Instant Reaction: Twins Pass on Trade Deadline

[Seth Stohs]

We don't know what happened behind closed doors and over phone calls and messages, but with news that the Twins did nothing at the trade deadline, it's impossible not to have an opinion. Here is mine. 

Image courtesy of Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

News came shortly after the 5:00 Central Time trade deadline that the Twins had done nothing. Made no moves. There were rumors about wanting a right-handed hitter, preferably an outfielder. When news broken that Tommy Pham had been traded, Twins fans had about a 10-minute window to get excited... ultimately learning he was traded to the Diamondbacks. 

Then we heard that the Twins and Cardinals were exchanging medical records on some players, so there was some thought that maybe the Twins would soon acquire Dylan Carlson or maybe even Jack Flaherty. Well, soon after, we learned that Flaherty was going to the Orioles. And then Twins beat reporters announced that they were told that the Twins didn't make a move. 

Deflating, right? I wasn't even excited about anyone that was being rumored to potentially be of interest to the Twins, probably other than David Bednar. But even I just had this weird sinking feeling when I read Do's tweet. 

But ultimately, I'm not upset. I'm not angry. I don't actually have a big problem with it at all. Yes, it would have been fun to add a player, and it's not like they sold. 

Is there a player that the Twins could have acquired that would have given the team or the fans confidence that they could truly be a competitive contender in a playoff series. The Twins team isn't one piece away. They aren't a journeyman right-handed outfielder who is considered bad in the clubhouse away. Not even adding a couple of veteran bullpen arms that other teams are trying to give away was going to do that. 

The reality is that this is a flawed team. If they want to truly be a contender for more than an AL Central title, today wasn't going to be the game changer. They weren't getting Verlander or Scherzer. They weren't going to get Goldschmidt. 

No, what this team needs (whether they added bit pieces or not) is for their own players to start playing like we know that they can. Or, that we know that they have in the past. They need Byron Buxton to hit like Byron Buxton did most of 2022. They need Carlos Correa to hit like Carlos Correa did most of his entire career. They need Sonny Gray to pitch like he did the first two or three months. They need their veteran starters to pitch like they did early. 

And they need their young players to keep playing. They have, in general, been the players to not only meet expectations but in many cases exceed them and be really good (see Edouardo Julien). The need Alex Kirilloff to only miss 10 days and then get back to his Player of the Week performance. They need Matt Wallner. They need Trevor Larnach. They need Royce Lewis. They need Joe Ryan to turn things back around. 

They need guys like Jordan Balazovic and Josh Winder to come up big out of the bullpen. They need to get Brock Stewart back... Oh wait, now this came out.

Oh, and Alex Kirilloff had an MRI on his shoulder today too. 

And if all that goes well, the team should coast to the AL Central Division championship, and if all that happens, they should feel "OK" about playing the #3 Wild Card team. And most important, they can hopefully help us remove the 0-18 narrative. (PLEASE!)

Oh, and if all those things would have happened up to this point in the season, the front office and ownership would have (and should have) felt much more obligated to make moves. 

Cleveland was a seller. They traded their best, healthy pitcher (Aaron Civale) and their DH (Josh Bell). Detroit tried to trade Edouardo Rodriguez. The Royals traded most of their bullpen. And the White Sox made all kinds of trades over the past week. 

What the Twins did at the Trade Deadline - which ultimate amounts to dealing Jorge Lopez for Dylan Floro - will have almost not impact on whether or not the team will win the division, or even run away with the division. 

We can be as upset as we want at the front office, and that's fair - sometimes trying to add something to breathe new life is good - but the focus needs to go to the players, especially the veterans that have been there and done that to step up. They don't - or shouldn't - need another player's only meeting. 

But, I get it, Twins fans. Trade Deadline Day is so much more fun when the team you follow is a buyer. Geez, it's more fun when they are a seller because you've likely accepted that decision being correct. Standing Pat is never exciting. That said, I personally don't have a huge problem with it. 

I mean, they were buyers last year, right? (insert comment here about Tyler Mahle and Jorge Lopez trades)

Share your thoughts, y'all. We can listen. 

 

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[howeda7]

This team isn't going anywhere, so this isn't the worst thing Falvey has done. But it does reinforce that he should be fired after the season. He's had seven years. He's failed. Enough already. 

[Brandon27]

This team is going need to some very BIG moves in the offseason 

[zwiefz]

Any word on Kuechel decision? Depending on if his AAA numbers are a mirage that could be a big add to roster?(or absolutely nothing)

[Vanimal46]

Good article Seth. Whoever they acquired today wasn’t going to move the needle enough. Frankly, if Buxton and Correa don’t hit even previous career norms, there’s nothing they can do to fix it. 

Part of me wants to believe that Joe Pohlad told Falvey this is your mess. Win with the players you chose, or you won’t be running the show after the season. 

[TheMatt]

This FO is bad at buying.

[twinssporto]

Nice write up Seth. Actually agree....

