Pushing Plouffe

[lee_the_twins_fan]

GM Terry Ryan says he wants someone to push Trevor Plouffe at 3B. Yet no one has been signed as a FA for this purpose. No one has been received in trade for this.

 

Assuming no one is signed before ST, that leaves just those on the 40-man roster, or those on the invite list.

 

Let's look at the likely candidates to play 3B:

 

** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *BA/OBP/SLG/OPS

Trevor Plouffe * * * * * *3 years * .231/.295/.423/.718

Jamey Carrol * * * * *11 years * *.276/.354/.344/.698

Eduardo Escobar * *1 year * * * .217/.278/.261/.539

 

 

Other infielders on the 40-man roster have little or no experience at 3B.

 

 

Among those on the Invite list:

 

** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * level * * * * BA/OBP/SLG/OPS

Chris Colabello * * * *AA * * * * .284/.358/.478/.836

Ray Olmedo * * * * * *AAA * * * .271/.321/.354/.675

Deibinson Romero *AA * * * * *.262/.343/.427/.769

Mark Sobolewski * * AA * * * * .267/.310/.419/.729

 

Please note: Romero and Sobolewski are the only ones that are primarily 3B. Sobolewski also played 23 games at AAA last year, but batted only .188.

 

Olmedo is primarily a SS, playing also 2B and 3B. He has 114 games split between the minors and major leagues.

 

Colabello, who arguably has the best hitting ability, is probably the worst fielder at 3B among the group; he has 115 games at 3B in the minor leagues. Escobar has about 42 games' experience – total – in the minors and MLB as a 3B.

 

 

Of course, Plouffe himself has about 171 games, total, at 3B. Jamey Carroll has the most major league experience – with 269 games at 3B. Romero has lots of experience at 3B in the minor leagues – 519 games. Sobolewski has 416 games at 3B in the minor leagues. Brian Dozier has 20 minor league games' experience at 3B – but only 1 at AA, and 2 at A+.

 

 

What's a little scary to me is the lack of experience at 3B (minors or majors) among the 40-man roster candidates. Think about it: Escobar and those on the invite list start the season in the minors. Carroll starts a game at 3B, gets pinch-hit for by Plouffe, and Plouffe gets injured. Who takes over at 3B for the rest of the game?

 

We all know Manager Gardenhire likes to have three catchers on the 25-man roster. But this would leave the team with only two people with experience at 3B.

 

Meanwhile, for example, if the Twins have Dozier, Florimon, Plouffe and Carroll they would have at least three who can play 2B. Again, Carroll has the most experience.

 

All of this points to my conclusion that – all other things equal in spring training – Ray Olmedo is the best person to bring up as the extra infielder, the one to challenge Plouffe. *He has decent stats at AAA. He can play 2B, 3B and SS. He gives Gardenhire more options at all three positions. I think he's better than Escobar at this point.

 

What do you think?

[Badsmerf]

I think it was a message to Plouffe. Valencia became complacent and arrogant after his first success in the MLB, Ryan probably just wanted to make it clear he hasn't done enough to be considered a long-term option yet.

[kab21]

I'm much more concerned that nobody is pushing the MI'ers.

[snepp]

I'm much more concerned that nobody is pushing the MI'ers.

 

Like x10

 

It's gotten lost a bit amongst all the bitching we've been doing about the rotation, but the middle infield is shaping up to be another .600 OPS embarrassment.

[GCTF]

Like x10

 

It's gotten lost a bit amongst all the bitching we've been doing about the rotation, but the middle infield is shaping up to be another .600 OPS embarrassment.

 

Sorry...tail battling >> actual results.

[snepp]

Sorry...tail battling >> actual results.

 

Only if the tails come off.

[Mike Sixel]

I am not worried about Plouffe becoming complacent. Nor do I feel they need another backup infielder besides Carroll.

[DaveW]

4 words.

 

Mother. ****ing. Mark. DeRosa.

[DaveW]

As far as MI goes, I am just fine with running out Carroll every day as a starter. The guy will give you close to a .350 OBP which is actually really nice to have out of the #9 hole.

 

As far as the other position goes: I'd really like to see Doizer take it and run with it if possible, I also would like to somehow bring in Jed Lowrie.

[twinsnorth49]

I am not worried about Plouffe becoming complacent. Nor do I feel they need another backup infielder besides Carroll.

 

No, just a capable starter or two.

[woolywoolhouse]

If Terry Ryan really wants to push Plouffe and show third base that he isn't going to take it anymore, he should fire or reassign most of the coaching staff. That'll show him!

[twinsnorth49]

If Terry Ryan really wants to push Plouffe and show third base that he isn't going to take it anymore, he should fire or reassign most of the coaching staff. That'll show him!

 

 

Stelmaszek, check, Liddle, check Vavra, check......

[Fire Dan Gladden]

As far as MI goes, I am just fine with running out Carroll every day as a starter. The guy will give you close to a .350 OBP which is actually really nice to have out of the #9 hole.

 

As far as the other position goes: I'd really like to see Doizer take it and run with it if possible, I also would like to somehow bring in Jed Lowrie.

 

Agreed. I've never understood all the hating for Carroll.

[DelawareTwinsFan]

Wouldn't mind them signing DeRosa. I'm thinking he'll be a late signing and probably on a minor league deal with a Spring training invite and courtesy release if he doesn't head north. I think Dozier should get shot at second base only if he demonstrates an ability to hit around .300 in spring training. If not, it really should be Jamey Carroll's position. Gardy prefers Carroll in the utility role, ala Nick Punto. Because of his outstanding glove work, SS should belong to Florimon backed up by Carroll. Plouffe had such an amazing long stretch of offensive dominance that he deserves a good long look as the starting thirdbaseman this year.