DrNeau

Hell of a few years for Sano. Has titanium rod inserted into shin, gets accused of sexual battery, reports to 2018 camp at like 290 pounds, misses significant time in 2018, gets sent down to Single A ball, hits .199 for the year, runs over a cop outside of a nightclub at 3 AM and crushes the cop's bones in his legs, team implements periodic video conference sessions to ensure he's working out, gets injured during a Dominican League celebration which was initially reported as nothing but then suddenly he's having surgery and will miss months again in 2019. Guy needs to get his freaking act together. He is literally my favorite player, but this is all completely unacceptable BS. I thought he might get a clue after being sent down to A-Ball. Guess not. The team cannot continue to let this charade go on. There needs to be like a last chance notice and be wide open about it - even to the media. Other players who are working hard see all of this crap and then what? Sano will just slide back into the starting lineup? No. They need to rip him and let the other players witness some accountability.

Wish Castro could "frame" pitches onto the barrel of the bat.

Yep. He had one job... to stay healthy and be prepared for the season. This whole thing is totally ridiculous.

Name one other company in the US where following a terrible performance (like worst in the industry), an employee whines about the company to the media at a charity event, and in return, the company raises the pay and comes out and states that the employee will face no internal opposition the next spring for a job - in an industry where that is standard. That company, my friends, is the Minnesota Twins. Golden Boy status has been passed down from Mauer to Buxton. No accountability required.

In the comment I questioned, Sano was called an "abuser" and a specific claim against him was referred to as if it were fact, and he was grouped together with Delmon Young, who was convicted in criminal court of harassment and for physically tackling someone to the ground. In the claim against Sano, I have not heard of any evidence to support or be proof of the Chattanooga harassment claim. Have you? Despite not having this proof, it appears it is acceptable on this website for Sano to be presumed as guilty, and for communications to continue on which support that supposed guilt. If something is unsubstantiated or indemonstrable, then it cannot be referenced as fact, or cited in a list of things which the supposed guilt should be accepted as fact. I am not questioning your position on the topic; for all I know, you might even agree with me. I am honestly just wondering how this is entertained and encouraged.

Well... I guess there is no evidence to support that claim. Otherwise, it would have likely been brought forth by now.

Who does know? Anyone? That is why I question why the Chattanooga harassment accusation is referenced on this board as if it were fact.

I remember in 2014 when both the MLB and the Minnesota Twins were "all in" on Joe Mauer. In April, Joe Joe was named the MLB All Star Game Ambassador. Once the break came around he didn't even make the All Star Game, because he had 2 HR and a .695 OPS. Then, watching the on-screen interviews was just totally cringe-worthy. He looked so disengaged - as if he did not want to be there. That was a tough year. Lots of excuses and not much production. He had a spectacular first half of a career but then it sure fell off the table. The organization has branded itself with Joe Mauer. They cannot back out of the investment at this stage. They must continue with the hype. Need to sell jerseys and get a draw for as many Mauer days as they can. Please don't do a patch of Mauer. We just finally got separation. Please. The team needs a new identity and culture. Let them find it.

Was there any evidence of this which was not anecdotal? I know there was a report from Jeff Passan which said Sano chased women "like it was sport". The specific item you cited, however, was testimony of Sano harassing someone - brought forward by someone on Twitter, correct? Is there any way to verify this person's claim? Is it accurate? Is the person credible? Is there any evidence they were actually there? I understand you wish to cut people slack, so I thought I'd ask. Regarding the fall of Sano... the guy had a titanium rod surgically implanted in his leg during the off-season, hindering his preparation considerably, then went on to have a terrible year. It was pitiful to watch. I remember watching last Opening Day with excitement and he went like 0-5 and sucked all year. That being said, he has been an All-Star, has 84 MLB HR, and is still only 25. Hoping to see a rebound year.

What do I have to do to adequately prepare myself for the season? What do I have to do to improve my performance? What do I have to do to stay healthy? What do I have to do when other players are mailing it in? What do I do when the organization makes a decision that is not immediately in my favor? Do I tell anyone if I am suffering for an injury, or do I let it go by for literally years before I mention it? Who do I alert when I have an injury, the team or the media? These are not “brain-buster” questions; I’m fact, there are simple answers. Hopefully the forthcoming “culture” will instill the answers to these questions deep into this team’s minds and hearts.

Sano had a miserable year. Still, as in with any player, I will root for him and want to see him succeed. Hope Cruz comes in and shows these boys how to be a professional - both on the field and off of it. Sad that our team has been in such a state where we have to hire a new manager to come in and build a culture and a guy like Cruz to come in and show how it’s done. I’m not saying these things are not great... they are great. Just can’t believe the organization has gone this long without accountability. Additionally, it’s just alarming our team needs guys to come in from elsewhere to come in and show them how to play the game and be successful. They appeared to have no clue as to how to do that last year. It’s like we have no foundation or core on this team at all. That is totally wack. Hope they can accomplish building this culture and having some success.

Amen. But yet, simultaneously, criticisms of the entire organization’s judgment/ethics appear to be acceptable... to say that a factor in the Twins’ treatment of Sano (forcing him to regularly submit video workouts) may have been due to his race.

Good points. You know, if Kepler or Cave were good, we wouldn’t even be worried about Austin getting ABs.

Kepler gets more walks. If he figures out how the hell to hit, he has a very high ceiling. Tired of watching him take 500 ABs and .224 to reach his little 20 HRs, though. Cave had a better year.

Maybe. Battle it out in spring and see what happens.