Twins notes at mlbtraderumors

[gunnarthor]

Not much out there right now.  

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/01/twins-interest-will-smith-brewers-trade.html

 

Apparently, both Will Smith and Drew Storen have fans in the Twins FO although there is some concern about Storen's salary, so the Twins might be pretty close to their payroll limit.  Twins don't want to go 3/15-18m for Bastardo, so, yeah, probably payroll.

 

Molitor has some hope in DH Park - "Molitor and the Twins feel that Park can make a similarly quick adjustment. “I think that our scouts understand bat speed, eye-to-hand coordination, pitch recognition abilities, even if velocities and breaking pitches are not Major League quality,” said Molitor in reference to Park’s impressive work in the KBO."

[DocBauer]

I almost hate to say it, but I am changing my opinion on the current bullpen situation. Considering the volatile nature of relievers, what the Twins currently project to have in place as well as what/who should/could be ready soon, I'm not as inclined to spend big on a RP. (Not that I would object!)

 

I feel good about Jensen and May from the right side, even though I want May in the rotation. A healthy Fiennes has been solid ever since the Twins got him. Tonkin and Pressly are not perfect or fully proven yet, but both looked as good or better than ever before in '15. Based on talent, the last of '15 and the AFL, it would seem Burdi and Reed are very close.

 

With Rogers, Melotakis reports and the "quantity" factor from the left side that could/should/will provide at least one solid surprise/option, we might be OK. While I'd be tickled with a Bastardo signing, I can see the reluctance. However, there remains a handful of pretty decent LH options still on the market that would be much less expensive, on the short term commitment wise, and would provide a much greater feeling of security going in to spring training.

[drjim]

 

I almost hate to say it, but I am changing my opinion on the current bullpen situation. Considering the volatile nature of relievers, what the Twins currently project to have in place as well as what/who should/could be ready soon, I'm not as inclined to spend big on a RP. (Not that I would object!)

I feel good about Jensen and May from the right side, even though I want May in the rotation. A healthy Fiennes has been solid ever since the Twins got him. Tonkin and Pressly are not perfect or fully proven yet, but both looked as good or better than ever before in '15. Based on talent, the last of '15 and the AFL, it would seem Burdi and Reed are very close.

With Rogers, Melotakis reports and the "quantity" factor from the left side that could/should/will provide at least one solid surprise/option, we might be OK. While I'd be tickled with a Bastardo signing, I can see the reluctance. However, there remains a handful of pretty decent LH options still on the market that would be much less expensive, on the short term commitment wise, and would provide a much greater feeling of security going in to spring training.

 

I generally agree. I think the angst of the bullpen is a little overstated, but I would like to see another lefty. I would like Bastardo, but wouldn't go three years. I still think a trade is possible, and if that fails, signing one of the other guys on a one year deal strikes me as acceptable.

[James Richter]

There's something to like about everybody they mentioned in the article. Could be some posturing going on to try to get the prices down.

 

I have this dream that adding 1 or 2 above-average, veteran bullpen guys would help force the Twins decision-makers to find a spot for May in the rotation. I think that would make a stronger staff overall than standing pat.

[Vanimal46]

The Twins payroll is what, around $100 million tops after all 6 arbitration salaries are settled? I guess I just don't understand how the team can be so payroll-strapped. If the goal is to make the playoffs this season, an extra $5-10 million for a proven reliever like Storen or Smith is a drop in the bucket. And will more than likely be recouped easily in attendance/concessions/merchandising revenues. 

[DocBauer]

The Twins payroll is what, around $100 million tops after all 6 arbitration salaries are settled? I guess I just don't understand how the team can be so payroll-strapped. If the goal is to make the playoffs this season, an extra $5-10 million for a proven reliever like Storen or Smith is a drop in the bucket. And will more than likely be recouped easily in attendance/concessions/merchandising revenues.

 

Think the most recent projection I read was approximately $108M, so a little higher, but your point is accurate nontheless. Not being an apologist, but I really don't think this is truly about money and the 2016 budget. I honestly believe the Twins could "afford" $115M to maybe even #120M if it made enough sense. Right or wrong, I believe TR and the front office in general, are looking at the rebuild, (arguably not complet yet-but close), looking at the roster overall, and the kids close, and honestly don't feel comfortable signing or acquiring a longer term deal.

 

I think they would love Bastardo on a 1 year deal, if possible. But to use Nolasco as an example...and truly not to pick on him...but if you could know then what you do now, you wouldn't make the signing. So they look at what they have, will soon have, and just don't want to commit long term.

 

Now, the counterpoint, of course, is the ability to trade anyone they acquire. But what if you sign Bastardo to 3 years, then he has a bad year, and guys like Rogers and Melotakis are ready, you suddenly have a Nolasco situation again. And I think that is where we are right now.

