Article: REPORT: Twins, D-Backs Discussing Paul Goldschmidt Trade

[Cody Christie]

Joe Mauer’s retirement has left a big hole in the Twins infield. However, the team might be looking to make a big splash on the trade market this off-season. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reports the Twins and the Diamondbacks have engaged in preliminary trade talks about a deal involving All-Star Paul Goldschmidt.

Goldschmidt has been one of the most consistent players in the National League over the better part of the last decade. He’s been an All-Star for six straight seasons and added three Gold Gloves and four Silver Sluggers. During that same stretch, he’s finished in the top-3 for MVP voting three times.

 

Entering his age-31 season, Goldschmidt hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. Last year, he hit .290/.389/.533 with 33 home runs and 35 doubles. Since 2013, he has the third highest fWAR in all of baseball. Only Mike Trout and Josh Donaldson are higher than him on that list.

 

Goldschmidt has one more year remaining on his contract and he is due to make $14.5 million next season. Minnesota would likely need to surrender multiple top prospects in a Goldschmidt deal. It’s also tough to paint the team in “win-now mode.” There’s no guarantee Goldschmidt re-signs with the team trading for him and he will likely want to test the free agent waters.

 

Goldschmidt might be keeping an eye on some of the big free agents this off-season to see what kind of market develops. Last year, there were multiple instances of players having to settle for contracts that might have been deemed below average. Goldschmidt might want the security of a long-term deal before hitting free agency, especially since he will be in his early 30s.

 

If Minnesota trades for him now, they would still be able to offer him a qualifying offer. He’d turn it down and then the club could get compensatory draft pick if he decided to sign elsewhere. If they waited to acquire him in the season, Goldschmidt wouldn’t be eligible for a qualifying offer.

 

Lots of teams might be interested in trading for Goldschmidt, but the Twins interest might not be all that serious.

There’s no denying that Goldschmidt is a great player but only one year of team control is definitely a deterrent.

 

What do you think it would take to get Goldschmidt? Do the Twins need him for next season? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

 

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[beckmt]

Would depend on how much Arizona wants for Goldschmidt.  Certainly worth checking in, but depends on how much we have to send and how much salary the Twins take.

 

[bobs]

As much as i love the player and the fit, this only makes sense if a) the cost reflects one year of him, or they can sign him to 4yr/$100m deal.

[DocBauer]

As good as he is, only if there is an extension in place, and doesn't cost us Lewis or Khiriloff. With an extension in place, I would consider 1 of the 2.

 

Reports seem to indicate Arizona may be looking to shed payroll and re-build. This could bode well.

 

Assuming, for a moment, the talent in place, proves itself, does this improve the Twins enough?

 

I'm still thinking where there is smoke there must be fire. I like a small trade to the desperate Phillies for Santana with multiple options to back up 1B/DH/OF and keep my top talent for promotion and maybe a mid season acquisition.

[old nurse]

Goldshmidt would be nice. One year of him is worth a prospect better than a comp pick.  Two or three high risk high reward prospects will be the likely return if he is dealt to a non contender. As far as  Carlos Santana as plan B goes Tyler Austin has a chance to provide what Santana has done the last 2 years. I do not think they would deal for Santana. Austin was brought in for a purpose other than to save a couple  million dollars.

[Tomj14]

My opening offer is Kepler, Gordon and Rooker and another mid tier prospect and see if I am even close.

[TKGuy]

You cannot give up a ton without an extension. I’m guessing the Cardinals end up with him

[mikelink45]

We are not going to win next year so an extended contract is a must, otherwise I love the idea.  Who do we give up?  Kiriloff and Lewis would be a big price, but it might require one of them.  Can Lewis play 3B - trade Sano and Rooker with Kepler a possible add on or replacement for one of them.  Do not mortgage the future.  In baseball one player does not make that much difference.  All the money that Harper is going to get and he could not take the Nationals to the promised land anymore than the player of the century - Trout - can make winners out of the Angels.   We need 1B, SS, 3B, starting pitching and bullpen.  Goldschmidt can cure one need, but if it is only for one year, we lose.

[nicksaviking]

 

As much as i love the player and the fit, this only makes sense if a) the cost reflects one year of him, or they can sign him to 4yr/$100m deal.

 

A) is hard though, because one year of Goldschmidt might not be worth terribly much to the Twins as they now stand, but if the Twins were in Houston or Cleveland's position, he probably would be worth a Kirilloff. So it's not like the Twins can gauge his cost based on what he's worth to them, AZ is going to want what he's worth to a team thinking he's the missing piece to a World Series.

[Doctor Wu]

 

We are not going to win next year so an extended contract is a must, otherwise I love the idea.  Who do we give up?  Kiriloff and Lewis would be a big price, but it might require one of them.  Can Lewis play 3B - trade Sano and Rooker with Kepler a possible add on or replacement for one of them.  Do not mortgage the future.  In baseball one player does not make that much difference.  All the money that Harper is going to get and he could not take the Nationals to the promised land anymore than the player of the century - Trout - can make winners out of the Angels.   We need 1B, SS, 3B, starting pitching and bullpen.  Goldschmidt can cure one need, but if it is only for one year, we lose.

