Exploring Jose Reyes and Ricky Nolasco

[RJM96]

In Ryan Hammon's "An Aggravating Baseball Layover", he argues that Jose Reyes wants out, and that the front office (and the fan base) also wants him gone. Hammon lists nine teams from across the league as potential suitors. He listed the Twins as one of his "best bets."

 

"Minnesota Twins. The Twinkies are in this thing, folks! Not unlike the Cubs, they’re a young team with a bright future that simply got here a little earlier than expected, and with an acute need for near-term help in the middle infield (they’ve gotten sub-replacement-level production from short stop). However, unlike the Cubs, the Twins actually represent a decent fit for Reyes both for the remainder of this year and in the near-term future beyond. Twins prospect Jorge Polanco is a MLB-caliber middle-infield prospect who has already had his proverbial cup-of-coffee, but is also widely seen more as a second baseman or utility guy in the long run. And there’s not much at all behind him until you get to Nick Gordon, a 19-year-old that won’t be ready until sometime after Reyes’ deal expires. If the Twins want to build one more contending team in the Joe Mauer era, Reyes would be a great fit.

 

They’re not in a position – either in terms of desperation or payroll capacity – to simply eat Reyes’ deal. But they do have an intriguing player/contract that the Rockies might take back: Ricky Nolasco. Nolasco, never one to “get dem groundballz,” isn’t a prototypically good fit for Coors Field, but he is, you know, good. Despite his poor net results in Minnesota the last couple of years, his fielding-independent numbers have been solid, as they were each of the five seasons prior to that – a period during which Nolasco averaged over 30 starts a year. He’s likely out with injury the rest of this year, but it’s not considered serious, and the fact that he’s currently on the shelf actually makes it easier for the Twins to deal him in the midst of a pennant race. The Rockies would owe Nolasco $12M each of the next two years, with a $13M team option after that. Given the net salary savings and omnipresent need for at-least-OK starting pitchers, I think the Rockies do well in this deal."

 

I found this to be a very interesting idea, especially because it is coming from a Rockies writer. What do you guys think? What exactly could this trade look like? Is it just a straight up swap?

 

Link:

http://www.rockieszingers.com/2015/08/26/aggrivating-baseball-layover/

[DaveW]

I was actually all for this, but Escobar has really come out and looked pretty damn solid since being handed the SS role.

 

Still, all things considered I wouldn't hate a Reyes for Nolasco deal because it gets rid of a real issue (Nolasco) opens up a spot for a better, younger, cheaper pitcher, and in return potentially allows the Twins to shop Escobar who might have some pretty appealing trade value all of a sudden, a pipe dream would be to somehow trade Escobar to the Mets in the off-season at that point for Plawecki? Obviously I wouldn't mind them adding a prospect or two they wouldn't miss as well.

 

So  after thinking more on it, I would do this deal, but only if they had another deal lined up to then trade Escobar for SP help or Catcher help.

[Shane Wahl]

 

I was actually all for this, but Escobar has really come out and looked pretty damn solid since being handed the SS role.

 

Still, all things considered I wouldn't hate a Reyes for Nolasco deal because it gets rid of a real issue (Nolasco) opens up a spot for a better, younger, cheaper pitcher, and in return potentially allows the Twins to shop Escobar who might have some pretty appealing trade value all of a sudden, a pipe dream would be to somehow trade Escobar to the Mets in the off-season at that point for Plawecki? Obviously I wouldn't mind them adding a prospect or two they wouldn't miss as well.

 

So  after thinking more on it, I would do this deal, but only if they had another deal lined up to then trade Escobar for SP help or Catcher help.

 

I would really like that! Jimmy Rollins had a couple good years after 32/33. Taking this on to get rid of Nolasco and then shopping Escobar and Harrison for Plawecki would be great.

 

I have had no reason to get serious about off-season blueprints for the first time in 4 years, but this does get me thinking.

[glunn]

Another option would be to trade Nolsaco for Reyes then trade Reyes for a catcher or whatever.  If the Rockies are high on Nolasco and want to get rid of Reyes, then I would like to see a deal.

 

Last night I was eyeballing the batting stats of our Escobar versus KC's Escobar, and our Escobar stacked up pretty good.  I think that our Escobar could get even better, and I like the idea of keeping a young core together.  I also think that a team that wants Reyes might be willing to give up a decent catcher.

 

It seems to me that there are lots of ways to skin this cat and I would be happy with any of them that gets the Twins something decent for Nolasco.  

 

 

[DaveW]

I would really like that! Jimmy Rollins had a couple good years after 32/33. Taking this on to get rid of Nolasco and then shopping Escobar and Harrison for Plawecki would be great.

 

I have had no reason to get serious about off-season blueprints for the first time in 4 years, but this does get me thinking.

I think Arcia could be a good fit for the mets as well personally. He likely doesn't add "much" to the trade in terms of value overall , but who knows maybe he is the 2nd piece of the trade?

[diehardtwinsfan]

I'm not terribly fond of bringing in Reyes.  We have a guy who is younger, cheaper, and playing better.  He's been doing this for a while now, and why the Twins have taken this long to let him have the SS job (again) is beyond me.  I suppose in VodkaDave's scenario where this becomes a 3 team trade where Reyes or Escobar is shipped away for Pawleki, I'd be OK with it, as it solves a couple of problems for us and still leaves us with a very good trade chip in Plouffe. 

 

The downside though if Plouffe remains here is that Vargas and Buxton likely start out in AAA as Arcia will get the RF job while Sano DHs. 

[Mike Sixel]

an option would be to move Plouffe as well, stick Reyes at SS, and have Esco rotate between SS and 3B, maybe even 2B if he can play it. Like Zobrist lite.......giving the Twins insurance if Sano can't play 3B for whatever reason.

 

I'd think you could get a decent catching prospect for Plouffe much easier than for Escobar.

 

That said, you could just trade Plouffe and roll the dice on not having a good backup.......but, it would be nice to clear out one of the high priced veteran pitchers to make room for May/Berrios/whomever....

[HitInAPinch]

So a  homer on a Rockies blog suggests trading Reyes [base salary $22 mil for the next 3 years] for Nolasco [ $12 mil the next 2 years, plus 1 $13 mil option] and anyone thinks this is a good idea? 

Reyes is 32yrs. old and hurt, yet again.  Seriously, I'd just cut Nolasco before I'd do this trade.  And save $10 mil per year by not making the trade.

 

Translation: In the 2 blogs: RockiesZingers + Reyes = Twins Daily + Nolacso

[Trov]

Reyes is one of, if not the worst, fielding SS in the game right now.  He also does not hit well enough to make up for the lack of defense.  I would want nothing to do with Reyes.  Stick with Escobar if the only other option is Reyes.