[drjim]

 

Think the most recent projection I read was approximately $108M, so a little higher, but your point is accurate nontheless. Not being an apologist, but I really don't think this is truly about money and the 2016 budget. I honestly believe the Twins could "afford" $115M to maybe even #120M if it made enough sense. Right or wrong, I believe TR and the front office in general, are looking at the rebuild, (arguably not complet yet-but close), looking at the roster overall, and the kids close, and honestly don't feel comfortable signing or acquiring a longer term deal.

I think they would love Bastardo on a 1 year deal, if possible. But to use Nolasco as an example...and truly not to pick on him...but if you could know then what you do now, you wouldn't make the signing. So they look at what they have, will soon have, and just don't want to commit long term.

Now, the counterpoint, of course, is the ability to trade anyone they acquire. But what if you sign Bastardo to 3 years, then he has a bad year, and guys like Rogers and Melotakis are ready, you suddenly have a Nolasco situation again. And I think that is where we are right now.

 

I agree with all of this. $108mil is the number floating around, they probably have the payroll room to at least add any of the relievers mentioned and probably even a little more, and the bigger hangup right now is the 3 years, not the annual salary for Bastardo.

[Vanimal46]

 

I agree with all of this. $108mil is the number floating around, they probably have the payroll room to at least add any of the relievers mentioned and probably even a little more, and the bigger hangup right now is the 3 years, not the annual salary for Bastardo.

Bastardo and the 3 year contract aside, in the MLBTR article it says Storen's salary figure of $8.8 could serve to curb the team's interest. And he's a 1 year rental. Will Smith is cheap and controlled, but will cost more in terms of prospects to acquire than Storen,

I think gunnarthor's point of payroll constraints is the bigger hangup and I don't understand why... 

[Otto von Ballpark]

I don't think my bullpen angst has been overstated. Although I have stated it a lot.

 

The bullpen angst didn't just originate with fans this off season, of course -- it was also coming from the team all last season. And I just haven't seen enough effort to address it yet -- they got Jepsen in July, but didn't even give September call-ups to the two prospects most likely to be in the opening day mix (Meyer and Rogers). Abad's splits vs LHB look, well, bad. As the pen is currently constitued, there's no way they can even entertain the thought of May starting right now, which actually reduces their overall flexibility a lot more than a single 3 year guaranteed contract in the pen would (right now, Perkins at 2 years is the only RP with more than a one year guarantee). Personally, if he's going to be used in relief, I'd like to see May as the weapon taking the pen from good to great, not just a patch to make the pen tolerable like he largely was in 2015.

[mudcat14]

I think Smith would be the most effective and affordable addition that has been mentioned, but am concerned about the return that the Brewers might require.  I might consider Stewart, Alex Meyer or Nick Burdi plus a lesser prospect or two, but that would be about it.

[Monkeypaws]

If the Twins rotation would regularly go deeper into games, the bullpen we have will be just fine. 

 

When your top 3 innings eaters in the rotation post 194, 164, and 155 innings, that's gonna lead to an overworked pen. If Gibson, Santana, and Hughes can provide in the neighborhood of 200 innings or so, that will be a big help.

[drjim]

 

Bastardo and the 3 year contract aside, in the MLBTR article it says Storen's salary figure of $8.8 could serve to curb the team's interest. And he's a 1 year rental. Will Smith is cheap and controlled, but will cost more in terms of prospects to acquire than Storen,

I think gunnarthor's point of payroll constraints is the bigger hangup and I don't understand why... 

 

That is directly pulled by speculation from Doogie Wolfson, not any actual inside information.

 

I'm speculating that it might not be the case, though $8.8mil is a good chunk of change for a very good but probably not elite reliever. A one year commitment makes it more palatable, but the Twins also have to give up some talent. And it's not clear how motivated the Nats are to move him.

[drjim]

 

I don't think my bullpen angst has been overstated. Although I have stated it a lot.

The bullpen angst didn't just originate with fans this off season, of course -- it was also coming from the team all last season. And I just haven't seen enough effort to address it yet -- they got Jepsen in July, but didn't even give September call-ups to the two prospects most likely to be in the opening day mix (Meyer and Rogers). Abad's splits vs LHB look, well, bad. As the pen is currently constitued, there's no way they can even entertain the thought of May starting right now, which actually reduces their overall flexibility a lot more than a single 3 year guaranteed contract in the pen would (right now, Perkins at 2 years is the only RP with more than a one year guarantee). Personally, if he's going to be used in relief, I'd like to see May as the weapon taking the pen from good to great, not just a patch to make the pen tolerable like he largely was in 2015.

