Trade rumors

[gunnarthor]

LEN recently wrote that he thought the Twins and Diamondbacks might pursue a trade in the offseason for a pitcher.  MLB traderumors says the Reds are also probably going to move a pitcher or two.  Reds are probably looking for a left fielder or shortstop so we might not be ideal fit for them.  Arizona is pretty deep in pitching - their top 4 prospects are all pitchers and all in mlb.com's top 100 prospect list and they have, over the last few years, promoted a number of young arms.  Some pretty good, some not so good.  They are pretty weak offensively though.  I'm not quite sure if they think they are a few moves away from competing or in whole rebuild though.

[Badsmerf]

I would shop Escobar and or Santana. See what the return would be on those guys. Both are young SS with offensive upside, so they should look attractive. I'm not really sure how much value either would have, but SS is the only position the Twins could trade from. Weird, considering how bad the position has been neglected by the FO. 

[diehardtwinsfan]

That would be an interesting aquisition. I wouldn't mind mind picking up another high ceiling arm to pair with Meyer/Berrios, and they did give up Bauer last year for a pretty questionable return. That said, I'm not sure what we would have that they would want.... maybe they are high on Escobar.... One could hope..

[Mike Sixel]

I'd want an OF (even a prospect) if I was AZ. I think they have a SS or two. The Reds are probably more "win now" mode than AZ, so unless they can convince them that Santana or Escobar is a SS today, not sure what they could send to Cincy.

[gunnarthor]

Arcia could be an interesting trade chip. His LH power would play up in both Arizona and Cincinnati.  But I'd sure want a lot back if the Twins were going to move a guy with that much team control.  Honestly, I'm not sure I'd trade him for Archie Bradley.

[iTwins]

I'm open to moving any piece of the current roster for more pitching. I won't even add the caveat "except Mauer" - everyone should be available for the right price. The team NEEDS pitching depth and quality starters. There's a lot of young offense coming, I'd be fine with cashing in on Escobar's breakout year or moving Plouffe, Dozier or Pinto for quality pitching.

 

I've been very patient with the rebuild, but even I'm growing weary of the wait until next year mentality. Time to make a few trades.

[Mike Sixel]

How will you feel if TR trades for guys 2-3 years away, potentially pushing out the rebuild another year (by, say, giving up Arcia or Dozier)?

[iTwins]

How will you feel if TR trades for guys 2-3 years away, potentially pushing out the rebuild another year (by, say, giving up Arcia or Dozier)?

 

It depends on the caliber of player coming back. If we're talking legitimate aces - I'd be OK with it, especially given the depth the Twins look to have at 2B (if the player moved was Dozier, for example).

Obviously the trades need to be smart trades, I'm not advocating "blowing things up" just for the sake of change. I'm on board with the notion that with the right pitching coming back, a trade would be savvy move with the team as it sits.

[Mike Sixel]

You'd be ok with pushing back the rebuild for at least another year or two? That should have been the question I asked. If they give up MLB talent for guys 2-3 years away (and replace them with minor league guys probably not as good as them), people would be cool with that, or frustrated?

[big dog]

You'd be ok with pushing back the rebuild for at least another year or two? That should have been the question I asked. If they give up MLB talent for guys 2-3 years away (and replace them with minor league guys probably not as good as them), people would be cool with that, or frustrated?

I vote "frustrated", personally.

[gunnarthor]

You'd be ok with pushing back the rebuild for at least another year or two? That should have been the question I asked. If they give up MLB talent for guys 2-3 years away (and replace them with minor league guys probably not as good as them), people would be cool with that, or frustrated?

I think it depends on a case by case basis.  If we traded Plouffe for X on the assumption that Escobar could play third until Sano was up (and that opens short for Santana), I think that would be ok.  Arcia, on the other hand, doesn't have an obvious replacement in line.  So unless the Twins were getting an incredible deal in return, I'd be opposed to trading him.

 

And the Twins could also trade for ML ready talent, too.  Plouffe for a young LFer, for instance.

[drjim]

You'd be ok with pushing back the rebuild for at least another year or two? That should have been the question I asked. If they give up MLB talent for guys 2-3 years away (and replace them with minor league guys probably not as good as them), people would be cool with that, or frustrated?

