Matt Capps trade value?

[071063]

Right now, Capps has value as an experienced closer. As stated above, there are several teams that have needs at the back end of their bullpens as either the closer or as one of the set-up men (7th or 8th inning options). I suspect the Twins will listen and I expect Terry Ryan to make a trade for a high end prospect in a low level league. We then need to develop that player, which is a separate topic onto itself.

[righty8383]

It would be great if some sucker team would over-value him like the Twins did in 2010...

[nicksaviking]

No sucker would bite at this deal. The Twins traded BA's number 58 prospect for a 26-year-old closer who was at that time pitching with a 2.74 ERA, 7.4 K/9, 26 saves an All-Star birth and a year left on his rookie deal.

 

The Twins are now shopping a guy currently pitching with a 5.00 ERA, 3.0 K/9, 4 saves who is now 28, getting paid $4.5M while Fangraphs lists his value as negative 700k. He will fetch nothing of significant value especially considering after last year, these numbers look like a trend, not a mirage. Brett Myers is also available and knowing Billy Beane, Grant Balfour can be had at any time. The Twins have no leverage in shopping him.

 

It was a terrible re-signing, and judging by the fact that about 100% of all fan comments following the signing last winter echoed this sentiment, yes Terry Ryan has appeared to have lost touch with the game.

[ashbury]

The draft pick was not a guarantee.

This. Supplemental "first round" picks are a misnomer. Coming at around player #31 and lower, they are what used to be called second rounders, and unlike in football the certainty of draft picks after even the first dozen guys is far from 100%, more like 50/50 to ever reach the majors even for a cup of coffee. I'd much rather see a trade for a specific prospect in someone's organization, who has already passed the first few years of winnowing out, than take a chance on a supplemental pick.

 

It doesn't look good for getting much for Capps right this minute, but sometime between now and the end of July you could have a couple of teams both in need and nervous about the other team acquiring help. That's when a decent prospect might come our way.

 

And unlike last year, there isn't likely to be indecision about whether the Twins are "buyers" or "sellers" at the deadline. The white flag can already be waved without fear of hurting clubhouse morale. This should give Ryan lots of latitude to time such a trade.