Article: The Rise and Fall of Miguel Sano

[Thrylos]

 

Are you suggesting that his success or failure isn’t directly tied to the success or failure of the franchise as a whole? Perhaps the reason so much is written about him is because he is THAT important to this franchise.

 

Sure, but a lot of young players are THAT important to this franchise, because a single top player never made a team a winner.  Ask Mike Trout, if you don't believe me.  

 

Matter of fact, Byron Buxton sucks more that Sano this season, and has been throughout his career, while rated as the top prospect in baseball by most of the pundits out there, unlike Sano.

 

How come there is no biweekly venom against Buxton around here?

 

As some point, one has to think that it might be personal and malicious, esp. in the light of events that happened the last off-season (allegedly) involving Sano and certain people's friends...

 

 

Edited June 28, 2018 by Thrylos

[LeatherAntenna]

If only we had just Sano to worry about, but their is a guy on the opposite side of the bathroom scales who is flailing away in AAA when we need him running the bases in MLB and he looks lost with a positive attitude.  And after those two get fixed we have a German in the outfield who is slipping down to below replacement batting when we anticipated another rising star.  And then we have our oldest star showing a valient, but seemingly futile effort to combat concussions, our young star short stop taking a PED vacation, and our slugging 2B waiting for his half year magic to kick in.  

 

That is a lot to deal with - not even moving into Belisle, Pressly and the BP.

of all the posts in this thread this one sums it up best. I still believe in Kep, he looks in shape, is intense, and I believe that he figures it out. As to the rest and upcoming years, well, as in “Games of Thrones”, prepare for winter.

[LeatherAntenna]

I wouldn't say Kepler is regressing, although I agree he's not getting better. His OPS+, wRC+, and WAR are virtually identical to what he produced in 2016-2017. He's thoroughly an average performer for the 3rd consecutive season, which is helping the MLB team a bit but not a lot. (The shape of his offense has changed a smidge this year -- walk rate up, K rate down, BABIP down -- but not enough to be particularly encouraging.)

Isn’t his batting against left handed pitching still much improved this year and makes his 2018 year more perplexing?

 

[USAFChief]

Too much drama regarding the performance of a 25 year old in 37 games of an injury plagued season and , esp. since Golden Boy hit .234/.271/.332, .265 wOBA, 63 wRC+ in his age 25 season (much worse than Sano, FWIW)

 

Same with Buxton btw.

 

Too.Much.Drama. And way too often regarding Sano. Seems that there is a weekly let's ditch Sano article regurgitating the same things, as if Sano were all that is wrong with the Twins right now.

 

Certain people must be auditioning to be the next Souhan or Reusse...

Too much drama??

 

He's in A ball, ferpetesakes. Not solely for baseball reasons.

 

Maybe it's time some people apologize to Reusse and Souhan.

[LeatherAntenna]

THere was a lot of blowback about "questioning his character" when people made the observation that Sano was out of shape a few months ago.  Can that please stop?  YOu don't get out of shape working hard and being a go-getter.  I wasn't watching him this winter, but I will bet he lived a little too high on the hog this past winter and who can blame him?  He grew up with nothing and now he's enjoying the spoils of a life in the major leagues.  At least half of this is on the Twins.

 

Remember when he got suspended for the home run trot back when he was in New Britain?  I always thought it was more about other things than him taking his time rounding the bases after a home run.  The Twins went out of their way to make a point to him for "not respecting the game" as an indirect way to send a message to him about other areas of his game.  Heaven forbid they call him out for his work ethic, or lack of a decent one. 

 

What is wrong with saying the kid needs to refocus and work harder?  What is wrong with telling the kid that he lost his way?  I was in my early 20s once and I needed some people to get in my face in order to keep me on the path.  No shame in that.

He grew up in life and now he is enjoying the spoils of life? (And apparently no obvious discipline) OK, others are always not wired that way but assuming that is something that you give him then it is also acceptable for fans to criticize him. Those sadly, are our spoils.

[alarp33]

 

Sure, but a lot of young players are THAT important to this franchise, because a single top player never made a team a winner.  Ask Mike Trout, if you don't believe me.  

