Hello

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Bleed, Plouffe is considered a much better third baseman than Sano within the organization, and conversely, they think Sano has the most potential in the outfield of the candidates they considered (Plouffe and Mauer). I think it was a better idea to leave the corner infielders in place, and convert a young ex-shortstop into a corner outfielder...the best solution for keeping Sano, Plouffe, Park and Mauer all in the lineup. The early reports from Hunter about Sano in RF are positive, so lets hope it works out.

Nolasco has had a history of showing up out of shape in March, but he looked even worse than usual in his first start. And man did he serve up some fat pitches in his first outing. The other thing I noticed when Molly pulled him out of the game was how nobody in the dugout greeted him when he came back to the dugout...seems to have no rapport with anyone on the team. I think Terry really wants him to have some success in spring to perhaps create some trade value, but I don't think there is any intention to start him. He's the 7th starter, at best.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Sad story in the Strib this morning that explains why Miguel Sano started out last season so poorly...his baby girl died of a heart defect just a week after birth late in 2014. What a tough year...first TJ surgery and then losing a child. Not too difficult to understand now why he struggled in early 2015. Loved his quote though..."Really bad. But I'm here now. I'm OK. My wife and I will go on. We want to make more. Ten babies-maybe 10 babies". Gotta love this kid...he's going to have a big year.

[bleedspeed]

LST- I saw that too. It certainly is a huge life event that will change a person. Glad to have Sano on the Twins. I really hope Sano works out in RF. I think it would be crushing if he didn't. (I still wonder if we would move Ploufee for a good LHRP and if we offered him up to a few teams)

I also didn't know Mad Max Kepler could play CF. It would be awesome to have Sano, Buxton, Parks, and Kepler all up in the major producing this year in the field.

Any buzz about Murphy?

[Monster]

It seems like reading through an offseason write up about the Twins prospects they have some options for the future at 3B when it's time to move on from Plouffe. Poll conducted is the first guy that comes to mind but there was another couple guys that were interesting. The thing about Plouffe is he turns 30 in June he could easily be an effective player for another 4-5 years and do it as a Twin. It seems that the Twins are interested in putting together a team that can compete now and keeping Plouffe seems like a way to do that. As deep as the organization is with young talent in the OF nobody is really proven out there.

[Jester1534]

LST- I saw that too. It certainly is a huge life event that will change a person. Glad to have Sano on the Twins. I really hope Sano works out in RF. I think it would be crushing if he didn't. (I still wonder if we would move Ploufee for a good LHRP and if we offered him up to a few teams)

I also didn't know Mad Max Kepler could play CF. It would be awesome to have Sano, Buxton, Parks, and Kepler all up in the major producing this year in the field

Any buzz about Murphy?

No Buzz on Murphy, I believe the plan is to platoon him and Suzuki the whole year. As for Plouffe do we really want to move our leading RBI producer? I mean this team has enough trouble scoring runs as it is.

Also plouffes defense of raitjngs aren't that bad he had a UZR of 1.7 which puts him as 12th best defensively rated 3rd baseman for that category. If you take out Aramiz Ramierz who probably never see third again and the .01 behind Kyle Seager he's a top 10 defensive 3rd baseman.

I still think people are overblowing this Sano situation for gosh sakes guys like Willingham, Willy Mo Pena, Chris Davis even Arcia can play the outfield. The question I have though is why is he playing RF and not LF? I know they both have strong arms but I rather have Rosario cannon in right field.

[bleedspeed]

What are the odds Buxton is not the CF on opening day? I would guess 0%. (unless it is injury)

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

LST- I saw that too. It certainly is a huge life event that will change a person. Glad to have Sano on the Twins. I really hope Sano works out in RF. I think it would be crushing if he didn't. (I still wonder if we would move Ploufee for a good LHRP and if we offered him up to a few teams)

I also didn't know Mad Max Kepler could play CF. It would be awesome to have Sano, Buxton, Parks, and Kepler all up in the major producing this year in the field

Any buzz about Murphy?

No Buzz on Murphy, I believe the plan is to platoon him and Suzuki the whole year. As for Plouffe do we really want to move our leading RBI producer? I mean this team has enough trouble scoring runs as it is.

