Any Interest in Non-Tender Candidates?

[stringer bell]

mlbtraderumors.com has their annual look at possible non-tenders around the majors prior to the deadline for tendering contracts. As always, there is an interesting mix of names, many anonymous types and some overpriced players that the column speculates might not be offered a contract prior to arbitration.

In looking over the names, I see a couple who could help the Twins IMHO. Outfielder Ramon Laureano is thought to be a candidate for non-tender by the Guards, Ramón Urías, who won a Gold Glove for the Orioles in 2022, is listed, as is Trent Grisham, a solid defensive OF with lots of experience in center. Several relief pitchers are listed. 

A number of ex-Twins are also thought to be in jeopardy--Jake Cave, JT Chargios, Derek Law, John Curtiss, and Michael Tonkin--as well as current Twins Nick Gordon, Jorge Alcalá and Kyle Farmer.  

Here is the link to the article: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/10/2023-non-tender-candidates.html

Are there players listed who the Twins should scoop up? Remember, Willi Castro was a non-tender last year.

[Doctor Wu]

I always thought Laureano would turn into a really good player when he was with the A's, and he still might have some value, especially on defense. I'm also still a fan of Chargois as a bullpen arm. 

[NeverSeenATwinsPlayoffWin]

It's never a bad idea to pick one or two of these guys up. They don't have to make the opening day roster, and they should not preclude you from making upgrades- you can waive them later on in the offseason if you find a better option.

I think Codi Heuer could be a sneaky De Leon/Stewart pickup in a guy who missed multiple years but has great stuff. On the hitting side, Seth Brown is the epitome of league average- not bad for a 4th OF, especially if the Twins move on from Kepler.

[nicksaviking]

Without digging deeper, I’d bet we’d find that this is a spot you can regularly find useful relievers, while the other positions rarely pay off in any meaningful way.

[jaimedude]

Any chance Twins would try to get multiple year deals done with Thielbar, Farmer, Alcala and Gordon rather than go to arbitration. 

[Mike Sixel]

8 minutes ago, jaimedude said:

Any chance Twins would try to get multiple year deals done with Thielbar, Farmer, Alcala and Gordon rather than go to arbitration. 

Thielbar is like 100 years old, Alcala is never healthy, and the other two might not be on the roster. So I'm hoping no on all four 

[Vanimal46]

What’s the catch with Brandon Woodruff listed as a non-tender candidate?

[stringer bell]

2 hours ago, jaimedude said:

Any chance Twins would try to get multiple year deals done with Thielbar, Farmer, Alcala and Gordon rather than go to arbitration. 

Getting a deal completed before the arbitration deadline is often done. It doesn't have to be a multiple year deal. I certainly wouldn't be interested in a multiyear deal for any of the players listed. A lot of players fall in the category where they can't get the arbitration number on the open market, so they take a deal from their current team for less. 

 

[Trov]

1 hour ago, Vanimal46 said:

What’s the catch with Brandon Woodruff listed as a non-tender candidate?

He just had surgery on shoulder and expected to miss most if not all of 2024.  Hard to pay a guy in his last year of team control to rehab the whole year. That is why he would be a non-tender.  It is possible they sign him to a 2 year deal get him back for next year, or get a very low arb price. 

[Trov]

I am sure they will look at some of the relief pitchers, but outside of that not too many treasures in non-tender guys. The one name that kind of jumps out as a possible outside relief guys is Austin Meadows.  He was highly touted prospect, he was just injured a ton.  I would not want Twins to go for him, but he seems like someone that could have a good year or 2 if healthy. 

I am sure there are a few hoping we try to nab Badoo, so he will no longer be the one we let go. Despite him being below replacement level player. 

[Vanimal46]

1 hour ago, Trov said:

He just had surgery on shoulder and expected to miss most if not all of 2024.  Hard to pay a guy in his last year of team control to rehab the whole year. That is why he would be a non-tender.  It is possible they sign him to a 2 year deal get him back for next year, or get a very low arb price. 

