Any Chance Dozier Replaces ... Valencia?

[John Bonnes]

When the Twins signed Carroll, Ryan made a point of saying that Carroll can play third base. As I watched Valencia pop out on a first pitch that looked high and outside, I thought to myself "I wonder if the Twins would think about calling up Dozier to play shortstop and move Carroll to third base?"

 

Just had a thought I'd run past people. I'm not sure how I feel about it.

[Seth Stohs]

If Dozier was hitting better, maybe... but Valencia's been hitting better of late. Had a couple of big hits in New York. He'll be fine.

[John Bonnes]

If Dozier was hitting better, maybe... but Valencia's been hitting better of late. Had a couple of big hits in New York. He'll be fine.

Oh, I don't think it would happen now. I'm thinking maybe end of May or beginning of June.

[nicksaviking]

And the club seems pretty thrilled with Carroll's glove at short. Besides if the time frame is end of May or June, an opening will surely arise in the infield due to injury. Carroll is 38 and Casilla is already playing on borrowed time.

[asmus_ndsu]

I really don't think Carroll will move from SS that's obviously where he is meant to be, don't mess with what's working. Plus he doesn't have the strongest arm for 3rd.

[minn55441]

I am starting to think I would rather have him come up and replace Lexi. He can really make some bad plays.

1) Ugliest bunt of the season tonight.

2) Throw from doumit bounces off his glove into center field

3) error at second leads to run in the 6th, next play he doesn't get to first to cover on a bunt?

 

Gardy used to play second, this has to drive him nuts.

[Riverbrian]

I really don't think Carroll will move from SS that's obviously where he is meant to be, don't mess with what's working. Plus he doesn't have the strongest arm for 3rd.

If you factor in range plays to the right and the typical deeper position played by SS. I believe you need a stronger arm for short.

[Bark's Lounge]

When the Twins signed Carroll, Ryan made a point of saying that Carroll can play third base. As I watched Valencia pop out on a first pitch that looked high and outside, I thought to myself "I wonder if the Twins would think about calling up Dozier to play shortstop and move Carroll to third base?"

 

Just had a thought I'd run past people. I'm not sure how I feel about it.

John, if you were to replace Valencia as the 3rd baseman, I'd be damn happy.

[one_eyed_jack]

I like what Carroll brings at SS. But I've never been sold on Casilla as the long-term answer at 2B, and I'm becoming less convinced that Valencia is at 3B with each game.

 

I'd like to see Dozier at some point this season, but in the meantime, I wouldn't mind seeing more Plouffe and even Burroughs in the infield.

 

Maybe they wouldn't be more effective overall, but they'd be less frustrating. Valencia and Casilla are maddeningly inconsistent, and prone to doing really dumb things at times. I was pretty underwhelmed when the Twins signed Carroll, but I'm strarting to appreciate his ability to keep it simple and consistently make the right play.

[spideyo]

I think if Valencia gets bumped, they'll give Burroughs a shot first. The other day when he started he looked pretty good in the field

[Guest USAFChief]

If the concern is "what's possibly best for 2012," maybe you consider bringing Dozier in for SS and moving Carroll to 3b. Maybe. IMO though, if 2012 is your only concern, you'd be better off moving Carroll to 2b, and getting Casilla out of the everyday lineup rather than Valencia. It's possible Burroughs is even a better answer at 3b against RH pitching, if we're only worried about 2012.

 

But if the concern is "what's best for 2013 and beyond," Carroll isn't an answer to anything, particularly 3b. I'd rather give Valencia another chance to prove he is or isn't going to be the everyday third baseman.

[stringer bell]

Valencia is an average third baseman. He hit surprisingly well in 2010, not so much last year. He's got some power, which the team sorely lacks. To give up on him because he has a few bad at bats is silly, I think. He actually hit well in late innings with the game on the line last year. What could be inexcusable is for him to lose his focus, as I believe he did when the Twins were in their doldrums. I don't think Valencia's defense is bad--but I don't think it is above average either. Having Burroughs available to give him some days off, particularly against tough righthanders, is fine. I don't think Burroughs or Carroll are guys that move Danny off third base. That guy might be in Beloit this year.

[Bark's Lounge]

If Mark Trumbo can play 3B... sort of, why not see if Parmelee can? Maybe we can trade Valencia for 1920-30-ish Pie Traynor? All of this is realistic, right? Maybe we can wait 2-3 years for Sano.

[clutterheart]

I didn't think Dozier's defense would play well at 3B.

[jorgenswest]

If Mark Trumbo can play 3B... sort of' date=' why not see if Parmelee can? Maybe we can trade Valencia for 1920-30-ish Pie Traynor? All of this is realistic, right? Maybe we can wait 2-3 years for Sano.[/quote']

 

Was Mattingly the last left handed thrower to make a play from 3b?

[Bark's Lounge]

Was Mattingly the last left handed thrower to make a play from 3b?

No, that was 2nd base, but point taken. Our 3B situation is sort of a bummer.

[shs_59]

in a word, no.

[nokomismod]

I am starting to think I would rather have him come up and replace Lexi. He can really make some bad plays.

1) Ugliest bunt of the season tonight.

2) Throw from doumit bounces off his glove into center field

3) error at second leads to run in the 6th, next play he doesn't get to first to cover on a bunt?

 

Gardy used to play second, this has to drive him nuts.

In defense of Casilla on the bunt, he couldn't have gotten to first any faster. Hendricks should have lead him, and I'm sure they will have the pitchers and Casilla work on the play before the game today.

