Front Page: Hot Corner Consideration: Potential Third Base Alternatives to Miguel Sano

[Badsmerf]

Why is anyone comparing Sano to Plouffe or Koskie? Plouffe was a converted SS in which his best year he was considered an average 3b. Yes, Plouffe got better after 26, but he also was much more athletic build. Koskie was already a good defender at 26... and again, more athletic build.

 

Sano is not going to get much better, and more likely will get worse. If 1b is too tough for him to play, put him at DH.

 

The most likely option is Lewis at 3b. I'd be very surprised if he doesn't get time there next year.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I don’t know what happened to Cron’s defense the second half. Maybe his thumb injury lingered. It took Mauer a couple of seasons to really become a great fielder at first base—great post brvama. MarGo played well at first. Cruz comes back as DH for another season but beyond that, who knows. Maybe that’s where Sano is eventually ticketed, but no one else in the org is ready to step in to 3B day to day like Sano, and I’d focus free agency on pitching

 

All which is to say I’d leave Sano at third another season, and then reevaluate.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Sano has a rod inserted in his leg and nasty/infected cut on his foot. Maybe a healthy and non-snake-bitten offseason will get his mobility back in shape.

 

I’d also go to arb with Cron and keep Lewis playing SS, 3rd and CF. Flexibility is key.

[Kelly Vance]

Nobody drafted Lewis to play 3b

[Mike Sixel]

Nobody drafted Lewis to play 3b

Even if he's the best option?

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Even if he's the best option?

For 2020?

[ToriiRules!!]

So I’m a fan of signing Donaldson if we can’t get Stras or Cole... give Donaldson a nice deal we would still have capital after to to get a bumgarner or a wheeler and still have cash to get Odi back and maybe Pineda too

[jorgenswest]

I don’t think Lewis was expected to stay at SS but with shifting some argue that the demands of the position are changing. That seems fine in theory but then I watch the good middle infields in the playoffs and wonder if the pairing of Arraez and Polanco will hold the Twins back at that level. It might serve the Twins to move everyone down the defensive spectrum with Arraez going to 3B and Polanco 2B. Move Sano to 1B but find a shortstop.

[Platoon]

IF the rest of the infield wasn't so god awful lousy you could probably do what has been done for ages in baseball at all levels. Good defense in the middle, and offense on the corners. I know the shifts change the dynamics to an extent, but the fundamental still is applicable. If Polanco and Arrez weren't so glove challenged I imagine Sano wouldn't be such a problem defensively at third. That and the fact that Mauers glove is missed far more than many had anticipated at the top of the year. Those who had salivated for years wishing for more power at 1B now have comparison to judge the benefits of someone who can catch a baseball at the at position v someone who will hit a few more HR's.

[Mike Sixel]

For 2020?

That post had nothing to do with next year.... It was about Lewis ever playing third.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

That post had nothing to do with next year.... It was about Lewis ever playing third.

This thread has to do with next year, so that’s why I was confused. Sorry.

[LVTwinsfan]

Pitching is what they need, first and foremost, pitching is the reason they get swept in the playoffs, has been for years, fix the pitching first and the other questions are much easier to answer

[Mike Sixel]

This thread has to do with next year, so that’s why I was confused. Sorry.

Yup. I was overly brief in my response to a post....

 

Lewis will be lucky to be in Minnesota at all next year.....

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Yup. I was overly brief in my response to a post....

Lewis will be lucky to be in Minnesota at all next year.....

If he is hitting, and there are positional needs, we might see him. Maybe at third, but more likely what other posters have suggested, shifting others around and Lewis at short.

[ChrisKnutson]

Phillies might non-tender Makiel Franco so perhaps he could split time with Sano at 3B.

[brvama]

Badsmerf, are you aware Sano manned both SS and 3B in Rookie League at Elizabethton? Eventually he was moved to the corner, but he still must have been athletic enough to play SS. I don't think it's his athletic ability but his size and speed that moved him, IMO

[Badsmerf]

Badsmerf, are you aware Sano manned both SS and 3B in Rookie League at Elizabethton? Eventually he was moved to the corner, but he still must have been athletic enough to play SS. I don't think it's his athletic ability but his size and speed that moved him, IMO

8-9 years ago? Yeah I remember, Cuddyer played 17 games at 2b during the same time.... You say size and speed, I say athletic ability. Just because he CAN play 3b, doesn't mean he should. Move him to 1b where his defensive shortcomings can be hidden.

