Article: How Will Sano’s Return Impact the Roster?

[jokin]

 

I think Sano has a short leash, however.

 

The team has not missed either his bat or his defense.

 

Nope.

More like an intermediate leash.

Sano adds a potential game-changing dimension to this team. Adding even a .265 BA/.870-ish OPS batting line to this already-potent lineup could easily put the Twins over the top heading into post season.

 

And the fact that the team has done well without him actually BUYS him a LONGER leash to make his adjustments to becoming a regular contributor at the 5-spot in the order and at 3B or DH.

 

 

Edited May 7, 2019 by jokin

[snepp]

Nope.

More like an intermediate leash.

Sano adds a potential game-changing dimension to this team. Adding even a .265 BA/.870-ish batting line to this already-potent lineup could easily put the Twins over the top heading into post season.

 

And the fact that the team has done well without him actually BUYS him a LONGER leash to make his adjustments to becoming a regular contributor at the 5-spot in the order and at 3B or DH.

Concur, concur, concur.

 

Sano, playing to his capabilities, adds something to the lineup that they're not going to ever add through any type of in-season acquisition later.

 

 

"It's just like making a trade....only better." ©­®­™

[TheLeviathan]

 

The well run and well managed Astros trusted Marwin enough at SS to put him there 301 times.
Sano coming back will free up Gonzalez to back up SS when needed.

 

Merely because another team did it is not good enough for me to try the same thing.  Especially since Marwin had Bregman and Altuve flanking him as opposed to Schoop and Sano.  

 

I'm sure they will play him there a bit, but Adrianza was a .680 OPS player with a pretty good glove at SS.  As hard as it may be to accept, this makes him a valuable player.  As in, above average for what most teams have on their bench for SS.

 

It ain't gonna be him they send packing.  At least not until they think Gordon is viable.

[jokin]

 

Sano has an option remaining so if goes all 2018 on us... that could be a consideration.

 

However... right now... I'm personally not thinking that way. I'm reading 5-11 with 2 home runs and 7 RBI's in 4 games, I'm reading that he lost 25 pounds and he will be joining a team that is collectively stroking the ball. 

 

I think he's going to come up and blow the roof off. 

 

I've been wrong before. 

 

If Sano and Astudillo come back with no one else getting injured for awhile.  I can see a roster of:

 

Castro

Garver

Cron

Sano

Astudillo

Schoop

Polanco

Marwin

Rosario

Buxton 

Kepler

Cruz

 

Not one of those 12 deserve to be on the bench. Baldelli will have platoon options, match up options, hot/cold options. I can't wait! 

 

Who would be your #13- and would deserve to be on the bench in a mainly PH match-up or defensive role? At the rate the Twins SPs are performing, especially as they begin to play the bulk of their games in the weak "Classic Lake" division, that 13th pitcher should be unnecessary, or at least on the Roc shuttle (so far, most of the options called up are equally mediocre-to-bad, anyway).

 

Adrianza?

Gordon?

Cave?

Austin? (just kidding)

Valdespin? LH  bat/ MI/.871 OPS in AAA

[MikeW]

Sano really hasn’t had a spring training this season, so I suspect we are weeks away from his return. Perhaps months away given his early form at Pensacola.

 

Sano had a three-run homer over the weekend but has been quiet otherwise. He was 0-5 today with 2 strikeouts. His BA is .091

 

Still early, he could surprise us but early returns show he needs to improve his timing and approach at the plate yet. Then, once he starts clicking, he will need to catch up at AAA.

 

I’m suspecting mid-June right now.

[h2oface]

Hinch said you have nothing to worry about with Gonzalez, and he always starts slow. Also, during a Playoff interview..... he said that Gonzalez was the best short stop on Houston! That's saying something. Trading for prospects? Crazy talk.

[h2oface]

 

Sano really hasn’t had a spring training this season, so I suspect we are weeks away from his return. Perhaps months away given his early form at Pensacola.

Sano had a three-run homer over the weekend but has been quiet otherwise. He was 0-5 today with 2 strikeouts. His BA is .091

Still early, he could surprise us but early returns show he needs to improve his timing and approach at the plate yet. Then, once he starts clicking, he will need to catch up at AAA.

I’m suspecting mid-June right now.

 

He's 5/16 with 2 homers, 2 walks, 6Ks, hitting .313/.400/.688 with an OPS of 1.088 after todays 0-fer. I guess you missed the 4/4 game. I don't know where you are getting your minor league totals from his re-hab stint so far. Maybe you are just considering most recent stop. It is all SSS, but let's be accurate with the totals. 

