tony&rodney

This is confusing. It seems like you suggest BOTH Duran and Jax for these guys. Why? None of these work for both, not even remotely close. The Dodgers might trade those two guys for Duran. I would not. These ideas look like deals made up by a Yankees or Mets fan, if we are talking about dealing both. If it is for just one, some people will like a few of these suggestions. I'm actually not doing any one of these trades for either ONE of Duran or Jax. If teams want to win, they have to pay the big bucks. Gleybar Torres (65, top ranked) for 2 months of Aroldis Chapman. The Cubs have zero regrets. FWIW, there actually isn't a prospect right now the equal of Torres. Torres was a can't miss and he didn't miss.

This is an interesting take or stand. I guess the returns are important. We have a near zero idea of how important a player is to another team or how they evaluate or judge the value of Twins players. We can only see past trades and guess. My take is that the Twins need some change. Currently the team is slow and defensively challenged. They also are weak on the bases and are not hitting consistently. Seems like trades are a path forward. My guess is that this happens later, maybe November or soon after. However, Falvey has been repetitive about declaring a positive view of this roster as a playoff group. So it is impossible for me to know anything related to the Twins roster decisions. The Twins have a few expiring contracts that should have some interest from some teams: Castro, Bader, Paddack, and Coulombe. Holding these guys would raise questions. You raise an important issue regarding any move of Jeffers. The Twins would need to come up with another or two catchers. That is a given. While numerous major moves are never done in July, there are big transactions completed near the deadline. There are possibilities. I just don't know what they are, so I think of the simple deals, the bigger deals, and the crazy off the wall trades. Would Milwaukee even consider Brooks Lee plus a couple of lesser minor leaguers (Miranda and Nowlin maybe) for Jeferson Quero? Would Seattle consider a Jax for Harry Ford plus Logan Evans deal? Perhaps Jax to LAD for Rushing and River Ryan? If the Twins managed to acquire a couple of catchers, maybe Jeffers to Tampa Bay for Brody Hopkins and Jose Caballero? Can the Twins acquire Jared Jones or Bubba Chandler from Pittsburgh for Wallner, EmRod, and Julien? How desperate is Philly? Duran, Bader, Castro, and Coulombe for Painter and Crawford? And the crazy ... Ryan, Ober, Larnach, and Soto to the Athletics for Nick Kurtz and Mason Miller? There are crazy ideas to sane ideas. I mentioned elsewhere that I wonder if the Twins could jump the closer market by offering Zebby and EmRod or Keaschall for Emmanuel Clase? I think the Twins stand pat but it seems the minimum should be some deals that send out some expiring contracts. Falvey and friends should be a little busy until the deadline is passed. I'm not expecting anything but hoping for something. Don't get offended by the thoughts or ideas above.

Perhaps the Twins could ramp up the cost of relief pitchers by acquiring Emmanuel Clase. Emmanuel Rodriguez, Andrew Morris, and Amick do it? Or EmRod and Zebby?

Bottom line is that Philadelphia needs to decide how much it feels a relief pitcher (or two) is necessary for them to compete in the playoffs. FWIW, I would rank Painter and Bubba Chandler #1 and #2, the order is inconsequential. Just like Paddack's great start yesterday doesn't elevate his value enormously, a few rough innings by Painter (or Chandler) doesn't diminish their TOR prospect standing. Again, Philly is in a tough spot. We shall know what they think of waiting by the end of next week. I'm guessing they put Painter in the bullpen / keep him. I do think some (not sure who) Twins fans underrate Duran. He is really good. I keep remembering that 2 months of Chapman was worth Torres. GM's / POBO's will need to decide what 2years and 2 months of Duran (or Ryan and Jax too) are worth for their team. The Twins hold the cards in some respects. Not trading anyone from the MLB roster means the Twins are expecting to reach the playoffs. What does that really mean? Sorry for traipsing off into other topics. Painter is a top prospect, if not the best pitching prospect. I guess I could have stopped there.

