Nolasco for Melvin Upton

[twinsfansd]

Do you think the Twins and Padres could structure a trade around these 2 bad contracts. Upton could be a temporary bridge to Buxton if Buxton isn't ready, and a pretty good 4th outfielder, pinch runner until his contract is up. And he did show improvement last year.

[diehardtwinsfan]

I'm all for a bad contract if you can get a productive bad contract for a not so productive bad contract... unfortunately, my internet is acting up so I don't really know what Upton has accomplished of late, how much he's owed, and for how long.  If that contract length is longer than the 2 years left on Ricky's contract, we are just prolonging a problem in my opinion. 

[HitInAPinch]

Sounds like you want to dump a poor performing guy with a bad contract for another poor performing guy with a bad contract.  Upton's improvement last year was based on only 228 PA's.  Actually, looking at his career stats, the best thing Upton has done in his career is strikeout.

 

The Twins fall-back position for CF seems to be Danny Santana or bring back Shane Robinson.

 

Nolasco contract:  2016 Contract Status: Signed thru 2017, 4 yrs/$49M (14-17) & 18 team option

Upton contract:     2016 Contract Status: Signed thru 2017, 5 yrs/$72.25M (13-17)

 

Contract info from Baseball Reference.

[nicksaviking]

He has two yearsleft, just like Nolasco.  He's been awful since singing with Atlanta and was only a bench player last year, but did manage a .757 OPS in 87 games.  He also had a .797 OPS against lefties, which is probably what the Twins need in a 4th OF considering every other OF option is left handed.

 

I'd do it, not because I think Upton is useful, but because shipping out Nolasco makes my May 1st rotation of May, Duffey and Berrios a little bit easier to envision.

[Boom Boom]

If you think the Twins can and should unload Nolasco, this is the kind of trade you'd be looking at.

 

The net result of this proposed trade seems sideways to me, so I'd probably not do it.

[JaleelWhite FanClub]

I like the idea. Dump a bad contract in an area with some surplus (starting pitching) for a bad contract in an area of temporary need (outfield). Upton would at least bring solid defense to CF.

 

Plus, if he shows some signs of life, his past shows he would draw interest from other teams setting up a potential trade. Everyone loves a toolsy, relatively young outfielder. I don't see that kind of interest generated by a Nolasco turnaround.

[dbminn]

I wouldn't mind if the Twins made the trade.

• Nolasco, when healthy, is no better than most of the rotation.
• Plenty of rotation depth (Gibson, Hughes, Milone, Duffey, Santana, Berrios, May).
• Three Twins OF may need more MiLB time: Rosario, Buxton and Kepler. 
• Arcia is the 4th OF and he can't defend. Upton is a solid defender.
• Santana's OF defense is unproven.

Finally, Upton would be fresh fodder for complaints. We've run out of things to say about Nolasco. 

[tobi0040]

I actually think the Padres say no.  If Upton looks like a productive platoon OF and pinch runner, that is more value than Nolasco will provide.

 

In reality, a trade for Upton likely means he is handed regular at bats and we stick with him for 2-3 months longer than we should if he struggles.  I think the best thing we can do with this bad hand is fold, i.e. throw Ricky in the pen and give him a spot if he is one of the best 6-7 relievers.  If he is not, cut him and pay him.

[DocBauer]

I would honestly consider this move.

 

Nolasco is a solid ML SP when healthy. And, sooner or later, he will be. His run of bad luck has to end at some point. It's possible the Twins are taking the bigger "risk" in this deal. But the reward could be OK to good, seem so on fill a partial need at least, and there is little to no need for Nolasco due to rotation depth.

[Vanimal46]

Ick. Isn't there an atrocious expiring contract we can find to trade for? I'd rather absorb an A-Rod type contract for 1 year than take on 2 years of replacement-level OF's.....

[Mike Sixel]

Why not put Nolasco in the bullpen instead? Use him in long relief.

 

I'd certainly consider this deal.....I just don't want Buxton and Kepler sitting in AAA while Upton is here though. 

[kab21]

Here is the reason to do it: None of the Twins prospects except Arcia (last chance) should be in the majors and sitting on the bench.  Upton was actually halfway decent and could be an option to platoon with Arcia as well as a legit backup CF'er.  Buxton is the only true CF'er on the roster right now. 

 

Upton > Robinson (not considering the money)

 

The one problem is that Upton is owed 32M vs Nolasco's 25M (inc buyout).  That can be worked out though.

[nicksaviking]

There is going to be a right-handed OF on the 25-man, and I still don't believe it's actually going to be Sano. Even if it's Buxton to start the year, I think there's going to be someone who can pinch hit/platoon with Rosario/Arcia/Kepler.  I don't think whoever gets signed/traded actually blocks anyone unless they are actually hitting well in which case the blocked player(s) (Buxton/Kepler) may instead find themselves getting at bats from Rosario or Arcia.

 

 

[tobi0040]

Just a reality check here, I will use OPS + and ERA + as a proxy.

 

Melvin has a career 98, which is about average and he plays a position with weaker hitting players. Not to mention he could be used as an effective platoon and he has been above 100 in six of his eleven seasons. Upton was a 75 and 112 the last two years.

 

Ricky is a 90.  You can't really platoon a starting pitcher.  He has been above 100 in two of his 10 seasons.  And a 62 and 73 the last two years. 

 

The other view would be career WAR, Upton has the edge there as well, 15 to 10.  Ricky is a negative .8 the last two years.  Melvin is a positive 1.1

[Winston Smith]

I suggested this a while back because it gets Nolasco off the team and fills that outfield void we have right now. The problem we have is management seems to play guys based on what they are paid and not by who is the best player.

