Twins Seeking More Starting Pitching?

[Parker Hageman]

Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo writes that the Twins are linked to two starting pitchers -- Chicago's Jeff Samardzija and Boston's Clay Buchholz -- as possible suitors: 

 

Jeff Samardzija, RHP, White Sox — Teams are tempted but don’t know what to make of him because of his 4.53 ERA and struggles this season. His affordability as a rental and the fact that he’s not a No. 1-caliber starter in the eyes of most scouts but a good second or third guy in a rotation make him worth looking at. But the White Sox likely wouldn’t receive a great return. That’s why the same teams looking at Clay Buchholz are looking at Samardzija — the Royals, Tigers, Twins, Blue Jays, Yankees, Cardinals, Orioles, Angels, and Dodgers.

 

 

With Ervin Santana schedule to join the Twins next weekend following the Kansas City series, it is hard to believe these types of rumors. As the Twins front office says, they do due diligence on everybody at this time of the year. Still while the results have been decent (3.82 ERA, 8 of 30) the process has been questionable (4.10 xFIP, 19 of 30). There is room for an upgrade. 

[nytwinsfan]

No no no no no no no No No NO no NO nooooo no no NONONONON no NOOOO NNNNNO NO!

 

Edit: (No!)

[DaveW]

If the cost is right I would be thrilled with either one.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

Funny how Samardzija is the guy in all the trade rumors the last couple years - He's a decent enough pitcher, but he's somehow in all the rumors like he's David Price or something. He's a solid #2 or #3. 

Hard to see where the fit is for the Twins today, but if it is one of three or four moves, there's room for the Shark or Bucholz for sure in the Twins rotation. The bullpen and a couple bats seem like the more pressing need in the short term, and it's kind of silly for the Twins to be shopping for rentals.

It can be fun to spill a little ink from time to time, though, on rumors like this.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Funny how Samardzija is the guy in all the trade rumors the last couple years - He's a decent enough pitcher, but he's somehow in all the rumors like he's David Price or something. He's a solid #2 or #3.

That's the power of the market.

 

Samardzija is a #2 or #3, but he's one of the handful of guys who has been unwilling to sign an extension, and has also been on multiple bad teams (2014 Cubs, 2015 White Sox) and a small market team (2014 A's) looking to maximize their return on him (which includes selling high and trading early, to keep the compensation draft pick in play so far).

 

Actually Price fits into that group a little bit too -- his ERA+ numbers haven't always suggested elite (although he's certainly better than Samardzija, and he's doing great this year), but he was stuck in Tampa who needed to maximize their return on him.

 

True elite aces generally aren't available in trade.  So guys like Samardzija and Buchholz become the focal points, especially midseason.

[Mike Sixel]

Uh......why?

 

They currently are doing fine with their starters, and are about to get Santana back, who they must love, because they spent 2 off seasons trying to sign him.

 

The have no C, SS, 1B, CF, DH, and are missing 3-4 RP, and they might trade for another starter?

 

Mind.

Boggling

[DaveW]

 

Uh......why?

 

They currently are doing fine with their starters, and are about to get Santana back, who they must love, because they spent 2 off seasons trying to sign him.

 

The have no C, SS, 1B, CF, DH, and are missing 3-4 RP, and they might trade for another starter?

 

Mind.

Boggling

I'm pretty sure if they traded for another starter that would mean one of Milone, Pelfrey, Gibson etc would be traded as well (which could help fill another position)

 

As long as the price would be right, they should be looking to upgrade.

If I was running the show, I think my top targets for a trade candidate would be David Ortiz (solves your LH bat and DH problem), and one of Pappelbon, Clippard or Chapman to help build a shut down pen.

I would also buy low on an Ian Desmond type as well to fill in at SS.

 

CF I wouldn't touch, Rosario is fine there for now and Buxton/Hicks both will be back within a month.

[jokin]

 

Uh......why?

 

They currently are doing fine with their starters, and are about to get Santana back, who they must love, because they spent 2 off seasons trying to sign him.

 

The have no C, SS, 1B, CF, DH, and are missing 3-4 RP, and they might trade for another starter?

 

Mind.

Boggling

 

Assuming that this SP rumor has any veracity at all, the Twins do have too many prospects than available roster spots going into 2016.  I'm scratching my head here like you, but assuming a front-end rotation of

Shark/Bucholz/Hamels  (pick one)
Hughes
Santana
Gibson
TBD


has the Twins FO concluded that Milone or May or Pelfrey or Nolasco, or all of the above, are ready and able to fill some of the roles of the "missing 3-4 RPs" plus as trade bait to fill the said holes you mentioned?

