Article: Deadline Primer: Shake-Up At Short?

[Nick Nelson]

He was Minnesota's lone representative at last Tuesday's All Star Game. He has been the team's leadoff hitter, almost exclusively, for two months. While others have endured slumps and demotions, he has kept hitting relentlessly, earning an entrenched status in the daily lineup.

 

But is Eduardo Nunez really the answer at short for the Twins? And if he isn't, then what is the plan?The steady playing time for Nunez has come largely at the expense of Eduardo Escobar, who entered the season as starting shortstop. Some health issues have factored in, including a recent minor hamstring injury, but since the end of May, Escobar has started only 16 of 40 games.

 

It's not like Escobar hasn't been hitting during that span. In his 70 plate appearances dating back to the start of June, he has a .774 OPS; during the same time period Nunez is at .754. There is also little doubt that Escobar is the superior defensive player. Nonetheless, Nunez has elevated himself to the top of the depth chart thanks to his hot start, his persisting effectiveness at the plate, and his dynamic work on the base paths.

 

It's tough to argue with the approach at this time. Escobar has not done a whole lot to distinguish himself and the offense has been clicking nicely with Nunez at the top of the order. But with the trade deadline only two weeks away, the Twins need to determine whether they really think this is a long-term solution.

 

If it's not, they should be trying to get whatever they can for Nunez, while recommitting to Escobar as their starting shortstop until Jorge Polanco, Nick Gordon or another long-term fixture emerges. It's difficult to gauge how the market views Nunez, but as a breakout spark plug type player who is under 30 and can play several positions, there is value. He's a nice asset for a contender.

 

While Escobar hasn't been great this year, the muscle strains have slowed him somewhat, and he still hasn't been terrible. He has a solid track record of performance over the last three seasons, and is two years younger than Nunez. Given his superiority with the mitt and his lengthier window of team control, he is the one I would be betting on. Nunez looks like the definition of a guy that a rebuilding club like the Twins should sell high on.

 

But will they? And what could realistically be expected as a return for such a player who finally seems to be reaching his offensive potential?

 

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[FlsPrpht]

If he's the answer, it's clear we don't know what the question is.

[Rosterman]

It's a tough call. You would think that if Escobar pushed himself really hard, he could put up almost similar numbers (i.e. home runs and stolen bases) as Nunez. This is a career year for Nunez, he knows it, he isn't letting up, and I wonder if he is secretly hoping for a trade (to be on a winner) and looking for a nice paycheck or multi-year contract.

 

At best, for the Twins, he COULD be the regular shortstop again next season (with Escobar or Santana or Polanco as the backup - which means we should be looking at Escobar as tradebait then). The plus is that he does show some punch. He could also play third base in a pinch if Sano would go down for any length of time (compared to, say, Escobar). That is assuming that something also happens to Plouffe.

 

But beyond 2017, is there a place for him with the Twins (too expensive).

 

So, the good side says trade when his value is the highest. Yet what is his value. Like our own Paul Molitor, does any team consider him a starter or just a glorified utility guy. Would you trade for Nunez over, say, Valencia or Plouffe or even Escobar is the scheme of things. If I was looking for a shortstop with potential (Seattle) I would look at Escobar as someone to keep around for a few years and could be considered more of a starter than a utility guy.

 

Trading either means we can get a look at Polanco, and then worry about the logjam in the outfield - Grossman, Rosario, Buxton, Santana, Kepler and maybe a callup of Walker. Whew! We might have another centerfielder to trade!

[troyhobbs]

Other teams should be looking at him as a starter. He doesn't give away at bats, has some pop, steals bases at will, and is ok in the field. Used to not think the Twins would get much for him but he's been so consistent this year that perhaps they could...? He's been fun to watch, unfortunately he should probably be traded.

[jimmer]

Unfortunately, Escobar is neither good enough with the glove or the bat.  With Polanco more of a 2B, that makes the decision about Nunez more difficult than it really should be.

[Platoon]

If he's the answer, it's clear we don't know what the question is.

. That's a principle TR should have put on a plaque and hang on his wall!

[Shane Wahl]

Having all three of Nunez, Escobar, and Polanco at this point is pretty silly. Trading two of them seems to be in order. Still not convinced that Polanco can't play short, but whatever.

[HitInAPinch]

Eduardo Nunez is not THE shortstop.  

 

41 games at SS

33 at 3rd

5 at 2nd

4 at DH

 

He is still a utility player.  He's not just in the lineup because of his offense [but still a big part], it's because of the failures of others, some injury related, some just bad performances.  

 

This season is a loss;  there isn't even a question about it.  The influx of MiLB players that began in the 1st half will continue in the 2nd.  Maybe even escalated.  If this doesn't signal an exit for Nunez [which I don't think is a guarantee by any stretch of the imagination] then I'd like to know whom. 

