What do the Twins need to do for a Successful Winter Meeting?

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

The MLB Winter Meetings start Sunday evening and run through next Thursday.

 

There's always a lot of rumors and talk about players moving from one team to another, and free agents added.

 

What moves do the Twins need to make for the trip to San Diego to be considered a success?

 

By this time next week, will the Twins have added more pitching? Some more OF Defense?

 

Early Rumors have the Twins interested in Ryan Vogelsong - will it be a successful week if that rumor doesn't come to pass?

 

Which Twins are most likely to be former Twins by next Thursday?

 

[Homer Hanky]

Things I think will happen: 

 

Twins trade Trevor Ploof/ Pinto to the Giants for and Catcher/pitcher

 

Twins Sign Johan Santana

 

Twins also sign one relief pitcher by the name of ________________! 

 

>>>

 

What I hope happens: 

 

1. Twins Trade with the Rays for some young pitching

2. Twins Trade Ricky N back to the NL for a catcher. 

3. Twins Trade Trevor Ploof and Duensing for 1 stud pitcher and 1 prospect pitcher. 

 

Well what do you think? 

[Winston Smith]

It's likely Drew Butera will be back with the team in the next few days. He was just let go and he already knows the Twins secret handshake.

[SwainZag]

I really think there is no chance Nolasco gets moved.  It would be completely selling low.  It's worth the risk that he improved this year and has more value at the deadline than just to cut bait and trade his right now.  At least IMO.

 

I really hope the Twins don't acquire a catcher and at least give Pinto a chance to catch some innings.  He would become quite the asset with his bat if he could become even a serviceable backstop.

[Mike Sixel]

None. I don't view next week as some kind of deadline......

 

Past that, a top line SP would be nice. 

[Willihammer]

I'd love to see Ryan turn a couple nickels into a quarter in trade.

[SwainZag]

None. I don't view next week as some kind of deadline......

 

Past that, a top line SP would be nice. 

 

I think as much as anyone here would love a top of the line SP, the realistic chances of the Twins bringing one in either through free agency or trade has to be very, very, very low right now.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Which Twins are most likely to be former Twins by next Thursday?

Don't forget, "Which former Twins are most likely to be Twins by next Thursday?"

[Otto von Ballpark]

I'd love to see Ryan turn a couple nickels into a quarter in trade.

Sounds like their actual budget numbers around the year 2000.

[gunnarthor]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Twins moved Pinto.  Suzuki is the catcher for a few years and Pinto's not that young. 

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

I stand by my Lew Ford joke/prediction.

 

Shocking trade - Arcia gets moved for pitching

Shocking trade #2 - two of the prospects in the #5 - #10 range (and someone else!) are packaged for Justin Upton 

Less shocking - Plouffe gets moved for more pitching

 

Twins Acquire Peter Bourjos for Brian Duensing

(huh, that's what that feels like to type that)

 

Twins Sign Justin Masterson

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Twins moved Pinto.  Suzuki is the catcher for a few years and Pinto's not that young.  I thought I read that Michael Saunders and Seattle weren't getting along so he could be on the move so Pinto and a relief pitcher for Saunders?

Saunders has already been traded to Toronto for J.A. Happ

[nicksaviking]

What do the Twins need to do for a Successful Winter Meeting?

 

Hold zero press conferences.

[Brandon]

If we signed Neshek for the bullpen next week, I will be content.  (I know Terry Ryan has said they want to sign a reliever).  This signing does several things.  It helps fill the reunion quota, makes our bullpen more Minnesota (with Theilbar and Perkins already from Minnesota), and gives us another good reliever. 

 

If the Twins get their pitcher next week for the rotation all the better.  Then we can just sit around and wait for the season to start. 

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

Bold prediction - Josmil Pinto traded to Texas Rangers for... Somebody?!? If the Twins have already traded Plouffe, maybe they can finally acquire Adrian Beltre, like they should have a long time ago...

[Otto von Ballpark]

Saunders has already been traded to Toronto for J.A. Happ

To me, that's strong evidence the Twins aren't adding another veteran MLB outfielder (unless they somehow subtract one).  If they were interested in doing so, at that price they almost certainly would have been mentioned somewhere in a Michael Saunders rumor, right?  Regardless of their Hunter pursuit?

 

I think they wanted to add one veteran MLB outfielder and they knew all along who their top target was, and they just signed him.  (And we have about 4 other threads discussing him, sorry )

[ashbury]

It's likely Drew Butera will be back with the team in the next few days. He was just let go and he already knows the Twins secret handshake.

To make room on the roster, they'll of course need to release Eduardo Nunez.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

To me, that's strong evidence the Twins aren't adding another veteran MLB outfielder (unless they somehow subtract one).  If they were interested in doing so, at that price they almost certainly would have been mentioned somewhere in a Michael Saunders rumor, right?  Regardless of their Hunter pursuit?

 

I think they wanted to add one veteran MLB outfielder and they knew all along who their top target was, and they just signed him.  (And we have about 4 other threads discussing him, sorry )

Terry still has to "see what's out there"

 

^{(Justin Upton! Matt Kemp! Colby Rasmus, Melky Cabrera, etc!)}

[ashbury]

What do the Twins need to do for a Successful Winter Meeting?

