Twins Trade Rumors: Plouffe Out Sano In?
The 2014 Major League Baseball Trade Deadline looms close and is right around the corner, eight days to be exact, and with that notion in mind, the Twins will once again be sellers. In looking to gear up for what should be a very exciting 2015 season, Minnesota could be looking to move on from third basemen Trevor Plouffe.
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Drafted by the Twins in the first round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft, Plouffe has seen some success at the Major League level. A torrid home run streak in 2013 was cut short by injury, and a disabled list trip, but the ability is there.
Plouffe currently mans the hot corner for the Twins, and while his ability to do so is extremely limited, his bat has kept him in the lineup. In 2014 for the Twins, Plouffe has hit .243/.315/.413 while going yard seven times, and driving in 45 runs.
His on base numbers are the highest in his career, and he is on pace to not only drive in a career high in runs, but walk at a career rate as well.
For the Twins, Plouffe has largely become expendable. While Miguel Sano watched his season end before it began thanks to Tommy John surgery, he likely would have challenged for the third base position out of Spring Training. As it stands, he should be manning the hot corner by early summer next year.
Plouffe is limited in the infield defensively, and while a trading team could move him into the outfield, he presents some power upside with his bat. The numbers haven’t played well this year, but for someone looking into a low-cost upgrade, Plouffe could be their guy.
While there are no indications Plouffe is on his way out, the Twins don’t stand much to lose should the ship him somewhere else. With Eduardo Nunez and Eduardo Escobar on the 25 man roster, there are plenty of fill in options.