 

Sano has been around the Twins org since 2010. It is really time for him to explode and be a star, eh?

Edited May 7, 2019 by h2oface

[Don't Feed the Greed Guy]

Astudillo .870 OPS rhb

Castro .848 OPS lhb

Garver 1.106 OPS rhb

 

Unheard-of production from behind the plate, and have you noted the slight uptick in the rotation since last year? Might have a little bit to do with who's calling the game. Castro is squatting on a surgically repaired knee. Astudillo and Garver inherit the catching duties in 2020, for now.

 

And who says Astudillo is a poor pinch hitting option? Pinch hitting is about making consistent contact, moving the runners over, and providing OPS.

 

Adrianza, OPS .470. His switch hitting is a plus, if he can hit and not get struck out by Chris Davis. Watching Marwin fill in at short is not as much of a pending disaster as having Ehire looming at the end of the bench at the end of the game with his bat in his hands.

 

Cave goes, then Adrianza, of maybe a pitcher. Sano needs one more shot at Winterfell. We want him to grow up and claim the title, Lord of the North.

[Aerodeliria]

When Sano's ready, I am happy to have him on board. And then, let's hope, they send Adrianza packing. He has been a drain for most of the season.

 

How many times did Adrianza come to the plate with runners in scoring position in the two games he started against los Yanquis? Like four times? How many runners did he plate? "0" 

 

He must have a (-) WAR, and he's no Ozzie Guillen in the field. I checked his WAR. It's at 0.0. He really is a career utility infielder and there are guys out there who could do they same (even at Rochester) or even slightly better.

[Han Joelo]

Adrianza gets a little more leash after slaying Verlander.  Dumping him might wreck the teams MOJO, a difficult to quantify stat but a real thing nonetheless.  Anyway, this will likely solve itself.

[Platoon]

So when La Tortugas returns someone leaves? Cave? Andrianza? Then Sano returns? Someone leaves? Cave? Andrainza? (Sp) I can see Cave leaving, but I can't see them letting their backup SS go, unless they truly believe Marwin can play SS for a day. I can't believe they go down to 12 pitchers. What I fear but don't want is that Astudillo ends up the odd man out. I think it will come down to the choice between two utility players, Marwin and The Turtle. If that's the case, this FO will not dump their off season signee.

[Riverbrian]

 

Who would be your #13- and would deserve to be on the bench in a mainly PH match-up or defensive role? At the rate the Twins SPs are performing, especially as they begin to play the bulk of their games in the weak "Classic Lake" division, that 13th pitcher should be unnecessary, or at least on the Roc shuttle (so far, most of the options called up are equally mediocre-to-bad, anyway).

 

Adrianza?

Gordon?

Cave?

Austin? (just kidding)

Valdespin? LH  bat/ MI/.871 OPS in AAA

 

If it was me. I'm rotating the 12 position players and getting all of them consistent playing time.

 

I'm keeping the 13 pitchers because the back end of that bullpen has to be sorted out. Harper, Romero, Magill, Morin, Reed and Moya for 4 spots.

 

And... I'm not opposed to a little starting rotation conservation... not going 8 innings if they don't have to against the A.L. Central. 

 

Answering your question directly. I don't want anybody on the bench for an extended time so I'd take Gordon because they will have to play him. He's too young to watch others play. 

 

 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

 

Nobody should be comfortable with Adrianza playing everyday if Polanco has an IL stint, so I'm not sure why that hypothetical is the barometer for keeping him.
 

If not Adrianza, who?

[stringer bell]

The Twins are averaging the second-most IP per start in the AL (heard on a Twins' broadcast). I don't see the need for all of Morin, Magill and Romero. For now, they can cut to 12 pitchers easy enough. Yes, they have to at some point add Reed and Meíja, but they should be able to do that and someone will suffer some sort of injury. They would have to add a 13th pitcher for the doubleheader next week. My guess is that Romero will be the "shuttle guy"going back and forth from Rochester. If they have to, they would DFA either Magill or Morin before they would lose Meíja or (from the position side Adrianza). If they are forced to go to 13 pitchers for a week or two, it is my guess that Astudillo is optioned. 

[Vanimal46]

If not Adrianza, who?

Isn't that why we signed Marwin? So he can be the solution to whatever injury/lack of production comes up over the season?

[DiscGolfer]

Wow, it's going to be a good problem to have trying to find ab's for all the hitters. I don't think I've ever seen a twins lineup this deep before.

 

Adrianza probably gets dfa'd at some point this season but I don't think it will be soon. Players with options will be sent down first.

[DiscGolfer]

Wow, it's going to be a good problem to have trying to find ab's for all the hitters. I don't think I've ever seen a twins lineup this deep before.

