You're the GM: deadline moves

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

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.  

I like Shields, and wouldn't have minded him instead of Ervin Santana last winter, but I don't want to bail SD out of that backloaded deal.  I suspect they are trying to get out from the money owed him, which suggests they probably won't eat a significant portion of it yet -- just that they would be willing to accept little in return.

 

[HitInAPinch]

 

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

 

Just heard on MLB TV.  Baltimore will NOT trade Gausman. 

[USAFChief]

I'd be working the phone every hour with Colorado trying to get a Tulo trade done.  Sano and Buxton are off the table, but nobody else would be.  

 

If I can't make make that happen, I'd try to get a deal done for LuCroy, at lesser cost than Tulo, of course.  I'd probably add Berrios to the "off limits" list.

 

As a third option, if I can't do either of the above, I'd keep my fingers in the Cole Hamels discussions, and pounce if the price comes down.  Again, Sano and Buxton are off limits, but Berrios is back in the mix.  

 

No current Twin prospect other than those three would be off limits.  No current Twins players would be off limits, except Dozier.  

 

I'd also have ran through multiple options with the intent of finding a legit RH relief option long ago, and would be working overtime to add another.  

[HitInAPinch]

I wouldn't do anything right now.  The sellers are looking for desperate teams to overpay. 

I'd pick up the phone again after the Twins are eliminated.  Let them come and beg for me to help THEM.

[Loosey]

 

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.

He's better than what the Twins have and has 3 years of salary arb left.  My example may have been high on the Twins end, but if he could be had for what I put in my fake offer or some derivative of it, I would do it.

[Vanimal46]

I'd be working the phone every hour with Colorado trying to get a Tulo trade done. Sano and Buxton are off the table, but nobody else would be.

 

If I can't make make that happen, I'd try to get a deal done for LuCroy, at lesser cost than Tulo, of course. I'd probably add Berrios to the "off limits" list.

 

As a third option, if I can't do either of the above, I'd keep my fingers in the Cole Hamels discussions, and pounce if the price comes down. Again, Sano and Buxton are off limits, but Berrios is back in the mix.

 

No current Twin prospect other than those three would be off limits. No current Twins players would be off limits, except Dozier.

 

I'd also have ran through multiple options with the intent of finding a legit RH relief option long ago, and would be working overtime to add another.

Spot on Chief, agree with you 100%. Twins should be taking advantage of the buyers market. Who knows what the market will be in July 2016.

[Willihammer]

 

Just heard on MLB TV.  Baltimore will NOT trade Gausman. 

Phew. Thanks for saving me a hypothetical phone call!

[70charger]

 

 I'm really looking to rob some desperate fool blind while building next years championship team.

 

Okay. Okay, now we're talking. This is a strategy I can get behind.

[Tcrose3636]

I don't think I would throw Berrios & Kepler at the Brewers for a catcher OPS'ing .648 and has been declining production wise the past 2 or 3 years. Lucroy is what, in his 6th year catching in the major's. The decline of Lucroy will get very Joe Mauer like way faster because Lucroy was no where near the hitter Mauer was (and I like Joe Mauer).

 

I would be up for the Tulo trade, just because he is probably my favorite SS in the game. But I think a middle releiver is the safe route.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

He's better than what the Twins have and has 3 years of salary arb left.  My example may have been high on the Twins end, but if he could be had for what I put in my fake offer or some derivative of it, I would do it.

Segura is only 1 year younger than Escobar, has the same service time, and hasn't performed appreciably better either.

 

Heck, even Segura's big season was just a 105 wRC+, and Escobar's was 102 last year.

[KidBro]

 

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.

Being a Cedar Rapidian I take offen....... ahhh Crap, I got nothing.  

[SF Twins Fan]

There is no way I make a trade for Tulo... He's old, expensive and injury prone.  The Twins would need to give up way too many top prospects for him.  Even if the Twins trade for him they aren't going to win the WS this year.  This is a young team with the best years in fron of them, so no need to trade the farm away when they don't have a realistic chance.  The Twins biggest need is in the bullpen.  Getting relief pitchers for innings 6, 7 and 8.  The catcher definitely needs to be upgraded, but I don't see Lucroy as a great investment.  Honestly, I'd go after AJ.  I'm not a big fan of his but he's a lefthand hitter with some power.

[Platoon]

I too like Segura as a player. But, he has 14 errors, and DanSan has 16, and a trip to Rochester. That's a lot to give up for two errors? Also Tulo' splits away from home are fairly large, and he is no spring chicken. Someone on here mentioned getting Hamels? And making a run at KC? Hmmm. If that's the reason to get him, then I think we might be getting carried away. I know everyone wants to get creative, but there are a lot more holes here than we want to admit. Plugging one is possible, but the best it's going to do is get us to the wild card game, a crap shoot at best. Be patient, sort out the roster through out the year, and post season, and look for help when sanity prevails. I do not want a rent a player, or a declining vet, for any of our prime prospects. Everyone's grass always looks greener on the other side of the foul line.

[Mike Sixel]

If you won't trade for a rental or declining veteran (not sure why you think tulo is not still elite, but that's another thread), you will have to give up an awful lot to fix SS or C.

[SF Twins Fan]

You don't have to give up a lot to fix the SS if you wait until next season and Polanco is the starting shortstop... He's hit at every level he's played at, but needs to improve his defense.  Defense can be improved through hard work.  Plouffe is a great example of this.  He was awful when he was first called up and is now is better than average.  Catcher needs to be improved and so does the bullpen.  Those are the routes I'd go. 

