Whom do the Twins sell in 2016?

[Baseball Bat]

I didn't think I would have to ask this in 2016, much less in early May (even though it is probably a month late), but the season is over and we are back to building for 2017 and beyond. The Twins need to sell on some of these guys, some to get decent value, and others (most) just to get the hell out of here. Who do you guys think the Twins should trade in the coming months? What return do you think they would command? I have listed a few guys below that I think the Twins should try and move. Turns out it is about half of there 25 man roster. Happy 8-25!

 

Guys that could command some value

3B Trevor Plouffe: This name just will not go away. He is an average 3rd baseman (maybe slightly above) in the big leagues. However, he is still relatively cheap and will be in 2017 as well. There is no chance he is part of the Twins long term future based on the Miguel Sano in Right Field debacle. You know what you are getting out of Plouffe, 25 Home Runs, 80 RBI's .250 Average with above average defense. There will be some takers, but it would have to be a desperate contender to command any type of quality return (see Todd Frazier return). Here's to hoping he tears the top off the ball for the next month or two and we get some type of decent return. 

 

SP Kyle Gibson: Gibson had a good 2015, but is off to a terrible start in 2016. When he returns from the DL, we will see if he can return to form. There has been interest in Gibson as he is only 28 and inexpensive. He could absolutely be in a contenders playoff rotation as the 3rd or 4th starter. The Twins like to put him at 1 or 2. He also faces a future logjam of Santana, Hughes, Nolasco, Berrios, Duffey, Gonsalves, and Kohl Stewart in 2017. The Twins are not short on number 3 starters who can't strike anybody out. If an okay return comes, the Twins should not hesitate to trade him. 

 

CP Glen Perkins: Perk is getting old, his velocity is down, and he is constantly hurt. The one good thing about Perkins is he is just one full calender year away from being a lights out closer on a very team friendly deal. If Perk can come back healthy, some contenders lacking a setup man could come calling. Plus Nick Burdi is likely the future closer of the Twins. 

 

RP Fernando Abad: He looks to be back to his elite 2014 form. One of the few bright spots for the Twins in 2016. His ERA is 0.63 and has a K/9 rate of around 9. Plus, he will be in higher demand because he is a lefty. If this continues, the Twins could look to sell high. 

 

UTIL Eduardo Nunez: Say what you will about Nunez, but he is still hitting over .350 with and OPS around .900 with 5 steals. He can play wherever in the field (not that well). He is only 10 PA's away from qualifying amongst the league leaders. This could continue too, he hit very well last season too. This is another sell high candidate. 

 

SP Ervin Santana: If his contract was different, he could command some real value. He would be a great number 3 starter in the playoffs, but I don't know a team that would want to take on two and a half years of him, while paying $30 + million. Tough to get a good return for him, and might be worthy of being in the rotation come 2017, but if someone calls, I would listen if I were Terry Ryan.

 

Just Get the Hell Out of Here

SP Phil Hughes: Not possible to move really. His massive contract doesn't start until next season (Nice Job Terry Ryan). His ERA is over 6, his velocity has gone down each of the past 4 seasons. 2014 was an obvious fluke and we are now stuck with him. I don't know why I put him here, I just want him gone. Wishful thinking, I guess. 

 

SP Ricky Nolasco: We have been wanting him traded since the day he signed that 4 year deal. It is sad that we are optimistic about him when his ERA is 4.70. Maybe if he keeps his ERA around the Mid 4's and has a decent strikeout rate, some NL team will take him on as a 5th starter for a year and a half. 

 

C Kurt Suzuki: Won't meet his vesting option, not a starting catcher anymore. I can see a team wanting a veteran backup catcher in August. Plus the Twins need to figure out there damn catcher of the future, and I don't see one in sight. 

 

[TheLeviathan]

Answer: Everyone who is 2 years or less of arbitration eligibility.

 

That's basically everyone but May, Berrios, Duffey, Rosario, Arcia, Buxton, Sano, Escobar, Polanco, Park, Kepler, etc.

 

Everyone else should be shopped aggressively.

[nytwinsfan]

The main problem is that with the exception of Plouffe, Abad, and maybe Nunez, none of these guys would be selling at high or even fair value, given recent performance. Some (Suzuki, Hughes, Santana, Perkins (at least unless he bounces back)) the Twins probably couldn't even dump for basically free, but rather would have to chip in cash.

 

Also, even though I know the chances of it happening are like 2%, the Twins should seriously consider trading Dozier.

