Article: Span's Last Hurrah?

[nicksaviking]

I'd also like to toss this one back in the ring:

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/split.cgi?t=b&team=CIN&year=2012

 

A .249 OBP for a playoff team's leadoff hitters and .284 OBP for their CF's are going to have to be addressed for an up and coming team who's sites are set on being an annual contender. Either the Twins or the Reds may come to see that the other's offer didn't look half bad after all once the off-season begins.

[Lesser Dali]

I could not guess what the Rays would be willing to give up, but I think Span would do well playing at Tropicana Field. Fake turf, a controlled environment. I would guess his average would increase along with his power numbers. Also we might actually see a 30 stolen base season out of him because of Maddon's style of play. What would be the return? Cobb or Archer? That seems like a stretch, but maybe grabbing one of those guys is within the realm of possibility. Anyone?

[Nick Nelson]

I could not guess what the Rays would be willing to give up, but I think Span would do well playing at Tropicana Field. Fake turf, a controlled environment. I would guess his average would increase along with his power numbers. Also we might actually see a 30 stolen base season out of him because of Maddon's style of play. What would be the return? Cobb or Archer? That seems like a stretch, but maybe grabbing one of those guys is within the realm of possibility. Anyone?

I would guess that the Rays will be looking to move James Shields and his $9M salary this offseason. I'm sure they wouldn't be willing to trade him straight-up for Span but if you add in a little something else to spice up the package, maybe it happens.

[Lesser Dali]

I could not guess what the Rays would be willing to give up, but I think Span would do well playing at Tropicana Field. Fake turf, a controlled environment. I would guess his average would increase along with his power numbers. Also we might actually see a 30 stolen base season out of him because of Maddon's style of play. What would be the return? Cobb or Archer? That seems like a stretch, but maybe grabbing one of those guys is within the realm of possibility. Anyone?

I would guess that the Rays will be looking to move James Shields and his $9M salary this offseason. I'm sure they wouldn't be willing to trade him straight-up for Span but if you add in a little something else to spice up the package, maybe it happens.

 

James Shields is a nice pitcher, but isn't he a Free Agent after the 2013 season? Would that really make sense to trade Span and a few others for one year of Shields? The Twins would really have to be confident they could seriously make a run at the whole Sha-Bang if they make that kind of move. I am sceptical about this concept, but I do appreciate you throwing something my way. I am assuming that you think that Archer or Cobb could not be had in a Span trade.

[Brock Beauchamp]

I would guess that the Rays will be looking to move James Shields and his $9M salary this offseason. I'm sure they wouldn't be willing to trade him straight-up for Span but if you add in a little something else to spice up the package, maybe it happens.

 

If they asked for more than Span, I'd politely tell them to piss off. Shields is under control for two years at a combined $21m. Span is under control for three years at a combined $20m. Shields is a good pitcher but he hasn't been lighting the world on fire this season. Shields is also two years older than Denard.

 

If Tampa wanted something along the lines of a low upside PTBNL as organizational filler, sure, I'd do that deal. But if they want a player of any significance to the organization, I'd go elsewhere and look for someone with a lower price tag and more team control, even if it meant diving into the low minors and finding a guy who won't help until 2015.

[jimbo92107]

It's good to form attachments with players -- but you also have to let them go sometimes.

 

Yes, it's good to cheer for your favorite players. Just don't buy a jersey with a name on it. ;-)

[Wolfy]

These types of threads tend to devolve into trade him vs. don't trade him, but there's so much assumed that there really isn't any information there. I bet that even the hard core don't trade him types would swap him straight up for Verlander. Right?

 

My position is that we should be fielding offers, asking for good pitchers, and just seeing what happens. If nothing worthwhile is on offer, keep him. (And I say that even though I think we could very well get some pretty good pitching in return.) We have to be agnostic about whether he gets traded, because we don't know what's out there. Generally we know what we need, but whether it's available - that's a different story.

 

The Twins might be gun shy regarding a trade involving Span. IMO they just wouldn't get back in pitching what Span can give you night in and night out. But who knows?

[Siehbiscuit]

I think you have to look at moving Morneau and Span. The dropoffs from both to Revere and Parmelee would definitely be noticed. Morneau has been raking in the 2nd half and Span, whether you love him or hate him, is a very good leadoff hitter. Defensively, Revere is better than Span, but offensively there is a dramatic decline. The Twins have few positions of strength and 1B (because any good bat can be plugged in there) and OF. Our weaknesses (SS, 2B and SP) are REALLY weak throughout the organization.Trading Span for an elite middle infielder such as the 2B in the Reds system was talked about at the deadline. If the Reds fall apart in the playoffs due to continued poor leadoff hitting/table-setting for Bruce, Votto and Phillips the Reds may be willing to do that.

 

Morneau HAS value, because he is showing that he is healthy and when healthy he can hit. All it takes is one GM to take a chance on Morneau. You have to admit that with the way Morneau has been hitting, it will be attractive to teams looking for an impact bat this off-season.

 

Whether we trade it for pitching or middle infield help doesn't matter to me. The Twins need GOOD players everywhere and trading players when their values are highest is the best way to build in both the short and long term.

 

The pitching depth in free agency is much better than any middle infield FA we could sign. Best player available (excluding OF's) for Span and Morneau. Our weaknesses are REALLY weak. They have to be addressed.