Brad Hand - Twins Trade Target?

[gtkilla]

 

Brad Hand was one of the most highly sought after high school pitchers in Minnesota's history. In 2008, the Minnesota Twins were rumored to take the hard throwing lefty from Chaska High School within the first three rounds - but before the Twins reached their second pick he was selected no.52 overall, by the Florida Marlins. After making his major league debut, three years to the day he was drafted, he has been utilized primarily as a SP and has spent some time in the bullpen as a long-reviler for the Marlins. His numbers don't highlight his filthiness, as he has a career 4.45 ERA through almost 200 innings pitched, not missing many games due to injury. His work ethic, dedication, and skill set have made it tough for the Marlins to part ways with Hand, despite being rumored in trade talks over the past few months. He hasn't been an ace, but his ability to control a ball game mixed with his array of 80+ to 93 MPH pitches, has kept him up in the big leagues for the majority of the past four season.

 

With the Twins in need of additional pitching resources (SP or RP) - I think the Minnesota-native, Hand, could be a great, low risk, trade target. His contract is sub $1MM and he could provide the inning-eating, major-league-ready depth the Twins need. I haven't heard any rumors about the Twins talking with Miami, but I hope this post somehow makes it's way to Terry Ryan to remind him of his 2008 "great white buffalo". The way the fish have moved players around since changing their name to the Miami Marlins, gives me hopes that Hand could land back in Minnesota (maybe the Twins could give Miami the rights to Tsuyoshi Nishioka and Ricky Nolasco - both players seem to be right up their ally.......)

 

What are your thoughts on the Twins looking into trading for the 25 year old?

[Mike Sixel]

As a RP, it might make sense, but not as a starter. They have guys blocking Berrios and May already next year.

[Otto von Ballpark]

has spent some time in the bullpen as a long-reviler for the Marlins

On a related note, I have spent some time long-reviling the Marlins owner.

[diehardtwinsfan]

we don't need more SP.  We need less.  Unless by chance we can pick up an ace (which Hand is not) while simultaneously getting rid of Nolasco and Milone, I don't see it.  

 

As an RP, I'd be OK with this move. 

[Thrylos]

Even though his FIP got a bit better this season as mainly a swing man, he still is a pretty mediocre pitcher who cannot strikeout anyone out.  Think Swarzak.  I consider this a bullet that the Twins have dodged.  If he was not from MN this discussion would not be had.  About time the Twins think of themselves as a contender and not as a landing spot for mediocre Minnesotans.  That's what the Saints are for.

 

BTW, a couple inaccuracies about the 2008 draft: a. Ryan was not around then.  b. the Twins picked 3 (Hicks, Gutierrez, Hunt) before Hand was picked by the Marlins.

 

Regardless, the Twins have bigger issues to solve than who the mop up pitcher would be in 2016.  They have plenty of AAA pitchers, including Duffey, who will be fine in that role.

[Shane Wahl]

If we are going to trade for anyone in the Marlins org, why not Wittgren?

[clutterheart]

Oh my god this would be bad.  Could you imagine the internet outrage if this guy is in the rotation while May and Berrios languish in the pen/AAA?

 

 

[sane]

 

Oh my god this would be bad.  Could you imagine the internet outrage if this guy is in the rotation while May and Berrios languish in the pen/AAA?

 

Oh my god this would be bad.  Could you imagine the internet outrage if this guy is in the rotation while May and Berrios languish in the pen/AAA?

Then USE HIM AS A RELIEVER!!!

[gocgo]

 

we don't need more SP.  We need less.  Unless by chance we can pick up an ace (which Hand is not) while simultaneously getting rid of Nolasco and Milone, I don't see it.  

 

As an RP, I'd be OK with this move. 

Why no love for Tommy Milone?  He might not blow teams away, but he knows how to pitch.

[jorgenswest]

He is 25. He has shown better numbers as a reliever this year. He has very good numbers against left handed batters. As a starter he sits 92-93 and it is reasonable that would go up as a reliever.

 

Duensing and Cotts are free agents. O'Rourke is a disaster against a right handed batter. Thompson had a shot. The Twins need a good left handed option in the pen and a homecoming for Brad Hand could be the answer.

[DaveW]

Only if the other player coming over in the trade is either Stanton or Fernandez.

 

Could you imagine a lineup featuring Stanton and Sano?