Offseason Mock Trades

[RJM96]

This might be the offseason where Terry Ryan finally decides to do his job. The Twins have a plethora of talent at some positions, while having gaping holes at others. Catcher seems to be the biggest hole as there is little to no minor league depth. Shortstop and bullpen are other needs but there will be options at the minor league level in the future. I expect this to be the busiest offseason by the Twins in a long time.

 

Here are some trade candidates:

 

Trevor Plouffe

 

Plouffe is currently one of the best players on the Twins roster. However, the third baseman is currently blocking the way for future all-star Miguel Sano. People have been talking about a Plouffe trade for years and it seems the time is finally now. I could see the Twins possibly waiting to trade Plouffe until the 2016 deadline, just to make sure Sano is ready at third with his glove. Plouffe seems the most likely player to be traded.

 

Oswaldo Arcia

 

The slugging lefty outfielder is coming off a very disappointing 2015 campaign. He is out of minor league options and must remain in the majors going forward. Whether or not that is with the Twins is still unknown. It seems as if there is no longer room for him in the Twins outfield. He could possibly have a future as a DH. The Angels could be a good fit.

 

Danny Santana

 

The shortstop was expected to regress a bit following his stellar rookie season. It's safe to say he did just that, and much more. After hitting leadoff for the Twins on opening day, the athletic speedster has spent much of 2015 between the bottom of the Twins order, and triple A. He could have a future with the Twins as a super utility player; having spent time at shortstop, second base, and the outfield. A trade could be more likely.

 

Kyle Gibson

 

After putting up great numbers in the first half of 2015, Gibson has finally shown he is capable of being a quality bottom of the rotation starter. He will never be an ace, and he will always be a below average strikeout pitcher. However, Gibson has shown a great ability to get ground ball outs. The Rockies showed interest in Gibson before the 2015 trade deadline.

 

Tommy Milone

 

Milone has put up decent numbers in 2015. He has excellent controll, but don't expect him to overpower anyone. He could be the odd man out if the Twins decide some of their starting pitching prospects are ready for the majors in 2016.

 

Ricky Nolasco

 

At this point, his trade value is zero. His contract is just horrendous and he looks to be shut down for the rest of 2015. The only way the Twins could possibly unload him would be to take on a worse contract. The were rumors at the deadline that the he might possibly be included in a package for James Shields.

 

Kennys Vargas

 

Like Danny Santana, Vargas was also expected to regress a bit following his terrific rookie season. He was a unanimous pick for DH of the future. Unfortunately, he fell tremendously short of expectations, and he is now back at Double A; right where he started in 2014. The Twins will have to sell Vargas on his potential alone, not his 2015 production.

 

Trevor May

 

The Denard Span trade might have finally have paid off. Well, half of it anyways. May has had a terrific 2015 season following a disappointing 2014. Although bright, his future with the team is unknown as he could be a great bottom of the rotation starter, or dominant setup man. He was moved to the bullpen following the return of Ervin Santana. He could be a great sell high candidate in the coming offseason.

 

Rosario/Kepler/Hicks

 

It is thought that eventually one of these players will be traded to set up the outfield of the future. I think it is more likely that the Twins opt to go into 2016 with all three on the roster. They could excel in some sort of platoon system, at least for 2016.

 

 

What are some realistic examples of trades you guys see the Twins making this offseason? Who do the Twins give up? Who do they get in return?

[diehardtwinsfan]

why trade off the younger guys? Those are the ones you keep.

[Everyday Eddy]

I don't think you can trade May with how good his stuff looks now

[bluechipper]

 

why trade off the younger guys? Those are the ones you keep.

I'd probably be in favor of trading one of the young outfielders if it nets you a solid catcher in return.

[USAFChief]

 

I'd probably be in favor of trading one of the young outfielders if it nets you a solid catcher in return.

concur, and Rosario would be the one I'd try to trade, while he's still got some prospect glow and initial MLB success.  Add talent if needed to get a Catcher prospect worth getting.

 

 I don't trust his offense, and corner OF defense doesn't matter much to me.

 

 

[RJM96]

I'd probably be in favor of trading one of the young outfielders if it nets you a solid catcher in return.

Names?

[nytwinsfan]

We obviously need a catcher, and preferably one that is younger than 28 or 29 so that that the inevitable accelerated decay of being an aging catcher does not make them terrible within a few years. I'd try to find a trading partner for Plouffe that would give us a younger catcher with some upside and a few years of team control.  We don't need to get the next Buster Posey. Just someone who has a .700 OPS or better, with a decent arm and defense. That is actually surprisingly difficult to get these days, and it may take Plouffe + more to get it.

