Non-Twins Off-season news, tidbits and transactions

[SomeGuy]

 

The only reason he would take one year deal with the twins would be is he figuring that we either win and make a playoff spot or if we are not contending the Twins will trade him to a contender next July. In doing this he would need extra money to sign with the twins. But my guess is that we don't sign him and he is signed by Astro's all we were to the deal was to raise anti up on his deal with the Astro's.

I agree that he probably goes to the Astros.  His agent was quoted as saying he is only looking to sign with a contender.  We could probably be considered contenders but the other two teams linked to him so far(Astros and Rays) fit the description much better.  I think the major roadblock will be how much he values his chances at a World Series in the next deal. 

 

 

[beckmt]

 

I'll say he does not sign today. If forced to choose.

According to MLBtraderumors, he also meets with the Yankees on Wednesday.

[SomeGuy]

 

I'm going to hate Machado in a White Sox uniform. I'm also envious Chicago is trying to make a splash.

This is from MLB Trade Rumors.

ESPN’s Buster Olney reported that a “well-placed source” indicated to him that the White Sox weren’t interested in signing either Machado or Bryce Harper to a record-setting contract. Olney called Chicago’s interest “more measured and modest than frenzied.”

[old nurse]

 

Very true, I'd want another C on the roster I liked. But, even if he only plays 80 games, that's probably more valuable than the next best catcher playing all those games (or, more likely, the 3rd or 4th best catcher on the roster).

Ramos's 80 game seasons were worth about 1.5 WAR, which is about what Garver produced.. Considering options, 9 million spent on a relief pitcher would produce a more positive effect for the team.

[old nurse]

 

I agree that he probably goes to the Astros.  His agent was quoted as saying he is only looking to sign with a contender.  We could probably be considered contenders but the other two teams linked to him so far(Astros and Rays) fit the description much better.  I think the major roadblock will be how much he values his chances at a World Series in the next deal. 

The Astro's have Gurriel locked up for a few years and WHite who is pre Arb as 1b/dh types. Cruz was better than White but now might only be a small upgrade. I would not think the Astro's interest is all that heavy.

[Tomj14]

 

Must be nice.

When your rotation starts with DeGrom (30), Wheeler (28), Syndergaard(26), Matz (27) shouldn't it be a requirement to go for it?

That is a rotation the Twins have been trying to build, well it seems like forever.

[Tomj14]

 

The Astro's have Gurriel locked up for a few years and WHite who is pre Arb as 1b/dh types. Cruz was better than White but now might only be a small upgrade. I would not think the Astro's interest is all that heavy.

That is the Twins mentality.

Another way to think about it, is why wouldn't they sign Cruz, if he plays closer to 14-17 instead of 18, they got an all star player, and if he is more like 17, they have depth with Gurriel locked up for a few years and White still Pre-Arb and could help be used to fill a hole that in the season.

[SomeGuy]

 

The Astro's have Gurriel locked up for a few years and WHite who is pre Arb as 1b/dh types. Cruz was better than White but now might only be a small upgrade. I would not think the Astro's interest is all that heavy.

Gurriel is flexible enough to fill in a Marwin Gonzalez type role (played every infield position in 2018) or has 2 options left.  He could also fall into some sort of platoon role, Gurriel had a really poor OPS against RHP last year(.693).

 

Sounds like their interest is heavy.

 

Speculating on my part but I would think the Yankees could find a spot for him too.  Stanton got the most DH at bats last year but he is not terrible in the outfield.

[Jim Hahn]

 

 

Very true, I'd want another C on the roster I liked. But, even if he only plays 80 games, that's probably more valuable than the next best catcher playing all those games (or, more likely, the 3rd or 4th best catcher on the roster).

I understand this thinking, but isn't at least a good part of the problem with Buxton and Sano is that they can't stay healthy? Do we want more players like that? In addition he is reaching an age where he may have more health issues rather than less. As valuable as he might be when healthy, he draws a salary and takes up a 40 man spot when not healthy. I get signing a Ramos if he the last piece. In this case Garver,Castro and Astudillo maybe able to approximate his production. I would rather see the money spent elsewhere.

[biggentleben]

Astros sign Brantley for 2/$32M

 

This is odd with a top 10 prospect that's more than ready for the bigs in the wings.

[Mike Sixel]

Ramos's 80 game seasons were worth about 1.5 WAR, which is about what Garver produced.. Considering options, 9 million spent on a relief pitcher would produce a more positive effect for the team.

