Bowden: Call Up Sano

[jay]

Does he profile as any better than below-average on offense and below-average on defense as a third-baseman? I don't understand the love. Give him his cuppa, plus a fair shake in spring training, maybe lightning strikes - but that's all, I wouldn't go giving him much benefit of the doubt after that.

 

You have a point, but given the exact profile that you outlined the best outcome is basically Danny Valencia part deux. Nice in a small sample which drags the Twins (and fans) into falsely thinking we have a piece of the solution.

[mudcat14]

Since I'm not a Front Office guy, I'm gonna disregard the 40-man and Arbitration/FA ramifications and say bring Sano up for a taste in September. I see one or more of four possible outcomes in doing so, and only one of them is negative.

 

1) A dream scenario, where he steps right in and proves he belongs.

 

2) He struggles, but is able to experience the big league lifestyle and see first hand the challenges that lie ahead. Realizing exactly who and what is in front of him, he could redouble his efforts to seize the opportunity that may be available to him as early as next spring.

 

3) He gets humbled by MLB pitching. With his purported cockiness, it could give him a cold splash in the face and again lead him to intensify his efforts to get back for good.

 

4) He stinks up the joint, loses all faith and becomes a crackhead. Melodramatic? Okay. Seriously though, prospects have been stunted by rushing them, no doubt. But with what I've seen (El Poletero) and read about him, I find this highly doubtful.

 

Finally, another factor to consider is the state of the fanbase. With the Morneau trade and injuries to Mauer and Arcia, the club is obviously just playing out the string. With an active roster that consists of maybe one player (Dozier) who could crack the starting line-up of one of the play-off contenders, we need a shot in the arm. Getting a glimpse of someone who will without a doubt, be a part of our next nucleus at some point could be about the only move that they have left. We fans need something besides Youtube highlights and scouting reports to keep us invested.