Herrmann traded

[Monster]

I always liked Herrmann but I don't mind seeing him get moved. He is a pretty versatile guy and would probably have more value in the NL game. The prospect they got back seems at least moderately interesting.

http://m.startribune.com/twins-acquire-two-minor-leaguers-trade-away-herrmann/345463382/

What I take from this is the Twins are gonna be really serious about adding some type of veteran catching option this offseason even if it's just a decent backup. It's not hard to upgrade from Fryer and Herrmann with the bat. Lol it's the position with the least answers in the organization as it sits right now.

[JasonIsDaMan [enjin:7981157]]

Agreed. I trust Terry Ryan.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Thank God. Herrmann was not a major league quality player. He batted .188 the last three years in 370 plate appearances. The term "easy out" directly applies to him.

[Tactical unit]

I'd like to see Mauer get some time behind the plate as his bat is about average if not better at that position. Mauer's bat at 1st base just doesn't cut it for me.

[The Rage Monster [enjin:8010341]]

I'd like to see Mauer get some time behind the plate as his bat is about average if not better at that position. Mauer's bat at 1st base just doesn't cut it for me.

If it didn't happen last year with only Suzuki it's not going to happen now that we've added a good backup/potential catcher of the future. If we sign Park I would like to see Mauer be moved around between both corner outfield and infield positions.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I'd like to see Mauer get some time behind the plate as his bat is about average if not better at that position. Mauer's bat at 1st base just doesn't cut it for me.

If it didn't happen last year with only Suzuki it's not going to happen now that we've added a good backup/potential catcher of the future. If we sign Park I would like to see Mauer be moved around between both corner outfield and infield positions.

Yeah, and Mauer made it very clear to management that he was done catching...his Mayo doctors told him that one more concussion could have very dire consequences.

Mauer is by far our best defensive option at 1b, so even though he doesn't hit well enough to be a first baseman, I think he will play most of the games there next year. Sano is destined for the OF with Hicks gone, and Park will be DHing most nights. Kepler will get some opportunities in the OF and DH too. The only way we get too crowded at b and DH is if the other big guy that was so good 2 years ago (I'm blanking on his name) learns to hit again.

[bleedspeed]

Why can't Mauer play RF? I think 1st is the best place for Sano's to play for the future.

[The Rage Monster [enjin:8010341]]

I think you're thinking of Vargas.

Mauer in RF or even left would make sense to me, Sano seems like a future 1b and Mauer would be a better OF option than Sano.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I think you're thinking of Vargas.

Mauer in RF or even left would make sense to me, Sano seems like a future 1b and Mauer would be a better OF option than Sano.

Yeah, Vargas...thanks.

I don't know why you guys would rather have Mauer in the OF than Sano. Sano has been a SS and 3b his entire life, and will be playing OF and 3B this off-season...he's a good enough athlete and fielder that he should be able to turn himself into a good outfielder at such a young age. On the other hand, Joe had to learn a new position late in his career, and while his bat disappoints me, he has become a very good fielding first baseman. Why make him learn yet another new position when he already mastered first, and only has another 3 years on his contract?

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Sano in left field is perfect, in my opinion. He's a good athlete and has a cannon for an arm (this aspect of Sano gets massively under-appreciated). Outfielders also, theoretically, get banged up less often than infielders. It's also an easy (easier) position to learn and get decent at. He was supposedly making improvements at 3B, but I think his defensive ceiling is much higher in the outfield than it was as an infielder. I supported that idea from the beginning, which was basically when he had to move out of the shortstop position many years ago.

Sano / Buxton / Rosario

Plouffe / Escobar / Dozier / Mauer