 

After watching Dozier try to tag out a guy returning to 2nd on the back instead of a sweep tag on his arm/hand, he's my 1st choice to go.  

 

EDIT:  Upon further review of yesterday's pitching, I'd add Gibson to the list.  But that's not what this thread is about....

Edited July 18, 2016 by HitInAPinch

[Vanimal46]

One, or multiple, of these players needs to go to clear up the situation heading into next season - Escobar, Nunez, Polanco (out of options in 2017) Dozier. Dozier IMO provides the best return for the Twins, he'd be first on my priority list. Quite frankly I'd shop all of these guys around the league and see what we can get.  

[Mike Sixel]

Frankly, if MLBtraderumors is correct, and they are both waiting for calls, and not willing to throw in money, well, I have little faith this team is going to help themselves for the future this deadline.

[howieramone2]

Gordon is the SS of the future, and since he will start next season at AA, fair chance we see him at some point in time next season. Nunez is insurance in case Brooks Sano can't stick at a premium position.

[troyhobbs]

 

Frankly, if MLBtraderumors is correct, and they are both waiting for calls, and not willing to throw in money, well, I have little faith this team is going to help themselves for the future this deadline.

4 90+ losing seasons haven't convinced TR they ought to be sellers in the past so doubt a 100 loss season will either. That wouldn't be fair to all the other guys on the roster trying to win, as I'm sure Terry would reason.....

[DaveW]

I have my doubts that Nunez can keep up his Ben Zobrist impression, however since he isn't a FA, the Twins should make sure to get good value in return, if you can't trade him now, try to move him in the offseason.

[howieramone2]

 

Frankly, if MLBtraderumors is correct, and they are both waiting for calls, and not willing to throw in money, well, I have little faith this team is going to help themselves for the future this deadline.

Mike, our favorite team is not sitting around waiting for calls, nor are any of the other 29 teams. Assuming one of the players you're thinking about is Santana, TR is in a win-win situation, with Santana at max value. Our scouting department, has long been considered one of the best in all of baseball, and I have no doubt, few have slept in their own beds for weeks. If TR pulls the trigger on Santana, the glass is half full members will be pleased with the return.

 

Yesterday on Inside Twins, TR left little doubt we are looking for starting pitching, but I would assume he'll wait for the off-season when there will be less competition. I would guess we may move Plouffe, Santana, Polanco, or Park in that order, at the deadline.

 

 

Edited July 18, 2016 by howieramone2

[wsnydes]

 

4 90+ losing seasons haven't convinced TR they ought to be sellers in the past so doubt a 100 loss season will either. That wouldn't be fair to all the other guys on the roster trying to win, as I'm sure Terry would reason.....

Haha!  You're probably right.  That implies that he thinks that losing 90+ games a season over and over again is fair to them.  Personally, as a fan, I find that very premise to be cruel and unusual punishment and against my Constitutional Rights.  

[wsnydes]

 

Mike, our favorite team is not sitting around waiting for calls, nor are any of the other 29 teams. Assuming one of the players you're thinking about is Santana, TR is in a win-win situation, with Santana at max value. Our scouting department, has long been considered one of the best in all of baseball, and I have no doubt, few have slept in their own beds for weeks. If TR pulls the trigger on Santana, the glass is half full members will be pleased with the return.

 

Yesterday on Inside Twins, TR left little doubt we are looking for starting pitching, but I would assume he'll wait for the off-season when there will be less competition. I would guess we may move Plouffe, Santana, Polanco, or Park in that order, at the deadline.

I'd imagine the odds of Park getting moved are pretty slim.  Not necessarily because of lack of interest, but because TR won't trade his loan big league offseason acquisition.

 

Without throwing in something to sweeten the pot, acquiring starting pitching that would actually be worth trading for seems far fetched.  Dozier might be the only big league piece that could acquire that sort of player in return.  

[Blackjack]

 

4 90+ losing seasons haven't convinced TR they ought to be sellers in the past so doubt a 100 loss season will either. That wouldn't be fair to all the other guys on the roster trying to win, as I'm sure Terry would reason.....

And whats fair to the fans??! Terry's job should be to help the team long-term, not worry about a few players feelings. They're all getting paid very well, and should realize that if a player or three gets traded, its the best for the team in the long run.

[wsnydes]

 

And whats fair to the fans??! Terry's job should be to help the team long-term, not worry about a few players feelings. They're all getting paid very well, and should realize that if a player or three gets traded, its the best for the team in the long run.

