Six Twins Featured on MLBTR's Top 75 Trade Candidates

[Tom Froemming]

MLB Trade Rumors released its list of the Top 75 MLB Trade Candidates At The All-Star Break, and quite a few Twins were listed. Here's the methodology: "Essentially, we’re ordering players based upon our assessment of both their trade value and likelihood of being dealt."

 

You'll have to click the link above for the full details, but here's where our guys landed:

 

18. Eduardo Escobar

19. Brian Dozier

20. Fernando Rodney

21. Zach Duke

29. Jake Odorizzi

72. Lance Lynn

 

Also, Addison Reed got a mention under the disabled list section. No mention of Joe Mauer, I'm guessing they don't see it being very likely that he'll be dealt.

[Tom Froemming]

Twins President and CEO Dave St. Peter was on WCCO with Dave Lee this morning. Here's what he had to say about the trade deadline:

 

"We have some opportunities to potentially take a look at how we can make our team better, not just in the short term but ultimately over the long term, to try to have the type of franchise that's a perennial contender. Some of those moves may be popular, some of those moves may not be popular but I can assure you Derek Falvey and Thad Levine are working the phones very hard, they have been the past few weeks, and I'll be very surprised if we go into the trade deadline and stand pat."

[old nurse]

That there is only 6 listed on the list . Consider they have pre arbitration players on the list They have 13-14 different teams on the list  (harangue with the number if it matters).  6 players would be an average number. As crappy of season as Lynn and Odorizzi are having  the bar was not set too high for being available. It would be likely any player not named Joe or Jose and Rosario would be available for the right package as Merrifield is claimed to be. To have so few players with the bar set that low shows how little they think of the players assembled this year.

[diehardtwinsfan]

bit surprised Gibson isn't on the list.

[jkcarew]

It's funny how everyone assumes Mauer is not a trade candidate.  Why?  It's got to be either because he's not worth anything or because he'd nix any deal?

 

He would be THE classic example of a rental that could return immediately to the renter (assuming both parties like the idea).  In the event that the Twins are sellers, they would go to Joe first as Joe has the no-trade.  He could kill the potential deal in it's tracks...in the event that he didn't feel a 3-month commitment was worth a chance at his first WS.

[Tom Froemming]

 

bit surprised Gibson isn't on the list.

Yeah, I'm guessing he falls into that Mauer category of they don't think he'll be dealt.

 

We know thanks to Joel Sherman that the Twins have been "said to be open to" trading Gibson, but it's possible the asking price is unrealistic. The Twins have every incentive to value Gibby at his current performance level, but maybe other teams have no interest in paying that price for a guy who had a long track record of struggles. Just a theory.

[Vanimal46]

It's funny how everyone assumes Mauer is not a trade candidate. Why? It's got to be either because he's not worth anything or because he'd nix any deal?

 

Yes.

[Vanimal46]

Now that Machado is on his way to LA, maybe the losers in the sweepstakes calls about Escobar and Dozier.

 

Duke is probably out the door since he's a breathing left handed pitcher.

 

Rodney is a possibility I guess. Lots of RH relievers on that list though.

[Platoon]

There's a very short list of people who know if Mauer would agree to a rental to a contender. I am not on it. In a way I wish he would, it would be nice to see him have a shot. But I am sure getting to a WS with another team just doesn't have the same ring to it as if it was the Twins.

[Dman]

 

Yeah, I'm guessing he falls into that Mauer category of they don't think he'll be dealt.

 

We know thanks to Joel Sherman that the Twins have been "said to be open to" trading Gibson, but it's possible the asking price is unrealistic. The Twins have every incentive to value Gibby at his current performance level, but maybe other teams have no interest in paying that price for a guy who had a long track record of struggles. Just a theory.

 

Yeah the Twins would be asking for a top 100 prospect and an extra guy or two thrown in to make that deal.  That's a steep price to pay hoping that Gibson continues to perform the rest of this year and next.  If he had a better track record it would help.

 

Also I think the Twins would be reluctant to give him up without a generous return because having Gibson, Romero and Berrios in the rotation next year sounds better than just Berrios and Romero.  I know Pineda might come back and be good but hard to know for sure.  Feels safer with Gibson in the mix next year.

 

Who knows though.  Strange things happen around the deadline.

[Thrylos]

 

It's funny how everyone assumes Mauer is not a trade candidate.  Why?  It's got to be either because he's not worth anything or because he'd nix any deal?