 

Hold zero press conferences.

Don't be a... never mind.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

Oh! Wait a second... What ever happened to those Wily Mo Peña rumors?

[Otto von Ballpark]

If we signed Neshek for the bullpen next week, I will be content.  (I know Terry Ryan has said they want to sign a reliever).  This signing does several things.  It helps fill the reunion quota

If there is a reunion quota, I hope the Twins have already surpassed it.  

 

Although Neshek would be a cool dude to welcome back, and he wasn't exactly happy when he left here so the patch-up would be more meaningful.  MLBTR predicted a 2/10 deal for him, not unreasonable as a Burton replacement.

[Homer Hanky]

I agree with anyone who says we should trade Ploof and Pinto... 

 

I really like Pinto... but, he is not going to be that good behind the plate and we can get something for him NOW... and 

 

I think Twins fans would be more happy if the BIG splash we made was... to let Sano, Eddie, and Buxton come north with the team. Then to go out and sign some big name free agent! 

[SwainZag]

I agree with anyone who says we should trade Ploof and Pinto... 

 

I really like Pinto... but, he is not going to be that good behind the plate and we can get something for him NOW... and 

 

I think Twins fans would be more happy if the BIG splash we made was... to let Sano, Eddie, and Buxton come north with the team. Then to go out and sign some big name free agent! 

 

I don't see why there is so much in motion to trade Pinto.  What value does he exactly have?  It's known he hasn't been the best catcher and he had a down season at the plate in Minnesota.  There can't be much of a market for him.  Best case scenerio the Twins trade low oh him and he never puts it together and it was a good decision to get rid of him.  Worst case scenerio, the Twins trade low on him, a team gives him the reigns as their starting catcher, he improves to be a serviceable catcher and becomes a 280/350/425 hitter and the Twins look dumb giving up on him.

 

What's the harm in letting him be the backup catcher and starting a few times per week?

 

I just can't see anyone giving up anything of value for Pinto, 

[MWLfanV2]

Stop by the San Diego Zoo, fit in a couple rounds at Torrey Pines, get a good dinner in Old Town, take a cruise out to whale watch. Keep Terry Ryan out of the sun, don't trade Buxton or Sano, bring Torri Hunter along as media representitive so he can give cute endearing nicknames to press members, see if anyone wants Parmalee; Nunez; Pelfrey; Collabello. in this hemisphere or Asia. Don't sign Drew Butera for the love of god, not that I have anything against young Mr. Butera, but this might break Twitter and this website due to all the whining that would take place from now until Spring Training when he would be sent to Rochester or released. Same with Nick Punto. Sneak out for a day trip to Vegas on the Pohlad dime. Sit in the suite and make prank calls to MLB network with rumors that you are in on Lester and Scherzer, then slamthe phone and take another shot of tequila.  Remind people that yes we have lost 90 games a few years in a row, but have you seen the Timberwolves...ish. Do some "holiday" shopping in Tijuana. Snuggle up with your Kindle and read the latest Nora Roberts book or take Eddie Guardado on in Candy Crush. Talk about the All Star Game, again. Walk up to Clayton Kershaw and explain to him that the Twins are not the AA affiliate of the Brewers, which he won't believe when he sees the roster but it will confuse him as to why the Brewers have Dozier and Hughes down on rehab in December.  Enjoy the warm weather.

[TheLeviathan]

Get a CF.  A real one.  Who has not ever been a Twin before.  (Sit back down Rich Becker)

[Riverbrian]

The Winter Meetings would be a success if:

 

10: The Room Key doesn't blank out

9: Terry doesn't piss off Theo

8. The maid doesn't walk in... At exactly the wrong Time

7. Drug sniffing dogs don't stop and bark at Terry's rental car.

6. The Dodgers make 30 moves taking attention away from Twins inactivity.

5. A Panda gives birth at the Zoo taking attention away from Twins inactivity.

4. Lauren Shehadi dresses skimpily

3. The Wi-Fi covers the entire room

2. Albert Hammond is correct for the week

1. Terry never says "Whales Vagina" not once.

[Seth Stohs]

None. I don't view next week as some kind of deadline......

 

Past that, a top line SP would be nice. 

 

Right, the Winter Meetings are all about talk and rumors and maybe a handful of deals or signings.

 

In reality, the Winter Meetings originated as a meeting of minor league teams but the Major League people kind of took it over. So, in reality, there will be a whole bunch of meetings that the various people have to go to... and hopefully lots of talk with GMs and agents.

[Trevor0333]

Sign a #2 level SP & make a Span/Revere esque trade.

 

So basically trade Plouffe for a premium return & sign Anderson.

[beckmt]

Doubt much will happen.  Sign a relief pitcher or two, do not see a trade happening unless Terry gets an offer he cannot refuse.

[Rosterman]

I heard that someone forgot to book tickets to San Diego. No loss, nothing much happening. If anyone wants anything that the Twins have, I would listen...intently. And, please Terry stop saying you have 3-4 year offers in seven figures out to Lester, Shields and Drew Butera.