http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/53243/look-for-rockies-to-trade-carlos-gonzalez

 

Gonzalez is due another 53m over the next three seasons, covering his age 29-31 years. He's a LFer who, when healthy, is solid defensively.  His numbers are somewhat Coors field affected (for both good and bad) and his LH swing might not be ideal for TF, but he should still, if healthy, be a real good bat.

 

The "if healthy" is the key. He's only played in 180 games the last two seasons and managed a .276/.338/.527 line in that time.  But when he has been healthy, he's been pretty good, putting up 4+ WAR seasons and hitting the ball with real authority while stealing 20+ bases.

 

The Rockies want cost controlled starting pitching so a deal would have to be made around Alex Meyer (or Berrios, depending on who the Rockies like more) and probably a lesser prospect.  And, of course, the Twins would be making a big salary increase which seems equally unlikely.

I won't bang this drum too many more times but I just don't like the strategy of betting on improved health. Seems like an impossible way to put any kind of plan together.

If they want a bad contract that can be had cheaply, I'd go for Kemp. I doubt he costs much in terms of prospects, just the 100M price tag on his remaining contract.

With the Twins biggest problem being pitching, I don't understand why they would consider trading pitching prospects for position players.

With the Twins biggest problem being pitching, I don't understand why they would consider trading pitching prospects for position players.

+1.  For a team on the upswing, trade to relieve a logjam of talent at a position, after it occurs.  Not to fill a need.

 

Lemma: And there is never a logjam of good starting pitching. 

 

Corollary: A couple of starters champing at the bit because they are relegated to the bullpen is not a logjam.

I'd give them a call and see what the cost is for sure.  CarGo is a damn good player and his price tag is far from insane.

 

I'd prefer Kemp, but if you can get CarGo at a discount I'd be in on that conversation.

I would have no issues with the Twins getting CarGo, if the package started with Nolasco and Pelfrey.

the Twins are at the wrong point in the rebuild curve to trade premium prospects for injury prone, expensive 30 yr olds.  Regardless of the position of the players involved.  The conversation changes if a guy like Stanton is involved though.   I would trade anyone and give his agent a blank check for a contract extension.

 

I don't have a problem adding really good players like Cargo when the cost is cash and some minor prospects but the Rockies will be aiming higher than a salary dump.

 

I understand the fascination with Kemp but nobody that has ever been critical of how much money Mauer makes should want Kemp.  Kemp is practically guaranteed to be 20M in dead weight by the end of the contract.  I wouldn't sign kemp to that contract (5/100ishM) if he were a FA and I certainly wouldn't give up anything to do it.

I've seen this on multiple threads and I would like somebody to explain this to me.  I keep seeing people suggest that Matt Kemp might be available for cheap if we absorb his contract.  Why would the Dodgers be willing to do that?  They seem to have an unlimited payroll so keeping him is not an issue.  He was the #7 OF by OPS in the majors this year.  If they are trying to win championships, that is not a player you look to dump.  I haven't heard anything about them needing to dump salary.  I'm sure Crawford and Ethier could be had for cheap, but the Dodgers would need to send money with those two.

I would have no issues with the Twins getting CarGo, if the package started with Nolasco and Pelfrey.

Is this trolling?  If not, a little more ice, little more mix......

Away from Coor's Field in 2014.

 

160/224/319 in 156 PA

Away from Coor's Field in 2014.

 

160/224/319 in 156 PA

Career away:

.258 .314 .437 .750  - Still not very good, but decent.  Not a big money guy.

the Twins are at the wrong point in the rebuild curve to trade premium prospects for injury prone, expensive 30 yr olds.  Regardless of the position of the players involved.  The conversation changes if a guy like Stanton is involved though.   I would trade anyone and give his agent a blank check for a contract extension.

 

I don't have a problem adding really good players like Cargo when the cost is cash and some minor prospects but the Rockies will be aiming higher than a salary dump.

 

I understand the fascination with Kemp but nobody that has ever been critical of how much money Mauer makes should want Kemp.  Kemp is practically guaranteed to be 20M in dead weight by the end of the contract.  I wouldn't sign kemp to that contract (5/100ishM) if he were a FA and I certainly wouldn't give up anything to do it.

Nitpic: Gonzalez will be 29 next yr, not 30. In general, I also don't buy "injury prone" as something to pay much attention to, unless it's a chronic condition such as a bad back...and technically that's not injury prone either.

 

And it may be Coors-aided, but for the record his career OPS is higher than Mauer's.

 

I'd strongly consider a trade, but I'm not a fan of sitting around waiting for the minor leagues to turn this franchise around.

Nitpic: Gonzalez will be 29 next yr, not 30. In general, I also don't buy "injury prone" as something to pay much attention to, unless it's a chronic condition such as a bad back...and technically that's not injury prone either.

 

And it may be Coors-aided, but for the record his career OPS is higher than Mauer's.

 

I'd strongly consider a trade, but I'm not a fan of sitting around waiting for the minor leagues to turn this franchise around.

 

Some players are just made of glass.  He has missed 140 games in the last two seasons.  Before that he missed 20-30 games/yr.  After 5 seasons of injuries it's time to call him injury prone.

 

He is a helluva player though.  At a different point in the rebuild (or if he was available for 2nd tier prospects) I would be interested in the trade also. 

He is a helluva player though.  At a different point in the rebuild (or if he was available for 2nd tier prospects) I would be interested in the trade also. 

This I agree with. If the Twins could take on all his salary (which they won't) and not have to surrender a 1st tier prospect (which the Rockies would want), I'd be really happy.  But since neither thing will happen ...