Should Twins Acquire Wheeler?

[Physics Guy]

Buster Olney is reporting that the Phillies are open to trading Zack Wheeler due to the financial crunch caused from the pandemic.

 

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/30462167/sources-philadelphia-phillies-open-trade-offers-right-hander-zack-wheeler

 

The Twins were one of the top suitors for Wheeler last year.  The main reason the Twins were not able to acquire him was due to his desire to stay on the on the east coast.  I know he might not be excited about going to the Twins, but it can't hurt that he would be going to a contender.  I don't think the Phillies are contenders any time soon.  If the Twins would be willing to take on the whole contract, the prospect cost might not be very high.  I'm skeptical the Twins want to add that contract this year, but I would be a strong "Let's go for it" statement.

[specialiststeve]

^{22.5 per year .... 4 more years........ Not happening.... ........} 

[terrydactyls]

Also, the Phillies are denying that they are willing to trade Wheeler.

[Rosterman]

There has to be other pitchers to spend that money on that don't involve trading any prospects.

 

[TopGunn#22]

Well, it could be done. 

Rosario's $8 million. 

Sano's $11 Million (if we trade him). 

Romo's $5 million.  Marwan's $8-$9 Million.  

If the Twins traded Sano, they could pretty much get it done. 

I think if the Twins are willing to be just a BIT aggressive they could do a LOT to improve this team.  

I would much rather have Kiriloff at 1B and Wheeler in our rotation than have no Wheeler and Sano at 1B.

I am NOT advocating giving Sano away for nothing.  His power is impressive What could we get for him?

Somebody will be intrigued.  We should have a BUNCH of guys at ML minimums on our roster.

We CAN add a pitcher like Wheeler.  He's not Bauer.  But he's awfully good at a much lower cost.

The Twins cannot stand still and expect to just stroll to the division crown and the playoffs.

These are strange times but a front office willing to be creatively aggressive could do a LOT.

 

 

 

 

[jorgenswest]

The Twins spent that money on Donaldson. Before that is was Mauer. In three years Donaldson’s contract will be off the books and they can take on another big contract.

 

Taking on two big contracts by adding up a bunch of smaller pieces doesn’t work because all of those spots need to be filled by someone earning a salary and while several could be at a minimum next year they won’t stay at a minimum.

[IndianaTwin]

 

Also, the Phillies are denying that they are willing to trade Wheeler.

 

Phillies owner John Middleton: “If they offered me Babe Ruth, I wouldn’t trade (Wheeler).”

 

Well, yeah. The Bambino’s been dead for more than 70 years. 

[BeatTheRich]

 

Phillies owner John Middleton: “If they offered me Babe Ruth, I wouldn’t trade (Wheeler).”

 

Well, yeah. The Bambino’s been dead for more than 70 years. 

But Lou Gehrig, now that's a different story. Because even dead, you half expect the Iron Horse to show up and play.

 

Little-known fact: Gehrig's other nickname was Biscuit Pants. Take that, Mr October Reggie Jackson. Biscuit Pants is in da house!

[Physics Guy]

 

^{22.5 per year .... 4 more years........ Not happening.... ........} 

They could handle this, but it would likely mean DH by committee and likely only adding one Util and one RP.   I'm not sure they should, but it is doable.   His salary is only about $5M/yr more than Odorizzi got last year.   If they can do it without losing Duran, Balazovic, Kirilloff, Larnach or Rooker, I think they should strongly consider it.   Now it sounds as though the reports were erroneous, but these are the types of deals the Twins should be looking at.   Find teams that are needing to dump payroll and add quality players with minimal cost outside of absorbing the salary. 

[Physics Guy]

In addition, Pineda is only signed through 2021. Berrios is only under team control through 2022.  This would add more stability to the rotation. I know finances aren't what they were last year, but if you were willing to go after Wheeler last year, why not this year? They cleared significant payroll from last year.

[nicksaviking]

I wanted Wheeler last year, but didn't give him a second thought after he said he wanted to stay on the East Coast.

 

I don't want him if he doesn't want to be here (but maybe things have changed and he's open to it). I'd hate to have another Ricky Nolasco situation.

 

Also, I really don't like the sharp decrease in strikeouts. That seems like a red flag to me.

[RedBull34]

I would pass.  Rather they went and signed Bauer (who PROBABLY won't cost that much more then Wheeler, and with no prospect cost) if they want to blow the bank, which they won't.

 

Sign Hernandez, Sign Pillar, and a couple of relievers are my highest hopes for this offseason.  I just don't see payroll growing.  I think that's why Rosario was let go.  Falvey was probably expecting a growing budget, but now it's (at best) stagnant, so Rosario was forced to be let go to pay for what needs to get done.

[jud6312]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: if they're looking to trade for a SP from Pennsylvania, I'd rather they go for Joe Musgrove.

 

 

[lukeduke1980]

This topic came up because of Phillies' reported financial loss this year -- how have other teams / Twins done financially?

[Major League Ready]

 

This topic came up because of Phillies' reported financial loss this year -- how have other teams / Twins done financially?

