Trade Target: Jon Papelbon

[nicksaviking]

Papelbon's contract is a bit pricey, however a team willing to eat it likely would have to give up fewer prospects, or so the old wisdom goes.

 

Upon close inspection of his contract, there's a slight catch in the Twins favor however.  Pap's silly $13M 2016 option vests at 100 games finished between 2014-15.  Currently he's at 76 games finished.

 

Should a team that needs a closer trade for him, they'll have to pick up that option.  If the Twins stick him in the 8th and let Perkins continue to close, the option is not a factor. 

 

Not sure how I feel about it, but thought I'd throw out the bone for consideration.

[mickeymental]

ick.

[drjim]

I would certainly take him if it is mostly money. I wonder how he would feel about being traded to be a setup man and lose out on the option.

[Captain Hindsight]

It's funny I thought about this earlier today as well and would welcome the move. He is expensive but very good and would really solidify the back end of the BP.

 

There are roadblocks to acquiring Papelbon such as money, prospects, and the most important being that the Twins are on his no trade clause. In the past he has said he would not waive it unless his option was picked up and/or he was the closer. That pretty much ends the discussion before it begins.

[DaveW]

It would be a great move, Papelbon is one of the elite RP in the game, if they could snag him the Twins would have a deadly 8th/9th inning combo.

 

The $13 million option is a bit scary, no closer is "worth" that money but at least he produces. Sounds like the Twins would have to pick up the option if they traded him over, I wouldn't be super opposed to that if the Phillies kicked in about 5 million or so?

 

I'd dangle Arcia, Milone and Nolasco (one can dream right?) to see if any combo of those guys would be of interest, but likely they would have to toss in a couple prospects as well, which I necessarily wouldn't be opposed to. Meyer in the 7th, Paps in the 8th and Perkins in the 9th could make this a team to be feared down the stretch.

[DaveW]

Also I wonder if Papelbon wouldn't be that upset if the option didn't vest? The White Sox just gave Robertson close to 50 million over 4 years, I bet Papelbon could get close to 20 for a two year deal, no?

[Willihammer]

Seems like moving to setup would be like an opt-out clause almost. Assuming he stays healthy/productive that would be in his best interests for sure.

[nicksaviking]

Seems like moving to setup would be like an opt-out clause almost. Assuming he stays healthy/productive that would be in his best interests for sure.

Yeah, didn't think of that. He's still young enough to try for another multi year deal. If that's his perigative.

[Mike Sixel]

No. They need a catcher or SS. Maybe a RF. They have all kinds of RP options. No.

[USAFChief]

 

No. They need a catcher or SS. Maybe a RF. They have all kinds of RP options. No.

But do they have "all kinds of RP options" who can actually be counted on to get big league hitters out, in 2015?

 

I'm not at all sure they do.

 

 

[drjim]

 

But do they have "all kinds of RP options" who can actually be counted on to get big league hitters out, in 2015?

 

I'm not at all sure they do.

 

They don't. They have all kinds of middling relievers now with upside guys on the horizon that aren't ready yet. An effective RH reliever seems to be a pretty big need that can be filled without hampering the future.

[drjim]

 

No. They need a catcher or SS. Maybe a RF. They have all kinds of RP options. No.

 

Would acquiring a RH reliever prevent them from upgrading those positions? I tend to think the lack of actual options at SS and C is probably the problem.

[drjim]

I like the move but highly doubt the Twins have much a chance at getting him. He has the no trade with the Twins and teams that want him as a closer seem to be interested.

 

That said, the opt out angle is interesting, just don't see it.

[ashbury]

 

 An effective RH reliever seems to be a pretty big need that can be filled without hampering the future.

Which is why the Stauffer signing continues to haunt us even after he's been released. If we had started the season with, say, Achter, we'd know something at this point.