 

Adrianza probably gets dfa'd at some point this season but I don't think it will be soon. Players with options will be sent down first.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Who would be your #13- and would deserve to be on the bench in a mainly PH match-up or defensive role? At the rate the Twins SPs are performing, especially as they begin to play the bulk of their games in the weak "Classic Lake" division, that 13th pitcher should be unnecessary, or at least on the Roc shuttle (so far, most of the options called up are equally mediocre-to-bad, anyway).

 

Adrianza?

Gordon?

Cave?

Austin? (just kidding)

Valdespin? LH  bat/ MI/.871 OPS in AAA

 

Classic Lake.....that was awesome!

[jokin]

 

If it was me. I'm rotating the 12 position players and getting all of them consistent playing time.

 

I'm keeping the 13 pitchers because the back end of that bullpen has to be sorted out. Harper, Romero, Magill, Morin, Reed and Moya for 4 spots.

 

And... I'm not opposed to a little starting rotation conservation... not going 8 innings if they don't have to against the A.L. Central. 

 

The Twins are averaging the second-most IP per start in the AL (heard on a Twins' broadcast). I don't see the need for all of Morin, Magill and Romero. For now, they can cut to 12 pitchers easy enough. Yes, they have to at some point add Reed and Meíja, but they should be able to do that and someone will suffer some sort of injury. They would have to add a 13th pitcher for the doubleheader next week. My guess is that Romero will be the "shuttle guy"going back and forth from Rochester. If they have to, they would DFA either Magill or Morin before they would lose Meíja or (from the position side Adrianza). If they are forced to go to 13 pitchers for a week or two, it is my guess that Astudillo is optioned. 

 

 

RB, I'm in Stringer's camp on this one.*

 

I'm just not seeing any of the above arms being obviously reliable enough over any other arm once the playoff hunt and postseason are a reality- and no amount of continued "sorting out" is going to make a difference. And good call by Stringer on the "M&M boys." One of them is destined to take the long walk off the short plank within the next month or so. Morin has looked good, but too soon to tell if it's just a mirage. Maybe both gone?...  possibly, if the Fal/Vine duo do what they have to do and get another pen-bolstering upgrade arm.

 

It's almost hard to believe that at, at the least, there's a legit opportunity for a Series berth right in front of the Twins. Obviously, as in '87 and '91, home field advantage in the playoffs might make all the difference in getting there. Get her done, get her done NOW.

 

* (All of his campsites, actually) 

Edited May 7, 2019 by jokin

[jokin]

 

 

So when La Tortugas returns someone leaves? Cave? Andrianza? Then Sano returns? Someone leaves? Cave? Andrainza? (Sp) I can see Cave leaving, but I can't see them letting their backup SS go, unless they truly believe Marwin can play SS for a day. I can't believe they go down to 12 pitchers. What I fear but don't want is that Astudillo ends up the odd man out. I think it will come down to the choice between two utility players, Marwin and The Turtle. If that's the case, this FO will not dump their off season signee.

 

Astudillo's options make this decision a little easier.

[jokin]

 

 

This may be a little early since Sano is now 1-11 in AAA and Levine was quoted as saying the team has "no sense of urgency" to bring him back until he proves he can hit in AAA.

 

Unfortunately, it's really early, as Sano is still only in AA. The Twins have a little luxury of time here waiting for Sano to rub the dust off. Maybe another week or more in Pensacola, and maybe a week or two in AAA, now we're talking early June.

[jmlease1]

I'd rather have the extra bat than a 13th pitcher. Happy to send Morin back down, he seems like the definition of "Just Another Guy", and looking at bullpen usage over the last 5 days we had 4 pitchers who only threw once in that time. Unless the rotation collapses (other than Pineda, we seem to be in pretty good shape there right now with Perez & odorizzi on hot streaks, berrios being berrios and Gibson starting to round into form). get back down to 12 pitchers. having an extra crappy guy at the very back end doesn't add value, but flexibility in pinch hitting might be the right counter to tough bullpens.

[Taildragger8791]

 

Unfortunately, it's really early, as Sano is still only in AA. The Twins have a little luxury of time here waiting for Sano to rub the dust off. Maybe another week or more in Pensacola, and maybe a week or two in AAA, now we're talking early June.

 

I'll be curious to see what the Twins consider 'ready' for Sano. If a few weeks from now he's hitting 10/50 with 5 homers, 5 walks, and 25 strikeouts...is that promotion-worthy? Do they option him and tell him to work on the plate control?

