Jeremy Nygaard

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?743-Trade-Target-Team-Profile-L-A-Dodgers

The Big Picture The Dodgers have a very loyal following. They attracted over 3 million fans every year from 1997-2010. Then there was an ugly divorce between owners and a multi-billion dollar sale of the team. New ownership is trying to put all of that in the rearview and make the playoffs for the first time since winning their division in 2009. The Dodgers were the hottest team in baseball out of the gates and were 17 games over .500 as recently as June 17. A late-June swoon – losers in eleven of their last twelve games – where injuries to key players certainly played a part, dropped them back to reality and they now trail the Giants in the NL West, with the Diamondbacks quickly gaining ground. Why They Will Trade With The Twins The Dodgers offense in June was downright ugly. They scored only 83 runs in June (including a six-game stretch in which they were shutout five times), the least in the Major Leagues. Their June OPS was .571. That’s not quite Buteran; but it is 40 points worse than Nick Punto during his worst Twins year! To add insult to injury (or maybe the other way around…), stud outfielder and clean-up hitter Andre Ethier went down with an oblique injury: One of the most fickle of all injuries. He could be out days or months. If they have to throw him on the disabled list, he’d join the likes of All-World CF Matt Kemp, starting 2B Mark Ellis, starting P Ted Lilly, set-up man Matt Guerrier and closer Javy Guerra. As you probably guessed, the Dodgers are actively working the phones, looking for help – not only in the middle of the order – but presumably at the back of the bullpen. Despite all of the injuries and off-the-field distractions, GM Ned Colletti has put together a collection of players that, when healthy, are arguably the most-talented group in the National League, if not Los Angeles and all of baseball. As the word gets out that the Dodgers are looking for “middle-of-the-order thumpers”, it would be wise for the Twins to make a courtesy call. You see, where the Dodgers need power the most (left field, first base and third base), just so happens to be the positions of the Twins three most-powerful hitters. I’m not going to suggest that the Dodgers can “afford” to take on Justin Morneau’s remaining salary of over $20m. I will, however, point out that the Dodgers current 1B combo of James Loney/Juan Rivera has a combined OPS of around .650. And their 2013 commitment to the two? Only Rivera’s $500,000 buyout. The Dodgers are in the market for a first baseman. Right now. LF Bobby Abreu isn’t nearly the player he used to be (when he was drilling line drives off Nick Blackburn’s face), yet he’s batting 3rd due to all the injuries. If I were the Dodgers, I would feel much better using the 38-year old’s bat in a pinch-hitting role. When Kemp (batting 3rd/RH) and Either (4th/LH) come back, having a RH/LF “masher” batting 5th would be the ideal situation. The Twins also have one of them – signed to a very reasonable contract – in Josh Willingham. Moving onto the final (and probably most controversial) position: Third base. Juan Uribe is listed as 33 years old. Does anyone actually believe that? If you’re fat and 33, fine. But when you’re fat and Uribe’s age (whatever that actually is… 36? 37?), that’s not a good sign. Regardless, Uribe, when healthy in 2012, is hitting .205 with an OBP of .248 and an OPS of .535. Sheesh, up until a month ago, I thought the Twins 3B situation was bad. Might the Twins listen if the Dodgers called about Trevor Plouffe? His value over the last few weeks is the highest it’s ever been (and probably the highest it ever will be). Is this power we've seen over the hot streak sustainable? He did cool off a little, but hit two home runs again today. What do the Dodgers think? How much could you get for him, who has five more years of team control? Trading Plouffe would be a unique attempt by the Twins to “sell high”. If not, Dodger fans, there’s always Danny Valencia… Options that may help the Dodgers bullpen would obviously be Jared Burton and/or possibly Matt Capps. If I were the Dodgers (or any team), I would inquire on Jared Burton, he would be a Matt Guerrier-type asset to a bullpen that misses the real (and more expensive) Matt Guerrier. I would also fake bad reception if the Twins bring up Matt Capps’s name. Why They Won’t Trade With The Twins Listen, the Dodgers have a window of opportunity right now and they can’t afford to let this season slip away. The underlying issue is that their best players are hurt now… and they need reinforcements now. By the end of July, there is a pretty good chance (or at least the hope) that they’ll have the heart of their offense back and rolling. If the Twins want to maximize value, dealing a