Is Glen Perkins the Twins greatest trade chip?

[chopper0080]

I was looking at our roster and trying to determine which players have legitimate trade value to bring back a decent return and the only player I could determine would be moveable and would bring something decent in a trade was Glen Perkins.

 

What does 14 saves, 35 k's, a .89 WHIP and 13.31 K/9 bring in a trade? Would you deal your closer?

[tcarlic]

On a losing team? Yes. With the boys on the rise? I don't know... Who is the closer in 2014-2015? Is there a closer in the minors? Tonkin? I don't know. Perk hits 95 on the regular. It'd be hard to trade him, and what for?

[jokin]

I was looking at our roster and trying to determine which players have legitimate trade value to bring back a decent return and the only player I could determine would be moveable and would bring something decent in a trade was Glen Perkins.

 

What does 14 saves, 35 k's, a .89 WHIP and 13.31 K/9 bring in a trade? Would you deal your closer?

 

I was going to write this very topic up myself.

 

Without a doubt the best trading chip. Besides his multitude of career-best numbers in 2013, he's a real value for contending teams on a budget, potentially signed though 2016.

 

Teams on a budget like the Orioles, Rays, Braves, Reds and Cardinals all are contenders with relief pitching numbers in the bottom half of MLB stats. A couple of the teams have shaky closing situations (Os and Rays). All of the teams have some tempting prospects.

 

And there's the rub.....it would have to be a very solid get.... can they get another A+ minor league up-and-coming Starting Pitcher prospect like Meyer? Or a relatively sure thing prospect or veteran in the middle infield or a catcher? This also assumes that a couple of the hard-throwing guys like Tonkin and Jones move quickly up to the big club and settle in as potential replacements for Perk.

[howieramone1406390264]

I hate to see him go, but a top starting pitching prospect is too much to pass on.

[Oxtung]

Typically I would say yes. He will be deteriorating with age most likely at the beginning of our next run at the World Series. However something Span said recently has me rethinking my position. Essentially Span said he signed with the Twins because he wanted to play here (he didn't elucidate reasons why) and he probably took less than he was worth to do so. In return the Twins traded him away in large part because of his contract. Essentially that is what we're talking about doing with Perkins as well. How many players in the future will be willing to sign team friendly deals if they know the Twins will just trade them? It's a quandary and I certainly don't know the answers.

[jorgenswest]

His contract and performance make him valuable. Some teams won't trade top prospects for closers, but we need to find just one team willing. It would definitely be a sell high (as were Span and Revere).

 

Burton is also a sell high candidate. His age and injury history give him a greater chance for decline in the near future.

 

It is hard to envision a replacement for Perkins. However, no one would have projected Perkins excelling in this role watching him pitch at 26 or 27.

[greengoblinrulz]

Right now they need the talent on the field rather than prospects in the minors.

Yes, he is a great trade chip but they cant afford the PR fallout of trading their best pitcher who is a hometown player untill they finally spend money on the field

[cmb0252]

Right now they need the talent on the field rather than prospects in the minors.

Yes, he is a great trade chip but they cant afford the PR fallout of trading their best pitcher who is a hometown player untill they finally spend money on the field

 

I don't understand this whole PR hit thing. As with Span, as long as you get comparable talent who cares? Twins are going to suck with or with out Perks.

[mikecgrimes]

On a losing team? Yes. With the boys on the rise? I don't know... Who is the closer in 2014-2015? Is there a closer in the minors? Tonkin? I don't know. Perk hits 95 on the regular. It'd be hard to trade him, and what for?

 

The closer will be whoever we decide only gets to pitch in save situations. It will be one of the better relief pitchers on the roster. Beyond that who cares. If any GM still gives the closer role extra value take advantage of them, but the days of getting a Frankie Rodriguez level prospect for an average closer (think about it virtually every closer is thought of as above average) are probably over.

 

Maybe the closer will be the guy we get in the Perkins trade, maybe it will be Kyle Gibson. Either way it won't end up being a problem at least for more then one season.

[mikecgrimes]

Typically I would say yes. He will be deteriorating with age most likely at the beginning of our next run at the World Series. However something Span said recently has me rethinking my position. Essentially Span said he signed with the Twins because he wanted to play here (he didn't elucidate reasons why) and he probably took less than he was worth to do so. In return the Twins traded him away in large part because of his contract. Essentially that is what we're talking about doing with Perkins as well. How many players in the future will be willing to sign team friendly deals if they know the Twins will just trade them? It's a quandary and I certainly don't know the answers.

