The reference is here.

 

He suggests that Capps and Liriano are fits. Whatever. The fact is that the Twins are scouting a particular Toronto affiliate.

What severely bugs me, is that the Twins are scouting the Midwest League (A) Lansing Lugnuts. They need to have MLB-ready starting pitching ASAP as a return to any trade, and they are scouting single A. Nuts.

They need to have MLB-ready starting pitching ASAP as a return to any trade

No they don't...

From looking at the current Lansing Roster here are some guys that pop out at me:

 

Justin Nicolino SP

http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=nicoli001jus

Noah Seth Syndergaard SP

http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=synder001noa

Andy Byrnes (SS/2B/3B)

 

I'd take any of them straight up for Capps

They need to have MLB-ready starting pitching ASAP as a return to any trade, and they are scouting single A. Nuts.

Why would you say that? The closer to the MLB a prospect is the more valuable they are to that team. If you want a prospect with a high upside more than likely you'll have to reach further down into the minors. This isn't always true for Cliff Lee type deals, but when trading a player like Liriano... Besides, I'd rather have higher upside arms for when Sano, Rosario, Hicks, Arcia etc. are playing. I can wait 2 years for a prospect the Twins trade Liriano for.

Why would you say that? The closer to the MLB a prospect is the more valuable they are to that team. If you want a prospect with a high upside more than likely you'll have to reach further down into the minors. This isn't always true for Cliff Lee type deals, but when trading a player like Liriano... Besides, I'd rather have higher upside arms for when Sano, Rosario, Hicks, Arcia etc. are playing. I can wait 2 years for a prospect the Twins trade Liriano for.

The problem is that their 2013 rotation looks like nothing. Unless someone thinks that parts of a season from Diamond and De Vries are who they really are, the hope that Hendriks develops quickly, Walters can fool hitters with his non-stuff, Blackburn can magically become an effective pitcher and Gibson will have a miraculous comeback. The 2013 rotation on paper looks worse than the 2012 rotation that is the worst in the majors.

 

This is why.

 

Now, if they want to blow the whole thing up for 2013 and 2014 and wait for 2015, is a different story. And totally acceptable, but if that is the direction, they should not have extended a 30-some DH/C, and they should start selling anyone who is older that 28 and/or is making more than the minimum. Either or. Half rear-end things do not make sense, but they appear to be "the Twins' way".

Yeah, the idea that we would get a major league ready arm for Liriano is a bit perplexing, if a team had a major league ready arm I imagine they would rather just roll with that instead of the enigmatic Liriano.

Capps and Liriano aren't likely to bring in a top 100 prospect (unless the market changes) so it makes sense for the Twins do look for some high upside guys in A ball. That's how Liriano got added to the AJ deal in the first place.

By trading Liriano they are not "blowing the thing up." They are trying to get talent back since they obviously don't think he's worth the 13 mil he has an option for next year. I think its clear they are going to need to add at least 1 SP in free agency over the winter. You have to remember that Baker and Gibson are real possibilities for next year. Gibson is already pitching in the GCL and I imagine Baker (if the Twins can figure out his contract) could be ready to join the Twins early next season. If these two hadn't gotten hurt.... this team might be in the thick of things for the AL Central.

Capps and Liriano aren't likely to bring in a top 100 prospect (unless the market changes) so it makes sense for the Twins do look for some high upside guys in A ball. That's how Liriano got added to the AJ deal in the first place.

Capps, definitely not. Liriano, well it depends a lot on what happens in Milwaukee over the next week and a half.

I'd take any of them straight up for Capps

Could we really get one of those guys for Capps?

Capps and Liriano aren't likely to bring in a top 100 prospect (unless the market changes) so it makes sense for the Twins do look for some high upside guys in A ball. That's how Liriano got added to the AJ deal in the first place.

Why not? The Jays need a high upside starter to try and make the playoffs this year. A single top 100 player isn't much to give up for that.

Two things, Liriano is a free agent. The Twins will have no control over Liriano. They can make a qualifying offer, which would guarantee them a draft pick, but they also would be on the hook for a $12M salary, which I think is too much for the enigmatic Frankie. It makes zero sense to count on Baker for anything in 2013. Traditionally the year after TJ is ineffective and inconsistent (Joe Nathan last year, Liriano in 2008). Gibson is going to be at this point this summer and fall and we should expect him in top form in the spring of '13. Baker has an expensive option that should not be picked up. If the Twins want him for 2014 and beyond, they will have to offer him a multi-year deal in his TJ recovery year.

MLB-ready does not necessarily mean "top 100" prospect. Someone like Brett Cecil, who might not be in the top 100, would probably work. Someone like John Stilson who is probably another year or so away, might also work. And not for Capps alone, but for Liriano, for Span, for Morneau or a combination... Capps alone will not bring much, esp. now that the manager decided that he will not close for a while...

The Twins appear to be approaching things differently, but the two pitchers in Lansing that seem like Twin pitchers are Nicolino and Sanchez. Neither throws very hard, but they been productive and they do strike hitters out.

Syndergaard or Nicolino for Liriano

Corcino for Span

another nice piece for Willingham and I'm liking the Twins farm system

Why not? The Jays need a high upside starter to try and make the playoffs this year. A single top 100 player isn't much to give up for that.

Well, I guess that depends on whether the Jays view Liriano as a "high upside" starter. Here's hoping.

