You're the GM: deadline moves

[Brock Beauchamp]

Okay, I'm curious to get a read on what posters would do this deadline. You can list specific players or not, up to you... Though it's better to put specific names as goals, in my opinion.

 

I'm going to list three plans in order of preference:

 

1. Trade for Lucroy, get a bullpen arm or four. Lucroy will be pricey. Maybe Berrios + Kepler? The bullpen arms should come cheaply enough. Clipboard would be nice. In this scenario, I move Escobar to short and call it a day.

 

2. Trade for Weiters and a bullpen arm or four. Pierzynski is also a valid option in place of Wieters. I'd like Wieters in hopes of extending him this winter. Again, Clippard, O'Day are valid pen options. I care less about the name than the cost, which is why I'd avoid Papelbon. Escobar goes to short again.

 

3. Tulowitzki for Gibson + Kepler + Polanco. This one hurts but it takes talent to get talent. I'd also get a pen arm. I'd run with Suzuki in this scenario, as much as it pains me to say.

[Shane Wahl]

I like no. 3 above, but that is about it. Don't like the prospect cost for Lucroy and don't like anything out of Weiters for 2015, and who knows about him after that!

[Brock Beauchamp]

I like no. 3 above, but that is about it. Don't like the prospect cost for Lucroy and don't like anything out of Weiters for 2015, and who knows about him after that!

I also dislike the prospect cost of Lucroy but the Twins have zero chance of filling the catcher spot internally. Zero.

 

And something needs to be done at catcher. Under no circumstances can the team enter 2016 with Suzuki starting and enact his vesting option for 2017.

[nicksaviking]

I also dislike the prospect cost of Lucroy but the Twins have zero chance of filling the catcher spot internally. Zero.

And something needs to be done at catcher. Under no circumstances can the team enter 2016 with Suzuki starting and enact his vesting option for 2017.

I agree a catcher is needed. I'd wait until the offseason though when more options should be available, including both guys listed above, neither of which I'd give up top prospects for.

[Tibs]

Definitely #3. Tulowitzki would have a larger impact on the team than Lucroy or Wieters and is also signed for longer. Lucroy is a higher risk than Tulowitzki in my opinion. The Twins would just have to replace Kyle Gibson.

[Vanimal46]

1. Hound Rockies GM every day to get a Tulo trade in place. Gibson+Kepler+Polanco would do it for me.

 

2. Trade for Lucroy. If a Tulo deal can't be reached, he's plan B. See if Gibson + Kepler does the trick.

 

3. Call Mets, Dodgers and Giants. See what the asking price is for Plawecki, both C prospects from Dodgers, and Susac. Offer a trade centered around Plouffe.

 

4. Call San Diego to ask about fire sale. Perhaps Norris or Shields are available for trade.

 

In any trade negotiation, I would pump up Gibson/Kepler or Polanco, and Plouffe as the 2 packages available.

[beckmt]

Would trade for a bullpen arm or 3 depending on price, Clippard, O'Day, Ziegler among others, Chapman can be had, but would probably be too expensive. Expect Arcia to be main trade bait, Twins have enough outfielders to replace him.

Catcher needs to be filled, but may have to wait for other options this offseason.

Do not mind trading Polanco, he projects more as a 2nd baseman.

[Otto von Ballpark]

I'd do #3 in a heartbeat (but as I've said, I suspect Colorado would not), and then do #2 as well (AJ + relievers) presuming the cost is cheap.

 

Lucroy would be nice, and we have a definite void at catcher, but Tulo > Lucroy and it's not particularly close.  Giving up a similar package for Lucroy as you would Tulo strikes me as forcing a blockbuster out of need, which is akin to drafting for need or pursuing an expensive FA primarily due to need/timing rather than talent.

[Badsmerf]

Trade Pelfrey to any team willing to take him with cash included. Turn over pretty much the entire bullpen besides O Rourke and Perkins. 

