New Player Acquisitions: Who, When, and How?

[psturnbloom]

After a strong start giving the Twins the best record in baseball (for now), and the Indians in substantial trouble after Kluber's injury, winning the division this year is looking more and more likely. I've seen a lot of propositions as to who the front office should try to add to the team, from free agents Kimbrel and Keuchel to potential trade acquisitions like Bauer or Bumgarner. Being realistic, who (if any) do you think is the player or players most worthy of pursuit? And when is the time to acquire them?

[beckmt]

The Bullpen seems to be the biggest challange, but I think the Twins will let the play come to them.  Givens and some of the Giant relievers would be the most likely (question is the cost).  Also maybe Greene from Detroit.  It is a little early to be looking at this until the Twins sort out what they have and what they need.  Relievers unless elite are never wildly expensive and the Twins have the farm system depth to make this type of move. My guess in June sometime will be when moves should be made, clubs will fall back and out of contention and with the new trade deadline moving early should be cheaper and not getting caught in the panic of the last two weeks of the deadline.

[ashbury]

I thought we already reached consensus in that other thread that we shouldn't bother trying.

[Twodogs]

With Clevinger and Kluber both out for substantial time this is now the time for the Twins to make a move to improve their bullpen.  Now is the time to drive an extra nail or two into Clevelands coffin.  Id love to see Kimbrel, but more realistically they probably should go through San Fran and get one or two of their guys to bolster this club.  San Fran is in dire need of OF help.  

[Rosterman]

The Twins will ride this out a little.

 

They need a top-flight bullpen guy and probably another consistent arm.

 

They could trade for a frontline starter. They then have to make hard decisions on the future of Pineda, Gibson and Odorizzi with the team. Given the Twins, they will see another 4-5 starts from each before doing anything major.

 

You have to look hard at the minors. Who do the Twins have that need to be added to the 40-man. Who do they currently have on the 40-man that have little or no chance of making the Twins longterm.

 

Where do they have too much depth in the minors (i.e. fate or Gordon, Javier and Lewis, for example).

[Linus]

I would trade Cave for the best reliever available. Maybe throw in another lesser prospect if need be

[goulik]

 

I would trade Cave for the best reliever available. Maybe throw in another lesser prospect if need be

Wade is behind Cave and will be passed by Kiriloff, he should be in this discussion 

[Vanimal46]

I would trade for MadBum today if possible.

[Danchat]

I'd put some feelers out now, and see what relievers might be available. I would probably wait until June before getting into serious trade talks - I'd rather not wait until the end of July, but I think now is a bit early. By June we may also need another starter.

[Mike Sixel]

No one is getting traded until June, alas. Pitching of all kinds would be welcome.

 

Until then, I don't have much confidence in the minors providing a lot of help.

 

So, if the FO does make a move in the next few days, and it works, I'll be impressed.

[darin617]

If you are going to trade for a relief pitcher do it now before it turns into a bidding war for arms. What's the difference from waiting until July? Nothing. You still are going to have to overpay for good arms, may as well get a couple extra months out of them and make a deal now.

 

 

[Mike Sixel]

If you are going to trade for a relief pitcher do it now before it turns into a bidding war for arms. What's the difference from waiting until July? Nothing. You still are going to have to overpay for good arms, may as well get a couple extra months out of them and make a deal now.

Because sellers aren't selling yet, unless decades of history are about to be broken, which is possible. But likely?

[diehardtwinsfan]

well, I personally am not to terribly interested in Keuchel. Kimbrel on the other hand is one I think we should get. We need more relief help I think than starters. That only costs cash. I'm not against trading minor leaguers either, though I'd rather get the sure upgrade that can be had for cash first. 

[Craig Arko]

Doubtful anything happens before June. Sano will be the addition in May.

[SF Twins Fan]

 

well, I personally am not to terribly interested in Keuchel. Kimbrel on the other hand is one I think we should get. We need more relief help I think than starters. That only costs cash. I'm not against trading minor leaguers either, though I'd rather get the sure upgrade that can be had for cash first. 

