Article: Twins still seeking third base help?

[Parker Hageman]

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=1264-Twins-still-seeking-third-base-help

[Gernzy]

I'm willing to give Plouffe a chance a 3rd this year. He was still adjusting to the spot last season. Plus if he has a good offensive season again it will help.

[Rosterman]

And remember, he had the horrid thumb injury. He should be better in the field. He was, after all, the "shortstop" of our future at one time.

[Shane Wahl]

I find it odd that the Twins are saying things like they are seeking someone to challenge Plouffe. Before getting injured, his offensive outburst was very impressive and that was WHILE learning third base defensively after being moved around all over the hell the past two seasons and beginning the season in the OF.

 

Thankfully they didn't sign Hannahan. His offensive value is really sinking.

[boney]

I'd lke to see them give Plouffe the year at third and concentrate on improving the middle infield defense. Is it possible that hey feel Plouffe is the type that needs direct competition in order to play his best or force hmself to improve?

[Big City]

How was Plouffe a former SS? This season will determine if he's a viable 3B or if he needs to be moved to a corner OF position. The other possibility is to start experimenting with Mauer at the hot corner. I wouldn't put it past Mauer to play a solid 3B which would actually be the best situation for the Twins when he eventually has to move out from behind the plate.

[Mike Sixel]

Given their rebuild mode, isn't it more important to play Plouffe, than to replace him with some old guy that cannot hit? Should they not have patience with him, like with other young players? What good is a couple more wins next year, if Plouffe does not get more reps, and you do not know if he is the answer or not?

[Shane Wahl]

Given their rebuild mode, isn't it more important to play Plouffe, than to replace him with some old guy that cannot hit? Should they not have patience with him, like with other young players? What good is a couple more wins next year, if Plouffe does not get more reps, and you do not know if he is the answer or not?

 

Yeah, there's no sense to bringing in a third baseman to compete with him. They already have defensive subs in Carroll and Escobar.

[johnnydakota]

I only say Inge because i think Trevor deserves a full year to see if his bat and glove will allow him to stay at 3rd,with Brandon as a backup we should not have to carry Butrea

[jokin]

How was Plouffe a former SS? This season will determine if he's a viable 3B or if he needs to be moved to a corner OF position. The other possibility is to start experimenting with Mauer at the hot corner. I wouldn't put it past Mauer to play a solid 3B which would actually be the best situation for the Twins when he eventually has to move out from behind the plate.

 

Been arguing this for about 7 years now. Mauer would end up doing fine at 3B. You can platoon Mauer with Plouffe at 3B now and finally have a decent PH bat on the bench once in a while. Give Mauer 70 games/year at catcher and you potentially prolong his hitting productivity for the life of the contract.

[darin617]

Is this how the Twins try to help Trevor Ploufee regain his confidence? I would be more worried about 2B, SS, CF, #1 & #2 SP and than 3B.

[Top Gun]

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that the Cubs have agreed to a deal with Carlos Villanueva.

 

Terms of the deal are not yet known, but, assuming it's not too out of line, it's another sneaky addition to the rotation by the Cubs. Villanueva was shifted back and forth from starter to reliever the last two seasons by the Blue Jays, but he pitched really well out of the rotation in 2012 before a couple late-season blowups inflated his ERA. All told, he put up a 4.16 ERA and 112/46 K/BB ratio over 125 1/3 innings this past season.

Related: Cubs

 

Source: Jon Heyman on Twitte

[glunn]

Been arguing this for about 7 years now. Mauer would end up doing fine at 3B. You can platoon Mauer with Plouffe at 3B now and finally have a decent PH bat on the bench once in a while. Give Mauer 70 games/year at catcher and you potentially prolong his hitting productivity for the life of the contract.

 

I agree with you but no one else seems to.

[Chris in Osaka]

Moving one of the game's best catchers to third base is idiotic.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Moving one of the game's best catchers to third base is idiotic.

 

on a permanent basis, yes... but letting him catch 120 games and play another 30-40 at 3rd is not...

[johnnydakota]

Dont you love the mind games played by the mindless?

[70charger]

Dont you love the mind games played by the mindless?

