tnato

This post will be my first. It will not be based on any stats, and it will not have much to back it up. The Byung-Ho Park move could mean a lot of things. But I think there is one crazy speculation that has not been made yet. The move could mean Miguel Sano plays more first base this year. This theory really only works if you buy the idea that Sano's future is not at third base. The Twins won't move him just because they want to. I think Sano and the season could give them a reason to. First, they don't really have many long term options at either position. First base has a few more options than third base. Obviously Mauer is the stop gap here. He is signed for 2 more years, and while not the same player as before, the best established first baseman on the team. The concern here is Mauer's health. Here is a breakdown of Mauer's games played the last 3 years (Source: Baseball Reference Standard Batting table) 2016: 134 2015: 158 2014: 120 Here is a breakdown of Mauer's games played by position the last 3 years (Source: Baseball Reference Standard Fielding table) 2016 1B - 95 DH - 34 2015 1B - 137 DH - 20 2014 1B - 100 DH - 19 Mauer might stay relatively healthy, but we could see that DH stay at 34, or even go up. Which means Vargas will see more playing time at first. Vargas best skill is his bat, but its still up in the air if that will keep him in the majors. It's no guarantee Vargas sticks and Park is not only playing catchup with his career, but it appears catchup with the front office. Without Plouffe - the Twins only have one third baseman, Miguel Sano. And Miguel Sano is it. CBS Baseball currently lists Escobar and Polanco as his backups. Sano is the guy for at least the first half of the season. But there are plenty of questions about his ability to play third base long term. I think it is reasonable to think he struggles at third this year. Or, maybe he even gets hurt and can't play third. So, here is the scenario I see playing out - 1. Defensively, Sano doesn't look like the the third baseman of the future. But his bat needs to stay in the lineup. 2. Mauer plays more DH, and eventually misses an extended amount of time. 3. Vargas gets more playing time, but becomes a defensive liability. 4. Sano starts seeing more time at first base. Who plays third base? I don't have an answer for that. Maybe the Twins tread water with whatever they have at AAA. There is one chip the Twins could play - trading Dozier. Everyone is focused on getting a starting pitcher. Maybe the Twins get a third baseman instead. Tough to say exactly how the front office addresses a season where Sano struggles defensively at third, and they don't have great option at first. But if they can find someone to play third base, Sano could easily find himself at first. I may have started down this path with the finish line, and trying to find a path to it. I think Sano could end up at first long term, and I found a way for the season to play out that way. This being my first post, I'm half expecting someone to point out something obvious that blows this theory apart. Either way, I'm excited to start interacting with the community instead of just sitting on the sidelines. I hope everyone enjoys this!

Defense will play a bigger role than people think. 20 - 17 Falcons.

Nobody in the front office has said much about Park's injury, and how long it hurt him last season. This move suggests they think it was a non-factor. My hope is his contract and poor performance make him least likely to be claimed. And then Park gets healthy and earns a spot back. But all it takes is one team to think the injury was a non-factor and claim him. $9 million over 3 years isn't the worst deal, and he's got some good batted ball numbers. I think someone could buy this being a low risk, high reward deal.