Trade Deadline

[SoDakTwinsFan]

What do you all hope to see the Twins do at the deadline? 

Blow it up?  Get a top end bat or two and turn this thing around?  Stand pat?

Because this team is not a WS contender but still make the playoffs because there division is terrible, I think they should not make any splashy moves unless they get an offer for Sonny Gray they can't refuse.  I am a big believer in trading your prospects if it bolsters an already contending team.  This is not a contending team and might make the playoffs with a losing record.  So I do not believe we should by buyers.  We do have some attractive pieces that I think the twins should take phone calls on but only trade if they offer is way too good to pass up.
 

[Mike Sixel]

I'd sell Gray if they can get a top 50 prospect and another guy for him. I may or may not deal Maeda, most likely I do. That, of course, destroys the rotation, so I maybe don't. This team can still win a playoff series if they get two OFers that can hit....so it is possible I just keep both these guys, but I 100% do the next line.

I'd DFA Kepler, trade Gallo and Taylor, and see what the young OFers can do. Gotta figure that out for next year. 

I'd IL Buxton until he can play the field, but I'd consider not doing that. He's actually a slightly above average hitter right now.

I'd call up Williams or Camargo to play C opposite Jeffers and use Vazquez as a backup at C and first. 

If all three OFers go, I call up Larnach, Celestino and Wallner to play the OF. 

IF Gordon comes back before the deadline, I deal Castro if I can get a 45 value prospect. If not, I keep him.

 

[RpR]

27 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

I'd sell Gray if they can get a top 50 prospect and another guy for him. I may or may not deal Maeda, most likely I do. That, of course, destroys the rotation, so I maybe don't. This team can still win a playoff series if they get two OFers that can hit....so it is possible I just keep both these guys, but I 100% do the next line.

I'd DFA Kepler, trade Gallo and Taylor, and see what the young OFers can do. Gotta figure that out for next year. 

I'd IL Buxton until he can play the field, but I'd consider not doing that. He's actually a slightly above average hitter right now.

I'd call up Williams or Camargo to play C opposite Jeffers and use Vazquez as a backup at C and first. 

If all three OFers go, I call up Larnach, Celestino and Wallner to play the OF. 

IF Gordon comes back before the deadline, I deal Castro if I can get a 45 value prospect. If not, I keep him.

 

Well they might win the  Triple-A National Championship Game,

[Squirrel]

6 minutes ago, RpR said:

Well they might win the  Triple-A National Championship Game,

Instead of mocking posters for answering a question, why don’t you answer it yourself.

[Mike Sixel]

12 minutes ago, RpR said:

Well they might win the  Triple-A National Championship Game,

They aren't winning the WS with THIS OF....and all of them are gone after this year. They 100% need to figure out if any of the guys in AA or AAA are realistic options (or at least gather more data on them). And, I'm answering so others can see where I'm coming from, not arguing with you at all. 

[SwainZag]

Unless the Twins really fall flat in July, I am not selling much but looking at possibly adding a RH bat and another relief option, preferably players who have at least another year left on their current deals,

 

[Mike Sixel]

11 minutes ago, SwainZag said:

Unless the Twins really fall flat in July, I am not selling much but looking at possibly adding a RH bat and another relief option, preferably players who have at least another year left on their current deals,

 

I think that's a fair take, though I have zero interest in trading anything of value for a RH bat. I could be persuaded to deal Larnach for one that had 1.5 years of control, but who's doing that on the other side?

[umterp23]

I'm not sure what the infatuation would be for Gordon.  Castro gives you a lot of flexibility as a 4th OF, has speed, decent defense no matter where you put him and is a switch hitter.  Gordon is very one dimensional compared to Castro.  Castro shouldn't be everyday guy unless he is spelling multiple guys in a week.  

Definitely move Kepler, Gallo and possible Lopez if he doesn't perform after taking a mental break for a reset.  

