Thread: Denard Span trade option?

While I wouldn't want the Twins to trade Span, as he's one of my favorite players on the team, the fact is, he's about the only player on the roster with trade value that could bring back a valuable future piece or two, so it's probably pretty likely he gets dealt if the Twins keep playing like this. It also is probably in their best interest as well, considering the glut of CF/OF prospects the Twins have.

Here's my question when it comes to trading Span. He seems to be one of the most valuable Twins in the sense of how good is he compared to how much he makes. That makes him quite sought after. But isn't that the exact type of guy you're trying to GET when you make a "rebuilding" trade? The other part of it then is, "For how long will he be better than his pay rate" combined with "For how long will he be the best center fielder in the organization" combined again with HOW LONG IS THE REBUILD going to take. The first two are answered by the pieces that go into that are his age (28), the expected progress of the homegrown replacement (whoever it ends up being), and the expectation of Span's longevity. I also know his contract starts to escalate a little here, but I don't have the time right now to look up when or how much. I don't know enough to be able to answer some of the other questions. But I think my main point is that it seems like a "rebuild" trade is more of older guys making more money than they're worth (that can be afforded by a contender more than a rebuilder), and that Span still seems to have value as part of that rebuild.

If I'm TR, I'm trading Span this summer for prospects. Hopefully we can get a starter who is MLB ready. The only way I don't trade Span is if the concussions lower his value to the point that a good starting pitcher prospect is no longer available.

I agree that Span brings back the best package in a trade, but maybe it's better to try trading Willingham? He's got a fairly reasonable contract and has shown that he's probably worth it.
Like CDog said, Span is the kind of player that you build around (still relatively young, plays a premium position, under team control with a good contract).

Span's trade value will probably not be any higher than it will be this summer, so if he was traded it would probably benefit the team more than trading him later. The Twins would need to think hard about whether just keeping him for the length of his contract would be even better than trading him for prospects.

Originally Posted by CDog

Not to sound like a broken record, but how much time have you spent in the clubhouse or even talking to people who have?

You're right, I haven't. About all I know about Span off the field is what he and Paul Allen discuss on his program. Span talks and sounds like he has taken up a leadership role, and PA has absolutely implied it. I can't remember if it was Anthony LaPanta or Roy Smalley, but when the prospect of trading Span came up not long ago, they stated he didn't like it becase he was an important leader on the team and the Twins had already lost so many. They could be blowing smoke, but they are all pretty well connected.

Originally Posted by nicksaviking

You're right, I haven't. About all I know about Span off the field is what he and Paul Allen discuss on his program. Span talks and sounds like he has taken up a leadership role, and PA has absolutely implied it. I can't remember if it was Anthony LaPanta or Roy Smalley, but when the prospect of trading Span came up not long ago, they stated he didn't like it becase he was an important leader on the team and the Twins had already lost so many. They could be blowing smoke, but they are all pretty well connected.

Thanks. After I typed that question in a bit of a hurry, I thought it may have ended up coming off more condescending than it was intended. So I appreciate an actual answer instead of puffing out your chest and getting defensive. Not that that would ever happen on the interwebs! And to be more clear, more of my questioning was with the part wondering if he was the only. I think it's easier to establish that someone is a leader through the ways that you mention than to determine who is not. People here (and even more so elsewhere on the web) seem to love to rail against people that aren't "their" type of leader, and especially like to tear down the big contract guys. Yet if you actually read and listen, you do hear about those guys taking on those roles. And even if we don't hear about it, that doesn't mean they don't.

I keep seeing people talk about potential defensive replacements, but nothing about who replaces that OBP at the top of the lineup. No ones says ___ about it and it's rather annoying. Somehow people only focus on the defensive side here, which is bizarre. Given this team has Casilla, Plouffe, Doumit, etc., who are NOT OBP guys at all, it seems rather ridiculous to replace Span. And CDog is right about Span being a guy (with Mauer) to build around and have with the team when the plethora of young guys come up in the next three years. I see Aaron Hicks as the only likely replacement in the lineup for Span, at least right now (maybe Rosario and JD Williams by 2015) really anywhere close to being ready.

I do think that some OF prospects should be involved in trading for a top pitcher. Trade from a strength with depth to fill a weakness. Leadoff is not a deep spot for the Twins. The depth is found in guys like Revere, Tosoni, Benson, Hicks, Morales, and Arcia--even an outfield, DH, and two reserve OFs from that group leaves one out of luck. Revere and Morales/Arcia might be of some interest to teams.

Originally Posted by Riverbrian

If the team is in contention... You don't trade Span. You take the 15 million off season cut from payroll and use it to acquire a player at the trade deadline.

If the team is NOT in contention. It will be a bad 2012 which followed a bad 2011. The farm lacks MLB ready Pitching. We need Arms badly. If Span will fetch 1 or 2. Fetch away...

I wish Span could be a Twin forever. If he has value and it's time to rebuild. Then rebuild and so be it.

Please... Anything but wallowing in mediocrity, for longer than necessary. If this team doesn't get good. Then let's get younger and Bad for a year or two as you Plan for the arrival of Sano.

+1. The only thing to consider is, how old will mauer and morneau (pending we actaully hang on to him) when sano is finally ready? Will these two still be elite players age wise?

