Souhan: Mauer Should Move To 1B

[John Bonnes]

Jim Souhan has a fairly meaty - or at least comprehensive - column about the Twins today. Among his recommendations:

1) Move Maeur to 1B

2) Call up Sano for September and

3) Consider signing AJ Pierzynski to play 1B.

 

He thinks it's time to move Mauer because he sees a replacement on the Twins roster:

 

At Class AA and AAA this season, Pinto hit .309 with 15 home runs, 74 RBI and a .400 on-base percentage. If he’s not ready to play in the big leagues now, he may never be.

 

Souhan: With Morneau gone, it's time for Mauer to move to first | Star Tribune

 

Personally, I read most of the situations he does with an opposite interpretation, but that's what makes these topics interesting.

 

On a side note, I've got to say, I think I'll be perpetually puzzled by the interest some people have had in moving Mauer from catcher since Day 1. First he was too tall. Then the knee. Then the back. Now the head. The attitude seems to be that if he's eventually going to have to move (and almost all decent hitters who are catchers eventually do have to move) he should move sooner rather than later. I don't get it. I'd love to have a reasoned discussion about this.

[MichiganTwins]

I assume it was a mistake to say move Mauer to first and sign A.J. to play first. But since I feel like being irrational. I think the platoon of Aj and Mauer would do well against right handed pitchers and for lefties put Dozier at 1b and sit Mauer and A.J.

 

But for my serious opinion. I think we should move Mauer to 1b before one of these injuries have a lasting affect on his career. I like the idea of signing A.J. (if thats even possible) because he, Mauer and Pinto could hold down the catching/firstbase/DH.

[ThePuck]

Anyone who purposely tries to injure other players is not a player I can root for. AJ is one of those people.

 

 

 

 

[Seth Stohs]

we all understand the mauer is more valuable as a catcher. But call me risk-averse but I'd minimize his catching to 60-70 games a year. I'd like to see Pinto take charge and make 70-80 starts behind the plate. Herrmann can be the backup catcher and play other places.

 

Obviously Mauer can get hurt anywhere but how many foul tips until he's out for a long time? Those happen every game.

 

I want Mauer's bat in the lineup as much as possible.

 

And no thanks on Pierzinski.

[stringer bell]

I'm also ready to move on with Mauer moving to first. The key thing, however, is that the player has to want to go along with this as well. Mauer has thus far stated he wants to catch. We will see what he has to say when he returns from the concussion DL.

[Roaddog]

I thinking playing more there would be ok. Just dont think a full time move is a good idea

[ThePuck]

If we don't have a better option in our organization to play 1B than Mauer, then he might as well play 1B cause we aren't going to go out and pay for a better option. I understand and agree with the whole positional value angle, but that kind of goes out the window if our 1B options aren't any better than the options we have for catcher.

 

In other words, would Mauer at 1B and Pinto/Hermann/Doumit at catcher provide more offense than Mauer at C and goodness knows what scrub at 1B?

[Dman]

If Pinto's bat and defense play well then I could see Mauer at 1st base more often, but his value is at catcher as he is clearly one of the best in baseball at that position. After watching him play 1st I believe he can be a very good 1st baseman but he lacks the power you would like to have at 1st and would eventually block someone who is slow but has more power potential. Granted batting average, OBP and working the count are very important as well but again his greatest value is at catcher. I would maybe put him behind the plate less as time goes on but would be in no hurry to make that move until Joe Mauer felt like it was right thing to do.

[mudcat14]

Can't agree with Souhan on AJ, but everything else makes sense to me. Mauer needs to burn his catchers mitt. He's missed a month already due to a foul tip! There will be more. I suspect if he were limited to 1B/DH, he would even bulk up a smidge to add a little more power. Pinto, Hermann & Doumit (if he's still here) should more than adequately suffice behind the dish. Joe could still serve in an emergency capacity.