 

Matter of fact, Byron Buxton sucks more that Sano this season, and has been throughout his career, while rated as the top prospect in baseball by most of the pundits out there, unlike Sano.

 

How come there is no biweekly venom against Buxton around here?

 

As some point, one has to think that it might be personal and malicious, esp. in the light of events that happened the last off-season (allegedly) involving Sano and certain people's friends...

 

June 27 2017 - June 27 2018

 

Miguel Sano  .226/.294/.425

 

Byron Buxton  .262/.307/.435

 

Which one of those 2 has a value solely tied to his bat?

 

If you need more. fWAR since start of 2016. 

 

Miguel Sano  3.3

Byron Buxton 4.6

 

So when you say matter of factly Sano has constantly outperformed Buxton, when exactly are you talking about? The 80 games Sano had 3 years ago?

Edited June 28, 2018 by alarp33

[Thrylos]

 

Too much drama??

He's in A ball, ferpetesakes. Not solely for baseball reasons.

Maybe it's time some people apologize to Reusse and Souhan.

 

He is at the Twins' Spring Training home where he can take care of his lack of conditioning because of the immobility his surgery caused last off-season,  while playing baseball and getting his timing back in a non-pressure situation and his mechanics corrected after the adjustments he had to make because of his early season injury.

 

That's my no drama take.

 

Let the haters hate.  Not the first black latino that was not liked in Minny.

 

Stuff happens.  Crucifying your best player when it happens is inane.  Not that different than Mauer's concussion and its aftermath.  Other than the race and nationality part (and the $ Mauer was paid.)

 

Period.

Edited June 28, 2018 by Thrylos

[Thrylos]

 

 

So when you say matter of factly Sano has constantly outperformed Buxton, when exactly are you talking about? The 80 games Sano had 3 years ago?

 

Career MLB:

 

Sano: .248/.339/.485, 121 OPS+, .351 wOBA, 119 wRC+
 

Buxton: .230/.285/.387, 81 OPS+, .289 wOBA, 76 wRC+

 

just that

Edited June 28, 2018 by Thrylos

[USAFChief]

He is at the Twins' Spring Training home where he can take care of his lack of conditioning because of the immobility his surgery caused last off-season,  while playing baseball and getting his timing back in a non-pressure situation and his mechanics corrected after the adjustments he had to make because of his early season injury.

 

That's my no drama take.

 

Let the haters hate.  Not the first black latino that was not liked in Minny.

 

Stuff happens.  Crucifying your best player when it happens is inane.  Not that different than Mauer's concussion and its aftermath.  Other than the race and nationality part (and the $ Mauer was paid.)

 

Period.

1. He’s not the Twins best player. Calling him that is...inane. He may some day be, I hope so.

 

2. This thread isn’t about Dozier, or Buxton, or Mauer.

 

3. And you know what else it isn’t about? It’s not about race, or color, or ethnicity. Nobody has said snything about that, or implied any such thing, until you just did. And in doing so, you are implying that other posters are racists.

 

That’s not fair, and it’s not allowed here at TD. This is for you and all posters: cease and desist with these kinds of unfounded allegations.

[alarp33]

Career MLB:

 

Sano: .248/.339/.485, 121 OPS+, .351 wOBA, 119 wRC+

 

Buxton: .230/.285/.387, 81 OPS+, .289 wOBA, 76 wRC+

 

just that

Oh ok so when you said he’s been better this year and every year of his career you just meant he has overall offensive numbers that are superior. I agree, from 2015 to today Sano has been a better offensive player.

 

Unfortunately for the Twins the Sano of 2015 and other brief periods, hasn’t been seen in over a year. And he has a negative defensive and base running value

 

*2015 is the only year he’s been more valuable than Buxton by WAR. I’d recommend using that stat because baseball is also played in the field and on the bases

Edited June 28, 2018 by alarp33

[Nick Nelson]

 

Too much drama regarding the performance of a 25 year old in 37 games of an injury plagued season and , esp. since Golden Boy hit .234/.271/.332, .265 wOBA, 63 wRC+ in his age 25 season (much worse than Sano, FWIW)

 

Same with Buxton btw.

