To question #2.  Yes.  Danny Santana won't be a center piece for Hamels.

And I think Nolasco has negative value right now.

The Phillies will ask a lot more than Danny Santana, and trading Nolasco to the Phillies would make them worse.

Phillies have already stated that they want a bunch of high level players in return for Hamels so they can rebuild.  The Twins don't have nearly enough to make that trade.

Oh, and yeah, you're crazy to think you can trade a middle of the road pitcher and a shortstop with some fielding issues for a lefthanded ace pitcher.

Phillies have already stated that they want a bunch of high level players in return for Hamels so they can rebuild.  The Twins don't have nearly enough to make that trade.

 

Oh, and yeah, you're crazy to think you can trade a middle of the road pitcher and a shortstop with some fielding issues for a lefthanded ace pitcher.

The Twins have the pieces to get Cole Hamels.  But we are not trading Buxton or Sano for him.

Phillies would want a lot for Hamels, and if Sano or Buxton were not included might be 2 or 3 of the Twins top 10 minor leaguers.  That would be too much for a pitcher that is over 30.  And I like Hamels

Really...my post was mainly about the fact I think we should trade Santana and I really dislike Nolasco being on our roster. With that being said, what kind of value would Santana bring back? I agree I wouldn't want to include any top prospects in a trade

It might be doable to avoid dealing Sano and Buxton. 

But it's two of four of Meyer, Berrios, Gordon, or Stewart.  All probably with Santana too.

However Amaro does have a bad tendency to want a "replacement" for the departed, looking at the Pence trade.

No one is trading for Ricky Nolasco until at least 2016. There is no way it is happening, so all speculation about him must end!

Santana, Meyer, Stewart, and Minier (huge potential upside is possible here) might work.

Also, Cole Hamels has a no-trade clause against most teams in the Midwest. In other words, he wouldn't want to play here. I think that needs to be factored. 

I think its fair to start wondering what to do with Sano, however. The Twins love their Plouffie at third base and neither Sano or Plouffe are suited to play anywhere else.

The short answer is no.

The long answer is nooooooooo.

Really...my post was mainly about the fact I think we should trade Santana and I really dislike Nolasco being on our roster. With that being said, what kind of value would Santana bring back? I agree I wouldn't want to include any top prospects in a trade

I can't really imagine a realistic trade in which I would be happy about losing Santana. You mention you think he is playing above his potential, but that's unknowable, and I think it's as or even more reasonable to predict that he will get much better.

The Twins have the pieces to get Cole Hamels.  But we are not trading Buxton or Sano for him.

If we traded Buxton or Sano for Cole Hamels, I would cry.

Isn't this season an ideal time to trade Santana? We have Escobar and Polanco should be up soon as well. I like Danny a lot but it would make sense to trade him when he has must value...i realize Hamels is unrealistic obviously

The short answer is no.

 

The long answer is nooooooooo.

And the longer answer has words that can't be printed on a family site.

If we traded Buxton or Sano for Cole Hamels, I would cry.

Agreed.  I think the Twins have two things going for us right now. Really good, cheap prospects and some payroll wiggle room.  If we traded, say Sano and Berrios for Cole Hamels I think you kind of use up both assets that we have for one player.

I would absolutely not trade Berrios or Buxton for pretty much anyone. Santana I would consider and possibly Sano as well given that we have other very good options at their positions. If we can truly get where we want to without trading anyone though, then I am glad to keep them as well. 

My main concern is that the Twins have had a tendency over the last couple of years to trade guys at the bottom of their value (some of it wasn't their fault due to injuries), and now is an opportunity to get value at a position of need by trading some valuable pieces we may have in excess.

Isn't this season an ideal time to trade Santana? We have Edcobar and Polanco should be up soon as well. I like Danny a lot but it would make sense to trade him when he has must value...i realize Hamels is unrealistic obviously

I get what you are saying.  Not only do we have Polanco but also Gordon in the not so distant future.   I always thought we would end up trading Dozier to make room for one of these guys.  As absurd as it seems I don't know what we would trade for.  If you could trade Santana and Arcia for a better more polished version of Arcia I might like it.    Buxton appears to be the only sure thing for the outfield.   I like Arcia's potential as a hitter but not his potential defensively and Hcks is doing well and Rosario is talented but I wouldn't mind having another guy with a lot of upside.   Either that or a top catching prospect.     This is all said with the aim of getting good value in a trade.  I like Santana and don't mind keeping him.