[RJM96]

concur, and Rosario would be the one I'd try to trade, while he's still got some prospect glow and initial MLB success. Add talent if needed to get a Catcher prospect worth getting.

 

I don't trust his offense, and corner OF defense doesn't matter much to me.

Who would you suggest? Do we need to include anything else?

[bluechipper]

 

Names?

How about Max Kepler/Eddie Rosario and another guy ranked in the Twins 20s for Kevin Plawecki of the Mets. If they don't re-sign Cespedes, they presumably could use another outfielder, but it may take more than a guy like Kepler to get a guy who has been on top 100 lists in Plawecki.

[RJM96]

How about Max Kepler/Eddie Rosario and another guy ranked in the Twins 20s for Kevin Plawecki of the Mets. If they don't re-sign Cespedes, they presumably could use another outfielder, but it may take more than a guy like Kepler to get a guy who has been on top 100 lists in Plawecki.

How much interest would the Mets have in this trade? Does this trade move Arcia back into our outfield of the future? Or does it just pave way for a guy like Adam Brett Walker? What third prospect of ours would be a good fit for the Mets?

[Tcrose3636]

How bout the deal that sounded like it was going to happen on the deadline?

 

Shield/Norris/XXX for Nolasco/Meyer/Arcia/Stewart

[IowaTwin346]

I think you mean the Ben Revere trade in your Trevor May write up

[RJM96]

We obviously need a catcher, and preferably one that is younger than 28 or 29 so that that the inevitable accelerated decay of being an aging catcher does not make them terrible within a few years. I'd try to find a trading partner for Plouffe that would give us a younger catcher with some upside and a few years of team control. We don't need to get the next Buster Posey. Just someone who has a .700 OPS or better, with a decent arm and defense. That is actually surprisingly difficult to get these days, and it may take Plouffe + more to get it.

Names? Who else is included in this trade?

[nytwinsfan]

 

How about Max Kepler/Eddie Rosario and another guy ranked in the Twins 20s for Kevin Plawecki of the Mets. If they don't re-sign Cespedes, they presumably could use another outfielder, but it may take more than a guy like Kepler to get a guy who has been on top 100 lists in Plawecki.

 

Why not Trevor Plouffe and a guy ranked in the Twins 20s for KP of the Mets?  How about keeping out future outfield intact?

 

I agree with USAFChief though, if we have to trade one, it would probably be Rosario.

[bluechipper]

 

Why not Trevor Plouffe and a guy ranked in the Twins 20s for KP of the Mets?  How about keeping out future outfield intact?

 

I agree with USAFChief though, if we have to trade one, it would probably be Rosario.

Would the Mets have interest in Trevor Plouffe with David Wright still under contract though?

 

I think the future OF would be fine with Hicks/Arcia platoon, Buxton, and whoever you keep between Kepler/Rosario.

[bluechipper]

 

How much interest would the Mets have in this trade? Does this trade move Arcia back into our outfield of the future? Or does it just pave way for a guy like Adam Brett Walker? What third prospect of ours would be a good fit for the Mets?

With the Mets having both Plawecki and Travis d'Arnaud, I'd be fine with targeting either one of those two.

 

I think that Kepler should have quite a bit of value after this year's breakout season, and I think there's still plenty of talent left in the outfield if the Twins were to trade one away.

[Pardon My Dinger]

We've got log jams and we've got major black holes. I think if we're really going to plug those holes in a meaningful way, TR's got to be willing to trade anybody (except Sano, he's the lone exception).

[TheLeviathan]

here is what I posted a few weeks ago:

 

I think my top target is Andrew Susac from San Fran.  He may be a guy you'd have more luck shopping Kepler to get.

After that here are some guys I consider, in no particular order:

Adeinny Hechavarria (the kid can pick it, so if we can't hit at the position we might as well field it)

Wilmer Flores (buy low candidate maybe?)

Ask the Padres who they want to keep - Norris or Hedges and target the other

Ask the Mets who they want to keep - Palwecki or d'Arnaud and target the other

Ask the A's about Phegley

Ask the Cubs about Montero

Those are just a few thoughts, not particularly devoted to any of them, but seem like possibilities.

 

 

Kepler, Polanco, and Plouffe should be our top trade assets this winter.  I'd hang on to Rosario, there is something unique about him that I think can survive some of his weaknesses as a hitter.

