Punto The Starting Third Baseman

Minnesota Twins’ infielder Nick Punto appears to be lock as the starting third baseman heading into Spring Training, with second base and shortstop filled by moves made this offseason from GM Bill Smith.

There is something special about Punto, because fans either love him or hate his guts completely.  Regardless of what people feel about him, he’s going to be in the lineup.

Although many of us have been expecting the Twins to eventually call and re-sign free-agent third baseman Joe Crede, it appears the team is done spending this offseason.

“I think we’re getting toward the upper [payroll] extremes of where we can be,” Smith said following the signing of free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson.  “We’re excited to take this team to Fort Myers.”

The second option behind Punto will be infielder Brendan Harris, who recently agreed to a two-year contract with incentives that would easily raise his second-year salary if he becomes an everyday player.  If he becomes an everyday player, it would likely be at third base.

In my opinion, if the players around Punto can live up to their potential, the Twins’ lineup can flourish even with a Punto playing at third base.  Although Punto isn’t exactly a consistent hitter, he consistently gets on base and plays above average defense.

Harris does have more pop to his bat, but his defense is a step under Punto’s.  At third base, Harris has average range but I’ve noticed that his throws from the third base baggy seem to short-hop on it’s way to first baseman Justin Morneau pretty often.

But going back to my “if the players around him live up to their potential” statement, the players around Punto are well capable of hitting near or above .300 and many of them will easily hit double-digit home runs.  If the players around Punto can play as good as their career averages, the team can handle a .230 batting average from Punto as long as he continues to play good defense and gets on base.

Happy Nick Punto Day!

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