 

Sano will be here by next season. No reason not to give him a taste now. In every possible way, he's exceeded logical expectations on the field. Reward him. Of course he could use more seasoning, but you can say that about almost every prospect. What he needs as much as anything, is to learn how to conduct himself like a Major Leaguer. In terms of preparation, on field behavior & pitch selection/recognition. Those are things that he can only learn from being with and observing first hand, how Major Leaguers handle themselves.

 

 

For once anyway, Souhan mostly has it right.

[Jim H]

I think it is a little early to make any kind of decision on moving Mauer. First, as far as I know, this is the first time he has had this issue. If the doctors believe it is going to a recurring issue, well then yes, move him. If that is not the case, well, then the Twins have things to figure out. Is Pinto a big league regular? Is Morneau a reasonable option to bring back? If not, who else do you want at first? How soon are all of these high profile prospects likely to make an impact?(Not how soon are they going to be in the big leagues) How soon will the starting pitching prospects make an impact?

 

I think you figure out what is best for Mauer, and how all the other questions are answered around him. I doubt if A J is any part of even a short term answer much less a long term answer. I can see the Twins going several directions in the short term, but you can see some of what they hope to be long term answers in the system. For example, people are talking about what to do with Dozier. The long term answer at 2nd is probably Rosario, but there are certainly several different ways to get to that answer. A lot of what the Twins need to do, is figure out the best way to get to their long term solutions. That doesn't necessarily mean get them all up here as soon as possible. Unless, of course you don't mind looking like the Houston Astros.

[Marta Shearing]

Anyone who p

urposely tries to injure other players is not a player I can root for. AJ is one of those people.

 

 

 

 

And when exactly did this happen?

[Marta Shearing]

I'm also

ready to move on with Mauer moving to first. The key thing, however, is that the player has to want to go along with this as well. Mauer has thus far stated he wants to catch. We will see what he has to say when he returns from the concussion DL.

A move to 1st would be best for the team. Mauer shouldnt have a say in it.

[ThePuck]

And when exactly did this happen?

 

In early 2007, White Sox versus Twins...AJ hits the ball, sprints to 1B and purposely goes inside the baseline, looks down to aim his cleated foot at Morny's ankle. He tried it twice in the same game, only clipped Morny once...and it was obvious that was what he was trying to do.

 

AJ also did it to Zobrist at 2B on a very late slide...resulted in him getting beaned in his next AB

[Guest USAFChief]

 

On a side note, I've got to say, I think I'll be perpetually puzzled by the interest some people have had in moving Mauer from catcher since Day 1. First he was too tall. Then the knee. Then the back. Now the head. The attitude seems to be that if he's eventually going to have to move (and almost all decent hitters who are catchers eventually do have to move) he should move sooner rather than later. I don't get it. I'd love to have a reasoned discussion about this.

 

I've long been an advocate of moving Mauer to a less physically demanding position.

 

To me, the value of Mauer isn't as a catcher, it's as a hitter. I want to see him on the field 150 times a season, minimum, and I want to see him have a 20 year career with all but the last couple as an elite or near elite hitter.

 

IMO the Twins have already paid a stiff price for keeping Mauer behind the plate. This is his 10th season, and he has 1178 games played...less than 120 per year. He has 5060 PAs, barely 500 PAs per year. A decent sized chunk of even those numbers have come by forcing him into the lineup somewhere other than catcher.

 

IMO when you add all that up he's only provided 80-ish percent of the value he would/should be providing if he was regularly playing 155 or so games per year, with 600+ PAs. And I only see that getting worse, not better, as he progresses into his 30s if he stays a catcher. He is, for example, already noticeably less athletic than just a couple years ago, and we can only hope the toll catching takes doesn't start to permanently degrade his ability to hit. There's also a decent chance, IMO, that he hits better if you get him out from behind the plate. Catchers pretty much spend 7 months a year with sore and beatup hands, for example.

 

Make the move. Figure out where to get the next catching staff from, whether internally or externally, and give Mauer 1st base.

[Marta Shearing]

In early 2007, White Sox versus Twins...AJ h

its the ball, sprints to 1B and purposely goes inside the baseline, looks down to aim his cleated foot at Morny's ankle. He tried it twice in the same game, only clipped Morny once...and it was obvious that was what he was trying to do.

