Article: Twins Trade Bobby Wilson To Cubs For Old Friend

[Seth Stohs]

The Minnesota Twins have traded catcher Bobby Wilson to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for catcher (and relief pitcher?), and Old Friend Chris Gimenez and a potential Player To Be Named Later.The Twins want to give the veterans that they have traded an opportunity to play in the playoffs and win a World Series title. Now Bobby Wilson has that opportunity.

 

Wilson is currently on the disabled list and touted for his tremendous defense and veteran leadership for the catchers and pitchers.

 

Chris Gimenez? Well, the same thing, plus he can pitch in blowouts instead of Mitch Garver or Willians Astudillo, right?

 

 

Share your thoughts.

 

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[Tuba]

I am whelmed

[Squirrel]

Okay, well ... hmm ... I guess.

[goulik]

Look forward to hearing more about this PTBNL... Can't hurt having Gimenez for the remainder of the year backing up Garver.

[Monkeypaws]

 

Look forward to hearing more about this PTBNL..

probably Rizzo, or Bryant. Maybe even both.

[wavedog]

Certainly wasn't expecting a trade involving Bobby Wilson and trading him for almost the same catcher type in Gimenez.  I guess since Darvish is done for the year Chicago didn't need his personal catcher anymore.    We can try him out in the closer role.     

[wavedog]

I expect we will get cash instead of a PTBNL - maybe lunch money. 

[luckylager]

Would anyone be surprised to see Gimenez being offered a managerial position in the Twins' system after his playing days are through?  Seems like a good candidate.  

[Brandon]

For some reason I like the idea of rooting for Gimenez more than Wilson. Still this deal is rated as... huh?

I agree with luckylager above that Gimenez has a future as a minor league manager here. Maybe Molitors eventual replacement.

[pierre75275]

Can never have too many relief pitchers I guess

[ashbury]

Would anyone be surprised to see Gimenez being offered a managerial position in the Twins' system after his playing days are through?  Seems like a good candidate.  

Make him an offer to coach starting in September, instead of taking a roster spot for the same end-purpose. All game experience needs to go to Garver and Astudillo.

[bunt_vs_the_shift]

 

Would anyone be surprised to see Gimenez being offered a managerial position in the Twins' system after his playing days are through?  Seems like a good candidate.  

 

The managerial grooming angle is correct. Gimenez will be brought on board in an official capacity as the special assistant in charge of battling your tail off 

[Kelly Vance]

 

Would anyone be surprised to see Gimenez being offered a managerial position in the Twins' system after his playing days are through?  Seems like a good candidate.  

Not surprised, but they didn't do it for Red Dawg. 

[jorgenswest]

I think Wilson has been both helpful to the development of Garver as well as the two pitchers for whom he was the primary catcher in Gibson and Berrios. I hope he is healthy and able to contribute to the Cuns success.

[Shaitan]

Now I've seen everything in this sport.

[mikelink45]

Wow - the FO knows how to spice up the end of the year.  Maybe Belisle asked for him to be his personal catcher.

[Han Joelo]

Perhaps the last unquantifiable part of baseball--backup catcher valuation.  I didn't have a problem with Wilson really, and can't quite relate to the disdain some have shown for him.  

 

Interesting deal.  Not because it will result in any net gain for the Twins, just because it happened at all.

[Bill Brown69]

Just because my Dad was a catcher I think this move has more to do with another coach for Garver than anything. Wilson has maybe taught him everything he can and now maybe Gimenez can fill in a couple more things. 

 

This makes me think more than ever that the FO thinks Garver is going to be the C for the future, probably splitting time with a (if healthy) Castro for the first couple months next year and being the main guy from mid-June on.

[wavedog]

I believe Wilson caught for Madden at Tampa Bay so maybe that influenced the trade. He wanted his skill set for September for the Cubs.

[Otto von Ballpark]

I believe Wilson caught for Madden at Tampa Bay so maybe that influenced the trade. He wanted his skill set for September for the Cubs.

Nope -- Wilson didn't play in the Tampa organization until 2015-2016, when Maddon was already in Chicago. They did overlap a little in the Angels organization, when Maddon was the MLB bench coach and Wilson was still in the low minors, but that was way back in 2003-2005.

Edited August 31, 2018 by spycake

[Thrylos]

 

Not surprised, but they didn't do it for Red Dawg. 

 

100 L managing a team with the 7th best ERA in the league and Stanton raking, means that they did the right thing...

[rileyroy]

But he could smell them ribbies!

[yarnivek1972]

Make him an offer to coach starting in September, instead of taking a roster spot for the same end-purpose. All game experience needs to go to Garver and Astudillo.

September. No reason not to have a third catcher. Even if he never plays. Just in case.

[ashbury]

September. No reason not to have a third catcher. Even if he never plays. Just in case.

I was thinking more about 40-man space than room on the bench. Probably he won't hurt anything in that regard, but just one less name to worry about.

[yarnivek1972]

I was thinking more about 40-man space than room on the bench. Probably he won't hurt anything in that regard, but just one less name to worry about.

Presumably he would take Wilson’s spot.

Edited August 31, 2018 by yarnivek1972

[Puckett34]

Sweet. Another good bullpen prospect

[ChrisKnutson]

Wonder who the PTBNL could be? Assuming we go that route.

[David HK]

Why?

[Danchat]

 

Why?

Why not, at least we don't have to see Wilson at the plate anymore. Astudillo is the backup catcher now as far as I can see.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Presumably he would take Wilson’s spot.

That's my guess too.

 

Then Jake Reed can take Mejia's spot (60-day DL).

 

Another player could take Ervin's spot (60-day DL too), if so desired. Andrew Vasquez? Nick Anderson?