Trade rumor: Buehrle

[DocBauer]

Ok, I'm going to try and be polite: he has shown nothing to deserve all the bouquets being thrown at him.  Counting on guys like May, Millone, Pelfrey, Pino, et all are how you end up with AAAA starters getting a bunch of starts.   Don't get me wrong: I hope the guy is lights out.  I'm just saying that the failure rate for a pitcher with his pedigree is approaching 50%,  and the Twins have a chance to win next year if they don't roll the dice on guys like this.  If he turns out great, there will be plenty of ways to get him into the rotation.

Thank you. I will also try to be polite. Lol

 

I never mentioned bouquets. I also never stated he should be guaranteed a spot. I also believe, based on pure ability, as well as youth, May doesn't really compare to Milone or Pelfrey, and most certainly not Pino. We're comparing apples to squishy oranges with that white stuff caked all over.

 

May is a former top prospect of the Phillies, and a current top prospect of the Twins, not a 30 yo journeyman. Further, the only thing he's ever really done "wrong" as a prospect was repeat AA, where he did actually show improvement.

 

The point I was attempting to actually make, initially, was how so many called for early/earlier promotions for May and Meyer both to join the ML club. Remember, despite quality results, sometimes dominant results, BOTH young men were in AAA for the very first time. Meyer was on a pitch limitation, and probably less consistent than May. But again, there was clamoring for their immediate promotion to the majors. Not unlike Gibson in 2013. And like Gibson in '13, there was much debate.

 

But May was promoted. And he struggled initially. Once again, not a big surprise. And while he is NOT a finished product by any measure, he showed ability, he showed the ability to learn, adjust, grow, and pitched fairly well the last half of his starts. I would never say he has something locked up. But especially for a rebuilding team, I think you have to at least pencil him in as a solid option for one of the available spots.

[steve]

I support the signing of Mark Buehrle for the most selfish of reasons: he works fast.

 

People still talk about the July 17, 2010 game when he and Carl Pavano finished work in 1 hour 52 minutes.

 

I remember fondly attending a 2:09 game June 16, 2011.

 

When Commissioner Bud Selig was singing his swansong all he could do was bemoan the length of ballgames and interminal pace of play. Right now in the Arizona Fall League, they are experimenting with new rules to speed up ballgames.

 

Pace of play is a threat to the popularity of the game of baseball.

 

Buehrle is the antithesis of slow play. Were any of his habits to rub off on the rest of the staff, it would only be for the good.

[nicksaviking]

Not sure what history you're looking at, nick. The problem, going back a half-dozen years or so, has been that there have been very few real prospects to challenge those iffy ones.

 

Maybe you're right, history wasn't the correct word as last year was first time they actually had prospects and blocked them with the non-prospects.  The excuses used to keep May and Meyer down when healthy last year were poor.

 

They should never have wasted innings in AAA last year once the team was out of contention. They can learn the same things at the MLB level that they could at Rochester all while not wasting the precious bullets that were finitely put in their arms

[tobi0040]

There are better ways to spend $19 million. But, there's no doubt we need lefty starters. If the Twins want to spend that sort of money, spend it on Lester.

 

I can only speak for myself, but I am guessing many others would also prefer Lester over Mark B.  It is just not within the realm of reality that we are going to sign Lester, so Mark is just a more realistic target.

[jharaldson]

May is a former top prospect of the Phillies, and a current top prospect of the Twins, not a 30 yo journeyman. Further, the only thing he's ever really done "wrong" as a prospect was repeat AA, where he did actually show improvement.

 

Just to be clear, May had a failed season at High A ball in 2010 as well and combined with his failed 2012 AA season the Phillies decided he wasn't a top guy anymore.  

[tobi0040]

Just to be clear, May had a failed season at High A ball in 2010 as well and combined with his failed 2012 AA season the Phillies decided he wasn't a top guy anymore.  

 

At the time of the trade, May was their #1 rated prospect by multiple sources.  I think he slotted in around #6 initiially for us, highlighting a gap between the systems.

