Deadline Primer: Shake-Up At Short?

If he's the answer, it's clear we don't know what the question is.

It's a tough call. You would think that if Escobar pushed himself really hard, he could put up almost similar numbers (i.e. home runs and stolen bases) as Nunez. This is a career year for Nunez, he knows it, he isn't letting up, and I wonder if he is secretly hoping for a trade (to be on a winner) and looking for a nice paycheck or multi-year contract.

At best, for the Twins, he COULD be the regular shortstop again next season (with Escobar or Santana or Polanco as the backup - which means we should be looking at Escobar as tradebait then). The plus is that he does show some punch. He could also play third base in a pinch if Sano would go down for any length of time (compared to, say, Escobar). That is assuming that something also happens to Plouffe.

But beyond 2017, is there a place for him with the Twins (too expensive).

So, the good side says trade when his value is the highest. Yet what is his value. Like our own Paul Molitor, does any team consider him a starter or just a glorified utility guy. Would you trade for Nunez over, say, Valencia or Plouffe or even Escobar is the scheme of things. If I was looking for a shortstop with potential (Seattle) I would look at Escobar as someone to keep around for a few years and could be considered more of a starter than a utility guy.

Trading either means we can get a look at Polanco, and then worry about the logjam in the outfield - Grossman, Rosario, Buxton, Santana, Kepler and maybe a callup of Walker. Whew! We might have another centerfielder to trade!

Unfortunately, Escobar is neither good enough with the glove or the bat.  With Polanco more of a 2B, that makes the decision about Nunez more difficult than it really should be.

If he's the answer, it's clear we don't know what the question is.

Having all three of Nunez, Escobar, and Polanco at this point is pretty silly. Trading two of them seems to be in order. Still not convinced that Polanco can't play short, but whatever.

Eduardo Nunez is not THE shortstop.  

41 games at SS

33 at 3rd

5 at 2nd

4 at DH

He is still a utility player.  He's not just in the lineup because of his offense [but still a big part], it's because of the failures of others, some injury related, some just bad performances.  

This season is a loss;  there isn't even a question about it.  The influx of MiLB players that began in the 1st half will continue in the 2nd.  Maybe even escalated.  If this doesn't signal an exit for Nunez [which I don't think is a guarantee by any stretch of the imagination] then I'd like to know whom. 

After watching Dozier try to tag out a guy returning to 2nd on the back instead of a sweep tag on his arm/hand, he's my 1st choice to go.  

EDIT:  Upon further review of yesterday's pitching, I'd add Gibson to the list.  But that's not what this thread is about....

Gordon is the SS of the future, and since he will start next season at AA, fair chance we see him at some point in time next season. Nunez is insurance in case Brooks Sano can't stick at a premium position.

Frankly, if MLBtraderumors is correct, and they are both waiting for calls, and not willing to throw in money, well, I have little faith this team is going to help themselves for the future this deadline.

Mike, our favorite team is not sitting around waiting for calls, nor are any of the other 29 teams. Assuming one of the players you're thinking about is Santana, TR is in a win-win situation, with Santana at max value. Our scouting department, has long been considered one of the best in all of baseball, and I have no doubt, few have slept in their own beds for weeks. If TR pulls the trigger on Santana, the glass is half full members will be pleased with the return.

Yesterday on Inside Twins, TR left little doubt we are looking for starting pitching, but I would assume he'll wait for the off-season when there will be less competition. I would guess we may move Plouffe, Santana, Polanco, or Park in that order, at the deadline.

Well, if he's looking for pitching, there's this Berrios guy I hear is available......and it would cost nothing to acquire him either!

 

I guess we'll see. By their own words in the paper two weeks ago, they were talking about other teams not calling them, with no mention of them calling others. Also, we've read that they are not willing to throw in money.

 

And, if that is the list of available players, I don't see much return if they won't throw in money, do you?

I believe the quote also said something like "our phones are open, call if you have any ideas", which is a pants-on-head crazy statement from your GM. You'd like to see a little more direction and pro-activeness projected from your front office. Hopefully it was a poor choice of words and they have a better plan than letting other teams frame the trade proposals. Appearances matter when you're putting on such a display of suckitude for several years now.

I'd also be pretty frustrated if they dumped Polanco for anything less than a sure-fire starting-caliber player. He's a young MLB-ready middle infielder who can legit hit and we're going to burn him because we can't stomach losing one of Escobar/Nunez/Dozier? Pretty short-sighted unless they have good reason to believe he can't establish himself at SS/2B.

BTW, looks like Ryan just got fired. Seriously

Wow. They really did it. It's sad to see it end that way for Terry but hopefully this is a sign of good changes to come.

Well, if he's looking for pitching, there's this Berrios guy I hear is available......and it would cost nothing to acquire him either!

 

I guess we'll see. By their own words in the paper two weeks ago, they were talking about other teams not calling them, with no mention of them calling others. Also, we've read that they are not willing to throw in money.

 

And, if that is the list of available players, I don't see much return if they won't throw in money, do you?

We should see Berrios shortly, so he'll end up with not quite 20 starts this season. I never really cared when they called him up, as long as he received enough innings so we could pencil him in by ST.  I think throwing in money is rarely a deal maker or breaker.