Wishful thinking Scenario: Gallardo

[PseudoSABR]

Say, that the Twins remain competitive (or even heat up) through the deadline; perhaps it becomes unpalatable to become sellers, but maybe there's a way to build for the future by buying at the deadline.

 

What would you be willing to give up for Gallardo? He's signed through next year and still fairly young (27). He started out slowly but has regained his ace form recently (though his K-rate is at a career low).

 

This is wishful thinking, because I imagine he'd cost more than we're willing to give up.

[AScheib50]

You gotta think it takes a haul similar to the one the Brewers got for Greinke last year. Not quite the same talent, but he isn't the rental Greinke was either. This means it takes a player of the Jean Segura talent range to start the conversation, I'd bet. Segura was ranked 55 by BA last year. So is it fair the conversation starts with an Arcia or Rosario? Just a guess as to what might get the ball rolling. The Angels threw in their top pitching prospect, too.

 

I don't think I am mentally prepared to start dealing our prospects. I'm just super excited to see what they could all do together. Obviously pitching is a huge need but I wanna see how this group of guys pans out.

[drjim]

Starts at least with Rosario and May (and probably even a better pitcher).

[drjim]

Outside of Buxton, Sano and Meyer I would trade anyone in the minors for the right pitcher.

[Riverbrian]

Outside of Buxton, Sano and Meyer I would trade anyone in the minors for the right pitcher.

 

I agree with you however I'm just not sure that he would be the right pitcher.

[drjim]

I agree with you however I'm just not sure that he would be the right pitcher.

 

You are probably correct. This was more a hypothetical statement than a direct response. It would take a big package to get Gallardo, I'm not sure I would do it considering health risks associated with drops in velocity and k rate.

[Guest USAFChief]

I wonder what Philly would want to get out from under Cliff Lee's salary?

 

If there's one thing the Twins have, it's salary room.

[Boone]

Nothing. The Twins aren't going to be competitive for another 3 or 4 years, at which point Gallardo would be 30 or 31 and past his prime. Giving up long-term pieces that should play a key role in our bright future for a player who will be past his prime once we become competitive is silly.

[DaveW]

I wonder what Philly would want to get out from under Cliff Lee's salary?

 

If there's one thing the Twins have, it's salary room.

 

Absolutely not, Lee is going to cost 77 million from 2014-2016.

[snepp]

Absolutely not, Lee is going to cost 77 million from 2014-2016.

 

Money should be of absolutely no consequence to this team for the immediate future.

[nicksaviking]

Absolutely not, Lee is going to cost 77 million from 2014-2016.

 

Is that money earmarked for something else? Most of the youngsters won't even be arbitration eligible by the time that contract expires.

 

I like Gallardo, but I want someone who is under team control longer than 2014. If an extension could be worked out I'd be interested assuming the prospect haul isn't disgusting, which it may be.

[gil4]

The Twins aren't going to be competitive for another 3 or 4 years...

 

I think you overestimate the distance between competing and not competing.

 

If Morneau hits like his pre-injury self for 3 months (unlikely, but less unlikely than Cuddyer's career year he's having), Willingham starts to hit (likely), Gibson is good (50-50), Worley comes back up and is average (likely), then this team could compete this year. (I know that assumes the duct tape holds in all of the other places, too.) I wouldn't sacrifice a major prospect to try to force it, but this team still has a wide range of possible outcomes. I could see 70 wins. I could see 90. If they take a step forward in the next month, I wouldn't object to a minor trade to supplement an area of weakness.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Outside of Buxton, Sano and Meyer I would trade anyone in the minors for the right pitcher.

 

I'd throw Rosario on there as well, if only because decent middle infielders are the white elephants of the Minnesota Twins farm system.

[Brock Beauchamp]

I wonder what Philly would want to get out from under Cliff Lee's salary?

 

Probably not much and that's a very good idea.

 

Of course, the chance of this happening is somewhere around .000001%.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Nothing. The Twins aren't going to be competitive for another 3 or 4 years, at which point Gallardo would be 30 or 31 and past his prime.

 

Methinks you overestimate the mighty AL Central.

 

Look at the Tigers. They have Fielder, Verlander, and Cabrera in their prime and can barely scrape together 90 wins.

 

Verlander might age well but he's also a pitcher and could fall apart tomorrow. On the other hand, it's a pretty good bet that their FBI* is probably going to age... not gracefully.