 

No real reason for the Twins to trade a MLB player for anything other than a MLB player in return this offseason.

 

I would say one interesting name to consider is Plouffe, but he would only get moved for a MLB pitcher, no reason to trade him for a prospect(s).

[Badsmerf]

I think it depends Mike. This team isn't going to turn into a playoff contender next year. If you're trading Escobar or Santana you are trading 1 of the 2 capable SS. That is trading from a position of excess. Even trading Dozier you could slide one of them over and probably be ok. Trading a guy like Plouffe, on the other hand, would be a bad decision. You are going to lose production from that position if that happens. When Sano is ready, and there is evidence 1) he will be able to play adequate defense 2) he can hit MLB pitching; then go for it. Until then, Plouffe is more valuable to the Twins than other clubs. 

 

Point is, you can trade MLB talent if it isn't going to set you back. Trading MLB talent just to get prospects is a terrible way to do business. It doesn't work. Prospects fail and cannot be counted on no matter how high their pedigree. Even someone like Buxton. Putting all your eggs in the minor league basket doesn't work.

[Badsmerf]

Again, NO to trading Plouffe. You all just assume Sano is going to step right in be a capable 3b. It doesn't just happen like that. You can't assume that any prospect, especially one with only only a half season of AA coming off TJ, is a for sure thing. Plouffe, right now, is a for sure thing. You have an above average bat, and an above average glove. He is still relatively cheap and has a body that is likely to stay at 3b. Trading him for the hope that Sano is going to take over is such a bad idea.

[TheLeviathan]

I'm with Smerf....shop both shortstops and see what the market is.  You don't have to deal them but you should explore the possibility.

[FattCrapps]

Arcia could be an interesting trade chip. His LH power would play up in both Arizona and Cincinnati.  But I'd sure want a lot back if the Twins were going to move a guy with that much team control.  Honestly, I'm not sure I'd trade him for Archie Bradley.

 

 

 

 

No, you're sure.  You would trade for Bradley in a heartbeat.

[gunnarthor]

No, you're sure.  You would trade for Bradley in a heartbeat.

I think Bradley missed half the season with an elbow injury.

[FattCrapps]

I think Bradley missed half the season with an elbow injury.

 

Even if he required TJ (which is bound to happen), I still wouldn't think twice.  

[Kwak]

Cleveland is playoff-relevant because they have a solid rotation and just enough hitting/fielding.  Arcia is definately expendable.  He "burps-up" almost as many runs as he provides.  Plouffe?  How many tis did the Twins play past Game 162 without a "solid" 3B?  Enough to trade him for "good" starting pitching.

[Linus]

I think we all agree that you have to trade from a position of depth, otherwise you are just creating a different hole in your team.  My main point is that it has to be actual depth, not theoretical depth.  For example, shopping Dozier.  Yes, we have depth in theory with Polanco and Rosario but until one of those two actually show they are ready for the big leagues, I don't count them.  Now when this happens, you have actual depth and could move somebody.

 

Given the uncertainty in CF and SS, the Twins do not have any depth from which to trade right now at the major league level.

[nicksaviking]

How will you feel if TR trades for guys 2-3 years away, potentially pushing out the rebuild another year (by, say, giving up Arcia or Dozier)?

 

I like Arcia and Dozier, but I don't think either of them will delay the rebuild, not by themselves.

 

I would have loved to make a trade before La Russa took control of that nightmare of an organization.  The Twins should have been in on the Trevor Bauer, Justin Upton and Ian Kennedy trades considering how little AZ demanded in return.

 

AZ probably doesn't need a SS though, they have actually been rumored to be moving one themselves.  I'm not sure how interested they'd be in Arcia either as after ditching Jason Kubel, they seemed more concerned with defense.

 

I don't like the chances of the Twins getting one of the young studs back from AZ, they almost certainly are instead trying to move Trevor Cahill or Josh Collmenter.  Not interested in either.  The Reds are probably looking to move a guy so they can resign their ace Johnny Cueto while at the same time getting top prospects back.  That means they are probably looking to move affordable rental players Mat Latos or Mike Leake.  The first I'd be screaming, "What the hell happened to your K/9!?" the second I'd be yelling "What the hell's going to happen to your already suspicious K/9 in the AL!?" 