Do we really want Vazquez as a backup 1b.  Miranda before Vazquez if he stays up.  If you move Gallo, Kiriloff gets more run in the OF and then Miranda has an option.  Solano shouldn't be an everyday player

Polanco is the wild card on Julien/Farmer rotation in the infield

[Mike Sixel]

2 minutes ago, umterp23 said:

I'm not sure what the infatuation would be for Gordon.  Castro gives you a lot of flexibility as a 4th OF, has speed, decent defense no matter where you put him and is a switch hitter.  Gordon is very one dimensional compared to Castro.  Castro shouldn't be everyday guy unless he is spelling multiple guys in a week.  

Definitely move Kepler, Gallo and possible Lopez if he doesn't perform after taking a mental break for a reset.  

Do we really want Vazquez as a backup 1b.  Miranda before Vazquez if he stays up.  If you move Gallo, Kiriloff gets more run in the OF and then Miranda has an option.  Solano shouldn't be an everyday player

Polanco is the wild card on Julien/Farmer rotation in the infield

What are you doing with Vazquez? No one is trading for him, and you aren't DFAing him after three months.

I'd deal Castro because he's never been this good and might have value. Gordon doesn't. It's not an infatuation....trust me. I wanted Trea Turner....

Miranda is up for at least 6 weeks, unless he falls on his face. Lewis is likely out that long. 

[umterp23]

1 minute ago, Mike Sixel said:

What are you doing with Vazquez? No one is trading for him, and you aren't DFAing him after three months.

I'd deal Castro because he's never been this good and might have value. Gordon doesn't. It's not an infatuation....trust me. I wanted Trea Turner....

Miranda is up for at least 6 weeks, unless he falls on his face. Lewis is likely out that long. 

Early poster had Vazquez playing 1st so they could be bring up Carmago to rotate with Jeffers.  Vazquez, my point is why would put him at 1st.  

[farmerguychris]

I do not want to trade any more young talent for short term rentals.  I would be open to trading away expiring contracts for players under control, but only a step away from the big leagues.  Think even if we lost a couple players like Gray or Solano, we could still win at least 1 playoff game, and still won't likely win a playoff series -but at least we would be still building for the future.

[RpR]

40 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

They aren't winning the WS with THIS OF....and all of them are gone after this year. They 100% need to figure out if any of the guys in AA or AAA are realistic options (or at least gather more data on them). And, I'm answering so others can see where I'm coming from, not arguing with you at all. 

I see  where tact you are taking  is going, but the Twins have gone from a Leading team to a mediocre team.

They are not the laughing stock of the league but get mention only for there poor performance; if they turn into a AAA and one-half team, they will be the humor point of the league, and fans do not pay to see a AAA and one-half team, that is finding out if they have winners or losers.

Let them play out the year with the starters they started with using rookies only if absolutely necessary.

Leave the rookies in AAA to get experience and come to Training Camp next spring with confidence, not come up and get destroyed psychologically  by getting hammered due to not being ready yet.

At least one or two teams have old school rookies who are ready before they even hit AAA, nowadays that is rare, very rare; it seems a lot are not going to last long even in AAA as baseball is run now.

[weitz41]

I think they'll buy and sell. I don't expect anything flashy. Say something like Kepler or Gallo to Astros for an MLB middle reliever or a AAA prospect. The Astros are really light on lefthanded hitters. 

Probably the biggest trade is something like Larnach for Lane Thomas and Edwards Jr.

[chpettit19]

15 minutes ago, RpR said:

I see  where tact you are taking but the Twins have gone from a Leading team to a mediocre team.

They are not the laughing stock of the league but get mention only for there poor performance; if they turn into a AAA and one-half team, they will be the humor point of the league, and fans do not pay to see a AAA and one-half team, that is finding out if they have winners or losers.

Let them play out the year with the starters they started with using rookies only if absolutely necessary.

Leave the rookies in AAA to get experience and come to Training Camp next spring with confidence, not come up and get destroyed psychologically  by getting hammered due to not being ready yet.

At least one or two teams have old school rookies who are ready before they even hit AAA, nowadays that is rare, very rare; it seems a lot are not going to last long even in AAA as baseball is run now.

