Thrylos

$ for $, I'd say give them E. Santana and call it a day. Add Milone if you have to, but the Twins cannot give Gibson up right now. Add the other Santana, who, if you get Tulo, you have no need for. Plus. Take anyone 24 or over from the Rochester Roster. All you can eat.

Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch --- Yesterday, in the first part of this series, I suggested that the Twins trade Danny Santana, Mike Tonkin and Jake Reed to the Oakland Athletics for Ben Zorbrist and Tyler Clippard; and to promote Jorge Polanco as their starting shortstop. This will address the shortstop and right hand set up positions. They Twins would need to address their Catcher deficiency and they need another lefty in the pen to complement Brian Duensing, who has been unhitable this month, and his season numbers been victimized by a .448 Target Field BABIP. I do not believe that 27 year old Ryan O'Rourke with 18 innings pitched above AA, including his current stint with the Twins, is the answer to this position for a contender. The Twins will solve that problem and the catcher problem in this trade. Trade Number 2: Tommy Milone and Jason Wheeler to the Phillies for C Carlos Ruiz and LHP Jake Diekman Why would the Twins do it? Carlos Ruiz on paper is a aging catcher who is overpaid (singed until 2016 with about $12.5 million left in his contract) and under producing (.227/.316/.303 with a 74 OPS+). However, one needs to look closely at his production: In High Leverage situations, he is 8/27 with a .296 Batting Average, 5 BB and 3 K. He is hitting LHPs at a .276/.392/.448 pace. He is someone who thrives in competitive situations and someone who makes a team better. Pitchers love to throw to him. Defensively he is average, which is not something that can be said for the current Twins' starting catcher. Jake Diekman, whom I am certain is an unknown to most Twins' fans, will be in his first year of arbitration next season and had some inconsistency and butted heads with the previous Phillies manager, enough to be demoted to the minors. He will be arbitration eligible in 2016 for the first time. He is 28. So what is there to like? His 96-98 mph fastball, coupled with one of the most devastating lefty change ups in the business. The Phillies could see beyond his 5.19 ERA and the fact that he allowed 31% of the runners he inherited to score. His 3.40 FIP, 27.4 K% and .394 BABIP indicate that he is a prime candidate for a change of scenery. He does have closer stuff. Giving away Tommy Milone, in addition to being an addition by subtraction, bringing the Twins' FIP leader, Trevor May, back to the rotation, is a cash balancing move. He is making close to $3 million this season and he will be in the second season of arbitration next season. Jason Wheeler is a 24 year old LHSP with a career 36-26, 3.60 ERA (3.56 FIP), 1.362 WHIP, 6.2 K/9 record in 96 minor league games, who occupies a 40 man roster spot for the Twins, and does not have much future in the organization, other that a long reliever or bottom of the rotation starter. Why would the Phillies do it? The Phillies are rebuilding and they are in full fledged SALE mode, with the upcoming change in Front Office leadership. They will be saving enough money and getting a couple of young arms who they can potentially plug in their rotation right away and rely on them. Milone's staff might work better in the National League. Wheeler is a fastball, slider, changeup pitcher, with fastball being his best pitch and runs in the low 90s but with a lot of controllable movement. If one of his secondary pitches improves, he can actually be a serviceable starter or a bullpen piece, for a system that is really depleted of prospects. http://www.rantsports.com/fantasy/files/2014/04/Carlos-Ruiz.jpg ----

Last season he had a 2.8 UZR/150 and career -1.9 UZR/150 Santana has a career -8.5 UZR/150, and Nunez -27.1. He is a better Shortstop that those 2. And those are the one he will be replacing. Also, Polanco will be the every day shortstop.