[drjim]

I've never bought that Lucroy or Tulo are available in anything but an egregious overpay that would theoretically make any player available.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Lucroy would be nice, and we have a definite void at catcher, but Tulo > Lucroy and it's not particularly close.  Giving up a similar package for Lucroy as you would Tulo strikes me as forcing a blockbuster out of need, which is akin to drafting for need or pursuing an expensive FA primarily due to need/timing rather than talent.

A fair point. I was having trouble numbering which deal is my preference, as they are somewhat reliant on one another.

 

Upon rethinking it, I could easily slot Tulo as #1 and my preferred deal of the three.

 

There's also a fourth option that I consider reasonable:

 

4. Pick up any assortment of inexpensive shortstop, catcher, and bullpen options and cross your fingers. That's definitely not my first choice but I wouldn't squawk too much if that's the route Ryan takes.

[DaveW]

1. Trade Gibson+Kepler+Stewart+Polanco for Tulo.

2. Cut Nunez and Escobar

3. Trade a PTNBL type for AJ

4. Trade a PTNBL type for Beoit

5. Sign Punto to be the Util guy.

 

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

2. Cut Nunez and Escobar

Dave, you're more than a little bit nuts about Escobar. Why would you cut him when you could easily deal him for a D-level prospect in about five minutes?

 

It's not even a little bit hard to move the likes of Eduardo Escobar (and probably Nunez as well). Teams are always looking for futility options at the deadline, particularly 26 year old futility guys with years of team control.

[Mike Sixel]

if those are my options, 3 all the way. I have no interest in Weiters right now.

[Willihammer]

1. Extend Sano. 6 FA years-buyout as goal but 4-5 would be acceptable.

2. Call Luhnow and gauge interest in Meyer and/or Graham. See what it would take to round out a trade for one of their C's.

3. Call Bal and ask about Gausman-for-Hunter + prospects. Stewart, Gordon, Meyer on the table. Berrios off.

4. DFA Boyer, promote Duffey to pen. DFA Duensing, promote Rogers.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

4. DFA Boyer, promote Duffey to pen. DFA Duensing, promote Rogers.

DFA Boyer is such a gimme move I can't believe it hasn't been done yet.

 

In Duensing's defense, he's been adequate of late. He stays not because he's that good, but because the other options are that bad.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I've never bought that Lucroy or Tulo are available in anything but an egregious overpay that would theoretically make any player available.

Yeah, that's what I believe too.  Which is why I'd gladly sign on to any theoretical proposal that is not an overpay, much less an egregious one.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

3. Call Bal and ask about Gausman-for-Hunter + prospects. Stewart, Gordon, Meyer on the table. Berrios off.

Baltimore might be sellers this year, but they're going to look to contend in 2016 again, they're not rebuilding.  I can't see them dealing Gausman primarily for prospects further away (Stewart, Gordon) or even less certain (Meyer).

[Boom Boom]

I don't think the long-term catcher situation can get sorted out by the deadline in any acceptable way... I'd be just OK with bringing in AJ to platoon with Zuke the rest of the season. It wouldn't take much.

 

Shortstop can be marginally improved upon by benching/demoting Santana and running Escobar and Nunez out there. Neither is great, but either would be better than Danny right now.

 

The main focus should be relief.

[drjim]

 

Yeah, that's what I believe too.  Which is why I'd gladly sign on to any theoretical proposal that is not an overpay, much less an egregious one.

 

I would too. I would even overpay a little for Lucroy.

[DaveW]

 

Dave, you're more than a little bit nuts about Escobar. Why would you cut him when you could easily deal him for a D-level prospect in about five minutes?

 

It's not even a little bit hard to move the likes of Eduardo Escobar (and probably Nunez as well). Teams are always looking for futility options at the deadline, particularly 26 year old futility guys with years of team control.

Cut, trade, whatever.

 

With Tulo on board there would be no room for Escobar. Bring up Polanco as the util guy or sign Punto. Send Satnana to AAA oand use the extra spot for either Arcia, Vargas or Buxton.