 

Too.Much.Drama.  And way too often regarding Sano.  Seems that there is a weekly let's ditch Sano article regurgitating the same things, as if Sano were all that is wrong with the Twins right now.

 

Certain people must be auditioning to be the next Souhan or Reusse...

Hey, if you don't like it, you're welcome to not read, and certainly welcome to not comment! 

Your whole shtick forever has been calling for managers/coaches/front office types of be fired. You grind your axes against players that you don't like ad nauseam. We all know this. And you're whining about "too much drama"? Who do you think you're kidding?

 

If you wanna actually tell me what specifically is unfair about this article, instead of making ridiculous exaggerations about how I'm "crucifying" Sano, or being "malicious," or suggesting the team should get rid of him, then go for it.

 

But if that's all you've got, drop it. I'm really tired of hearing it.  

[alarp33]

 

Hey, if you don't like it, you're welcome to not read, and certainly welcome to not comment! 

Your whole shtick forever has been calling for managers/coaches/front office types of be fired. You grind your axes against players that you don't like ad nauseam. We all know this. And you're whining about "too much drama"? Who do you think you're kidding?

 

If you wanna actually tell me what specifically is unfair about this article, instead of making ridiculous exaggerations about how I'm "crucifying" Sano, or being "malicious," or suggesting the team should get rid of him, then go for it.

 

But if that's all you've got, drop it. I'm really tired of hearing it.  

 

"too much drama after 37 games"

 

- same poster who suggested cutting ties with Buxton late July last year in favor of Zach Granite

[DocBauer]

First, angst can be dangerous. Opinions are great, but calm down folks.

 

Second, and to the point, the problem with Sano, and Buxton since he's been brought in to this discussion, is clearly between the ears, IMO. And that is no insult, or a shot at either guy. BOTH are EXTREMELY talented with God-given ability and potential that most people, even high end baseball athletes, can only envy.

 

Both flew through the system, as you would expect and hope for two such talented players. Buxton missed some time due to injuries, but performed so well, he was quickly promoted. Everything has come so easy for both of them, I have to wonder at times, if they truly honed all the knowledge they could before they hit the Show.

 

This is all still my opinion, but I think it's an intelligent one watching both of them. Buxton cares so much, wants to do well so badly, that I think he's unsure of himself and pressing. At some point last season, he relaxed and his given ability took over. He got off to a rough start, which he has before and is not unprecedented in other players, then had the migraines then the toe injury, then trying to play through it, no wonder he's a bit of a mess right now.

 

I have made excuses for Sano previously, and will again. He is a large, muscle bound young man who wears his weight well. He doesn't field his position poorly, charges balls very well, and bas a cannon for an arm that is almost always accurate. I won't pretend to be an expert physical therapist, or a shrink, but his surgery and recovery and controversy in the off season has to have weighed on him.

 

That being said, what happens NOW? It's up to him. Eventually, for healthy and mobility, he absolutely needs to get in better shape. Even a large, muscular DH/1B has to have some flexibility and endurance to swing the bat and endure a full 162 game season much less play 3B. He also needs to recognise ML pitchers are there for a reason. They make adjustments. Will He? And will he accept this demotion as the opportunity that it is?

 

Not sure how Kepler got brought in to this whole discussion, but I will address a few things regarding him as well. Who believes his signing as a teenager playing ball in Germany was in any way the equivalent of being a top HS prospect selected in the draft? Who remembers he barely played at AAA before making his ML debut? Who has watched him in the field, or at the plate, and seen the natural athleticism and quick hands with a smooth stroke? I LOVE Rosario and was on his bandwagon years ago. But when it comes to just pure ability and potential, I think Kepler is second to only Buxton. Why the hell he can suddenly only hit LHP is like a Leoarnd Nimoy "in search of" episode from the 80's. But this kid has mad potential. And I still feel he's, learning on the job, as he has been the last couple of seasons. Is he better served with a trip to AAA? I don't know. Who do you replace him with?

