Winter Meetings: Wednesday Thread

[J_Dobs]

I also have a question, since the Twins have a high probability of losing Zach Jones to the Rule 5 draft tomorrow, can they trade him to a team and can that team then add him to the 40 man roster? Or is he locked from being added to the 40 man?

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

I also have a question, since the Twins have a high probability of losing Zach Jones to the Rule 5 draft tomorrow, can they trade him to a team and can that team then add him to the 40 man roster? Or is he locked from being added to the 40 man?

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I believe 40 man rosters were locked down a few weeks ago.

[amjgt]

 

I also have a question, since the Twins have a high probability of losing Zach Jones to the Rule 5 draft tomorrow, can they trade him to a team and can that team then add him to the 40 man roster? Or is he locked from being added to the 40 man?

 

The impression I got from a Baseball America article looking at the top 40 or so Rule 5 candidates was that he wasn't likely to get selected.

 

Edited to Add: http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/2015-rule-5-draft-preview-names-remember/

 

He was literally the shortest write-up of all the players listed

[amjgt]

Then... according to this list: 

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/157830358/top-10-prospects-available-in-rule-5-draft

 

He's in the top 10

[Winston Smith]

With the outfield market beginning to heat up, the Rockies are receiving a “flurry” of hits on outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reports on Twitter.

 

He sure would help settle the outfield for a couple years while Buxton and Kepler come up to speed. How would he look hitting behind Sano?

[ashbury]

How would he look hitting behind Sano?

Based on his 2015 home/road splits, about like Trevor Plouffe?

[nytwinsfan]

 

Castro wasn't terrible last year. He posted a .8 WAR and an OPS+ of 83.

 

Yeah, that's below average, maybe even bad... But it's not terrible for a middle infielder.

 

He's entering his age 26 season and has a decent track record. I think he's a good candidate to take the Carlos Gomez path to success (though it's unlikely he'll be an MVP candidate at any point).

 

On the other hand, Warren is a pretty good pitcher but he's far from spectacular and much of his 2015 WAR came from starting. Do we really expect him to start in Chicago?

 

I was not saying anything particular about the Chicago trade, just DaveW's claim that he was a better or more valuable player than Plouffe. I continue to completely disagree with that claim.  I do think Castro has some upside left in him, I also just think there is a very good chance that the 2015 or (worse) 2013 version of him shows up, whereas Plouffe's floor is much higher.

[Baseball Bat]

 

What would a trade to Milwaukee for Will Smith look like? Wouldn't he be a dream bullpen upgrade? I know it would take quite a haul in the current market, but man that would be a bold move. Younger and better than the other free agent options for sure.

Probably Kepler. Multiple years of team control, lefty, elite.

[Winston Smith]

Based on his 2015 home/road splits, about like Trevor Plouffe?

Plouffe has great road splits?

[bluechipper]

I am starting to question if they will only add a reliever via trade. If so has anyone done some research on possible Lefty trade targets, and what there possible cost would be?

The Rangers have a surplus of relievers and may be looking for starters. Jake Diekman would be an interesting target.

[sane09]

To determine if the Twins are staying for the Rule5 draft tomorrow, look to see if they have checked out of their Motel6 rooms today, or will they be spending another night.

[DaveW]

 

I was not saying anything particular about the Chicago trade, just DaveW's claim that he was a better or more valuable player than Plouffe. I continue to completely disagree with that claim.  I do think Castro has some upside left in him, I also just think there is a very good chance that the 2015 or (worse) 2013 version of him shows up, whereas Plouffe's floor is much higher.

He is a more valuable player then Plouffe, he plays a premium position and has put him more years of .750 OPS then Plouffe has and more .770 OPS then Plouffe has.

 

I'm not concerned that he had a bad 2013, he had a good 2014 and an ok " 2015, oh and he is only 25.

 

Plouffe is merely average, and was doing absolutely nothing for this club at age 25.

[clone52]

 

He is a more valuable player then Plouffe, he plays a premium position and has put him more years of .750 OPS then Plouffe has and more .770 OPS then Plouffe has.

 

I'm not concerned that he had a bad 2013, he had a good 2014 and an ok " 2015, oh and he is only 25.

 

Plouffe is merely average, and was doing absolutely nothing for this club at age 25.

 

How on earth does whatever Plouffe was doing at age 25 have an impact on a debate over whether Plouffe or Castro is a better player now?

[Rosterman]

Unless you are blown away by an offer, would wait until spring training to see how things iron out between Sano and Arcia as outfielders, a place for Danny Santana, a need another team has for a third baseman, worth of Kennys Vargas. But I will want to see decisions made: Best five starters come north, even if one is May. Milone and Nolasco need to earn their roster spots. Short leash to Rosario and Santana and maybe a tad longer leash to Sano, if you still have suitable abckup (like Plouffe) in your mix. 

 

Spring training will be telling. This winter, about all the Twins need to do is get one solid reliever, possibly from the left side. They have to write down their short term projections for a few prospects (Arcia, Vargas, Polanco) and be willing to deal with organizational depth sooner rather than later...if you need to get that missing piece look at guys starting at Ft. Myers and Chattanooga who are, technically, behind others in the depth chart.

 

[Mike Sixel]

 

Unless you are blown away by an offer, would wait until spring training to see how things iron out between Sano and Arcia as outfielders, a place for Danny Santana, a need another team has for a third baseman, worth of Kennys Vargas. But I will want to see decisions made: Best five starters come north, even if one is May. Milone and Nolasco need to earn their roster spots. Short leash to Rosario and Santana and maybe a tad longer leash to Sano, if you still have suitable abckup (like Plouffe) in your mix. 

