Article: Departures Don’t Change Twins Future

[KirbyDome89]

 

It amazes me how many Twins fans are so eager to give up on Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano. Have they had their difficulties with injuries and their swings? Yes. But its not like we are talking about two guys who have been nothing but busts the whole time.

 

Sano just turned 25, has a career OPS of .823, a wRC+ of 119 and a WAR of 5.4. While Buxton is still just 24, has a bat that has shown flashes of high upside potential, and when healthy he is the best defensive centerfielder in the game. 

 

Personally, I would think Twins fans would be on the other end of the spectrum when it comes to this topic given what happened when the Twins gave up too early on David Ortiz and Aaron Hicks.

I guess that depends on what your definition of "give up," is.

 

I'm playing devil's advocate a bit here because I'm still holding out hope for both of them, but I don't see a readjustment of expectations as giving up. 

[Major League Ready]

 

Well, he can't play both positions! And Sano is your 3B to start next year, unless he moves to 1B full time...., 

 

The team is missing a MIF, a 1B, a DH. It really needs a backup 3B/1B/DH. If Castro is healthy, they won't bring in a C.

 

The solution I would like to see is resigning Escobar and Sano weighing in for spring training at 235 lbs. I would be fine rolling with that infield. That still leaves a hole at 1B but that one should be easier to fill than the others. We even have a couple prospects that might be ready by then.

[Krusington]

 

Wow, more posts suggesting Gordon get the call and questioning Forsythe blocking him. He has about three weeks to figure out AAA, or he won't even be a top 100 prospect next year. By that time, he should have well over 300 PAs with the Red Wings. If that ends with this sub-50 wRC+ non-sense, there is no way he should be looked at in September. He'll need to be added to the 40, so that will probably get him an ST invite. I wouldn't say he "deserves" that though.

I'm glad you can read MILB posts as well. Unfortunately the Twins don't have another internal option besides Gordon, it should be his chance that arrives next at the middle infield position. I've seen players called up to the majors for a trial run on worse stats than what Nick has produced at AAA. Obviously he hasn't been the prospect we all would've hoped for this second half of the year but he's surely a better option than a washed up Logan Forsythe. One word that should help clear up this argument for those of you blindly thinking Forsythe deserves a Twins roster spot - potential. I get we aren't going to cut him given how much he is owed but man, that would be nice.

[Thebigalguy]

The truth is that they competed last year and not this year. On paper, they were improved, but they play on grass, not on paper. Berrios and Gibson performed as expected. Escobar and Rosario did their part. Who else? I have to wonder if Polanco and Santana would have made a difference the first half. 

[Fritzderkat]

You people certainly are optimistic, not in the least considering how many times in recent years this club has folded or never gotten off the ground in the first place. Overvaluing what the Twins have, as someone has mentioned, has no doubt been contributive. If that is a fault of you who are 'fans' as well as amateur analysts, the sports writers for the (Red) Star-Tribune (& Crescent) and all the TV talkers must share equally in the blame.

I have no confidence that Buxton or Sano will ever fulfill the hype. I wouldn't even call it potential anymore, simply hype.

I have a question: How many here consider themselves part of the "metrics" group and how many are plain old fans?

[Mike Sixel]

Given that Buxton was the number 1 prospect in baseball, and Sano cracked teh top 10, I'm not sure where this "fans were overvaluing them" thing is coming from....

Edited August 3, 2018 by Mike Sixel

[Fritzderkat]

I really don't care how high they were rated. They've flagged, and you folks keep wishing they hadn't.

Prove me wrong, Miggy, Buck, and I'll change my tune.

[Fritzderkat]

Mike Sixel:

Are you a fan or a metrics guy? How about the folks in the business who create the prospect ratings?

[Mike Sixel]

 

Mike Sixel:

Are you a fan or a metrics guy? How about the folks in the business who create the prospect ratings?

 

the people in the prospect business were fans, largely, that started working in baseball (either in a clubhouse or online) and are still fans of the game, but not of teams as much as they used to be. That's from meeting some, chatting with some, and reading them. I'm not sure how that is relevant.....

 

If I wasn't a fan, I wouldn't be here all the time, but most here would say I'm too into the metrics to be a "real" fan. Not sure what that means to you.

[Fritzderkat]

If not already obvious, it means I am your proverbial dinosaur. There's little about the game I like anymore, and not the least of it is the strikeouts and home runs. The home runs are a joke; reminds me of the steroid era. 

Thanks for your polite reply; I appreciate it.

[Mike Sixel]

 

If not already obvious, it means I am your proverbial dinosaur. There's little about the game I like anymore, and not the least of it is the strikeouts and home runs. The home runs are a joke; reminds me of the steroid era. 

Thanks for your polite reply; I appreciate it.

 

I'm less of a fan of the current game than some past game I can only barely recall at this point. I too would like to see more balls in play, that's when stuff happens. BTW, welcome to the site!

[Fritzderkat]

Thanks. I'll likely hang in until they throw me out or the Twins drive me nuts. I see I've picked up a bad point for a see-through attempt to disguise the f-bomb. My bad. Indeed, Iyam incorrigible. 

[wabene]

I'm glad you can read MILB posts as well. Unfortunately the Twins don't have another internal option besides Gordon, it should be his chance that arrives next at the middle infield position. I've seen players called up to the majors for a trial run on worse stats than what Nick has produced at AAA. Obviously he hasn't been the prospect we all would've hoped for this second half of the year but he's surely a better option than a washed up Logan Forsythe. One word that should help clear up this argument for those of you blindly thinking Forsythe deserves a Twins roster spot - potential. I get we aren't going to cut him given how much he is owed but man, that would be nice.

Nobody said anything about keeping Forsythe. There was one comment saying if he got back to previous form he might be a placeholder. I'm not interested in that but Gordon has faded badly the last three years. He needs to figure that out. The FO can't win. They're too slow calling guys up, but maybe they rushed Buxton.