 

I agree to a point, and do think they should add another reliever, preferably a lefty, but I'm not exactly enthusiastic about a 3 year deal either, and I do think a couple of the young guys will finally emerge this year.

[GACbaseball]

While Storen and Smith are surely very good players, I think it would be a waste to give up anything of value for a reliever at this point. I want to see what we have in Gonsalves, Stewart, and any of the other good prospects in our system, especially considering the volatility of relievers.

 

While it was really fun to contend for the playoffs last year, we have to be realistic that the Royals are a MUCH better team all around than us right now, even if we had an improved bullpen. Sure things can happen but I don't want to bank on us getting lucky this year when we should be aiming to capitalize when the Royals can no longer afford all of their talent, which should also coincide with Sano, Buxton and Berrios starting to dominate. At that point it could be nice to have Gonsalves, Stewart, et al. bolstering our major league talent.

 

I'm fine giving out a contract to any reliever, even giving 3 years to Bastardo. But I hate the idea of trading away good talent for slightly better players when there are decent options available.

[diehardtwinsfan]

I guess for me, it would depend on the trade.  I really don't want to part ways with a prospect for Storen given the short contract and the fact that the team isn't quite established yet. If the Nats are serious about getting rid of Storen, the Twins could probably get him fairly cheap, whether that's trading a guy like Milone straight up (which I think is very doable) or somehow convincing the Nats to take Nolasco and some cash off our hand.

 

I guess the real question is what Washington is looking for in the trade. They are likely asking the moon, which is why he's still in DC. 

[DaveW]

Neat!

 

Get ready for a 75 win season, followed up by another vote of confidence for Terry (It's his job til he doesn't want it any more) Ryan.

 

Skol Vikes

Go Wild.

 

Those are our only two chances to see a playoff team in Minnesota in 2016 it appears.

[amjgt]

 

The Twins payroll is what, around $100 million tops after all 6 arbitration salaries are settled? I guess I just don't understand how the team can be so payroll-strapped. If the goal is to make the playoffs this season, an extra $5-10 million for a proven reliever like Storen or Smith is a drop in the bucket. And will more than likely be recouped easily in attendance/concessions/merchandising revenues. 

 

The Tigers have no problem jumping into the $170M range and their team revenue is only $30M more than our Twins.

[jimmer]

 

The Tigers have no problem jumping into the $170M range and their team revenue is only $30M more than our Twins.

Tigers owner really, really wants to win a WS badly.

[magiklair]

What would it hurt to add a RP? Is what I don't get. An extra 5-6 million for a decent set up man. Are we really counting on Taylor Rogers? Prepare to be disappointed if so..

[magiklair]

 

Neat!

 

Get ready for a 75 win season, followed up by another vote of confidence for Terry (It's his job til he doesn't want it any more) Ryan.

 

Skol Vikes

Go Wild.

 

Those are our only two chances to see a playoff team in Minnesota in 2016 it appears.

 

 

Right on spot. We need to spend sometimes to win.. I'd like the twins to be at 115-120 M. I don't think it's too much to ask..

[DocBauer]

I don't think my bullpen angst has been overstated. Although I have stated it a lot.

The bullpen angst didn't just originate with fans this off season, of course -- it was also coming from the team all last season. And I just haven't seen enough effort to address it yet -- they got Jepsen in July, but didn't even give September call-ups to the two prospects most likely to be in the opening day mix (Meyer and Rogers). Abad's splits vs LHB look, well, bad. As the pen is currently constitued, there's no way they can even entertain the thought of May starting right now, which actually reduces their overall flexibility a lot more than a single 3 year guaranteed contract in the pen would (right now, Perkins at 2 years is the only RP with more than a one year guarantee). Personally, if he's going to be used in relief, I'd like to see May as the weapon taking the pen from good to great, not just a patch to make the pen tolerable like he largely was in 2015.

Good post. And you're right that the bullpen issue began last season. (Once again, I think TR was banking on a bit of luck as well as prospects arriving more quickly). And while I am by no means satisfied at the moment, and still want May back to the rotation, I am not angry or borderline despondent as I was last year. And the reasons are Jepsen, May, (for now), Melotakis, the AFL results and a better "quantity" level of options than last season.

 

I'm not sure I se any value in someone like Storen, unless the trade cost is cheap and it's to put May Beck in the rotation. But there are still a handful of FA out there, and we should have signed one yesterday. There is still time and opportunity for the team to make a medium sized but hugely important move.

[big dog]

As I just posted in the offseason thread- Drew Storen traded to the Jays for Ben Revere.

 

Revere, Hendricks, Valencia- everyone wants ex-Twins.  They just don't want them for long.