 

IMO, Buxton will be OK when he learns to relax. At this point, I'm OK with a month of AAA. Kepler will be fine once he figures a few things out. We have a whole half season to play folks!

 

The question is Sano. Will he embrace this "re-set" as a punishment? Or as an opportunity to be healthy, get in shape, work at recognizing counts and pitches, and move forward?

[yarnivek1972]

You lost me at “doesn’t field his position poorly”.

 

Second worst in the league.

 

That’s poor.

[curt1965]

What Doc said!

With regard to Sano’s fielding, I use my eyesight sometimes when evaluating players, and although his “stats” might say his fielding is poor, I say he can make all the plays, is fairly mobile for a big guy, and hasn’t hurt the team with his play defensively. Can’t remember any games his play there resulted in Twins’ losses.

The bigger point, and what I’ve said in the past, is that Sano and Buxton are still very young. Their biggest fault was being labeled “ can’t miss” and “superstars of the future.” Expectations can be a bitch, and unfortunately their problems and lack of production has left the team with very little talent offensively. Rosario and Escobar have carried this team for the past month, and it is unrealistic to assume they can continue that play until Sano and Buxton return.

I can’t produce the actual statistics, but I remember Hunter, Cuddyer, Morneau, and recently Dozier make return trips to the minors when they had problems. Unfortunately, Buxton, Sano, and Kepler needed to play immediately, and now when they need to return to Rochester/Fort Meyers, there is a precipitous drop off in talent. Twins fans better get used to the losing in 2018.

This subject is obviously very emotional for us posters, and I think I know a possible reason. Where Buxton and Kepler are outwardly disappointed with their play, Sano’s weight issues and lack of perceived attention to detail and perceived lack of interest rub us the wrong way.

My hope is that both of the future stars are not rushed back to the show, and that they only return when they are ready. This year is toast, but let’s get everyone ready for next year, find out who we can and cannot count on, and hope that the front office figures out the roster construction much better next year.

[yarnivek1972]

The problem with “using your eyes” is that they are often misleading. The reason you don’t recall Sano’s play at third costing the Twins games is because he’s only played 25 games there. The reason the Twins have lost most of their games this year has typically been because of their offense and occasional bullpen blow ups. Doesn’t mean Sano isn’t a terrible defender.

 

I for one don’t care about how Sano “rubs” people, his weight or his motivation. I care about results on the field. His were not good in 2016. They were inconsistent, though better, in 2017. They are downright abysmal this year. He is at the stage of his career where he should be showing improvement from year to year. He’s going completely the other way. That’s a problem.

[the_brute_squad]

Weight is the biggest concern. It's tough to fix a swing when you've got 40 extra pounds around the mid-section. The balance is off, the swing is adjusted because of the extra girth, and you're bound to lose bat speed. Combine that with a lack of confidence after swinging and missing because of that and you start to press and hit everything over the left field fence. Lose the weight and the rest will be fixed.

Of course there's the chance he stays at 290.. at which point he's another "what coulda been".

[laloesch]

 

In my 52 years on this Earth I have been in and out of shape. When I was in shape I looked like I was in shape. Why? Because I put in the work with diet and exercise.
When I was out of shape I looked like I was out of shape. Why? Because I got lazy in the area of diet and exercise and I in every case I readily admitted it to anyone when I got on the topic.

 

I am sure there are a lot of people like me here who have been through this and understand that forgetting about conditioning and diet affects how we feel, our appearance and what we are capable of doing physically (in Sano's case it probably affects his swing mechanics, attitude and overall ability). If this calls into question his character then so be it.  He has five to six months of offseason and he is a 25 year old professional athlete.  IN this day and age you have to keep up with your peers, many of whom work out and get in amazing shape during the offseason.

This is a fixable thing.  He can change.,

 

YES.  And it is much much easier to get in shape and stay in shape in your early 20's.  I'm not an old dog by any means at 38 but i have already noticed how much harder it is to get in shape.  This year i quit smoking, picked up jogging again and are going to join a gym soon to put some muscle back on that i've lost through the years.  He (miguel) can do this if he wants to.