Syndergaard or Nicolino for Liriano

Corcino for Span

another nice piece for Willingham and I'm liking the Twins farm system

With those guys gone, the rest of 2012 is likely to be filled with a lot more losses. I hope that the Twins hold out for more than this.

What happened to TINSTAAPP?

 

I would hope the Twins, if they're going to trade assets, are looking at position players if they're going to dip down into low A ball.

What happened to TINSTAAPP?

 

I would hope the Twins, if they're going to trade assets, are looking at position players if they're going to dip down into low A ball.

You kind of understand it but not really. What the Twins need to do is acquire a quantity of good pitching prospects. Some will bust and some will make it.

 

I forgot to add this before but I'm against trading the best assets for mediocre rotation filler (Cecil) just because he is MLB ready.

What happened to TINSTAAPP?

 

I would hope the Twins, if they're going to trade assets, are looking at position players if they're going to dip down into low A ball.

Why?

 

I forgot to add this before but I'm against trading the best assets for mediocre rotation filler (Cecil) just because he is MLB ready.

I agree, I wouldn't give up anyone of great value for Cecil, but I would give up Capps for him in a heartbeat. I actually think Cecil can end up being a decent #4 or a poor mans #3. Getting out of the AL East should help him quite a bit, I could see him as a 180 IP, 4.00 ERA guy for a few years.

You kind of understand it but not really. What the Twins need to do is acquire a quantity of good pitching prospects. Some will bust and some will make it.

 

I forgot to add this before but I'm against trading the best assets for mediocre rotation filler (Cecil) just because he is MLB ready.

So adding 1 or 2 more pitchers currently in the MWL = adding "a quantity of good pitching prospects?"

 

If teams aren't willing to thow pitchers at the Twins who can help by mid-2013 at the latest, tell 'em to take a hike.

 

If teams aren't willing to thow pitchers at the Twins who can help by mid-2013 at the latest, tell 'em to take a hike.

Darn... I agree 100% with that statement.

So adding 1 or 2 more pitchers currently in the MWL = adding "a quantity of good pitching prospects?"

 

If teams aren't willing to thow pitchers at the Twins who can help by mid-2013 at the latest, tell 'em to take a hike.

Your right, we'd be much better off hanging onto Capps the rest of the year and then having to buy out his option next year.

Ditto with Liriano (assuming the Twins aren't serious about extending him)

Whether it's pitching or position players, and regardless of our trading chip, I absolutely love the idea of obtaining higher-ceiling prospects from the lower levels as opposed to a Brett Cecil type. If you want a MLB-ready pitcher, just keep Liriano for another year for $12M. You're either getting yourself a bargain, or you're overpaying him by about the cost of a Marquis.

If teams aren't willing to thow pitchers at the Twins who can help by mid-2013 at the latest, tell 'em to take a hike.

I'm fine with trading Liriano for a low minors prospect. You'll get better value out of Liriano that way, who is a two month rental for the receiving team.

 

Span, on the other hand, needs to be dealt for someone much closer to the bigs.

So adding 1 or 2 more pitchers currently in the MWL = adding "a quantity of good pitching prospects?"

 

 

There is not one move that is going to add quantity of good pitching prospects but you have to start somewhere. They drafted Berrios, signed Felix Jorge (under the radar) last year, drafted Boyd last year and if they can add a 2-3 guys like syndergaard/nicolino/corcino/Meyer(WAS) then you start to have the kind of numbers where you start adding some legitimately good pitchers to the rotation instead of the constant stream of 4/5's that have been coming up recently.

There is not one move that is going to add quantity of good pitching prospects but you have to start somewhere. They drafted Berrios, signed Felix Jorge (under the radar) last year, drafted Boyd last year and if they can add a 2-3 guys like syndergaard/nicolino/corcino/Meyer(WAS) then you start to have the kind of numbers where you start adding some legitimately good pitchers to the rotation instead of the constant stream of 4/5's that have been coming up recently.

 

My point is that this is fine and dandy if you are looking at 2015 or so. And I have no problem with that.

 

If that is what they are doing, why the hey are they extending Doumit (who will not be around by then, and I would think that Herrmann might fill his shoes pretty well in a rebuild) and not have a fire sale? This half-rear-end crap just gets me...

signing Doumit is fine even if you are rebuilding. Rebuilding doesn't have to be a burn it to the ground style. They signed Doumit to a cheap contract for minimal years and he doesn't block anyone. If Parmelee or Herrmann are good enough to play they will find a spot.

 

I'm concerned that they are going to do a rebuilding where they trade for a bunch of mediocre low upside guys that are close to the majors.

I'm concerned that they are going to do a rebuilding where they trade for a bunch of mediocre low upside guys that are close to the majors.

Like Diamond last season?

 

Again: this is schizophrenic behavior. You got to have a plan for when you are going to compete (where "compete" = "winning a couple of postseason series here and there, reaching the world series occasionally and winning maybe".) The Twins have not done that since Andy MacPhail was the GM. And he was 38 years old when the Twins won the World Series for the last time (and their Manager was 41). Not sure that the Twins have such a plan. And that is a big problem. And this is a reason why they have been fluttering around mediocrity for 20 seasons. Some better than others, but still the same old crap. Something's gotta change with this team that does not involve the color of the uniforms or that of the "Twins' way" Kool-aid