Let's Make a Deal: Could Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Be a Trade Target for the Minnesota Twins?

[Ted Schwerzler]

The Minnesota Twins quite painfully sat out through much of the free-agent frenzy this offseason. Cutting payroll and hamstrung by ownership, Derek Falvey was forced to get creative. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. would be quite the add to Rocco Baldelli’s lineup, but finding a way to make it work seems cumbersome.

Image courtesy of © Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Through the first quarter of their season Rocco Baldelli’s club has been consistently inconsistent. That has been evident for multiple players, but veteran free agent addition Carlos Santana is chief among them. While he has been a solid defender at first base, the bat has left plenty to be desired. The addition of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to the lineup could help provide some thump, but the hurdles to grab him are plenty.

First, the Toronto Blue Jays would need to be willing to part with a player that has become synonymous with their organization. Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette are staples for the Blue Jays, and Ross Atkins may not want to part with either of the franchise favorites even as they struggled to contend entering the summer.

MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand has heard they may be open to the idea though, and that could help jumpstart something of a retooling for their roster. Recently Bleacher Report put together a list of teams that could have interest in Guerrero Jr.’s services, and with where the Twins first base situation currently stands, it makes sense that they would be on it.

Therein lies the second problem. Signed to a $19.9 million contract this season through arbitration, Minnesota would be adding a sizable chunk of the money they pocketed when cutting payroll. Despite grabbing the most lucrative television deal possible, they didn’t reinvest those funds this offseason, and doing so over the summer while underachieving to a certain extent seems curious.

Guerrero Jr. isn’t a free agent until 2026, which means his final year of arbitration still is on the table, but that isn’t going to come with a significantly depressed price tag no matter what sort of production he puts up this year. Minnesota could use him next year as well, but with contracts kicking in for Carlos Correa, Pablo Lopez, and a handful of new arbitration eligible players, the payroll is going to be in an interesting spot regardless.

Then there’s the suggestion of what it would cost. Despite Feinsand quoting an American League executive saying “the asks were ridiculous” the suggested trade has Minnesota parting with only Gabriel Gonzalez and cash. Falvey just acquired Gonzalez as the only usable piece in exchange for Jorge Polanco, and despite being a fringe Top 100 prospect, that doesn’t seem nearly enough to get it done. Minnesota also kicking in the dollars for the deal makes things less logical.

It’s certainly possible that Minnesota finds themselves as buyers this summer if they can show a better and more consistent path towards contention. How they go about accomplishing that relies on creativity or more buy-in from ownership though, and it’s something we have been given no inclination that they are willing to do. The Twins can’t trot out the same problems months from now if they want to be taken seriously, but what commitment there is to a shuffle is definitely a wait and see game.

What would you be willing to give up if Guerrero Jr. was on the table, and do you think the Twins would actually commit to adding that payroll?

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[Cory Engelhardt]

Sign me up. 

[tony&rodney]

And Soto too?

[Dave The Dastardly]

It's a good thing Marijuana has been legalized.

[Linus]

No way are they taking on that salary. They stood pat at the deadline last year and I wouldn’t be surprised if the same thing happens this year. 

[Karbo]

That is a dream that won't come true. I see a Miranda, AK duo at 1st next year.

[NYCTK]

Look to Pete. There's no way the Twins want to add 23 million for Vlad Jr to next year's budget. 

[LambchoP]

They can't afford another 20 million dollar salary. If Miranda continues to hit like he is, then he might be our long term fit at 1b. If they somehow do decide to buy at the deadline, I'd like to see a top tier starter and one or two solid bullpen arms.

[danielp19653]

I just don't see it happening even if the trade was just some random 16 year old flyer and cash the Twins aren't going to take on that level of salary, only way I could see it happening is if the blue jays sent cash for better prospects. I would imagine that would probably look like Lee and Gonzales and maybe a flyer to cover half his salary this year but that still leaves the 10-15 million over what the Twins would be willing to pay for next year.

[Ricky Vaughn]

There is a better chance of me winning the lottery, and I don't buy tickets.

[Old Crow]

No  just  no!