[Brandon]

If the Twins trade for Beurhle would Toronto be able to sign Cabrera or would they still be after Hunter? 

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/11/blue-jays-pursuing-torii-hunter.html

 

How does that thought affect your slant on whether the Twins should go after Beurhle or not?

[whydidnt]

If the Twins trade for Beurhle would Toronto be able to sign Cabrera or would they still be after Hunter? 

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/11/blue-jays-pursuing-torii-hunter.html

 

How does that thought affect your slant on whether the Twins should go after Beurhle or not?

I really hope they don't sign Hunter, so if trading for Buerhle helps Toronto up the offer for Tori, I'm all for it. There's nothing wrong with Buerhle as a middle of the rotation starter, but he's over priced, so I wouldn't be too enthused about bringing him in.  Wouldn't mind seeing them go after Cabrera though if they can get him on a 2-3 year deal. 

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

The Twins should be the ones going after Cabrera - at least, if the choice is between Hunter and Cabrera, that is.

 

I'm anxious for some dominoes to start falling for the Twins' offseason. I hope that once they announce their new pitching coach and bench coach we'll hear about a new FA pitcher and/or OF soon after.

[Otto von Ballpark]

If the Twins trade for Beurhle would Toronto be able to sign Cabrera or would they still be after Hunter? 

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/11/blue-jays-pursuing-torii-hunter.html

 

How does that thought affect your slant on whether the Twins should go after Beurhle or not?

Good post.  I actually thought of that before, in terms of whether the Twins might want to go after Cabrera, and taking Buehrle's salary off Toronto's hands, while not a bad move in isolation, might give us more competition for Cabrera.  Haven't heard us connected to Melky, though.

 

Then again, if you really want a player, another (good) player's one year, $19 mil commitment (at a different position, no less) probably isn't going to be that big of an obstacle.

[tobi0040]

Good post.  I actually thought of that before, in terms of whether the Twins might want to go after Cabrera, and taking Buehrle's salary off Toronto's hands, while not a bad move in isolation, might give us more competition for Cabrera.  Haven't heard us connected to Melky, though.

 

Then again, if you really want a player, another (good) player's one year, $19 mil commitment (at a different position, no less) probably isn't going to be that big of an obstacle.

 

I would much rather have Mark B. at $19M than Hunter at $12M.   Mark helps out pitching staff, an area of need for us.  I think he would be our second best pitcher.

 

It is questionable to me whether or not Torii would be an upgrade offensively over a Hicks/Schafer platoon.  Defensively, Hicks and Schafer would be much better.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

If the Twins are theoretically willing to spend $19MM on Mark Buehrle, I think they could be offering that money to James Shields or even Jon Lester (Though I think he would want a bigger deal). I think a FA signing is a more likely payroll bump than trading for a spendy player. I can't think of a single example in which the Twins traded for a big contract - maybe Carl Pavano? I forget how much was left on his deal when he came over. Luis Castillo? 

 

That money could go to Ervin Santana, or Brett Anderson and Justin Masterson combined (with $$ left over for an outfielder).

[Otto von Ballpark]

If the Twins are theoretically willing to spend $19MM on Mark Buehrle, I think they could be offering that money to James Shields or even Jon Lester (Though I think he would want a bigger deal). I think a FA signing is a more likely payroll bump than trading for a spendy player. I can't think of a single example in which the Twins traded for a big contract - maybe Carl Pavano? I forget how much was left on his deal when he came over. Luis Castillo? 

 

That money could go to Ervin Santana, or Brett Anderson and Justin Masterson combined (with $$ left over for an outfielder).

Pavano was an expiring contract, trade deadline deal.  Castillo was more notable -- he had one year, $5 mil left, plus a $5.75 mil club option.  (Actually I was racking my brain recently trying to think of TR trading prospects for anyone, and the Castillo deal was all I could really come up with.)

 

No doubt, Buehrle would not be my top choice to dispense with $19 million.  But if I struck out in other avenues, or the other avenues cost an extra $50+ million that I didn't want to guarantee, and the Jays were willing to dump him, I'd do it.

