Twins Trade Nick Gordon to Marlins for Left-Handed Reliever Steven Okert

[tony&rodney]

This trade was a natural fit for both teams. The Marlins had three lefties above Okert, who is out of options and they really didn't want to just put him on waivers. Same went for Gordon - LH batters, options, and desire to get something for Nick. A bonus is that now everyone will forget that Gordon was chosen over Nola and Turner, neither of whom can rap worth a crap.

Feel a little for Funderburk because he is really good, despite his propensity to make people nervous with a few walks. The bullpen should be solid with ample numbers stored in St. Paul for those convenient IL usages.

How are we lined up now? Duran, Stewart, Jax, Thielbar, Jackson, Okert, Topa, and ? In spite of all other arguments, i will suggest that the Twins need Varland as their #4 and Paddack as their #5 starting pitchers. It would not be at all surprising if DeSclafani starts the year on the IL.

Plenty of scuttlebutt on TD about adding another RH bat. My thoughts are that Austin Martin would be a really good choice. He can run, field, hit, and fits all over the place. If Buxton is toast and someone needs to come up I have confidence in Prato, Helman, or Kiersey Jr. 

Spring Training starts this week.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

Just now, PseudoSABR said:

Obligatory, but meaningless.

Marlins may think Twins stock pile good players and may not maximize them on the hitting side.  

[HoskenPowell]

48 minutes ago, specialiststeve said:

Not sure who "MAT" is but Duvall SUCKS... no thanks.  Much rather have Martin get a shot. 

Unless we get a quality level OF'r back in a deal there is no point. Spending 5 mil for a Mendosa line OF would be stupid spending. 

MIchael A Taylor.

And I'd take him over any other options in CF , even Buxton.   Odds of Taylor being able to pay 100 games in CF HAVE to be 10X greater then fine china handle with care Buxton. 

[mikelink45]

It was a good move because Nick no longer had a place on the roster.  I am wait and see on all the accumulated arms (although they are being dfa'd as fast as they are being added).  The BP has potential, but let's get into the season before we celebrate.  Meanwhile Nick might just bust out with a chance to play.

[saviking]

I love this move!

[singlesoverwalks]

Bellinger is kind of like Correa last year - big money All-Star unsigned late in the off-season. In his case, it's the bad years he had before last year that are probably concerning to potential employers rather than the injury concerns that Correa had. But he looks a lot like the Correa profile. This front office likes to strike late. They think it makes them look savvy. And they should have more budget now, with the TV contract. Maybe Bellinger would take like one year, $35 million?

[Robert Gauthier]

Michael A Taylor

[DocBauer]

22 minutes ago, PseudoSABR said:

Is there any depth beyond Martin/Castro?  That's my fear, Buxton getting hurt, one of those two getting plugged in, struggling, with zero depth behind them

Beyond them is Helman, Keirsey, and Bubba Thompson should he clear waivers and stick with the Twins.  Prato might be an option, but he's been used almost exclusively as a LF. None of them on the 40 man. But we've seen in the past there are DFA possibilities and 60 day injuries that usually free someone up if you really need the room.

Personally, I'd think Helman would be a good bet for the next man up considering what he's done at AAA and his super utility potential. Maybe Thompson next? Elite speed and ML experience. But he's barely hit in milb and not hit at all at the ML level. If Keirsey can replicate close to what he did at AA in 2023, he could be the #1 "next guy" if they have to go beyond Martin and Castro.

[Mike Sixel]

32 minutes ago, PseudoSABR said:

No one like replacement level players (though the names mentioned are better than that), until they realize that their system is full of far below replacement level players along with the pixie-dust hope prospects.  

We'll just disagree here. I want the end of the bench to be rookies with options and upside. I am not so fearful as many here seem to be about young guys. If the system is so awful they can't find a backup CF, then they should fire the entire FO.

[stringer bell]

Good luck Nick Gordon! He proved he was a major league player in 2022 and he'll get a lot more at-bats in Miami and he's a Florida guy (Orlando, not Miami).

I've thought the Twins were overbalanced for with right handers in the bullpen, so getting Okert looks like a good idea. As far as adding a right handed bat, if the Twins don't get a starter and/or legitimate center fielder, they should just go with Martin. 

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

Sounds like Twins still interested in FA pitchers.  