They'll be in their early 30's still when Sano comes up. Their production may not be an issue, just the difficult decision that comes with resigning a player past 32 years old. The Twins have a history of not extending their own players when they hit that magic number. It could change this time through I suppose. If Morneau stays a full time DH, he will probably have to settle for short-term, incentive based contracts like David Ortiz has been for the past few years. The Twins surely could budget for that if they think keeping him around is wise. Mauer will be 35 in 2018 when his contract is through. If he manages to stay a catcher that long it will probably mean he too will be forced into a short term deal. Unless the market changes, 35 year old catchers probably can't snag more than 2 years. If Mauer has moved postions, his value will probably depend on his production, specifically if his power ever returns. If it does not, he probably will not be able to get an expensive deal based mainly on being a high OBP/AVG guy who is likely playing a traditionaly power-expected postion like the corner infield or outfield. If that is the case the Twins can budget for him too if they think it's worth to keep him around. If he still has a .400 OBP and hitting 20+ HR with little injury concern, he might be able to still get a 4-5 year deal and I doubt the Twins would match that.

The More I think about this... Span has to stay healthy and productive and if he does... Span has to go at the trade deadline.

With his talent and contract... Span could fetch a Top End young pitcher for a desperate contending team. The Rangers for example may give up Martin Perez in return. If the Angels are pushing and Hamilton goes down for a spell like he always does. With all the Money the Rangers spend... They would certainly consider Span very attractive with his friendly contract.

2 years from now... Perez, Gibson, Hendriks. It's a start. Add in a good fast rising college age starting pitcher in the draft this year(i know big IF).

We have 30 million in pitching coming off the books. Maybe make a strong push for James Shields with that money(I know it's the Twins... But Hey... Go for it and hope he stays healthy throughout his contract) or don't spend it and make a push for 2014 free agent.

2014 doesn't look so bad... Shields, Perez, Gibson, Hendriks, Appel?... Sano may be ready a little early who knows... Mauer still under contract. Willingham is signed for 2014... Revere and Parmelee will have more seasoning. Hicks might be ready to go. Dozier. Just need a 2b... Kendrick as a free agent next year? or a 2014 free agent.

Yeah, I know there are holes with this... I typed it in 3 minutes. I think you make 2013 suck and get ready for 2014. Get a couple of draft choices this year and next and next... And don't screw it up from a scouting standpoint.

One more thing... Draft Pitching, Pitching and More Pitching... Stockpile it in the draft. Arms are always breaking down and half of the draftees won't work out. Draft as much as you can and trade excess for position players if you manage to build excess.

Span is on his prime. He is 28. He has about 1-2 more years left (which is what is is contracted,) then he will decline. Thankfully he is having a good year to increase his trade value. I guess a lot of people forgot that he was average in 2010 and 2011.

As far as prospects go, I would have no problem if the Twins traded Revere and/or Arcia, but Morales will be better than Span... More power, better defense, faster and equally good OPS.

The Twins have to sell high on Span because they don't know if the next 2 seasons will be like 2010 and 2011...

Originally Posted by shanewahl

$56.5 million in value since 2008. Span has no replacement, that much is clear, so I am wondering why anyone would want to trade him.

I don't think that's clear at all. But again, I seem to be a lot higher on Revere than many others.

There isn't a single player I'd rather see at the top of this order over Span on the Twins roster, or in the system. Leadoff centerfielders with occasional pop/SB's and a great eye for the plate do not grow on trees.

Revere cannot bring what Span does to the plate, neither can Benson. Hicks is too far out to be relied on as a replacement. Span is the type of player you build around.

Originally Posted by The Greatest Poster Alive

There isn't a single player I'd rather see at the top of this order over Span on the Twins roster, or in the system.

I don't think that's up for debate much, is it? The question is more about whether trading that current skill is worth it for some other player's future set of skills.

Atlanta and Arizona are loaded with minor league pitching.. (though AZ just lost one to injury). Philly has several power arms in their minors. There are targets out there, on teams that need OF help (depending on how you feel about AZ outfileders in the field.....). But you have to get a guy with #1/2 potential, even if you throw in one or more of the Twins' mediocre arms to get it.

I don't see where Doumit, Casilla, or Carroll have much if any trade value. Doumit's value was rated as 1 year/3 mil on the open market in the offseason. You honestly think anyone wants Casilla? Seriously? Carroll would only have value if a contending team had a season ending injury to deal with. Also, I don't see where Willingham has much of any trade value since anyone willing to trade for him simply could have outbid the Twins for him in the offseason. And we all know that outbidding the Twins in the FA market ain't difficult. I love Span, don't want to see him go. I agree, nothing less than a #2 starter and other pieces.

Originally Posted by CDog

I don't think that's up for debate much, is it? The question is more about whether trading that current skill is worth it for some other player's future set of skills.

This is exactly the point. This is not a winning team. If we don't make some moves, next year's team will not be a winning team. Wash, rinse, repeat. We need to stop pretending we've put together a winning squad (if only for the starting pitching, er, um, if only for situational hitting, er, um, if only for the right-handed bullpen arms, er, um, if only for our 2B/3B situation), and start making the moves that will get us climbing back up the ladder in 2014, and winning in 2015.

Span has missed on quite a few clutch opps at the plate so far this yr...two last night I think, one in the 8th but you don't trade him for anything other then a SP or everyday infielder.

Doumit, carrol, and Willingham were signed to very friendly contracts for a specific reason. They have value at the deadline because teams will be desperate!! It happens every year! Casilla is playing very well right now I don't know why people keep bashing him.

Originally Posted by CharacterGroove

I don't think that's clear at all. But again, I seem to be a lot higher on Revere than many others.

Revere is not a leadoff hitter. Full stop.