[ScottyB]

Maybe we could occasionally play Hughes at 3rd - that would push Valencia! Oops

[Top Gun]

Scott Miller of CBSSports.com reports the Padres are prepared to release Orlando Hudson if he ''doesn't turn things around soon.''

 

If true, the Padres would be forced to eat the remainder of Hudson's $5.5 million contract this year and a $2 million buyout option in 2013. Miller notes that Hudson's tenure could ''coincide with the return of Logan Forsythe,'' who underwent ankle surgery in March. Hudson, 34, is hitting just .156/.191/.200 with one stolen base in 47 plate appearances this season.

Related: Logan Forsythe

 

Source: CBSSports.com

[John Bonnes]

In defense of Casilla on the bunt, he couldn't have gotten to first any faster. Hendricks should have lead him, and I'm sure they will have the pitchers and Casilla work on the play before the game today.

I was listening to the game, not watching it at that point. Gladden was incredulous. Provus said that on the replay, Casilla just stopped a few feet short of the bag, like he lost track of it. But I heard your version from several people. I'd be interested in more detail about what you saw. Because, I gotta say, it's inconceivable to me that a second baseman with Casilla's speed (and who should probably be anticipating a bunt) cannot make it to first base before a batter, even if it is Jennings.

[John Bonnes]

By the way, after that second Casilla miscue in the inning (and the terrible at-bat earlier in the game), I was all about keeping Valencia right where he was and benching Casilla for Dozier. Like immediately. And that's after a very good week for Casilla. Lord, but he was frustrating last night.

[silverslugger]

I DVR'd and watched the game this AM with the sound off. Had to let others in the household sleep. On the bunt play, my first thought was also what in the world was Casilla doing? While watching the replay I noticed that Casilla was shaded well toward 2b, basically double play position. He seemed to react right away and sprint toward first, however, it looked like he pulled up within about 10 feet of the bag when he realized he was going to get there about the same time as Jennings. Any throw to first would've been perilous at that point. Also, with a right handed pitcher on the mound falling toward first, I was wondering if it wouldn't have been better to keep Parmalee back in that instance??? Regardless, 4 miscues by Casilla in the game. He's got to step it up or I've got to believe we'll be seeing Dozier at SS with Carroll at 2b sometime in May. Carroll at 3b for Valencia? Not a solution. Time to light that fire by playing Burroughs more against righties.

[SDsteve]

Danny's got a little more time to show he can't perform consistant. When the twins feel that way, they most definately will move him for Dozier or Sano. I don't see that happening soon unless he's a package piece to land pitching prospects and thin the outfield brigade. The good news is if Dozier does become ready this year, the Twins may have a lot of lookers at the deadline. Lariano, Valencia, Plouffe, Casilla/Hughes, Revere/Hicks. If we aren't in the hunt the central, there is some talent for negotiation.

[Shane Wahl]

I wonder what the Orioles want for Mark Reynolds (they apparently want to trade him now)? Just wondering what they want. I generally hate the kind of player Reynolds is, but a career .810 OPS interests me. His stats for 2009 are sort of bewildering (44 homers, 24 steals, 223 whiffs).

[jimbo92107]

You guys are nuts. Danny Valencia is a solid MLB third baseman gradually refining his game. At the plate, he flips his wrists and the ball caroms off the wall. Yes, he makes an error now and then, and yes, he's not hitting great...yet. But at the end of the year, when he's got over a hundred RBIs, you'll be wondering what the heck you were thinking replacing him with an unfinished rookie like Dozier.

 

Few players on this team are shoe-in's to be here next season. Mauer, Morneau, Span. After that, I'd put Valencia, Hendriks...and after that, the possibilities expand a lot. Dozier may replace Carroll or Casilla, but they'll keep both vets because they're each more productive and versatile than Burroughs. If Willingham hits 30+ HRs, he'll be too expensive, so Benson will replace him. An OF of Benson, Span, Thomas would be good defensively...better if corner guys can hit.

 

The Twins struggled for a decade to find a solid third baseman. Valencia is it, until either Sano or Levi Michael bumps him out.

[ScottyB]

If Willingham hits 30+ HRs, he'll be too expensive

Willingham will be back - he signed a 3-year deal.

[mnfireman]

They are saying Sano may be too big to play 3B by the time he gets to the bigs. Where does he go? LF might be open by then (3 seasons). Is Michael a 3B? I can see him and Dozier at SS & 2B. Valencia is not arb. eligible until 2014, so he is a cheap option right now. So far this season (early returns) he is slightly below average at the plate but well above average in the field (range factor). If he can stay average in the field and pick it up a little at the plate, he and the team should be fine. Dozier is fine playing everyday at AAA until an everyday spot opens up, and I agree that maybe Casilla should be looking over his shoulder.

[30whales]

Danny's got a little more time to show he can't perform consistant. When the twins feel that way, they most definately will move him for Dozier or Sano. I don't see that happening soon unless he's a package piece to land pitching prospects and thin the outfield brigade. The good news is if Dozier does become ready this year, the Twins may have a lot of lookers at the deadline. Lariano, Valencia, Plouffe, Casilla/Hughes, Revere/Hicks. If we aren't in the hunt the central, there is some talent for negotiation.

Why in the world would they trade Revere?

[Shane Wahl]

Sano may end up at first, but there is no need to move him there until at least AA. I am almost certain that Alexi will be gone at the start of next year if not sooner. Dozier is his replacement. Michael is Carroll's replacement, though Dozier may be at short and Michael at second. Rosario will be a wild card around 2015. I wonder if Rosario might end up taking Sano's spot at 3rd down the road.