month before the deadline isn’t the best way to achieve it. As far as first baseman, where there will continue to be a need, there are options out there with less risk. The Dodgers have been linked to Astros 1B Carlos Lee. Lee has finally returned from a hamstring injury. The rumors of the Astros getting back a solid pitching prospect – and the Dodgers picking up some of his remaining salary (close to $10m of the $18.5m 2012 salary) – would be hard for the Astros to turn down. There are conflicting reports about who the Astros would acquire in this trade as well as who would pick up what amount of Lee’s bill. The hang-up, as I type this, is whether El Caballo will waive his no-trade clause and accept a trade to L.A. (away from his ranches in Texas). Acquiring Lee would probably mitigate any interest the team might have had in Justin Morneau, though the Dodgers apparently believe Lee can still play a little in the outfield. Conclusion The Dodgers are going to deal, so keep an eye on them. They also made a trade for an aging player (Casey Blake) a few years ago and because they didn’t want to pick up the $6.1m tab that was owed to him, they shipped a top prospect (Carlos Santana) back. If the Twins were willing to pick up most of Morneau’s contract, would the Dodgers sweeten the pot? Something worth noting from the Dodgers perspective: They have 3 guys on the 60-day DL, so they have 43 players on their 40-man. To take on more guys, you’d have to assume they’d be dealing from their active roster. They’ve also recently agreed to sign Cuban OF Yasiel Puig to an absurd 7-yr, $42m major-league deal, so they’ll have to make more room… and might be less inclined to take on an outfielder in a deal. Though I don’t believe Puig is going to be contributing this year (or next). ~~~ Possible Trade Targets Zach Lee – RHP Lee, the 28th overall pick in 2010, dropped down draft boards because it was nearly certain he would be attending LSU to play baseball and quarterback the football team. When the Dodgers selected him, it was viewed as a “punted pick”, made to save the club some money. In the biggest shocker of all draft signings in 2010, Lee signed for $5.25 million at the August deadline. His top-of-the-rotation ceiling moved him to the top of Dodger prospect lists. He was left off of this list initially, because it appeared there was little to no chance of the Dodgers trading him. But once he was mentioned in Carlos Lee trade rumors - even though it doesn't appear likely he'll be traded - he was added. Nate Eovaldi – RHP Eovaldi made his big-league debut last year and held his own over six starts (ten appearances). Forced by injuries to join the rotation this spring, he is 0-4, 4.04. He’s a power pitcher who may end up in the back of a bullpen. Allen Webster – RHP The Dodgers #2 prospect behind Lee has slowly been climbing the ladder and has struggled in his first full season at AA. Webster is a sinkerball pitcher who sits in the mid-90s. His change-up is phenomenal. He was baseball’s #68 rated prospect coming into the year, according to MLB.com Chris Withrow – RHP The 2007 1st round pick out of Midland, Texas fits the “power” mold the Twins were looking to add in the 2012 draft. If he could harness his stuff, he’d be a middle-of-the-rotation type guy; if not, his future’s in the bullpen. Currently, his future is on hold. He’s on the minor league DL after suffering a vicious cut on his hand while throwing a snorkel mask. (You can’t make this stuff up!) This is Withrow’s first option year as he was added to L.A.’s 40-man last November. Garrett Gould – RHP Gould made his full-season debut last year in Midwest League and went 11-6. He was promoted to High-A this year and currently has a 1-6 record. His peripherals haven’t changed much (besides his BABIP going from .260 last year to .352 this year) and he’s still striking batters out (72 Ks in 72 IP this year). His status could eventually elevate to the top-of-the-rotation starter, though #3 starter is more likely. Scott Barlow – RHP A 6th round draft pick in 2011 out of a California high school, Barlow added weight and velocity and was primed to breakout as a prospect. Earlier this week, it was announced that Barlow would miss the rest of the year due to Tommy John surgery. As was discussed about Kyle Drabek earlier, could this be a chance for the Twins to “buy low”? Chad Billingsley – RHP If the Dodgers were to deal from their right-handed pitcher depth, may they be willing to part with a member of their current rotation? The big-bodied righty is the type of pitcher the Twins prefer to employ. He has a hefty contract – he’s in the first year of a three-year, $35 million deal - and moving it would free up money to spend elsewhere. [ATTACH=CONFIG]1437[/ATTACH] (picture from franklinavenue.blogspot.com)

Thanks for the write-up A.J. Very cool!

