Article: Price Dropping For Intriguing Trade Target

[Nick Nelson]

Last Wednesday, while the Twins were entangled in a 12-inning thriller with the Royals, the Mets and Nationals were facing off in a key NL East battle in Washington.

 

With the score tied 2-2 late in a must-win for the Nats, Drew Storen gave up a two-run homer to the red-hot Yoenis Cespedes. We learned over the weekend that after that inning, Storen went to the clubhouse, slammed his locker and broke his thumb, ending his season.It was a sadly fitting end to what's been a tremendously frustrating year for the right-hander. He lost his hold on the closer role when the Nationals acquired Jonathan Papelbon from the Phillies in late July, despite the fact that Storen had been extremely effective, converting 29 of 31 save chances with a 1.73 ERA and 44-to-9 K/BB ratio in 36 innings.

 

One can hardly blame Nats GM Mike Rizzo for upgrading the back end of his bullpen with an elite power arm, but it was a raw deal for Storen. He publicly voiced his displeasure following the trade, and also started to pitch very poorly, allowing multiple runs in four straight outings at one point in mid-August. You have to believe that Wednesday's incident was in some way triggered by pent-up frustration.

 

The string of unfortunate events has dropped the 28-year-old Storen's stock to an all-time low entering an offseason where his alienated ballclub was already expected to shop him heavily. This presents an intriguing opportunity for teams that are on the lookout for bullpen help, and especially for the Twins.

 

Minnesota has been known to have had interest in Storen in the past. In 2011, the Twins and Nats were rumored to be working on a deal involving the righty and Denard Span, though nothing materialized.

 

Storen would be an excellent fit based on the Twins' current needs. With Casey Fien and Blaine Boyer both likely to depart, and the remaining right-handed relievers – such as Ryan Pressly, Michael Tonkin, J.R. Graham and A.J. Achter – looking suspect to varying degrees, this bullpen needs another impact late-inning arm to complement Kevin Jepsen, and one more established than Trevor May (who should be given another chance to start anyway).

 

You could hardly ask for a better candidate than Storen, who has spent his entire career pitching well in high-leverage situations, the last few weeks notwithstanding.

 

Of course, the biggest potential snag in such a scenario is that Storen clearly wants to close, and there will be no such opening here with Glen Perkins entrenched. But Storen may just have to come to terms with the reality of his situation. He's not going to get the ninth inning next year in Washington, with Papelbon still under contract, and it's doubtful that the Nats will allow him to dictate where he ends up in a trade.

 

Storen is due for free agency following the 2016 season, so he might have to bear down, do his thing in a setup role and hope to gain interest as a closer on the open market.

 

That would be a nice coup for the Twins, as they'd get a top-tier relief arm and also an ideal contingency plan behind Perkins, who has had health problems in two straight seasons and will be 33.

 

What do you think? Does Storen make sense as a target for the Twins? And what would you give up to acquire him?

 

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[Dr. Evil]

I would be thrilled if we landed him.

[USNMCPO]

Yup

[Old Twins Cap]

Let's trade Wilson Ramos for him.

 

Oh, wait...

[jimbo92107]

If Drew Storen is that good, why did the Nats get Papelbon?

[Bark's Lounge]

 

If Drew Storen is that good, why did the Nats get Papelbon?

I don't think the trade was an indictment against Storen. Washington needed back-end bullpen help and they hoped Storen would play the role of being a good soldier. Papelbon would not have approved the trade if he wasn't going to be the closer.

[Thegrin]

Oh yes. Just what the Twins need. A pitcher that broke his own thumb.  

[Otto von Ballpark]

The Nationals are a mess at the moment, but they are still clearly going to try contending in 2016, and I don't think they have a deep pen or they wouldn't have targeted Papelbon. Not sure they would have any interest in dealing Storen cheaply. So, he'd cost more than Jepsen, and I would rather address the bullpen in FA if that is the case.

Edited September 14, 2015 by spycake

[sane]

 

If Drew Storen is that good, why did the Nats get Papelbon?

If Perkins was that good, why did the Twins get Jepsen?

Because ONE MAN does not make a bullpen!

[Danchat]

Yes, I would definitely look into a trade. It would be very prudent of the Twins to give Washington a call.

[glunn]

It seems to me that Storen would probably benefit from a change in scene and is likely to repeat his former success, especially if he is given a closer role.  But I think that there is a material chance that he could have similar problems in the future.  And I doubt that Washington will end up trading him cheap - there are teams that need a closer who would have a greater incentive than the Twins to roll this dice. 

[DaveW]

I would like him, but the price will likely be too high, some team in need of a closer will likely over pay. If he was signed for more than one year, I would consider giving up a top prospect for him, but at this stage I would rather just go with Jepsen as the 8th inning guy, Perkins as the 9th and trade or sign a couple guys to be good in the 7th.

[diehardtwinsfan]

If the price is droping, I'd be all over that pick up.  Problem is that he wants to close and that's not happening here.  He can be assured he's next in line, but that means very little if Perkins is healthy all year. 

[Eris]

 

If Perkins was that good, why did the Twins get Jepsen?

 

 

It is also likely that the Twins knew that Perkins was hurt as his performance nose-dived after the All-Star break.