A couple of days after the All-Star Game, the Twins find themselves nine games above .500, and in the midst of a competitive season. The fact that the Twins are competing might be a surprise to some, but from what I had seen in spring training, this team had all the making of a competing team, and I even compared it to the 1987 team.Like the 1987 team, which would not have won if they had not addressed them, the 2015 Twins have some glaring weaknesses that they need to fix. These weakness are in their bullpen, at the catcher and shortstop positions, and the power department. I will be proposing three trades that the Twins need to make right now to not only ensure the continuation of competitiveness, but to propel themselves to the next level. Trade number 1 Danny Santana, Mike Tonkin and Jake Reed to the Oakland Athletics for Ben Zorbrist and Tyler Clippard. Why would the Twins do it: Tyler Clippard, even though he is not a top closer any more, would be a great improvement over the likes of Casey Fien and Blair Boyer in solidifying the RH setup spot in the pen. Zorbrist brings a glove that plays in every position in the diamond and would solidify the utility role shared by the Eduardos (Escobar and Nunez.) The Twins should call up their number 2 prospect (after they called up number 1 and number 3), Jorge Polanco, who is the future and the present of the team as the starter at shortstop. The 21-year-old has been hitting .300/.340/.399 between Chattanooga and Rochester and his glove is at least as good as Santana's at this point. Zorbrist and Clippard are 30-something, but are free agents after this season, so the financial commitment is not going to impede any future teams. Clippard can potentially be extended, if his performance dictates it. The Twins are not losing that much in Santana, Tonkin and Reed. Santana, despite his comet-like 2014, still profiles as a utility player and needs work on both sides on the plate, Tonkin had plenty of opportunities to prove himself in the bigs, many more than relievers with better minor league records, like Anthony Slama, and has failed. He still has a 95 mph fastball that an organization will find useful. Jake Reed has had a good pro career so far, but has had an abysmal 2015 and the Twins' draft has brought in at least right-handed relief pithcers to the Twins' minors (Nick Burdi, J.T. Chargois, Brandon Peterson, A.J. Achter - in no order) ahead of him, thus making him expandable. It will also allow Jorge Polanco to join Sano and Buxton, making the future the present. Yes, the Twins are losing some talent, but they need to give value to get value and have better talent in those positions. Why would the Athletics do it: Other than the prorated $16 million reasons between the two players (about $7.5 M in salary relief), for a team that is not going anywhere, they are getteing three young players who do have potential. Santana's 2014 season might have not been as much a mirage as I think it was, and two young arms with high 90s heat and records of some success, are more than something to consider. This is probably the definition of a win-win trade. Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch Click here to view the article

No. $13 million a year for a 36 year old utility player? Zobrist will take the money and run. Not happening

Zorbrist and Clippard are free agents after this season. So Oakland will be left with nothing. Rentals. You cannot give them much more than that... (I have been telling how not ready Santana is, for a few seasons now, btw...)

My bad on Jay, need to edit that. I think that Zorbist is better than the Eduardos and Robinson. Cannot play CF, but Rosario can. Robinson does not need to be on the team right now. Zorbrist also has 4 years of post-season experience, which is valuable.

Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch ---- A couple days after the All Star game, the Twins find themselves nine games above .500, and in the midst of a competing season. The fact that the Twins are competing, might be a surprise to some, but from what I have seen in Spring Training, this team had all the making of a competing team, and I even compared it to the 1987 team. Like the 1987 team, which would not have won if not addressing them, the 2015 Twins have some glaring weaknesses that they would need to fix. These weakness are at their Bullpen, Catcher, Shortstop and the Power department. I will be proposing three trades that the Twins would need to make right now to not only ensure the continuation of competitiveness, but to propel themselves to the next level. Trade number 1: Danny Santana, Mike Tonkin and Jake Reed to the Oakland Athletics for Ben Zorbrist and Tyler Clippard. Why would the Twins do it: Tyler Clippard, even though he is not a top closer any more, will be a great improvement over the likes of Casey Fien and Blair Boyer in solidifying the RH setup spot in the pen. Zorbrist brings a glove that plays in every position in the diamond and will solidify the utility role shared by the Eduardos (Escobar and Nunez.) The Twins should call up their number 2 prospect (after they called up number 1 and number 3,) Jorge Polanco, who is the future and the present of the team as the starter at Shortstop. The 21 year old has been hitting .300/.340/.399 between Chattanooga and Rochester and his glove is at least as good as Santana's at this point. Zorbrists and Clippard are 30-something, but are free agents after this season, so the financial commitment is not going to impede any future teams. Clippard can potentially be extended, if his performance dictates it. They are not loosing that much in Santana, Tonkin and Reed. Santana, despite his comet-like 2014, still profiles as a utility player and needs work on both sides on the plate, Tonkin had plenty of opportunities to prove himself in the bigs, many more that relievers with better minor league record like Anthony Slama, and has failed. Still has a 95 mph fastball than an organization will find usefull. Jake Reed has a very good pro career so far, but an abysmal 2015 and the Twins' draft has at least 4 RHRP in the Twins' minors (Burdi, Chargois, Peterson, Achter - in no order) ahead of him, thus making him expandable. It will also allow Jorge Polanco to join Sano and Buxton, making the future the present. Yes, the Twins are losing some talent, but a. they need to give value to get value and b. have better talent in those positions. Why would the Athletics do it: Other than the prorated $16 million reasons between the two players (about $7.5 M in salary relief), for a team that is not going anywhere, they are getter 3 young players who do have potential. Santana's 2014 season might have not been as much a mirage as I think it was, and two young arms with high 90s heat and record of success, are more than something to consider. This is probably the definition of a win-win trade.

Or Buxton might get injured 50% of the time, and might be a trade that the Twins' fans would applaud... Right now Buxton is in the path of Rickey Weeks and Carlos Quentin who cannot play a full season without hurting themselves. And I'd take a top young catcher over a top young centerfielder any time of the day... Buxton's value is very high right now.

