Two games starting at 1B out of the last three. 

 

1B?

 

Any guesses on what team or teams is kicking the tires?

He has more value at third.

 

I think it has to do with Molitor wanting to give Joe a lot of rest.

In the Aug 17 pregame (2nd Atl game) Molitor said Joe pulled something running first to home on Plouffe's double the day prior and would be taking it easy on Joe for a couple days before making a "decision."

 

In the Aug 17 pregame (2nd Atl game) Molitor said Joe pulled something running first to home on Plouffe's double the day prior and would be taking it easy on Joe for a couple days before making a "decision."

 

That makes sense... but we had Vargas. 

 

I like the showcase conspiracy. 

 

Plouffe is kind of a known quantity at this point, but that doesn't mean RA and PM haven't decided to show him in a display case with a first baseman's glove for other teams to look at (am I phrasing this correctly?)

I don't think Plouffe is worth much for the last 35-40 games in the season. If he's traded it wouldn't be for much.

 

That makes sense... but we had Vargas. 

 

I like the showcase conspiracy. 

Yeah, I like the conspiracy theories, too. They tend to be a lot more exciting than plain ol' logic.

I don't think Plouffe is worth much for the last 35-40 games in the season. If he's traded it wouldn't be for much.

It would be nice to get something for him.

Plouffe is an old dog, he is a 100% known commodity at this point in his career.

Anything he does over the next 10 days changes nothing regarding his value.

Plouffe has been swinging the bat well of late. Don't know if it matters, though.

He's not going to display new skills on the field. What matters to potential trade partners is that after coming off the DL he shows he can play several days in a row without pulling up lame.

Why don't they play experienced players at their normal positions when novices like Berrios are pitching? On the radio the other day the announcers pointed out that Berrios was likely to get through an entire inning, a noteworthy accomplishment indeed, except that the third baseman misplayed a ball that evidently hit him in the face. It was someone I'd never heard of before, Travis or someone, I assume one of the one-day call ups. Meanwhile they had three guys on the roster with third base experience in the majors.

 

Why don't they play experienced players at their normal positions when novices like Berrios are pitching? On the radio the other day the announcers pointed out that Berrios was likely to get through an entire inning, a noteworthy accomplishment indeed, except that the third baseman misplayed a ball that evidently hit him in the face. It was someone I'd never heard of before, Travis or someone, I assume one of the one-day call ups. Meanwhile they had three guys on the roster with third base experience in the majors.

Sorry, Roseann, it was "Trevor" as in Trevor Plouffe and the ball took a wicked bad hop, which is really nobody's fault. Plouffe is the Twins' most experienced third baseman and probably their best defender at the hot corner.

 

Why don't they play experienced players at their normal positions when novices like Berrios are pitching? On the radio the other day the announcers pointed out that Berrios was likely to get through an entire inning, a noteworthy accomplishment indeed, except that the third baseman misplayed a ball that evidently hit him in the face. It was someone I'd never heard of before, Travis or someone, I assume one of the one-day call ups. Meanwhile they had three guys on the roster with third base experience in the majors.

Well not sure what you were listening to because it was Plouffe that got hit in the face and it was an impossible hop

Plouffe and Vargas to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for Pujols, some guy in AA you've never heard of but supposedly can really hit, and cash to balance out the obligations.

I don't think it's to showcase Plouffe  except to demonstrate that he isn't injured--it's really to allow Polanco to (mis)play the field to see if Polanco can be at all useful at the major league level.

 

As far as I'm concerned Polanco can be moved to LF (how much worse can he be there than the rest of them?) and play Plouffe at 3B.

It's strange to wonder. What with the talk of where Carlos Gomez willl end up (Texas) and Papelbon may play. Kansas City fixed their need.

 

It is jsut that arbitration next season, which damages his worth to other teams. Like Hector Santiago, it will be a big decision if the Twins keep him or elt him walk. And even if they keep either of the guys they will sadly overpay and unless they are truly brilliant, not worth it...even as mid-season tradebait since they will both be free agents in 2018. 

 

So, Minnesota. Make you decision now, today, this month. Let them walk, or sign to longterm deals.

 

Plouffe has been swinging the bat well of late. Don't know if it matters, though.

If you look at his August results since returning from the DL, Plouffe had a good series in Atlanta but is dismal against the other teams.  He is 3 for 27 with no RBIs when excluding his play against the worst team in MLB.  Plus he is as slow as ever.  He seems to get thrown out on the bases on a regular basis.  

