Riverbrian

I wasn't for the Pressly deal either because his contract wasn't expiring, but when I personally rank it... I put it below the loss of Anderson because: Because we still don't know what we got in return from Houston... Who knows... we might have got something. We know we got nothing in return for Anderson but yeah... I agree with you. Keep your MLB assets with the control. So both were questionable in my opinion. One area where you and I might differ is the trust in the evaluation process. I trust the front office to better at player evaluation then the average bear and I have no issues with the current front office. However... I can't stress this enough... the margins are razor thin, so thin that every front office makes big evaluation mistakes frequently enough that you can't give them the benefit of the doubt to have the science down pat. This team was going nowhere in 2018... Belisle on this roster was pointless... You traded, Duke and Pressly out of the pen. It's time to start giving players the opportunity to show what they can do for 2019 and beyond. Not doing that was a waste of roster space and it's how you lose players that you should have kept. If the people doing the evaluations determined that Anderson wasn't major league capable therefore no reason to give him a look see in 2018.... They were wrong! That is just another example of how thin those margins are and why the professional evaluations can't be trusted... even if they are good at it. No matter what that small sample size ERA says currently... or his small sample size WAR. He is striking out two batters per inning. This the major leagues and not many pitchers can strike out batters at that pace at this level. We didn't give this type of arm a chance and now we have Morin on the roster who Baldelli will only use if the score is 10-0. Nick Anderson would be an important part of this current bullpen. They blew it and now we will have to give back our Pressly gains to reacquire a Pressly type when Anderson or Bard or Burdi might have lessened that need. This is part of the reason why I'm all about opportunity. This is why we can't let Morrison hog all the AB's. Every 660K player that helps you win games is money that can be applied toward more other players that can help you win games. Every 600K player you identify through performance is a rising stock for higher trade value. I respect the front office but in no way do I trust them and they shouldn't trust themselves either. Let the players prove it. It just makes these razor thin decisions so much easier. As for the screaming about it. I'm used to it. Hand your players the ball.

Twinsdaily has been doing a series of great articles on potential trade acquisitions in the bullpen but in my opinion, guys like Hand may be off the table so I was trying to be comprehensive quickly from the current (what I believe to be) sellers list. Not just relievers but every position because upgrading for a playoff stretch doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t consider other spots on the field. Ultimately I was trying to get a sense of what is available along with what others teams will compete for those assets. It is heavy buyer... light seller at the moment. Can’t wait for OTHER teams to go on long losing streaks for better balance.

That’s my fault. I totally missed the 19.6 due to him in 2022 due to rushing to get it posted.

Presly might have been a mistake in Hindsight. But at least we got something back. The real organizational mistake was not providing opportunity for Anderson, Burdi and even Chargois and of course others. Bullpens across the league are full of players who are getting opportunity after not getting opportunity elsewhere. Identify your own guys before they are tossed aside. Getting better at this will fix your bullpen at a much lower cost.

Great Article Nick I invite everyone to take a look at every bullpen in the Majors. Look at the names in each bullpen on each team. Spoiler Alert: There will be a bunch of players that you have either never heard of, or players that you've heard of but had no idea who they were before that. We've heard of Will Smith so we want him (I do to). However, before he was the Will Smith we've heard of, he was the Will Smith that Keith Law didn't talk about. Clearly, Bullpen arms are made in a Nevada lab.

Perhaps I'm being a little hard on Eppler, he walked into a tough room but his approach has only slightly changed from his predecessors, if it has at all. They are stuck in a cycle of having to spend continually because the little youth they had was traded away to acquire more vets that got hurt or didn't perform and they just try again next year. Outside of Trout, the best prospects they produced... produced elsewhere to add everyone from Ianetta to Simmons. Teams need 600K talent. Can't play 600K talent with 30 Million dollar average to non performing talent in the way... So here come Harvey and Cahill to feed the broken machine. Astros, Dodgers, Cubs, Red Sox all built their base with 600K talent and added to that with high dollar players that sometimes worked and sometime didn't but they built that base. The Angels tried to buy it. Harvey and Cahill are just a continuation of the same affliction. Maybe the farm is starting to perk up, that would be exactly what they need. Clearing some space for them by stopping the insanity just might prevent those prospects of today from becoming 600K talent for someone else tomorrow.

More financial flexibility plus the subsequent roster spots that become available to more affordable talent is why I would tear it down to the edges of Trout/Ohtani. If they move Calhoun, Upton and Simmons. That's a pretty significant step toward a tear down. If they can't move Calhoun, Upton and Simmons (even if they wanted to). That's being stuck with limited financial flexibility and they are back to shopping for the next Matt Harvey and Cody Allen in the off-season. Just like they do every year and it bites them every time. Buttrey? I agree moving him is unlikely... I'm just trying to come up with something that they could trade for significant value in return. La Stella? I'd tear it down.