 

He would be THE classic example of a rental that could return immediately to the renter (assuming both parties like the idea).  In the event that the Twins are sellers, they would go to Joe first as Joe has the no-trade.  He could kill the potential deal in it's tracks...in the event that he didn't feel a 3-month commitment was worth a chance at his first WS.

 

Mauer is expecting a third baby this off-season and will likely hang his cleats.   His options (and he has a full no trade clause) is to remain a lifetime Twins' player or to play for someone else going after a title maybe.

 

Not sure what he values the most.  It is his deal.

 

[SwainZag]

 

Mauer is expecting a third baby this off-season and will likely hang his cleats.   His options (and he has a full no trade clause) is to remain a lifetime Twins' player or to play for someone else going after a title maybe.

 

Not sure what he values the most.  It is his deal.

 

Can we staaaaahp trying to push this notion that his wife having another kid = likely retirement?  I have seen it in several threads now.  Unless Joe has come out and said anything regarding it, it's just pure speculation and just rumor spreading at this point.  If Joe has come out and addressed this and I have missed it, then disregard this.

[Doomtints]

 

Can we staaaaahp trying to push this notion that his wife having another kid = likely retirement?  I have seen it in several threads now.  Unless Joe has come out and said anything regarding it, it's just pure speculation and just rumor spreading at this point.  If Joe has come out and addressed this and I have missed it, then disregard this.

 

OK, but this post and its entire thread are all speculation. Some people like it.

[Monkeypaws]

Considering St.Peter's quote above, and seeing the value isn't gonna be great for most of these guys, the question is who looks like spare parts if the Twins want to sell some and remain relevant at the same time.  

 

Odorizzi and Lynn for sure if Erv gets back soon. Give Romero, Meija, Gonsalves a chance.

 

Duke. He's been solid, but Moya has been incredible at Rochester this year and could get that lefty BP slot. 

 

Keep Rodney - cheap, and a club option, plus keeps Belisle from inheriting the role. 

 

Keep Dozier and Escobar - EE is the best chip, but also the hardest to replace. Qualifying offers, draft picks, all sounds good to me.

 

I would trade all of them though if the offer was too good to resist.

[yarnivek1972]

Shppose it is just a coincidence that four Twins are ranked consecutively or is it more likely that whoever put the rankings together is lazy?

 

I actually think Escobar is the least likely to be traded. There is no one else to play third the rest of the year and probably not beyond this year. I don’t think Sano is back before September, if at all this year. Buxton either. And I definitely think Sano will not play third base regularly ever again. Maybe in a pinch, but he’s simply that bad there.

[Brock Beauchamp]

That there is only 6 listed on the list . Consider they have pre arbitration players on the list They have 13-14 different teams on the list (harangue with the number if it matters). 6 players would be an average number. As crappy of season as Lynn and Odorizzi are having the bar was not set too high for being available. It would be likely any player not named Joe or Jose and Rosario would be available for the right package as Merrifield is claimed to be. To have so few players with the bar set that low shows how little they think of the players assembled this year.

This is a weird take. The Twins aren't terrible while huge swathes of baseball are absolutely putrid this year.

 

The Twins also have a nice mix of good young players which they are obviously not going to trade.

 

You want to talk about how little they think of some teams? The Royals are the worst team in baseball and have two players on the list.

 

The Orioles are in a virtual lock with the Royals and have six players, though (obviously) of higher value than the Twins (again, because the Twins aren't trading everything on the roster while the Orioles basically need to move 25 players if possible).

 

The White Sox are the third worst team in baseball and have three players on the list.

[Dman]

 

Shppose it is just a coincidence that four Twins are ranked consecutively or is it more likely that whoever put the rankings together is lazy?

I actually think Escobar is the least likely to be traded. There is no one else to play third the rest of the year and probably not beyond this year. I don’t think Sano is back before September, if at all this year. Buxton either. And I definitely think Sano will not play third base regularly ever again. Maybe in a pinch, but he’s simply that bad there.

 

Personally I like the odds of Escobar getting moved.  Philadelphia , Arizona and Milwaukee all could use help up the middle and are in tight races.  Esco's versatility and hitting fits nicely for each team.  They might have to pay more in prospects than they would like but I think a deal gets done.

 

Escobar's value will never be higher than it is now.  Might as well get something for him and if the Twins love him so much they can sign him in the off-season to a nice deal.  I assume he will command starter money though so we better really like him.

 

The Twins can use a utility player or bring Sano back to cover third for the rest of this season if needed.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

This is a weird take. The Twins aren't terrible while huge swathes of baseball are absolutely putrid this year.