 

The showcase is to show he is back to "normal" for an August trade and he showed that he can take a bad hop off the head with no impact on his mental abilities.  I expect him gone by September to a contender.

I expect Plouffe in MN for the rest of the season--nobody wants him (except maybe Molitor--because all other 3B options are disgusting).

While it's a well known fact that Plouffes second cousin was seen on the "grassy knoll", that is not the conspiracy we need to address today. This one is whether Plouffe is being shown, ala a Hereford

at a Texas sales barn, at 1B. I tend to think this is the case. If they can show other clubs he can play the position, and I definitely think he can, maybe they can move him. I should add that this ain't all on Plouffe. His employers are the real problem!

 

If they can show other clubs he can play the position, and I definitely think he can, maybe they can move him. I should add that this ain't all on Plouffe. His employers are the real problem!

I can't imagine anything being the plan other than this.  Show that he can play both corner infield spots and that he's healthy.  That likely maximizes what little value he does have.  I still think that the main thing is to show that he's healthy and capable of playing defensively.  The sooner they move on from him, the better for both parties.

I hope there isn't a plan to "showcase" Plouffe at 1B.  It should help him shake off rust to keep his bat in the lineup, but him playing 1B has zero impact on his trade value.  If a team that needs 3B help might also need someone to cover first sporadically, they will not view Plouffe as any more capable of that task because he started a few games there this month.  He already owns a 1B mitt; he's already started a few games there in the past.  That's more than enough for whatever 1B duty a team might be acquiring Plouffe for, at this point.

 

To be fair to the Twins, I don't think they are trying to showcase his 1B glove -- he's only started there 3 times because Mauer couldn't play the field, and they preferred giving Plouffe offensive reps over Vargas, and they aren't approaching things with any particular creativity at this point.

People really think Plouffe is being traded this month? For anything at all?

 

Plouffe and Vargas to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for Pujols, some guy in AA you've never heard of but supposedly can really hit, and cash to balance out the obligations.

 

Why in the world would we trade for ANOTHER washed up first baseman with a bloated contract - AND - give the Angels and actually good, cheap player to boot?  Uh, ok....

I don't think Plouffe is going anywhere this year, UNLESS a playoff team's starting 3rd baseman goes down for the year their backup is awful and their minor league 3rd baseman gets popped for PEDs the rest of the way.  Then I think the Twins could maybe have an outside chance to get a B/B- C level prospect for him.

Edited August 22, 201610 yr by Loosey

People really think Plouffe is being traded this month? For anything at all?

I personally do not, at least not by this administration. I think they are showing him though, but they won't pull the pin because like so many other players we have, he is completely overvalued. And a sacred cow! Or Hereford!

It's a long season with many nagging injuries.  I think teams that are making a playoff run might be looking for some versatility on the field in order to rest a couple of the regulars without taking a big hit by playing the replacement.  Does Plouffe fit that bill?  Sure.  So, play him at 3rd and 1st to showcase him.

I really don't understand the idea that fans get that about showcasing somebody.  Everything a baseball player does is measured.  Every player has a dozen scouting reports written by them every year.  When a team is interested in someone they can send a scout out to watch them play any time they want.

 

The fact is that every baseball player is being 'showcased' every time they step on the field.

 

I really don't understand the idea that fans get that about showcasing somebody.  Everything a baseball player does is measured.  Every player has a dozen scouting reports written by them every year.  When a team is interested in someone they can send a scout out to watch them play any time they want.

 

The fact is that every baseball player is being 'showcased' every time they step on the field.

In this case, with Plouffe's recent injury, they probably needed to show he actually could step on the field (and look fairly normal in doing so).  I suppose you could call that a "showcase" albeit a generic and unexciting one.

 

I agree that it doesn't much matter if he picks up a first baseman's mitt (or an outfielder's glove?), or whether he plays 4 games week or 5.

Why in the world would we trade for ANOTHER washed up first baseman with a bloated contract - AND - give the Angels and actually good, cheap player to boot?  Uh, ok....

Uh, maybe because we're loyal and lovable, and Plouffe is from SoCal, and we want to make Alex Meyer feel better? Or maybe we're still feeling kinda bad about that Jimmie Hall - Dean Chance trade?