Front Page: Trade Deadline Thread: How Do the Twins Respond to the Trevor Bauer Trade?

[Ted Schwerzler]

Down in South Beach tonight the Minnesota Twins proved victorious over the hapless Miami Marlins. Sitting at a local brewery for the latest Gleeman and the Geek event, the question was whether or not the away team would cap off the night with a deadline deal. Then it happened, the Cleveland Indians sent Trevor Bauer packing. Much like his heave over the center field wall in Kansas City, Mike Chernoff flipped his pitching asset to the National League. Now, it’s your move Derek Falvey.Seemingly an odd decision for the Indians to move Bauer in hopes of landing immediately usable talent, a situation presented itself in which they were able to do just that. Yasiel Puig comes to Cleveland fresh off a boxing match in Cincinatti, while Franmil Reyes and Logan Allen join from the west coast. The Indians acquire two immediate big league assets at a position of need, and two thirds of the deal brings significant team control. If you’re keeping score at home this one is a big time win for the AL Central division foe.

 

With the ball firmly in Derek Falvey’s court, it’s on the head honcho of the Twins front office to decide what the response looks like. Recent reports suggest Minnesota has bowed out of the starting pitching market, and there’s been ample belief that some of the biggest relief arms are unobtainable. Only touting Sergio Romo to this point, a race again the July 31 3pm CT deadline is officially underway.

 

The Big Guns

 

While Bauer falls in this category he certainly wasn’t a lock to be dealt. Apparently the San Francisco Giants are listening to the Astros on Madison Bumgarner but it’s still undetermined whether the rental swaps teams. Noah Syndergaard turned in an 11 strikeout performance on Tuesday night which suggests that nothing is imminent and that he’s as dominant as ever. Zack Greinke is really the only other pitcher of this ilk and his no-trade clause is going to be a hurdle in almost any negotiations.

 

 

Dominoes in Relief

 

After the Toronto Blue Jays took pennies on the dollar for starter Marcus Stroman it appeared the market had softened a bit for sellers. Then the Atlanta Braves acquired reliever Chris Martin Tuesday, but it cost them former first round pick, and previous top 25 prospect, Kolby Allard. After a tough, and brief, major league debut last season Allard has spent all of 2019 at Triple-A. He’s just 21 years old and under team control until 2025. That’s an incredibly steep price to pay for a 33-year-old having his first dominant year.

 

 

The Answer Ahead

 

I don’t know that the Twins will fill all of their current 40 man openings (presently at 37), but there’s zero doubt that a move has to be made. Romo was a nice start, but he seems to represent the floor and is only a single piece for a bullpen that needs to complete a full puzzle. Having been involved on virtually every name the market has flushed out, Falvey and Thad Levine are approaching decision making time.

 

On Wednesday the Twins will need to figure out whether an arm like Edwin Diaz (reportedly an ask of Andrew Benintendi was suggested) or Kirby Yates is the move, or if they can survive with the likes of Daniel Hudson. I’m not sure that either of those avenues are the right answer, with the ideal path lying somewhere inbetween. What certainly can’t happen is that Minnesota whiffs and wastes the opportunity that lies in front of them.

 

The reality is that this is a trade deadline of significant importance for the Minnesota Twins for the first time in nearly a decade. Although it’s understandable to still have a long term vision, nothing is guaranteed and opportunity currently lies in the immediate future.

 

How this front office goes about the next handful of hours will shape 2019 and beyond, but it will also be a chapter in Twins history that we likely revisit often. How would you go about the next few hours? What are some hopes and expectations for the day? Where do you believe the intentions are for what lies ahead?

 

More From Twins Daily

• Is Alex Kirilloff Expendable?
• Reviewing MLBTR’s Top 75 Trade Candidates
• What If The Twins Don't Go Big This Year?
• Deadline Rewind: A Progress Report on the Twins 2018 Trade Deadline Additions
• Twins Trade Deadline: Final Touches
• Twins Moving on From SP Trade Targets?
• What Sergio Romo Brings to the Twins Bullpen
• Could the Twins Afford to Take on Zack Greinke’s Contract?
• Trade Deadline Thread: The Rumor Mill is Working Overtime
• Trade Deadline Topics: Prospects, Scouting, Rumors
• Trade Deadline Thread: What To Do About the Rotation?
• The Gauntlet 1.2; A Complete Breakdown of the Top Relief Arms
• For Enlow and Other Minor Leaguers, “No One Is Safe” At Trade Deadline

Jeremy's Deadline Series

• Let's Make A Deal, Part VI: GM For A Deadline
• Let's Make A Deal, Part V: Are We Getting Noah Syndergaard or Someone Else?
• Let's Make A Deal, Part IV: The Sellers
• Let's Make A Deal, Part III: The Ammunition
• Let's Make A Deal, Part II: Payroll
• Let's Make A Deal, Part I: 2020

 

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[ScooterDance]

It’s so frustrating that we’re so clearly a buyer and have a great farm system and this is the stingiest deadline scenario ever.