 

The Twins also have a nice mix of good young players which they are obviously not going to trade.

 

You want to talk about how little they think of some teams? The Royals are the worst team in baseball and have two players on the list.

 

The Orioles are in a virtual lock with the Royals and have six players, though (obviously) of higher value than the Twins (again, because the Twins aren't trading everything on the roster while the Orioles basically need to move 25 players if possible).

 

The White Sox are the third worst team in baseball and have three players on the list.

i gotta think the Sux only have 3 because they are unlikely to trade any of their cornerstone types, much like the Twins.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

i gotta think the Sux only have 3 because they are unlikely to trade any of their cornerstone types, much like the Twins.

Sure, and that's fair.

[Mr. Brooks]

Shppose it is just a coincidence that four Twins are ranked consecutively or is it more likely that whoever put the rankings together is lazy?

 

I actually think Escobar is the least likely to be traded. There is no one else to play third the rest of the year and probably not beyond this year. I don’t think Sano is back before September, if at all this year. Buxton either. And I definitely think Sano will not play third base regularly ever again. Maybe in a pinch, but he’s simply that bad there.

Adrianza can play 3B the rest of the year if need be.

Or a random AAAA waiver claim.

[Thrylos]

 

Adrianza can play 3B the rest of the year if need be.
Or a random AAAA waiver claim.

 

Or the Phillies can toss in Plouffe when they trade for Escobar

[Platoon]

Or the Phillies can toss in Plouffe when they trade for Escobar

You get a like only for your very dark sense of humor!

[killertwinfan]

The table is set for a big run the second half to clip Cleveland.  First step is for management to signal their lack of belief by dumping the closer and then we'll take off.  

[Blackjack]

I wonder why Lynn isn't higher on the list??  He had a poor start but has pitched better recently, he'd look good as a 5th starter for some team.  Plus being a free agent, I would think the Twins would be motivated to move on from him. In my mind he has a lot better chance of being traded than Odorizzi.

 

I'd rank the likelihood of being traded as Duke 95%, Lynn 80%, Rodney 60%, Dozier 50%, Escobar 20%, Odorizzi 10%, Gibson 5%. Just my opinion. Its going to take a good offer to pry loose Escobar or Gibson,  and they have another year of control on Odorizzi and Gibson.  Starting pitching wins.

[snap4birds]

 

I wonder why Lynn isn't higher on the list??  He had a poor start but has pitched better recently, he'd look good as a 5th starter for some team.  Plus being a free agent, I would think the Twins would be motivated to move on from him. In my mind he has a lot better chance of being traded than Odorizzi.

 

I'd rank the likelihood of being traded as Duke 95%, Lynn 80%, Rodney 60%, Dozier 50%, Escobar 20%, Odorizzi 10%, Gibson 5%. Just my opinion. Its going to take a good offer to pry loose Escobar or Gibson,  and they have another year of control on Odorizzi and Gibson.  Starting pitching wins.

I think it's because of his salary.  It seems there were several ranked higher that they mentioned had salaries of $6 million or less.  They did mention if the Twins are willing to eat some of his salary, he'd be higher on the list.

[Jham]

The table is set for a big run the second half to clip Cleveland. First step is for management to signal their lack of belief by dumping the closer and then we'll take off.

Sometimes a Front Office must fire a manager or trade a popular player to get the team's attention and rededicate the team in a "we'll show them" sort of way.

[beckmt]

Most of the contenders need a decent #4 starter type or two.  To me lynn is gone.  Will be interesting on whether Twins make a major deal or not.  Because of Escobar's track record to date, feel the offers will not be enough to get the Twins to move him.  Dozier wants to test FA, so I think unless the Twins make ground in the next 10 days, he will also be moved. Along with the relievers. 

[Jham]

Given the organizations frustrations with Sano and with Machado off the market, he is the guy I'd be calling on if I'm another GM. At least to see. Machado's return would be a decent bench mark I'd think.

[puckstopper1]

 

Or the Phillies can toss in Plouffe when they trade for Escobar

 

Plooooooooofffffffffffffffff!

 

Nice to see he got called up by the Phillies.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

I wonder why Lynn isn't higher on the list??  He had a poor start but has pitched better recently, he'd look good as a 5th starter for some team.

Because some of these writers don't have the time to really examine what a player has done through the season, they just scan stat lines.

 

Lynn has been better than a fifth starter since April. Much better. If you exclude the solitary disaster start he's had since the end of April, his ERA is around 3.2 in 12 starts. It looks a lot worse at a glance because he had one horrific 1.2 IP start in early July.