By Matt Tschida
Current
Starter: Alexi Casilla
Backup: Tsuyoshi Nishioka, Luke Hughes, Matt Tolbert, Brian Dinkelman, Trevor Plouffe
2012
Starter: Alexi Casilla
Backup: Tsuyoshi Nishioka, Luke Hughes, Brian Dinkelman, Trevor Plouffe
I don’t really see much change here, as the Twins have several options and will just need to go with whoever is playing the best (and smartest) baseball. They'll have some interesting decisions to make regarding the backups. Brian Dinkelman had a decent September, and will start next season at AAA, but the Twins should feel comfortable with him as a call-up utility IF/OF if someone gets hurt. Matt Tolbert will probably end up somewhere else with Nishioka, Hughes and Plouffe all likely ahead of him on the depth chart. The Twins really need Casilla to make it through a full season without injuries or mental lapses. If he can do that, he will hold down the 2B position and possibly the No. 2 spot in the lineup. If he can’t stay healthy and/or play smart, Nishioka and Hughes will cut into his playing time. Trevor Plouffe will probably head into 2012 in a super-utility role unless there’s a major injury or he's able to secure a full-time outfield spot (if the Twins are unable to re-sign Cuddyer or Kubel).
SHORTSTOP
Current
Starter: Tsuyoshi Nishioka / Trevor Plouffe
Backup: Matt Tolbert
2012
Starter: Free Agent/Trade
Backup: Tsuyoshi Nishioka, Trevor Plouffe, Brian Dozier
This is obviously the infield position that needs the most work. Bill Smith semi-acknowledged that he made a mistake in trading J.J. Hardy, but it was obviously a colossal mistake. Hardy is (as long as he’s healthy) a top-five defensive SS who hit over 30 HRs in Baltimore, and the fact that the Twins only received a mop-up reliever in return is criminal. Looking forward, the Twins need to refocus on getting a stable (at least defensively) shortstop. Smith told fans on a conference call last week that shortstop was one of their many priorities, so at least he recognizes that. Nishioka and Plouffe will start the season as the primary backups, with Brian Dozier possibly getting his chance sometime next year if someone gets hurt or underproduces. I think the Twins will find a veteran to fill the void for next season, while Dozier gets some seasoning at AAA. Here are some free agent and trade possibilities:
Jed Lowrie (Boston): Lowrie is a trade candidate and would be my first choice. He is just average defensively, but I credit that to injuries and inconsistent playing time at SS. Lowrie acts as a super-utility player for the Red Sox, as they have Kevin Youkilis at 3B, Marco Scutaro at SS and Dustin Pedroia at 2B. He can play all three positions and that’s one reason he's high on my list. The Twins could let him settle in at SS for a full season, and if Dozier is ready to go in 2013, then Lowrie could move to 2B or 3B depending on the development of Valencia and Casilla. I’m not sure what the Red Sox would want in return, but Lowrie will be 28 next season, so he isn’t considered a prospect any more.
Maicer Izturis (LA/Anaheim): Izturis is another trade candidate, and like Lowrie, has also been in more of a utility role the past couple seasons. Izturis has been solid for the most part all around the infield, and could help solidify the defense. He’s a solid hitter as well, with a .275/.339/.389 career stat line. As a one-year fix, Izturis would would probably come relatively cheap in a trade.
Brendan Ryan (Seattle): Ryan (another trade option) brings less offensively than either Lowrie or Izturis, but has played every day at SS and brings a lot more to the table defensively. Considering the collective defensive atrociousness of Twins SS's last season, they should at least consider giving up some offense for markedly better defensive play.
Clint Barmes (Houston): Barmes is probably the best defensive SS the Twins could realistically sign. He’s a touch below average at the plate, but he does provide some power as he hit 12 HRs in 123 games last season. He would be a good addition to this team as a defensive leader and a source of stability. The main problem I see, however, is that if the Astros weren’t planning on trying hard to re-sign him this offseason, they probably would have traded him for some prospects this past summer.
Alex Gonzalez (Atlanta): Gonzalez would be another good possibility to sign if the Braves decide to go young and let prospect Tyler Pastornicky take over at SS in 2012. If that’s the case, the Twins would be in competition with the Giants, Cardinals, Brewers and possibly a few other teams depending on where the top tier of free agent SS’s sign. The Twins would likely only give him a one-year deal, given he’ll be 35 years old next season.
Others SS who could be considered: Willie Bloomquist, Ramon Santiago, Jack Wilson, Cesar Izturis, Ronny Cedeno, Orlando Cabrera, Nick Punto, John McDonald.
THIRD BASE
Current
Starter: Danny Valencia
Backup: Luke Hughes, Trevor Plouffe
2012
Starter: Danny Valencia
Backup: Luke Hughes, Trevor Plouffe
I don’t really see a lot of change here. Valencia’s name has been floating around in trade rumors—possibly to the Marlins as part of a package for Ricky Nolasco—but I don’t know who the Twins would get to replace him at 3B. If they didn’t already need a starting SS, then it would be more likely. I do think if given 500 at bats that Hughes could put up similar numbers to Valencia’s 2011 season, but Hughes seemed a bit shaky defensively the few times he filled in for Valencia. Not to say that Valencia didn’t look shaky all season, but it doesn’t make sense to replace one below average defender with another. If Hughes or Plouffe can improve their defense at 3B, then I think either could end up challenging Valencia for the starting spot. The Twins have been pretty up front in saying that Valencia's starter status will still need to be earned. Come spring training, we’ll have to see who has worked the hardest and made the biggest strides.
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