Anyone could hit for the cycle in the Appy League. Sarcastically, Jeremy

You'll be able to discuss Gould (and more) in a few hours when the next "Trade Target Team Profile" is posted...

Blackburn is definitely not out of options, but is closing in on 5 years of service time. His only option year was 2010. It would make sense to keep him around until Walters is back. Although it wouldn't surprise me to see Swarzak get one more (his last) chance to start, as he auditions for a spot on the roster next year. Regardless, the Twins have options. (Oh, the irony...)

I haven't seen this discussed on any threads, but if it has been, my bad... The Twins will have to make a move after tonight's game because the "extra man exemption" to the 25-man roster is only allowed for today. I was under the assumption that De Vries would come up, throw his 4, 5, 6 innings and then head back to Rochester... but then I saw Dustin Morse tweet that Blackburn is available in the bullpen today and I started wondering... Is Blackburn going to be the guy that heads down (or out)? It would make sense in the fact that they'll have five able (I use that term loosely) starters on the roster. It does kind of flub up the rest of those starters, but with the combination of Duensing and Swarzak, I'm sure Gardy could get creative if needed... The other piece of the puzzle: Blackburn, who has options left, is about two months away from reaching five years of service time. Because he's not there yet, he can't refuse an optional assignment. I don't think that's a huge deal, the Twins could obviously DFA him at any time and he'd almost certainly clear waivers. (In fact I'd rather expose him on waivers, hoping someone mistakingly claims him...) The other somewhat interesting twist: if Blackburn spends a month in the minors, his service time will be reduced to the point where his option year because an arbitration year (if it's declined). Again, not earth-shattering - especially if he continues to pitch like crap - but interesting none-the-less.

For $3.5m/year, I'll take it. Best Twins news since Monday.

From the moment he signed, I thought he was a great stop-gap combo player with Mauer, in that he had a good switch-hitting bat and could play 1B or RF also. I was really hoping he'd be able to offer more in terms of defensive versatility, but for $3m he's been a bargain. It will be interesting to see how long of an extention he signs, given that I thought Chris Herrmann, part-time C/part-time OF, would be a perfect compliment to the $23m/year man. I'll hold off forming an opinion til we know the figures.

I agree with your point greengoblinrulz. I think it's expected that college guys should perform really well in the Appy League. I would also think repeat guys - like Rhodes - should stand out. The difference between Romy Jimenez and the guys you listed, to me anyway, is that Jimenez was a DSL guy who essentially skipped over the GCL (because of injury). Yeah, there's a big talent difference between the Appy League and Beloit, but I can't imagine it's much greater (if at all) than the jump from the DSL to the Appy League. Add that to the fact - like Sano or Rosario - that Jimenez probably doesn't speak the language and you've got a pleasant surprise. Is it sustainable? Who knows... but if so, he's become a guy that's at least worth watching (a feat in itself for DSL hitters).

It would take far more than that.

You can view the page at http://www.twinsdaily.com/content.php?732-Thursday-s-Minor-League-Round-up