When do rookies get a shot then? You want to start next year as a "AAA and one-half team?" None of the guys we're asking to call up are skipping AAA. They've all been in AAA, and are in their mid to upper 20s. We're not talking about a bunch of 21 or 22 year olds. If they're destroying AAA right now, as some of them are, they have confidence. Way more confidence than they'd get from a month of spring training at bats. If these guys aren't ready yet they're never going to be ready. The Twins need to find that out in a season when they can barely break .500 with the starters they started the year with. Fans do not pay to see a terrible offense that can barely score 2 or 3 runs a game, either.

[Mike Sixel]

23 minutes ago, umterp23 said:

Early poster had Vazquez playing 1st so they could be bring up Carmago to rotate with Jeffers.  Vazquez, my point is why would put him at 1st.  

Because you aren't cutting him, and Camargo might be better right now. That was me..... Backup at catcher and first, of I want clear....

[RpR]

28 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

When do rookies get a shot then? You want to start next year as a "AAA and one-half team?" None of the guys we're asking to call up are skipping AAA. They've all been in AAA, and are in their mid to upper 20s. We're not talking about a bunch of 21 or 22 year olds. If they're destroying AAA right now, as some of them are, they have confidence. Way more confidence than they'd get from a month of spring training at bats. If these guys aren't ready yet they're never going to be ready. The Twins need to find that out in a season when they can barely break .500 with the starters they started the year with. Fans do not pay to see a terrible offense that can barely score 2 or 3 runs a game, either.

They pay to see names they know, not -- where did this dude come from .

Most fans do not religiously follow minor leagues like some here do -- Although -- with the Twins this is getting hard to do as gents to not stay around long.

[jorgenswest]

I can get behind the swap in outfielders though I don’t expect anyone in AAA striking out 30% of the time at that level to be very effective in the majors. If anything the Twins need bats that can put balls in play.

I can’t get behind the catchers. Camargo has 69 strike outs and 13 walks in the pitching poor AAA. He is not ready. Give him time at AAA. Williams is not a catcher and is not being developed to be a catcher.

I am not a buyer at the deadline unless the Twins win 4 series in a row. They have a chance to do that with the weak July schedule. They don’t have much to sell. A Gray offer would have to be pretty good because worst case they have a comp pick. Gallo, Kepler and Taylor would likely bring back a return of a player that is a fringe rule 5 decision or out of options for next year. They might expect someone like the Alex Presley return they acquired when they traded Morneau.

[chpettit19]

38 minutes ago, RpR said:

They pay to see names they know, not -- where did this dude come from .

Most fans do not religiously follow minor leagues like some here do -- Although -- with the Twins this is getting hard to do as gents to not stay around long.

Ticket sales are up from last year. This team has 12 new players on it from last year right now. If you're counting Wallner as "new" (which have been on all these boards for weeks) then they have 6 other guys who are "new" that you suggest fans wouldn't pay to see. That's 18 guys, but you think making it 19 or 20 guys is going to make fans stop paying even if they win?

If Wallner is too new to call up then Jordan Balazovic, Jose De Leon, Brent Headrick, Pablo Lopez, Tyler Mahle, Oliver Ortega, Brock Stewart, Louie Varland, Simeon Woods-Richardson, Christian Vazquez, Kyle Farmer, Joey Gallo, Edouard Julien, Alex Kirilloff, Royce Lewis, Donovan Solano, Willi Castro, and Michael A Taylor should all be cut today. None of those guys have significantly more time with the Twins than Wallner does. Or they didn't at the start of the year. 

Fans pay to see good teams. Especially good offenses. If your team is full of names people recognize, but never win, fans don't pay. Viewership of the Twins has been trending down for a month plus. They haven't been turning the team over to the young guys, but they have been losing. Why aren't the fans still tuning in if they're still rolling with almost all the position players from opening day? Is it because fans care more about the offense being good than recognizing Kepler's name on a jersey?

[Twins33]

I have a hard time throwing in the towel at this very moment because the pitching staff is top five in MLB. At this specific point in time, I hope they are buyers, but unfortunately they need a lot which may make it impossible…

They need two OF (if one is Wallner, that’s fine)

They need a 1B. I’d love if Kirilloff would pick it up to where this isn’t a need. He’s heading in the wrong direction right now.