 

Plus, I don't like rentals for 90 loss teams.

[the_youngster]

I view Pinto as the best trade option, really. The team has committed to Suzuki at catcher, and instead of worrying about his playing time, just let Suzuki catch / Mauer play 1st / Vargas DH. Pinto is not an ideal backup catcher, so might as well try to capitalize on another team's immediate desire for offense and a catcher (i.e. the Dodgers or Rays). We don't need a prime prospect in return, but an upgrade in left field to allow Schafer to be the 4th outfielder is entirely reasonable.

[cmb0252]

I could get behind trading for Latos if they can work out an extension with him. He has a pretty solid track record and is still only 26. Him and Hughes would make a solid 1-2 combo. Twins have a ton of quantity so let's package some of it up to get quality.

[Thegrin]

Don't forget that teams may be interested in Florimon & Beresford.  Florimon had a pretty good 2nd half and Beresford has hit over .280 in AAA and is a good fielder.  They might get one of the minor league pitching prospects.

 

If it comes down to trading a major league player for a major league player, the team that gets the position player almost always wins the trade. 

[USAFChief]

Florimon is no longer with the Twins, and Beresford has little or no trade value. Every team in the majors has a half dozen Beresfords.

[bird]

I think we all agree that you have to trade from a position of depth, otherwise you are just creating a different hole in your team.  My main point is that it has to be actual depth, not theoretical depth.  For example, shopping Dozier.  Yes, we have depth in theory with Polanco and Rosario but until one of those two actually show they are ready for the big leagues, I don't count them.  Now when this happens, you have actual depth and could move somebody.

 

Given the uncertainty in CF and SS, the Twins do not have any depth from which to trade right now at the major league level.

Good to emphasize trading from actual surplus as opposed to a theoretical or wishful surplus. But we should also recognize that the Twins will know well before we do if a prospect has great chance to take the next step. Even so, they're not always going to get it right, as so much can go haywire, especially with a player's head. 

[Brandon]

Pinto and/or Hicks and Escobar and maybe a minor league pitcher starter or reliever or Deunsing or Swarzak for a starting pitcher.  Hicks would be a throw in for the deal.and I was listing pieces not to include all f those players but most of them.....Cincinnati has several pitchers nearing FA.  so I don't really see how it makes sense to trade for one that close to FA unless we could sign to a long term deal or give up pieces we don't need but then why wouldn't we go after longer term assets?  The Twins could sign Mike Leake to a 4 year 50 million extention.  He seems to be that type of pitcher who is a number 3/4 starter that the Twins covet so much. 

[Rosterman]

Like centerfielders of the past, the Twins could swing trades for Santana and Escobar and hope Polanco is ready, right? Plouffe might actually have some worth. Dozier would be an interesting dangle. He's all over the place. You know, if someone offered the right return for Mauer, I would part ways. Think of where that salary could be distributed. But do the Twins REALLY have anyone anyone would want. Perk maybe. Hughes for sure (right now, you could trade high for him). If Pinto had actually caught this apst year, you could dangle him for a Matt Capps. Arcia would be an interesting chip. But no one will take a chance on Hicks.

[drjim]

Pinto and/or Hicks and Escobar and maybe a minor league pitcher starter or reliever or Deunsing or Swarzak for a starting pitcher. Hicks would be a throw in for the deal.and I was listing pieces not to include all f those players but most of them.....Cincinnati has several pitchers nearing FA. so I don't really see how it makes sense to trade for one that close to FA unless we could sign to a long term deal or give up pieces we don't need but then why wouldn't we go after longer term assets? The Twins could sign Mike Leake to a 4 year 50 million extention. He seems to be that type of pitcher who is a number 3/4 starter that the Twins covet so much.

Can you at least add Adam Brett Walker to make your trade proposal legitimate?

[Brandon]

Can you at least add Adam Brett Walker to make your trade proposal legitimate?

 

Pinto is a solid hitting prospect and Escobar is a solid SS.  that right there is a solid package for 1 year of Mike Leake.  Adding a reliever or minor league pitcher with potential and or Hicks who still has potential makes it a realistic package.  Walker isn't that great of a prospect at this point either so we could include him as an either or.