My take on the trade deadline:

[KirbyDome89]

Moving into the upper echelon of contenders (and I'm using that term lightly) wasn't the goal.

Shoring up a faltering pen and/or adding a RH bat was doable. Sure they can **** around and win this atrocious division without either, but doing nothing might be worse than selling SP or acquiring either of the above. 

[USAFChief]

 Booooooooooooo

[Whitey333]

I totally agree that no trade out there would have greatly improved this team.  And I agree the veterans on this team need to step up.  But we've been saying that all year.  Where are they?  They have a few games when the veterans play decently then go right back In the tank again.  They display no urgency, no leadership and no sense of direction.  Sure they will probably win the Junior Varsity Central division.  Big deal.  This team is going nowhere with the current roster. I really didn't anticipate them doing much.  My question is when will this FO and current coaches be held accountable?  The players don't appear to be held accountable why should the bosses I guess.

 

 

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[Dman]

I think it makes sense they stayed pat. They didn't really have much for difference makers that they could afford to trade and they couldn't really afford to pay with the few potential star players they might have on the farm to get anything of significant value.  

I will say I like what Cleveland did.  With a lot of their pitchers down already this year they took risks to get better next year and like the Twins will hope the players they have will step up down the stretch.  I really like that the Guardians FO has the balls to make moves for the future as well as stay in the present.

Chicago had a really good deadline as well.  Whether all those new pieces will work out is hard to say but what they had wasn't working so I like what they did as well.

The thing about this deadline is that is was really kind of a go big or go home deadline.  Some teams made minor moves but the teams really in it to win it made big, bold moves.  Still it will only work out for one team not all of them.

I will say I thought the team would move some players.  Nick Gordon will be back.  Lewis will be back.  They will most likely add Kuechel.  It seems they will need 40 man room at some point. Their bullpen is incredibly unreliable but I guess they can DFA their way there if needed I just thought they might try and clear the way by trying to get something for some of these guys but maybe no one was interested in this teams many under performers.  it is what it is.  Just have to hope this team turns things around in the second half.

[GNess]

I get your point that the Twins were unlikely to be able to make a deal that would make them a World Series contender this year. However, the trade deadline offers opportunities to improve your team - that applies to all MLB teams. The Guardians, Sox, Tigers and Royals all made moves that they believe will help their teams at some juncture. 

Sorry, but it's disappointing for the Twins FO to simply come up empty on this once a year chance to make some things happen. Standing pat/inaction will be excused by some as "prudent" - I am not interested in hearing about how they tried to make moves, especially when the team seems mired in the squishy middle of MLB - not bad, but certainly not good either.

Fact is this is a blown chance when your job is to leverage opportunities to improve. Seven years of effort  by the FO has gotten the Twins exactly where?

 

[tony&rodney]

We (Twins fans) will hope for some positive changes and the current roster could deliver a fun close to the season. It just seems very hard to expect Julien, Kirilloff, Wallner, Lewis, Jeffers, and Castro to lead this team. This is a heavy burden for inexperienced players. Kepler, Polanco, and Vasquez may turn up their contributions and I hope they do and soon. Kepelr has been better since the All Star break. Who knows? The two expected to lead, Correa and Buxton, have been at a level that it would be very surprising to see them reach their former star status, and yet we still hope for that miracle. The reserves (Farmer, Taylor, Solano) have been used way more than expected and seem worn down. The brilliant starting pitching has faded as well. The betting dollar belongs in your pocket and not placed on the Twins at this point of the year. The Royals just totally outplayed the Twins and swept them in three different styles of baseball. 

Yet, we as Twins fans will hope against reasonable odds that the current roster can perform in a positive way on a consistent basis. The Twins have a shot at winning the AL Central and closing out 2023 in a fun fashion. I'm not sure that Falvey believes in the team. But then again, I'm not sure what type of baseball or player the Twins see as the means to success. This may be that I refuse to believe that Joey Gallo is the model for 2023 baseball and the poster player for Falverball. I have been very complimentary of how serious and hard working Gallo has been as he attempts to lead the Twins. I just don't see him and his style of play as the type of baseball I want to see played by the Twins. 

St. Louis is a true baseball town and a great place for the Twins to find all of the aspects of baseball that make it a great game. Let us hope that the Twins players are rejuvenated by their visit to St. Louis and use it to drive them through the season. Falvey decided that the players on hand were a World Series team and now they need to show their game.

[lukeduke1980]

I expect adding payroll was an issue.   Probably not forecasting a strong gate for a 500 team, and Brent suter doesn't really draw.  Meanwhile the division looks ripe for the taking next year too even if Twins lower payroll a little with Larnach replacing Kepler, Miranda over gallo and Varland over Gray.  Probably have the Division for 24 and 25.

[Sutter50]

Everyone needs to step up. If Buxton and Correa don't lead this team by hitting they aren't going anywhere.  There has been some signs of life but nowhere near enough 

[specialiststeve]

Pick a lane... Driving down the middle of the road is a poor idea! 