 

AJ also did it to Zobrist at 2B on a very late slide...resulted in him getting beaned in his next AB

Yeah, I remember. An isolated incident six years ago. I look at it more as being antagonistic. I think AJ would add a component this team sorely misses. Not to mention ring cred, being a key member of that 2005 team.

[Tibs]

Not a fan of Pierzynski at all. It would be hard to cheer for him but I could get over it.

 

I can definitely see why people want to move Mauer to first. He is our best hitter and you want him in the lineup as often as possible and as healthy as possible. If Pinto produces the rest of the season, I think having Pinto/Herrmann at catcher and Mauer at first wouldn't be a bad idea.

[Marta Shearing]

It should be such an easy decision. Catching wears him down. Put him at 1B and he'll get his legs back. He'll be a better hitter. Heck, we could be looking at another 2009 if he moves to 1B. He cant take the grind anymore.

[ThePuck]

Yeah, I remember. An isolated incident six years ago. I look at it more as being antagonistic. I think AJ would add a component this team sorely misses. Not to mention ring cred, being a key member of that 2005 team.

 

Not isolated...I gave more than one example off the top of my head...if you watch him enough, you can see him play dirty a lot. There's a difference between being gritty and being dirty. And, again, I'm not sure what the fascination is with giving a guy credit for being one of usually 30-40 players who accomplish a team goal.

[Marta Shearing]

AJ was a key if not vital cog on that world series team. Dont worry though. I'd be stunned if they brought him back. It aint happening. Gardenhire hates him too.

[orangevening]

Sorry to nitpick Mr. Bonnes , but Souhan wants the Twins to sign A.J. to play catcher, not 1st (Mauer and A.J. at 1st doesn't make sense)

Mauer is not recovering quickly from this concussion, and he will never be able to avoid foul tips and home-plate collisions while catching. It’s time to move him, and if the organization deems Pinto unready to replace him, there is one other, bizarre-yet-logical option behind the plate:

His name is A.J. Pierzynski

And the reasoning is the lack of *characters* in the Twins clubhouse

 

The biggest thing might be Mauer's move to 1st is his desire to catch. Every interview he sounds like he would hate to move and I think Gardy would prefer him catching. I think it depends on his recovery and the development of Pinto/Herrmann at catcher vs Cobelleo/ Parmalee at 1st.

 

My guess for 2014 would be 50-75 games catching and the rest at DH/1st. Much like 2012.

[TheLeviathan]

I wouldn't move Mauer yet, not unless you think Pinto is a major league catcher right now. Only then do you make that move.

 

I think this offseason would be better spent adding a FA 1B to try and generate trade value. Mauer's days as a catcher are probably numbered, but now isn't the right time. It would take away a valuable position this team should be using to generate trade value IMO.

[orangevening]

The best point in Souhan's article IMO is about Sano and how the Twins messed up with Hicks.

 

There is one other player who should have arrived in the Twins’ clubhouse on the same day as Pinto: Miguel Sano.

What the Twins should learn from Hicks’ awful rookie season is that he should have been called up last September. His first big-league at-bat should have come batting ninth against some middle-of-the-rotation Royal, not batting leadoff on Opening Day at Target Field against Justin Verlander

I usually don't like Souhan but this was spot on. Especially with a straight from AA player.

[Marta Shearing]

I wouldn't move Mauer yet, not unless

you think Pinto is a major league catcher right now. Only then do you make that move.

 

I think this offseason would be better spent adding a FA 1B to try and generate trade value. Mauer's days as a catcher are probably numbered, but now isn't the right time. It would take away a valuable position this team should be using to generate trade value IMO.

 

If now's not the right time, when is? He's had an assortment of injuries his entire career, and now add concussion to the list. What more has to happen to him? Whats gonna happen next time he takes a foul tip? If EVER there was a time its now.

