The Twins Need to Cash in on Kody Clemens Right Now

[Riverbrian]

29 minutes ago, Patzky said:

They'll tear you apart first. Nothing you said is wrong. In a season of negatives, be average. I guess that's part of Hunting the Good. 

There are 13 roster spots. Before the team starts tossing average away (I'll say Above Average in 2026 in the case of Clemens). I'd prefer that they take a longer look at the below average to poor performers. You don't stop looking for better than Clemens. Clemens isn't in the way of anybody. You don't have to play him every single day. You can still look for better, try to find better. He's a solid member of a 26 man roster. 

If a team wants to give up a 100 MPH reliever for Clemens. OK... Fine. I'll make that trade. We could use some 100 MPH guys in the pen. Especially young arms with a future. 

But... for those who are tearing his existence on our roster apart. What can he do to make you stop?

27 Home Runs in 586 AB's thus far with the Twins isn't enough? That's pretty famous company that he is keeping pace with.  

Decent defense, multi-positional ability isn't enough. Stealing 11 out of 14 stolen base attempts isn't enough so he can run a little.  

Finding minimum making guys like Clemens should be the goal of every organization. We should celebrate his story. Inches from out of baseball. Good for Kody... Good for us. 

 

[MMMordabito]

27 minutes ago, Hunter4848 said:

A smart team trades him but unfortunately the Twins are not a smart team.

Strange the amount of attachment that fans on this site have for a mediocre bench player. Just goes to show you how far we are from contending 

Yeah, that not smart team didn't get 2+ WAR so far for about $1M + cash considerations so far.

I don't think anyone is suggesting an extension.  That would be attachment.  If the Twins want to contend, they need players who provide roster flexibility at relatively inexpensive prices. Clemens is doing exactly that right now.  He's more valuable to the Twins than what he is going to net in a return right now.  Go look at the guys they got for Castro.  They aren't exactly screaming solution provider in MiLB right now.  Will Clemens even get them that? I'm doubtful.

[mikelink45]

16 hours ago, roger said:

Will any team ever get to be really good if they keep trading their good players, players who should continue being good for several years, for a couple prospects two or three years away?  Add the fact they have been searching for a first baseman seemingly forever and he will be cheap for another two years and this makes no sense.

Sure look at the Pirates - it only took them from 2016 - 2026 to get a winning record.  Boy is that a treat for the fans.

[Linus]

Kody is a useful player. It’s impressive that he plays multiple defensive positions better than some can play only one. It would be perfectly fine to keep him if no team is offering anything of value in trade. If there is a team offering a reliever with upside you have to trade him. This team as currently constructed is going nowhere, this year or next. Change has to occur if we want to break this cycle. 

[Trov]

I am fully on board with trading him.  I still do not believe he is "for real" in terms of what he has put up.  Maybe, since he has finally been given a full shot and was maybe stuck behind better players in Philly.  However, he is 30 and will not be expected to carry value very long into future.  With all that, get what you can for the guy at this point. 

[David Maro]

Looking at Castro and Clemens they seem to be one in the same. After they were given a chance to play everyday they showed they can preform. With someone like Lewis who yes was a number one pick has been unable to stay on the field or has not lived up to the pick. Again a change of scenery may be a need for both parties. Does the team really need to play the long game with him like they did with Buxton. The team really needs to move away from players who take years to preform. Everyday people say trade Larnach who has taken years to get to where he's at a part time player. This roster is full of part time players and will be years away from a run in the division nevertheless playoffs.

[KirbyDome89]

People are actually mad about "constant roster churn," on a team that's on pace to lose 90ish games? Lol ok....

Also, good luck getting anything of actual value in return for Kody Clemens. He was pretty much unplayable for most of last season, and that was after Philadelphia discarded him. A good month+ isn't going to suddenly convince a remotely competent FO to give up actual value. 

[Vanimal46]

1 hour ago, KirbyDome89 said:

People are actually mad about "constant roster churn," on a team that's on pace to lose 90ish games? Lol ok....

Also, good luck getting anything of actual value in return for Kody Clemens. He was pretty much unplayable for most of last season, and that was after Philadelphia discarded him. A good month+ isn't going to suddenly convince a remotely competent FO to give up actual value. 

I'm having deja vu from this time last year talking about Chris Paddack. It was pretty obvious at the time that 3.5 ERA Paddack was his peak value on the Twins. I would guess there was a similar article just like this to cash in on him before he reverts back to the 5 ERA pitcher. 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

3 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

There are 13 roster spots. Before the team starts tossing average away (I'll say Above Average in 2026 in the case of Clemens). I'd prefer that they take a longer look at the below average to poor performers. You don't stop looking for better than Clemens. Clemens isn't in the way of anybody. You don't have to play him every single day. You can still look for better, try to find better. He's a solid member of a 26 man roster. 