[Pardon My Dinger]

1. Trade for AJ.

2. Send AJ down to Cedar Rapids.

3. Let AJ beg to be called back up.

4. "Call him up" as bullpen catcher.

5. Start up a funny new bit where TC shoots AJ with aT-shirt cannon inbetween innings.

 

AJ sucks.

[Willihammer]

 

Baltimore might be sellers this year, but they're going to look to contend in 2016 again, they're not rebuilding.  I can't see them dealing Gausman primarily for prospects further away (Stewart, Gordon) or even less certain (Meyer).

Very good. The title is "You're the GM," and if I'm in charge the motto is "doesn't hurt to ask." Might be they value the roster flexibility? It was more intended as an upper limit anyway (basically anyone outside the top-3).

[Loosey]

I don't think Tulo is realistically on the table and if he is, the cost would be more than the Twins would be willing to pay (in prospects and cash).  However, Jean Segura would be a huge upgrade and significantly less expensive than Tulo. 

 

Segura for Meyer, Polanco and Taylor Rogers. 

[Mike Sixel]

Not sure Segura even costs that much, but if this is what Meyer is, I'd jump all over that. Good suggestion on him as a target, imo.

[goulik]

Im pounding the phones for an upgrade at Shortstop and Catcher. While I'm talking to GMs I'm saying, Oh yeah, you got any relievers there you're willing to part with for a PTBNL?

 

I'm offering to deal any of our current Starters except Santana, May, and Berrios.

 

I'm also pushing Vargas, Arcia, Plouffe, Escobar, Nunez, and Danny Santana as pieces they want.

 

My ONLY Untradables are Buxton, Sano, Berrios, and Dozier. I'm really looking to rob some desperate fool blind while building next years championship team.

[Loosey]

 

Not sure Segura even costs that much, but if this is what Meyer is, I'd jump all over that. Good suggestion on him as a target, imo.

Someone else mentioned him earlier.  And I heard his name come up in a discussion last week as well.  He seems like a more realistic Twins move than Tulo if he is available.  It's not like the Twins to go for greatness when mediocre can be had easily.

[Mike Sixel]

I'd also be working hard to figure out what the bleep is going wrong with all my hard throwers in the minors, from Meyer on down. I'd probably ask Neil Allen to take a 3 week trip around the country. Frankly, you'd think your best pitching coach would be roving, and not here.

 

Actually, that's what I would do first. Increases Allen's pay, and have him rove the minors.

[Kwak]

Trades are do not have to conflict with one another.  Tulo would be the highest priority--not only does he fix a problem this year but for years in the future.  As for cost:  consider COL needs:  cheap pitching, cheap pitching and more cheap pitching.  If they require a Danny Santana/ Escobar to fill SS include him--for one less Class A pitcher.  Berrios or Gibson plus two pitchers from Class A and one from AA.  As before if an IF is needed then include a Santana or so.  Class A 'prospects appear every year--they are discussed incessantly here on TD--anybody traded will be replaced.

 

San Diego--they have stated pretty much everyone is available--long, serious discussions are needed here. A James Shields should definitely be considered since someone planned for next year's rotation would be in the Tulo trade.  An RP--SanD has them too, but I don't expect anyone "special", just a new face who likely succeeds because he will be unknown to AL hitters.  Analogy:  If Orange is the New Black--then San Diego is the new Florida (Marlins).

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I don't think Tulo is realistically on the table and if he is, the cost would be more than the Twins would be willing to pay (in prospects and cash).  However, Jean Segura would be a huge upgrade and significantly less expensive than Tulo. 

 

Segura for Meyer, Polanco and Taylor Rogers. 

Uh, Jean Segura isn't that good.  Career 85 OPS+ propped up by a fluke first half in 2013, which will probably unduly influence his first arbitration award this winter.  Average-ish defense by UZR and DRS.  Only 3 more years of control too (all at arbitration salaries).  He also turned down a contract extension from Milwaukee, for what it's worth.