We have 3.5 now. "Now" is the key word. It might be less in August. I'm guessing that the Astros are not comfortable either and they even have McHugh coming off the DL real soon. We just might see them involved in Stroman trade discussions right along with us. They also have 3 starting pitchers set to hit free agency (Cole, Peacock and Miley). If they pick up Stroman... they get a spot for next year filled and they can move Peacock back to the bullpen for the stretch run this year.

Agreed They have moved some pieces around. I'm sure they'd love to move Harvey and Cahill this year for obvious reasons... And I'm sure they will try and move Lucroy. All 3 have expiring contracts. But... would they move Calhoun with a Club Option if they fell out of contention they year? Would they move a long term asset like Buttrey for prospects? I don't know but it feels like a no based on past history and the long term presence of Trout. I have my doubts that they'd strip it down. Would they consider eating some money to make Upton available for youth in return. They just consistently act like a franchise that wouldn't even consider hitting the reset button and with Trout under contract... trying to reload each year seems like their chosen operational style.

Agreed. The teams that might become sellers. Will they? The Nats and Mets are potential tweaks away for 2020. The Angels just don’t sell... they keep trying to plug holes. The Padres and White Sox are plenty young already and will be looking to Add. I could see the Pirates become sellers. Who knows but it’s looking like we might end up short on sellers and heavy on buyers.

I was just listening to George Thorogood covering Bo Diddley's "Who do you Love?" At no point in the song do they mention Magill or Morin.

I rushed through the list. I didn't like the contract. Shouldn't be in that category. Thanks

My list for the Angels would be lengthy. Not sure the Angels agree with me.

Who knows what the future holds for Arraez. But at this point you gotta keep putting him in the lineup.

They gotta trust someone.

If I was the Angels... I’d tear it down leaving just Trout and Ohtani to build around. Everybody else would be moved for Canning type players. The Angels keep trying to buy it and it is never enough.

He’d be the type of player they would want to acquire in a trade. They already have him.

Giants: Here is a look at who they could try to sell: Ranked based on MY OPINION of each players individual value/Cost to acquire. Bumgarner: Rental - They need young players, prospects and they got to purge this roster in order to start fresh. I'd be shocked if he isn't in a different uniform in August. They don't have a lot of clean chips to acquire youth. Smith: Rental - Shocked if he isn't in a different uniform in August. Dyson: Arb 4 - Could trade now, Could wait until the off season. Watson: Rental (2.5M Player Option) - Shocked if he isn't in a differen uniform in August. Please take the contract off our Hands: Samardjiza: 1/19.8 - He's been better this year but still not good enough for nearly 20 million a year. Melencon: 1/14 - Better this year but he's got to be a lot better to over come how bad he had been. Posey: 2/44.3 - I hate to put Posey in this Category but he's getting up there in age and his production suggests that he is getting up there in age. Crawford: 2/34.4 - Longoria: 2/34 - Belt: 2/32: Still not sure how he got this contract in the first place. Anyone tickle your interest for our Twins. If So, which teams will be bidding against us. I'd ask about: Smith, Dyson, Watson and Kick tires on Bumgarner because I'm worried about the rental price.

Marlins: Here is a look at who they could try to sell: Ranked based on MY OPINION of each players individual value/Cost to acquire. Romo - Rental - Only injury will prevent him from being on another roster in August. Castro - Rental - I'll be surprised if he is still with the Marlins in August Prado - Rental - I'll be surprised if he is still with the Marlins in August Walker - Rental - 50/50 on if anyone is interested or anyone cares. Please take the contract off our Hands: Chen - 1/22 (16M Vesting Option - 180 IP next season) Anyone tickle your interest for our Twins. If So, which teams will be bidding against us. I'd ask about: Romo

Mariners: Here is a look at who they could try to sell: Ranked based on MY OPINION of each players individual value/Cost to acquire. Santana: Arb 2 - If they want prospects and they should - They might get one or two for Domingo. Elias: Arb 2 - Smart move converting him to closer/bullpen, probably increased his value in the process Leake: 1/15 (mutual option 18m) - Equal parts not amazing/not terrible. Gordon: 1/13.8 (Vesting Option 18M 600 ab's next season) - His speed might be interesting for a playoff club but probably not at that price. Beckham: Arb 4 - Can't see him staying in Seattle. Someone will pick him up for depth. Gearrin: Rental LeBlanc: Rental Please take the contract off our Hands: Seager - 2/38 - Kyle hasn't been Kyle for a while. Seattle would probably love to move the contract and their are less and less takers each day. King Felix - Rental - He retires or signs a minor league deal next year. No point in trading him. Anyone tickle your interest for our Twins. If So, which teams will be bidding against us. I'd ask about: Elias

