Very interesting idea, I imagine you have a good view of the LAD talent, LA. I love LAD #9 catching prospect Dalton Rushing's bat & arm but I'd like him to be more agile & closer to MLB ready.

Even if LAD are desperate, we won't get much for Farmer. Furthermore, Farmer's immediate INF depth especially at SS is crucial for the Twins. Who knows after Lewis rejoins the Twins and the opportunity is still there, I'd be all in.

I mean, I'd be good moving him, would the Dodgers really view Farmer as a better option than free agent Jose Iglesias + a prospect? Maybe.

I don't see them having interest in Kepler though. I'd much rather have the versatile and more offensively sound Chris Taylor. Both had down seasons last year, but Taylor has been productive much more recently than Kepler.

Very interesting. Farmer is superfluous now that the Prodigal Son has returned. Not many teams would carry a starting quality shortstop for a "spare" and doing so blocks a couple of our Pipeline Shortstops from getting a taste of the Bigs filling Farmer's spot on the bench. I'd say make a deal; Farmer and maybe one of our retread outfielders (Hello Gallo) for LA's best catcher prospect.

Dodgers are not going to overpay for a guy like Farmer who will just be a little upgrade over what they have, if an upgrade at all.  Could they have interest in Kepler, but gain will not overpay.  There will be other options for them to improve without overpaying.  

I like the thought behind this, but I think you are over estimating the value of Farmer and Kepler. To get most of those players the Twins would have to add prospects, IMO.

Interesting. Make a roster spot for Julien. And also, with Kepler gone, Larnach is back in the mix. Julien is still unproven but, y'know, I always pictured Polanco moving into the infield backup role as he ages...not necessarily with the Twins, but if he isn't ready out of spring training, he may find his role dimnishing if other step up to the plate.

Julien can also be in the future first base mix, depending on the outcomes of Lewis, Martin and Lee. But those three MIGHT not make more than an appearance with the Twins in 2023, depending on injuries.

Thanks for the comments. I think the real issue behind whether this is even an option is the value of Farmer. The Dodgers don't have much in the SS pipeline ready for this year. I went to MLB trade values and a Farmer plus Kepler for Caleb Feguson and Andre Jackson deal is about right. There, Famer and Kepler almost equals Ryan Pepiot and does if we throw in Cavaco or Schobel. All a fantasy, but it would be interesting to know if the FO is reaching out to the Dodgers or, even better, if the Dodgers have reached out to us. It would  have to be a multi player trade to get much though. You're right, Farmer isn't worth much on his own. 

Any way, my thinking is this could be a trade from surplus to help positions of need - LH hitting OF and starting caliber SS, in return for bullpen help or younger SP on the way up. 

I frankly don't understand the desire to get more catching.  We just signed Vazquez to a 3 year deal and Jeffers is still very young for an everyday or backup catcher.  We are in a win-now era....are we not?  I'd rather see them get back a major league caliber relief pitcher.  What would it take to get Graterol back????  Or Hudson?

You could be correct, but I'm not seeing the Dodgers in a panic mode where they trade something of worth for a utility player. LAD did just sign Rojas to an extension, indicating some trust in his value going forward. Additionally, the Dodgers have a few guys to slide into the shortstop position from time to time. A lineup with Betts, Freeman, Smith, and Martinez is going to cause a headache for any team and they also have a good pitching staff. Expectations will not look for 100 wins, but the team will almost certainly be in the picture for a division crown or playoff spot. 

Falvey has purposely added players to ensure the Twins have depth this year.  The Twins eagerly await the time when several of their younger players and prospects come into their own, forcing their way into the lineup. Until then, maybe July, I expect the Twins to see how this roster competes.

Look up what the Twins gave up to acquire Farmer. They aren't much in return.

Good teams have starter quality backups. Farmer is a perfect fit for this team right now and the Twins can always reevaluate at the trade deadline.

1 hour ago, tony&rodney said:

You could be correct, but I'm not seeing the Dodgers in a panic mode where they trade something of worth for a utility player. LAD did just sign Rojas to an extension, indicating some trust in his value going forward. Additionally, the Dodgers have a few guys to slide into the shortstop position from time to time. A lineup with Betts, Freeman, Smith, and Martinez is going to cause a headache for any team and they also have a good pitching staff. Expectations will not look for 100 wins, but the team will almost certainly be in the picture for a division crown or playoff spot. 

Falvey has purposely added players to ensure the Twins have depth this year.  The Twins eagerly await the time when several of their younger players and prospects come into their own, forcing their way into the lineup. Until then, maybe July, I expect the Twins to see how this roster competes.

Like the finishing paragraph a lot!

“……….Eagerly await when the young guys are ready!!!”

