Shortstop Options

[jorgenswest]

Ehire Adrianza has the best glove but his bat will be exposed. He will be Pedro Florimon wi5h the bat against right handed pitching. A switch hitter, he tried batting right handed against righties last year and went 0-12 according to BR splits.

 

Eduardo Escobar has the better bat. His glove has been shaky and over his career he hasn’t hit right handed pitching as well. He might step up defensively with consistent play.

 

Erick Aybar can’t hit or field anymore. I think they need to release him at the first sign of a better option on the waiver wire. As a short term stop gap if Sano was suspended it might have worked. This is not short term.

 

Nick Gordon could really help here.

[Vanimal46]

Given this news, I hope Gordon gets hot in AAA and usurps Polanco for the starting job going forward.

 

Polanco really F'd up. There's no excuse for what he did.

[gunnarthor]

Escobar will start the year but he'll have a short leash and Gordon will come up quickly if needed.

[Squirrel]

I think Esco makes the plays he needs. Defensively Adrianza is better. I think Adrianza will play SS more regularly while Esco is the utility, but we'll see him in there more than we would otherwise.

 

Not sure what this will do for Gordon or not; or Aybar or not. Ugh.

[yarnivek1972]

Escobar will start the year but he'll have a short leash and Gordon will come up quickly if needed.

Doesn’t seem likely that a guy who struggled during the second half of the season at AA would be a “quick” call up.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Escobar will start the year but he'll have a short leash and Gordon will come up quickly if needed.

Gordon got reassigned today, do you suppose so they could get him play SS reps full time and get Adrianza and/or Escobar full time SS reps as well?

[Teflon]

At 22, Gordon's been moved pretty quickly through the system, so the Twins would probably try to get him another half-year to a year at AA/AAA - especially if they want to have him pick up 2B experience.  

[jorgenswest]

Maybe the Twins platoon at SS by starting pitcher. If a ground ball pitcher like Gibson or maybe Lynn is pitching, play Adrianza. If it is a fly ball guy like Odorizzi, start Escobar.

[darin617]

Just sign Stephen Drew and give him an 80 day audition.

[howeda7]

If Sano isn't out, Escobar is the primary SS. I don't see how it's even a discussion. If Sano is out than Adrianza/Gordon. I assume Aybar makes the team now. 

[mudcat14]

To be honest, I don't think there's enough difference defensively between Adrianza, Aybar or Escobar to matter that much over 80-games.  In fact, I don't think Polanco offers any real upgrade with the glove either.  Where this hurts most is at the plate.  None of the three replacements is the hitter that Jorge was in the final 3rd of last season.  My guess is that the hottest bat and match-ups will help Mollie determine who is in the line-up each day.

 

Don't be shocked if Gordon gets an early look if he continues the streak he's been on so far in spring training.  Let's face it, with Dozier's likely departure, Gordon & Polanco will likely be handling the keystone in some configuration in 2019 anyway.   Giving Nick a strong taste this season might be for the best.  

[mikelink45]

Go young.  Everytime something happens there is a quick look to the old has beens - look forward.  Bring up young players.  See what we have for the future. 

[bluechipper]

Escobar should be playing every day now. Most of the time at SS, and then when giving Sano a break (or during his suspension) at 3rd. We've seen what he can do offensively when given consistent playing time.

[DaveW]

Adrizana is a black hole at the plate.

 

Escobar can ‘start’ and they should trade for Profar.

[BJames]

Adrianza batting ninth will not hurt this team.  The starting pitching and Hitters like Sano and Dozier will be the reason this team wins or losses, not the guy hitting 9th in the line-up

[howeda7]

 

Adrizana is a black hole at the plate.

Escobar can ‘start’ and they should trade for Profar.

Profar has a career batting average .229 and an OPS of .638 in 718 PA's.

 

"Black Hole" Adrianza has a career batting average of .238 and an OPS of .641 in 517 PAs. 

[jkcarew]

 

Don't be shocked if Gordon gets an early look if he continues the streak he's been on so far in spring training.  Let's face it, with Dozier's likely departure, Gordon & Polanco will likely be handling the keystone in some configuration in 2019 anyway.   Giving Nick a strong taste this season might be for the best.  

 

Scrutinizing the spring training games, it sure seemed the Twins were planning on the Rochester SS being Gregorio Petit, with Gordon making the move to 2nd.  Petit has played way more games at SS than anywhere else in the minors...and was getting more looks at SS than Gordon was getting in ST.

This is a guess.  And even if I'm correct, I guess this could change things.  It will be hugely interesting to see the first few Rochester lineups.

[gunnarthor]

 

Doesn’t seem likely that a guy who struggled during the second half of the season at AA would be a “quick” call up.

He'll be fine.

[Respy]

So....Dozier extension?

[DaveW]

Profar has a career batting average .229 and an OPS of .638 in 718 PA's.

 

"Black Hole" Adrianza has a career batting average of .238 and an OPS of .641 in 517 PAs.

One actually has upside.

 

Also if you read my post it’s pretty clear that Escobar would start. While Profar is a buy low, high reward type candidate.

[DaveW]

Gordon needs to be playing everyday. No need to rush him, esp on a team with real playoff aspirations.

[bighat]

The starting job should be Escobar's. Period. Have Adrianza as the utility guy - no reason to shake things up too much. Escobar is an every-day player at this point, having played half the year last year and did quite well.

 

Darn it, Polanco.

[Post-Concussive Blues]

Trade for Machado?

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

In general and depending on matchup, I think Escobar is a much better option than Adrianza. Both will be starting for as long as Sano is suspended.

[Doubles]

 

Escobar will start the year but he'll have a short leash and Gordon will come up quickly if needed.

Covering one half-season for one player should not come at the risk of stunting the long-term development of another player.  Especially a fifth-overall pick.  I trust the FO to take the long view as it relates to a coveted prospect.