[Vanimal46]

I never thought this would happen, but Phil Hughes took the title of "Most Untradeable Twins Asset" from 2 year reigning champ Ricky Nolasco! Perhaps he can turn this award into a 4 year dynasty! 

[Mike Sixel]

 

The main problem is that with the exception of Plouffe, Abad, and maybe Nunez, none of these guys would be selling at high or even fair value, given recent performance. Some (Suzuki, Hughes, Santana, Perkins (at least unless he bounces back)) the Twins probably couldn't even dump for basically free, but rather would have to chip in cash.

 

Also, even though I know the chances of it happening are like 2%, the Twins should seriously consider trading Dozier.

 

Why does it matter? If they continue to stink, and are blocking younger players, why does it matter if it is sell low? This isn't money we are discussing here, it is a totally different situation.

[SirLoin]

The one thing I'll say about Hughes is that it seems like when a pitcher has a drop in velocity and control like this, they are trying to pitch though some kind of injury (see Perkins, Glen).  After today's performance, they really should get him looked at ASAP.  If there is something wrong, maybe there's hope that he can get right somewhere around year 2 of that deal.

[Hrbowski]

No way would I trade Gibson. I believe he still has the makings of a really good pitcher.

[Pardon My Dinger]

 

Why does it matter? If they continue to stink, and are blocking younger players, why does it matter if it is sell low? This isn't money we are discussing here, it is a totally different situation.

I'm with Mike. Moving Sano to third without having to justify Plouffy's contribution to a lineup that doesn't do anything with or without him-- that is return enough for me. 

[Vanimal46]

 

Why does it matter? If they continue to stink, and are blocking younger players, why does it matter if it is sell low? This isn't money we are discussing here, it is a totally different situation.

Right on the money. All that should matter is getting rid of old inventory to make room for the young, shiny prospects. TR should call the Marlins or the A's to learn how to conduct a proper fire sale... 

[Winston Smith]

Trade anyone over 25 yrs old for anything you can get including baseballs and broken bats.

[nicksaviking]

 

Right on the money. All that should matter is getting rid of old inventory to make room for the young, shiny prospects. TR should call the Marlins or the A's to learn how to conduct a proper fire sale... 

 

Yup, like when I go to the liquor store and the seasonal beer is on sale because it's no longer that season and they need to make room for the new seasonals.

 

The liquor store will sell at cost to bring in the newer flashier beer, and THEY don't care that I just got a good bargain.

 

Though to be fair, there was a reason that the Schell's Snowstorm (Brown Ale) sat on sale for two months; no one wanted that awful mess. Sometimes you just got to toss it in the dumpster and eat the loss.

[Rosterman]

Even Nunez and Abad would egt us nothing but a mid level prospect. The guys worth worth -- Dozier, Gibson -- have a horrible start. No one will touch either right now. Plouffe will either be available as a non-tender at year's end, and thus a negotiable contract, or a team wants him bad enough that they will trade and sign him long-term. But a $10 or so million payday in 2017 isn't attractive for a one-time use of Plouffe.

 

Nolasco needs to pitch solid and Santana needs to shine to get us out from under their contracts. Hughes is Nolasco 2016. We have to hope that he can possibly comeback.

 

A team would have to be hurting pretty badly to want to go after Suzuki as a replacement for an injured body.

 

Even someone like Rosario had value before THIS season started.

 

Happily, Arcia could get us someone something, and the Twins should consider doing it now if he doesn't fit into future outfield plans. He has worth right now, period.

 

Perkins has to come back strong. But even then, compared to last year at this time, a team would only want him for setup at this point. They would rather trade for Abad (cheap) or Trevor May (not happening).

 

Jensen is practically untouchable right now.

 

So it doesn't say too much for a number of names who won't be here in 2017 and definitely won't be here in 2018, does it?

 

You have to create or develop players that other teams might want, not just take when they are on the downside...and they can usually wait until they are non-tendered or released (see Milone, Fien, Graham and O'Rourke). When you are stuck with players that you have given up on, who are now clogging up your farm system, and don't give me that "we might get one more good look at them" crapola. 

 

Right now, the Twins could trade Polanco, Sano, Buxton, Arcia, Duffey, Berrios, Kepler. But we don't want to trade these guys.

 

And even names like Tonkin won't have people knocking down your door for his few innings in nothing situations. And even if Meyer is up for grabs, that would be as throw in to make someone give us something more for one of the vets.

