What Will the Twins do with Miguel Sanó?

I actually find it funny how there is talk of Sano losing weight, getting into better shape and figuring things out to become a better hitter is all of the sudden going to happen. The guy has been in the bigs 7 years and hasn't done any of that yet. Why is 2022 going to be the magical season when he does? Sano is going to be Sano. If Cruz couldn't get him to become a better player and quit over-swinging, to hit to all fields, to lay off the crap pitches off the plate and shorten his swing when he gets 2 strikes then quite frankly I doubt it is ever going to happen. He's had 7 years with Coaches and other good players to get in his head and straighten out his terrible approach at the plate and if we are seeing the results of that to this point then further improvement isn't there. I'd cut and run with the first good/reasonable offer in trade, if it happens. If not, he can walk at the end of the season.

15 hours ago, Einheri said:

Let him DH and play some 1st/3rd as needed in 2022.
Hope he gets hot, then trade him to a contender since the Twins will need more pitching in 2023 after not having enough in 2022.

A contender is going to trade pitching for Sano?

The correct answer is:  Move him back to third base.

Sano has been an enigma for quite some time.  He can hit 30-35 homers every year and still be the Twins least valuable player. His 36% strikeout rate is outrageous.  Strikeouts produce nothing.  His all or nothing swing is great when he sends one into the stands.  But way too often he strikes out with runners on producing nothing.  Defensively he produces almost nothing.  Personally it doesn't bother me if they keep him.  But I would be shocked if they picked up his $14 mil option.  The Twins normally don't spend that much.  

2 hours ago, Major League Ready said:

A contender is going to trade pitching for Sano?

Minor league pitching, sure.  Something like for Cruz,

16 minutes ago, Einheri said:

Minor league pitching, sure.  Something like for Cruz,

Sorry.  I assumed you meant major league pitching and we all know what happens when we assume.  Pitching would be great but I would be happy with any return regardless of position.  An up the middle defender would be good too.

15 hours ago, bean5302 said:

So you think he'll have no trade value, but he'll totally be worth extending?

Aside from that, I'm not sure where you get durable and athletic? Sano barely qualified for the batting title last year for the very first time in his entire career, but still missed nearly 30 games during the season. It was the first time in his career he's played more than 116 games.  In regard to athleticism, that left him some years ago. He's now a well below average speed runner and his quickness and range departed several years ago. Even his glove has turned to stone as he put together an unimaginably poor defensive effort in 2021. 

the word "if" is conditional, if one condition exists produces one reaction if it doesn't, it produces a different one

9 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

Sorry.  I assumed you meant major league pitching and we all know what happens when we assume.  Pitching would be great but I would be happy with any return regardless of position.  An up the middle defender would be good too.

It's built into your name to expect that:  Major-League Ready.  ?

9 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

the word "if" is conditional, if one condition exists produces one reaction if it doesn't, it produces a different one

You mean like if Miguel Sano was worth extending then he would also have trade value...

My bet is that he and Donaldson split the DH role this year and each fill in at 1st and 3rd with Kiriloff and Miranda platooning at 1st and 3rd…. Lots of movable pieces in this young team. 
 

25 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

You mean like if Miguel Sano was worth extending then he would also have trade value...

To state my original text " he seemed to have an easier swing towards the end of the season which I'd like to see if it carries over to this season and get into even better shape , I'd even consider to extend him because he's so strong, durable and athletic." That is the future condition if he maintains that swing.

The present fact is his trade worth is around zero. If he maintains that easy swing that he showed at the end of the season and be consistent, he'd be very valuable to the Twins. IMO we need to let him prove himself by the deadline if he can't then we can consider to trade him.

When I said sano could hit better if he did what he did in the second half of the season. I don't think he will ever be a Cruz. But if he would hit .240 to .250 range  he would then be trade bait. The best thing that could happen is the dh in the other league. I'm like everyone else. I would like him gone. His contract calls for 14 million next year. That's one good pitcher.

