Effect of Sano-gate on The Team and Fans in 2018!

[strumdatjaguar]

OK - Let's discuss the elephant in the clubhouse.   The one that was not present at TwinsFest!

At least one player on the team and a former player (Plouffe) have tweeted supportive comments for Sano's accuser.  I suspect others more quietly are supportive of their teammate Miguel Sano.   I believe Twins fans should be concerned about a likely divided clubhouse between the factions that will line up on each side of this, regardless of how well it is investigated by MLB or handled by the team.  It could be a potential "Dominicans versus everybody else"  split as well or other potential cultural splits ("Good Old Boys" vs. those with a more current cultural viewpoint, for example  . . . ) And don't give me that "They are all professionals once the game starts" stuff.    I frankly am concerned about a culture that is abusive towards women in professional sports.  Still, i am also a Twins fan and I am concerned that a rift in the clubhouse is likely.   Such a rift is not conducive to a successful season for a team.   Sano is an all-star, not just some third string catcher or utility guy.   

Sano-gate leads to all kinds of questions including whether Sano should be traded, or whether he has a significantly diminished trade value at this time, and whether that matters.   Is there addition by subtraction?.   

Sorry about the touchy subject, but it is relevant to the Twins success on the field, and a poor handling, or even a good handling, of the investigation could affect attendance as well.

 

Again, this question is not about whether or not the accusations are true or not - It is about the affect on the team and the fan base in the upcoming season.   I suggest Sano-gate cannot be a positive influence on the culture inside the clubhouse and in the stands at Target Field, and I'd like to think the team could do some things to diminish the problem (i.e. trade Sano for anything).   

[Thrylos]

I'd wait until the MLB investigation is over, before try to beat that dead horse yet once again...

[gunnarthor]

Meh, ML teams deal with tons of **** all year. This is nothing.

[mikecgrimes]

I was worried about this sort of thing with Sano going into the offseason and was hoping for a trade.  I think despite a drop in value I would still move him as I just don't see him as I think the homerun is overvalued and if Escobar can be the player he was last year for a full season he's a more valuable player, plus the free agent market is still open and we could go in a different direction to replace him.  When he changed agents I started to question everything about him.  On the other hand he is capable of improving at the plate to be a very valuable player, but I'd bet on Buxton hitting .280+ with 40 Homeruns before Sano.

[Doomtints]

Doesn't seem like anything else developed with this story, in spite of the rumors that this was just the tip of the iceberg. 

 

Barring any new information, his punishment will be minor and won't affect the Twins or whatever team he is on in 2018.

[Brandon]

I think of Sano as more of a teenager millionaire. He cant have a good education from where he is from and is still griwing up emotionally. I can see a 10 game suspension with classes and or some kind of psychology stuff requirement. I see this as more of an isolated incidence with him as i suspect he will learn from it.

[Oldgoat_MN]

 

I think of Sano as more of a teenager millionaire. He cant have a good education from where he is from and is still griwing up emotionally. I can see a 10 game suspension with classes and or some kind of psychology stuff requirement. I see this as more of an isolated incidence with him as i suspect he will learn from it.

Man, I sure hope so.

I hope the team makes sure all the players learn something from this. (those that haven't already been taught that people are to be treated respectfully)

[strumdatjaguar]

The problem is that the punishment is the least of it.   There is the resentment that Sano and teammates close to him will have toward those who they perceive "sided" with his accuser.   I see this as a big problem in this clubhouse.   I hate Twitter even more than I used to hate it.

[beckmt]

right or wrong, this is more of a culture issue.  Baseball players from Latin America are folkheros much like football players here.  

Hopefully Sano will get the support and help he needs to understand this is a different culture.  I would hate to see his career sidetracked by these type of issues.

Much of the U.S culture has changed over the past 20 years.  What was normal from the 70's to the 90's is abhorrent now.  Training is the key with support for the correct behavior.