Trade deadline selloff return is complete now with the draft - Remainder of Year outlook

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

The full return on the trade deadline selloff is complete.   I was firmly in the belief getting an elite draft pick would be the biggest return from tanking the remainder of the season and from the prospects received.  The Twins ended with getting the #3 pick who was clustered with the other two, a likely top 25 global prospect and was viewed similarly to Posey and Rutschman.  Now there is variability of performance at the catcher level.  This was a massive win for the organization.  If we had not traded we most likely end up with Burress, Bell, Lombard or Lebron.  They are good prospects, but all have some warts.  Lackey is effectively wart free for a catcher which is crazy.    Here is the return now as I see it.  

#1/#2 Pitcher Bradley- 2029 

Potential Franchise Catcher - Lackey

Abel #2-#4

Rojas backend rotation or bullpen piece  

Tait - power bat but still young and working on swing decisions ton of variability (after the draft I think I trade him) 

Mendez - has an MLB bat - maybe the best return

Roden - I feel like a similar player to Larnach with slightly better defense 

- Misc - Jimenez (C upside), Horn and Gallagher - solid but stuff likely not good enough MLB   

 

In hindsight,  as most stated at the time,  trading and losing Varland who wanted to stay in Minnesota was likely the biggest loss.  However I am think its highly unlikely the Twins then do not have the ability to draft Lackey.  The Twins could have won 6-8 more games with him guiding the bullpen last year and would have kept morale higher.  The team quit in August and September.   Varland has turned into an elite closer, but all in all the sell off worked as painful as it was.  I still think it would have been in the Twins best interestto have traded Ryan before the season - as the intention appeared to be but Pohlad just didn't have the stomach for it.   Say what you will Tom appears steadfast on adding to this team and competing as he stated.   I think we give some table scraps to continue to rebuild the bullpen such as getting Coloumbe.  

At the deadline things will get interesting.  I hope the Red Sox fall back.   I think the Twins after some of these moves, are an elite reliever and #3 pitcher away from competing in the playoffs.  Would they be willing to create a package around Rojas or Tait - with someone like Roden and maybe a sweetener to get Gray and Chapman?  Right now I say no.  If the Twins are winning the Red Sox lose more - bringing back Sonny Gray would be a PR dream (plus a good player) along with an elite closer.   I honestly don't think the Twins still have enough, especially professional hitters, but with a rebuilt bullpen -  Chapman, Gomez, Morris, Nance, Sands, Coloumbe, Go, Rogers     -  That would solidify the bullpen and actually potentially make it a strength.  Granted its a 2 month rental, and this likely isn't the year to go for it,  but honestly I wouldn't be opposed.  You would have a 3 headed pitching monster in Ryan, Bradley, Gray.   Tom has stated he isn't trading any of the key players unless we lose, Ryan, Jeffers and Buxton and stated he wanted to see trades for the bullpen - 1 day later we got Nance.  I think Tom wants to show he is a man of his word.  It could be short sighted but it would definitely be fun.   What a reversal from last year, and the deadline deals and tank really have improved the organziation and outlook for the future.