Top 5 Third Basemen for the Twins to Target

I'll say it again. If the Twins are serious about improving the infield defense moving Sano to 1B isn't going to cut it. I can just envision him running to the fence chasing every errant throw he misses way way way too often. I believe Ortiz was a 1st baseman with the Twins and when he went to Boston he quickly became a DH for the same reason why Sano will never stick at 1B either. So why move him there in the first place? I'm open to trying Arraez at 3B, moving Polanco to 2B, and getting a good defensive SS. But that doesn't solve the 1B issue. I think it is going to take another season to resolve these issues. Nelson Cruz is the log-jam at DH forcing the Twins to play Sano in the field. Cruz is a nice log-jam but he creates a defensive problem.

There seems to be an incredible range of views on Sano's defensive abilities.  Some claim that with some effort he can be transformed into an average to above average third baseman.  Others claim that he is so inept that a move to right field caused him to get hurt sliding into second base; or, as the above states, he in unable to catch a throw at first.  I have been skeptical of Sano the third baseman since I first saw him play there in his rookie year.  That does not mean he is inept.  He has some surprising skill's, such as the ability to charge slow rollers and make off balance throws.  He also handles balls hit directly at him at least at an average level.  He struggles with reaction time and range, something that is not at all unexpected with a man of his size and build.  That said, I would never compare him to David Ortiz defensively.  Ortiz never played any position other than 1B defensively as a pro, and never played it at any level other than badly.As stated by at least one previous poster, rather than Ortiz, the more accurate comparisons would be Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera, others who played third base and outfield prior to a move to first and eventually DH.

Agree with above post - Sano is fine at 3B. Why get an inferior player and trade prospects?

One year...two if he wins his lawsuit.  Seems shortsighted to be dealing top prospects for a guy like that.  Believe he's a SoCal guy?  So no chance he stays beyond his current contract.

With shifting, high fastballs, and high K rates, infield defense has never been less important in the history of baseball. 

This is true, but it's still more important than outfield defense.

Sano

Available - 10

Commitment -8

Prospect Cost-10

Offensive Impact - 8

Defensive Impact - 4

 

Total -  40

 

Better score than Donaldson

FTFY. (IMHO, of course.)

The issue with that statement is the assumption that by moving a guy who is -5 DRS at third base (which is better than Devers, Moncada, Bryant, and Turner, btw) to a position where is not used to playing and will touch the ball 3-4 times more frequently, will improve the defense...

 

We saw how well defense improved when he was moved to right field

I was simply pointing out that your question was literally answered explicitly in the opening line.

Face it, the Twins are going to sign Greg Bird to play 1st base on a 1-year deal and that's the only free agent we're gonna get. Gonzalez will see his fair share of time there as well. Look for Ivan Nova, Andrew Cashner, or a reclamation project like Aaron Sanchez or Shelby Miller to join the staff before Spring Training. Alex Wood at this point would be the biggest possible splash - whoops, nevermind the Dodgers just signed him.

I'm not down on this team. They're good. But sitting on their hands all winter seems ignorant, especially with what the White Sox are doing. I see Chicago being a major problem, their fans must be absolutely thrilled with how the off-season has gone so far in the AL Central.

I've been guilty of skimming some articles in my time. But this is literally the opening line of the article:

"If the Twins are intent on moving Miguel Sanó to first base to improve the defense, here are five of the best options to fill in at third base."

I think what we should infer from his post is that he doesn't believe we should be looking for a third baseman because we already have one.

I'll say it again. If the Twins are serious about improving the infield defense moving Sano to 1B isn't going to cut it. I can just envision him running to the fence chasing every errant throw he misses way way way too often. I believe Ortiz was a 1st baseman with the Twins and when he went to Boston he quickly became a DH for the same reason why Sano will never stick at 1B either. So why move him there in the first place? I'm open to trying Arraez at 3B, moving Polanco to 2B, and getting a good defensive SS. But that doesn't solve the 1B issue. I think it is going to take another season to resolve these issues. Nelson Cruz is the log-jam at DH forcing the Twins to play Sano in the field. Cruz is a nice log-jam but he creates a defensive problem.

I'll say it again too! Keep Sano at third and find someone else to handle first base for the next year or two. Say what you want about Sano as a third baseman, but I honestly can see him helping the club any more by playing first base. I still remember that short-lived experiment with him in right field and fear a similar debacle if we move him to first.

I think what we should infer from his post is that he doesn't believe we should be looking for a third baseman because we already have one.

I understand what he's inferring.

But the author isn't giving an opinion on, nor asking whether we SHOULD be looking for a replacement.

He's outlining some of the Twins options, IF "the Twins are intent on moving Miguel Sanó to first base to improve the defense."

Personally, I'm ok giving Sano one more year to see if he can stabilize his defense. And, I'm a person who typically "overvalues" defense on this site.

But of the options available, I think only Donaldson is a clear net upgrade.

I definitely have no interest in Longoria.

I'm more and more intrigued by trading for a better defensive SS, and moving Polanco to 3B. I think upgrading SS is going to impact the game more than upgrading 3B.

I think a lot of the debate on this thread is caused by this statement in the article: 

"if the Twins are intent on moving Miguel Sanó to first base to improve the defense".

That's an unnecessarily narrow premise. What about if the Twins want to improve the offense?...or better, improve overall?

They don't have two corner infielders (of the proven major-league variety). The question should be...do any of the 3rd-basemen in the article make the Twins a better overall team, with Sano at first...that they would be with Sano at 3rd and player x at first? Clearly, the answer is YES for some of the options in the article...even considering any of the current possibilities for player X. So, IMO...as always...it comes down to the cost for Arenado, Seager, Bryant, Donaldson.

I understand what he's inferring.
But the author isn't giving an opinion on, nor asking whether we SHOULD be looking for a replacement.
He's outlining some of the Twins options, IF "the Twins are intent on moving Miguel Sanó to first base to improve the defense."

Personally, I'm ok giving Sano one more year to see if he can stabilize his defense. And, I'm a person who typically "overvalues" defense on this site.

But of the options available, I think only Donaldson is a clear net upgrade.
I definitely have no interest in Longoria.

I'm more and more intrigued by trading for a better defensive SS, and moving Polanco to 3B. I think upgrading SS is going to impact the game more than upgrading 3B.

I was trying to tell you that you should have inferred where he stood rather than suggest or note that he didn't.  He didn't need to infer anything.  He knew the article was about finding other third base options and he isn't interested.  It wasn't that he didn't understand the author's objective.  He didn't agree with it.  Simple as that.  

I don't think we need to waste energy looking for a third baseman if we just extended Sano.  It make no sense  We have moved him around enough already.  Let him settle into third base this year and let's see what happens.  I would rather we just pick up Mitch Moreland to share first base duties and figure out once and for all if Sano moves to full-time DH after Cruz is gone.