AlwaysinModeration

Quoted for the reference

I also like Barnes but think he is also considered too good for a third piece. It seems like the Dodgers want those pieces to be 20-25 guys (based on Dave's relayed info).

As others have said, Dave's been consistent that Stewart is considerably too much for the third piece. As is Lux, and as is Buehler. That the Dodgers are afraid of giving a third player who will "burn them" later on. This does seem to open a negotiating tactic, though. How about Falvey drop the demand for Alvarez and instead take back Buehler, Stewart and Lux? Dodgers keep their two best prospects in Bellinger and Alvarez (and that $32mm investment), and the Twins get four excellent prospects, headlined by the player everyone seems to agree upon, De Leon?

The new rumblings and tweets have made their way to the front of MLB Trade Rumors. This seems like it is getting close. Dave, let's hope your source is right about Alvarez (and 1-2 additional players).

When they agree on this deal, if it includes both De Leon and Alvarez, that would be more than almost every pundit (and thread-visiting Dodgers fan) has speculated or expected. I certainly hope that there is a third and possibly a fourth player in the deal. Prospects stature can change a lot in a year or two. Imagine, for example, if two years ago the Twins had offered up Alex Meyer, Aaron Hicks, Oswaldo Arcia and Fernando Romero in a trade. That package would have netted just about any player on the trading block, and Romero would have been the throw-in in the deal.

This was prophetic. If you had written "24 hour vigil" I would have offered up my life savings for you to invest on my behalf.

Yeah, but let's not lose sight of what really matters, does he battle his tail off?

The #1 pick was $8.6mm in 2015, so the inflation was $400K last year. The top pick slot might be $9.4mm this year?

If the levels were the same as last year (which is doubtful, right?), those picks would be worth $9.0mm, $1.7mm and $1.6mm. Through the 10 rounds, the Twins would have $15mm for their entire pool. Golden opportunity to go under slot with the first pick and get at least 2, maybe 3 top ten talents, a la Houston. https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.mlb.com/170470526-2016-draft-bonus-pools-pick-values.amp.html

If this trade goes through, as everyone seems to believe, then the Twins are going to have a rotation centered around two Puerto Rican pitchers for the years ahead. We need to establish a nickname for the pair. Can I suggest: Dos X Maquinas?

I think I speak for many of us when I say...that is one random bet.

Thanks for the clarification. You are right, I was incorrect.

I don't see the comparison to Florimon at all. Unless you are comparing Florimon to Escobar, that's a decent comp.

According to that report, Texas asked for Ross, and the Nats refused. So what do the Twins have that is equivalent or slightly less than Joe Ross? Minors track record: 7.4K/9, 2.6 BB/9, 1.25WHIP, 3.63 ERA.

I don't know if this topic has come up elsewhere, but what are the chances of the Twins making a move for Jurickson Profar? I think there are several reasons he could make sense for the Twins. 1) The Twins could have a space for him at shortstop, whereas he has bounced all over the place with Texas. Even moreso if the Twins trade Dozier, Polanco slides into 2B. Escobar, in my opinion, is best suited for a bench middle IF role. 2) The Twins new GM, Thad Levine, should be quite familiar with him, and has a working relationship with John Daniels to get this done. 3) Profar was a former elite prospect, ranked at the top or near the top of all of the prospect lists. His minor league stats are about 280/360/440. While he hasn't hit at the level at the majors, his track record should come forward at the majors soon. And he was up at 19 and 20 before losing two years to injuries, so he hasn't really had a chance to establish himself in the bigs. While 800+OPS might be expecting a lot, he should definitely be able to settle in at 750+. 4) He can play all over the field, and has. This may have hurt his ability to establish his true hitting level (who knows), but it certainly doesn't hurt having someone of his flexibility on the roster. For example, I could see him taking some starts at 3B to spell Sano. 5) While he has been in the majors since he was 19, he is still young / hasn't hit his prime. He will be 24 this year, and in his first year of arbitration eligibility. He would be under control through 2020, meaning the Twins would get him through his prime years. Now, I don't know how good his defense is at shortstop, and I think he is prone to some mental gaffes on the field (I seem to recall Texas being frustrated with him.). We also have a shortstop prospect coming back up in Nick Gordon. However, he is at least a year to two years away. And if, come 2019, the Twins had too many good shortstop options than they know what to do with, that would be the first time in...forever. I would be ok with that potential problem. I speculated about trading for Profar last year at the deadline, but in some ways, it makes even more sense now, with the Texas connection in our Front Office, and a new regime looking to reshape things. What would it take to get Profar? What would Texas want? I have to believe he would be cheaper now than he was a few years ago. The most obvious idea that comes to mind is Ervin Santana. Is that what it would take? I would certainly make that move. Or would the Twins need to trade a prospect like a Gonsalves or a (Texan?) Kohl Stewart? Would Kiriloff for Profar be a possibility? How about a package around Kyle Gibson? Anyway, I think this should be an area of exploration for the Twins, and I welcome thoughts on it.

You have to admit, our mods are exceptional when it comes to framing. Thanks, folks.

If the Twins trade Dozier to the Dodgers for De Leon, Alvarez, Stewart, and some other non-prospect, and the deal has been in place for days while the Twins try to hold out for the inclusion of Lux... ...then Dave has massively scooped the baseball media establishment, which has not gotten a whiff of it for days. And the few dozen (hundred) TD faithful have been the only people in the know.

This made me literally laugh out loud.

If the AFC New York team gets into the mix, it could become Thready and the Jets?

The Hunt for Thread October

Threadtime for Bonzo

I'm sticking my my conclusion that Dave's source is with the Dodgers.

Is it too late to take the over on 1000 posts?

My inner Matlock coming to the fore.

I've come to the conclusion that Dave's source is with the Dodgers.