[iastfan112]

C- Mauer/Pinto

1B- Mauer/Parmelee

2B- Rosario

SS- Dozier

3B- Sano

LF- Arcia

CF- Hicks

RF- Presley/Colabello/Parmelee

DH- Pinto/Colabello/Parmelee

 

Bench:

Herrmann

Colabello

Florimon

 

Meyer

Correia

Deduno

Pick 2: Diamond/Hendriks/Albers/Worley/May

Edit: Don't know how I forgot about Gibson

 

As a midseason lineup after trading guys like Willingham and Doumit.

 

If the Twins don't have confidence in Dozier being able to switch back to SS I'd signing Stephen Drew, while somewhat costly, probably wouldn't require a hideously long deal. Lots of interesting SP FA options as well, tend to be a little old for my tastes so I actually wouldn't hate holding off and seeing if guys like Hendriks and Diamond are useful going forward.

[Marta Shearing]

I'd go hard after Garza, even if they have to over pay. The money's there. Pohlad can spend it or put it in his pocket. If Gardy and Andy dont like it, dont let the door hit them on the way out. Time for change anyway.

[TheLeviathan]

If now's not the right time, when is? He's had an assortment of injuries his entire career, and now add concussion to the list. What more has to happen to him? Whats gonna happen next time he takes a foul tip? If EVER there was a time its now.

 

I probably wait two more years. Time to let Pinto be ready or to formulate another plan B. I wouldn't move him without a clear plan at the position. (And no, Doumit does not count)

[ashbury]

The attitude seems to be that if he's eventually going to have to move (and almost all decent hitters who are catchers eventually do have to move) he should move sooner rather than later. I don't get it. I'd love to have a reasoned discussion about this.

 

Chief already weighed in on this but I'll give an alternative shorthand meta-analysis: the hope is to add 100 points of OPS that catching takes away. Since the bar set for good defensive catchers probably is 200 points of OPS below other positions they would reasonably play, the same argument for most catchers would leave you with only a mediocre player at the new position. Not so for an elite hitting catcher like Mauer.

[Thrylos]

Jim Souhan has a fairly meaty - or at least comprehensive - column about the Twins today. Among his recommendations:

1) Move Maeur to 1B

2) Call up Sano for September and

3) Consider signing AJ Pierzynski to play 1B.

 

I think that 1) is a no-brainer and I suspect (knock on wood and the concussion issue is resolved) that C will be shared equally between Mauer, Pinto and Herrman (that's about 55 games at C for Mauer in 2014) until one of the kids grabs the opportunity and runs with it, which will move Mauer at 1B (with potentially being an 'emergency' C in 2015.)

 

2) I see no reason in hey, other than selling tickets, to move Sano to the majors this September. He will be invited to ST, where I hope he wins the job. Plouffe, can be a Cuddyer-like super utility guy, playing 1st, DH and the OF. Hopefully

 

3) This is ridiculous. Not only Herrmann and Pinto will be blocked, but Pierzynski is older than Doumit and the Twins should be getting rid of Doumit first.

 

 

So... one out of three, is kinda bad...

[Thrylos]

Meyer

Correia

Deduno

Pick 2: Diamond/Hendriks/Albers/Worley/May

Edit: Don't know how I forgot about Gibson

 

This rotation, minus Meyer will lose 90+ games this season... Do you think that Meyer will add 15-20 games on his own?

 

I think that they need 3 FA pitchers better than Correia, let him slide into the 4th spot, have Meyer/Gibson/May/Worley fight for the 5th, and once Correia is gone by mid-season, slide another one to his spot, if he deserves it.

 

Lincecum, Johnson, Nolasco, Garza, Haren, Hughes, Jimenez (has option), Lester (has option), Ervin Santana, etc. Pick 3, but don't pick bottom feeders like the Correias and Marcums and Macohlms of the world...

 

Anything else will be 85-100 loss territory again...

[DaveW]

Mauers usage this year was perfect, they should aim for it again next year. Also if they were competitive I am pretty sure he would be back in the lineup, but since they are 20 games out there is a reason to use an abundance of caution