Article: Today's Official Trade Deadline Discussion

[John Bonnes]

Betting house Bovada has set 10.5 as the over/under on MLB trades today. Could there be 10 MLB trades and NONE that involved the Twins? Possibly, but I wouldn't bet on it.

 

The rumor mill is working to convince us otherwise. Yesterday Twins Pioneer Press beat reporter tweeted that Josh Willingham appears to be "staying put (for now)." This after hitting a home run against one of the teams that was supposedly interested in him, the Kansas City Royals. His value has apparently been hurt by that severe July slump, though he has bounced back to a .563 slugging percentage in the last two weeks. It appears the Mariners are the likeliest suitor.Meanwhile, the the Cardinals have signed AJ Pierzynski (who someone remains a thorn in the Twins side even when it appears his career may be over) and the Orioles seem to have very limited interest in Kurt Suzuki. But how can a catcher with roughly the same OPS as Buster Posey be undesirable by contending teams?

 

Personally, I'll be surprised if either one is here tomorrow, let alone both. I'm expecting interested GMs get a Liriano-like "put your best offer on the table" call from Ryan at some point today for both, but I'm already surprised that they aren't hotter commodities, so what do I know.

 

Well, whatever any of us know, let's put it in the comments below. If you haven't already registered, it's super easy, and you're going to be part of fantastic community - just ask the 4000 current contributors to it.

 

Ok, community (and Terry Ryan)....ready.....set.....GO!

 

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[John Bonnes]

Part of the reason I think that Willingham is traded is because I think the Twins are going to want to dump that salary. Of course, I supposed they could dump it by just giving him to whoever claims him on waivers, but they there is a good chance they get nothing. I just feel like Ryan isn't going to chance that. He's not exactly a risk-taker. 

[Linus]

I wouldn't be surprised if nothing happens today.  Ryan is very patient and if he is getting subpar offers for either, he will wait.  Right now, there just doesn't seem to be a market for either player, which is a little surprising.

 

Personally, if all they are going to get is organizational filler, then I would rather keep them.  They are blocking nobody and Suzuki could be valuable to Meyer and May.  Plus it might help sign him in the off season.

 

I do want them to move Corriea no matter what, even for a bag of balls.  Time for Meyer and May in the rotation.

[tobi0040]

I view this deadline as a failure if Kurt Suzuki is not traded or extended.  The Orioles are 2.5 games in first place in the east and have catchers with a .599 and .573 OPS.  Or another franchise in first place, the Dodgers with AJ Ellis really struggling this year (.594 OPS) and Drew Butera.  Not that I should have to cite his OPS but I will (.560). I didn't even look at the 10+ other teams that think they are in contention.

 

I find it really hard to believe we can't get anything for Kurt. If he didn't sign with us prior to the deadline, he is going to free agency.

[Mike Sixel]

Suzuki is blocking Pinto. Or, Willingham is blocking Pinto. Together, they are blocking Pinto. If this team is ever going to actually rebuild from within, they need to get the young guys up here, not sitting in NY or CT.

[Linus]

At what point is "anything" enough?  Before I would call it a failure, I guess I would have to know what they are being offered.  Based on the only available information the answer to that question is they are being offered little to nothing.

[Dman]

I view this deadline as a failure if Kurt Suzuki is not traded or extended.  The Orioles are 2.5 games in first place in the east and have catchers with a .599 and .573 OPS.  Or another franchise in first place, the Dodgers with AJ Ellis really struggling this year (.594 OPS) and Drew Butera.  Not that I should have to cite his OPS but I will (.560). I didn't even look at the 10+ other teams that think they are in contention.

 

I find it really hard to believe we can't get anything for Kurt. If he didn't sign with us prior to the deadline, he is going to free agency.

 

I agree with you.  Suzuki is a huge upgrade for both those clubs.  The asking price just has to be too high for him not to get traded.  I can't believe either of those teams wouldn't want an offensive difference maker on their team for the stretch run.  I know trading is a game of chicken and or patience but they need to get something decent for the one decent trade candidate we have.

[Brock Beauchamp]

I view this deadline as a failure if Kurt Suzuki is not traded or extended.  The Orioles are 2.5 games in first place in the east and have catchers with a .599 and .573 OPS.

 

I agree that Suzuki should be traded but it's not as easy as snapping your fingers.

 

The Orioles, despite their catching woes, have been reported to have no interest in Kurt Suzuki.

 

It's hard to trade a guy when the most logical fit for him won't return your phone calls due to lack of interest.

[Seth Stohs]

Correct. I think scouts/evaluators are likely a little leery of giving up much for Suzuki and for him to return to Suzuki, circa last few seasons over the final two months. Certainly a fair concern.

 

As for Willingham, he's hit alright the last two weeks, but scouts/evaluators may see him as just done. And that's not an unfair opinion. That said, he might be a nice power bat off of a bench who can DH. 

 

I think there's a better chance that lesser names would get dealt, like Butera last year. This year, I could see Florimon being a guy like that. I also think there are a few bullpen arms that might garner some late interest pre-deadline. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

This year, I could see Florimon being a guy like that.

 

I'm not a prayin' man, but...