 

*Fat Bastard Infield

[Riverbrian]

I'd throw Rosario on there as well, if only because decent middle infielders are the white elephants of the Minnesota Twins farm system.

 

Rosario would certainly be on my no trade list as well and I haven't seen him play.

 

I think Middle Infielders are hard to find in every system. Look at the price tag Arizona paid for Didi. Atlanta refused to part with Simmons for Upton. Profar with the Rangers for Upton was a no go.

 

I realize that these guys are SS's but it does seem that quality middle infield has a steep price tag attached to them and I think the Twins should follow suit.

[TheLeviathan]

Probably not much and that's a very good idea.

 

Of course, the chance of this happening is somewhere around .000001%.

 

i doubt Philly hands Lee away....too good of a pitcher with everyone getting extra broadcast dollars. He won't be a dump.

[cmb0252]

I wonder what Philly would want to get out from under Cliff Lee's salary?

 

If there's one thing the Twins have, it's salary room.

 

I'm pretty sure the Phillies have mentioned several times they don't plan to trade any of their starters. Why? I don't know.

 

While the idea of trading from our deep farm system for big league pitchers is a great idea I think it is too early to do so. The Twins still look like a sub .500 team. This should be a strategy used in the upcoming years once some of our current talent is up and adjusted. Also, due to the lack of good pitching on the market better teams are going to overpay to try to push them over the top. We don't fit that bill.

[ashbury]

I wonder what Philly would want to get out from under Cliff Lee's salary?

 

If there's one thing the Twins have, it's salary room.

 

This. The one reason I've given the front office any benefit of the doubt on how they filled the gaps in this rebuilding season, is on the chance that they will pull the trigger on someone's desire to move salary, even if it's not a dump per se. I had been thinking in terms of trading an inexpensive outfielder (Willingham) for someone's better but more expensive outfielder, but hadn't found the right match to suggest.

[drjim]

I would be all for getting Lee but I highly doubt they entertain thoughts of moving him. They don't need to dump salary.

[drjim]

I understand the Rosario position but there is a massive difference betwren ss and 2b.

 

And just because I would trade him it would have to be for the right pitcher - one better than Gallardo.

[notoriousgod71]

We already gave them Gomez. What the hell else do they want????

[kab21]

Gallardo does not interest me. He looks like he is falling apart and his perceived value is much higher than his actual value. Getting Cliff Lee would be awesome but that's just not happening.

[AlwaysinModeration]

I wonder what it would take to get Liriano? 29 years old, more than a K/inning, 2.30 ERA, almost 3:1 K/BB. Seems like he is pretty good.

[Guest USAFChief]

I wonder what it would take to get Liriano? 29 years old, more than a K/inning, 2.30 ERA, almost 3:1 K/BB. Seems like he is pretty good.

who was that crazy old guy who was pushing for the Twins to sign Liriano to a cheap 3 yr extension last year?

[AlwaysinModeration]

I'm guessing you, Chief. But I would have been all for it. How in the world did the Twins conclude that they should choose: Diamond, Deduno, Walters, Pelfrey, Correia, DeVries, and even Worley over Liriano?

[TheLeviathan]

If there is anything we can be assured of -it's that one good year from Liriano guarantees he has turned the corner.

[nicksaviking]

I'd throw Rosario on there as well, if only because decent middle infielders are the white elephants of the Minnesota Twins farm system.

 

If only, white elephants can at least manage a .240 batting average.

[Physics Guy]

Glad to see this thread up. I was actually contemplating a blog regarding this but dragged my feet. Lee and Gallardo were the first two pitchers that came up as I started to look. I would endorse a deal for either of these guys, but would prefer Lee. I think if the Twins were willing to eat the salary, they might be able to get him reasonably. Despite his age, he seems more of a true ace that Gallardo. I think he has a decent chance of aging well as he doesn't rely on above average velocity.

 

The reason I was thinking of blogging on this is that I think it is the only way the Twins pick up a top end starter. I don't see them competing for the big names on the free agent market. I think Ryan would be much more likely to trade for a 2-3 year contract that is already signed. The Twins have the money to do this. That being said, I agree with Brock that it isn't very likely.

[The Wise One]

who was that crazy old guy who was pushing for the Twins to sign Liriano to a cheap 3 yr extension last year?

Do you really think that would have been possible. Any dimwit agent would have his client test the market before signing a lowball contract. Liriano had a $12 million contract until he broke his arm.