Already in MLB spring camp
Currently the Minnesota Twins have three options in their spring training camp with the ability and experience to play shortstop that are being widely mentioned, though I’d argue there are four true options.
The primary internal option is the ultimate utilityman Eduardo Escobar. Steady and sure as a fill-in throughout the infield before 2017, Escobar found himself taking on the third base job mid-August and running with it, flashing power that he had never shown before. Over 490 games entering 2017, he’d hit 27 home runs. Then in 2017, he hit 21 in 129 games.
Escobar’s bat is solid, and he’s got a flexible glove with the ability to handle short, but playing short full-time is not his forte defensively. In fact, many assumed he would be the one to open the season at third base if/when Miguel Sano‘s suspension came down from the league office for a sexual assault accusation.
Last season, the Minnesota Twins brought in another utility man who fit in well with the club’s culture in spite of not exactly providing a lot of offensive value. Ehire Adrianza likely will bring to mind rough images of his first attempts at outfield defense last season in Twins’ fans minds, but he is a natural shortstop that would likely give the team at least a league-average glove at the position and some speed offensively, but likely a fairly empty bat otherwise.
A non-roster minor league contract from the offseason, Erick Aybar has an out upcoming on his contract that will make a decision on his future important, but his signing is now looking like a smart move, to say the least. While Aybar is no spring chicken, with a dozen major league seasons under his belt, he seemed to re-invent himself at the position last year. Once a player who relied on his pure range, Aybar learned to trust his positioning and had one of his most sure-handed seasons of his major league career at the position. Of course, his offense was significantly below average, hitting just .234/.300/.348, though he did have his best walk rate of his career. He could make the roster, but his ability to start more than once or twice per week is going to be something on a short leash due to his age.
My fourth additional in-house option is one of the current leaders of the team. Coming up, Brian Dozier was a shortstop until he reached the major leagues. In fact, his first starting opportunity with the Minnesota Twins was as the team’s starting shortstop in 2012.
Dozier is one of the elite 2B in the league at this point, and the move could be viewed as a crazy one, but if he was willing and able, it could be easier to find a second baseman to impact the major league roster than a shortstop. This could also be a way for Dozier to showcase himself for free agency after the season, showing more skills that could make him valuable in the market.
If not one of the guys still in major league camp, how about those in minor league camp? Who could possibly be an answer there?
Next: Bring up a minor leaguer