2 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

To state my original text " he seemed to have an easier swing towards the end of the season which I'd like to see if it carries over to this season and get into even better shape , I'd even consider to extend him because he's so strong, durable and athletic." That is the future condition if he maintains that swing.

The present fact is his trade worth is around zero. If he maintains that easy swing that he showed at the end of the season and be consistent, he'd be very valuable to the Twins. IMO we need to let him prove himself by the deadline if he can't then we can consider to trade him.

I think I misunderstood the intention of your original response. I read it as don't trade Sano even at the deadline when it seems you meant, don't trade him before he has an opportunity to build some value during the regular season because you're convinced his value is currently nil so the Twins lose nothing by holding/waiting.

I'd agree with the expectation his value is low; however, I don't know for sure that's the case. If the CBA includes a full time DH in the NL, Sano could have more significant value than expected after his hot finish to the season. I'd rather the Twins trade him now if they can get something for him rather than risk him having another horrible start to the year. Sano was rocking a .196/.279/.426 triple slash for a .705 OPS at the All Star Break last year. That's good for about an OPS+ or wRC+ of 85-ish. Now that is truly no value.

Like someone said previously, we have this discussion every year.  And every year, we hope he gets better only to be disappointed again and again.  We should have traded him years ago when he at least had some trade value.  He had none now.  He is a disaster in the field.  He is a strike out machine.  Trading him in the past would have prevented a lot of heartburn.  Oh well.

Certainly, we should still trade him if we can find a sucker.  I'd even take a Subway coupon if that's all you can get. 

There are plenty of guys that hit 25 homers strike out a ton and have no defensive position. This means Sano has limited trade value and there is no way they are picking up a $14 million option.  As fans we are always trying to put lipstick on a pig. It’s unfortunate but this was just a big lost opportunity for Sano and the Twins. 

You aren't getting much, if anything, by trading him away right now so use him at DH and 1B this year. If he plays well, trade him or keep him and exercise his option. If he's bad/mediocre, decline his option and move on. Pretty straightforward imo.

I think they’ll lock him out along with the rest of the team. 

Sano finished out well last year, but we have all seen the peaks and valleys and those valleys are deep and lush. Sano works hard and has passion for the game and his team. He is in a prove it year and it would be unwise to do anything right now except see how he responds. If he breaks out the team is covered nicely with the option. If he tanks well it's just one year. Somewhere in between without major growth, then I would try to move him at the deadline.

Sano, Kirilloff, Donaldson, Arraez, Garver, Miranda, Rooker - it's pretty crowded at DH and the corner infield spots. The DH in the NL may create an interest in Sano and there should certainly be some conversations taking place, but Sano is likely to be at first base on Opening Day. That is, he will be if a CBA gets signed.

It sure seems like just yesterday the Twins were excited by a power hitting shortstop who might need to move to third base, but would crush home runs and hit for average. Now it's down to the last time or one more chance for the big guy. I'm still hopeful.

7 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Sano, Kirilloff, Donaldson, Arraez, Garver, Miranda, Rooker - it's pretty crowded at DH and the corner infield spots. The DH in the NL may create an interest in Sano and there should certainly be some conversations taking place, but Sano is likely to be at first base on Opening Day. That is, he will be if a CBA gets signed.

It sure seems like just yesterday the Twins were excited by a power hitting shortstop who might need to move to third base, but would crush home runs and hit for average. Now it's down to the last time or one more chance for the big guy. I'm still hopeful.

I was critical of Sano when that not a popular position so I am not a supporter.  However, his numbers are above average so it's not like he is a total slug some make him out to be.  Career PAs 2778 with a wRC+ of 118 and an OPS of 819.  Roasrio has 3242 PAs with a wRC+ of 105 and an OPS of 782.  

Having said this, my hope for Sano and his future is that he comes to camp in shape, has a great 1st half, and is traded for something of value at the deadline.