Sano Won't See Outfield (Game) Action In Winter Ball

Not a chance he plays OF in the MLB.

Based on the fact other teams have never done this (hint, they have)? He might get 1-3 chances a game at 3B....practicing in the OF in practice is going to give him dozens more reps, dozens.

I guess I'm not too worried about him playing RF after watching Torii, Hammer and Arcia in the OF the last few years.  I think he'll be ok.  He's faster than he looks and his arm will play there.  I'm not sure he'll have the instincts to make a good read but I also don't know that he won't.  

The only concern I have is if he gets hurt but that's probably me being overly concerned.  He's a big dude but that doesn't mean he's not in shape.  

Miguel Cabrera played OF for WS champion, I think, after playing a handful of games in the minors.

I'm not saying it is a good idea or not, I'm saying it is not impossible to happen, and it has happened.

I'm don't want to derail the conversation and turn this into a M___r discussion, but the guy is the elephant in the room no one (with the Twins) is talking about that is causing all the musical chair talks.

 

So the Twins need to trade Plouffe (2.5 WAR) or Rosario (2.3 WAR), move Sano (2.0 WAR over 1/2 a season) to the outfield, bring in a 29-year-old rookie from Korea who's considered to be a "boom-or-bust" prospect who would force Kepler (Twins Minor Leaguer of the Year, Top 20-30) to an already crowded outfield, opening him up to a potential future trade, like with Hicks (1.5 WAR) once Buxton arrives because they can't (won't) do anything with a 0.3 WAR first baseman on the downside of his career?

 

Trying Sano in the outfield over the offseason and spring is fine. But if the Twins decide to trade some of their young core as a result of the move or if Sano's impact is limited by the shift, then it becomes a problem.

 

It's starting to seem like 2019 can't come soon enough.

Mauer isn't going anywhere, he has a full no-trade clause, he can't go back to catcher.  Here's what might happen.

The team starts the year with Sano in RF, Plouffe at 3b, Park at DH and Mauer at first.  Buxton and Kepler are at AAA.  After six weeks, Sano and Park are just what we've been dreaming about - taking walks, hitting HRs, major offensive bats.  Plouffe is putting up his standard .250/.315/.430 line.  But Mauer is struggling - .265/.325/.330 while Buxton is hitting .400 in Rochester.  

At that point, the Twins might start to think about moving Mauer to a part time bench spot.  

Of course, we can also dream and hope that instead of a .265/.325/.330 line Mauer is putting up a .300/.380/.410 line instead.  

It is a sad statement of affairs if .300/.380/.410 is truly the best one can dream and hope for from a big league first baseman.

A .380 OBP would be third in the AL last year and that would be the most important part.  Sure, the 110 .iso is low but that could be forgiven (and, in fairness, Mauer had a better .iso last year).  That stat line would have been pretty good, frankly.  It wouldn't have been an all-star but it would probably been about 3-4 WAR.

So Sano will have exactly as much OF experience this winter as any Catcher and Pitcher who is not pitching that day: snagging fly balls at the OF during BP

Zero % of Sano playing the OF in 2016, unless he actually plays some in the Spring...

The last thing you want is to have him collide with someone or twist a knee out there.

I'm don't want to derail the conversation and turn this into a M___r discussion, but the guy is the elephant in the room no one (with the Twins) is talking about that is causing all the musical chair talks.

 

So the Twins need to trade Plouffe (2.5 WAR) or Rosario (2.3 WAR), move Sano (2.0 WAR over 1/2 a season) to the outfield, bring in a 29-year-old rookie from Korea who's considered to be a "boom-or-bust" prospect who would force Kepler (Twins Minor Leaguer of the Year, Top 20-30) to an already crowded outfield, opening him up to a potential future trade, like with Hicks (1.5 WAR) once Buxton arrives because they can't (won't) do anything with a 0.3 WAR first baseman on the downside of his career?

 

Trying Sano in the outfield over the offseason and spring is fine. But if the Twins decide to trade some of their young core as a result of the move or if Sano's impact is limited by the shift, then it becomes a problem.

 

It's starting to seem like 2019 can't come soon enough.

I hope...I hope...I hope we see a return of the old Mauer...(young Mauer? normal Mauer?). If not, the way the team seems to be constructed now, and with so many good young OF's, Mauer would be best as the veteran LH PH/DH/backup 1B. I don't know that the Twins would be bold enough to do that. Or if most anyone would, for that matter.

People need to get over the old timey thinking that a 1B HAS to hit a ton of HR and be a big slugger to be considered an asset.  Sure, last year's Mauer should never ever cut it, but .300/.380/.410 would be a huge asset to this offense.

I really like this post. Now...hitting .260 with limited power and an OB of .330-.340 may not cut it either. But teams Re all constructed differently. The Twins don't have a bopper at 1B? Well, very few teMs have a 2B who hits like Dozier does.

I watched Grace, Joyner and Hernandez win gold gloves, make all star games, and have long and productive careers despite being more contact, line drive hitters than boppers.

Ryan is doing what he has to do:  not leave Plouffe out there as raw trade meat, exposed, naked, alone.

Is this Hamlet?

There have been a lot of infielders, top draft choices and prospects even, that have converted to the OF and had very good careers. Danny Tartabul, Gary Sheffield and just recently Alex Gordon are just a few that come to mind. (Wasn't Albert Belle a 3B when first signed?) Even the Twins Michael Cuddyer is, of course, an example. And, of course, there are many others. Including some who moved to the OF later in their careers, such as Robin Yount, due to injuries or to help prolong careers.

But most of these moves were made because there was a quality bat or potential involved, but a definite lack of everyday infield defense. There is nothing, no report from anyone, stating that Sano can't play defense, and can't improve his defense. He could, in fact, develop in to a very good OF and huge hitter. But his bat, at 3B, is like finding another Mike Schmidt...potentially. Why on earth wouldn't you want that kind of bat at 3B vs the OF?

Wasn't Albert Belle a 3B when first signed?

Nah. He was drafted from LSU and played OF in College.   Jim Thome, on the other hand was a third baseman once upon a time