 

Span had a team friendly deal, but when he signed it it was a fair deal. He wasn't a sure thing 10+ year career guy at that point. He took security over potential bigger bucks. negotiate a no trade clause if it's an issue. Average players get traded all the time no matter if they are over or underpaid.

[Shane Wahl]

I would not be interested in trading him, in part because his contract is not too bad for the team. And he is a closer. Those people can last until they are 35+ at what they do.

 

Willingham and Morneau need to be shopped for whatever can be had at the end of July. Perhaps Plouffe and Burton as well.

[Shane Wahl]

If not Morneau, then Parmelee. I don't expect a great haul back, but it should be a decent one. Morneau and Burton for one, Willingham for another, Plouffe and one of the minor league good pitchers for another (maybe Duffey or Boyd?).

[Oxtung]

Span had a team friendly deal, but when he signed it it was a fair deal. He wasn't a sure thing 10+ year career guy at that point. He took security over potential bigger bucks. negotiate a no trade clause if it's an issue. Average players get traded all the time no matter if they are over or underpaid.

 

IIRC he didn't feel the same as you about his contract.

[DaveW]

I'd hate to see him go, he is one of my favorite players and he is signed on a nice deal for us, the last thing we need to do is make another Capps trade or go over pay for a closer on the FA market. I get that closers are over rated, but Perkins is something special, id only trade him if we got major league ready SP or MI in return which won't happen

[old nurse]

Oakland got Reddick and 2 very low level, high ceiling prospects for Baily. It would take a better offer than that to move Perkins.

[SurroundedByTigers]

If you want to know how valuable a closer is, look at what happened to the Tigers against Royals on Wednesday. Verlander 3-hits KC for seven innings. Then Valverde gives up a 2-run homer with 2 out in ninth to tie it, Coke chokes in 10th inning, and Detroit loses 3-2. So as great as Verlander is, if you don't have a bullpen, and specifically a closer, you can't win in this league. So as bad as Twins starting pitching has been, we're still hanging around in the AL Central because our bullpen has been pretty good. If we're trading Perk, it is only because we have another closer ready to go, and we get at least 2 starting pitchers and maybe a shortstop in the deal.

[Badsmerf]

This is a difficult topic. Perkins has been holding this pitching staff together for 2 years now. I would love to reward him for his hard work and perseverance with this organization by keeping him around. I'm not sure how many remember, but his relationship with the Twins was rocky at best, it seems they are in a good place now. Having went to college with him (sharing a locker room no less), he has always been a guy I pulled for. I'm sure most fans don't feel the same way about Perkins, but I think he is every part what makes the Twins special as Joe Mauer is.

 

Tear drops aside (crocodile tears too), the Twins have to listen to any and all offers right now. More likely, a team is going to trade for Burton as he is very good and will cost less talent to acquire. If a team is willing to give up a top 50 SP, I think you have to trade him. These guys are professionals and understand. Plus, he'd be able to play for a contender and possibly close playoff games in his prime. As much as playing for the Twins is great, during the season he probably doesn't get a lot of time at home anyway. Side note, his house is cool as hell.

 

Unless the Twins get blown away, I don't see them trading him. Burton is much more likely right now.

[Guest USAFChief]

Why would you trade a player who is one of the few real assets you have, with only the hope that what you get in return turns out as good?

 

There's no reason to trade Perkins. He's young enough and cheap enough to be around when most of this board is convinced the Twins will be good again.

 

Trade what you don't need now and/or won't be part of the future. That's most likely not Perkins. Lefties who throw 95 don't grow on trees, and good bullpens are important and don't happen by accident.

[JB_Iowa]

I have very mixed feelings about this. I understand that he is the best trading chip but I don't know what would be realistic to expect in return.

 

Perkins is my favorite Minnesotan on the team for several reasons: his perseverance (rocky relationship indeed), the grit he exhibits on the field and his fan-friendly nature off the field. Who can dislike a guy who tweets about grilling slabs of meat and has a wife who is an inspiration to young women?

 

A good closer is a luxury on a mediocre team but if you think the Twins have an opportunity to be a better quality of mediocre next year, he is probably a luxury they should retain -- especially because it seems to me that he exhibits leadership qualities.

[Mike Sixel]

I'm in the mixed feelings crowd also......He is their best trading chip, which is sad, btw.

 

However, he is young enough (especially considering how few pitches they ask him to throw) that he could still be valuable in 2-4 years when, hopefully, this team actually has a chance to win 80+ games again.

 

To me, it would be about the return, obviously. If you could combine Perkins and minor leaguer for a legit SS, you'd have to do that. But I don't think they need any OF, or 2B, or C, or 1B or RP. So, you'd have to get a SS or SP in return, or not do it, imo.