 

Spring training will be telling. This winter, about all the Twins need to do is get one solid reliever, possibly from the left side. They have to write down their short term projections for a few prospects (Arcia, Vargas, Polanco) and be willing to deal with organizational depth sooner rather than later...if you need to get that missing piece look at guys starting at Ft. Myers and Chattanooga who are, technically, behind others in the depth chart.

 

Won't most FAs and guys available for trade already be gone by then? I mean, if your plan is to only pick among internal options, sure.....but if you want to go outside, how would waiting for nearly everyone to be moved that was going to be moved?

[DaveW]

 

How on earth does whatever Plouffe was doing at age 25 have an impact on a debate over whether Plouffe or Castro is a better player now?

The only thing matters is who is a better player over the rest of their contracts (3 years)

[Winston Smith]

To determine if the Twins are staying for the Rule5 draft tomorrow, look to see if they have checked out of their Motel6 rooms today, or will they be spending another night.

You missed it they upgraded to Super 8 last year.

[mickeymental]

 

You missed it they upgraded to Super 8 last year.

maybe the twins can trade for daniel norris and move into his van down by the river.

[amjgt]

Rumor of Mike Leake to the Nationals (via MLBTradeRumors):

 

Washington has extended Leake an offer, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports on Twitter. He adds that the team is “pushing” to get a deal done, reflecting the earlier report and suggesting that there’s serious interest from the Nats.

 

MLBTR’s Steve Adams profiled Leake recently, explaining that his market appeal lies in a combination of age, health, the lack of a qualifying offer, and solid production. Both Adams and MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes have predicted five-year, $80MM contract for Leake, placing him among the 15 or so free agents with the greatest expected earning power.

 

------ my commentary -----

 

5/80 for this ( http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/leakemi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-) in the National League

 

 

[sane09]

 

You missed it they upgraded to Super 8 last year.

No wonder they haven't signed any MLB Free Agents!

[big dog]

 

You missed it they upgraded to Super 8 last year.

But I understand that once you include the better wi-fi and the free breakfast, it basically pays for itself.  That was based on a report from a scout who checked it out before they made the commitment.

[stringer bell]

 

To determine if the Twins are staying for the Rule5 draft tomorrow, look to see if they have checked out of their Motel6 rooms today, or will they be spending another night.

They left the light on for ya'.

[zenser]

 

You missed it they upgraded to Super 8 last year.

I can't believe they sprung for a motel.  I would have thought they would have some contact down there that would let them sleep on their couch.

[amjgt]

They've been staying with the Mientkiewicz's in Chattanooga and commuting to Nashville.

[KidBro]

If only Rod Beck was still playing..... err maybe he'd only need to be alive (my apologies if you found that too morbid). 

 

 

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2003-05-19/sports/0305190167_1_winnebago-autograph-triple-a-iowa-cubs

 

[DocBauer]

The way relief pitching is escalating in price, and the way various relievers are flying off the shelves, I sure hope the Twins are planning on using some of their hotel budget savings and signing one of the top lefties soon, if not today.

 

I absolutely love the direction Ryan is taking this off season. Thus far, he's been quick and decisive with his moves, such as Murphy and Park. He's told Duensing and Boyer it's time to move on. People can argue Nunez and Fien being offered arbitration as being the same old song and dance, but I just see depth and options at decent prices. I believe him when he says the Twins are focused and have a plan.

 

But other teams can say the same thing. If the Twins are serious about upgrading their bullpen, there are two obvious and outstanding options that they absolutely need to make a move on before it is too late. If they are rejected, then we need to move to plan B. But first, they must see plan A to conclusion. They simply don't have anyone ready who is an equivalent to Sipp or Bastardo. But a LHSU man of their caliber goes a long, long way to upgrade our bullpen. (though I'd still love a 1 year proven RH veteran as well)

[J_Dobs]

From La Velle Neal's lastest article post

"The Twins remain in the hunt for a lefty reliever, but I was told that Tony Sipp and Antonio Bastardo aren't their targets. Double-checking that one."

 

http://www.startribune.com/winter-meetings-update-on-nolasco-pitching-targets-extra-outfielder/361305111/

 

Looks like dumpster diving time

[DocBauer]

Raja Davis isn't an ideal candidate simply because his OB% would limit him as a lead off option. But I think he would be an excellent short term fill in at CF with the ability to be a 4th OF and PR off the bench. Thus far, he only has one year with 500+ AB's, and only two with 400+, so I don't know that he's necessarily looking to hold out for a guaranteed starting job.

 

I've read a few...umm...rumors or innuendo, I don't know which, that speculates a trade with the Padres of Nolasco for Kemp could be an option. I'm actually really intrigued by this idea. But does anyone have Kemp's contract numbers available? I don't have them at the moment.

 

But Kemp in the OF more than replaces Plouffe's bat, and allows Sano to stick at his more natural 3B position. This helps fortify the OF defense, while it may weaken the left side of the infield a bit. In the long run, I think that is an overall positive, especially considering how much of our pitching staff works. And then, obviously, it allows for a Plouffe trade for prospects, or to fill another need somewhere.

[DocBauer]

 

From La Velle Neal's lastest article post

"The Twins remain in the hunt for a lefty reliever, but I was told that Tony Sipp and Antonio Bastardo aren't their targets. Double-checking that one."

 

http://www.startribune.com/winter-meetings-update-on-nolasco-pitching-targets-extra-outfielder/361305111/

 

Looks like dumpster diving time

Big, big mistake, IMHO, unless TR can pull another rabbit out of his cap the way he used to.

[Vanimal46]

 

 But does anyone have Kemp's contract numbers available? I don't have them at the moment.

 

Matt Kemp's due to make 4/87 with no opt-outs available.