DaveW

I agree, I think it comes down to the whole "baseball players are human beings" argument again, even though they are super duper rich!!$$!!$! They still have to deal with the pain of selling a house, finding a new house, moving the wife/kids, new schools, new friends etc. I know I would be pretty pissed if I took a job that moved me across the country, then 5 months later they transferred me across the other side of the country.

Well whoever this baseball mind was, he clearly thought they were asking too much for Span as well. We know how that turned out (The Twins fleeced the Nationals) not all front office/teams are created equally.

I remember it as well, there was a thread on here at the time. The talk was by one reporter reporting a "front office person" said the best they could hop for was a low ceiling pitching prospect (i.e. a #4/#5)

On a rebuilding team, no one is trully "untouchable" but for the sake of argument I would list the following players as untouchable (Only way I would trade them is if some team truly throws the farm at the Twins, we are talking about a cant miss future star player and a few other pieces...i.e never say never, but it won't happen) Dozier Hughes Buxton Sano Gibson Meyer are all untouchable in my book due to their current and/or future skill set. Guys like Nolasco and Mauer are untouchable as well, due to contract/having a bad year. I would never trade Mauer, and I think Nolasco will turn it around. Pretty sure we can't trade Perkins with his new contract (NTC I believe?) which is 100% fine with me, we have a truly elite closer on a very, very team friendly deal. That leaves the following players that I believe the Twins should explore trading (only if we are 6+ games out) Odds assume the Twins are "out" of it : Plouffe- With Sano as the future 3B Plouffe is obviously in a bit of a no mans land, however he does have some nice versatility for the Twins and Sano may not be ready for the majors until mid next year anyways. Plouffe ultimately could become Cuddyer part 2 for us. I wouldn't "trade him just to trade him" but if someone wants to give up a top 50 prospect or someone that can play SS then I would listen. Otherwise, hold onto him until Sano is ready and figure out where he fits. Odds: 10% this season. 35% sometime in 2015. Pinto- Prob a bit too early to consider trading him, however if the Twins are convinced that he won't stick defensively at Catcher (and nothing they have said indicates so) maybe it would make sense to stick him out there, however I don't think it is the right time. Odds: 5% this year. Suzuki- Has been a real nice player for the Twins this year, I think if the Twins fall out of it you have to see if he would be willing to sign a two year extension prior to the deadline, if he flat out says no or wants to hit the FA market I think you have to move him. Odds: 20% traded. 80% signed to an extension. Willingham- If the Twins are out if it I think its almost a certainty that they would trade Willingham if he was healthy. Odds: 90% Morales- This one is really tough. I imagine they would make sure Morales was fine with being shopped before they even considered doing so, the last thing I would want them to do is burn bridges with a Cuban player and a Boras client. Personally I would keep him around all year and try to sign him to an extension. Odds: 25% traded. 50% extension. 25% Stays around and walks at the end of the season. Escobar- Has played admirably for the Twins this season, has some nice flexibility in positions he can play. Perhaps has more trade value then many would think. However, the Twins desperately need SS moving forward and there are no real ones in the org who will step up in the next year or two, unless Santana of course can keep all of this up. Odds: 10% traded. 30% if Santana can prove to be the SS of the near future. Correia- Again if the Twins are out of it I think its a near certainty he would be traded. Odds: 90% Burton- No real trade value at this point, I guess if he starts pulling it together he could be traded, I just don't see it happening. (10%)

I remember it being posted on MLBTraderumors

The asking price should have been high, you just don't trade a 30 HR guy for beans. Also I am glad the Span asking was "more pricey", give me that Meyer trade 7 days out of 7. I know opinions on TR differ amongst folks, but the one thing I believe we can mostly agree on is he knows how to get solid value in trades.

I surely hope you don't truly believe this and are just blowing off steam. I can assure you Mauer is very passionate about the game, the team and his own personal game, I have a biz partner of mine who coached him in basketball growing up and knows the family well (still keeps in touch) he has said nothing less then that Mauer is a class act/great guy who works as hard as anyone to remain an elite player. As far as his struggles this year, it wouldn't shock me if he had some sort of significant injury, I give him credit for keeping his head up, at the end of the day it has been a down year for him, but at least he is conituing to get on base. Ideally he gets "well" soon, if he comes back to his normal self this lineup suddenly looks rather strong (at least the top half) As far as him taking days off after catching.....every catcher has to do that, there might not be a more grueling position in all of sports then it is to be an every day catcher. Often times he was at the top of the league for games caught in a season. Additionally playing DH is not the same as taking a day off, physically it is less demanding for sure, however I think you are truly underestimating the mental capacity it takes to step in against major league pitchers 3-4 times a game. Mauer has better stats then guys like Jeter and Puckett this far into his career, its absolutely insane that people spew this anti Mauer garbage on a regular basis.

Wasn't it said at the time in 2012 that he still only would have fetched a C level prospect?

So at what point do we give the Twins coaches etc credit for how far Gibson has come?

You want to trade the best pitcher the Twins have had in years for salary relief? Pelfreys contract is not going to hamstring them at all

The real good news is I just saved 15% on my car insurance in 15 minutes. *sponsored post brought to you by Geico USA

Radio guys said a flu bug was going around the clubhouse today (which honestly is code for the guys having too much fun last night) Not putting them down or anything as it happens to all teams and a lot of players, however it would explain a thing or two. Note: Parmelee was prob still wasted and did his best Mickey Mantle/David Wells impression today.

Makes sense, when I am too hungover to show up to work I often mix up my lies to co-workers as well.

Tommy John surgery is imminent!

Welp, that is the last time I buy and insist on Perkins finishing a half dozen shots of Irish Whiskey for good luck

Man I wish the Twins could someday trade for an up and comer like Ortiz

Arias

Its been fixed.

Ah yes, the brown bottle flu.

Where is Perk?

The day after I leave Boston they finally try to win one. Sweet.

I didn't realize Johan was out for the year. Heck, let's just extend this contest for all of 2014+2015?

Predict the most correct and I will send you a $10 stub hub gift certificate (Note: both pitchers must pitch at least 0.1 IP in the majors over the course of the next two seasons) Which pitcher will: Have the better ERA? Have the most IP? Have the most wins? Have the most strike outs? Have the most walks? Have the better WHIP? Have the higher WAR? Have the better k/9? Have the better k/bb? Have the better FIP? Have the better xFIP? Have the most Cy Young votes? Have the most HR allowed?

I want him to ravage me se....I mean BOOK IT!

Actually it hasn't been exhaustively established, his k/bb rate is very good which is reflective of his performance, his FIP while higher isn't exactly in the "danger" zone, and as I have been saying results are ultimately what matter. If he comes up to the majors and produces then great, if he doesn't then you bring someone else in who might as well. He has more then earned his shot due to his results. Should the Twins give back their 1991 World Series rings because Erickson, Tapani, Morris, Aggie, Anderson all outperformed there FIP's and several players including Tappani, Erickson, Mack etc had career years?