1-2 RP

2B/DH (this would all depend on Polanco and Buxton)

Somehow, the Twins need a Shannon Stewart type jolt. Probably more than one…

[strumdatjag]

If Buxton and Correa start to have a positive offensive impact on this team, there will be no need to add an offensive player (except maybe a Right-handed corner outfielder).   If they don’t, then there is equally no need (meaning they shouldn’t have been buyers anyway).  They can’t sell when they are in or even near first place in the division. 
Instead of acquiring a reliever, the Twins should look to moving starters to the pen for the 2nd half and hopefully the playoffs.   Think of the options they have - Maeda, Dobnak, Keuchel, Varland, Winder. One of those is the fifth starter, but the rest are prime candidates to bolster the bullpen. 
Caleb Thielbar should be back at some point too.  

[Paul Walerius]

I dont think i touch the starting pitching.   What I would consider is a trade for Soto and another for Goldschmidt. Dont know if either of those are available.   Maybe include Gallo/Kepler.  

[cmoss84]

Any time you are a front runner to win your division, you have to be buyers. But then again I am much more aggressive minded than most.

[Doctor Wu]

I was pretty much content to just let this current team sink or swim. I really don't want to give up any more prospects at this point. That said, due to injuries and the Pagan factor, I think we need another quality arm in the bullpen, but that's also assuming that we are still in contention a month from now and look like we stand a serious chance of advancing in the playoffs. Our starting pitching is pretty much set, and most of the position players are capable of performing better than they have been. 

[Nashvilletwin]

14 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

When do rookies get a shot then? You want to start next year as a "AAA and one-half team?" None of the guys we're asking to call up are skipping AAA. They've all been in AAA, and are in their mid to upper 20s. We're not talking about a bunch of 21 or 22 year olds. If they're destroying AAA right now, as some of them are, they have confidence. Way more confidence than they'd get from a month of spring training at bats. If these guys aren't ready yet they're never going to be ready. The Twins need to find that out in a season when they can barely break .500 with the starters they started the year with. Fans do not pay to see a terrible offense that can barely score 2 or 3 runs a game, either.

I couldn’t agree more and I see Mike’s point too.

Personally, I’d move as many of the current players whom we know will not be here next year and for whom we have a burgeoning player ready to take that place. So, that means some subset of Kepler, Gallo, Solano, Castro and even Taylor and Polanco are on the block.  They can be replaced by Larnach, Miranda, Julien, Wallner and a few others who are as described in the above post. On the pitching side, it’s moving Gray that will do the most for our future.

There is a strong argument that this team as constructed is not truly a contender, even if we hang on and win the AL Central. It’s about building a new, multi year window starting this trade deadline. Yes, this month!

 

[Vanimal46]

I’m selling… unless the Twins go on an unprecedented winning streak in July. Sonny Gray is our best realistic trade asset and I would sell high on his best season to date. If Maeda has value I would move him as well. If Thielbar and Polanco can recover in time for the deadline I explore trading them as well. 

[chpettit19]

5 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

I couldn’t agree more and I see Mike’s point too.

Personally, I’d move as many of the current players whom we know will not be here next year and for whom we have a burgeoning player ready to take that place. So, that means some subset of Kepler, Gallo, Solano, Castro and even Taylor and Polanco are on the block.  They can be replaced by Larnach, Miranda, Julien, Wallner and a few others who are as described in the above post. On the pitching side, it’s moving Gray that will do the most for our future.

There is a strong argument that this team as constructed is not truly a contender, even if we hang on and win the AL Central. It’s about building a new, multi year window starting this trade deadline. Yes, this month!

 

I agree the team isn't ready to compete with the big guys in October. I do hope they make it and break "the streak," though, as I think there's value in taking that monkey of the orgs back. I wouldn't move Castro as I think he's a great 26th man on the roster. He has 2 years of arbitration left, and is only 26. I wouldn't trade him. I don't think I'd trade Taylor either. I don't think he brings back any real prospects, and he has worth on this team. And I don't know about Polanco either. I can't imagine he has much value right now, and I don't like the idea of trading him for nothing. I think I'd keep him in hopes that he comes back in the 2nd half and reestablishes his value for a possible offseason trade. Gray is a fascinating situation. I'd definitely be listening to offers, and if someone offers something worthy of the rest of the year of Gray, and a comp pick after round 1, I'd be willing to pull the trigger. But wouldn't move him just to move him. Have to get something real for him.