[DocBauer]

Just doing a quick review, for myself if nothing else:

POTENTIAL ROSTER:

Duran, Jax, Stewart, Topa, Thielbar, Okert, Jackson, Funderburk

PROBABLY THERE IF 100%:

Staumont

40 MAN DEPTH:

Alcala, Sands, Winder, Weiss (for now)

REASONABLE NON 40 MAN DEPTH:

BOWMAN (ML experience), DUARTE (if he passes through), JENSEN, HENRIQUEZ.

Did I miss anyone?

[Blyleven2011]

1 hour ago, Mike Sixel said:

Interesting! And likely good. I'm surprised they got a guy they can plug in right away. 

No one that complained about the bullpen being ignored last year can do so this year. 

Your right about not complaining about the bullpen , looks solid with plenty of depth ...

Now they will complaining  about the starting pitcher rotation  ...

I'm thinking the FO knows the starting pitching isn't as strong as last  and the bullpen is going to be needed to shutdown any threats and our offense is going to need to score more runs ...

Last years rotation kept us in the game ...

Bullpen will be our MVP in 2024 , when was the last time anyone said that ???

[JD-TWINS]

2 hours ago, PseudoSABR said:

Right handed outfield bat incoming.

Austin Martin……Duvall in a real stretch? Whoever it is, they have to be able to play CF.

[JD-TWINS]

12 minutes ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Your right about not complaining about the bullpen , looks solid with plenty of depth ...

Now they will complaining  about the starting pitcher rotation  ...

I'm thinking the FO knows the starting pitching isn't as strong as last  and the bullpen is going to be needed to shutdown any threats and our offense is going to need to score more runs ...

Last years rotation kept us in the game ...

Bullpen will be our MVP in 2024 , when was the last time anyone said that ???

FanGraphs has Twins Pen as #1 in AL & #3 in the game, before the latest acquisition.

[jorgenswest]

Good move for both teams. If both achieve their projections it will be a win on both sides.

The other player without a great fit is Larnach. He has options so he does fit as depth. There are a few teams other than the Marlins that could use a left handed bat. The Angels and Marlins might be a match for one of their right handed bats like Meyers or Adell.

[JD-TWINS]

16 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

Just doing a quick review, for myself if nothing else:

POTENTIAL ROSTER:

Duran, Jax, Stewart, Topa, Thielbar, Okert, Jackson, Funderburk

PROBABLY THERE IF 100%:

Staumont

40 MAN DEPTH:

Alcala, Sands, Winder, Weiss (for now)

REASONABLE NON 40 MAN DEPTH:

BOWMAN (ML experience), DUARTE (if he passes through), JENSEN, HENRIQUEZ.

Did I miss anyone?

Headrick - maybe in the relief mix prior to Okert?

[Blyleven2011]

1 hour ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

Getting Okert for Gordon shows that Gordon does have value.

And the marlins know the Gordon family , his brother played for the fish for some years , dee gordon  is his older brother  and he also played outfield and infield , he broke out with the dodgers  , then miami , seattle  and ended in 2022 with Washington  ...

[ashbury]

Great trade!  Who'd we get?  😀

Wait, we got someone who might be useful?  Even better.  Lefty in the pen with 3 years of control, I'll take it.  That's in exchange for someone we would not use.  Fine trade.

I hold no ill will to Nick Gordon.  But his skills never developed the way a first-rounder should have, and maybe Miami will unlock something.  As things stood, a left fielder with only a so-so bat, or an infielder without elite defensive skills, doesn't have a place on most major league rosters.  Good luck, Nick, you may need it.

[JD-TWINS]

47 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

Beyond them is Helman, Keirsey, and Bubba Thompson should he clear waivers and stick with the Twins.  Prato might be an option, but he's been used almost exclusively as a LF. None of them on the 40 man. But we've seen in the past there are DFA possibilities and 60 day injuries that usually free someone up if you really need the room.

Personally, I'd think Helman would be a good bet for the next man up considering what he's done at AAA and his super utility potential. Maybe Thompson next? Elite speed and ML experience. But he's barely hit in milb and not hit at all at the ML level. If Keirsey can replicate close to what he did at AA in 2023, he could be the #1 "next guy" if they have to go beyond Martin and Castro.

