Article: Miguel Sano Optioned to Ft. Myers

[PseudoSABR]

 

Star Tribune video interview with Falvey:

http://video.startribune.com/falvey-explains-rationale-for-sano-move/485601401/

Falvey indicates while there's no timeline, they don't plan it being a longer length of time than spring training.

[glunn]

An article on the Twins' website suggests that Sano is approaching this in a positive manner:

 

"He got behind this winter, and it's been kind of an uphill battle," Molitor said. "We're going to work on his performance in baseball and his swing, just bring him along. We're going to listen to him. We're going to stay in touch. We're going to be supportive, because we know that we need him long term."

 

Sano said going to Fort Myers will also allow him to get the timing back in his swing in a lower-pressure environment, while working alongside the Twins' coaching staff.

 

"I'm not mad. I'm happy, because I know I'm struggling, and [Molitor] gave me an opportunity," Sano said. "There's no reason I can get mad."

 

"He needs to be the guy we think he can be," Molitor said. "He's not there right now. We have to take a step backwards here and determine the steps moving forward. But we like our coaches and facility there with a lot of things we can control more there."

 

Let's hope that this works out for Sano and the team.

[gil4]

So now that he's back in low-A, where isheon our prospects list? 

[KirbyDome89]

Motter doesn't exactly have a sterling reputation as a teammate/clubhouse guy. It's far from a guarantee that he contributes to or exacerbates what's reportedly a poor atmosphere in the locker room, but I do find it interesting that part of the solution is removing a disgruntled player, while simultaneously adding a different player with a history of becoming disgruntled. 

[Squirrel]

Motter doesn't exactly have a sterling reputation as a teammate/clubhouse guy. It's far from a guarantee that he contributes to or exacerbates what's reportedly a poor atmosphere in the locker room, but I do find it interesting that part of the solution is removing a disgruntled player, while simultaneously adding a different player with a history of becoming disgruntled.

Who’s disgruntled and being removed?

[Riverbrian]

 

Motter doesn't exactly have a sterling reputation as a teammate/clubhouse guy. It's far from a guarantee that he contributes to or exacerbates what's reportedly a poor atmosphere in the locker room, but I do find it interesting that part of the solution is removing a disgruntled player, while simultaneously adding a different player with a history of becoming disgruntled. 

 

History of becoming disgruntled? 

 

 

[Riverbrian]

 

So now that he's back in low-A, where isheon our prospects list? 

 

 

That's Funny. 

[Riverbrian]

[curt1965]

This is going to be a very interesting 30 days: the Twins are not going to be winning many games (or scoring many runs), and the crowds at Target Field are going to thin out. Whatever games we DO win will be because of our starting pitching, and prayers are needed that Molitor won’t screw up the bullpen on the days they have a chance.

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but how long can Rosario and Escobar continue their offensive dominance?

If Dozier doesn’t have one of his patented hot streaks and Mauer doesn’t give us his usual OBP, let’s face it-we’re screwed! Morrison, Kepler, and Grossman are hitting .187, .229, and .225- players at positions that are usually the main run producers. Cave/LeMarre are career minor league ‘filler’ options. The catching position is sad. I think the offense will be infinitely better when Polanco comes back, but that won’t be for another 15 games.

It’s true that injuries have hurt the team, but organizations that constantly win prepare for these situations.

I’d be willing to cut the new management some slack, but the addition of Belisle this week told me that building up our system now is not a main priority.

Edited June 15, 2018 by curt1965

[Wyorev]

I rather doubt Sano is a problem in the clubhouse.

I do wish he - and for that matter, everyone else on the team, coaches included - would quit griping about strike calls. (Except Mauer, he’s the only one who’s earned that right)

A couple days ago the thought occurred to me that I wish Sano and Buxton would go down to the minors and learn how to strike out less.

Watching a Buxton at bat has been like fingernails on a chalkboard. (And I’m a huge Buxton bobo) (btw - should bobo be capitalized?)

Baseball is so difficult, and it is easy for fans to forget that. Look at Goldscmidt’s struggles, or McCutcheon, or Kemp or or or...

The Twins development of players MAY deserve criticism, but there are so many factors to all of this, little can be said for certain.