But I loathe the idea of going into 2024 with no idea if Wallner, Larnach, Miranda, Julien, etc. are real pieces. I have no desire to bring in more rental position players with modest ceilings who aren't taking this team anywhere again. Miranda is going to get his shot until Lewis is back, I'd guess. Julien is getting his now. Larnach has had a few. But Wallner needs to get his. He's 25. Kepler is who he is. It's time to see what Wallner can be. Is he Gallo with bad defense, or is there more contact, and BA, in there? Need to find out over a real stretch of playing time before next year. Can't go into 2024 with the same questions.

[TNtwins85]

There’s a lot of factors at play here. If we do any worse than we are right now by the deadline we need to find a suitor for Gray for sure. If we can get anything for next year and beyond we make those marginal moves as well. Solano, Castro, Taylor? If we do the same or start getting on a roll we just tweak things. We have gotta get Kepler and Gallo out of this lineup! I’m not sure but maybe we get someone on the fringes. I’m just spit balling but for some reason I keep thinking what could a trade for Charlie Blackmon and either Daniel Bard/Brad Hand bring us? Chuck nasty seems to be that older professional type hitter from the left side that may help. Contract expires after this year. Then one of Hand or Bard? Professional bullpen guy. Maybe just needs a change of scenery. An old school Twins move. Bring upWallner and/or Larnach and between those 3 see who sticks as our LH compliment to Correa and Buxton. Get rid of the 2 ankle weights in this offense and plug in a few lefties. If there’s any professional/veteran hitters that could come cheap to replace chucky I’m all ears but it needs to be a subtle cheap move to boost the left side of the plate and a complimentary bullpen piece. I was very encouraged last night to see the big 8th inning we had that relied on singles and walks instead of 5 run homers! Correa’s 4 hits! We strung together an inning and played a decent game. Against KC but at least we looked decent in most of the at bats. 

[TopGunn#22]

The Twins have a stretch of games where they could put together a mini winning streak and actually open a 4-5 game lead in the division.  That's the minimum I think they need to do before deciding to be buyers.  But they really need to see if Correa and Buxton can start hitting.  The other key piece in my estimation is Jorge Lopez.  He's that 8th inning guy and sometimes closer if Duran isn't available.  Will he be 2022 pre-All Star break Jorge Lopez when he comes back?  Or will he continue to struggle?  They REALLY need him to be the "good" and "reliable" Jorge Lopez.  

I could actually see our FO being a little of both buyers and sellers.  Polanco still has value and depending on what a team needs and will actually give up to get him, I'd have him at the top of my "sell" list.  Since Larnach is still more prospect than big league player, he'd be at the top of my sell a "prospect" to add a RH bat/bullpen piece.  Sonny Gray is interesting.  He's been very good but will surely not be with the Twins next season.  Is he moved for prospects or more in a Gray for Goldy type deal...veteran for veteran.  Or do they just ride him until the end of the season.  Can Gray keep this up?  Or will he regress somewhat to who he's been his entire career.

This division is so bad that a sub .500 record might just win it.  But the White Sox and Guardians might just make moves to bolster their teams and the Tigers are on the cusp of having Eduardo Rodriguez and Tarik Skubel rejoin their rotation.  Those two lefties could give the Tigers a huge boost.  I don't expect the 2nd half of the season to be a cakewalk for the twins even though they have the most talented roster in the division.  

[Mike Sixel]

I'd trade polanco as soon as anyone will take him, so Julien can stay in the lineup. Not necessarily because he's better, but because he's healthy. Polanco will just get hurt again.....I don't particularly care what I get for him at this point. 

[Robert Floren]

Twins should stand pat pretty much, sure as heck don't trade Gray.  Pitching has kept in contention, and as I recall the 87 Twins won a world series after finishing a little above .500.