Article: Polanco Suspension Brings Opportunity For Others

[DocBauer]

Being 100% transparent, I don't know that I've seen enough of Adrianza at SS to know if his defensive reputation is fully earned or not. I know I like what I saw last season overall. And his bat was a big surprise. And while a huge fan of Escobarm I think he serves the team best as that first guy off the bench to give rest days while still playing a fair amount.

 

The choice would seem to be Adrianza, barring yet another surprise move by the FO.

 

At bar slots in to 2nd utility spot. Haven't watched much of him the past couple of years, and don't think I saw him play at all this spring, but until/unless someone better becomes available, he brings experience and the bat seemed to come alive in ST.

[nicksaviking]

Escobar struggled defensively at SS in 2016 but when he played there last year he was fine. I don't think there's really much debate that Escobar gets the job until he proves he can't do it.

 

It's not like he's replacing Andrelton Simmons, Polanco had the 2nd worst UZR among the 20 qualified SS last year and there wasn't any immediate talk about replacing him.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Even if Gordon is ready, keep him down long enough to earn an extra year of team control.

Not that I advocate it for Gordon, but for those curious, it appears the magic date this season would be April 12. From that date through the end of the season (Sep. 30) is only 171 days, 1 short of the 172 days required to constitute a full season of service time. That's 11 games missed, barring rainouts. (FWIW, those thinking of applying this to the pitching side, I think we first need a 5th starter on April 11.)

[Brock Beauchamp]

No, it's about what is best for the Twins both in the short term and long. I think there is a valid argument that Gordon at SS for the Twins is what's best. Especially if Sano is suspended at some point.

What’s best for Gordon is what’s best for the Twins.

 

We’re talking about a 22 year old who faded hard against AA pitching last season. And now we want to promote him to Minnesota?

 

It’s as if Aaron Hicks and Byron Buxton never happened.

[ashbury]

Trade for Machado right now and put him at SS.

Don't we have to get Aaron Judge's permission first?

[Puckett34]

Is it possible to have Adrianza and Escobar job share?    Like let Adrianza play defense and Escobar bat.    In a less than optimal situation, this is the best option

 

 

 

I'm only kidding, of course.   (but am I?)

[Oxtung]

 

What’s best for Gordon is what’s best for the Twins.

We’re talking about a 22 year old who faded hard against AA pitching last season. And now we want to promote him to Minnesota?

It’s as if Aaron Hicks and Byron Buxton never happened.

We are also talking about a kid that had a .860 OPS through half of the season. 

 

It's as if Pedro Florimon and Chris Parmelee never happened.

[Battle ur tail off]

What is the huge facination with Gordon? Slap hitting, decent at best OB guy who's glove is said to be fringy at short? He's trade bait all day if I am running this organization. Bring him up here and let him fail, now you are looking at a guy who was thought of as a top prospect now being worth little. Leave him down until the trade deadline, then package him up and get us the best reliever and starter out there to help them go on a run. 

[yarnivek1972]

Escobar struggled defensively at SS in 2016 but when he played there last year he was fine. I don't think there's really much debate that Escobar gets the job until he proves he can't do it.

 

It's not like he's replacing Andrelton Simmons, Polanco had the 2nd worst UZR among the 20 qualified SS last year and there wasn't any immediate talk about replacing him.

I’m not sure one can truly assess Polanco’s 2017 by looking at the raw numbers. There was such a drop, offensively AND defensively midyear when his grandfather died, that the season long numbers are meaningless IMO. We really don’t know what Polanco is yet IMO. My guess is a solid contact hitter with occasional extra base power with about average range, below average arm and about average error rate.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

We are also talking about a kid that had a .860 OPS through half of the season. 

 

It's as if Pedro Florimon and Chris Parmelee never happened.

Sure, he had a great OPS the first half of last season. He also had a good OPS the first half of 2016 before crashing and burning.

 

He's not the type of prospect you push through the system, as he has no outstanding traits. You stay the course and let him develop naturally.

 

Besides, it's not as if Adrianza is some hack. His bat is pretty weak but his glove is good enough to hold things down while you get a better read on the situation. And I'd bet 3:1 odds that if you gave both Adrianza and Gordon 50 games at short, Adrianza would have the better numbers by a long shot. He's not going to blow you away but he should put up replacement numbers or better, and I think asking that of Gordon right now is a real stretch.

[darin617]

 

Disagree. The team has plenty of money to pay him....this team control thing is something we've all fallen for. Team control is code for "keep paying him less than he's worth." 

 

That said, he's not ready, and I'm one of his biggest supporters here...

If they keep him down for like 2 weeks or less it gets another year of control. So I have to disagree it's not about money it's years of control. Besides he is not ready.

[beckmt]

The issue here is can Gordon produce for a full season.  He has to get stronger.  His first halves have been extremely good, so if Sano is suspended, give him a chance up here and let him run with it. 

[beckmt]

 

If they keep him down for like 2 weeks or less it gets another year of control. So I have to disagree it's not about money it's years of control. Besides he is not ready.

 

Looking at his first half or his second halves of years.  

[Doomtints]

 

Team control is code for "keep paying him less than he's worth." 

Wow. I have never seen this said so well before. You win 2018.

[Mr. Brooks]

What is the huge facination with Gordon? Slap hitting, decent at best OB guy who's glove is said to be fringy at short? He's trade bait all day if I am running this organization. Bring him up here and let him fail, now you are looking at a guy who was thought of as a top prospect now being worth little. Leave him down until the trade deadline, then package him up and get us the best reliever and starter out there to help them go on a run.

If those things are true, then why would anyone trade anything decent for him?