 

I don't have to be a psychologist to tell that you're projecting.

[savvyspy]

The Twins will never spend the money to bring in real competition for anyone so why do they play this game? Just go get pitching and a backup catcher and middle infield help. Plouffe isn't Mike Schmidt by any means but he's 20 times the player anyone Ryan is willing to sign. Skip Schumaker? jack Hannahan? Lets get serious. That's roster filler not competition.

[RGrouse]

Plouffe is excellent at running through stop signs at third base, throwing high & wide to first on easy grounders and not able to hit in the clutch. Not the type of individual I would want on my team if the goal is to win championships. They got big holes to fill but 3rd base has to be on the list.

I'm willing to give Plouffe a chance a 3rd this year. He was still adjusting to the spot last season. Plus if he has a good offensive season again it will help.

[Kwak]

...and the answers is: to place someone who hasn't played 3B, SS, or 2B because they wish to claim that all positions are interchangeable--no experience required. Hmm, if that were the case why nt have Mauer pitch on the one game per week he needs to avoid catcher duty. Hoo Boy!!!

[Riverbrian]

I think we should have a 25 man roster and that all 25 should contribute. I have no problem with 3B competition and I think Plouffe could become a 30 home run guy and play a mean defensive hot corner in time. The backup could do some pinch hitting and play 3B when Plouffe plays some outfield because Parmelee is playing DH or 1B because Doumit came down with the flu while Morneau is nursing a bum ankle or Plouffe can just have a day off when he goes into a funk... I don't know who that backup should be... 3B is a little thin around the league. You may have to find a AAAA type.

[DaveW]

Three Words: Mark DeRosa

[Paul Pleiss]

If Plouffe can get back to his power hitting ways from last summer his lack-luster below average at defense is an acceptable loss. If he turns back into a pumpkin or cant keep his BA around .250, then his offensive skills will not outweigh the problems with his glove. That being siad, with 2013 looking to be another bad season for the Twins, give him all the chances he needs to find his power stroke, what's the harm?

[Danchat]

Three Words: Mark DeRosa

 

You know what would be worse than signing DeRosa? Overpaying him.

[Thrylos]

This thing about Plouffe and his "bad defensive issues" in a season when he hit 24 HRs (which, to remind you, is more than ANY Twins hitter hit in 2011 and any RHB hit in 2010; Thome hit 25 then) is ridiculous, especially coming from the same powers of being who were trotting Brian Butcher out there when the Twins were "Competing".

 

Those are the facts and read what you want into them.

[Kwak]

This thing about Plouffe and his "bad defensive issues" in a season when he hit 24 HRs (which, to remind you, is more than ANY Twins hitter hit in 2011 and any RHB hit in 2010; Thome hit 25 then) is ridiculous, especially coming from the same powers of being who were trotting Brian Butcher out there when the Twins were "Competing".

 

Those are the facts and read what you want into them.

 

Any predictions on how many HRs Plouffe will hit in 2013? How manyHRS (or OPS) are needed to justify him as a regular 3B?

[Riverbrian]

Any predictions on how many HRs Plouffe will hit in 2013? How manyHRS (or OPS) are needed to justify him as a regular 3B?

 

I see this was directed at Thrylos... But I'd like to play.

 

2011: At age 25 he hit 23 home runs between AAA and the bigs in a combined 540 at bats.

2012: At age 26 he hit 24 home runs in 422 at bats... 17.6 AB/HR

 

This looks like a trend up during a career prime age. Assuming at least decent health... I think he will have more at bats in 2013 because of the lack of alternatives.

 

I'll say a dinger every 16 at bats... 550 at bats... Run it through this special computer my son brought over to me... Oops... He says its not a computer... It's a calculator... My bad... Punch up the numbers and I predict with a 99 percent chance of being wrong.

 

34.375 home runs!!!

 

I'm not afraid to be wrong but wouldn't it be cool if I end up right or close.

[Kwak]

Wow! That is super! Somehow we'll have to find a way to quell all of the "sell high" guys. I mean how many posts have we read advocating trading Willingham?--or any of the newly signed pitchers should he "have a good 1st half, then 'flip' him"--these guys are relentless.