Article: Position Analysis: Center Field

[Nick Nelson]

You can view the page at http://www.twinsdaily.com/content.php?344-Position-Analysis-Center-Field

[Ultima Ratio]

Refresh my memory, but how many previous concussions has Span had in his life? I believe this was his first and because of this, I don't expect him to have many 'bad' days like Morneau whom has had several previous concussions. I don't find the concussion concerns warranted for Span for this reason, but no two head injuries are the same. Nonetheless, I see a .740 OPS for Span this year, which I hope Morneau can match.

[Nick Nelson]

Well, Span by his own admission still experiences headaches and dizziness from time to time (though it may be tough to determine whether these are from post-concussion syndrome or his previous vertigo issues) so I think it's safe to say that it remains a concern.

[davesaxton]

One concussion or many doent make much difference. I know this to be true. I had a concussion nearly 5 years ago and still feel the effects now and then, the difference is you get to understand when they are coming and can try and head them off. I believe that Span has come to grips with it and will be taking days off at his own request when he needs to. But looking at him this spring I dont see that fog in his eyes like we did late last season.

[jmlease1]

I'm feeling pretty optimistic about Span, presuming health. Hard to do, but how do you do anything else? A line of .280/.380/.400 wouldn't surprise me one bit, with average to plus defense in the field.

 

CF is a position of strength for the Twins, I think. Revere can easily shift over there and play it and be an outstanding defender there, and his weak arm won't be too much of a killer. Benson is close to being ready, and should be able to fill in capably. My biggest question is whether the twins might not be better off with Span playing LF with Revere in CF when Revere is on the field. Span has enough arm for LF and has played well there before, whereas Revere is a little more questionable as a LF. So far the reasoning I've heard is that Gardy is going to play Span in CF because that's where Span wants to be, which makes me wonder who's running this show.

[tharasix]

CF is a position of strength for the Twins, I think. Revere can easily shift over there and play it and be an outstanding defender there, and his weak arm won't be too much of a killer. Benson is close to being ready, and should be able to fill in capably. My biggest question is whether the twins might not be better off with Span playing LF with Revere in CF when Revere is on the field. Span has enough arm for LF and has played well there before, whereas Revere is a little more questionable as a LF. So far the reasoning I've heard is that Gardy is going to play Span in CF because that's where Span wants to be, which makes me wonder who's running this show.

You put your weak arm in left field. The issue is the throws to third and home, and the distance to those bases is the least from left field. That's the reason Revere is slated for left. There were plenty of times that opponents went first to third on Revere last year because they knew he couldn't make the throw from deep center.

[Thrylos]

If Benson is having a great season in Rochester and Span is healthy and having a good season with the Twins, the Twins need to sell high on Span.

[StormJH1]

Center field is one of the few areas of the team where I'm not particularly worried, which is good because a lot of teams need help in center. That's not to say that I'm no worried about Span, I'm VERY concerned that he's not over the "fog" of post-concussion syndrome, and he really hasn't sustained above average play in his career even before the concussion. But if he needs to miss time, or just isn't good anymore, Revere can handle the range aspect of the position extremely well, and if you had to live his arm in CF, he's still nothing less than an average or "decent" CF in aggregate. Plus, if Span is out, that means it could be Willingham AND Plouffe or Doumit at the corners, so you'd need someone "rangey" in the middle.

 

Benson is also very intriguing, and apparently a good defensive outfielder, so I think we'll actually be okay at this position. CF and SS (and perhaps C) are positions where you live with little or no offensive production if you get solid defense - other positions, including LF, 3B and even 2B (I would argue) are not.

[dave_dw]

My biggest question is whether the twins might not be better off with Span playing LF with Revere in CF when Revere is on the field.

I agree with this in principle, but I think Span really wants to be the center fielder, and he's got seniority. Plus he's not bad in center, Revere is just better. But it's not unprecedented to have your best defensive outfielder playing in a corner spot. Brett Gardner and Carl Crawford have done it for years.

[TwinsAce]

I agree with this in principle, but I think Span really wants to be the center fielder, and he's got seniority. Plus he's not bad in center, Revere is just better. But it's not unprecedented to have your best defensive outfielder playing in a corner spot. Brett Gardner and Carl Crawford have done it for years.

One side note I would add is that Carl Crawford's arm is below-average. Just something to consider.

Also, I would much rather have Revere in Left Field then Center, and if Span is not in Center, he needs to be in Right field, (not Left).