It was an off-day on a hot day for the Minnesota Twins. For season ticket holders and others, you may have spent the evening listening to fans grill Trevor Plouffe and Scott Diamond. Some highlights from the 6th Fan Forum: Scott Diamond: The best thing about being Canadian? It’s being Canadian! On differences between Atlanta and Minnesota: “The atmosphere… feeling welcome.” Trevor Plouffe: On his hair – “I probably will (grow my hair out).” On how he stays hydrated: “I’ve been crushing (the coconut water).” On other sports: “I definitely could have gone pro in hacky-sac.” On who will lead the team in home runs: “I hope we all hit 70 home runs.” Be sure to read Cody's blog on the conference call here) It was not a great day for Twins starters on the farm. A spin around a busy Monday: ROCHESTER 1, LEHIGH VALLEY 10 Box score According to the Red Wings game notes, Cole De Vries is Saturday’s scheduled starter (though he’s likely to be recalled for the doubleheader). P.J. Walters will be making a rehab start on Sunday. Tsuyoshi Nishioka and Clete Thomas both had multiple hits. Matt Carson and Rene Rivera added doubles as well. Thomas scored the lone run for the Red Wings after doubling, advancing on a wild pitch and scoring on an error. Kyle Hirschfeld had a rough start. He exited with two outs in the third, after allowing nine hits and seven runs. He walked one and struck out one. Deolis Guerra’s night started off better, but certainly didn’t end much better. He got through 2 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks. He struck out one. Esmerling Vasquez struck one out in two hitless innings. Bobby Lanigan walked one in an inning. NEW BRITAIN 5, TRENTON 4 Box score The Rockcats entered the bottom of the 9th down 4-1 with only two hits to their name. At that point they were given the gift of “opposing pitcher wildness.” Deibinson Romero started off the inning with a walk. Nate Hanson followed with a single. Romero advanced to third on an error. Dan Rohlfing, who represented the tying run, was hit and replaced by Estarlin DeLosSantos. Chris Herrmann, pinch-hitting, struck out swinging. After James Beresford and Aaron Hicks both drew walks to make it a 4-3 game, Oswaldo Arcia stepped to the plate. Arcia ended the game in walk-off fashion with a two-run line-drive single to right field. He continues to raise his prospect status. Blake Martin got his second straight spot-star. In 4 2/3 innings, he gave up four hits and three wins (all earned). He struck out four. Dakota Watts relieved Martin with two guys on and allowed them both to score (credited to Martin). Watts ended up going 2 1/3 innings, allowing four hits and a run. He also walked and struck out one. Bruce Pugh earned his first AA win this season after giving up three hits in two innings. He also walked two and struck out two. FT. MYERS 5, CHARLOTTE 7 Box score This comeback fell short. The Miracle started off hot, jumping to a 3-0 lead after half of an inning. And then Cole Nelson got chased early. He made it only 2 1/3 innings allowing eight hits and six runs. He walked two and struck out two. Miguel Munoz got the final two outs in the third, stranding an inherited runner. He went two more innings, allowing only one hit and striking out two. Nelvin Fuentes scattered five hits (and an unearned run) over 2 1/3 innings. He struck out three. Ricky Bowen got two outs in the eighth. Danny Ortiz had a quiet, awesome night at the plate. He went 1-for-1, a home run in the 9th, with three walks. Lance Ray had double hits (one double) and drove two runs in. Levi Michael stole a base. Daniel Santana accounted for three of the teams 11 strikeouts. BELOIT x, CLINTON x Box score This comeback fell short too. The Snappers left the tying runner standing on third to end the eighth inning. Miguel Sano got on it early smashing a double to drive in a run in the first inning. Drew Leachman followed it up with a triple to score Sano. Later in the game, Sano blasted his 16th home run of the year over the centerfield fence. And though his bat wasn't enough to get the win, getting on base three out of four times (one walk, one strikeout) is an improvement over what we've seen over the past couple of months. (Except for getting picked off first... but at least he was on base, right?) Leachman added two hits. Tim Shibuya’s second start since re-entering the rotation didn’t go as well as his first one (6 IP, H). He got roughed up, but "battled his tail off" to finish seven innings. He gave up 11 hits, six earned runs, walked one and struck out five. Bart Carter gave up a hit in an inning. Clint Dempster struck out one in a hitless ninth. ELIZABETHTON 14, PULASKI 1 Box score Much like Plouffe crushes coconut water, the E-Twins were crushing the ball today (14 runs on 18 hits). Rory Rhodes led the charge with four hits, including a double and home run, two runs and four RBI. Romy Jimenez had a similarly great night with three hits – a double and two home runs – three runs and three RBI. Jorge Polanco had three hits (double), three runs and an RBI. Niko Goodrum was a HR short of the cycle (he now has five triples), driving in three and scoring twice. Candido Pimentel had two hits including a triple. Travis Harrison had two hits including a double. Max Kepler 0-for-2, three walks and Jhonathan Arias 0-for-4 were the only starters to not get a hit. Jimenez (formerly Trinidad) is going to enter into the prospect discussion much the way Oswaldo Arcia did a couple of years ago. He didn’t play much last year, but in his minor league career he has been getting on base a lot, not striking out and now hitting for a lot of power. Keep en eye on him. Taylor Rogers had a very good start on a night where the ball appeared to be flying. He went four innings, striking out seven. He did allow a run on three hits and a walk. He’s made two starts so far as has struck out 14 in nine innings, only allowing one run. Josh Burris was really good again, striking out three in three scoreless innings. He gave up two hits. Tyler Herr struck out two and walked two in an inning. Dallas Gallant struck out one in a perfect 9th. GCL TWINS 3, GCL RAYS 4 (Game 1) Box score Finally back on the field in the GCL. The headline coming into the game was the rehab appearances by Joe Benson (struck out twice) and David Bromberg (4 H, 2 ER, K, 1 IP). It wasn’t a memorable game for either of them. The guy that everyone else is wondering about, Byron Buxton, went 0-for-3 with a groundout and two pop outs. Kelly Cross and Javier Pimentel both contributed multi-hit games and accounted for all three of the team’s RBI. Dereck Rodriguez added a double. The staff besides Bromberg pitched really well. Kuo Hua Lo allowed two hit and struck one out in three innings. Yorman Landa allowed a hit and run, walking three and striking one out in two innings. Trent Higginbotham struck out one in a perfect inning. GCL TWINS 2, GCL RAYS 1 (Game 2) Box score Byron Buxton picked up his first professional hit – a single. He also drew a walk and scored a run. He flew out in his only other at-bat. Fellow draftee Jorge Fernandez, who DH’d, went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Josue Montanez walked three and struck out three in three innings. He allowed only two hits and one run. Sam Gibbons picked up a win with two innings of two walk, two strikeout ball. He also had a wild pitch. Melciades DeLaCruz picked up a two-innings save, giving up a walk and two hits. He also struck out one. --- Players of the Day for Thursday, June 28, 2012 Hitters of the Day – Romy Jimenez (over a number of other E-Twins hitters), for the 2nd straight day *photo from Thrylos98 [ATTACH=CONFIG]1407[/ATTACH] Pitcher of the Day – Taylor Rogers [ATTACH=CONFIG]1408[/ATTACH] --- A Look Ahead – Friday, June 29, 2012 Schedule Rochester at Lehigh Valley – LHP Luke French (1-3, 5.84) New Britain vs Trenton – LHP Logan Darnell (6-6, 4.39) Ft. Myers vs Charlotte – RHP Matt Hauser (1-1, 2.57) Beloit vs Clinton – LHP Steven Gruver (5-6, 3.46) Elizabethton vs Bristol – RHP Hudson Boyd (0-2, 4.32) GCL Twins at GCL Orioles – NO STARTER ANNOUNCED --- If you have any questions on the Twins minor league system, players, teams, etc., leave them in the Comments and we’ll try to answer them! Comments also welcome.

