Mackey: Sano Could Hold His Own in the Majors Right Now

[Aaron Cross]

More Sano/less Plouffe is a good idea for the thread, but will risk throwing in my take on Plouffsie first: He's nowhere near bad enough that the Twins should rush Sano (or make any other dramatic move) to replace him, and not nearly good enough to consider moving Sano off third if that's his ideal position.

I will give Plouffe a little more credit than I've been giving him and agree with this take.

[Oxtung]

 

The eye test does not overrule basic math and statistical performance because the human eye sees what it wants to see a large percentage of the time. Perception overrules objectivity a huge portion of the time and any time an eye test is the primary basis for an observation, "unquestionably" should not be the modifier that goes along with it.

 

Unless you're the Twins and you only have 10 seasons of Kevin Correia's stats of course. Then the all mighty eye test is the only way to play.

[LaBombo]

I will give Plouffe a little more credit than I've been giving him and agree with this take.

Dude, I totally get the frustration with Plouffe. He's the second coming of Gaetti at the plate some days (or even weeks), and other times he looks like a blindfolded Joe Crede. He shows flashes of solid or better defense, then follows them up with the one-armed grenade juggler plays.

 

Meanwhile, back on Planet Sano, it looks microscopically more tonight than yesterday that Sano may impact the futures of Morneau/Parmelee (Mornelee? Parmeau?) as much as Plouffie's. He went 2 of 3 with a walk, a double, and an error.

 

Yes, it's just three week into the season, but he' batting .377 and sporting an OPS around 1.150. The double helped offset the error to keep his EEBH ratio (errors to extra base hits) below the .500 ratio.

[Alex]

Give me Gray and I will be in clover!

 

On Plouffe, I watch for those throws ala his SS debacle, and I'm still seeing too many high throws to First. And Parmelee is a smaller target than Morneau- magnifying the defect. I could live with Plouffe at SS as a Hardy-type.

 

Most teams in the league would be happy with a Hardy-type. He's a far better SS than people give him credit for and he can hit.

[ThePuck]

Most teams in the league would be happy with a Hardy-type. He's a far better SS than people give him credit for and he can hit.

 

Plouffe, unfortunately, will never be able to play the shortstop position anywhere near as well as Hardy. Hardy is a top notch defender.

[Alex]

Plouffe, unfortunately, will never be able to play the shortstop position anywhere near as well as Hardy. Hardy is a top notch defender.

 

Absolutely agree, and that was my point -- Plouffe will never be a Hardy type.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Absolutely agree, and that was my point -- Plouffe will never be a Hardy type.

 

His bat could exceed Hardy's though. Hardy had a few good years and some pretty bad ones at the plate.

[Thrylos]

Plouffe will never be a Hardy type.

 

Hardy: Career: .258/.312/.426 (.739 OPS, 95 OPS+) 30 years old

Plouffe: Career: .230/.294/.424 (.718 OPS, 96 OPS+) 26 years old

 

Numbers show that Plouffe is a "Hardy type" with slightly better OPS+ and better power (isoP) with the bat.

 

That's that. Plus he has not entered his prime yet, while Hardy is at his prime and ready for the decline...

[ThePuck]

Hardy: Career: .258/.312/.426 (.739 OPS, 95 OPS+) 30 years old

Plouffe: Career: .230/.294/.424 (.718 OPS, 96 OPS+) 26 years old

 

Numbers show that Plouffe is a "Hardy type" with slightly better OPS+ and better power (isoP) with the bat.

 

That's that. Plus he has not entered his prime yet, while Hardy is at his prime and ready for the decline...

 

and....what about defense?

[Thrylos]

and....what about defense?

 

"with the bat" were the operating words. Hardy is a SS and Plouffe a 3B. Apples and oranges. And I think that Plouffe will improve. Exhibit 1: Corey Koskie. And if people have problems with Plouffe's D at 3B, they will be really upset with Sano.

[ThePuck]

"with the bat" were the operating words. Hardy is a SS and Plouffe a 3B. Apples and oranges. And I think that Plouffe will improve. Exhibit 1: Corey Koskie. And if people have problems with Plouffe's D at 3B, they will be really upset with Sano.

 

Plouffe is a shortstop moved to 3B who really isn't a 3B yet either. Because he mans the position doesn't mean he should.

[old nurse]

Plouffe is a shortstop moved to 3B who really isn't a 3B yet either. Because he mans the position doesn't mean he should.

Other than Plouffe played SS 3 years ago in the minors, what statistics draws you to the conclusion that he is a shortstop?

[ThePuck]

Other than Plouffe played SS 3 years ago in the minors, what statistics draws you to the conclusion that he is a shortstop?

 

Drafted as a shortstop, played shortstop in the minors for 680 games (as opposed to 78 at 3B), came up as a shortstop.

 

But yes, I should have said he WAS a shortstop moved to 3B.

[old nurse]

Plouffe is a shortstop moved to 3B who really isn't a 3B yet either. Because he mans the position doesn't mean he should.

If he shouldn't be manning the position then where should he play and who would be on third given the current roster.