If a team wants to give up a 100 MPH reliever for Clemens. OK... Fine. I'll make that trade. We could use some 100 MPH guys in the pen. Especially young arms with a future. 

But... for those who are tearing his existence on our roster apart. What can he do to make you stop?

27 Home Runs in 586 AB's thus far with the Twins isn't enough? That's pretty famous company that he is keeping pace with.  

Decent defense, multi-positional ability isn't enough. Stealing 11 out of 14 stolen base attempts isn't enough so he can run a little.  

Finding minimum making guys like Clemens should be the goal of every organization. We should celebrate his story. Inches from out of baseball. Good for Kody... Good for us. 

 

If Clemens didn’t have value for the Twins, this wouldn’t be a discussion. What value would he have to anyone if he can’t beat out Outman for playing time?

[Riverbrian]

5 minutes ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

If Clemens didn’t have value for the Twins, this wouldn’t be a discussion. What value would he have to anyone if he can’t beat out Outman for playing time?

He'd have the same value as he had when the Twins acquired him.

Which is the same value as Taylor Rashi or Justin Lawrence. 

He'd be "cash considerations" at best after a DFA or he just passes through waivers. 

I get the conversation... Cash in on Clemens right now. I'm not going to pretend to know his current or future value but I am amazed by some of the comments directed at him.  

If a team is willing to part with a 100MPH young reliever for his services... we could use a young 100mph reliever with some years of service. If the trade is for a 2 month rental of Jo Jo Romero. I'd pass. 

Kody will have 2027 value if he simply stops us from signing another one year deal. 

He actually keeps 1B open for more legitimate attempts to fix it by being available to play the position and other positions.  

 

[Linus]

6 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

Kody will have 2027 value if he simply stops us from signing another one year deal. 

He actually keeps 1B open for more legitimate attempts to fix it by being available to play the position and other positions.  

This is a fair point. 

[Dave Borton]

I asked Shelton about 3 wks ago to play him every day and quit using him as a 5th hand at the poker table.

It's working but don't want to see him traded. Twins always get pantsed.

[Riverbrian]

3 minutes ago, Linus said:

This is a fair point. 

[Hunter4848]

4 hours ago, MMMordabito said:

Yeah, that not smart team didn't get 2+ WAR so far for about $1M + cash considerations so far.

I don't think anyone is suggesting an extension.  That would be attachment.  If the Twins want to contend, they need players who provide roster flexibility at relatively inexpensive prices. Clemens is doing exactly that right now.  He's more valuable to the Twins than what he is going to net in a return right now.  Go look at the guys they got for Castro.  They aren't exactly screaming solution provider in MiLB right now.  Will Clemens even get them that? I'm doubtful.

You are thinking way too short term. This is a lost season, there is no need for him on this team we are going no where. Plan for the future not a short term sugar high...

[Mike Sixel]

I'm surprised at what I'm about to type.... But I'm holding him unless I get offered someone just outside the top 100 or so. He's free, and he is playing well. I get this team is going nowhere, fast, but I'm rolling the dice on Kody unless there is a really good offer. 

[Linus]

36 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

That said, if I got something good I would trade him. 😀

[MMMordabito]

4 minutes ago, Hunter4848 said:

You are thinking way too short term. This is a lost season, there is no need for him on this team we are going no where. Plan for the future not a short term sugar high...

He's cost controlled for three more years and won't return more than flyers or filler right now.  Even if one concedes that his ceiling is bench depth on a marginal contender, that has more value than a Sam Armstrong-type will realistically add to the '28/'29 roster.  I'd echo the comment above about the Pirates, if the future is further out for you than that.

[Thumbs Down Guy]

I am always amazed at the comments regarding Kody Clemens, no, Cody Clemens, no, Kody Clemons, no, Cody Clemons, no, Clemmons, no, Clemmens.

These are are the different spellings I have seen in a TD search covering the last month. To all you commenters who can not spell a simple name, A BIG 👎.

[Mike Sixel]

5 minutes ago, Thumbs Down Guy said:

I am always amazed at the comments regarding Kody Clemens, no, Cody Clemens, no, Kody Clemons, no, Cody Clemons, no, Clemmons, no, Clemmens.

These are are the different spellings I have seen in a TD search covering the last month. To all you commenters who can not spell a simple name, A BIG 👎.

Ya, autocorrect and typos.... You really care that much? It h happens

[HarmonK03]

After seeing today's lineup, get what you can for him.  That way they will quit forcing him in the lineup and maybe we could get somebody up that has more upside and more of a chance to be part of the future.