[ewen21]

 

Nothing at all. But that's not what was being said. What was being said was he needed to stop feeding at the buffet trough and he needed to stop being lazy and he needed to stop just expecting things to happen. Those types of character issues questions are out of bounds, because those are all speculative and disrespectful and, frankly, not helpful in finding solutions. But saying needs to refocus and figure it out and be in better condition ... absolutely. And that's what he's in Fort Myers to do. Maybe there are other issues at hand with his level of discipline, both in diet and workouts, that do feed into what he needs to change (no pun intended with the word 'feed') ... but I think those can be addressed without outright being disrespectful by saying things that I mentioned above without painting the most negative picture of his personal character.

When it comes to weight some people are blunt about it with themselves.  I know that I am when I am carrying like 10 or 15 pounds and I know other people who are the same way.  The comments some people directed at Sano are things I heard many people (myself included) say about themselves.  I don't see that as assailing one's character.  Good people can have bad habits.  Lord knows I have a few and I am VERY honest about them with myself and I will rip myself about these things to make sure I'm on the straight and narrow.  I don't have coaches, five months and change of free time and an endless amount of resources like Sano does.

 

He did a horrible job this offseason and you would hope he learns something from this

[ewen21]

 

You don't know any of this.  This is the kind of post about Sano that really bothers me.  Buxton too.

 

You know nothing about them as young men, what they think, what they care about, and how they work.  Criticizing them as people like that is quite reprehensible IMO.

Holy overreaction.  To say we know nothing about them, what they care about and how they work doesn't compute with me.  HE didn't care enough to rip down in an offseason where he needed to because of the microfracture surgery.  This is idea that we "know nothing" about what he did, cares about or how he works makes zero sense.  It is pretty simple to draw conclusions about people if we are talking about fitness.  If he were working hard and doing what he was supposed to do he would not be down in Florida conditioning his body DURING the season.  He allowed this to get this way all by himself.  That doesn't happen unless you go completely off the reservation for five months.  Period.  End of story.

 

You and others seem to think people can discern nothing from hours, days, weeks, months and years of observation. You will remember right away there were questions about his weight and physical condition once he arrived in camp by the Twins and the media. Then we saw him and it was pretty clear he put on some weight after microfracture surgery on his shin.
What does that say about his preparation? If ever there was a season for him to rip down and ease the load on those legs it was this season and he was ill prepared (to say the least)
People want to say it is "mechanics" yet don't realize/accept/fathom that his physical conditioning (or lack of it) affects execution. It is so simple it is silly. 5 X 5 = 25 and that will always be, just as out of shape athletes are going to have a variety of problems 10 times out 10.  At 25 years old he has a lot to learn with what it takes during the five or six months of off season that he has.

 

 

[Squirrel]

 

When it comes to weight some people are blunt about it with themselves.  I know that I am when I am carrying like 10 or 15 pounds and I know other people who are the same way.  The comments some people directed at Sano are things I heard many people (myself included) say about themselves.  I don't see that as assailing one's character.  Good people can have bad habits.  Lord knows I have a few and I am VERY honest about them with myself and I will rip myself about these things to make sure I'm on the straight and narrow.  I don't have coaches, five months and change of free time and an endless amount of resources like Sano does.

 

He did a horrible job this offseason and you would hope he learns something from this

I don't disagree Sano has a lot to work on and figure out in several areas of his professional and personal life. And I have no issues with people taking certain stances in regards to what they think Sano needs to work on, including weight. I was willing to give him some time and a benefit of a doubt for a while because he's young and let's face it ... we all figure out the maturity thing in our own time ... and some never do. I've also seen him at ST for every year he's been there and at some minor league games along the way, too. He has always been larger than anyone else, even at times when he's looked quite solid. That said, we don't know what time and energies he has committed himself to in regards to his weight, or anything else for that matter. I don't think it's fair, respectable or funny to assume the worst and come out with the trough feeding/fatty/buffet/lazy/poor ethics comments based on what we see alone when we have no idea, really, what's going on. Of course we can draw conclusions and theorize and have opinions ... on either side of this debate. I, myself, took the path of giving him some leeway but that leeway is very short at present based on a lot of press over time and lack of production this season. But in our theories and opinions, if we can't present our takes respectfully ... and I'm not pointing at you when I say this, but everyone ... if we can't present it respectfully, it's not going to fly, here. And if we can't accept that while one might strongly believe in what one thinks, another might believe just as strongly in something else. I've often given the advice ... you aren't right or wrong here at TD. No one is. We are expressing what we think is or should be; there is no right or wrong in that, and there is no 'winning' the debate. There is, however, civility and respect in any issues any of us might bump heads about. Me disagreeing with you about Sano isn't 'push back,' it's me having a different opinion. We can go 'round and 'round and never meet in the middle, and that's okay. But at some point, agreeing to disagree is likely the best path. But name calling, dragging someone's character down, mean-spirited comments ... those should be avoided.