 

At worst Upton is a fourth outfielder the next two years while at worst Nolasco is what he has been really bad but continuing to get starts. Upton at best is a very useful outfielder, Nolasco at best is a mediocre starter which we have plenty of at this point.

[sane]

 

Why not put Nolasco in the bullpen instead? Use him in long relief.

 

I'd certainly consider this deal.....I just don't want Buxton and Kepler sitting in AAA while Upton is here though. 

You can't pitch "LONG" relief if you get shelled in your first inning.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

He has two yearsleft, just like Nolasco.  He's been awful since singing with Atlanta and was only a bench player last year, but did manage a .757 OPS in 87 games.  He also had a .797 OPS against lefties, which is probably what the Twins need in a 4th OF considering every other OF option is left handed.

 

I'd do it, not because I think Upton is useful, but because shipping out Nolasco makes my May 1st rotation of May, Duffey and Berrios a little bit easier to envision.

 

Based on this, I'd do it.  He would fill a need, even if he's expensive and get rid of a log jam.  Would Atlanta?

[sane]

Better to do like we did last year.

Convince Nolasco that he is injured and hide him on the DL.

Faking a life-threatening illness is even better.

How can the fans hate a guy whom they think is dying?

[Otto von Ballpark]

Why would the Padres want Nolasco?  They've got a great park for attracting better reclamation projects cheaper on the FA market, and a pretty good track record at bringing up pitchers from the minors too.

 

And as mentioned upthread, Melvin Upton may be overpaid, but he was actually useful in 2015 and fills a useful role for the Padres (who have no real CF right now, and fragile options in the corners). 

[DaveW]

Not sure why Padres would do this deal

[d-mac]

Who's Melvin Upton? 

[J_Dobs]

 

 

Here is the reason to do it: None of the Twins prospects except Arcia (last chance) should be in the majors and sitting on the bench.  Upton was actually halfway decent and could be an option to platoon with Arcia as well as a legit backup CF'er.  Buxton is the only true CF'er on the roster right now. 

 

Upton > Robinson (not considering the money)

 

The one problem is that Upton is owed 32M vs Nolasco's 25M (inc buyout).  That can be worked out though.

 

I would even put Upton > Robinson > Santana

 

I really like the idea of this trade. Like most, I do not believe for one second that the Twins will put Sano in the outfield. I just feel its more of a fallback if the do not receive a great offer for Plouffe. I do feel Sano is athletic enough to play out there but just to all of a sudden "Hey Sano grab a outfield glove" when he has never played outfield before is a stretch in my mind.

 

I like a outfield of Arcia, Upton, Rosario a lot better than Sano, Santana/Robinson, Rosario.

 

But the question is if we get Upton, would this block Kepler?

[sane]

Who's Melvin Upton? 

The artist formerly known as BJ Upton, brother of Justin Upton.

[DocBauer]

 

Not sure why Padres would do this deal

Not saying they WOULD do it. But the reasons would be shaving a bit of payroll and gaining rotation depth. I'm sure they are familiar with a healthy Nolasco from his days in the NL previously. He is a pretty strong candidate for a bounce back, if finally healthy, and in a pitchers park to boot. (to be fair, I haven't really spent any time looking at SP options currently on the Padre's roster)

[dgwills]

I used to live south of Tampa. One of the guys I hung around with went to a game at Tropicana and was in the same section as Upton's girlfriend. She was pissed and was yelling "All you do is get *itches pregnant" to Upton. He was in the outfield just looking super embarrassed from what I was told. 

Anyways.. I would do this in a second if I was the Twins. Takes care of 2 problems and doesn't cost much. I'm not sure if the Padres would. I would also trade Nolasco for Bourn or Swisher from Atlanta for the same reasons.

[dbminn]

 

Not sure why Padres would do this deal

 

Kennedy is a FA and the Padres are supposedly shopping a Tyson Ross/Matt Kemp package. They will need another SP if this happens. Nolasco would be a backend starter during the rebuild. The Pads OF will be Myers, Venable and Renfroe. 

 

Not saying it's likely but it's a halfway reasonable scenario. Depends if they get OF or SP for Ross/Kemp.

 

http://timesofsandiego.com/sports/2015/11/16/matt-kemp-and-tyson-ross-reportedly-on-trading-block/

 

If you think the trade is uneven, it could be worked out without touching serious prospects. No big deal either way.

[sane]

 

 in the same section as Upton's girlfriend. She was pissed and was yelling "All you do is get *itches pregnant" to Upton.

That would make Upton "league average" in that metric.

[tobi0040]

 

Not sure why Padres would do this deal

 

They wouldn't.  Although this unrealistic Nolasco deal is slightly less unrealistic than the Nolasco plus prospects for Shields swap.

[tobi0040]

 

Kennedy is a FA and the Padres are supposedly shopping a Tyson Ross/Matt Kemp package. They will need another SP if this happens. Nolasco would be a backend starter during the rebuild. The Pads OF will be Myers, Venable and Renfroe. 

 

Not saying it's likely but it's a halfway reasonable scenario. Depends if they get OF or SP for Ross/Kemp.

 

http://timesofsandiego.com/sports/2015/11/16/matt-kemp-and-tyson-ross-reportedly-on-trading-block/

 

If you think the trade is uneven, it could be worked out without touching serious prospects. No big deal either way.

 

I think the premise that the Padres, or any other team can't find five starting pitchers better than Ricky Nolasco is off base.

 

 

[dbminn]

 

I think the premise that the Padres, or any other team can't find five starting pitchers better than Ricky Nolasco is off base.

 

Nolasco was an above-average SP for six years until the injury bug hit him in 2014-15 (3+WAR). Melvin Upton was an above-average OF until he forgot how to hit (3+WAR). We're talking about trading bad contracts, not finding a SP without moving Upton. Not off-base at all.