As to disgruntled players. PG Wodehouse said of someone, that if he wasn’t disgruntled, he wasn’t exactly gruntled either.

[howeda7]

 

Maybe this should have been done before Petit was DFA. Now the Twins have no reserve infielder until Polanco is eligible, which is still almost a month away.

Poor roster management.

Even if the Twins got an offer for Dozier, they would have to pass because they lack an infielder (they are willing) to call up.

They just need to call up Nick Gordon. He can play SS. Escobar at 3rd. Adrianza on the bench as God intended. 

[KirbyDome89]

 

History of becoming disgruntled? 

https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mariners-make-a-myriad-of-roster-moves-alex-colome-arrives-nick-vincent-to-the-dl-and-taylor-motter-is-designated-for-assignment/

 

"While Motter is younger, cheaper, has more power potential and probably more value, the Mariners like Romine because he was a switch hitter and “low maintenance” as a teammate by comparison. Motter had reputation of grating on teammates and coaches when he was with Tampa, he did little to change that it in his time with the Mariners, possibly making it worse."

[KirbyDome89]

 

Who’s disgruntled and being removed?

Do you think sending Sano to A ball is purely about mechanical adjustments?

[PseudoSABR]

 

Do you think sending Sano to A ball is purely about mechanical adjustments?

Do you think his statistical profile to date suggest otherwise? (I.e. that if not for his supposed poor clubhouse presence he'd be worthwhile to the club).  These kind of assertions need to be support with facts.  

[RaoulDuke]

I think this was the right move.  Unlike Buxton (though his hitting would certainly benefit from some minors time as well) Sano's value is entirely in him crushing the ball and he is doing very little of that.

 

Work hard on conditioning, or the leg is going to be a recurring issue.  First base/ dh is coming soon but he still has to run the bases and not injure himself doing so.

 

Work hard on attitude, your spot isn't guarenteed because of potential.  Be humble and let the challenge drive you to be better.

 

Work hardest on approach, its currently very broken.  When Sano came up at first I was most impressed with how patient he was for a young guy. Pitchers wanted to nibble to avoid him, exploit his youth and let him get himself out like rookies are prone to.  He waited them out like a pro letting them get behind in the count and forcing them to walk him or throw hittable pitches.  No doubt the league found weaknesses and adjusted, now he needs to do the same. 

 

Currently he is getting eaten alive chasing low and away and is checking his swings wayyy more than I have ever seen any baseball player do.  Nothing good is going to come from checking your swing.  It either means he was purely guessing and had no way to adjust or his mechanics are so messed up he has to start every swing that early to make any contact.

 

I think he will get it back, there is a monster hitter buried in there buried by bad habits.  A good kick in the ass/ reality check was overdue.

 

[Old Twins Cap]

 

This is going to be a very interesting 30 days: tMorrison, Kepler, and Grossman are hitting .187, .229, and .225- players at positions that are usually the main run producers. Cave/LeMarre are career minor league ‘filler’ options.

 

So, they bring up a veteran 1B with almost no power, who is experiencing vertigo and who hit 0 for 10 at AAA, and Motter, who is a career Mendoza Line guy and hitting .167.

 

What could go wrong?

 

 

[Riverbrian]

 

I rather doubt Sano is a problem in the clubhouse. I do wish he - and for that matter, everyone else on the team, coaches included - would quit griping about strike calls. (Except Mauer, he’s the only one who’s earned that right) A couple days ago the thought occurred to me that I wish Sano and Buxton would go down to the minors and learn how to strike out less. Watching a Buxton at bat has been like fingernails on a chalkboard. (And I’m a huge Buxton bobo) (btw - should bobo be capitalized?) Baseball is so difficult, and it is easy for fans to forget that. Look at Goldscmidt’s struggles, or McCutcheon, or Kemp or or or... The Twins development of players MAY deserve criticism, but there are so many factors to all of this, little can be said for certain. As to disgruntled players. PG Wodehouse said of someone, that if he wasn’t disgruntled, he wasn’t exactly gruntled either.

 

I agree with almost everything that you typed.

 

Just one minor disagreement. I'd like to see the manager or players go ape on something... if it's an umpire... that would be fine with me. 

