A Mauer Resurgence Will Prove Vital

When do you think Sano, and then Buxton will join the big league club?

I agree that Joe Mauer will return to Joe Mauer with some regression for age.

What have you done to Kurt Suzuki?

Haha. I am trading Suzuki!

I know, I know.

Sano will be up by June, Buxton July.

 

Absolutely right about Mauer, Shane. Some are so focused on what he doesn't do..."how come such a big strapping guy isn't a pure power hitter"...that they lose focus of what he can and does do. It is not hyperbole to say he is one of the current generation's best pure hitters. Nor is it off base to compare him to Puckett, Gwynn or Boggs as earlier generation hitters.

Healthy, and he has been most years of his career, he hits .300+ day, night, home, road, bases empty, runners on, days ending in Y, in the shower, in bed, falling out of bed, etc. And he'll toss in 38-42 doubles as well. Probably double digit HR's. He may never hit 20 HR again, but who knows. I do think healthy, post concussion, 150 games, fresher at 1B than behind the plate, I do think an uptick in most of his offensive categories shouldn't be unexpected. This would include at least slightly better HR numbers.

While it could be an illusion, I sure hope not, Mauer was starting to look like Mauer before his recent DL stint. And when I toss out statements like "Mauer being Mauer", it's not meant to be glib. It simply indicates how special he is just being himself, not trying to be something others would make him.

I do disagree, however, as to him hitting second. I still maintain a team's best pure hitter is best off at the third spot. With the likes of Santana, Buxton, Dozier...to a lesser degree Escobar and possibly Hicks...Rosario and Polanco on the way...I think the Twins have quality options for 1 & 2 to set the table for the offense, offering nice overall skill sets. One of those listed might also provide a dangerous option at 9. With Mauer at the 3rd spot, you've got an RBI producer and R provider right before Sano, Arcia, Vargas and others.

I still can't get over this Dozier situation here. He was basically the only non-Mauer legit leadoff candidate until Danny Santana emerged. Santana emerging right now as a leadoff hitter doesn't mean that Dozier bats second. That's stupid. Dozier, right now, should bat third behind Mauer. Fifth and eventually sixth will be where he ends up, but for now, third please.