 

Does anyone know when the Twins would no longer owe Boston a 3rd round pick for Kimbrel?

[Twodogs]

 

Does anyone know when the Twins would no longer owe Boston a 3rd round pick for Kimbrel?

After the draft.

[USAFChief]

 

After the draft.

Which I believe is Jun 3-5

[Linus]

Or, ya know, we could have signed any number of pitchers this winter. Our pitching has only been bad since since 2010 but I guess we needed another year to assess

[Riverbrian]

 

They decided in the off-season that rolling the dice with Perez and keeping Royce Lewis (or whoever) was better than paying the price to acquire Bumgarner or Stroman or Whoever. Nothing has taken place to cause the Giants to lower the price and nothing has taken place to suggest that the guys they chose for the rotation won't work out. 

 

They decided in the off-season that the bullpen arms they chose were the bullpen arms they wanted. Nothing has taken place thus far to change that. 

 

Just because we are nervous about the talent assembled in the rotation and bullpen doesn't mean they are.

 

Because if they are... they should have addressed that nervousness in the off-season. Anything else would be poor management. Going into the season with guys they didn't think would work out would be incompetence for a contending club. 

 

 

[Mike Sixel]

Looking at the standings, there aren't many sure fire sellers that have a pitcher you'd want right now.....that will change as teams around .500 fall off, and realize they are sellers.

[gunnarthor]

I still want the Twins to go after Dylan Bundy. He's horrible in Baltimore but he's in Baltimore. I think with a change of scenery, he could be good.

[PseudoSABR]

 

Or, ya know, we could have signed any number of pitchers this winter. Our pitching has only been bad since since 2010 but I guess we needed another year to assess

Like who?

[Mike Sixel]

Like who?

Patrick Corbin.

[ChrisKnutson]

If the “Harper-less” Nats continue to suck, I could see them shopping Doolittle.

[Linus]

Like who?

There were many free agent relievers available that weren’t too expensive

[Shaitan]

This guy is available https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/03/outrighted-duensing-wilkerson-okert.html

[PseudoSABR]

 

There were many free agent relievers available that weren’t too expensive

Are they working out? Without naming names, it's all theoretical: we'll signed the ones that worked out. FA Relievers across the board haven't been great value. (Exhibit A: Addison Reed).  I agree the Twins should have addressed the position more thoroughly--perhaps through trade if not FA, but that is easier said than done, and without some skin in the game (naming names), it's wishy-washy criticism.

[cardsfan]

I would trade for MadBum today if possible.

You are not the only fan forum advocating this. He likely has 28 starts left. He hasn't been all that great this year. If you win half his starts is it worth it?

 

What would you trade for him?

[jorgenswest]

I think someone will offer a top 30 prospect for Bumgarner. The Twins have a few of those in Kirilloff, Lewis and I think Graterol will get there and could be seen by the Giants in that neighborhood as we near July. They would really need to be blown away to deal him early.

 

I think they will get offers that are in the range like

 

Graterol + Larnach or Rooker

 

Kirilloff + Duran or Alcala

 

I would expect that the Giants would be willing to pay some salary to make sure the prospect return is maximized. I would expect them to look for top end prospects rather than a larger package of prospects approaching the top 100.

 

It hurts to give up prospects and you lose on many of these deals in the long run. It still might be time to do it.

 

I would aggressively compete for Bumgarner. If the Twins aren’t including any of the top 3 I don’t think they are really competing for Bumgarner.

[Mike Sixel]

Are they working out? Without naming names, it's all theoretical: well signed the ones that worked out. FA Relievers across the board haven't been great value. (Exhibit A: Addison Reed). I agree the Twins should have addressed the position more thoroughly--perhaps through trade if not FA, but that is easier said than done, and without some skin in the game (naming names), it's wishy-washy criticism.

How have the AAA players they've used worked out? Most have negative WAR. Is that better?