[Mike Sixel]

 

You don't have to give up a lot to fix the SS if you wait until next season and Polanco is the starting shortstop... He's hit at every level he's played at, but needs to improve his defense.  Defense can be improved through hard work.  Plouffe is a great example of this.  He was awful when he was first called up and is now is better than average.  Catcher needs to be improved and so does the bullpen.  Those are the routes I'd go. 

 

It took Plouffe 2 years, you want to punt the next 2 years of defense (if it even works)?

[SF Twins Fan]

 

It took Plouffe 2 years, you want to punt the next 2 years of defense (if it even works)?

I'd rather do that than over spend for an aging, injury prone and expensive SS (Tulo) who might not be as good as his stats are.  If you look at his career split for home vs. away it's a large gap.  Part of the overspending then makes another spot of strength a potential weakness.  I.E. giving up good pitching because we'd probably have to give up Gibson or Berrios along with other top prospects.

[Vanimal46]

I'd rather do that than over spend for an aging, injury prone and expensive SS (Tulo) who might not be as good as his stats are. If you look at his career split for home vs. away it's a large gap. Part of the overspending then makes another spot of strength a potential weakness. I.E. giving up good pitching because we'd probably have to give up Gibson or Berrios along with other top prospects.

All of your concerns were hashed out on the Tulo thread. That thread has become so daunting to go through so I won't have exact numbers. But it was brought to light that Tulo's road stats are still at elite levels at the SS position.

 

It's your prerogative, but I would hardly call a 30 year old a declining, aging veteran.

[mudcat14]

Of the potential pick-ups for the pen, the only target I'd go after hard is Boxberger.  Still young and controllable, he would be the shutdown compliment we so desperately need.  He would be costly though.  Say, Polanco, Rogers & Reed.  See if that gets it done.

[Jham]

I'd have traded cash and say... Felix Jorge to the A's for Clippard who instead went to the Mets for Casey Meisner.  http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=meisne000cas

[Brock Beauchamp]

All of your concerns were hashed out on the Tulo thread. That thread has become so daunting to go through so I won't have exact numbers. But it was brought to light that Tulo's road stats are still at elite levels at the SS position.

 

It's your prerogative, but I would hardly call a 30 year old a declining, aging veteran.

Yes. Even factoring in Tulo's home/road splits, we kinda reached consensus that somewhere in the .840-.860 range should be expected. We based it on his road numbers and factored in his reduction in numbers thanks to NL West parks.

 

Not as good as his .900+ Coors numbers but still definitely elite. Not assuming decline due to age or injury, he's basically a shortstop version of Brian Dozier.

[jorgenswest]

Meisner is similar to Gonsalves in value. They probably could have acquired Clippard for Gonsalves plus someone. I think they are wise to wait out reliever market. Starting pitching is always thin.

[mudcat14]

 

Meisner is similar to Gonsalves in value. They probably could have acquired Clippard for Gonsalves plus someone. I think they are wise to wait out reliever market. Starting pitching is always thin.

The A's sent $1mil to the Mets, as well.  Personally, I wouldn't give up Gonsalves.  Too much upside.  Too much to give up for a rental.  Clippard will hit the market this winter, but probably will look to close somewhere.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Yeah. Gonsalves is too much for a reliever rental. Pass.

[DaveW]

 

Meisner is similar to Gonsalves in value. They probably could have acquired Clippard for Gonsalves plus someone. I think they are wise to wait out reliever market. Starting pitching is always thin.

Gonsalves >>> Meisner

He has outperformed him in the basic stats (ERA) and the peripherals (9.9k/9) (0.2 HR/9) and is a LHP to boot which helps a lot when it comes to valuing a guy this low in the minors.

I don't know who the equivalent would be, but it would be someone "lower" regarded then Gonsalves in this system, especially when adding in the million the A's tossed into the deal.

[DaveW]

 

 

Yeah. Gonsalves is too much for a reliever rental. Pass.

 Gonsalves >>> Meisner

[pierre75275]

I would like to get Kimbrel from San Diego and bring back AJ for cash considerations. I would seriously kick the tires on Lucroy but not at the expense of 2016 or 2017.

[mudcat14]

 

If I had my druthers I would try to one stop shop for some pitching. I think I would try to work something with the Diamondbacks. A package of Addison Reed( possibly still fixable) , Brad Ziegler relief pitcher, starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson

for  CF Aaron Hicks (Plug Santana or Rosario in center until Buxton is OK) , pitcher Kyle Gibson(swap for Hellickson), 2nd basemen Eduardo Escobar, Short Stop Jorge Polanco,

Outfielder first basemen Max Kepler. Don't think the Diamondbacks would go for it but I would throw some stuff out there and see if anything sticks to the wall. 

 

Not only would the DBacks jump all over that, they would send TR a Christmas basket filled with the finest meats & cheeses annually, until he shuffles off this mortal coil!

 

No thanks!

[jun]

 

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.

That's too much for Tulo, I think Gibson, Polanco, Tonkin should do it. I would not trade Kepler.

[TheLeviathan]

I would acquire Benoit and another reliever and roll with it.

 

I just don't think anyone that is a significant upgrade that we've discussed (Lucroy and Tulo) are really available.