Thread: Article: Looking Ahead to the Deadline

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It will be a shame for the Twins if Liriano gets traded and ends up as some other team's ace. But maybe a change of scene is what he needs.

The Twins need to find and identify their core by picking a group of players that are essentially unmovable. Mauer really is the only guy who makes that list at this point. Once they have a group of players who they want as their long term nucleus, trade anyone who has value that they feel won't be in their long term plans. Maybe it's Morneau, maybe Willingham, maybe like you said Liriano. I know what I'm saying is kind of obvious but it's the blatant truth that the front office needs to look at and decide in the next month or so. Lest they panic and make moves that make us fans scratch our heads and think, "what the hell were they thinking?"

I did not go back and look but I recall teams making deals for relievers at the deadline. It is entirely possible that one of the Twins middle relievers will go. Sort of a McDonald for Dotel deal is possible, Pittsburg didn't get an ace, but he appears to be a solid starter for them. Some team thinking an upgrade will get them over the top will make a foolish trade. Ryan is capable of doing that. Krivisky is around now. When Ryan and Krivisky were a pair they pulled of great deals. Not Capps or Perkins, but one of the other relievers could be that kind of trade bait. Burton the most likely, the others less so.

I see no reason why Matt Capps wouldn't be viable trade bait for a team looking for bullpen depth heading into the playoffs. Teams always pick off closers to put into setup roles like that. Burton is more questionable. Duensing is also very possible.

Originally Posted by glunn

It will be a shame for the Twins if Liriano gets traded and ends up as some other team's ace. But maybe a change of scene is what he needs.

I have the same feelings, but as Nick says it's unlikely we'll keep him anyway. It would be foolish to sign him to a long term extension and he makes 5.5 million this year. Arbitration is an option, but after such a crappy season from him, it would be nuts to sign him for any more than 5 million a year through that process. So that's also not realistic. Although, there would be a chance to sign him in free agency, but that's probably a possibility even if they trade him. The odds don't look good then as it's the Twins vs. 29 teams. I strongly doubt the Twins would have any motivation regardless though. On a positive note, we could get something decent in return and get rid of the biggest headache of the past decade. If he does get traded and becomes an ace, there is absolutely no way that anyone can criticize the Twins for how they handled him. They have waited, and waited, and waited for this guy to produce and he just REFUSES to be consistent in any way.

Originally Posted by shanewahl

I see no reason why Matt Capps wouldn't be viable trade bait for a team looking for bullpen depth heading into the playoffs. Teams always pick off closers to put into setup roles like that. Burton is more questionable. Duensing is also very possible.

I agree that Capps should be viable (and valuable) trade bait if he continues to pitch well. A team looking for another set up guy to get them to their closer could do a lot worse than trading for Capps to fill that set up role and to be insurance should something happen to the closer. I think Capps could net the Twins at least one strong prospect (likely someone currently at AA) and a slightly lesser A ball prospect under the conditions I've spelled out.

The Twins should not trade Doumit. The Twins have an amazingly high octane offense, and Doumit is a part of that. Plus, he's a switch hitter. The Twins could trade Span and move Revere to center, but then the Twins will need someone to play right field--how's Wilken Ramirez doing at AAA? Span could net the Twins two very good AA prospects (at least one being a starting pitcher). If Span is hitting .300 by the trading deadline with some more rbis, then he could net stronger prospects.

The Twins might be able to trade Liriano if he learns how to pitch effectively and can sustain the effectiveness.

If the Twins' offense continues to assault other teams, then the Twins are really looking for a couple of more starters for the 2013 season, and one of the two might be Hendricks and another might be Gibson if he comes back healthy from his surgery. Just a thought.

Twinsaholic makes good points. I would trade Pavano, Capps and Liriano for sure. Pavano could help a National League team. It's time to remove the frustrating inconsistency of Liriano, the better he pitches over the next month, the more intense the bidding will be for his services. Capps will surely bring something of value. I would also look to move Blackburn to a National league team. Last night, typical Blackie effort. We score 11 and hang on to win. I'm sooo sick of watching him pitch. I think Revere is ready. Time to move Span for some solid prospects. If we trade Pavano, Capps, Liriano and Span and get good to decent prospects, and then sign 2 free agent pitchers this off season (Greinke, Edwin Jackson?) we can be a contender next year in the mediocre A.L. Central.

With a change of scenery, Liriano WILL develop into somebody else's ace, theres no doubt in my mind, but the Twins may as well get what they can for him because once he becomes a free agent, other teams will outbid the Twins for him, just on potential.

I don't know why everybody wants to trade Span?? Until Hicks, Benson, etc. develop to the point where you need to find a place for them, keep him - unless you're overwhelmed with an offer.

Ryan has made more positive moves than negative moves, I have faith that he'll do the right thing at the trade deadline.

I agree that, unless we get offered a solid starting pitcher ready to go now (not a "prospect"), we keep Span. Revere is ready for center, but we need someone in left & right too. Our OF prospects are stuck right now and there is no guarantee they will get to the point they are ready to play everyday in the show. It's all fine and good to say we should trade our veterans for prospects, but let's not trade everybody. Prospects don't always pan out, and if all we have are prospects and some don't work, we'll be in the same boat 3 years from now - with half a team and no idea how to fill out the rest. Not to mention that there was to be somebody marketable to sell tickets, which is not by any means an unimportant consideration.

I think Liriano is likely to have a very good-great 2013 with another team. And then a mediocre 2014. And who knows in 2015 . . . and so forth.