[ewen21]

My problem with this whole debate is the constant berating people get from those who believe nothing can be discerned about one's physical fitness through observation.  This refrain I keep seeing.... "you don't know because you weren't there watching him" or "you can't say things about his character" is getting very annoying.

 

I am saying nothing about his character unless you assume that anyone who is 30 to 40 pounds overweight has character issues.  I do not make that assumption and I am not making an assumption or going after his character if I say he is out of shape and should have done a better job.  People who noticed this early shouldn't be on the defensive and I feel anyone who has been critical of his conditioning HAS BEEN put on the defensive for a perception that his "character" is being attacked.

 

With that I am walking away from this unless someone wants to quote me or PM me.

[Mike Sixel]

 

My problem with this whole debate is the constant berating people get from those who believe nothing can be discerned about one's physical fitness through observation.  This refrain I keep seeing.... "you don't know because you weren't there watching him" or "you can't say things about his character" is getting very annoying.

 

I am saying nothing about his character unless you assume that anyone who is 30 to 40 pounds overweight has character issues.  I do not make that assumption and I am not making an assumption or going after his character if I say he is out of shape and should have done a better job.  People who noticed this early shouldn't be on the defensive and I feel anyone who has been critical of his conditioning HAS BEEN put on the defensive for a perception that his "character" is being attacked.

 

With that I am walking away from this unless someone wants to quote me or PM me.

 

people have used phrases like lazy and doesn't care....among other things. I think that's the part that some of us push back on. 

[ewen21]

 

people have used phrases like lazy and doesn't care....among other things. I think that's the part that some of us push back on. 

I defended Sano long enough.  He is the one responsible for where he is right now with regard to conditioning.  He was irresponsible in that area this winter.  I don't where anyone can dispute that.  If people want to call that lazy I don't understand what the problem is.  I fell out of shape in my life and it was because I got lazy.  He is a professional athlete and has all the resources you and I could ever want at his fingertips for months on end.  He also had microfracture surgery on his shin.

 

 

[Squirrel]

My problem with this whole debate is the constant berating people get from those who believe nothing can be discerned about one's physical fitness through observation. This refrain I keep seeing.... "you don't know because you weren't there watching him" or "you can't say things about his character" is getting very annoying.

 

I am saying nothing about his character unless you assume that anyone who is 30 to 40 pounds overweight has character issues. I do not make that assumption and I am not making an assumption or going after his character if I say he is out of shape and should have done a better job. People who noticed this early shouldn't be on the defensive and I feel anyone who has been critical of his conditioning HAS BEEN put on the defensive for a perception that his "character" is being attacked.

 

With that I am walking away from this unless someone wants to quote me or PM me.

I think you are taking this too personally when I was speaking generally. I wasn’t saying specifically that your arguments are disrespectful or you would have had a PM about it. I was talking of posters who jump to the assumptions I stated.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

My problem with this whole debate is the constant berating people get from those who believe nothing can be discerned about one's physical fitness through observation.  This refrain I keep seeing.... "you don't know because you weren't there watching him" or "you can't say things about his character" is getting very annoying.

 

I am saying nothing about his character unless you assume that anyone who is 30 to 40 pounds overweight has character issues.  I do not make that assumption and I am not making an assumption or going after his character if I say he is out of shape and should have done a better job.  People who noticed this early shouldn't be on the defensive and I feel anyone who has been critical of his conditioning HAS BEEN put on the defensive for a perception that his "character" is being attacked.

