He was an E machine in the minors. I think we're past the point of giving Santana the benefit of doubt based on his athleticism, right? 

[Vanimal46]

*maniacal laugh*

 

*wipes away tears, takes a deep breath to regain composure*

 

Oh, he was serious? Then no... Absolutely not.

[Bark's Lounge]

There is no loss or foul moving on from Santana. He did show some dynamics a few years ago and that was probably a mirage. Who knows, but we have to focus our attention on the other question marks.

 

Wasted time is wasted time. Let's move on.

[Mr. Brooks]

And this is the guy that many posters claim has forgotten more about baseball than any of us will ever know?

[Mike Sixel]

Uh. No. He is more valuable to the twins on another AL Central team, frankly. I mean, unless the last two years are a fluke...

[Shaitan]

Well, you got me to click on something with Reusse's name. That doesn't happen often.

 

This is just filler because he has to start filing stories again before Spring Training. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[D.C Twins]

No....just N-O, NO.

[theBOMisthebomb]

Pass the dutchie on the left hand side.

[Seth Stohs]

 

"Nervous, failed attempt" pretty much describes his career at shortstop. He was an E machine in the minors. I think we're past the point of giving Santana the benefit of doubt based on his athleticism, right? 

 

And now we're two years removed from his remarkable rookie season... I'm ready to move on. I can understand if Molitor isn't though.

[D.C Twins]

This post demands some of those great Simpson's cartoons + captions from those with more talent in that area than myself.... (one of my favorite threads of all time on TD!)

 

[HitInAPinch]

Couldn't resist!!

 

http://gifrific.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Daniel-Bryan-Yes-Cheer.gif

[HitInAPinch]

 

 

This post demands some of those great Simpson's cartoons + captions from those with more talent in that area than myself.... (one of my favorite threads of all time on TD!)

An entire montage!!!!!!!!!!!!

[USAFChief]

That this article could be written is in itself an indictment of the SS situation.

[big dog]

Related article:

 

big dog makes case for Reusse to retire

[The Wise One]

 

Related article:

 

big dog makes case for Reusse to retire

A fact for evidence, or a complete sentence might be a good place to start to make a case.

[The Wise One]

 

That this article could be written is in itself an indictment of the SS situation.

Ruesse has always been a pot-stirrer.  That there are so few comments is  an indictment of Ruesse's ability to still stir a pot

[Thrylos]

I think that this article makes the case that Reusse should retire... 

[mazeville]

Reusse has long been a believer in Danny Santana. Tough to let that go, I think.

 

I disagree. We have three other options that are better than Santana, who hasn't been able to hit since that rookie year.

[jud6312]

I think it's time for someone to step in and take Uncle Pat's cough syrup away from him.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Like Danny Santana, our other SS candidates -- Escobar, Polanco, and the new guy Ehire Adrianza -- are all out of options.

 

Honestly, the Twins should probably cut two of those guys this spring, but failing that, the roster pretty much demands them to cut one and deploy another in the outfield. Hard to see a way you can avoid Santana in one of those outcomes.

 

Also, if Santana cleared waivers, he couldn't refuse an outright assignment to AAA and thus would remain in the Twins org this season, unlike Adrianza who has the right to elect free agency under such conditions since he was previously outrighted by the Giants.

 

I guess Escobar could also be a candidate to clear waivers and be outrighted, due to his $2.15 mil salary -- I'll call this the "Tommy Milone Principle" -- with over 3 years service time, Escobar would have the right to refuse the assignment and elect free agency, but he would then forfeit his salary -- players need 5 years service time before they have the right to refuse the assignment and force the team to release them, thus keeping their salary.  Escobar will reach 5 years service time around May 14th this year, so perhaps we will see an attempt to waive/outright him before then if he doesn't start strong.

[Thrylos]

 

Like Danny Santana, our other SS candidates -- Escobar, Polanco, and the new guy Ehire Adrianza -- are all out of options.

 

Let me try to put this nicely:

Danny Santana is a "SS candidate" only in Reusse's (and maybe his own) head.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Let me try to put this nicely:

Danny Santana is a "SS candidate" only in Reusse's (and maybe his own) head.

I get that! I basically meant, guys who can play SS who are on the 40-man roster (not including recent addition Vlelma).

 

FWIW, Santana is still listed as an outfielder on the 40-man roster at MLB.com. I think that's pretty accurate at this point, and his best path to the 40-man roster.

[gunnarthor]

I understand the sentiment, after all, if you thought Polanco lost magical development time because he was playing second base from April-June last year, than they same theory might hold true to Santana.  The problem, I think, is that Santana wasn't really seen as much more than a UI type player with speed.  That's not a bad thing, UI are needed and positional versatility only improves that.  I think the bigger concern with Santana is that he hasn't shown much ability to play strong defense at any position or to hit with limited playing time.  My guess is that if he had steady playing time his offensive numbers would be a bit better than they've been the last two years - maybe he could produce a 85-90 OPS+ if it all broke right - but his defense has been pretty shabby.  I'd rather take a chance with Polanco and Escobar at short and see if we can find a UI that fits a bit better.

 

But I'd also like to be proven wrong and see Santana return to his rookie glory.

[TwinsfaninPA]

Unlike most other poster's here, I agree with the thought.  Santana is a good player and I think he would benefit with knowing where is he is playing everyday.  The Twins for some reason always seem to do this with players, they only give the player a short time to show their stuff.  Santana had a great rookie year and has shows glimpses (although small ones) of an offensive skill set.  He went from SS to CF and has been all over.  The only time he have the SS job he did poorly, I agree on that however, nothing can be hurt by giving him an other shot.  Polonco's D is worse then Santana and Poloncos range is horrific.  I love Escobar, but as the bench INF guy playing three times a week.  GO DANNY!

[Brock Beauchamp]

Wait, what?

 

No. This is a ridiculous idea.

 

Polanco has the same question marks as Santana, except is younger and has a better track record. They're both out of options.

 

IMO, Polanco is a pretty ****ty option at short. I'm not going to scour the earth to find an even ****tier option in the name of "competition".

[lukeduke1980]

The only other topics that draw more ire from TD is Trevor May in the pen and Mauer batting 3rd.

[gunnarthor]

 

The only other topics that draw more ire from TD is Trevor May in the pen and Mauer batting 3rd.

I believe you are forgetting the release of Joe Benson.

[Thrylos]

 

The only other topics that draw more ire from TD is Trevor May in the pen and Mauer batting 3rd.

 

Nope.  Sano's weight is the #1 topic

[mikelink45]

I think criticism is too easy.  What I most wonder about is whether this is a column that leads us back to the article posted in TD about the mishandling of Polanco by the Twins.  Did we do the best job with the talents and potential of Santana?