[TwinsDr2021]

Who would I give up? probably more than most. I would offer then their choice of Wallner/Larnach/AK, Gonzalez, and a young pitcher in someplace in the 30ish ranking. But before doing that I would look to see if anybody has any interest in Santana and take whatever was offered, look to trade Farmer again for whatever somebody is willing to offer. I bring up Lee to take Farmers position. Would the Twins do what I suggested, nope, would the Twins do anything to get Vlad, mostly likely not. 

Doing what I suggested cleans up the 40 man a bit, gets rid of one of the lefties that might hold Jenkins or Erod back, gives the team a chance to get Lee acquainted to the majors by setting him up with good matchups, and could get reduce "some" of the payroll that Santana and Farmer are taking up (I assume the Twins would more than likely have to cover some of their salary. And possibly might take some pressure off of Lewis by having another guy to help carry the load.

IMO going into to next year every outfielder on the 40 man has fairly big question marks (Buxton injury, Kepler FA) if they can reduce some of those question marks and open spots up for others all the better.

 

[bean5302]

LOL, WHAT???

[AJray15]

What a waste of an article. There is absolutely no way the Twins trade for Vlad. He would cost a boat load of prospects and the owners are actively sabotaging this team by slashing payroll. The money Vlad is making/going to make goes against this.

[CRF]

After what they didn't do this past off season, there's no way they take on any salary at the deadline. Not happening. 

[Mike Sixel]

This can't be a real article, but here it is. I had to check the byline...

This team isn't adding payroll. Zero chance. 

[USAFChief]

Such a deal would "wrong-size" the organization. 

So no.

[Oldgoat_MN]

All these fans saying "No", and not one has even asked why we would trade for a player with an OPS+ of 86.

If this were to happen I would be looking out the window for flying pigs 🐖. 

[USAFChief]

1 minute ago, Oldgoat_MN said:

All these fans saying "No", and not one has even asked why we would trade for a player with an OPS+ of 86.

If this were to happen I would be looking out the window for flying pigs 🐖. 

Recheck your facts, friend.

[Vanimal46]

I would trade them Vazquez, Margot, and Farmer to even out the salary. Click “force trade” then turn off my PlayStation with a feeling of accomplishment. 

You should do Justin Verlander next! 

[Rod Carews Birthday]

Can't we wait until closer to the trade deadline to enter silly season?  Love those articles and comments about acquiring a really good player for nothing but the guys we want to jettison anyway or have no real investment in.  The Twins are not going to trade for a big hitter this season nor anytime soon.  Maybe, another relief arm, but nothing more than that. 

[Oldgoat_MN]

15 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

Recheck your facts, friend.

Read the wrong column. Thanks for pointing this out.

[MABB1959]

We only can dream.  Who knows what would happen if he were on the team.  IMO it would be decline or injury.

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Toronto is in such a weird spot. A couple of years ago, they were the trendy pick and were thought to be on the verge of controlling the AL East for years to come. The window closed fast and now they have to figure out if they want to be sellers at the deadline. With that said, the Twins aren't trading for Guerrero and I'd be somewhat surprised if the Jays trade him to an AL team. 

 

[Doctor Gast]

Twins wasted money on Santana at 1B while we have healthy, economical & need more playing time there AK, Miranda & Julien where he's destined to be. Vlady has the power potential but is he worth the risk of him coming here? I don't think so.

[MMMordabito]

1 hour ago, AJray15 said:

What a waste of an article. 

Pretty much the norm these days.  I clicked on this one for the comments, because I knew there would be a few laughs.  

[RpR]

1 minute ago, Doctor Gast said:

Twins wasted money on Santana at 1B while we have healthy, economical & need more playing time there AK, Miranda & Julien where he's destined to be. Vlady has the power potential but is he worth the risk of him coming here? I don't think so.

Yeah but first some one has to patch the holes in their fielding gloves.

[Tibs]

I'll give them a Dashawn Keirsey and one Brian Duensing

[Schmoeman5]

As to the question of what I'd be willing to give up.. Lee Festa and Miranda or Larnach.  That should do it. As to the question of would the Twins be willing to take on the added payroll. NO!

[Jocko87]

Where's that little rate topic selection thing?  I'd like to give this some star.