Edited May 7, 2019 by Taildragger8791

[USAFChief]

 

You're right, one to many As there. Sounds like we agree on the bottom line - Sano is at least a month from coming back to the Bigs. By then, lots of things may have happened not the least of which are injuries that open up a spot or two. 

Sano's 20 day rehab period expires May 20th. I seriously doubt he's optioned at that point. He'll be back with the Twins the 20th in Anaheim, is my guess.

[Taildragger8791]

 

Sano's 20 day rehab period expires May 20th. I seriously doubt he's optioned at that point. He'll be back with the Twins the 20th in Anaheim, is my guess.

 

This is my assumption as well. I just wonder if there's a threshold at which they do option him and make him earn the promotion, or does he get the veteran scholarship treatment despite how he ended last season?

[TFRazor]

I'm just excited to see Sano back in the lineup. If the team is still swinging the bats the way they are once he returns, I can see very good things happening for him offensively as long as he shows some patience. He's never had the lineup protection that he's going to have now.

[amjgt]

 

Isn't that why we signed Marwin? So he can be the solution to whatever injury/lack of production comes up over the season?

 

Also, isn't that why we grabbed Ronald Torreyes?

 

He's having a terrible offensive year at AAA, but isn't his glove well regarded? If Polanco goes down and we want the defense, isn't Torreyes the guy (if Adrianza is gone)?

[ChrisKnutson]

This may be a little early since Sano is now 1-11 in AAA and Levine was quoted as saying the team has "no sense of urgency" to bring him back until he proves he can hit in AAA. The more immediate issues are Astudillo being ready to come back soon andd Reed if he pitches well in his AAA rehab. 

 

I think the right way to start is to try to trade Cave. He proved last year that he belongs on a MLB roster and could start in the OF for at least 30-40% of MLB teams in CF. He's better than at least 1/3 to 1/2 of the starting CFs out there. If we can package him with prospects for a decent RP or a catching prospect even better. SF needs OFs in the worst way.  Pillar is hitting .195, Gerber .067 and all 3 have OPS below .700, with Pillar below .600 and Gerber below. 400. The other 2 OFs on their 40 man stink in the minors - they go nothing. Cave starts there, plays every day and will probably hit .260-.280 with 15-20 HRs and a .775 -.825 OPS and he's only 26 so he's around for awhile if he works out. Good get for them. Trade Cave plus 1 or 2 of the good prospects we got last year at the deadline for Dyson, Smith or even Melancon. Any prospect is available except Lewis, Krilioff, Graterol, Thorpe, Alcala and Smeltzer. Send Romero to AAA with instructions to go back to being a starter -  can the BP experiment, it didn't work and is waste of his talent. Gonzalez becomes the 4th OF with Kepler as the backup CF and Wade, Rooker and Weil as AAA depth.  

 

If not, the order is Cave to AAA with Gonzalez as the 4th OF when Astudillo comes back, and Romero to AAA when Reed comes back. Then Magill or Morin to AAA when Mejia is ready. I vote for Adrianza to the DFA list for Sano when he's ready rather than Astudillo. However, for all of the reasons stated above, I think it will be Astudillo to AAA instead, mostly because the FO sees Adrianza as the only true backup middle IF on the roster and it gives the team the most flexibility with options.   

 

We have one really fun problem - we have 14 guys who belong on a 12 man position player roster for a contending MLB team. Right now, we don't have to make a decision because of injuries to Astudillo and Sano. If everyone is healthy I think Cave is the 27th man and Astudillo the 26th, with Adrianza the 25th guy on the roster.

 

I think the D-backs could be another possible destination for Cave as well (Souza’s season ending injury)(OF prospects long ways away). While I’d definitely prefer any of the Giants veteran bullpen arms, I don’t think a return of Jimmie Sherfy and Emilio Vargas would be all that bad.

[nicksaviking]

Cave goes first, then my money is on the team trying to get Morin back through waivers and accepting a Rochester assignment. The Twins haven't had much issue getting relievers through waivers lately. 

 

I'd bet Adrianza won't be on the chopping block unless the rest of the roster stays healthy when they have to make a decision on Mejia, but they still might choose to cut ties with Mejia over Adrianza seeing as Mejia hasn't been too helpful this year and the team is leading the division.

 

I don't think Reed suits up for the Twins again unless his return to health coincides with multiple injuries on the 25-man.

[Shaitan]

I think Cave and the bottom rung of the bullpen ride the AAA/MLB/AAA shuttle until the trading deadline. Around that time, they'll make at a move and somebody hits waivers. Probably Adrianza. I imagine they picked up Torres as a failsafe if the lose EH and need a 10-15 day IL replacement along the way and Gordon isn't ready.