[RpR]

19 hours ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

@RpR why do you disagree?

do you disagree that 1996 comes before 1997?

do you disagree about hitting assessments?

do you feel that Clemens should not be available at any price?

please elaborate 

You quoted Richie but at that, the comparisons are really void, as different team at a different time, and a different manager & coaches.

 

 

[Woof Bronzer]

27 minutes ago, Thumbs Down Guy said:

These are are the different spellings I have seen in a TD search covering the last month. To all you commenters who can not spell a simple name, A BIG 👎.

You have an extra "are" in there.  Typos happen to the best of us!

[Richie the Rally Goat]

3 hours ago, RpR said:

You quoted Richie but at that, the comparisons are really void, as different team at a different time, and a different manager & coaches.

 

 

I tagged you in my unquoted comment because you thumbs down voted and I am genuinely curious about your point of view.

the OP suggested that the return for trading Clemens could be similar to that of Willi Castro.

My response that you downvoted was if that type of return came for Clemens, they should do it, Castro was 27 at the time, and had 2+ years of quality history, compared to 30 and 8 weeks of quality history. Castro then should be more valuable than Clemens now based on track record and age.

I then asked why….

i will now add to my previous post. If the trade is similar to Castro return, do it. If not, don’t.

Clemens has value, which is why he might return value in trade. He should not be traded for the sake of making a trade.

[Riverbrian]

19 minutes ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

I tagged you in my unquoted comment because you thumbs down voted and I am genuinely curious about your point of view.

the OP suggested that the return for trading Clemens could be similar to that of Willi Castro.

My response that you downvoted was if that type of return came for Clemens, they should do it, Castro was 27 at the time, and had 2+ years of quality history, compared to 30 and 8 weeks of quality history. Castro then should be more valuable than Clemens now based on track record and age.

I then asked why….

i will now add to my previous post. If the trade is similar to Castro return, do it. If not, don’t.

Clemens has value, which is why he might return value in trade. He should not be traded for the sake of making a trade.

Castro was a rental at the time of the trade. Clemens hasn't hit arb yet.

I'd hope for more. 😎

[ashbury]

9 hours ago, Hunter4848 said:

Plan for the future not a short term sugar high...

What sugar rush is Kody Clemens capable of providing, exactly?  I'm always up for a good one.

[howeda7]

There's nothing to cash in. Clemons is not getting you any sort of haul. There is no good reason the Twins can't compete in this pathetic AL Central in 2027. Clemons is more valuable as a good bench player in 2027-2030 than the lottery ticket 19th best prospect you will get in exchange for him.

There are plenty of other chips to trade that will not be part of the 2027 roster. Trade Jeffers. Trade Taylor Rogers. Trade Bell. Trade Larnach. 

[Hunter4848]

19 hours ago, ashbury said:

What sugar rush is Kody Clemens capable of providing, exactly?  I'm always up for a good one.

More meaningless wins...

[Hunter4848]

17 hours ago, howeda7 said:

There's nothing to cash in. Clemons is not getting you any sort of haul. There is no good reason the Twins can't compete in this pathetic AL Central in 2027. Clemons is more valuable as a good bench player in 2027-2030 than the lottery ticket 19th best prospect you will get in exchange for him.

There are plenty of other chips to trade that will not be part of the 2027 roster. Trade Jeffers. Trade Taylor Rogers. Trade Bell. Trade Larnach. 

3 of the 4 you just mentioned aren't getting any sort of haul either.

If the Twins want to ever be good they need to strip it down to the studs and start playing prospects and embrace the rebuild instead of playing old mediocre veterans. 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

14 minutes ago, Hunter4848 said:

3 of the 4 you just mentioned aren't getting any sort of haul either.

If the Twins want to ever be good they need to strip it down to the studs and start playing prospects and embrace the rebuild instead of playing old mediocre veterans. 

I’m with you, to a point.

In 2026 Jenkins, Gonzalez, Culpepper and Rodriguez all should have significant playing time.

That eliminates Arcia, Gray, Kreidler and one of Clemens or Bell from the active roster.

OF Jenkins, Buxton, Rodriguez

IF Gonzalez 1B Lewis 2B Culpepper SS Lee 3B

DH Larnach

C Jackson/Jeffers

Bench Caratini, Clemens, Keaschall, Martin

the really big hole left in this is Caratini

Lee would have to backup SS, 

Sub Gray for Clemens and the versatility on the bench is lost, as well as a downgrade hitting.

could they be ok? Yeah, but return would have to be worth it.

Bell, Kreidler, Arcia, not worried about what the return is. Gray, I might demote Keaschall first before DFA/Trade. 

 

[Vanimal46]

11 minutes ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

I might demote Keaschall first before DFA/Trade. 

Why is sending Keaschall back to St Paul the topic of the day on this website?