Polanco is considered a place-setter, unless he really takes off. He should've been a second baseman, but then you need to ask if that is the position for Nick Gordon. With Royce Lewis and Wander Javier coming up, the Twins real weakness is, perhaps, third base. Can Sano sustain a year at the position, or would he be better served as a DH who also plays some first.

We all think Escobar should return. But would you trust him there for three years, and by then the Twins should have SOMEONE, ANYONE up to take his place.

Decisions that have to be made.

Right now, expect more patchwork for 2019. Maybe some promise in 2020. But the team of the future should be taking the field from prospects land, with a few free bodies, in 2021. Seriously, how many current names will be around the dugout and bullpen in 2021?

It's still too soon to abandon ship on the Buxton/Sano being cornerstones plan. There is time for this thing to pan out.

It's still too soon to abandon ship on the Buxton/Sano being cornerstones plan. There is time for this thing to pan out.

Optimism is good, but the FO should be planning for both possibilities.

Where are the RH power bats? The LHB friendly Metrodome is long gone and the current stadium is where LH power goes to die. Management has known about this ever since groundbreaking on the new stadium. SO WHERE ARE THE RH POWER BATS?

I really hope the Twins front office also wants more than average players across the board. As I watch the current team--actually I can't stand to watch them--I see nothing but mediocrity. We can't replace them all, so we have to hope that an influx of maybe 3 great additions on offense and at least one SP will get the "good hitting and pitching is contagious" thing going. How could they look so good a year ago and so bad now?

No, we can't give up on Buxton and Sano, but it doesn't matter if we have confidence in them. They have to have the confidence in themselves, but how will they get that? If Twins can't get them to believe and achieve we have 2019 looking way too much like this year as I don't see any help coming from the minors for the start of next year other than Romero. I feel about 75% that Sano will be an above average hitter and remain an adequate 3B. My belief that Buxton's bat will allow him out of the minors, I'm afraid, is around 20%. I was happy that he was not promoted in September, not as a punitive measure as much as now he can get healthy and come into camp next season with a major chip on his shoulder out to prove his doubters wrong.

I really hope the Twins front office also wants more than average players across the board. As I watch the current team--actually I can't stand to watch them--I see nothing but mediocrity. We can't replace them all, so we have to hope that an influx of maybe 3 great additions on offense and at least one SP will get the "good hitting and pitching is contagious" thing going. How could they look so good a year ago and so bad now?

 

No, we can't give up on Buxton and Sano, but it doesn't matter if we have confidence in them. They have to have the confidence in themselves, but how will they get that? If Twins can't get them to believe and achieve we have 2019 looking way too much like this year as I don't see any help coming from the minors for the start of next year other than Romero. I feel about 75% that Sano will be an above average hitter and remain an adequate 3B. My belief that Buxton's bat will allow him out of the minors, I'm afraid, is around 20%. I was happy that he was not promoted in September, not as a punitive measure as much as now he can get healthy and come into camp next season with a major chip on his shoulder out to prove his doubters wrong.

I think we are all in this conundrum.  For years we have looked forward to this graduating class and now they have been here for three years and the performance is not there.   Do we keep hoping?  Can all of them step up?  The Twins fans are in a difficult place. 

We’re not set at 3rd, but we’re not exactly in need....

Sooo I say take advantage of all the Angel’s SP injuries, and offer Gibby straight up for Kevin Maitan.

It will be Sano until it isn’t. That’s not Zen, it’s just that they will run Sano out there at third until they outright him.

Who in the minors will be the 3B of the future?

Well, the Twins allowed Escobar to go away. The ball is in Escobar's court and now get to find out how much money someone iwill throw his way. He should take as much as he can get in the short-term. If he stays healthy, he can jave a job (not necessarily a regular job) for years to come.

So...three years and how much money. $25? $30? What do you think he will give you with his bat in 2021?

Looks like Sano WILL be the third baseman. They have to be tough on his off-season. He needs to work - and work hard - especially considering his "time off" in 2018. He can play the position, but he can also get injured. Is it safer to play him at first base? If you are going to make a position change, I would rather see Max Kepler explored for first base...especially if both guys are going to bat less than, say, .250.

Sano will be given another chance next season - UNLESS the Twins do explore Escobar. I hope they make an early offer to Eduarco. At this point, I almost ask the question: Would you rather give $20-30 million for up to three years to Escobar or Joe Mauer if you can have one, but not both?