Given we are taking about a guy that signed with another team, in not sure I understand. If I am the Mets,I want a guy like Garver to pair up, sure. We were taking about what the Mets did, I thought.

[Mike Sixel]

 

 

I understand this thinking, but isn't at least a good part of the problem with Buxton and Sano is that they can't stay healthy? Do we want more players like that? In addition he is reaching an age where he may have more health issues rather than less. As valuable as he might be when healthy, he draws a salary and takes up a 40 man spot when not healthy. I get signing a Ramos if he the last piece. In this case Garver,Castro and Astudillo maybe able to approximate his production. I would rather see the money spent elsewhere.

Isn't this a thread to talk about what other teams are doing? I'm confused.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Astros sign Brantley for 2/$32M

 

This is odd with a top 10 prospect that's more than ready for the bigs in the wings.

 

That's more than I thought he'd get.

[old nurse]

 

That is the Twins mentality.

Another way to think about it, is why wouldn't they sign Cruz, if he plays closer to 14-17 instead of 18, they got an all star player, and if he is more like 17, they have depth with Gurriel locked up for a few years and White still Pre-Arb and could help be used to fill a hole that in the season.

Signing an aged veteran to their last contract was something Ryan did in the 90's. He learned.

[USAFChief]

Astros sign Brantley for 2/$32M

 

This is odd with a top 10 prospect that's more than ready for the bigs in the wings.

Every team in the majors has room for Brantley. What a great sign. Man, I wish the Twins operated at that level.

 

Some teams are intent on winning.

[Mike Sixel]

 

That's more than I thought he'd get.

 

Nearly every signing has been for more money than the masses predicted, and players got last year. Last year was an anomaly. 

[Danchat]

 

Astros sign Brantley for 2/$32M

 

This is odd with a top 10 prospect that's more than ready for the bigs in the wings.

What I've read:

 

Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports says the Astros plan to rotate Brantley between left field, first base and designated hitter. Brantley, 31, has never played first base before but it was reported earlier this month that he was willing to give the position a try in order to add to his versatility.

 

[Mike Sixel]

 

What I've read:

 

So, what some of us have been asking for Kepler, or McCutchen or others to do......but what do the Astros know?

[Danchat]

 

So, what some of us have been asking for Kepler, or McCutchen or others to do......but what do the Astros know?

Kepler is a borderline gold glove RF and his hitting ability would be subpar at 1B, so I don't see the fit. I still would have made that deal with Brantley.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Kepler is a borderline gold glove RF and his hitting ability would be subpar at 1B, so I don't see the fit. I still would have made that deal with Brantley.

 

OR OTHERS. Seemed pretty clear....maybe not. 

[biggentleben]

 

That's more than I thought he'd get.

 

More AAV than he was projected. Continuing the trend. Outside of relievers, those who have signed have been paid well.

[biggentleben]

 

What I've read:

 

Yes, and that seems odd with White, Reed, Gurriel, and more at 1B as well. A guy like Marwin makes sense to bring back to that team, but corner depth, not so much...

[Vanimal46]

Yes, and that seems odd with White, Reed, Gurriel, and more at 1B as well. A guy like Marwin makes sense to bring back to that team, but corner depth, not so much...

Sounds like they have a surplus to make yet another trade for a difference maker.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Sounds like they have a surplus to make yet another trade for a difference maker.

 

Certainly a strategy I would consider.....but maybe they just want depth too. Maybe they'll deal someone at the deadline, when they see what they need (health, performance changes.....)

[USAFChief]

 

Yes, and that seems odd with White, Reed, Gurriel, and more at 1B as well. A guy like Marwin makes sense to bring back to that team, but corner depth, not so much...

None of them are likely to hit as well as Brantley.

 

And depth always makes sense.

[Vanimal46]

Certainly a strategy I would consider.....but maybe they just want depth too. Maybe they'll deal someone at the deadline, when they see what they need (health, performance changes.....)

Heyman thinks it's a play for Realmuto... The super teams get stronger by the day.

 

https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1075069789532491779?s=19

[Vanimal46]

 

I was interested in him as a bounce back candidate.

[Mike Sixel]

https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1075198516828561411?s=19

 

I was interested in him as a bounce back candidate.

That seems pricey.

[Vanimal46]

That seems pricey.

Yeah a little bit. Maybe there was a bidding war for him. I thought I read earlier this winter Cincinnati wanted him back.

[TheLeviathan]

Why NL pitchers go to the AL to build back value is beyond me.  If I'm Harvey I see which NL pitcher's park will take me and hope for a big payout the next year.