Very tired of all the ideas of getting rid of anyone not an AllStar with more than 2-3 years of MLB time……….”let’s get our young guys an opportunity………we’re blocking our young talent……”

We have experienced - proven depth players.  Right when we get to “stability” and can see great varying line-up options with solid platoons, we want to trade our valuable 32 year old Utility guy & a 30 year old depth piece from our outfield………If Larnach wants to make the Club, play, instead of suffering from lower body discomfort….see, 2/28 notice. AVAILABILITY Trevor….gotta start there. FORCE your way into the line-up, don’t rely on where you were drafted nor what your prospect status may be. We have veterans to help us be stable & productive……..to wins games……not to block prospects. If the young guys are good enough they’ll be on the Big Club, they won’t be left behind because there’s somebody 4-5 years older on the roster!!

Let’s get serous about the Team’s talent evaluators and management - quit treating them like a group that just got lobotomies!

1 hour ago, JD-TWINS said:

Like the finishing paragraph a lot!

“……….Eagerly await when the young guys are ready!!!”

Very tired of all the ideas of getting rid of anyone not an AllStar with more than 2-3 years of MLB time……….”let’s get our young guys an opportunity………we’re blocking our young talent……”

We have experienced - proven depth players.  Right when we get to “stability” and can see great varying line-up options with solid platoons, we want to trade our valuable 32 year old Utility guy & a 30 year old depth piece from our outfield………If Larnach wants to make the Club, play, instead of suffering from lower body discomfort….see, 2/28 notice. AVAILABILITY Trevor….gotta start there. FORCE your way into the line-up, don’t rely on where you were drafted nor what your prospect status may be. We have veterans to help us be stable & productive……..to wins games……not to block prospects. If the young guys are good enough they’ll be on the Big Club, they won’t be left behind because there’s somebody 4-5 years older on the roster!!

Let’s get serous about the Team’s talent evaluators and management - quit treating them like a group that just got lobotomies!

Not sure what you are comprehending. I clearly disagree with the notion of trading Farmer, although we just don't know if it is a possibility. The Twins are going with more experienced players until the young guys force their way into the lineup. We won't know how that looks until July. 

34 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

Not sure what you are comprehending. I clearly disagree with the notion of trading Farmer, although we just don't know if it is a possibility. The Twins are going with more experienced players until the young guys force their way into the lineup. We won't know how that looks until July. 

Exactly. Players seem to perform better when they earn a position vs being handed it.

Not unlike most things in life.

The Dodgers know Farmer well, as they drafted him, farmed him starting in 2013, and he was up and down from AAA in 2018, and filled in at third mostly. He had a homer in the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs in one of the games during the streak that the Dodgers won like 40 out of 45 or something like that, and somebody new every night was the hero keeping the amazing run happening. He was in the organization for 6 years. He was traded to the Reds that off season in December as part of a massive salary dump. 

"December 21, 2018Los Angeles Dodgers traded RF Yasiel Puig, LF Matt Kemp, LHP Alex Wood, C Kyle Farmer and cash to Cincinnati Reds for RHP Homer Bailey, SS Jeter Downs and RHP Josiah Gray."

12 hours ago, cheeseheadgophfan said:

I frankly don't understand the desire to get more catching.  We just signed Vazquez to a 3 year deal and Jeffers is still very young for an everyday or backup catcher.  We are in a win-now era....are we not?  I'd rather see them get back a major league caliber relief pitcher.  What would it take to get Graterol back????  Or Hudson?

We’re never in a win now mode.  There’s always some year in the distant future, 3-4-5 years from now that is priority.

The prophesies say that’s when all of our prospects will turn into stars.  That’s when we can finally take on a contract without anguish over whether that player will be worth slightly less than his AAV in year 8.  A new age will dawn, and the Twins will ascend to their rightful seat at the contender’s table of the most high.

Only once you understand that will you truly achieve enlightened “ball guy” status, and take your place at the right hand of Lavelle E. Neal.

54 minutes ago, Beast said:

We’re never in a win now mode.  There’s always some year in the distant future, 3-4-5 years from now that is priority.

I disagree that is what this Front Office is doing, sure there are plenty of fans with further prospects on their mind philosophy (You can see it all over this site, reading some comments the Twins minor league is full of future Hall of Famer players)

This Front Office has been kind of stuck in the middle, they have traded some pretty good "prospects" for pitching, while waiting for the first wave of injured pitching to get good and healthy, they have tried bringing up prospects and they haven't lived up to expectations or they also go hurt. Sure they haven't signed a top pitching, but it does take two to tango and it seems most top pitchers don't want to be here. But to say they went just about all in the last few years isn't giving them enough credit and dis-credits how bad they have been at going all in (mostly injuries but still)

Start getting Brooks Lee some time at 3b in camp and AA immediately.  He's 22 (not unheard of) and has the "it" factor; all can see it.  Unload Farmer to the Dodgers or another team later in the year and ramp up Lee at 3B.  Early in the season you bring Lee up and rotate the 3B/1B/SS/DH rotation with Correa, Miranda, Kiriloff, Lee and Royce.  Start phasing Royce into some time at 2B as well.