 

When we have assets it’s a dead market. When we want to acquire them it’s “buxton lewis and Graterol for this 3.79 FIP reliever with 6k/9”

 

Ugh.

[Reider]

Acquire Giles and Syndergaard.

[jdoffing11]

 

Acquire Giles and Syndergaard.

Possible they were only bluffing asking for Buxton but the Mets clearly don't have a clue as to what they're doing, so if they need Buxton it's a clear no for Syndergaard. As for Giles, the elbow thing may actually be good news as it could lower the price and there is no structural damage, but it would still be a big risk so I'd need to get at least 1 more bullpen arm if I get him. 

[Reider]

 

Possible they were only bluffing asking for Buxton but the Mets clearly don't have a clue as to what they're doing, so if they need Buxton it's a clear no for Syndergaard. As for Giles, the elbow thing may actually be good news as it could lower the price and there is no structural damage, but it would still be a big risk so I'd need to get at least 1 more bullpen arm if I get him. 

Buxton is not going anywhere.

 

I'm not concerned about Giles' elbow, if it's just an inflammation issue.

 

Not only am I open to the Twins getting one more quality bullpen arm in addition to Giles, but I encourage it.

Edited July 31, 2019 by Reider

[DocBauer]

Right now, I am so confused. I need time to sort this all out.

 

The Wets..,errr..,Mets, make a trade for Stoman because they will now go on a tear to compete, or flip him to another team who was already interested and will somehow/someway pay more more for Stroman than before..? Or they will be more likely to deal Syndergard now than before despite his injury history and poor 2019 ERA, (just an example) because they are so deep?

 

The Indians trade their top SP for a couple of bats but weaken their rotation?

 

This crap is crazy!

 

And some want to question why the Twins FO are rubbing their hands together?

[Reider]

 

Right now, I am so confused. I need time to sort this all out. The Wets..,errr..,Mets, make a trade for Stoman because they will now go on a tear to compete, or flip him to another team who was already interested and will somehow/someway pay more more for Stroman than before..? Or they will be more likely to deal Syndergard now than before despite his injury history and poor 2019 ERA, (just an example) because they are so deep? The Indians trade their top SP for a couple of bats but weaken their rotation? This crap is crazy! And some want to question why the Twins FO are rubbing their hands together?

It looks to me like the Twins' FO are sitting on their hands, not rubbing them together. But we'll see.

[darin617]

Someone needs to get them out of the fetal position before they can make any deals before the deadline.

[psturnbloom]

We're gonna make more moves, right? With all the DFAing we've done in our bullpen these past weeks, that has to be what we're up to, right? We're not gonna go with just Romo, right? Right??

[drivlikejehu]

It's interesting how many posters here seem unfamiliar with the fact that most deadline deals happen right before the deadline . . .

[psturnbloom]

 

It's interesting how many posters here seem unfamiliar with the fact that most deadline deals happen right before the deadline . . .

Can you blame us? When's the last time the Twins were buyers?

[rgarfinkle]

Five things:

1. There are some second-tier lefty arms out there the Twins might go get. Andrew Chafin from D'Backs, Drew Pomeranz, one of the Marlins' lefties.  This would be a good move for Twins.

2. I think you might see Jonathan Schoop get traded.  Arraez and Adrianza can play 2nd now, they've both proven themselves as plus-hitters over last 3 months.

3. Any chance the Twins are cooking up a deal for Zach Greinke?  He's the one arm out there I'd like to see them get.

4. The most valuable commodity in baseball is young pitching.  Graterol, Balzovic, any of the young hurlers the Twins are high on will not move, should not move. Position players are another story...

5.  In Falvine we trust.  These guys have a philosophy, they're savvy, they've earned my trust.  This is not about money; this is about fit, risk/reward, short-term v. long-term, the fickleness of bullpen arms--lots of variables.  I trust these guys to figure it out, for this season and seasons to come.

[drivlikejehu]

 

Can you blame us? When's the last time the Twins were buyers?

 

The current front office was never in a clear 'buy' position before, so it's irrelevant.

[psturnbloom]

 

The current front office was never in a clear 'buy' position before, so it's irrelevant.

I mean the reason people may have never realized / forgotten trades happen the day of the deadline is because the Twins (current FO, past FO, whatever) haven't been buyers in a long time.

[drivlikejehu]

 

I mean the reason people may have never realized / forgotten trades happen the day of the deadline is because the Twins (current FO, past FO, whatever) haven't been buyers in a long time.

 

OK I misunderstood. But still, the trade deadline is a big event in baseball . . . the rush of last-minute deals is something I'd hope most fans have noticed in the past.

[MNT1996]

I think the Twins go after Giles. The price will probably be lower now and maybe if we get him we put him on the IL or something to rest up for a playoff push.

[highlander]

Vasquez or bust!