[nicksaviking]

 

Of course, the biggest potential snag in such a scenario is that Storen clearly wants to close, and there will be no such opening here with Glen Perkins entrenched.

 

Or Perkins could be removed from the 9th.  Or the Twins could stray from the fixed closer docterine.

 

 

[DaveW]

Or Perkins could be removed from the 9th. Or the Twins could stray from the fixed closer docterine.

I highly doubt molitor is going to be the one who breaks that chain.

[Thrylos]

I'd give up Perkins straight up.  Win win for both teams.

[DaveW]

I'd give up Perkins straight up. Win win for both teams.

um that would be a terrible trade since Glen is signed to a very team friendly long term deal and storen is a FA after next season...

[theBOMisthebomb]

Since it's possible that Perk might be closer to washed up status than in his prime it makes sense. Not sure why Perk would be a lock for 2016 closer role given his 2nd half performances the last couple of years.

[HitInAPinch]

Perkins is not entrenched as the closer.  At least he shouldn't be.  The way he's been breaking down after the around the All Star break, I would have start looking for a replacement 2-3 years ago.  I'm a little stunned that the advanced statistics crowd hasn't shot down the Save stat. 

 

And Storen, let me see if I get this straight: he publicly voices his discontent about the Papelbon trade, suddenly starts pitching poorly, gets upset after a game and punches out his locker and breaks his thumb.  You really want this guy?? 

 

Adding reference to "Save Replacement" stats.  Would have posted before, but found "Meltdown" to be a little bitchy...

 

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/blowing-up-baseballs-most-dangerous-stat/

http://www.fangraphs.com/library/pitching/sd-md/

[howieramone2]

If I'm not mistaken we considered Storen in the Rule 4 draft also. I believe Duffey and Pressly will strengthen the pen next year, with Graham first man up. For lefties, I like Cotts resume. I don't think we will spent big, because our farm system should start spewing out power arms left and right at some point next season.

[Nick Nelson]

 

Perkins is not entrenched as the closer.  At least he shouldn't be.  The way he's been breaking down after the around the All Star break, I would have start looking for a replacement 2-3 years ago.  I'm a little stunned that the advanced statistics crowd hasn't shot down the Save stat. 

Whether you believe he should be or not, he is. I assure you of that. 

Also, Perkins' numbers are good across the board, going well beyond saves. The late-season physical breakdowns in two straight years are perturbing though, which is a big part of the season I feel they need to go get another top-tier late-inning arm if they have true championship aspirations next year. 

[nicksaviking]

 

I highly doubt molitor is going to be the one who breaks that chain.

 

I agree, and most managers wouldn't.  Just throwing that out there in case the Twins wanted to think slightly outside the box.

 

And to be fair, those that argue that your best relief pitcher should be used in the highest leverage situation often use hindsight to make their points.  No one can actually predict that the bottom of the ninth WON'T be the highest leverage half inning, particularly since the odds are that it will. 

[nicksaviking]

 

 

And Storen, let me see if I get this straight: he publicly voices his discontent about the Papelbon trade, suddenly starts pitching poorly, gets upset after a game and punches out his locker and breaks his thumb.  You really want this guy?? 

 

If I had to have one guy with an attitude problem for my team, it would be an angry and ornery reliever.

 

Also, we probably could have said the same things about Perkins about five years ago, he was just fortunanate enough not to break his thumb during his tantrum.

 

As mentioned, Perkins is the closer and that's unlikely to change, however that's going to hamper matters in getting meaningful bullpen upgrades.  It would be great to get the next Wade Davis, but that's going to be a guessing game.  I'd have to think the guys you would have the most confidence in would be those who profile as a closer. 

[sane]

"The break occurred when Storen slammed a locker door after giving up a two-run homer"

 

Tell your kids that locker doors and water coolers are better defensive fighters than Floyd Mayweather.

And they, too, have never lost a fight!

[sane]

Don't rule out Storen because he has a temper.

An overwhelming majority of successful athletes have tempers.

[TheLeviathan]

I'd pursue him, but I'd rather spend money on the bullpen than trade assets.

[nicksaviking]

 

I'd pursue him, but I'd rather spend money on the bullpen than trade assets.

 

Me too.  No sure there's a lot of hard throwers available this year though. Shawn Kelley misses bats but doesn't throw too hard, maybe he'd be worth a look.  Jon Broxton might have turned the corner too.

[dxpavelka]

Not sure about trading for a guy who obviously doesn't NOT want to be a closer.  Yes, I understand there are some questions with our incumbent closer but if those are answered there is very little doubt as to who owns that role here.  If those questions linger we also appear to have a second viable option.  Not to mention potential option or two on the farm horizon. 

[DuluthFan]

1. Publicly blasts management for trying to make the team better.

2. Proceeds to play poorly when he is given a new role on the team.

3. Throws a temper tantrum where he injures his pitching hand.

4. Will be a free agent in one season.

5. Will be coming off an injury with no time to prove health for upcoming season.

 

This is what you want to trade for? This player looks to be bad for team chemistry. He would also have an unresolved injury issue in the only season you have team control and he can walk after that. There is also no clear path for him to pitch in the role that HE wants.

 

Pass.