[Thrylos]

Sano was 3rd among AL third basemen in wRC+ and OBA.  That is not broke.  Other things need to be fixed...

[stringer bell]

 

IF the rest of the infield wasn't so god awful lousy you could probably do what has been done for ages in baseball at all levels. Good defense in the middle, and offense on the corners. I know the shifts change the dynamics to an extent, but the fundamental still is applicable. If Polanco and Arrez weren't so glove challenged I imagine Sano wouldn't be such a problem defensively at third. That and the fact that Mauers glove is missed far more than many had anticipated at the top of the year. Those who had salivated for years wishing for more power at 1B now have comparison to judge the benefits of someone who can catch a baseball at the at position v someone who will hit a few more HR's.

Concur. If Sanó was the only defensive problem in the infield, it would be a different situation. I do think that Polanco has improved already and another year of the sidearm throwing motion (something new this year) could make him adequate at short. Also, Arraez is a young guy who might get better with experience and focus at second, which isn't as challenging a position as either short or third. The Twins have Gonzalez and probably Adrianza to fill in or take over as situations dictate.I don't think the Twins need to acquire a third baseman from outside the organization.

 

I don't think Sanó is or ever will be a better-than-average third baseman. While he does charge pretty well and has a strong arm, his hands aren't great and his range is limited. If he's going to move, not tendering a contract to Cron would give Miguel a landing place. Again, they have Gonzalez and/or Adrianza to play third base, shortening their bench, but saving some money, and if Lewis is ready to help sometime in the season, there may be a place for him to step in.

 

 

[Physics Guy]

I am on board with signing Donaldson if we are unable to get Cole or Strasburg. His defense would help the pitching.  I wanted him last offseason. Offer the QO to Odorizzi. I would like to see them sign MadBum and Wheeler as well as .  My best guess is that adds about $70-$75M to the payroll.  Save $ by trading Rosario for a good RP and have Marwin/Cave/Wade play LF.  Kirilloff/Rooker/Larnach are not far off.

 

Lineup:  Polanco SS, Donaldson 3B, Cruz DH, Kepler RF, Sano 1B, Garver C, Cave/Gonz LF, Buxton CF, Arraez 2B

 

Donaldson makes the defense and offense better.  

[Aerodeliria]

Sano needs to be moved to 1st IMHO. You can teach him all the tricks in the bag, but he is not that agile. He could probably play first as well as Cron anyway with a little work. We were extremely weak at the corners and mediocre up the middle. It meant a lot of extra runners and free runs. Poor defense at the corners cost us a number of runs against the Yankees. You can say, "Good try," on that hot smash to third, but I'd rather say, "Nice double-play."

 

We can move Gonzo to 3rd or go and get a Donaldson. Either scenario is fine with me, but I just can't see how Sano improves playing at 3rd.

 

Good defense wins and loses games in the playoffs. The Astros played phenomenal defense in Game 6 against the Yankees. There were three truly stellar plays and almost two more (inches).

[Dave Overlund]

I think we should try Sano in right field. What's the worst that could happen?

[Rosterman]

Well, the BIG QUESTION is who's on first! Bring back Cron? Stick with Gonzalez? Move Sano? Raley or Rooker - one fails bring up the other?

 

I do see Sano at first eventually. I see him at DH, too, fulltime with the option to play in the field n National League games. 

 

Can he keep plate discipline? Can he keep weight down and work, work, work. He ahs natural skills, but still needs to work each and everyday, maybe more than many a player.

 

Hope they can get an extension done (same with Berios and Rosario). Otherwise, start exploring trade options.

 

 

[Rosterman]

Well, the BIG QUESTION is who's on first! Bring back Cron? Stick with Gonzalez? Move Sano? Raley or Rooker - one fails bring up the other?

 

I do see Sano at first eventually. I see him at DH, too, fulltime with the option to play in the field n National League games. 

 

Can he keep plate discipline? Can he keep weight down and work, work, work. He ahs natural skills, but still needs to work each and everyday, maybe more than many a player.

 

Hope they can get an extension done (same with Berios and Rosario). Otherwise, start exploring trade options.

