Wolfson: DFA'd Borbon a possibility

[nicksaviking]

The Rangers have 45 minutes to trade Borbon. They reportedly want a pitcher with options in return for him. They also are reportedly talking to the Orioles. What kind of slap in the face would it be if the Orioles snagged him from under the Twins nose by trading Alex Burnett.

[Craig in MN]

Mlbtraderumors says a trade is extremely unlikely and he will be going to waivers. If there was any interest in him at all from the Twins a week ago, you have to think that interest has grown in the past couple days.

[cmathewson]

That was the 1970's. If finishing one year out of 6 in third place is being in contention ...

 

Also, that was about the time the top salary in Baseball was $1 million, and the minimum salary was like $40K. I can see how you could make money with 600K fans and a payroll of $10 mil.

[Riverbrian]

I guess Borbon has hit waivers.

 

I can't imagine the Astros passing but if he does fall to the Twins... Man... What a hard decision it will be.

 

It's too soon to make any decisions on Hicks but if you wait... Borbon or someone like him would probably not be available.

 

I'd hate to make that call. Maybe the Astros will remove the need to make that call.

[ThePuck]

I guess Borbon has hit waivers.

 

I can't imagine the Astros passing but if he does fall to the Twins... Man... What a hard decision it will be.

 

It's too soon to make any decisions on Hicks but if you wait... Borbon or someone like him would probably not be available.

 

I'd hate to make that call. Maybe the Astros will remove the need to make that call.

 

what stinks is that they get first pick on the AL waiver wire when they achieved their poor record in the NL.

[Ultima Ratio]

what stinks is that they get first pick on the AL waiver wire when they achieved their poor record in the NL.

 

True, but I don't think they'd have a much better record last year, if they were in the AL then.

[Guest USAFChief]

what stinks is that they get first pick on the AL waiver wire when they achieved their poor record in the NL.

What stinks is the Twins are in a position where that matters.

[ThePuck]

What stinks is the Twins are in a position where that matters.

 

well, there's that too :-)

[johnnydakota]

It makes sense for our current situation. I'm for it.

 

Who would we release from the 40 man?

 

Drew Butera

[Craig in MN]

I guess Borbon has hit waivers.

 

I can't imagine the Astros passing but if he does fall to the Twins... Man... What a hard decision it will be.

 

It's too soon to make any decisions on Hicks but if you wait... Borbon or someone like him would probably not be available.

 

I'd hate to make that call. Maybe the Astros will remove the need to make that call.

 

 

Why is it a hard decision? Why can't you just dump Ramirez in favor of Borbon, and let Borbon be the bench guy for a while? When Mastroianni is healthy, then you have to make a decision about which of your 3 centerfield options to demote, but for right now it really couldn't be easier. The only problem is if the Twins think he isn't a better option than Ramirez or Thomas or whatever other CF they could use for the next 2 weeks.

[jokin]

Why is it a hard decision? Why can't you just dump Ramirez in favor of Borbon, and let Borbon be the bench guy for a while? When Mastroianni is healthy, then you have to make a decision about which of your 3 centerfield options to demote, but for right now it really couldn't be easier. The only problem is if the Twins think he isn't a better option than Ramirez or Thomas or whatever other CF they could use for the next 2 weeks.

 

This. Why this constant angst about the "torment" in having to replace replacement- or below-replacement-level players?

[wavedog]

This. (not sure what This. means but I have seen it in several posts, and it looks fun to type). Borbon looks appealing now just because of the way Hicks is currently batting. I have seen him play down here in Texas and he is a slightly lesser version of Ben Revere - same weak arm, little worse defense, hits about the same although he has some maddening AB's. He usually batted #9 in the order for Texas I beleive. In other words not a long term solution so I am indifferent if we pick him up or not. If we just need a MLB-ready body that can play CF for a couple of weeks - he fills the bill.

[Winston Smith]

Are we sure the Astors have the first claim? The first month of the season the order goes back to last year. Last year the Astros were in the NL which would give the Twins the first claim.

[snepp]

Are we sure the Astors have the first claim? The first month of the season the order goes back to last year. Last year the Astros were in the NL which would give the Twins the first claim.

 

The Astros are still get considered in the AL for the waiver purposes though.

[Otto von Ballpark]

I think we all ought to remember that Wilkin Ramirez isn't that good. He's 27 years old, without much of a MLB track record, and struck out once every 3.7 PA in the minors. I'm not sure how well that K rate will play as a pinch-hitting specialist.

 

Yeah, he has a bit of power and could be a better bench player than others we've tried recently, but let's not get ahead of ourselves here. If a guy like Borbon -- CF, contact hitter, good speed, .283 average in almost 700 MLB ABs -- is healthy and available for free, Ramirez probably isn't worth protecting. (Although perhaps you could make a case for him over others on our 40-man roster.)

 

EDIT: Borbon is particularly appealing given that Mastroianni is injured and a lot of his value is speed/defense which may be hampered for awhile.

[jokin]

This. (not sure what This. means but I have seen it in several posts, and it looks fun to type). Borbon looks appealing now just because of the way Hicks is currently batting. I have seen him play down here in Texas and he is a slightly lesser version of Ben Revere - same weak arm, little worse defense, hits about the same although he has some maddening AB's. He usually batted #9 in the order for Texas I beleive. In other words not a long term solution so I am indifferent if we pick him up or not. If we just need a MLB-ready body that can play CF for a couple of weeks - he fills the bill.

