One Fan's Opinion: Miguel Sano for Primary DH

[Linus]

I like this idea but it doesn’t have much to do with Sano. Kiriloff has a chance to be a really good hitter and elite fielder at first (he’s pretty meh in the outfield). You don’t delay that process for what Sano brings to the table. Sano can also fill in at 1st and 3rd on those days when something goes haywire. 

[Franz]

I'm with Sherry on this. I've never been a fan of the rotating-DH strategy, especially with today's short bench, since it locks out the player as a defensive replacement. The DH spot is best filled by a player who makes your lineup better as a hitter but worse as a fielder. Sano fits the bill, and in his rookie year he showed the ability to stay focused at the plate while not playing the field. 

Regarding a rotation with another player, sure, go ahead and use Arraez against tough righties. But if Donaldson is getting a day off (as he will at least one game per week) then it should be a real day off. As we saw last year, Josh seems more likely to tweak a leg muscle running the bases than playing the field.

As Sherry suggests, another reason to move Sano to DH is to open up a field position for young players. Kirilloff needs a full season to evaluate his best fit in the field and to fully develop as a major league hitter, and Jose Miranda has earned a good look this year as well. Assuming Donaldson at third and Polanco at second, first base is where Miranda can get regular at bats.