[HitInAPinch]

Snorkel 

 

There, I now qualify to be a part of the Boston Globe sports department

[Mike Sixel]

Oh, and they have Berrios in AA.....soon for AAA, I'd guess.

 

They can't score runs, either call up some guys (so they either fix this year, or are more ready next year), or trade for a C or SS. Too bad they didn't take Trea Turner, they'd have a SS next year.

[Otto von Ballpark]

The verb the writer uses here -- "looking" -- probably applies to every team and every player in the league.  (And of course the Twins have "looked" at these two pitchers in that they have faced both of them recenty )

[Boom Boom]

Assuming that this SP rumor has any veracity at all, the Twins do have too many prospects than available roster spots going into 2016. I'm scratching my head here like you, but assuming a front-end rotation of

 

Shark/Bucholz/Hamels (pick one)

Hughes

Santana

Gibson

TBD

I'm not familiar with this TBD guy... but that looks like a really old rotation for a team supposedly building for the future.

 

Don't forget Nolasco who will still be under contract and unlikely to have trade value.

[diehardtwinsfan]

I'm pretty skeptical here.  I suspect they are looking to trade pitching for a bat. 

[jokin]

 

I'm not familiar with this TBD guy... but that looks like a really old rotation for a team supposedly building for the future.

Don't forget Nolasco who will still be under contract and unlikely to have trade value.

 

 

That's what makes the Twins actually being a part of this discussion so interesting, but also hard to swallow.  If they are really going for it, great.  This isn't their usual MO, but it could work out.  Pitching is the coin of the realm, and for once in a generation, the Twins might have enough pitching to be both buyers and sellers of the "coin".

 

The age of the top end guy is just a rental, so really not significant.

Hughes just turned 29.

Gibson  is 27.

Santana has been signed through at least 2018, He's definitely older, but not going anywhere.

 

For the 5th spot you have:

 

May is 25. 

Milone is 28.

Pelfrey will most likely be gone sooner or later.

Nolasco's health is up in the air- I did include him as the possible 5th SP in that TBD slot, but maybe there's a chance he comes back off of his foot injury only able to throw out of the pen, w/ a chance to reclaim a starting spot in 2016.

 

Others in the wings for the near future:

Meyer is 25

Berrios is 21

Duffey is 24.

 

 

[Danchat]

Here's the thing: if the Twins are going to contend now, getting more starting pitching is not the way to go.

 

Gibson and Pelfrey have been great. Gibson is in his second full season and could become even better.

 

May and Milone are playing well. In his first full season, May could take another big step in 2016 just like Gibson has in 2015.

 

Hughes is rebounding and hopefully will return to his 2014 form. Nolasco is probably done for the season. Right now we're also trying to fit Santana into the rotation somewhere. 

 

That's 6 guys who are good enough to be in this rotation. Why make it 7? We don't need a Samardzija or Buchholz. Injuries might strike the starting rotation, and if they do, then I would consider a trade. 

 

But for now, no thank you. Let's focus on the bullpen and the offense.

[jokin]

 

Here's the thing: if the Twins are going to contend now, getting more starting pitching is not the way to go.

 

Gibson and Pelfrey have been great. Gibson is in his second full season and could become even better.

 

May and Milone are playing well. In his first full season, May could take another big step in 2016 just like Gibson has in 2015.

 

Hughes is rebounding and hopefully will return to his 2014 form. Nolasco is probably done for the season. Right now we're also trying to fit Santana into the rotation somewhere. 

 

That's 6 guys who are good enough to be in this rotation. Why make it 7? We don't need a Samardzija or Buchholz. Injuries might strike the starting rotation, and if they do, then I would consider a trade. 

 

But for now, no thank you. Let's focus on the bullpen and the offense.

 

Ahh, there's the rub.  Perhaps they can bolster the pen from within and use an expendable pitcher or two in trade to bolster the offense, in which case, you don't have to deal away many, or maybe even any, of the can't-miss prospects, and still get a top-line pitcher for the second half on the cheap.

[drjim]

Are people really engaging in deep thought and having their mind boggled analyzing a throwaway line in a trade rumors column?

[jokin]

 

Are people really engaging in deep thought and having their mind boggled analyzing a throwaway line in a trade rumors column?

 

Come on, for probably the first time ever, the Twins are actually included in a discussion (without the usual  accompaniment of snickers and insults from the press) about a mid-year acquisition of a front-line pitcher.  Of course it's highly dubious, but for once, there isn't as much laughter and scoffing at the mere thought.