Originally Posted by Blackjack

I don't know why everybody wants to trade Span?? Until Hicks, Benson, etc. develop to the point where you need to find a place for them, keep him - unless you're overwhelmed with an offer.
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A couple of reasons: a. this team needs SPs really badly for 2013 and Span is probably the only piece who can get back a quality MLB-ready SP in a package and b. Revere is ready now and should be playing CF over Span anyways. You deal with RF in the offseason (and you have to, since they have no RF right now, just 2 CFs). Easier to find RFs than SPs.

Hyopothetically, what do the Twins do if someone starts asking about Trevor Plouffe? He can play all four corner spots, and it is quite possible his value will never be higher. Just asking if people here think his current production is telling of future success, or if it's unlikely to continue but the Twins have suddenly found themselves with a player who may bring back a pitcher more likely to contribute in the future.

What are the chances of Liriano signing a reduced contact with the Twins when he his free agency. Nil. I doubt the Twins will offer arbitration, which would put Liriano into the $8 mil range. That is also the downside to any team signing him...they need to sign him to something longterm. If they don't do that, they have to offer arbitration.

Capps has a nice option year for 2013. He is very viable if a team is looking for a closer, beyond this year.

Doumit...no one knows. He signed a one-year with the Twins for a reasonable rate. Is he looking to be a fulltime catcher, play somewhere as a DH -- he is not a first baseman or an outfielder. Tough call. How much will he demand. If the Twins can tie him up, more power to him, but they may be better served sticking with Butera and Hermann over the near future and getting a viable DH that can actually play another position on the field.

Blackburn ash to pitch more than 5 innings and give up fewer runs. He;s Carlos Silva all over again. Nol one will want his contract, sorry.

Casilla, Valencia...don't see them as future Twins beause of salary and attitude.

And what can the Twins do with Toshi...the $3 mil embarassment. There is no room for him at Target Field, is there?

Originally Posted by thrylos98

A couple of reasons: a. this team needs SPs really badly for 2013 and Span is probably the only piece who can get back a quality MLB-ready SP in a package and b. Revere is ready now and should be playing CF over Span anyways. You deal with RF in the offseason (and you have to, since they have no RF right now, just 2 CFs). Easier to find RFs than SPs.

I agree that Span is replaceable now with Revere ready to step into center. Right field could be filled this year with Parmelee/Mastorianni/Doumit. Arcia should be promoted any day now. If he performs well in AA which he should, He could be a September callup and start next season in the MLB. It is possible. Otherwise, yes they can fill it easier in FA.

Originally Posted by nicksaviking

Hyopothetically, what do the Twins do if someone starts asking about Trevor Plouffe? He can play all four corner spots, and it is quite possible his value will never be higher. Just asking if people here think his current production is telling of future success, or if it's unlikely to continue but the Twins have suddenly found themselves with a player who may bring back a pitcher more likely to contribute in the future.

If it was me I'd hold onto Plouffe for a while unless you get knocked over with an offer, which probably will not happen. He's cheap and under team control for a while still, but the thing that really makes me want to keep him is that he's not just up there trying to pull everything right now and getting lucky. The base hit up the middle, and the drive off the wall in right center last night make it look like he can be a hitter at this level and not a pull happy kid on a hot streak. Hopefully he keeps that approach

To me Capps will not bring much--certainly less than Ramos who we gave up to get him. Liriano and Pavano will get us nothing but salary dump. The only tradeable asset we have is span. Yes, if we can get a starting pitcher for him, grab it, put Revere in CF, maybe bring back Valencia and put Plouffe in RF or put Parmalee there. This team is on a good run now, but I dont think they have enough to contend--the week before the ASB will prove that with 7 games vs Tiggers and Rangers.

Originally Posted by Rosterman

What are the chances of Liriano signing a reduced contact with the Twins when he his free agency. Nil. I doubt the Twins will offer arbitration, which would put Liriano into the $8 mil range. That is also the downside to any team signing him...they need to sign him to something longterm. If they don't do that, they have to offer arbitration.

Capps has a nice option year for 2013. He is very viable if a team is looking for a closer, beyond this year.

Doumit...no one knows. He signed a one-year with the Twins for a reasonable rate. Is he looking to be a fulltime catcher, play somewhere as a DH -- he is not a first baseman or an outfielder. Tough call. How much will he demand. If the Twins can tie him up, more power to him, but they may be better served sticking with Butera and Hermann over the near future and getting a viable DH that can actually play another position on the field.

Blackburn ash to pitch more than 5 innings and give up fewer runs. He;s Carlos Silva all over again. Nol one will want his contract, sorry.

Casilla, Valencia...don't see them as future Twins beause of salary and attitude.

And what can the Twins do with Toshi...the $3 mil embarassment. There is no room for him at Target Field, is there?

Liriano doesn't have any arbitration years left, he will be a full fledged FA at the end of the season.

With the way Nishioka is playing in AAA this year, my guess is that he will be released at the end of the season.

Blackburn's issues may be attributed to loss of stamina. He was on the DL for 2 weeks and in his 2 rehab starts he went less than 3 innings each. In his 2 starts since coming back he has breezed through the 1st 3 innings, hit a wall in the 4th and battled through the 5th.

Originally Posted by Rosterman

And what can the Twins do with Toshi...the $3 mil embarassment. There is no room for him at Target Field, is there?

The Twins aren't stacked in middle infielders in the minor leagues, so it's not like Nishioka is blocking anyone. But he's sunk cost right now. The best the Twins can hope for is to trade him back to a Japanese team for some cash.

Revere needs to keep this up for me to be comfortable with any Span talk. Capps might bring about as much as Span at the deadline given the need teams often have for bullpen help. I do have to wonder how desperate the Reds might get with regard to Span, however. That lineup with a good leadoff hitter would be pretty dominant. I would still rather see the Twins spend money to get pitching, than trading key components of the lineup and defense for it.