If going for the division and thinking this team has a chance to do something in the playoffs get some help. (delusional but ... ) 

If not and we know this team is not that good (reality) move our players that have value for the future run.. 

Doing neither is just like driving in down the middle of the road.. poor choice. 

[LastOnePicked]

33 minutes ago, TheMatt said:

This FO is bad at buying.

Epically bad. Historically bad.

[LastOnePicked]

26 minutes ago, Whitey333 said:

And I agree the veterans on this team need to step up.  But we've been saying that all year.  Where are they?  They have a few games when the veterans play decently then go right back In the tank again.  They display no urgency, no leadership and no sense of direction.

It is odd that very few fans seem to think this is at all related to coaching. I was glad to see you mention it later in your post. But, come on, if the FO thinks the roster needed no changes, then isn't this chronic underperformance anybody's fault? Is it so strange to think that Baldelli or Popkins should have been replaced? It's just so bizarre to me. 

[darin617]

44 minutes ago, howeda7 said:

This team isn't going anywhere, so this isn't the worst thing Falvey has done. But it does reinforce that he should be fired after the season. He's had seven years. He's failed. Enough already. 

Exactly, they should have dealt Gray or Maeda if they weren't going to do anything to improve the team.

They could have easily dealt one of them and still won the crappy division.

[Nine of twelve]

By its inaction the FO is saying that we wouldn't have been able to improve our roster at a reasonable price. They are saying that it's up to our current players to improve their performance. Now. So OK, guys, do it. Let's see what you got.

[TNtwins85]

32 minutes ago, Brandon27 said:

This team is going need to some very BIG moves in the offseason 

Looks like they are gonna ride with this team and look to 2024. This team has potential, hell, it’s the same team that we came into the season with and like Seth stated if everyone is even playing close to their potential they will run away with this division as they should have from the get go. They will have to look around the room at each other knowing nobody is coming to save them and they will live and die with those same guys in the room. That’s intimidating for sure! But, could also pull a team together as well. If nothing else we’ll see who sinks and swims and the off-season and 2024 will become crystal clear since I guess it hasn’t already. 

[mikelink45]

I can't agree. Front office needed to do something. It didn't need to be major but it had to show that they cared and believed in the team enough to try to cure some of the problems. The fact they did nothing and the fact that the team is now at a 5 game losing streak means that the rest of us who have spent the season cheering for this team are the real losers. 

[NotAboutWinning]

I agree with standing pat on pitching and position players, and expecting them to perform at the level they are capable of. I think it was gross negligence to stand pat on a bullpen that is clearly second rate.

[KirbyDome89]

11 minutes ago, Nine of twelve said:

By its inaction the FO is saying that we wouldn't have been able to improve our roster at a reasonable price. They are saying that it's up to our current players to improve their performance. Now. So OK, guys, do it. Let's see what you got.

Was the price for some of those available arms really unreasonable? I'd guess this FO didn't get the green light, which flies in the face of their public comments, but Idk how you look at the current pen, knowing that Stewart has a MRI today, and do nothing. 

[Jocko87]

27 minutes ago, Nine of twelve said:

By its inaction the FO is saying that we wouldn't have been able to improve our roster at a reasonable price. They are saying that it's up to our current players to improve their performance. Now. So OK, guys, do it. Let's see what you got.

Messages can be delivered by action and inaction. If I'm in that clubhouse, message received. This is a performance issue, not a roster issue. Quibble around the roster all you want but it's not the problem. Had 70% of the position players been at expected performance, I feel completely different right now.

Had 70% of the position players been at expected performance, they would have a 12 game lead.

[LastOnePicked]

1 hour ago, Dman said:

I will say I like what Cleveland did.  With a lot of their pitchers down already this year they took risks to get better next year and like the Twins will hope the players they have will step up down the stretch.  I really like that the Guardians FO has the balls to make moves for the future as well as stay in the present.

I do too. I get the sense they feel taking this division from the Twins will be easy. So easy that they could even afford to do some selling at the deadline. That takes guts and gumption plus some real baseball intuition. Can the Twins respond, or will they roll over again?

[D.C Twins]

"The reality is that this is a flawed team. If they want to truly be a contender for more than an AL Central title, today wasn't going to be the game changer."

I agree, but then they should have traded Maeda, Kepler, Polanco, Gallo (if possible and if not DFA), and Gray (if the return was better than the comp pick linked to the QO)

Doing nothing was the only true wrong answer and they managed to pull it off.... Congrats...or something.... 

[DJL44]

This is an ultimatum to Rocco Baldelli. Win or you're fired.

[NotAboutWinning]

2 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

This is an ultimatum to Rocco Baldelli. Win or you're fired.

We can only hope!!

[Althebum82]

Last year two significant moves (plus renting Sandy Leon) at the deadline frankly failed.  The Floro trade, although minor, could even fail.  Perhaps we should celebrate the fact that no additional failures were accumulated this season?