Winter Meetings: Thursday Thread

[Seth Stohs]

Things have been quiet on the Twins front in terms of transactions so far this week at the Winter Meetings. That isn't surprising as they don't have as many needs as they typically do. In fact, if you look at my Winter Meetings Preview from last Friday, I said that if they didn't make a move in the Winter Meetings, it wasn't a big deal. The meetings are for meetings.

 

That said, as we get to the last day of the Winter Meetings, it isn't unusual for the Twins to make some moves on this day. Just last year, after the Rule 5 draft, the Twins announced the signing of Ervin Santana. It was just after the Rule 5 draft that the Twins announced trading Ben Revere a few years ago. 

 

So, as executives are packing up, they may take advantage of their final moments together to finalize some things.

 

Feel free to use this thread to discuss any rumors or deals from around MLB today. 

 

(Use the Rule 5 Draft threads to discuss that event)

[Seth Stohs]

Tony Sipp will re-sign with the Astros. Believed to be 3  years, $18 million. 

[Vanimal46]

There goes my pipe dream of LHRP signed by the Twins... The Astros are putting together a mighty fine bullpen this season. 

[Cory Engelhardt]

What are some good trade options for the Twins as far as controllable left handed bullpen options? Will Smith is my pipe dream, but there have to be other options out there that will be more reasonable to acquire.

[J_Dobs]

 

What are some good trade options for the Twins as far as controllable left handed bullpen options? Will Smith is my pipe dream, but there have to be other options out there that will be more reasonable to acquire.

 

I'm with you, I dream that Will Smith would be our guy, but I think I am just scared to see the asking price of any trade options. I look at what Justin Wilson fetched, compared to Brett Lawrie. Its just crazy that a reliever received a better return over a everyday player. Thats the only reason I would push hard for a Free agent. It only cost you money.

[Mill1634]

What free agent relief pitchers are out there that we are now going after?

[DaveW]

Brett Lawrie has some attitude issues and the A's were going to trade him for anything, I wouldn't read too much into the return.

[Clear Lake Twinsfan]

 

What are some good trade options for the Twins as far as controllable left handed bullpen options? Will Smith is my pipe dream, but there have to be other options out there that will be more reasonable to acquire.

What about Jake McGee with Tampa?  There were some rumors about him being available last year at the trade deadline before he got hurt.  He is under team control for two more years.  Made $3.55 million last year.  

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

There goes my pipe dream of LHRP signed by the Twins... The Astros are putting together a mighty fine bullpen this season. 

And this after signing Gregerson and Neshek, and claiming Will Harris, last winter.

 

Meanwhile, the Twins seem intent on coasting by on the Casey Fien signing 4 years ago, and the Jepsen trade...

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

What about Jake McGee with Tampa?  There were some rumors about him being available last year at the trade deadline before he got hurt.  He is under team control for two more years.  Made $3.55 million last year.  

McGee would be cheaper than Will Smith, but he wouldn't be cheap.  He wasn't hurt at the deadline last year, rather the asking price was quite high -- he later got hurt in August (although he did return before the end of the season).

[J_Dobs]

In a Tweet from Mike Berardino

"#MNTwins "were aware" #Yankees were willing to move LHP Justin Wilson for prospects, Terry Ryan said. "We're going to be OK.""

 

I just wanna say I do support Terry Ryan, but when he says the whole "we are fine" reminds me of the bullpen issues last year, that they sat on there hands until the last couple hours of the trade deadline.

 

I am not an advocate to do a move just because, but when there is a chance to improve a weakness, i don't know if wait and see if a bargain is available is the right direction to go.

 

[bluechipper]

 

In a Tweet from Mike Berardino

"#MNTwins "were aware" #Yankees were willing to move LHP Justin Wilson for prospects, Terry Ryan said. "We're going to be OK.""

 

I just wanna say I do support Terry Ryan, but when he says the whole "we are fine" reminds me of the bullpen issues last year, that they sat on there hands until the last couple hours of the trade deadline.

 

I am not an advocate to do a move just because, but when there is a chance to improve a weakness, i don't know if wait and see if a bargain is available is the right direction to go.

At least not signing someone is better than signing someone like Tim Stauffer.

[bluechipper]

Shawn Kelley signed a one year deal with the Nats. He probably would've been another good guy to add.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

In a Tweet from Mike Berardino

"#MNTwins "were aware" #Yankees were willing to move LHP Justin Wilson for prospects, Terry Ryan said. "We're going to be OK.""

I wonder if Wilson's name came up in the Hicks-Murphy discussion.  Wonder what prospects could have been added to that deal.  Both guys from the Tigers are C/C+ type prospects, with one even requiring a 40-man roster spot despite no MLB experience yet (and the other one will be Rule 5 eligible next winter if not added to the 40-man).  Feels like we could have scored Wilson back then, or at least laid the groundwork to get him now...

[DaveW]

 

In a Tweet from Mike Berardino

"#MNTwins "were aware" #Yankees were willing to move LHP Justin Wilson for prospects, Terry Ryan said. "We're going to be OK.""

 

Unbelievable.

[twinsnorth49]

I guess we'll have to settle for no big moves, instead of dumb moves they try to convince us are big moves.

 

I guess that's progress?

 

Better hope Meyer is ready for the pen next season.