 

 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Sano needs to be moved to 1st IMHO. You can teach him all the tricks in the bag, but he is not that agile. He could probably play first as well as Cron anyway with a little work. We were extremely weak at the corners and mediocre up the middle. It meant a lot of extra runners and free runs. Poor defense at the corners cost us a number of runs against the Yankees. You can say, "Good try," on that hot smash to third, but I'd rather say, "Nice double-play."

 

We can move Gonzo to 3rd or go and get a Donaldson. Either scenario is fine with me, but I just can't see how Sano improves playing at 3rd.

 

Good defense wins and loses games in the playoffs. The Astros played phenomenal defense in Game 6 against the Yankees. There were three truly stellar plays and almost two more (inches).

If I recall, Bregman missed on a play just like the one Sano did. I would say hard 100+ EV contact is part of the problem.

 

(Don’t remember which game or which series.)

[jkcarew]

It's a question of timing, I would think. Spending money on a 3rd baseman simply isn't a priority for 2020 with all the holes in the pitching staff. However, at some point (even if Sano 'maintains' at 3B) you have to solve for first base. And if that solve is Sano, you'll need a 3rd baseman. And where is the upcoming 3rd-baseman in the system? Lewis? That's problematic. One, I'm pretty sure when you spent the first overall pick, you thought you were drafting a SS or a CF...at worse, a 2B. Secondly, and I know he's very young...but so far, there's been precious little to suggest he's going to be a legitimate 3B type bat at the major league level.

[Mike Sixel]

 

It's a question of timing, I would think. Spending money on a 3rd baseman simply isn't a priority for 2020 with all the holes in the pitching staff. However, at some point (even if Sano 'maintains' at 3B) you have to solve for first base. And if that solve is Sano, you'll need a 3rd baseman. And where is the upcoming 3rd-baseman in the system? Lewis? That's problematic. One, I'm pretty sure when you spent the first overall pick, you thought you were drafting a SS or a CF...at worse, a 2B. Secondly, and I know he's very young...but so far, there's been precious little to suggest he's going to be a legitimate 3B type bat at the major league level.

 

Lewis' draft position is a sunk cost. He should play where he adds the most value to the MLB team. That might be third, it might not, but his draft position is irrelevant to the discussion at this point.

 

I doubt he hits enough next year to be a consideration, and he certainly isn't to start the year......

[raindog]

I think infield defense needs to be a huge priority this offseason. But I have a different solution for it. Move Arraez to 3B where he actually had a positive UZR in 130 innings. Move Sano to 1B. Polanco to 2B where he goes from a negative defender to likely a plus defender. 

 

And aquire a plus defender at SS. Jose Iglesias on a 1 year deal? A trade? 

 

I think think if they did this, the defense would improve immensely. And if Buxton's recovery goes well, all of a sudden you have a very good defensive squad all-around. 

[prouster]

I think they should keep things simple. Focus on the starting rotation, get another proven reliever, and then circle back to any remaining holes.

 

I don’t think there’s very big chance they move Sano to first next season. There are just too many other priorities.

[wabene]

I think infield defense needs to be a huge priority this offseason. But I have a different solution for it. Move Arraez to 3B where he actually had a positive UZR in 130 innings. Move Sano to 1B. Polanco to 2B where he goes from a negative defender to likely a plus defender. 

 

And aquire a plus defender at SS. Jose Iglesias on a 1 year deal? A trade? 

 

I think think if they did this, the defense would improve immensely. And if Buxton's recovery goes well, all of a sudden you have a very good defensive squad all-around.

 

I think it would be ironic if a team with a purported glut of SS prospects would have to go outside the organization for a SS. The problem is a lack of 3rd base talent. Without that hole maybe Sano would already be a first baseman. Does Arraez's bat or arm play at 3rd? I don't think that's the best fit. I previously suggested the possibility of Schoop at 3rd. Would it be frightening to have Schoop learning 3rd while Sano learns 1st? I don't want to find out.

There is no question they have the money to sign a third baseman, so pick up one of the top three mentioned above and move Sano to 1st. Gives you a year with Cruz at DH to see if Sano has a future at 1st. If they can't get that deal done they might have to settle for bringing Cron back who I thought had a nice glove there, except of course on Arraez's crappy throw.