Trade Talk: Brian Duensing

One of the players this site has discussed trading is Brian Duensing. The thought is other teams might look to him as a left-handed LOOGY.

His line this year: 5.06 ERA, 41g, 32 innings, 29k, 14bb (over his career left handed hitters have a .580 OPS)

Why trade him?

Brian is 30. He will be eligible for arbitration next year. He would likely be non-tendered. Caleb Thielbar appears to be the better option, with Pedro Hernandez providing depth.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

Why keep him?

He certainly isn’t at peak value now and has never been tried exclusively as a LOOGY. Perhaps he will find the type of success Craig Breslow found after leaving the Twins.

Which teams might fit?

Boston lost Miller but they have Breslow. The Indians are rumored to be looking for a lefty. The Reds are reportedly seeking a lefty.

What is the value of a LOOGY at the trade deadline?

I found 5 trades (and a waiver claim) over the last 3 summers involving a left-handed reliever as the primary target. I am not sure Duensing is a great match as all others had ERAs under 4. When looking at the ability to get left-handed hitters, he might be a match.

Brain Fuentes for (PTBNL) Loek Van Mil- 25y.o., AA, 6.37 ERA

Javier Lopez for John Bowker and Joe Martinez – both 27 year old AAAA players

Will Ohmann for Rick Vandenhurk- 25y.o., AAA starter, 4.68 ERA

Craig Breslow for Matt Albers(29) and Scot Posednik(36) – major leaguers

JC Romero for Carlos Rojas – 28, AA, utility infielder

Jose Mijares -waived by Royals and picked up by Giants.

In these trades there were no high-potential players sent back to the team dealing the LOOGY. Some were already replacement AAAA players. Van Mil and Vandenhurk were 25 years old. Vandenhurk had started 11 games for the Marlins the previous season. None of "prospects" appeared on his team's Top Ten lists, though Vandenhurk had pitched in the Futures game three years earlier.

Best Terry Ryan LOOGY trade

The Twins traded JC Romero for Alexi Casilla in 2005. The return of Casilla is far better than anything in the last three years.

How will the Twins replace Duensing?

It seems that Thielbar already has replaced Duensing. Hernandez is six years younger and seems better suited to relief.

Bottom Line

When looking at comps, we can expect virtually nothing in return for Duensing. He certainly would not merit a sleeper prospect. Anything the Twins are able to get in return would be a bonus. An Alexi Casilla A-Ball type prospect would be an outright steal.