Yeah, I would think/hope that Kiriloff and Lewis are pretty much untouchable trade pieces at this point. As nice as it would be to get a player like Goldschmidt, I hope the Twins don't consider trading their top prospects for him.

[Puckett34]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qgET1Zhpb8

 

 

 

But in all seriousness, only way I do this is with a extension as well.  

 

St Paul?!?!  The nickname alone is worth just about any prospect not named Lewis or Kiriloff 

[PSzalapski]

Just as I said they should on my blueprint for the Twins: http://twinsdaily.com/blog/91/entry-11271-the-60-million-dollar-team-we-can-rebuild-it-we-have-the-technology/

 

I'd be okay with almost any reasonable trade here.  No way they give up Kiriloff or Lewis for one year of Goldschmidt...

[strumdatjaguar]

It would be so nice to have Goldschmidt.   But the price must be reasonable.   The Twins are NOT a team that needs to go "all in" on 2019, at the expense of the future.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

My opening offer is Kepler, Gordon and Rooker and another mid tier prospect and see if I am even close.

I doubt they get that much... 

 

He's on a 1 year deal. He's definitely a pretty nice upgrade at 1B, but he's a 1B/DH type. My guess would be one of our AAA pitchers and a lotto type in the low minors. 

 

 

[nicksaviking]

 

I doubt they get that much... 

 

He's on a 1 year deal. He's definitely a pretty nice upgrade at 1B, but he's a 1B/DH type. My guess would be one of our AAA pitchers and a lotto type in the low minors. 

 

A team like Houston could really use him though and he'd be a significant upgrade at 1B for Boston, New York, Tampa, Cleveland, LA Angels, Colorado and St. Louis. Normally I'd agree that the position devalues him but this is kind of an odd situation where pretty much every team that views itself as a contender is actually deficient at 1B. And the contenders are the teams AZ can milk for maximum return.

[Tomj14]

 

I doubt they get that much... 

 

He's on a 1 year deal. He's definitely a pretty nice upgrade at 1B, but he's a 1B/DH type. My guess would be one of our AAA pitchers and a lotto type in the low minors. 

If the Twins want him, you don't dink around with trying to pay the least, you make a more than fair offer and possibly more and you get your guy.

[cmoss84]

Any 3 of our prospects outside of the top 3. Then try to extend 5/150.

[Rosterman]

I would ask them to throw in Grienke for a couple more bodies. The question, though, is what 25-man player would you include. What one or two starting prospects should you include. Do you ship one of your minor league first base prospects (who is higher now, Raley or Rooker). And what other prospects in the depth rich lower minors would be tantalizing. I would go after both. I would dangle Kepler. I would dangle Goncalves. I qould consider Stewart if you could ge Grienke, too. I wish Javier had played in 2018 as he could be a trade chip. i would also be ready to make a decision on Gordon if someone wants him.

[RedBull34]

I don't see them dealing Grienke with Goldschmidt.

 

Unless their primary goal is cutting payroll, it just seems that attaching Grienke would just lessen the prospect return for Goldschmidt.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

 

I don't see them dealing Grienke with Goldschmidt.

 

Unless their primary goal is cutting payroll, it just seems that attaching Grienke would just lessen the prospect return for Goldschmidt.

I think shedding payroll is the only reason AZ is trading Greinke and Goldshmidt. I'd take them both, full contract, I would guess the prospect wouldn't be huge either.

 

I don't think they will and are just as likely to go the other way, but a guy can dream...

[jorgenswest]

I agree. Aggressively approach taking them both. Taking Grienke’s full contract will ease the return on prospects.

 

It will mean spending virtually all of the space in the budget. I still do it. Spend the bulk of the rest on one reliever. Go inexpensive on a one year 2B contract to a player looking to have a turn around year. Non tender Grossman to save a little.

 

The Twins may never have this much flexibility in their budget. How many other teams are in a position to make this deal? Go for it. Add two real difference makers.

[SomeGuy]

I would pass on Goldschmidt.  One year of control doesn't fit our plan of building a long term competitor.  We aren't ready to go all in this year. 

 

If they wanted to save some bucks this offseason and throw him a nice contract offer as a FA I would be on board.

[Teflon]

I have to agree with Ted...

 

 

[Whammy]

I agree. Aggressively approach taking them both. Taking Grienke’s full contract will ease the return on prospects.

 

It will mean spending virtually all of the space in the budget. I still do it. Spend the bulk of the rest on one reliever. Go inexpensive on a one year 2B contract to a player looking to have a turn around year. Non tender Grossman to save a little.