 

This (sorry, had to do it;)). The key phrase in your post is that you have a MLB-ready body- who has actually been a regular starter and played a ton on a team with expectations for competing for titles. The Twins corner OF defense is mediocre to downright awful, he would help make it less embarrassing, and help to save some pitchers' arms in the short-term until Hicks makes the necessary adjustments. Can we seriously complain about an injection of a Revere slash line versus the current epically record-setting futility?

[glunn]

Let's see if I have thiss how Gunn wants it.

 

My Brother There are different perceptions of reality. The thought patterns are what they are. I thought I read you went to the game up there. It was cold out there and things get numb in the cold, right? I doubt that they have the small flasks of liquid antifree so popular with some icefishermen when I was there so am I safe to assume you found an alternative?

 

Thank you for complying with TD policy!

[Otto von Ballpark]

In light of this potential waiver transaction, here's an interesting study:

 

Which GMs Are Most Active On The Waiver Wire?: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

 

Seems like Terry Ryan has been pretty quiet on the waiver front (only 3 successful claims in the past year), despite having near-top priority. I'd hope that a few of the guys currently on the 40-man would be expendable for a waiver gamble -- Ramirez and Butera look pretty expendable right now (5 catchers on the 40-man?), as well as maybe Thielbar in the bullpen, maybe Robertson too.

[jokin]

In light of this potential waiver transaction, here's an interesting study:

 

Which GMs Are Most Active On The Waiver Wire?: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

 

Seems like Terry Ryan has been pretty quiet on the waiver front (only 3 successful claims in the past year), despite having near-top priority. I'd hope that a few of the guys currently on the 40-man would be expendable for a waiver gamble -- Ramirez and Butera look pretty expendable right now (5 catchers on the 40-man?), as well as maybe Thielbar in the bullpen, maybe Robertson too.

 

+1 Good article find. There are obviously GMs out there with a lot more energy at digging and a higher sense of urgency at improving the W-L bottom line. For all the problems this team has with mediocre to below replacement players abounding, protecting your existing 40-man makeup should be your lowest priority. Rather, shaking guys up about their too-cushy job security and giving opportunities to comparable replacements seems like a priority for a team coming off of 195 losses in a new stadium.

[nicksaviking]

If people don't want to cut loose Rameriz, why not Tim Wood?

 

Getting Borbon isn't too exciting, but we really shouldn't get too attached to the bottom tier of the 40-man regardless of the situation. It's like playing Rummy, don't get too attached to the cards in your hand, something has to be discarded and there's a good chance the cards your competitors are forced to discard are a better match for you.

[jokin]

I think we all ought to remember that Wilkin Ramirez isn't that good. He's 27 years old, without much of a MLB track record, and struck out once every 3.7 PA in the minors. I'm not sure how well that K rate will play as a pinch-hitting specialist.

 

Yeah, he has a bit of power and could be a better bench player than others we've tried recently, but let's not get ahead of ourselves here. If a guy like Borbon -- CF, contact hitter, good speed, .283 average in almost 700 MLB ABs -- is healthy and available for free, Ramirez probably isn't worth protecting. (Although perhaps you could make a case for him over others on our 40-man roster.)

EDIT: Borbon is particularly appealing given that Mastroianni is injured and a lot of his value is speed/defense which may be hampered for awhile.

 

Yup. If you put Mastro on the 60 day DL, that gives him plenty of time to heal, creates a 40-man spot and gives you a real everyday option should Hicks need to be moved down.

[IdahoPilgrim]

I'm having a hard time understanding this desire on the part of some to keep swapping replacement players in and out of the 25- and 40-man rosters. Is it the old adage that if you throw enough jello against the wall, maybe some will stick?

 

People who are on waivers are there for a reason - you're not going to find quality talent that can make a noticeable difference. If you have a particular area where you are weak and the person can help in that specific area, maybe it makes sense. But just swapping players in and out and hoping something good happens seems senseless to me.

 

I guess I'm just not convinced that Borbon is a significant enough upgrade to bother with.

[jokin]

 

I guess I'm just not convinced that Borbon is a significant enough upgrade to bother with.

 

What part of your research tells you this?

[Physics Guy]

Because everything has to be based on research? He did say, "I guess...."

[Ultima Ratio]

How long do the Astro's (and every other team) have to make a claim? When are we "on the clock" if at all? I thought a player is on waivers for two days to be claimed, but have no idea how it works, besides order, during those two days. Anyone?

[snepp]

I believe that waivers last for 72 hours.

[cmathewson]

I believe that waivers last for 72 hours.

 

Meaning, he has passed through waivers by now and will be reassigned to Oklahoma City.

[snepp]

Meaning, he has passed through waivers by now and will be reassigned to Oklahoma City.

 

Didn't he just go on waivers today?

[cmathewson]

Didn't he just go on waivers today?

 

Oh, I thought the thread was started when he went on waivers, which was more than 72 hours ago. Maybe I confused a rumor with a report.

[LaBombo]

72 hours unclaimed starting from earlier today until he can be sent down, which espn says is "not likely to happen".

 

Still not seeing the problem with having a real CF who can also sub in left and pinch run if Hicks is sent down or Mastro is hurt.