 

With that I am walking away from this unless someone wants to quote me or PM me.

My problem with this (and as a moderator as well though this not necessarily directed at you) is that people are making way too many assumptions about his character with way too little evidence to back them up and then proceed with a character assassination.

 

I think we can all agree that there's a maturity issue here, though to what extent is completely unknown. Obviously his weight is high, but I don't think that means he isn't conditioning himself at all (whether he's doing it properly is a different issue, and I'm fairly certain he's got a genetic component here too... remember he was always huge for his age, so much so that it was doubted during his IFA period).  I'd also note, that plenty of overweight sluggers did just fine in MLB, and a few are in the HOF. His weight affects his defense much more than his offense in my humble opinion. 

 

To conclude however, that he's lazy, lines up at the buffet table, doesn't care, etc. (to quote a few lines I've read in this thread), is well out of line. Don't confuse results with intention. People can and do try and fail, and they also may not be trying hard enough. 

 

So please, let's frame in this in a more reasonable way. I'm hoping that whatever maturity issue is in play will result in some growing up in A ball on a minor leaguer's salary. At 24, that might work. 

[Jerr]

Well, there obviously is some problem/concern on the Twins part or Sano would not have been sent down to Class A ball. Twins know far more than anyone on here. I hope he finds whatever is missing, that has held back his success. 

[ewen21]

 

My problem with this (and as a moderator as well though this not necessarily directed at you) is that people are making way too many assumptions about his character 

 

 

I don't see it that way at all.  Not at all.  He came into camp and there were rumblings from the Twins in the media right away before most of us even saw him. When most saw him it caused a reaction.  No one had seen the guy for almost five months and he put on bad weight after having microfracture surgery on his shin.  He had nothing else to do over a five month period but to eat properly and train effectively.  He failed miserably in that department because whatever he did he didn't do nearly enough.  YOu want to talk about maturity?  I don't want to hear it.  Take a look at other young star players in the game, guys even younger than Miguel, and you will see a great many of them commit themselves to being in the best possible condition they can be.  Sano isn't an EMT, a police officer, a school teacher or whatever.  He is a professional athlete and it is HIS JOB to be sure stuff like this doesn't happen.  He didn't do what his employer needed him to do.  SImple as that.  The sad part is he could have done virtually nothing for three months and then whipped himself into shape over the last six weeks of the off season.  I have done body transformations while I working a full time job, I have seen others with all sorts of physical limitations do the same.  THis guy has five months of free time and he comes back needing time to condition himself?  That was the Twins judgment and they are much closer to the situation than anyone else.  

 

I keep reading people are drawing conclusions they cannot draw due to lack of information.  Well, apparently the Twins are concerned about his conditioning to where he is in A ball to get his body conditioned.  If that doesn't tell us all something I don't know what will.  

[TheLeviathan]

He didn't do what his employer needed him to do.SImple as that.

 

 

Perhaps if the arguments sounded more like this....you'd be seeing less push back.

 

Instead it's "He didn't do what his employer needed him too because he clearly didn't care about it" 

 

When that last part is added on, that's when you've ventured into much murkier water. Basically from fair criticism to wild speculation.  The Twins are concerned, but what their specific concerns are have been kept pretty quiet.  Which is how it should be so they avoid giving more fodder to people who want to attack Sano.

 

Last year Sano was an All-Star. He overcame Tommy John surgery ahead of schedule.  He overcame the death of a child and played baseball through it.  He excelled playing through the minors.  If he "didn't care" and was "lazy" - he'd have never made it to the expectations we  hold him to.  Perhaps you should consider all those factors as well when you are making assumptions about his character because of his struggles.

[Thrylos]

 

 

I've also seen him at ST for every year he's been there and at some minor league games along the way, too. He has always been larger than anyone else, even at times when he's looked quite solid.

 

I still remember him looking like this (Vargas to the left) :

 

http://mwltraveler.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/vargas-sano.jpg

 

Edited June 30, 2018 by Thrylos