I just glanced over the BA scouting report and saw "concerns about his high back elbow". I'm sure Parker can take it from there...

There's hope. He's only 150 lbs right now. Tools-wise, he's "Ben Revere with a cannon".

If the Twins are called upon to make a deal with the Rangers, the guy they need to come home with is Luis Sardinas. He's not Profar, but someday he could be close... and he'd be much cheaper.

This did happen. It appears to be a move made for organizational depth, with the chance he could return to the bigs at some point. The two sides haven't worked out what the Pirates will get in return. "STBNL", I guess, with the S(omething) probably being cash.

We all like the Edwin Jackson comps, but think no one will give Liriano $10m? Jackson has a year of service time on Liriano (so one more payday, essentially) and got $11m in his first go-around in free agency (granted he earned more his arbitration years). I also read on other sites (because TwinsDaily wasn't up yet), where many - though not all - would have endorsed giving Jackson the contract the Nationals did. I'm not trying to say its a no-brainer to keep Liriano for the rest of year and hope he accepts arbitration. But I think there are worse ways to potentially spend $12.5m. I would take the risk, under the belief that there is a 25% chance he accepts and a 75% chance he wants to test the waters. Liriano has probably earned between $8-9m for next year on the FA market... and if he continues to pitch like he has been since May 30, he could earn a lot more...

Terrible news... makes the game today feel really unimportant.

I was under the same impression. Color me confused.

NB recap updated to include reason for short game. (Thanks Andrew.) E-town recap fixed. (Thanks glunn.)