[howeda7]

 

It looks to me like the Twins' FO are sitting on their hands, not rubbing them together. But we'll see.

They're not sitting on them. They're clinging to their precious, precious prospects like grim death dreaming of someday that will never come. 

[gagu]

I looked over the transactions list yesterday. Last year there were 18 trades made at the deadline with five on the day before it. More trades one the last day than the six previous days combined. In 2017, it was 15 deadline day trades, with 3 on the 30th. Being anxious for trades is understandable, we all are, but the history is clear that most deals come very late. Ripping on the FO not being aggressive enough this week has gotten old. Plenty of time for that at 3:01 PM if nothing good happens.  

[David HK]

How do we respond to the Cleveland trade?

 

With pitching. Period. We need it desperately. That Yankee series showed it in glaring light. This is a one-and-done team if we succeed in making the playoffs as it is.

 

Well, if anything happens, pitching-wise, it will be welcome. The Tribe picked up a couple of big bats, and they'll get a couple of front-line pitchers back themselves soon. For Dog's sake, we've got a lot of 40-man decisions coming up, and not enough room for all our young sluggers. We run the risk of losing some guys with nothing in return.

 

There is no reason not to find a deal.

[the_brute_squad]

It Twins v Yankees today. Which franchise has more coveted prospects to include in a deal for a front line pitcher or reliever.

[AlwaysinModeration]

Is it bad that I’d never heard of Franmil Reyes before yesterday? Puig I’d heard of, but man, sure seems like the Indians traded out of the frying pan and into the fire there.

 

I think I’ve said this before, but as long as the Twins don’t trade Lewis, Kiriloff, Graterol, Balazovic, Cavaco, Duran, and Arraez, I think they can get some really useful arms today. Some combination of Larnach, Javier, Rooker, Gordon, Thorpe, Smeltzer, Romero, Gonsalves and Enlow can net a nice return.

[David HK]

 

Is it bad that I’d never heard of Franmil Reyes before yesterday? Puig I’d heard of, but man, sure seems like the Indians traded out of the frying pan and into the fire there.

I think I’ve said this before, but as long as the Twins don’t trade Lewis, Kiriloff, Graterol, Balazovic, Cavaco, Duran, and Arraez, I think they can get some really useful arms today. Some combination of Larnach, Javier, Rooker, Gordon, Thorpe, Smeltzer, Romero, Gonsalves and Enlow can net a nice return.

Long term, I'm more worried about Reyes than Puig.  He's awfully young and Sano-sized. Plus, they got 2 good young arms, 1 of them probably added-on compensation for Puig getting in that brawl.

[sloopjont]

No buying postition to be in when trying to make a deal: desperate.

[Dave Overlund]

I honestly do believe in Falvey and Levine, but we need to consider the possibility that our young execs are the ones getting eaten alive out there... 

 

[Old Twins Cap]

The deadline is the hammer that makes deals possible as GMs run up against the possibility of getting nothing.

 

Before that, they believe they can do better if they hold out for more.

 

Once reality bites, then they come down and deal.

 

Twins should not be expected to rectify their pitching corps in one trading deadline: they have too many holes.

 

So, if they add anything of value, that's the best we can hope for, along without losing anything of great value.

[AlwaysinModeration]

Ok, there are eight hours left. I’m setting the over/under for new Twins by the end of the day at 1.5. What’ve you got?

[Dman]

Man Cleveland got a haul there and they got just what they needed as well. I hope their FO is writing thank you notes to Cincinnati.  Reyes appears to be Sano part 2, They get another big bat in Puig to finish this year out with.  They get Allen who was considered at top 100 prospect by some and Moss looks like a very good reliever is his floor as well as a flier on a young bat..  All for the reds to have essentially a one year shot at a playoff berth?  They have to be crazy.  Why can't we ever run into deals like this?  

 

Well buckle up because the fight for the division is on now.  Just when I thought the Indians might be starting to crumble they get a boost like this to keep them at the top.  I am sure it was a tough decision to give up Bauer early but I think they still have enough front line pitching to win the division they just needed more power in their lineup and they just got it.  Baseball is funny you never know what is going to happen but this trade looks like it really helps the Indians for the stretch run.  We'll have to see how it plays out.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

This is beautiful...The Indians trade the "unusual" Mr. Bauer for (drum-roll please) the "unusual" Mr. Puig. I can't wait to see what happens next. Fights, damaged drones, balls thrown out of the park. I bet there was/will be so much "unusual" drama in the Indians clubhouse that Francona will resign and write a best seller. I know I would buy the book. In fact I think I will troll the "Let's Go Tribe" website.  

[Puckett34]

 

It Twins v Yankees today. Which franchise has more coveted prospects to include in a deal for a front line pitcher or reliever.

I don't think its a question of who has more coveted prospects. Both organizations have plenty. 

 

I think its more of a question of who's willing to part with said prospects.

 

2-3 pitchers today please. Preferrably more of a priority on the bullpen.