Article: Trevor Plouffe: Third Base or Utility Role

[DocBauer]

I don't worry about Sano playing 3B or throwing. Generally speaking, TJ surgery for a position player is just not as big a deal as for a pitcher. A pitcher has to regain speed on his fastball, but also confidence and feel for his assortment of pitches. A position player is looking to get the ball from point A to point B, not throw it by someone or put break on his throw. Further, Sano is reported to have a very strong arm, so even should it take a little while for full strength to return, he should still have more than enough to play his position. To me it's the same as it always has been, the footwork and glove to play the position. And despite some error issues, not surprising for any young left side infielder, the former SS has impressed with his work habits and his improvement. Scouts have all indicated he can play the position.

 

The concern isn't his arm, but just shaking off the rust and getting back on track. To those who can remember, it took time for Gaetti to turn in to the outstanding defender he became, same with Koskie, and the same with most young 3B. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Sano struggle some defensively at first as well.

[DocBauer]

I would absolutely keep Plouffe for now. So many teams scramble constantly to find a quality defensive 3B who can actually contribute offensively. Even if Plouffe is, as expected, a stop gap, he will have actual trade value when Sano is ready. But unless someone offers a deal that is stupid to turn down, I don't think you weaken your infield and offense by trading him at this time.

 

 

Now, Sano ready, and Plouffe keeps playing and hitting the way he has this season, still with improvement possibility, then we will have to consider trade options vs a quality role player, possible LF. For now, it's not worth fussing about. He's our 3B for the time being.

[Paul Pleiss]

I really hope the Twins hang onto Babe Plouffe. No need to send him packing this winter in a trade or other means. Miguel Sano missed the season and hasn't played above AA. The Twins need a 3rd basemen, that 3rd basemen is Trevor Plouffe. If you wanted to argue that Santana will be the everyday SS and Escobar slides over to 3rb duties, maybe I could entertain that argument, but I don't think we've seen enough for Santana at SS to give him that job over Escobar.

 

Escobar hasn't been great defensively, but he makes the plays he needs to make, he's young, cost controlled and seems to be getting better. Plouffe has done nothing this season to lose his job. Make Sano steal it from him.

[The Wise One]

The only reason to trade Plouffe would be that you had an offer you couldn't refuse. You know the trade poposal that make you think the other GM is a little like Santa. If Sano is deemed near ready and a GM sees a player he needs for his team, Plouffe could fetch a high return. Ryan is not above fleecing a team in a trade.

[Paul Pleiss]

What's the upside of trading Plouffe? What do you think the Twins could get for him in return? A third basemen who can hit could be a useful addition for a contending team heading down the stretch to replace an injured starter, but I'm not sure there's much of a trade market for that in the off-season.

 

I think any GM makes any trade if he thinks he's getting lopsided value, but I don't think anyone is going to give that up for Babe Plouffe.

 

Getting prospects back for MLB regulars doesn't seem like a recipie for success. This team needs to start winning, continuing to throw away current value for future hope needs to take a back seat to winning in 2015, winning sooner than later.

[The Wise One]

A 22 year old future Ace type  for any Twins regular. LikeI said, Santa GM S what the A's gave to Chicago and Boston.

Edited August 27, 2014 by The Wise One

[Badsmerf]

  On 8/27/2014 at 12:30 AM, DocBauer said:

 Scouts have all indicated he can play the position.

 

That is not true at all. While he has improved (pretty hard not to when he committed 42 errors in 2012), he is still an uncertainty at the position. He is big, and will only get bigger. That doesn't mean he can't play a passable 3b, just that science is against him. There is a big difference between noting an improvement, and being confident he remains at 3b. 

 

I can see the Twins keeping him in AAA for an entire year with the excuse that his defense needs to improve. 

[DJL44]

Plouffe will only "remain" at 3B for 3 more seasons, then he'll be gone. Sano doesn't have to stick past age 30, just fill the gap in the near term.

 

By "blown away" I'm assuming you would agree that if Terry Ryan can find another starting pitching prospect with the pedigree of Alex Meyer that it would be a sufficient return for Plouffe.

[Jdosen]

I think the Twins should do what they can to keep Plouffe at 3B if at all possible because most of his value this year has been accumulated on the defensive side of the ball--he rates out about 9 runs above average defensively, while rating about about average at the plate (105 wRC+).  With that being said, a move to another position, presumably a corner outfield spot, would in theory make him a less valuable player.  I can envision that a Plouffe at 3B/Sano at LF package would produce more WAR than Plouffe at LF/Sano at 3B, but we don't know that yet.  Which is ok, because we don't need to decide right now, and I think it's a decision (i.e. the decision to defensively move either Plouffe or Sano) the Twins shouldn't make until they must.

[stringer bell]

Plouffe was co-player of the week last week--a sign that this is a good player getting better or the pinnacle of a mediocre career?

 

I can't believe he didn't win player of the week or month when he was on his home run binge in 2012.  Someone else must have been just as hot or hotter or...reached a milestone like when Thome hit his 600th HR.