 

Industry estimates are roughly $3B for the 30 teams combined. The Phillies claim to have lost $145M. Twins were probably around league average. 

[Battle ur tail off]

He won't play here. His brother's girlfriend's ex-husband's wife's friend's dog has a nice home in Philly.   

 

 

[specialiststeve]

Hopefully the Twins are in on the discussions with the Reds for Sonny Gray... Reasonable contract for the next 3 years. Kinda fits the Twins .... Not sure what the cost would be though. 

[IndianaTwin]

 

^{22.5 per year .... 4 more years........ Not happening.... ........} 

 

That's actually understating the remaining obligation. Though the contract was $118M/5 yrs = $23.6M/yr., the years weren't even. It was $21.5M last year and $22.5 in 2021, but the remaining years are $26M, $24.5M, and $23.5M. That means the remaining obligation is $96.5/4 = $24.125M/yr. 

 

And the original contract was for a 30-year-old. Now he's a 31-year-old, so in theory you missed out on what should have been his best year if he follows a normal aging pattern.

 

AND you have to give up something of value to get him, instead of a doing it as a free agent signing and only giving up a draft pick. So, to affirm what you've said....

 

Not happening.

 

Now if you get Philly to take on part of the contract, then you can revisit the conversation, but it still seems doubtful. 

[Physics Guy]

 

That's actually understating the remaining obligation. Though the contract was $118M/5 yrs = $23.6M/yr., the years weren't even. It was $21.5M last year and $22.5 in 2021, but the remaining years are $26M, $24.5M, and $23.5M. That means the remaining obligation is $96.5/4 = $24.125M/yr. 

 

And the original contract was for a 30-year-old. Now he's a 31-year-old, so in theory you missed out on what should have been his best year if he follows a normal aging pattern.

 

AND you have to give up something of value to get him, instead of a doing it as a free agent signing and only giving up a draft pick. So, to affirm what you've said....

 

Not happening.

 

Now if you get Philly to take on part of the contract, then you can revisit the conversation, but it still seems doubtful. 

It seems as if this discussion is all for naught due to the Phillies owner's proclamation that they are not trading Wheeler.  But for the sake of argument, this might not be much different than a FA signing.  If there are teams that are really in a big financial crunch, the cost of acquisition (in terms of prospects) might be minimal if the acquiring team takes on the entire financial burden. If the Twins are in good financial shape, these are the types of trades they should be looking to make.

[specialiststeve]

 

That's actually understating the remaining obligation. Though the contract was $118M/5 yrs = $23.6M/yr., the years weren't even. It was $21.5M last year and $22.5 in 2021, but the remaining years are $26M, $24.5M, and $23.5M. That means the remaining obligation is $96.5/4 = $24.125M/yr. 

 

And the original contract was for a 30-year-old. Now he's a 31-year-old, so in theory you missed out on what should have been his best year if he follows a normal aging pattern.

 

AND you have to give up something of value to get him, instead of a doing it as a free agent signing and only giving up a draft pick. So, to affirm what you've said....

 

Not happening.

 

Now if you get Philly to take on part of the contract, then you can revisit the conversation, but it still seems doubtful. 

 

No thank you on Wheeler... do need to check in with Cincy with Sonny Gray available... contract very reasonable... very good pitcher. 

[bustedstuff88]

Phillies were idiots to ever pay him that kinda money, now they are crying poor?

 

Sorry suckers. You made your bed. Have fun sleeping in it for the next 4 years. 

[prouster]

Phillies were idiots to ever pay him that kinda money, now they are crying poor?

 

Sorry suckers. You made your bed. Have fun sleeping in it for the next 4 years.

I take it you haven’t actually looked at Wheeler’s stat line from this year.

[amjgt]

 

No thank you on Wheeler... do need to check in with Cincy with Sonny Gray available... contract very reasonable... very good pitcher. 

 

Or Darvish, who's rumored to be available

 

[bustedstuff88]

 

I take it you haven’t actually looked at Wheeler’s stat line from this year.

 

 

Just reviewed it. Am I supposed to be impressed? 

[prouster]

 

Just reviewed it. Am I supposed to be impressed? 

So you see he was pretty good this year, right? Definitely not under-performing his contract.

[bustedstuff88]

 

So you see he was pretty good this year, right? Definitely not under-performing his contract.

 

Not 22 Million good though. 

 

Especially not 22 million good for age 31, 32, 33 and 34 seasons....

 

 

[umterp23]

 

I've said it before and I'll say it again: if they're looking to trade for a SP from Pennsylvania, I'd rather they go for Joe Musgrove.

LIving in Pittsburgh area, but grew up MD as an Orioles fan.  Musgrove would be a very nice pickup for the Twins.  Pirates are and will continue to be a dumpster fire of minor league talent and a couple big league guys that fill out the roster.  They are in it to make money and put a team on the field that would fit nicely at the AAA level = they aren't spending big time money to keep their players as contracts expire.  Big time prospects to get Musgrove aren't needed to secure his services.