This has been discussed previously in Cubs conversations, but thanks for posting it. The Cubs don't really match up with the Twins for any of Duran, Jax, or Ryan. Their prospects are not difference-makers. Caissie has a high K-rate. Some may be high on him, but after watching him a number of times I'm not into his potential.

It doesn't matter who's right or wrong, the future is now and the past is gone.

Betts is a superstar. LA is the superpower. I came away from the "no swing" call with the same conclusion. I replayed it a couple of times. 100 out of 100 times that is called a swing ..... in a different inning. Nevertheless, Ruiz is as close to an automatic out as the Dodgers roster. Jax has a terrific fastball and he throws a 3-0 sweeper for strike one. Ruiz was not swinging until he got to 2 strikes. Brain freeze. The Twins played hard, played to win versus the Dodgers. Keirsey Jr. steals second and third base base. The Twins haven't even attempted a single steal of third base until yesterday. Agree about the Twins being a strange team. Effort and concentration was good in the last 3 games. Where was that against the Rockies? Pirates? What will we see this weekend?

We don't want to break up the Duran/Jax combo in order to reach 81 wins? No team wants them? I'm confused. What is breaking the bank. There must be at least one team that believes that they are one or two players away from winning a World Series. It is possible that team, whoever it is, will go for it.

Sell.

This is exactly what I thought. The feet are solid. He actually runs. For god's sake, he stole a base. He goes for ground balls and doesn't take three extra steps to throw. Everything physical looks different. Who knew?

Never and always.

Bottom line - The Twins are not a very good team. 81 wins is a goal with 85 and a playoff spot a dream. This is clearly preferable to what Colorado Rockies fans endure, for sure. Is it enough for you?

Route?

Oh, the Dodgers are interested. However, the price? It is down.

Damn. Jax's trade value just plummeted.

Exactly. Perhaps someone needs to tell Milwaukee (Corbin Burnes, Devin Williams) about that rule.

Just a friendly reminder .... Gleybar Torres was the price for 2 months of Aroldis Chapman. Torres, as a shortstop, was higher rated than any player prospect currently in baseball including Roman Anthony. The Cubs will never regret that trade. Duran and Jax are available for 3 playoff seasons. We don't really have any idea what a team will decide. Philly is in a tough spot. they need a few players and especially a closer. The price should be high. There are possibilities. When I watch the Twins I see a slow, defensively challenged team that runs the bases poorly but has decent pitching. My opinion is that the Twins have the pieces in place to win 81 games, plus or minus 5, year after year going forward. I guess I'm hoping for more, which might be greed on my part. In order to take the next steps the Twins need better talent.

Gleybar Torres (top rated SS / better than Roman Anthony) for 2 months of Aroldis Chapman. Philly is the team that should be most interested. The price should be at least 2 top 100 prospects.

Good job of explaining your byline (TD name).

Few people want to trade Ryan, but many people are open to a transaction that actually holds hope for improving the team. So folks are guessing, just like those who write the articles. One also must consider that we have no idea how other teams view the players or whether a potential reasonable deal cannot be completed because of cautious GMs/POBOs. Is there a player you see as a fair trade for Ryan?

Not enough for Ryan. The Cubs might match up on one or more expiring contracts but not for Ryan. Philadelphia or West Sacramento? Maybe.

Agree with your post. Valuations are all over the place. On another point/guess/ wonder - Would the Athletics entertain a Ryan for Kurtz trade? Not enough? Add Soto? Or more likely Kurtz is just not available?

Do you think the Brewers would do a Lee - Quero deal?

Can't really disagree, but as I pointed out earlier it seems very unlikely that Falvey would trade a big chip for R/A/A+ players no matter their prospect listing. Get the best return possible is my take. i Think Philly has the bodies.

Just a reminder of Gleybar Torres for Aroldis Chapman. Torres was top 5 in every ranking and has proved his worth. The Cubs will never regret that trade ... flags fly forever. Chapman was on an expiring contract. We won't know until we know but the Twins hold the cards. Look at it this way. Would you trade Walker Jenkins if you believed the return brought your team a World Series Pennant?