 

The Twins may never have this much flexibility in their budget. How many other teams are in a position to make this deal? Go for it. Add two real difference makers.

My understanding of Greinke’s contact is that he’s only owed around 14.5m next year, which is the same as Goldschmidt. So technically, that would still leave quite a bit of room in the 2019 budget.

[kab21]

I can't see this really going anywhere unless the Twins end up in the right place at the right time and AZ just wants to make a deal (below what we consider likely value) or Goldschmidt signs an extension.

I would happily take Greinke though for minimal prospect cost.

[Kelly Vance]

 

We are not going to win next year so an extended contract is a must, otherwise I love the idea.  Who do we give up?  Kiriloff and Lewis would be a big price, but it might require one of them.  Can Lewis play 3B - trade Sano and Rooker with Kepler a possible add on or replacement for one of them.  Do not mortgage the future.  In baseball one player does not make that much difference.  All the money that Harper is going to get and he could not take the Nationals to the promised land anymore than the player of the century - Trout - can make winners out of the Angels.   We need 1B, SS, 3B, starting pitching and bullpen.  Goldschmidt can cure one need, but if it is only for one year, we lose.

So if we are not going to win next year then why sign anybody? 

 

But I think savvy moves could help us win next year.

 

1 Why not let Keps play some 1B, so Cave gets playing time?  And Sano/Austin/Keps and room to switch the DH appeals to me for some strange reason. Can Cave play 1B? I would sign a slugger though. And the thought occurred to me that this Gold rush is the wrong thing for the Twins. No way he extends with the Twins with all the money out there if he has a big season. I would view it as a rent a slugger or make good contract and see if Rooker and Kiri are ready by 2020.

 

2. But what if they signed Cruz and Donaldson and traded for Goldy just to go for it next year? On a one year deal that puts a lot of runs across. If everybody else plays a decent year, and that isn't a big ask, that team could compete. They should average 5 or 6 runs and a lot of those on 3 run homers.

 

3. Get Carew to convince Buck he doesn't have to hit homers and should use the pushaway swing and try to hit triples to deep right center. And teach him to bunt....He could set a record for triples and put 20 bunt hits into his average. And we aren't even talking about a higher OPS and SB percentage yet. Give Carew a million dollar incentive if he can get Buck to bunt safely 30 times.. 

 

Teach Buck to steal home. Like Billy Martin did with Carew. Again, its a good excuse to pay Rod some money. 

 

4. Sano needs a best friend and a guardian angel. He needs to be challenged daily to stay in shape and improve.  He can do it. If he balks or dogs it, trade him.

 

5.  Sign a front line starter with the money you save because you wont get all three of Cruz, Donaldson and Goldie. You shouldn't need 6 runs if you have good pitching. Maybe something comes back if Sano shows attitude. 

 

5. Sign two closer candidates for the BP.  Give Jake Reed or someone like that a shot. 

 

I'm saying it will boost the salary too high for the Twins to do it, but that team could win next year. 

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

I agree. Aggressively approach taking them both. Taking Grienke’s full contract will ease the return on prospects.

It will mean spending virtually all of the space in the budget. I still do it. Spend the bulk of the rest on one reliever. Go inexpensive on a one year 2B contract to a player looking to have a turn around year. Non tender Grossman to save a little.

The Twins may never have this much flexibility in their budget. How many other teams are in a position to make this deal? Go for it. Add two real difference makers.

I suspect AZ wants prospects though too. I think taking Grienke and Goldschmidt would do it... but I think we're still chipping in some guys.

 

I'd add that if the team is sold on Rooker/Weil, then perhaps 1 year of Goldschmidt is the right answer.

[David HK]

No.

[Rosterman]

You still have Raley in the first base mix, too. And maybe eventually Sano.

 

The bigger question: If the Twins go cheap on free agent monies in 2019 (and possibly 2020), we know that anything NOT spent doesn't carry over into the future. Right?

 

So is there anything wrong with spending the line this season. You still get to see how Goldschmidt does before even thinking of an extension, and always have the qualifying offer (or a draft pick return).

 

Twins prospects are still a good season (or two) out and realistically, looking at 2021 as being the day the Twins MIGHT field a team with some of their in-house talent competing.

[DocBauer]

He fits need and opportunity on many levels.

 

But once again, he's a 1 year rental at this point. There is a really nice nucleus in place here, but we also need health, a bit better luck than 2018, and for this nucleus to take the next step. With those things, and a couple smart moves, the 2019 Twins could surpass the 2017 Twins and actually contend for the Central, a playoff spot, and who knows.

 

The FO seems to finally be free to have the manager they want, coaches they want, and the direction going forward they want, from the top on down. There IS talent and opportunity to work with and develop. And for Rocco and his staff, along with moves we haven't seen yet, the talent made available, and what's coming up, should not be discounted.

 

But with that being said, he is a 1yr bandaid to provide excitement if an extension isn't worked in to the trade.