[jay]

Oakland got Reddick and 2 very low level, high ceiling prospects for Baily. It would take a better offer than that to move Perkins.

 

Good point. Definitely would need more.

 

Bailey was entering his first year of arbitration when he was traded with three years of control remaining. He's making just over $4M this year and now has one year of arbitration left before free agency after '14.

 

Perkins is making $2.5M this year with a contract in place for '14 + '15 at $3.75M and the '16 option for $4.5M. If moved this summer, that's an extra half year of control AND lower salaries.

 

All that said, no, I don't think they should trade Perkins unless it's a 'cant-turn-that-down' situation. Elite relief pitchers (especially with a closer track record) aren't readily available at that price and we expect to contend before his current contract is up.

[chopper0080]

Like most of you it seems, I am also very torn. I started this thread to get the opinions of those on this board that I value and get some clarity.

 

Most of you agree that it comes down to what you can get. I agree with Mike that SS and SP are the only positions I am interested, but I might be sold on a high level power bat at 1B as well. In the end, it really just depends.

 

A quick list of potential trade chips has to include Willingham, Morneau, Burton, Correia and Perkins. Correia could be a back of the rotation arm that a contender might look for and I can't see the Twins holding onto him if a decent offer comes across.

 

Any thoughts on potential trade partners for any of these guys?

[nicksaviking]

Like most of you it seems, I am also very torn. I started this thread to get the opinions of those on this board that I value and get some clarity.

 

Most of you agree that it comes down to what you can get. I agree with Mike that SS and SP are the only positions I am interested, but I might be sold on a high level power bat at 1B as well. In the end, it really just depends.

 

A quick list of potential trade chips has to include Willingham, Morneau, Burton, Correia and Perkins. Correia could be a back of the rotation arm that a contender might look for and I can't see the Twins holding onto him if a decent offer comes across.

 

Any thoughts on potential trade partners for any of these guys?

 

 

Arizona, they're really into making horrible trades lately. Although they may have gotten lucky seeing as Gregorious has thus far been a much better MLB player than he was in the minors.

[nokomismod]

If Gardy continues to take care of Burton and Perkins, I think they can be around when we are winning again. I say keep these guys.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Trade if they get a good offer, and it will have to be as good or better than Baily... The Twins need a high ceiling SS and SP for the next wave. Aquiring one or both of these would make it worth considering.

[jimbo92107]

Glen Perkins is a great guy, and a Minnesotan, so it would be nice if he stayed here his whole career. That said, professional ballplayers all share one goal: win a championship. What are the chances of that happening here while Perkins can still fire fastballs at 95mph? Not very good.

 

Like a lot of fans, it bothered me when the Twins traded Span and Revere, but I could see the reasoning behind it, with a plethora of young outfielders rising quickly through the minors. Also, I appreciated that the Twins made deals with teams that are legit contenders, so Span and Revere have a shot at winning a championship sometime in their careers.

 

So, if the Twins could deal Perk to a team where a good closer is the final piece of the puzzle, and that team has a Twins top-10 prospect in single A that they'd part with, then the team could probably get by with Burton as closer, and bring up Tonkin next season. Meanwhile, Glen Perkins could look forward to a shot at a title. Under those circumstances I wouldn't mind seeing Perk get traded. Otherwise, keep him right here where he belongs.

[James]

I think Perkins can be around the next time the Twins are in contention. I really enjoy him as a player, and I would hope that he doesn't get traded. That being said though, if a team offers a good SS or SP prospect that can help the team build for the future, that might be really hard to turn down.

 

Let's just hope that no GM offers the Twins anything decent for him and we are "stuck" with him for a while.

[Smcginnity]

He is ABSOLUTELY our best trade chip. We will get close to nothing for Morneau because he is in the last year of a deal. He may net an A+ or AA prospect that would be considered a B-prospect but that is probably it. Willingham may net a little more because he has one year left at a good price and is a power bat. Perkins could get us an A-prospect...you need to do it. We have plenty of young closers coming up (Tonkin, Aaron Thompson, Cole Johnson, Zach Jones, and many more)...in the near term I think Burton can handle the duties just fine.

 

We do not need a dominant closer because we are barely winning anyway. Mine as well build for 2015! If you honestly believe we will get a ton for Morneau though, think again

[Mike Sixel]

They should be trying to win in 2014.....but I have my doubts about that also.

[fairweather]

Perkins should not be traded. I'm not saying he's untouchable but I would think the Twins would want to keep this guy around. I want everyone to keep in mind that it could be a long time before we really see if Perkins can handle closing in a REAL pressure situation. Although I'm a HUGE Perkins fan until he saves some games that mean something I won't consider him an elite closer.