 

We will be adding names like Gordon, Walker, Blankenhorn, Turner, Cabbage, Palka and maybe Javier to the mix. Our who-who of upcoming pitchers is dynamtie: Stewart, Baxendale, Gonsalves, Thorpe, Reed, Bard, Charglis, Burdi.

 

Add in Mauer and we have our team of the future minus a second catcher for now.

 

 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

Yup, like when I go to the liquor store and the seasonal beer is on sale because it's no longer that season and they need to make room for the new seasonals.

 

The liquor store will sell at cost to bring in the newer flashier beer, and THEY don't care that I just got a good bargain.

 

Though to be fair, there was a reason that the Schell's Snowstorm (Brown Ale) sat on sale for two months; no one wanted that awful mess. Sometimes you just got to toss it in the dumpster and eat the loss.

Or drink it!

[bluechipper]

 

No way would I trade Gibson. I believe he still has the makings of a really good pitcher.

I am hoping for a Kyle Gibson trade. He is so frustrating to watch pitch. I had hopes for him developing into a good pitcher, but he just looks like your run of the mill #5 sinkerballer.

[nytwinsfan]

Why does it matter? If they continue to stink, and are blocking younger players, why does it matter if it is sell low? This isn't money we are discussing here, it is a totally different situation.

(1) It matters if there is a decent chance they will improve during the second half of the season and enable the Twins to trade them for something more;

(2) I specifically pointed out that many of those who we would be selling low on we couldn't get anything for. Very hard to trade someone when you would have to pay someone to take them. So yes in that case it would be "money we are discussing here."

 

I'm 100% all for trading all of the guys you listed and nothing in my post was inconsistent with that. But that doesn't mean you just say here is Trevor Plouffe or Kyle Gibson for a C level prospect or here is Hughes plus a prospect (or $20 million) for nothing in return.

[bluechipper]

Trrevor Plouffe is obviously the player that needs to be moved. I could see him netting another team's top 20 prospect in return.

[gunnarthor]

Right now, they have 7 OFers that are 25 and younger on the 40 man roster.  Something will have to give.  I imagine that Arcia will be moved if he can build up enough trade value.  Kepler could create interest as well.  Sano and Buxton are obviously off limits.  I don't think Santana and Walker have much value although Walker's power might interest some.  Eddie Rosario could be traded but has to play a lot better first.  

[nytwinsfan]

 

 

Right on the money. All that should matter is getting rid of old inventory to make room for the young, shiny prospects. TR should call the Marlins or the A's to learn how to conduct a proper fire sale... 

 

So the Twins should trade Gibson or Perkins for C level prospects tomorrow?  Should they offer Hughes plus Polanco for nothing in return? Because that is what it might take for those guys tomorrow. And before you say that isn't what you mean, yes it was. You said "all that should matter is getting rid of old inventory," not what you get in return.

 

Oh and yeah, the Marlins should NEVER be listed as a team to emulate, ever. Period.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

(1) It matters if there is a decent chance they will improve during the second half of the season and enable the Twins to trade them for something more;

(2) I specifically pointed out that many of those who we would be selling low on we couldn't get anything for. Did you not read that part of my post? Very hard to trade someone when you would have to pay someone to take them. So yes in that case it would be "money we are discussing here."

 

I'm 100% all for trading all of the guys you listed and NOTHING in my post was inconsistent with that. Please try reading first. But that doesn't mean you just say here is Trevor Plouffe or Kyle Gibson for a C level prospect or here is Hughes plus a prospect (or $20 million) for nothing in return.

I think the confusion comes when some people try to assign value to Plouffe, Abad, Nunez, or any other player individually, while other people just use blanket statements like "nobody on this team has any value except _____." 

 

At this point I happen to fall into the second category, because honestly, who would give up anything of value for any of our veterans? The veterans will need to be aggressively shopped and moved elsewhere before this thing gets better. Case in point: Polanco and Kepler aren't getting any playing time. Plouffe might be worth something (*might*) but why would another GM pick up the phone and offer Ryan anything of value for him? It starts with Ryan. Or Antony, or whoever.

[Mike Sixel]

If I could get a mid-level prospect for Abad or Nunez, I would do that in a heartbeat. Heart. Beat.

[Mike Sixel]

 

(1) It matters if there is a decent chance they will improve during the second half of the season and enable the Twins to trade them for something more;

(2) I specifically pointed out that many of those who we would be selling low on we couldn't get anything for. Did you not read that part of my post? Very hard to trade someone when you would have to pay someone to take them. So yes in that case it would be "money we are discussing here."

