Trevor Plouffe puts all the trade talk to rest

FORT MYERS, FLA. – Trevor Plouffe will turn 30 on June 15. The next day will mark the 12th anniversary of his signing with the Twins as the 20th overall choice in the 2004 draft.

"Perk and I came here at the same time,'' Plouffe said. "The only player who has been with the organization longer is Joe.''

Glen Perkins was the 22nd overall choice in the 2004 draft and signed two weeks after Plouffe. Joe Mauer was the first overall choice in the 2001 draft.

That's it as far as seniority goes with the Twins in the major league clubhouse. There's some amazement in Perkins' emergence as an All-Star closer, considering the obstacles faced while compiling a 5.82 ERA as a starter for Class AAA Rochester in 2010.

There might be more amazement in the fact Plouffe figures to be hitting fourth for a team that plans to be a contender, after all those seasons with Twins zealots calling for his trade.

It was downright hilarious when Mike Yeo, the fired Wild coach, tried to explain his team's swoon by mentioning players' apprehension over a modest level of trade speculation.

If hearing his name nominated for a trade was a heavy burden, Plouffe would not have been able to make it from the dugout to the plate for the previous five years.

Plouffe debuted in the major leagues in May 2010 at shortstop as a replacement for the injured J.J. Hardy. He played in 22 games, started seven at shortstop, and batted .146.

Basically, he hit the ball harder with his glove at shortstop than with his bat at the plate, and that became the first time he heard the naysayers from the media and fandom in Twinsland.

Things got a bit more vicious from the media standpoint in 2011. The Twins went from 94 wins to 99 losses. Injuries, underachieving veterans and bad pitching were the main reasons, but people looking for others came up with a clubhouse atmosphere created by a group of younger players.

These players were labeled as the "Fun Bunch,'' and the impression was created that they were more interested in enjoying the major league life than improving as players.

"I guess it was supposed to be Danny Valencia, Luke Hughes, Anthony Swarzak and me,'' Plouffe said. "I think it was definitely overplayed. We had been told, 'Go ahead and loosen up the clubhouse,' and then we started losing and it became, 'They don't care.' ''

Plouffe was in the Twins clubhouse at Hammond Stadium early Wednesday morning. He shook his head slightly and said:

"I did find out that once people get an idea in their head on an athlete, it's hard to get it out of there. I can tell you that this is what I wanted from the start — to help the Twins win games and to be a good teammate.

"Hey, a few years ago, the Twins decided I should be an outfielder, and I was going to do everything I could to become a good one.''

He paused and then said: "Of course, I was so bad at shortstop those first two years I was with the Twins, I had to try something.''

Plouffe was on the big-league roster to start a season for the first time in 2012. He made his first start as a right fielder in the seventh game.

Valencia was struggling mightily after a strong rookie season. On May 2, Plouffe started at third base for the first time. He went back to right field for a few games, then made a couple of starts in left field and one at first base.

On June 8, 2012, manager Ron Gardenhire wrote in Plouffe at third base. He has remained there, and has become the second coming of Corey Koskie for the Twins:

A middle-of-the-order threat and much improved fielder at third base.

"I had heard about how hard Koskie worked at third base,'' Plouffe said. "I've talked to him about it often. Everything I know about Corey Koskie, I like that comparison.''

In parts of seven seasons with the Twins, Koskie played in 816 games, with 101 home runs and 437 RBI. Plouffe is entering the seventh season in which he has appeared in the big leagues. He has played in 639 games with 84 home runs and 310 RBI, including team-leading RBI totals of 86 and 80 in the previous two seasons.

The sporting public was upset when Koskie was allowed to leave as a free agent after the 2004 season. And yet the clamor we keep hearing on Plouffe is that he should be traded so that Miguel Sano, still tipping the Toledos at 270, can play third base.

I don't get it. How about you, Trevor?

"I don't have any complaints,'' said Plouffe, smiling. "I love playing for the Twins. I would like to spend my whole career here.''

Patrick Reusse can be heard 3-6 p.m. weekdays on AM-1500. • preusse@startribune.com