Come on, there’s probably guys that play for Miesville that would play ahead of Bubba T. - he can run…….&………….he’s #7 on our depth chart if he doesn’t get claimed. Team is in real trouble if they have to roster him! I honestly believe Emma would get called up before Bubba sees Target Field.

My hope is they spend on a starting arm first……..if not, I hope they sign Adam Duvall…..,need depth in CF for reasons stated above.

[DocBauer]

15 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Headrick - maybe in the relief mix prior to Okert?

I liked some of what I saw in Headrick in 2023, at least initially. And he did so basically straight from AA, though he obviously spent a good deal of the season in AAA ultimately. I still think he might have a future in the pen. But for now, I think the plan is for him to remain stretched out in the Saint's rotation?

I think...barring someone else stepping forward...that he'd be the 4th LH available to the Twins at the moment. 

[JD-TWINS]

6 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

I liked some of what I saw in Headrick in 2023, at least initially. And he did so basically straight from AA, though he obviously spent a good deal of the season in AAA ultimately. I still think he might have a future in the pen. But for now, I think the plan is for him to remain stretched out in the Saint's rotation?

I think...barring someone else stepping forward...that he'd be the 4th LH available to the Twins at the moment. 

Probably most value as a spot starter as needed moving up & down from St. Paul.

[rv78]

2 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Wow. I saw Gordon getting moved, but this actually more than I expected. Okert has a great career BA/against, great WHIP, and over 10 K per IP. Over 50 IP each of the last two years.

The Twins needed another LH pen arm besides Headrick with Moran out foe the season and anybody else sitting at AA or lower. Personally, I'd be tempted to keep 3 port side guys in the pen. 3 of 8 sounds like a good plan to me. And I think Funderburk is ready, is good, and should have a spot. But these things do tend to work themselves out.

Love the pen depth. Best opening day pen and  best depth I can remember in years!

IMO, this move is followed by a RH OF still sitting and waiting. I just don't know if it's the speed and defense of Taylor or a corner power bat like Duvall or Pham, etc. $5-7M on a 1yr probably gets something done?

This team is starting to come together. And the depth most everywhere is excellent.

And no replacement for Sonny. If depth wins Championships then the Twins are getting close. Now if they would only get some really good players that make a difference, we might have something to crow about. 

[stringer bell]

This is a great opportunity and perhaps endorsement for Austin Martin. Reusse's column today indicates that Martin should be good to excellent in center field. I don't know if he is ready for the Big Show, but it is time to find out. 

If the Twins can get a hitter that starts 130 games, yeah bring it on. If not, let's go with Martin spelling Buxton and maybe getting some starts in left field. 

[h2oface]

1 hour ago, Robert Gauthier said:

Michael A Taylor

MAT. The cutsie nickname with initials for some. (Although not him) We all have middle initials. Well, most of us. It was very important that he separate himself from other Michael Taylor's of the world. I don't know why people don't just call him Taylor. They all buy in it seems. Hey, since the A is so important, why not just call him A if you want to shorten the laborious 3 namer 5 syllables. Do the Fonz...... say it sustained, and proud. Aaaaaaa

[KBJ1]

Bullpen options are fine, but we seem to be spitballing a bunch of options with no real standouts like Devin Williams. Funderburk seemed like a fine option already. This just seems redundant.

But then, so was Gordon. RH bat for LF please!!!

[PDX Twin]

3 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Okert has a great career BA/against, great WHIP, and over 10 K per IP.

10K per inning is remarkable!

[Jocko87]

Just now, KBJ1 said:

 

But then, so was Gordon. RH bat for LF please!!!

Was just looking at the Marlins depth chart, almost all their LH bats came from the Twins.  They are heavy heavy RH.  One more time?

[h2oface]

I can't believe our Twins (& X Marlins and Reds) gave up their number one bench cheerleader. He was infectious last year! Might be time to move on to his alter ego. G Cinco! Quit fooling around and get Devon Williams. When you only pitch your starter barely half the game, on purpose, the pen is how you win games! A reprise for "The Man":

 

[singlesoverwalks]

1 hour ago, DocBauer said:

Did I miss anyone?

Desclafani? Aren't there 5 starters ahead of him if no one gets injured (López, Ryan, Ober, Paddack, Varland)?