2024 Lineup:

1B:  Miranda/Kiriloff

2B:  Royce

SS:  C4

3B:  Brooks Lee

LF:  Gallo/Larnach/Wallner

CF:  Buxty

RF:  Gallo/Larnach/Wallner

DH:  Miranda/Kiriloff/Anyone

Twins Country, Let's Ride.

2 hours ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

I disagree that is what this Front Office is doing, sure there are plenty of fans with further prospects on their mind philosophy (You can see it all over this site, reading some comments the Twins minor league is full of future Hall of Famer players)

This Front Office has been kind of stuck in the middle, they have traded some pretty good "prospects" for pitching, while waiting for the first wave of injured pitching to get good and healthy, they have tried bringing up prospects and they haven't lived up to expectations or they also go hurt. Sure they haven't signed a top pitching, but it does take two to tango and it seems most top pitchers don't want to be here. But to say they went just about all in the last few years isn't giving them enough credit and dis-credits how bad they have been at going all in (mostly injuries but still)

 

It’s just a joke, and a play on the religious dedication to this philosophy by fans/media more than what the FO may actually be doing.

I do agree that they have been more aggressive in regards to winning the division now (not a World Series)…Although, I don’t think it’s the FOs decision at all.  I think ownership has loosened up a bit in reaction to cratering fan interest.  They haven’t committed fully, which is why it seems like the FO is stuck in the middle.  They want to invest just enough to tip fan interest back the other direction,  but not dip too deeply into the coffers (overall payroll hasn’t exactly ballooned).

But, hey, beggars can’t be choosers.  They signed a superstar shortstop.  They traded a good, but largely overrated player for some quality pitching.  Both things I wanted to see.  Much better than what I’ve seen for most of my life as a Twins fan.  I’ll take it and gladly watch.

I would think the Dodgers have bigger things in the works than Kyle Farmer if they’re making a trade.

They aren’t hurting that badly for a shortstop without Lux.  They already have Miguel Rojas, who was 1.5 wins better than Farmer last year in terms of WAR.  They also have Chris Taylor, who is a pretty good ball player.  Arguably a better player than Farmer as well.  They have no use for Farmer as a starting SS.

9 hours ago, Beast said:

I would think the Dodgers have bigger things in the works than Kyle Farmer if they’re making a trade.

They aren’t hurting that badly for a shortstop without Lux.  They already have Miguel Rojas, who was 1.5 wins better than Farmer last year in terms of WAR.  They also have Chris Taylor, who is a pretty good ball player.  Arguably a better player than Farmer as well.  They have no use for Farmer as a starting SS.

The bigger thing for them this year appears to be resetting the luxury tax and staying under the first tier mark, where the are barely under after Bauer money kicked in. That is why the were going with Lux in the first place. 

Has Max Kepler been mentioned enough in trade scenarios to pass Brian Duensing as the default sweetener to any hypothetical our-side-wins deal from now on?

17 hours ago, MMMordabito said:

Has Max Kepler been mentioned enough in trade scenarios to pass Brian Duensing as the default sweetener to any hypothetical our-side-wins deal from now on?

Not even close.  Duensing had about 3-4 years of it (plus a couple of years of "maybe we can re-sign him and add him to the trade" after he was gone. )

3 hours ago, gil4 said:

Not even close.  Duensing had about 3-4 years of it (plus a couple of years of "maybe we can re-sign him and add him to the trade" after he was gone. )

And he's still usually viewed as the primary chip toward acquiring front-line talent.  It will take more than this one article before he's truly the sweetener that Duensing was.

2 hours ago, ashbury said:

And he's still usually viewed as the primary chip toward acquiring front-line talent.  It will take more than this one article before he's truly the sweetener that Duensing was.

It's tough to replace a legend.

On 3/2/2023 at 12:33 PM, h2oface said:

The bigger thing for them this year appears to be resetting the luxury tax and staying under the first tier mark, where the are barely under after Bauer money kicked in. That is why the were going with Lux in the first place. 

The Dodgers are over the first luxury tax threshold. Money isn't an issue for them now or going forward, but they have openly stated a desire to use their younger players. They have the best farm system in baseball, according to multiple sites, and are looking for a bit of a reset in talent. Losing Lux was very unfortunate, but the backup is pretty decent.