There are a lot of decision to make with the Twins' position players. About the only completely sure thing is that Brian Dozier will be in the lineup every day. There are options for the Twins and the team has a manager without a long track record, so we don't know which direction he will go on many of the choices to be made. The merry month of May saw an extremely productive offense combined with improved defense from the position players. So far, June has shown a lot of the reverse of that.

Let's look at the issues and digest both my predictions and opinions. Catcher has been a weak link this year. Starter Kurt Suzuki has predictably regressed, both on offense and defense. His throwing actually seems a bit better this year, but I believe that has more to do with pitchers doing a better job of holding runners than with Suzuki improving. Suzuki is durable, but I would much rather see him catching less if a better option could be found. Far more balls have found their way to the backstop this year than last year. Also, Suzuki really hit left handed pitching last year. This year, not so much. Internal options to improve the position are limited. Eric Fryer has put up good numbers at AAA, but he hasn't hit in the majors and he's almost 30 years old, Josmil Pinto has shown a good bat, but has defensive and concussion issues and Stuart Turner is a fine defender, but can't stay above the Mendoza line in AA. I have suggested for a while going for a good two-way catcher (Jonathan Lucroy or someone like that) and sending prospects. The second option would be to acquire someone to platoon with Zuke. We've seen guys do this before, many guys pretty unheralded until they are used properly. The third option would be to trade for a blocked prospect (for example SF's Susac).

First base. Is Mauer done? The supremely talented, exceptionally athletic player of a few years ago has hit like Chris Parmelee (without the power). The bat seems slow, the swing longer and the results have been dismal. Right now, he is the worst regular first baseman in baseball. It's not just lack of power, he isn't even getting on base. Defensively, he looks more athletic than some, but remains a fish out of water, seemingly always hesitating when there is any choice to be made. The Twins are stuck with Mauer and his contract. He will have an incredibly long leash before there is serious consideration of benching him, but I don't think Molitor can stand for him to continue to hit third.

Brian Dozier is the Twins best positon player. The only decision that needs to be made is where he hits in the lineup. I've liked him hitting first, but with Buxton in the majors, he should be shuffling down. When the move is made for Buxton to hit first, I would move Dozier to third and consider having Mauer hit second.

Shortstop. I like Escobar quite a bit. He had a fine season last year and I think he would be an above-average bat and glove if he got regular at bats as the shortstop. Danny Santana started the season as the shortstop, but has regressed hard. He is intriguing because of the tools, fast hands and feet and a rocket arm, but he has to stop chasing pitches and recognize which ones to swing at. Jorge Polanco also figures at short. I'm not convinced he can play well enough defensively, but he looks like the most complete hitter of the shortstop candidates.

Trevor Plouffe is a solid third baseman. He will stay there at least until Miguel Sano is ready to go and perhaps longer than that. I visualized Plouffe as a guy who could move around, but he has been good enough at third that he should stay there for the Twins until Sano proves he can be an upgrade. Trevor could be a valuable trade chip if the Twins go with Sano. I think Sano sees some time in the majors this year. The young slugger needs to improve on defense before he can move Plouffe down the road. My third and final decisions blog will discuss the outfield and why the Twins probably need to trade a prospect or two.