Royals: Here is a look at who they could try to sell: Ranked based on MY OPINION of each players individual value/Cost to acquire. Merrifield - 3/14.5 - GM says he will be expensive. His age may limit the number of teams willing to pay the expense. Soler - 1/4+Arb 4 - He's finding his power stroke. 2 Year of control. Duffy - 2/30.75 - Could trade at the deadline, could wait for the off-season. Bailey - Rental - Started terribly but has been fantastic in his last 4 starts. Hamilton - Rental (7.5 Million Mutual Option) - Someone will want that speed for the playoffs. Maybe the Twins? Diekman - Rental (5.75 Mutual Option) - Hittable with a high K/9 so maybe fixable? Boxberger - Rental - Can't see him staying in KC Peralta - Rental (7M Mutual Option) - Can't see him staying in KC Maldanado - Rental - Who needs a catcher? Gordon - Rental (23 million mutual option that only the Royals would consider). Think Mauer when you think Gordon. He is the Joe Mauer of the Kansas City Royals. No way he is traded. Please take the contract off our Hands: Kennedy - 1/16.5 - He would be a high priced reliever at this point and he could be converted back to the rotation. Either way... The Royals would have to eat some contract to get decent prospect value in return. He is interesting enough that he may not belong here. Anyone tickle your interest for our Twins. If So, which teams will be bidding against us. I'd ask about: Duffy, Diekman, Peralta and kick the tires on both Hamilton and Kennedy.

Tigers: Here is a look at who they could try to sell: Ranked based on MY OPINION of each players individual value/Cost to acquire. Boyd - Arb 2 - Not just 1 year but 2 years of control after this season. Price should be high but the Tigers should get offers and they should cash in at this trade deadline in my opinion. Norris - Arb 2 Next Season - Could trade at the deadline, could wait for the off-season, could keep him until he reaches free agency. Greene - Arb 3 Next Season - No reason for the Tigers to keep him. If they want prospects and they should. They gotta move someone who will bring some back. Castellanos - Rental - No way he stays in Detroit. I'm surprised he wasn't dealt last off season. Please take the contract off our Hands: Zimmerman - 1/25 - Just one more year of that contract to go. Young pitching on the way. Could be a mentor to those young arms. Cabrera - 5/154 - He is already broken down physically. Stuck in Detroit. Anyone tickle your interest for our Twins. If So, which teams will be bidding against us. I'd ask about Boyd, Norris and Greene.

Blue Jays: Here is a look at who they could try to sell: Ranked based on MY OPINION of each players individual value/Cost to acquire. Stroman: Arb 4 - Could trade at the deadline, could wait for the off-season. Giles: Arb 3 - Could trade at the deadline, could wait for the off-season. Sanchez Arb 3 - Could trade at the deadline, could wait for the off-season. Does it matter? He doesn't seem to be the same Sanchez of years past. Hudson: Rental - Gotta be on the Block - No way he stays in Toronto. Phelps - Rental or 3 Million Option Next Season - He just came back. Been on the DL since 2017. Gotta watch him a little and take measurement. Early reports have been encouraging. Galvis - Rental or 5.5 Million Option Next Season. Did he find something... is it worth 5.5 Million or is he just a rental. Smoak - Rental Richard - Rental (Almost no value whatsoever) Please take the contract off our hands: Grichuk 4/44 - Production just doesn't match the length or the money committed (in my opinion). Anyone tickle your interest for our Twins. If So, which teams will be bidding against us. I'd ask about Stroman, Giles, Hudson, Phelps and Sanchez in that order.

Orioles: Here is a look at who they could try to sell: Ranked based on MY OPINION of each players individual value/Cost to acquire. Mancini - Arb 1 Next Season - They don't need to trade him but he is the player who brings back the most in return. The Orioles are tearing it down... Mancini speeds the process along. Price will be high but he is talented enough with 3 years of control so maybe someone pays it. If they don't pay it... keep him in an Orioles uniform until they do. Bundy - Arb 2 Next Season - I could see them trading him for the right deal and keeping him if they don't get the right deal. One of those players who you might watch figure it out for another club after you sold low. Villar - Arb 3 Next Season - They gotta trade someone for prospects... They should sell him to the highest bidder. Givens - Arb 2 Next Season - They gotta trade someone for prospects... they should trade him to the highest bidder. Cashner - Rental - Vesting option at 340 Innings over the past 2 years. He needs 107 more innings for the option to trigger and I don't believe that will happen. Baltimore is in a deep rebuild, they don't want to pay the 10 million next year. Price should be cheap. Please take the contract off our Hands: Chris Davis - 3/69 - They would have to eat a significant portion of the contract. Stuck in Baltimore. Anyone tickle your interest for our Twins. If So, which teams will be bidding against us. I'd ask about Bundy and Givens.

It's June 23 and it's interesting across the MLB fruited plain. Looking at the standings... There are only 7 clear sellers at the moment. Seattle, Detroit, Toronto, Kansas City, Baltimore, San Francisco and Miami. I'm sure that some others will join the list as time marches on but currently I'd guess this isn't good news for those who'd like to pay lower prospect prices.