[bluechipper]

 

here is what I posted a few weeks ago:

 

 

Kepler, Polanco, and Plouffe should be our top trade assets this winter.  I'd hang on to Rosario, there is something unique about him that I think can survive some of his weaknesses as a hitter.

Do you think that Polanco can't play shortstop defensively? I hope that he can be the answer there, so I'd be hesitant to trade him, plus he made MLB.com top 100 list at #91, so the return would have to be really solid to consider trading him.

[Everyday Eddy]

Swihart and Sandoval for Mauer Plouffe Rosario Arcia and Pinto.  Outside the box a little bit

[Mike Sixel]

 

Swihart and Sandoval for Mauer Plouffe Rosario Arcia and Pinto.  Outside the box a little bit

 

Why does Boston do that? They need pitching. They need to trust their own young players.

[Shane Wahl]

Plouffe, Escobar, Arcia OR Vargas, Suzuki (good luck), and Milone are the guys I would trade. Not sure about Santana, given how terrible he has been and is now injured. These guys have to be paired with some kind of prospect in order to get good value back (catching and pitching). Harrison fell flat on his face, as did Burdi and Reed.

 

I want to see Kepler play for the Twins, I guess.

[Everyday Eddy]

Because they hate Sandoval.   They get a better and affordable 3B and two pretty good outfield prospects.   They also make a splash with Mauer, something Boston likes to do.

 

But Mauer has to want to do this so who knows.   If I'm the twins I keep Mauer and take on the Sandoval salary if that's what it takes to make the deal happen.   Maybe throw in one of Hughes, Nolasco, Santana instead

[TheLeviathan]

 

Do you think that Polanco can't play shortstop defensively? I hope that he can be the answer there, so I'd be hesitant to trade him, plus he made MLB.com top 100 list at #91, so the return would have to be really solid to consider trading him.

 

It seems as though most scouting him don't think he can handle short defensively.  If he can, then I hang on to him.  If he can't, then he needs to be moved.

[HitInAPinch]

 

Would the Mets have interest in Trevor Plouffe with David Wright still under contract though?

 

I think the future OF would be fine with Hicks/Arcia platoon, Buxton, and whoever you keep between Kepler/Rosario.

Well, Wright just started a rehab stint after injuring his right hamstring on April 15.  While rehabilitating from that injury, he hurt his lower back and was found to have spinal stenosis, which is the narrowing of spaces in the spine (backbone) which causes pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.

 

So, yeah, there's a real possibility the Mets would consider a trade for Plouffe. Typically, smart teams will add injury insurance to any large contract like the one given to Wright.

[RJM96]

I think you mean the Ben Revere trade in your Trevor May write up

You're right. My bad.

[HitInAPinch]

 

It seems as though most scouting him don't think he can handle short defensively.  If he can, then I hang on to him.  If he can't, then he needs to be moved.

 

The only thing I've heard about Polanco's fielding is his throwing.  Which would make him a pretty nice substitution for Dozier, if they chose to trade him.

 

[RJM96]

I think Polanco profiles excellently as a 2B prospect given his below average arm. Assuming we keep Dozier, he could be trade bait. Right now MLB.com ranks him just as high as Nick Gordon, whom I think is our long term solution at shortstop.

[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

 

The only thing I've heard about Polanco's fielding is his throwing.  Which would make him a pretty nice substitution for Dozier, if they chose to trade him.

 

 

Our only two "tradable" 27+ old hitting assets are Plouffe and Dozier. I like them both, and everyone likes guys that are producing now, but they are likely peaking. And, we have ready alternatives for them both immediately in Sano and Polanco. 

 

No one every wants to discuss trading Dozier, but I think it should absolutely be an option to consider. He is great and I like him, but he's certainly flawed, and I fear his dead puling ways will only get exposed more and more as he ages. He hits so many "barely cleared" HR's that it could get ugly when he loses 10-15ft/fly ball. He would likely get us the most in a package, and with a decent replacement, it might be what is best in a the right trade.

 

 

Unfortunately there is neither much of need for contending teams at 2B or 3B. The league is swamped with under 25 year old 3B's right now. The only team in need of a good 2B right now is NYA, and they are linked to Kendrick this offseason. They are more likely than to buy the talent than trade for it right now. The teams in most need of 3B are within our own division...that doesn't help. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mike Sixel]

I guess it depends on how much you trust Polanco, he's not exactly killing it as a hitter either.....