[beckmt]

This seems to be coming down to a game of "chicken".  Many GM's seem to be taking a chance that sellers will want to move players and the later it gets, the more likely they can get who they want for little or nothing.  Twins are a prime "A" example for this as none of the players they want to move are great and none of the GM's wanting these players are willing to give anything more the organizational filler.  My feeling is that Twins will not be involved today and only player likely to be moved next month is Correia if he is let go to a team that claims him. 

[Linus]

Part of the issue is the lack of compensatory pick for pending free agents.  In prior years, you could deal for a rental, let them go and gain the pick.  Now, the only return is the production you get for two months.  In light of that, how much would you be willing to give up for two months of either player?

 

My guess is, not much.  Ergo, no activity.

[Winston Smith]

Lester and Gomes to the A's for Cespedas.  Nice starting staff for the A's rivals the Twins staff.

[DaveW]

Lester to the A's...Holy Hell, the A's are beyond all in at this point.

[teekz]

I'm not sure I buy Pinto as a viable option at catcher. He has issues throwing and blocking pitches. It doesn't seem like he calls very good games. Looking in the minors we just seem short at catcher right now. I am not going to be disappointed if they hold on to Suzuki even if it is to help the young pitchers that will hopefully coming up in the next couple months. Especially if we are not going to get much for him which it sounds like since there isn't much of a market for him.

[tobi0040]

I agree that Suzuki should be traded but it's not as easy as snapping your fingers.

 

The Orioles, despite their catching woes, have been reported to have no interest in Kurt Suzuki.

 

It's hard to trade a guy when the most logical fit for him won't return your phone calls due to lack of interest.

 

We will never know what is being offered or demanded.  But if Suzuki would be an upgrade for 5-6 clubs that are in first place or in the hunt...I have a tough time believing we can't get somebody's 8th-10th best prospect, maybe equivalent to our Burdi, Vargas, etc (10-12 with us).

 

The Orioles have been really bad for a long time and had a taste last year. Suzuki is having a career year, but even his career OPS is 80-90 basis points higher than their production at catcher this year.

 

If we are aiming our sights too high and end up getting nothing....than that is a failure to me.  I would also give KC away just to clear room.  That is worth more to this team this year and next year, IMO.

[Linus]

Wow - the A's must feel like they can sign him.  Cespedes is quite a price to pay.

[DaveW]

Wow - the A's must feel like they can sign him.  Cespedes is quite a price to pay.

Cespedes isn't bad, but he is a bit more hype then his true talent.

[iTwins]

Oakland is certainly going all in this season - that Lester for Cespedes trade is something I can only get to happen in MLB The Show. Hopefully this keeps up all day, trades are fun.

[John Bonnes]

The Orioles were, at one time, hot after Lester. I wonder if this makes them turn their attention to Suzuki. 

[John Bonnes]

I'll say this for Billy Beane - he does not lack guts. If the A's go south, especially if it's because the offense slackens a bit, people are going to point at this trade. 

 

So do they have a ready-made replacement for Cespedes? Because, um, we have a right-handed outfielder with some power.....(who actually has a higher OPS than Cespedes....)

[Seth Stohs]

Darren Wolfson just tweeted:

 

 

 

#MNTwins source: "I suspect we will have something go down today."

 

 

 

 https://twitter.com/DarrenWolfson/status/494850006470246400

[Seth Stohs]

Maybe Sam Fuld can platoon with Jonny Gomes for Oakland. 

[TwinsCD]

I'm not sure I'd trade my best major league talent (imo) for a rental in Lester.  Moneyball's a fun concept and all but it hasn't exactly spelled out playoff success.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Good point John. Willingham might fit in Oakland now. I wouldn't be surprised if Suzuki or Willingham stay put though. They like it here and the Twins players want to stick together and finish strong this year. I'm actually on board with this idea though the FO will be skewered for it.

[John Bonnes]

Gawd, it would be just like Beane to pull a double-switch to pick up a pitcher like Lester for the playoffs and then backfill Cespedes by an overlooked Willingham for a mid/lower level prospect - if he can stomach the defense. He's like a roto owner playing with imaginary players. 

[Beezer07]

Re: Cespedes trade, the A's desperately want to win this year. Further, Cespedes is a free agent after next season, so you're trading 1 year and 2 months of Cespedes (an above-average OF) for 2 months of Lester (a very good pitcher) in a year where you're a lock to make the playoffs.

[Willihammer]

They got Moss, Reddick and Crisp for outfielders now. They could probably swap in a RH bat for Reddick when facing lefties. They ought to see little or no decline in OF production from this trade, IMO. All 3 are under control through 2016 too

[teekz]

I'm just not sure any of our players have much trade value. Willingham seems to be more of an August waivers trade guy to me as is Correia. Suzuki is the only guy I could see going, I just don't see a better catcher option right now.

[tobi0040]

Cespedes isn't bad, but he is a bit more hype then his true talent.

 

I agree with that.  .767 OPS, 17 HR so far.  The biggest asset for him is his contract. Another year and a half at $8M per is pretty good for that production.  I am sure Boston will give him a ton of money.

 

On a side note, Lester has made it known that he will re-sign with Boston.  It seems like his goal here was to get some more talent in Bean Town, then go back there.  If all goes as planned and that happens he will be a hero in Boston.  It does seem like a risky strategy for him.  What if he gets hurt in his next start?