 

 

[Doctor Wu]

Meanwhile, what's Trevor Plouffe doing this month? No, on second thought, let's not go there.

[Doctor Wu]

 

They just need to call up Nick Gordon. He can play SS. Escobar at 3rd. Adrianza on the bench as God intended. 

A tempting thought, but Gordon is really struggling at AAA so far.

[Riverbrian]

 

Falvey indicates while there's no timeline, they don't plan it being a longer length of time than spring training.

 

There isn't much need to speculate on the reasoning. 

 

Falvey is very lucid and sensible in his explanation. 

 

I like that they are taking a non-traditional approach to protect the investment. 

[Tomj14]

 

That seems like a tiny number over a decade.... If we are going back to Dozier and Gibson. This team doesn't have enough good players. Is that in dispute?

It is funny people mention Gibson, the one player everybody has wanted to get rid of the last few years because he wasn't living up to expectations, and Dozier who others having been trying to get traded for more prospects. Or Romero who has all of 8 major league starts.

 

 

[slash129]

 

A tempting thought, but Gordon is really struggling at AAA so far.

 

OMG, look what I found, someone is actually informed about Gordon

 

[Squirrel]

Do you think sending Sano to A ball is purely about mechanical adjustments?

I think you are reaching with that assumption. Fort Myers has one of the best facilities. I don’t think this is punitive for disgruntledness, in fact everything I’ve read suggests yes, this is for work on his mechanics and conditioning.

[USAFChief]

 

I think you are reaching with that assumption. Fort Myers has one of the best facilities. I don’t think this is punitive for disgruntledness, in fact everything I’ve read suggests yes, this is for work on his mechanics and conditioning.

So not just "mechanical."

 

Just one man's opinion, but I find the idea this is purely about his swing to be...doubtful.

 

 

[Thrylos]

 

Meanwhile, what's Trevor Plouffe doing this month?

 

Getting ready for his Lehigh Valley IronPigs game

 

Edited June 15, 2018 by Thrylos

[Brock Beauchamp]

People are overthinking this. If an MLB player is sent to Ft Myers, that means there is probably something going on that doesn't involve swinging a bat at a baseball.

 

Ft Myers is the Twins' home away from home. It's where the Twins have their primary training and medical facilities and where everyone goes to rehab.

 

That doesn't mean Sano is injured; they could be concerned about his diet, training, or mental state, amongst other things.

 

But it's highly unlikely this is purely an on-field baseball decision. Otherwise, Sano might get slapped down to Chattanooga at most. He won't learn much, if anything, against Florida League pitching.

[Vanimal46]

People are overthinking this. If an MLB player is sent to Ft Myers, that means there is probably something going on that doesn't involve swinging a bat at a baseball.

 

Ft Myers is the Twins' home away from home. It's where the Twins have their primary training and medical facilities and where everyone goes to rehab.

 

That doesn't mean Sano is injured; they could be concerned about his diet, training, or mental state, amongst other things.

 

But it's highly unlikely this is purely an on-field baseball decision. Otherwise, Sano might get slapped down to Chattanooga at most. He won't learn much, if anything, against Florida League pitching.

Agreed. It sounds like an intervention to get his life and career back on track.

 

People in the past have posted "Why don't the Twins hire a nutritionist/personal trainer for Sano?" Well, they got their wish. He'll probably stay near the facility, get all of his meals prepared by someone else there, and get back to the basics.

[Squirrel]

So not just "mechanical."

 

Just one man's opinion, but I find the idea this is purely about his swing to be...doubtful.

I would assume that, yes. And I don’t think that’s an over-reach to jump to that conclusion. I do think, however, it’s an over-reach to assume it’s because Sano is disgruntled and that this is somehow punitive.

[beckmt]

At least Sano said the correct things. I was worried that he could take it badly and become a big issue for the Twins.

[luckylager]

 

My personal opinion, its a wise, wise move. 

My personal opinion, we don't know whether or not this move is wise or foolish. It will all depend on how Sano responds. It's said that desperate times call for desperate measures. This seems like a desperate measure. Hopefully it works for Miguel, the Twins and those of us who are rooting for him.