TD Midseason Top Prospects: #4 Jorge Polanco

So who is the future at SS, Santana or Polanco? Seems like 1 of them should make nice trade bait. I'd probably keep Polanco.

Neither should be the Twins Future SS IMO. Santana is having some plate issues, and average defense. Polanco is avg-above avg offense with terrible defense.

I'd be looking to trade 1 or the other along with Pelfrey and another prospect for a proven SS! We can't keep changing our SS every other game, and different batting lineups every other game.

Consistency wins, and since the injury bug hit us about a month ago, our record has showed us just that. If we don't trade for a SS, then bring up Polanco, and lets roll with him as our "everyday" SS!!!

I kind of think SS arm strength is a little over-rated, mostly because even on the few occasions where the additional velocity actually will get the out, all we're talking about is an infield hit or possibly not getting the back end of a double play.  An outfielder with a weak arm might let a guy get to 2nd, 3rd or score.  An infielder with a weak arm, in almost all scenarios, is giving up what amounts to a walk.  I'd guess a pitcher who has a 3.5 BB/9 as opposed to a pitcher who has a 2.5 BB/9 would end up allowing more baserunners than a SS with a below average arm. 

 

And I don't get too riled up over a 3.5 BB/9.

 

Of course I'm talking about arm strength; accuracy is a different scenario.

Don't forget that the SS is also the primary relay person for runners advancing to 3rd or home. I guess this might not be a big problem with an outfield of Buxton, Hicks and Rosario; but we may need a third relay if we re-acquire Ben Revere!

I kind of think SS arm strength is a little over-rated, mostly because even on the few occasions where the additional velocity actually will get the out, all we're talking about is an infield hit or possibly not getting the back end of a double play.  An outfielder with a weak arm might let a guy get to 2nd, 3rd or score.  An infielder with a weak arm, in almost all scenarios, is giving up what amounts to a walk.  I'd guess a pitcher who has a 3.5 BB/9 as opposed to a pitcher who has a 2.5 BB/9 would end up allowing more baserunners than a SS with a below average arm. 

 

And I don't get too riled up over a 3.5 BB/9.

 

Of course I'm talking about arm strength; accuracy is a different scenario.

On the other hand the batters who should benefit most from a fringy arm are your Lorenzo Cain, Adam Eaton rabbit types. Guys you really want to keep of the bases. Still, it does seem like our understanding of the exact value of SS arm strength, and really shortstop defense in general, is lagging. Can't wait for more Statcast data to compile and enlighten us.

Neither should be the Twins Future SS IMO. Santana is having some plate issues, and average defense. Polanco is avg-above avg offense with terrible defense.

 

I'd be looking to trade 1 or the other along with Pelfrey and another prospect for a proven SS! We can't keep changing our SS every other game, and different batting lineups every other game.

 

Consistency wins, and since the injury bug hit us about a month ago, our record has showed us just that. If we don't trade for a SS, then bring up Polanco, and lets roll with him as our "everyday" SS!!!

If there is one thing teams are looking to trade it is proven SS. I hope that unnamed prospect you mention is Sano or Berrios.

I kind of think SS arm strength is a little over-rated, mostly because even on the few occasions where the additional velocity actually will get the out, all we're talking about is an infield hit or possibly not getting the back end of a double play.  An outfielder with a weak arm might let a guy get to 2nd, 3rd or score.  An infielder with a weak arm, in almost all scenarios, is giving up what amounts to a walk.  I'd guess a pitcher who has a 3.5 BB/9 as opposed to a pitcher who has a 2.5 BB/9 would end up allowing more baserunners than a SS with a below average arm. 

 

And I don't get too riled up over a 3.5 BB/9.

 

Of course I'm talking about arm strength; accuracy is a different scenario.

I think this is something that theoretically sounds good but works out much worse in reality. I think you are talking about more than a "few" occasions.

Dozier for Addison Russell, and move Polanco to 2nd. If the Cubs would do that.

They would.

So you think Dozier is worth a former top 5 prospect??? Dang, if that is or were true , i would do it.........would you give up Sano for for Starlin Castro??

I wouldn't give up Dozier for Castro.

EDIT: But it would be close. I would consider Sano for Castro or a similar player. I'm just not a huge fan of Castro relative to his value so I'm probably the wrong person to ask.

Castro is good but I am not trading a player of Sano's potential for a Castro level player.  Sano might bust but I will take that risk.

I agree on Castro specifically, but a an above average SS in their prime with 4 years of control left seems like a pretty good value for Sano.

Castro has been below replacement level for 2 out of the last 3 years. He stinks.

Very likely, can't say I looked at him very deeply when I was responding to that hypothetical. But I would keep the bigger point that the Cubs would flip Russell for Dozier and I would trade Sano for an above average SS in their prime with 4 years of control.

I don't think the Twins are trading Dozier and I'm skeptical that Polanco can stick at SS. Certainly worth taking the time to figure that out though. And if not, he could be pretty good trade bait, either for an elite rental (not this year) or a solid player at a different position of need, or as part of a bigger trade.