Frankly, if I'm a player and get traded to a team playing meaningful games I'd be ecstatic.  Any of the veterans that have been through all of the losing seasons have to be sick and tired of the treading of water.  I'd think a contending team would even be rejuvenating to one's love of the game.  The notion of having my feelings hurt because I was traded seems laughable.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I'd imagine the odds of Park getting moved are pretty slim.  Not necessarily because of lack of interest

I think "lack of interest" would be an apt description for the Park trade market at the present time.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

If he's the answer, it's clear we don't know what the question is.

 

These types of statements really make me wonder whether our expectations are realistic.  Escobar's .774 OPS along with average to above defense makes him a pretty valuable commodity at short. League average SS are much worse than that. 

 

As for Nunez, he's a utility guy, and as one he's quite valuable as he can spell 2b,3b, and SS keeping an above average bat in the lineup or providing one off the bench.  Not saying I wouldn't trade him for the right offer, but I don't think the team's problem lies up the middle (except that they do need to find a spot for Polanco).

[Mike Sixel]

 

Mike, our favorite team is not sitting around waiting for calls, nor are any of the other 29 teams. Assuming one of the players you're thinking about is Santana, TR is in a win-win situation, with Santana at max value. Our scouting department, has long been considered one of the best in all of baseball, and I have no doubt, few have slept in their own beds for weeks. If TR pulls the trigger on Santana, the glass is half full members will be pleased with the return.

 

Yesterday on Inside Twins, TR left little doubt we are looking for starting pitching, but I would assume he'll wait for the off-season when there will be less competition. I would guess we may move Plouffe, Santana, Polanco, or Park in that order, at the deadline.

 

Well, if he's looking for pitching, there's this Berrios guy I hear is available......and it would cost nothing to acquire him either!

 

I guess we'll see. By their own words in the paper two weeks ago, they were talking about other teams not calling them, with no mention of them calling others. Also, we've read that they are not willing to throw in money.

 

And, if that is the list of available players, I don't see much return if they won't throw in money, do you?

 

 

[ashbury]

4 90+ losing seasons haven't convinced TR they ought to be sellers in the past so doubt a 100 loss season will either. That wouldn't be fair to all the other guys on the roster trying to win, as I'm sure Terry would reason.....

In response to the several posts that followed this, can I please point out that the notion of the front office worrying excessively about the players' feelings was started as a hypothetical, with satire at its heart, and does not need to be debated on its own merits?

[troyhobbs]

BTW, looks like Ryan just got fired. Seriously

[Taildragger8791]

 

Well, if he's looking for pitching, there's this Berrios guy I hear is available......and it would cost nothing to acquire him either!

 

I guess we'll see. By their own words in the paper two weeks ago, they were talking about other teams not calling them, with no mention of them calling others. Also, we've read that they are not willing to throw in money.

 

And, if that is the list of available players, I don't see much return if they won't throw in money, do you?

 

I believe the quote also said something like "our phones are open, call if you have any ideas", which is a pants-on-head crazy statement from your GM. You'd like to see a little more direction and pro-activeness projected from your front office. Hopefully it was a poor choice of words and they have a better plan than letting other teams frame the trade proposals. Appearances matter when you're putting on such a display of suckitude for several years now.

 

I'd also be pretty frustrated if they dumped Polanco for anything less than a sure-fire starting-caliber player. He's a young MLB-ready middle infielder who can legit hit and we're going to burn him because we can't stomach losing one of Escobar/Nunez/Dozier? Pretty short-sighted unless they have good reason to believe he can't establish himself at SS/2B.

[Taildragger8791]

 

BTW, looks like Ryan just got fired. Seriously

 

Wow. They really did it. It's sad to see it end that way for Terry but hopefully this is a sign of good changes to come.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

These types of statements really make me wonder whether our expectations are realistic.  Escobar's .774 OPS along with average to above defense makes him a pretty valuable commodity at short. League average SS are much worse than that.

I think the "answer" question was in reference to Nunez, in the article.

[howieramone2]

 

Well, if he's looking for pitching, there's this Berrios guy I hear is available......and it would cost nothing to acquire him either!

 

I guess we'll see. By their own words in the paper two weeks ago, they were talking about other teams not calling them, with no mention of them calling others. Also, we've read that they are not willing to throw in money.

 

And, if that is the list of available players, I don't see much return if they won't throw in money, do you?

We should see Berrios shortly, so he'll end up with not quite 20 starts this season. I never really cared when they called him up, as long as he received enough innings so we could pencil him in by ST.  I think throwing in money is rarely a deal maker or breaker.

[bluechipper]

 

EDIT:  Upon further review of yesterday's pitching, I'd add Gibson to the list.  But that's not what this thread is about....

If it weren't for some awful defense, Gibson would have had 7 IP with 2 ER. He pitched a pretty good game, so I'm not sure what you're referencing.