Also plouffes defense of raitjngs aren't that bad he had a UZR of 1.7 which puts him as 12th best defensively rated 3rd baseman for that category. If you take out Aramiz Ramierz who probably never see third again and the .01 behind Kyle Seager he's a top 10 defensive 3rd baseman.

I still think people are overblowing this Sano situation for gosh sakes guys like Willingham, Willy Mo Pena, Chris Davis even Arcia can play the outfield. The question I have though is why is he playing RF and not LF? I know they both have strong arms but I rather have Rosario cannon in right field.

We're adding Sano to the lineup for the full year and Park. Driving in runs shouldn't be a problem anymore and shouldn't really be an argument to keep Plouffe. If you want to keep him for defense, fine, but he's still underwhelming as a bat on the hot corner. If an outfielder with a bat shows up at spring training like Arcia or Kepler, then we would almost have to move Sano back to third or kick Rosario out of the lineup to get another good bat in there and then our outfield defense gets even sketchier than it might already be. If anything Mauer should be splitting his time at first and third in spring training in case an extra bat comes out of nowhere because he should move over to third in that scenario to open up first for a multitude of guys.

[Jester1534]

What are the odds Buxton is not the CF on opening day? I would guess 0%. (unless it is injury)

I would think there is no chance. My guess is they traded hicks with full confidence that Buxton would take the job. Even he hits .220 his defense, speed and arm are a good enough reason for him to start.

[Jester1534]

LST- I saw that too. It certainly is a huge life event that will change a person. Glad to have Sano on the Twins. I really hope Sano works out in RF. I think it would be crushing if he didn't. (I still wonder if we would move Ploufee for a good LHRP and if we offered him up to a few teams)

I also didn't know Mad Max Kepler could play CF. It would be awesome to have Sano, Buxton, Parks, and Kepler all up in the major producing this year in the field

Any buzz about Murphy?

No Buzz on Murphy, I believe the plan is to platoon him and Suzuki the whole year. As for Plouffe do we really want to move our leading RBI producer? I mean this team has enough trouble scoring runs as it is.

Also plouffes defense of raitjngs aren't that bad he had a UZR of 1.7 which puts him as 12th best defensively rated 3rd baseman for that category. If you take out Aramiz Ramierz who probably never see third again and the .01 behind Kyle Seager he's a top 10 defensive 3rd baseman.

I still think people are overblowing this Sano situation for gosh sakes guys like Willingham, Willy Mo Pena, Chris Davis even Arcia can play the outfield. The question I have though is why is he playing RF and not LF? I know they both have strong arms but I rather have Rosario cannon in right field.

We're adding Sano to the lineup for the full year and Park. Driving in runs shouldn't be a problem anymore and shouldn't really be an argument to keep Plouffe. If you want to keep him for defense, fine, but he's still underwhelming as a bat on the hot corner. If an outfielder with a bat shows up at spring training like Arcia or Kepler, then we would almost have to move Sano back to third or kick Rosario out of the lineup to get another good bat in there and then our outfield defense gets even sketchier than it might already be. If anything Mauer should be splitting his time at first and third in spring training in case an extra bat comes out of nowhere because he should move over to third in that scenario to open up first for a multitude of guys.

The way I look at is do you think Arcia or Kepler is better than Plouffe? I think Kepler is a year or two away and we know that Arcia is a major defensive liability. Tbh Mauer is the liability and shoe strings us defensively.

[Monster]

What are the odds Buxton is not the CF on opening day? I would guess 0%. (unless it is injury)

I would think there is no chance. My guess is they traded hicks with full confidence that Buxton would take the job. Even he hits .220 his defense, speed and arm are a good enough reason for him to start.

It's Buxton's job to lose obviously but I don't think they are going to give it to him if he doesn't earn it although I expect he will. The Twins brought in a bunch of guys with capability to play for a while if Buxton needs some time in the minors. They could also roll with Rosario (played there a lot in the minors) and/Santana at CF as well while throwing a big bat into the other outfield position. The Twins have some other options. Those options might not be wildly appealing but they have a bunch of them. Hopefully Buxton does well.