Additional Options to Replace Miguel Sano at Third Base

I get that we desperately need starting pitching, but the fact we’re pretty much one quality bat away from having the most dangerous lineup in the league (without cheating) really does make the idea of adding an elite bat like Donaldson for 1-2 years very interesting.

 

However, if that limits our capacity to add quality starting pitching then I’m not opposed to bringing back Cron, although I’d also be interested in Maikel Franco and Jurickson Profar as well; both which are non-tender candidates. Although, Howie Kendrick would be the ideal signing given that both Lewis and Kirilloff are nearing their ML debuts.

If the objective is to make the Twins better defensively you don't move Sano to 1B. If he doesn't play 3B then he DH's. With Cruz on the roster, Sano is the 3B. Why would his glove or range be better at 1B? He has a cannon for an arm and at 1B that won't be nearly important as it would be at 3B. So in reality you are taking away his best aspect defensively by moving him to 1B. 

 

All of these options would be downgrades in my book. We don't need declining 3rd basemen to replace a good defensive player in CJ Cron at 1B. Which is what you are accomplishing.

In many ways, first base is a more critical defensive position than third. Used to be if you can catch a thrown ball you can play first. See Dick Stuart, Ted Kluszewski espcially in the pre DH Al where number one qualification was be a power hitter. A first baseman must be able to save the other infielders and the pitcher from bad throws as well as make all kinds of unusual plays themselves including when the pitcher covers the bag. If Sano is a liability at third, he will probably be a liability at first. At least he seems to be most comfortable at third and anything that might effect his hitting is not good.

I don’t think the goal should be to move Sano. I think the goal should be to add a good corner bat. The better corner infield bats belong to Donaldson and Moustakis. They happen to play 3B. If they can’t sign either of those two keep Sano at 3B.

 

Rooker, Larnach or Kirilloff are just too close to add one of the above on a two year commitment. It needs to be a commitment they are comfortable releasing if their play declines to mediocre. Keep Cron and his one year tender or go with the young guys from opening day.

 

I don’t think the goal should be to move Sano. I think the goal should be to add a good corner bat. The better corner infield bats belong to Donaldson and Moustakis. They happen to play 3B. If they can’t sign either of those two keep Sano at 3B.

Rooker, Larnach or Kirilloff are just too close to add one of the above on a two year commitment. It needs to be a commitment they are comfortable releasing if their play declines to mediocre. Keep Cron and his one year tender or go with the young guys from opening day.

Not that he's coming to MN, but Rendon would also qualify as a better corner infield bat.

Yea I don't understand the Sano to 1st talk unless it's to accommodate Donaldson or Rendon.  I don't have any interest in Moose.

 

I don't hate Cron's bat, as all things considered I'd rather have anaverage RH then an average LH bat in this lineup.

 

Just spend the money on pitching, a backup C, and a player who can play backup CF and steal bases (I'm all for signing Billy Hamilton for this reason, he would fill a niche the Twins don't currently have.)

Yuck, puke, gag.

 

I don't want any part of any of these guys. What a Pohlad like move any of these guys would be. If you are going to try a new 3B, get yourself someone that is good or great. Don't bring in a guy that is only a slightly better defender, but much worse bat. Makes no sense. 

 

If you think Sano can play a good 3B and you are able to sign Donaldson, Moose, or Rendon, fine. Anyone else and I don't think it is worth the dropoff offensively to save maybe 2-3 runs a season.

 

In many ways, first base is a more critical defensive position than third. Used to be if you can catch a thrown ball you can play first. See Dick Stuart, Ted Kluszewski espcially in the pre DH Al where number one qualification was be a power hitter. A first baseman must be able to save the other infielders and the pitcher from bad throws as well as make all kinds of unusual plays themselves including when the pitcher covers the bag. If Sano is a liability at third, he will probably be a liability at first. At least he seems to be most comfortable at third and anything that might effect his hitting is not good.

 

Not every day you see a reference to 'ol Dr. Strangeglove on here. Kudos.

I don’t think the goal should be to move Sano. I think the goal should be to add a good corner bat. The better corner infield bats belong to Donaldson and Moustakis. They happen to play 3B. If they can’t sign either of those two keep Sano at 3B.

Rooker, Larnach or Kirilloff are just too close to add one of the above on a two year commitment. It needs to be a commitment they are comfortable releasing if their play declines to mediocre. Keep Cron and his one year tender or go with the young guys from opening day.

If the FO can’t sign either I’d encourage them to look into the trade market as well because there’s plenty of quality options. While it’s highly unlikely, perhaps Arenado or Rizzo could be options. Realistically, there’s also Matt Carpenter, Evan Longoria, and Kyle Seager. However, the option that intrigues me the most is Carlos Santana. With one year left on his contract, he’d definitely be a great stopgap for Kirilloff. Although I doubt Cleveland would as interested... Perhaps a 3 team trade?

In regard to the three 3B listed in the original article, No No and No.

So we should bring an average defensive 3B to move to Sano to 1B and replace Cron's offense with an aging and less powerful/productive veteran or a couple of guys with zero power and production who are best used as utility players?Holt...maybe...as a replacement for Marwin on the utility level so he can start full time at 3B.I just don't get this at all.

Pretty much my reaction when I saw this thread

Orioes cutting loose Jonathan Villar. Is he a possibility to switch things up between 2B SS 3B? Fives the Twins some needed stolen bases, plys a solid bat (few too many K's). - ?

Beyond Rendon, the only one worth moving Sano to 1B and 'replacing' Cron in the line-up would be Donaldson in a short, win-now move.

 

But since pitching is more pressing than replacing Cron, I'd expect that Sano stays at 3B until a more obvious candidate to replace him there comes along. Having said that, I do find it problematic that the Twins seem to have zero prospects (based on current positions and performance) likely to provide offensive value at that position in the majors any time soon. Maybe Blankenhorn emerges as kind of a late-bloomer?

 

 

There is a prevailing sentiment, as we’re seeing, that Sano at 3B is some sort of problem.

 

Sano at 3B, in my estimation, is pretty far down the list of issues on this squad. Clearly, pitching is where resources need to be invested. Both in the rotation and bullpen. If we’re going to criticize defense, why aren’t more people talking about Polanco at short, and moving him? How about Jake Cabe flailing around in the OF as the 4th guy? What about Cron dropping routine balls that get to him in the air in playoff games?

 

I get Sano isn’t the greatest 3B, but acting like moving him off of 3B is going to solve problems and propel this team to the next level is asinine. IMO, it comes down to a number of people having a some sort of negative bias related to Sano (going back to off-field things, stupid striv articles about his weight, etc).

 

If you can upgrade him at 3B and move him to 1B, fine. But bringing in some marginal player like Brock Holt just to move Sano off of 3B is such a bad take that it’s borderline offensive.

Orioes cutting loose Jonathan Villar. Is he a possibility to switch things up between 2B SS 3B? Fives the Twins some needed stolen bases, plys a solid bat (few too many K's). - ?

Was just thinking the same, this would be a solid pickup if they get a chance to claim him.