Bryant/Paxton

[cmoss84]

Both Kris Bryant and James Paxton are on the trade market...Bryant under club control for 3 years and Paxton 2. Obviously the price will be high. Who would you rather trade for between these two and Realmuto? Would you empty out the system to trade for 2 of them? 

 

 

[TheLeviathan]

If you could lock in Bryant, I'd trade for him in a heartbeat.

[Twodogs]

Id say the Yankees will get Paxton.  They are seriously looking for SPitching

[GP830]

I'd take Bryant in a heartbeat. 

 

C Garver

1 Sano

2 Polanco

3 Bryan

SS Iglesias

LF Rosario

CFBuxton

RF Cave

DH McCutchen/Brantley/Cruz

 

Could be nasty. I hadn't heard Bryant was on the block. Wonder what it would take.

 

 

[Tom Froemming]

Here's what Theo said:

 

“We’ve never operated with untouchables,” he said. “It sends the wrong message. Given what we’re trying to accomplish, it would be virtually impossible to envision the deal that would make sense to move them. I just don’t believe in untouchables. Why limit yourself?”

[TFRazor]

They may not operate with "untouchables", but at a certain point the price asked becomes so prohibitive that they become untouchable even if you don't call them that. I can't imagine the cubbies moving Bryant without an absolutely massive influx of talent coming the other way. Paxton on the other hand, maybe we can do a deal that isn't too bad

[gunnarthor]

Bryant would probably require something Sale-like, right? A couple top prospects (Lewis and Kiriloff) and then two more lottery ticket types so maybe a couple of the A-ball players we got at the deadline last year?

[akmanak]

I would like this signing only if Bryant could play 2nd or ss. We need a stronger middle infield IMO.

[Rosterman]

So it all comes down to Sano, now. Is he the third baseman of the near future? I want to say, no. He will still be on super secret probation next season and the Twins will go in 2019 where Buxton and Sano take them. Is he a first baseman longterm? Also probably no. Will he be the Twins answer to David Ortiz, playing a string of seasons at whatever is a decent major league salary (say a decade at $20 million a year). That would be the dream.

 

But at some point, I do wonder if the Twins want to just move on. And Bryant would be a fine choice if they want to spend money and an sign him for something big for 4-5 years with an option for a sixth. Not sure what that number would be.

 

But who do you trade? 

 

Any ideas?

[tvagle]

I wonder if Theo isn't looking at a bundle to rid the Cubbies of the PR nightmare that is Addison Russel

 

Theo: "Hello...yes, we're listening on Bryant...how bout we take care of your whole left side of the diamond for you?"

 

<long period of silence>

 

Theo: "Hello...is anyone there?"

[Badsmerf]

I'd rather sign Mochado. Who will be more valuable in 5 years at 3b?

[Doomtints]

Bryant is going to be very expensive when he becomes a free agent, but that's not until 2022. The Cubs won't trade him now. No team would.

[Brandon]

While I would love to trade for Paxton. I think Sony Grey is the better get for next season. He will pitch better here then at NY and wont cost much as a buy low candidate.

 

We wont be able to trade for Bryant. But signing Cruz to DH gives us a good power bat to pair with Sano and Austin . Ideally we also get a good platoon bat to go with Austin. Next we get a middle IF for either SS or 2B. Someone we can get on a 1 or 2 year deal preferred or Marvin Gonzales who can move around. For the OF I like the idea of signing someone who can play CF like Jon Jay with his high OBP. Now we just need 2 relievers one like Familia and one like Tyler Clippard for example.

 

I guess this is my offseason prediction.

 

CF Buxton

SS Polanco

3B Sano

DH Cruz

LF Rosario

1B Austin / Reynolds

RF Kepler

2B Kinsler or Asdrubal Cabrera or Gonzales

C Garver / Castro

 

Bench

 

OF Jay

IF Adrianza

C Castro / Garver

1B Reynolds or Astudillo or Grossman

 

Starting Pitching

Berrios

Gibson

Grey

Odorizzi

Pineda

 

With lots of pitchers at the ready including Romero, stewart, Thorpe, Gonsalves and more.

 

Bullpen

Familia

Clippard

May

Reed

Rogers

Hildenburger

Last 2 between Mejia, Magill, Vazquez, Moya, Curtis, De Jong, and others....

 

With this team construction 1B is set up to be handed over to Rooker when he is ready to come up, CF has a capable high OBP option should Buxton tank again. 2B is set up so Polanco can move over when Lewis is Ready, and this is it for Kepler to make next step as Lanarch will likely be ready in 2020 at some point.

 

In the rotation we have 3 pitchers who can be FA after next season. Hopefully they sign Gibson to an extension and we have Romero and Mejia ready to step into the rotation among several back end starters and Thorpe and that guy in a ball who throws 100mph will move closer by 2020 as well.

[ewen21]

 

Here's what Theo said:

 

“We’ve never operated with untouchables,” he said. “It sends the wrong message. Given what we’re trying to accomplish, it would be virtually impossible to envision the deal that would make sense to move them. I just don’t believe in untouchables. Why limit yourself?”

That statement illustrates precisely why Buxton never should have been viewed as untouchable.  Jeter was untouchable in the middle of the Yankees championship run.  Buxton NEVER should have been viewed as such

[Badsmerf]

That statement illustrates precisely why Buxton never should have been viewed as untouchable. Jeter was untouchable in the middle of the Yankees championship run. Buxton NEVER should have been viewed as such

At what point were the twins in a position to trade Buxton in order to win a championship? This is clearly Theo blowing smoke. Prospects don't win games.

[Riverbrian]

If Bryant were untouchable

 

If the Red Sox wanted to trade Betts, Benitendi, Bradley and Boegaerts for Bryant. 

 

He'd become touchable. 

 

I think that is what Theo means. 

 

 

[Squirrel]

 

If Bryant were untouchable

 

If the Red Sox wanted to trade Betts, Benitendi, Bradley and Boegaerts for Bryant. 

 

He'd become touchable. 

 

I think that is what Theo means. 

Right. Give an offer one can't refuse and it's a different story. You want Bryant? Overpay.

 

 

[ewen21]

 

At what point were the twins in a position to trade Buxton in order to win a championship? This is clearly Theo blowing smoke. Prospects don't win games.

I am not advocating to trade Buxton, nor am I giving up on him entirely.  This is subject to change as time moves forward, but please don't project off what I said.  I simply agree with the essence of what Epstein said.

 

Epstein said this:

“We’ve never operated with untouchables,” he said. “It sends the wrong message."

I am not an Epstein disciple or fan.  I respect him, though.....and I agree with this simple axiom.

I don't anyone to tell me what he really means.  Not could be more telltale that what is above in bold.

 

[ewen21]

I am also not a favorite of....

"Just play him everyday and let him take his lumps"

 

At some point a player must understand his performance affects his position in the organization.  We can't run charity for guys like Buxton.  If he is nitting .180 in late May then he has to lose his job.  There needs to be STANDARDS for offensive production.  Putting him out there as an "untouchable" absolutely "sends the wrong message"

[Jim Hahn]

So, just when was Buxton ever untouchable? Maybe you are remembering different than me, but no prospect is ever untouchable. Once you get to the majors your performance dictates just how untouchable you really are. Trading Buxton now is certainly possible but his potential is so at variance with his performance that the return will likely fall short of of being prudent move for the Twins.