Interesting conclusion. After 85 games this season the Twins are 46-39. After 85 games last season the Twins were 38-47. That is 8 games better than last season. I think that for these 8 games some credit should be given to a. Molitor, and actually having a team that does not give up b. better roster management c. better OF defense (no Colabellos, Parmelees and the like.) I'd love to say that Andy caused the Twins 8 games at the midpoint of 2014 (per your conclusion ), but I think that there is more to the story...

Well... I have been really vocal about the Twins trading Santana High during last off-season because we had seen his peak... Not much value now. The Twins can upgrade at SS by calling up Polanco. As far as C goes, they do need a starter this season and there is not much depth in the organization. They also need arms. I like that "fortune favors the bold". I think that Ryan should grab the phone and call the Mets for a trade that will bring Travis d'Arnaud and Jeurys Familia to the Twins and Byron Buxton to the Mets. Might take a player or 2 either way, but I think that the Twins will be better off in the short and long run this way...

I don't think that being buyers will prevent them from being sellers. I do think that since they are competing this season, they should go out there and try to get players who will close holes for them, esp. in the catcher and bullpen positions. Should they "sell" Tommy Milone (and bring back May to the rotation) in a package for a starting Catcher? Sure they should do. They should sell, but they should sell high and bring back players who will make them compete. And yes they need bullpen help, but they better go out and get some above average or better pitchers and not burned out pitchers like the latest one they picked from the heap...

Ervin Santana would be a great mid-season addition in the Twins' pen.

I hope that the Twins give Sano a sporadic duty of DH. They can rotate: Sano/Plouffe: 3B/DH Plouffe/Hunter: OF/DH Mauer/Plouffe: 1B/DH if they do that, Sano should be the starting third baseman 8 out of 10 games. You don't give up on kids that young to make them DHs... As a matter of fact, Sano's glove (and arm) at third (now) is better than Plouffe's was at the beginning of last season. And methinks that Plouffe is a better OF than Escobar and/or Santana, so that is a win win. I expect (Danny) Santana for Hicks next.

AOL? I had pegged TR for a Netzero guy...

I'd sell Ryan's, St Peter's, Vavra's and Antony's souls to the devil. Seems about right...

Here is the thing: - if you win more than lose against teams under .500 and - if you win more than lose at home (which are 2 things that the Twins are doing) you will compete. It is pretty simple. I think that the Twins could continue doing this, but they have to beat good teams at home, and getting swept by the Royals after losing to Milwaukee... Will be interesting to see how they will react the rest of the month. If they are at .500 for June from now on, they will compete.

All for Stauffer's DFAing but: "Superior" and "Tonkin" (of 7.74 FIP and 1.500 WHIP with.261 BABIP) do not belong in the same sentence. For reference, Stauffer had a 7.17 FIP and a 2.057 WHIP (but with a .357 BABIP) Tonkin has been Staufferesque this season in the majors. Hope he finds what is working for him in Rochester

Really happy that the Twins picked need (LHSP) for once, instead of someone's kid or grand kid. On the other hand, I don't think that Jay was the best LHP arm available. He has started a grand total of one (1) game in College, but he has a plus to plus plus FB that sits in the mid 90s and peaks to the high 90s (as a reliever) which he commands and controls well, a plus slider, and an average plus hammer curve. Pretty sure that he will learn the change in this system now and he might have success. Endurance is the key here. Speaking of, people are going to say that he is too short to be an effective starter. He is Jimmy Key's size, but profiles more of a strikeout pitcher. I'd take Jimmy Key with 30% more strike outs any spot on a draft. Not a bad pick, and thrilled that the Twins picked a LHP (finally.)

Deserve? Here are the ranking of the Twins' regulars among their AL peers in their positions by fWAR (I am not including OFs, SP and RP ranked higher than 30th) C: Suzuki (11th) 1B: Mauer (16th) 2B: Dozier (4th) SS: Santana (14th) 3B: Plouffe (5th) OF: Hunter (15th), Robinson (24th) DH: Vargas (17th) Starters: May (16th), Nolasco (27th) Relievers: Perkins (3rd), Thompson (21st), Boyer (24th) Only one deserves it

Rey Ordonez and Luis Rodriguez (unless Vielma figures out hitting...)

Good to see Polanco and Gordon in their proper order, finally I don't think that the Twins need any more middle infielders in the early rounds... They better get some LHSPs, they really lacking

Who?

For some reason, Milone reminds me of a certain Mr Hendriks who lit up AAA but when at the bigs he was less than mediocre. Milone lead (and still does) the Twins' starters with 6.32 FIP this season. He is fine where he is and if anyone is willing to take him for a borderline prospect, more power to the Twins. May has a 3.39 FIP in the bigs and nothing to prove in AAA, and is more of part of the future than Milone, and unlike Milone, none of the other starters did anything to lose their job...

Thanks for this Matt! Was very interesting. Good luck this season and keep up the good work!