Ah, thanks I missed that news. Figured there had to be something injury related. 

[DocBauer]

Without doing a deep dive, I can't say anyone jumps out at me. I do still like the Twins keeping Alcala for $1M. That's not much of a gamble for a high velocity arm that might be all the way healthy again. And Farmer has value, to the Twins, or to someone else in a trade.

But Stewart was basically one of these guys a year ago. So was Hoffman, who they should have kept. So there's value in there somewhere, just a question of who.

[Parfigliano]

31 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

Without doing a deep dive, I can't say anyone jumps out at me. I do still like the Twins keeping Alcala for $1M. That's not much of a gamble for a high velocity arm that might be all the way healthy again. And Farmer has value, to the Twins, or to someone else in a trade.

But Stewart was basically one of these guys a year ago. So was Hoffman, who they should have kept. So there's value in there somewhere, just a question of who.

Agree.  Alcala for $1m is chicken feed.  Maybe its the year he throws bullets and stays healthy.

[stringer bell]

1 hour ago, Parfigliano said:

Agree.  Alcala for $1m is chicken feed.  Maybe its the year he throws bullets and stays healthy.

It isn't the million bucks, it is that 40-man spot.

[Jocko87]

22 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

It isn't the million bucks, it is that 40-man spot.

Same thing that keeps me from digging into rule 5 candidates. I might find something I like but can't see a roster spot. It's a good spot to be in.

[Fatbat]

Wouldn’t it be a sneaky time to outright Alcala so other teams would let him pass thru waiver claims? Might be a dumb question….

[Brandon]

There are a lot of interesting relievers we could sign,

Dereck Law

John Curtis

Nick Burdi

JT Chargois

Michael Tonkin 

Tim Hill

Huascar Ynoa

[Doctor Wu]

4 hours ago, Brandon said:

There are a lot of interesting relievers we could sign,

Dereck Law

John Curtis

Nick Burdi

JT Chargois

Michael Tonkin 

Tim Hill

Isn't that a roster of ex-Twins ?

[Mike Sixel]

15 hours ago, stringer bell said:

It isn't the million bucks, it is that 40-man spot.

That was my point above.... The money isn't important. The roster spots are

[DJL44]

Trent Grisham would be a great fit for the Twins at that price. I don't think he would actually be non-tendered.

[Brandon]

8 hours ago, Doctor Wu said:

Isn't that a roster of ex-Twins ?

Yes and there are quite a few as non tender candidates.  That was my point.  It’s like 20% of the reliever list is ex Twins  and I added Ynoa and I guess I could say Alcala.  Who we should keep anyways.  

[mikelink45]

No.  We have turned a corner and no longer need to be okay.  Pick up players that move the needle.

[Jocko87]

Is having your option declined kinda like a non-tender?  Joey Votto will get his own thread soon but in the Gallo sans OF role I'm probably interested.  The question would be who loses out on a spot for him.

[Doctor Wu]

On 11/4/2023 at 1:57 AM, Brandon said:

Yes and there are quite a few as non tender candidates.  That was my point.  It’s like 20% of the reliever list is ex Twins  and I added Ynoa and I guess I could say Alcala.  Who we should keep anyways.  

I had forgotten about Ynoa. He had about a great half-year with the Braves and then got injured. 

[dxpavelka]

On 11/2/2023 at 6:04 PM, DocBauer said:

Without doing a deep dive, I can't say anyone jumps out at me. I do still like the Twins keeping Alcala for $1M. That's not much of a gamble for a high velocity arm that might be all the way healthy again. And Farmer has value, to the Twins, or to someone else in a trade.

But Stewart was basically one of these guys a year ago. So was Hoffman, who they should have kept. So there's value in there somewhere, just a question of who.

There is absolutely value there.  Just a matter of finding it.  If everyone could do that we'd have 30 teams winning the World Series each year.