 

I'm 100% all for trading all of the guys you listed and NOTHING in my post was inconsistent with that. Please try reading first. But that doesn't mean you just say here is Trevor Plouffe or Kyle Gibson for a C level prospect or here is Hughes plus a prospect (or $20 million) for nothing in return.

 

Sigh. You know, sometimes people type stuff quickly here, and it isn't some national emergency that requires a mean response.......

[nicksaviking]

 

Or drink it!

 

No, you do not drink the Schell's Snowstorm. If you absolutely cannot throw it away it can only be used to parboil your brats, but be warned, the entire time you will be weeping for your brats.

[Vanimal46]

 

So the Twins should trade Gibson or Perkins for C level prospects tomorrow?  Should they offer Hughes plus Polanco for nothing in return? Because that is what it might take for those guys tomorrow. And before you say that isn't what you mean, yes it was. You said "all that should matter is getting rid of old inventory," not what you get in return.

 

Oh and yeah, the Marlins should NEVER be listed as a team to emulate, ever. Period.

Perkins - yes, absolutely. What's the value in having a 33 year old closer on a rebuilding team?
Gibson - not very old, is he?
Hughes - no one will touch him with a 10 foot pole - hence my original post of him winning the coveted "Most Untradeable Twins Asset" award

The Marlins line is a joke. I also know who's going to be the spokesperson for the Fire Sale...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLnFFS--qJE
 

[nytwinsfan]

 

Sigh. You know, sometimes people type stuff quickly here, and it isn't some national emergency that requires a mean response.......

I mean, it isn't like I have anything better to do, like root for an even halfway decent baseball team.

 

But fair enough. Sorry Vanimal! As I said, I'd like to get rid of the veterans too.

[Mike Sixel]

 

No, you do not drink the Schell's Snowstorm. If you absolutely cannot throw it away it can only be used to parboil your brats, but be warned, the entire time you will be weeping for your brats.

 

Huh, I liked it the first year, did it change? I mean, liked it better than most commercial beer......

[Bark's Lounge]

I am a fan of Plouffe, people who are aware of my history on this site know I back him up to the enth degree. After watching this absolute, awful train wreck this past month, I have now surrendered my flag, and know it is time to play Sano at 3B everyday. Sano might be only able to play that position for a couple years, who knows? But it is apparent he is a 3B,1B, or DH... end of story. I don't know what you do with Plouffe, as I feel confident he has the same limitations as Sano position wise... I don't know.

 

They should start stretching May out to start again, take a chance, call up Chargois, get rid of Nolasco and eat the money. It really doesn't matter if our bullpen suck from here on out, this season is lost from the standpoint of being a playoff team (I laughed when I typed that, as we all know that).

 

Going forward the only pitchers I care about the Twins throwing out there every 5th day are: Berrios, Duffey, and May. Sure Santana is one of those guys, hopefully he can be serviceable. Right now, I have zero interest in May being a bullpen arm... if we were contenders, sure. Obviously we are not.

 

I thought that Chargois, Melanotakis (Spelling?) and Burdi would be up by now. I get it that injuries are a part of the game, but it is disappointing none the less.

[Pardon My Dinger]

 

Melanotakis (Spelling?) 

Melanotokopopulous

[Vanimal46]

 

Melanotokopopulous

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/tOgk7CxYy1s/hqdefault.jpg

[diehardtwinsfan]

Gibson strikes me more as off season move personally.  He gets off to a bad start each season and then really turns it on and finishes with some pretty decent numbers. I think he's on the block, especially with the guys sitting in AAA right now, but I don't see him being moved at the deadline.

 

Plouffe is a no-brainer, and with a couple of decent teams looking for help at 3B, we could potentially get something back for him. 

 

I doubt we get anything for Suzuki and Hughes.

 

We might get something for Nolasco if he can string a few decent starts together and keep his ERA down.  We may have to eat some of that contract to get a C level prospect, but given what we've gotten out of him the last two years, I'd do that in a heart beat. 

 

I don't mind Nunez as a bench bat, but he's going to start getting expensive for that role, so if you can get something for him, I would. 

[Pius Jefferson]

I'm hesitant to move anyone with the current front office in charge. Add to that the possibility of drastic changes after the season is over. For me it's bad timing to move anyone before the trade deadline.