[Rosterman]

It's such a tough call. Do you go after Masterson or McCarthy for less, but also hold your breath. D you make a Ervin Santana signing. Do you rad water. DO you wait to see who is left in the dregs (a la Garza last year). It all depends on how fast Toronto wants to unload e guy and who is willing to at the most of his salary. If you have the money, and can eat the salary, you are trading a prospect light for he guy, some one who i blocked by not only one but two other guys for a certain position.

 

He offers you a fifth day inning eater who keeps you in the game. He can be an influence on others. Nolasco should rebound. Gibson could be tradebait if he doesn't show signs of real greatness. Meyer will be on an inning count no matter where he starts. May could start in the bullpen a la Swarzak and be in line if you need a spot start. Milone can still be stashed in the minors, as you can Pelfrey (coming off an injury). Plus, if Mark B. shines, you can trade him to a contender for your prospect back in the least.

 

Money doesn't roll over to nxt season. If the Twins are still sitting on a number of millions after filling the minors with AAAA and grabbing only a mid-level free agent or two for somewhere, I cold think of worse things to spend the money on...like not spending it on payroll.

[old nurse]

Castillo was a salary dump, by the Marlins, even though his salary really wasn't that outrageous for his production. The prospects were pretty minimal

[Sanjay Wolowitz]

Meh.  He was a fantastic pitcher at his high point, but I can't really get behind trading for him now.  I think it makes much more sense to continue stockpiling young power arms like Meyer, May, Berrios, Stewart, etc.

 

If there was one pitcher on the Jays that I'd like to see the Twins pursue, it's Drew Hutchison.  It'd probably cost a King's ransom to get him, but a rotation topped by Hughes, Hutcison, and Meyer as soon as this year is pretty appealing!

[big dog]

I would much rather have Mark B. at $19M than Hunter at $12M.   Mark helps out pitching staff, an area of need for us.  I think he would be our second best pitcher.

 

It is questionable to me whether or not Torii would be an upgrade offensively over a Hicks/Schafer platoon.  Defensively, Hicks and Schafer would be much better.

I'd rather have a Hostess Twinkie than Hunter at $12 M.  The Angels and the Tigers thought he would help get them to the WS, it didn't work out.  Find someone with a little upside please.  We know getting Buehrle would help us because we wouldn't lose two games against him next year.

[h2oface]

No, no, no...... no. no The time to acquire Buehrle was 5-7 years ago.  Certainly not now, and not at 19 million a year, even if the Jays eat some salary.  

[Boom Boom]

I don't hate the idea of trading for Buehrle.

 

Yeah he's owed a lot of money, but it's only a one year commitment, and I don't really care how the Twins spend their 19 million anyway. It probably wouldn't take much of a prospect either.

[tobi0040]

I don't hate the idea of trading for Buehrle.

 

Yeah he's owed a lot of money, but it's only a one year commitment, and I don't really care how the Twins spend their 19 million anyway. It probably wouldn't take much of a prospect either.

 

If he has a good year, offer him arbitration.  Get him for $15M the next year or a pick if he leaves.  Talent-wise, he is our second best pitcher.

[clone52]

There are better ways to spend $19 million. But, there's no doubt we need lefty starters. If the Twins want to spend that sort of money, spend it on Lester.

 

Buehrle and Lester are the same amount of money.  Buehrle is 19 million.  Lester is going to be 10 times that amount.

[Brandon]

Buehrle and Lester are the same amount of money.  Buehrle is 19 million.  Lester is going to be 10 times that amount.

Or we could include Deunsing or Pelfry in the trade and or have Toronto kick in a few million and now its 13 - 15 million and not 19 million.  Which is much more reasonable. 

[clone52]

Or we could include Deunsing or Pelfry in the trade and or have Toronto kick in a few million and now its 13 - 15 million and not 19 million.  Which is much more reasonable. 

 

I've always said, the best part about Buehrle is that he would just be a temporary guy.  If he pans out, great.  If he gets old and terrible, they aren't stuck with him.