Transactions ahead?

[Otto von Ballpark]

The guys we want to trade (other than maybe Suzuki) are unlikely to be Twins anymore after September. So getting a C level prospect is better than nothing. And it clears them out of the way for younger players the last two months.

 

Agreed, but outside of Suzuki, our other trade chips may be lucky to net a C level prospect. That's basically what we got for Morneau (although in the form of 2 marginal 40-man guys), and it took until the end of August with the Pittsburgh GM twisting the owner's arm to add $2 mil salary. Morales is basically due the same money as Morneau last year ($2 mil per month), and Willingham and Correia are both due around $1 million per month.

 

Other teams have expiring contract vets too; there are simply more sellers than buyers.

 

I feel like Suzuki is our one great trade hope, at this point. Good season, key position, low salary.

[TheLeviathan]

Agreed, but outside of Suzuki, our other trade chips may be lucky to net a C level prospect.

 

And that's fine. I could care less about the return, it's more about doing the right thing and clearing them off the roster for younger players.

[ericchri]

Don't look now, but Escobar's down to an 87 OPS+, with a sub-.300 OBP.

 

And Danny Santana's line? Virtually identical to that of Escobar on June 1st, right down to the K/BB rates.

 

Our next closest infield prospect is struggling in AA.

 

OK, I think I've convinced myself not to trade Dozier.

 

Without a doubt, trading Dozier would be a very strange move, thus the need for a ridiculously good offer. I can't see much likelihood anybody offers anything close to good enough. If somebody offered up a Miguel Sano-level prospect plus more, I'd think about it. If they offered up a Kohl Stewart-level prospect I hang up and move on.

[Otto von Ballpark]

And that's fine. I could care less about the return, it's more about doing the right thing and clearing them off the roster for younger players.

 

You may actually have to eat salary too. Don't know if it's worth it for the hitters, they don't seem to be blocking anyone too important. I could see Correia, Burton, and Guerrier doing some blocking, but they'd probably be the toughest to give away too (even free, their value to a contender is minimal).

 

Don't know if I would go so far as to release any of them...

[TheLeviathan]

You may actually have to eat salary too. Don't know if it's worth it for the hitters, they don't seem to be blocking anyone too important. I could see Correia, Burton, and Guerrier doing some blocking, but they'd probably be the toughest to give away too (even free, their value to a contender is minimal).

 

Don't know if I would go so far as to release any of them...

 

Maybe....I just doubt any of these guys are being paid enough that their contracts are going to be an obstacle.

[70charger]

I love Dozier but I'd trade him for Sano in a heartbeat.

 

I don't want to put words in TRex's mouth, but the way I read this was that, if we didn't have Dozier, would we trade Sano to get him? And TRex seems to have answered no, a sentiment that you and I would agree with.

 

Frankly, if Addison Russell were to be had for Dozier, I would have a real hard time stopping myself from pulling the trigger, and I do love the way Dozier plays the game.

 

Of course, we don't know what's on offer for Dozier, but all it takes is one desperate GM.

[Brandon]

And that's fine. I could care less about the return, it's more about doing the right thing and clearing them off the roster for younger players.

 

Who exactly is Willingham and Morales blocking on the roster? Pinto is in AAA to work on catching. Vargas is in AA. which bat is left to call up? if your thinking Herman whats the point of that?

[Brandon]

You may actually have to eat salary too. Don't know if it's worth it for the hitters, they don't seem to be blocking anyone too important. I could see Correia, Burton, and Guerrier doing some blocking, but they'd probably be the toughest to give away too (even free, their value to a contender is minimal).

 

Don't know if I would go so far as to release any of them...

 

I bet Guerrier will be back on the team next year. He's having a great season.

 

I'll admit that Corriea is blocking May and or Meyer so trading him makes sense regardless of being in contention or not once we get Nolasco back.

[TheLeviathan]

Who exactly is Willingham and Morales blocking on the roster? Pinto is in AAA to work on catching. Vargas is in AA. which bat is left to call up? if your thinking Herman whats the point of that?

 

There is a good chance Vargas is up. Rosario as well. Pinto will almost certainly be up by September.

 

What's the point of keeping dead weight on the roster?

[Otto von Ballpark]

Maybe....I just doubt any of these guys are being paid enough that their contracts are going to be an obstacle.

 

Well, Morales is making the same money as Morneau last year, and we all witnessed the struggle that went down to the wire in late August to get Pittsburgh to take his salary on in exchange for two likely 40-man roster cuts. And Morneau was probably a more useful/productive player at that time than most of the Twins current trade assets (sans Suzuki and maybe Fien).

[TheLeviathan]

Well, Morales is making the same money as Morneau last year, and we all witnessed the struggle that went down to the wire in late August to get Pittsburgh to take his salary on in exchange for two likely 40-man roster cuts. And Morneau was probably a more useful/productive player at that time than most of the Twins current trade assets (sans Suzuki and maybe Fien).

 

You're right about Morales. The rest I'm doubtful will have their contracts matter at all.

[Otto von Ballpark]

You're right about Morales. The rest I'm doubtful will have their contracts matter at all.

 

Pittsburgh was waffling over paying Morneau ~$2 mil for the final month last year. If we are talking July 31st deadline, Willingham will make more than $2 mil over the final two months, Correia almost $2 mil. Even Burton will be due over $1 mil during that time.

 

That's not insignificant cash, when you are talking about such marginal players.

[oldguy10]

Marginal players also equals insignificant ones as well, why do the owners continue to spend such large sums on these types? It simply defies the imagination, doesn't it?

[Richie the Rally Goat]

No chance the Twins trade Dozier, but I certainly endorse the Suzuki to Baltimore idea.

I dunno, when you lose 90 + games three years in a row and counting, no established player is, or should be, off limits.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Marginal players also equals insignificant ones as well, why do the owners continue to spend such large sums on these types? It simply defies the imagination, doesn't it?

Disagree, free agent contracts are what they are. It's a market, and you pay to play.

[Oxtung]

There is a good chance Vargas is up. Rosario as well. Pinto will almost certainly be up by September.

 

What's the point of keeping dead weight on the roster?

 

The FO doesn't seem enthralled with him but I'd love to see Deibinson Romero called up for a while. He could slot in at DH if Morales is gone (which only happens if this recent surge continues for the next month.)

[drjim]

I dunno, when you lose 90 + games three years in a row and counting, no established player is, or should be, off limits.

 

I wouldn't say he is off limits, I just don't see a scenario where he gets moved.

 

Players in his position, still pre-arb, very rarely get moved in season because it is so hard to get enough in return without getting an mlb player (and a team acquiring him likely doesn't have a mlb caliber player to spare). He will have pretty much the same value in the offseason as he will now so there is no rush.

[beckmt]

Dozier has years of team control ahead, that is what makes him so valuable. Twins also have about 2 years before they are ready to contend. Moving a player now is a smart move. We need to see what we have. Dozier would have to be a major piece or two coming back, he is very valueable.