Article: Twins July Trade Candidates

[JaleelWhite FanClub]

 

If Joe Mauer wants to play past 2018, there will likely be a spot for him. Sano is going to be at 3B for the foreseeable future. Kepler is entrenched in the OF. The Twins don't have a big 1B prospect pushing his way to the minors. Palka has stagnated, Vargas seems like a bench bat and there's no one else exciting in the high minors. The closest is Lewin Diaz, a nice prospect but still a guy in A ball. And that doesn't even take into context that the Twins also have a DH spot with no clear takers.

 

Unless the Twins are going to go spend big at DH/1B in free agency (seems unlikely), Mauer is going to have every chance to be the part of a LH platoon at 1B. Given the draw his name still is, it's hard to see the Twins finding someone better in the short-term market. I can see a 2 year $10-12 million deal with the understanding that Mauer is going to be platooning at 1B/DH. He's well worth that money.

 

P.S. My offseason desire: the Twins sign Danny Valencia to a 1 year deal ($5 mill) and platoon him with Mauer. Dude mashes LH pitching and would be an ideal platoon with Mauer. And if the season doesn't work out, teams are always looking for a bench bat like that for the playoff run.

 

Seth hit this earlier, but why couldn't Garver be a platoon with Mauer while playing catcher or OF on the days Mauer's at 1B?

[drjim]

Seth hit this earlier, but why couldn't Garver be a platoon with Mauer while playing catcher or OF on the days Mauer's at 1B?

If you're going to platoon, Vargas is a better option.

 

Garvet is setup to be a fine backup catcher and perhaps able to fill in other spots on occasion, but probably necessary to slow the roll a little bit.

[Mike Sixel]

 

If you're going to platoon, Vargas is a better option.

Garvet is setup to be a fine backup catcher and perhaps able to fill in other spots on occasion, but probably necessary to slow the roll a little bit.

 

Ya, he's only 26 with a 900 OPS in AAA. Gotta slow it down.

[twinfan]

Sadly, I think it's time for the Twins to become sellers. While this team has done very well so far (compared to what was expected), we are not yet a contender for future years. However, I hope they do not trade Dozier or Santana (though he won't be as good as the first half) unless they can get quality that they can control. I do not like trading for prospects who, in reality, are suspects. I do not think this really makes a team better. However, I understand the need to trade those who will become free agents after this year to get some future quality. Kinzler seems most likely to go. I would not give up completely on Santiago. He started well but then faltered then got hurt. I also think it's way too early to give up on Gibson who is younger. We need another starter and 2 more decent hitters plus 2 middle relief guys if Pressley cannot get better.

[DJL44]

Garver is the same age as Vargas and is hitting better than Vargas at the same level. Plus, Garver is just crushing lefties (1000 OPS) and is a better fielder.

[drjim]

Ya, he's only 26 with a 900 OPS in AAA. Gotta slow it down.

He should be up sooner rather than later, but planning on him being a platoon 1b and getting other games in the of, and then otherwise catch, is way too much.

 

A 26 year old with a 900 ops strikes me right now as a high end backup catcher, not someone filling in at corner spots.

[drjim]

Garver is the same age as Vargas and is hitting better than Vargas at the same level. Plus, Garver is just crushing lefties (1000 OPS) and is a better fielder.

Garver does have an advantage this year, but Vargas outhit him the previous two years. And Vargas is at best a marginal big leaguer.

 

I think Garver should be up sooner rather than later and he should carve out a nice mlb career, but people are getting way ahead of themselves here. Very Zack Granite like in their expectations.

[Mike Sixel]

 

He should be up sooner rather than later, but planning on him being a platoon 1b and getting other games in the of, and then otherwise catch, is way too much.

A 26 year old with a 900 ops strikes me right now as a high end backup catcher, not someone filling in at corner spots.

 

Is anyone saying anything other than high end back up, PH, platoon partner? I guess, maybe, but that player has legit value, moreso than a 14th pitcher.

[drjim]

Is anyone saying anything other than high end back up, PH, platoon partner? I guess, maybe, but that player has legit value, moreso than a 14th pitcher.

My initial response was to someone who suggested a larger role. Not sure why you feel the need to jump in and twist the conversation.

 

And I agree he should be up over a 13th (not 14th) pitcher.

[Mike Sixel]

btw, the Rockies and Nationals both need a catcher.....I say call them about Gimenez. 

[Mike Sixel]

 

My initial response was to someone who suggested a larger role. Not sure why you feel the need to jump in and twist the conversation.

And I agree he should be up over a 13th (not 14th) pitcher.

 

I knew I counted that wrong!

 

I missed that part, I guess, that someone was saying he was ready to be a starter right now.

[drjim]

I knew I counted that wrong!

 

I missed that part, I guess, that someone was saying he was ready to be a starter right now.

I'm not going to engage your straw man arguments here, sorry.

[Mike Sixel]

 

I'm not going to engage your straw man arguments here, sorry.

 

? I was acknowledging I didn't know I was getting into an argument you were having with someone else? Now I literally have no idea what you are saying. 

[jorgenswest]

Garver should be up and playing 1B, LF, C, DH, PH right now, I'm with you on that Seth.

 

I think there will be 1-2 trades, mostly likely Gimenez (in August?), Belisle (sneaky good since the start of the year), Garcia.

 

I agree with everything but the LF part. In the one game I saw, he seems no where near ready to play outfield in the major leagues. Grossman is a below average outfielder but Garver wouldn't be close to his level. How could be be? He has 114 innings in the minors. Why should the Twins expect someone to come up and learn that position in the majors? It is even a bigger jump moving from catcher than a middle infield position. Call him up now and scrap LF or keep him down to give him a lot more time in LF in AAA/winter/spring.

[Mike Sixel]

 

I agree with everything but the LF part. In the one game I saw, he seems no where near ready to play outfield in the major leagues. Grossman is a below average outfielder but Garver wouldn't be close to his level. How could be be? He has 114 innings in the minors. Why should the Twins expect someone to come up and learn that position in the majors? It is even a bigger jump moving from catcher than a middle infield position. Call him up now and scrap LF or keep him down to give him a lot more time in LF in AAA/winter/spring.

 

fair, I thought he had more innings than that in LF. 

[Oldgoat_MN]

 

btw, the Rockies and Nationals both need a catcher.....I say call them about Gimenez. 

Gimenez - .323 OBP, .689 OPS

Nationals catchers:

Wieters ..- .297 OBP, .678 OPS

Lobaton. - .223 OBP, .550 OPS

 

Hmm... You may have something here.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Gimenez - .323 OBP, .689 OPS

Nationals catchers:

Wieters ..- .297 OBP, .678 OPS

Lobaton. - .223 OBP, .550 OPS

 

Hmm... You may have something here.

 

and that doesn't take into account defense....

[Oldgoat_MN]

 

and that doesn't take into account defense....

He throws out a higher % of  base runners trying to steal, but some of those passed balls have looked pretty tough.

Still, I suspect the 'framing' skills that are attributes to Gimenez likely make him attractive defensively.

[diehardtwinsfan]

yeah, I'd be actively shopping Giminez whether a buyer or seller.  I'd have to think Santana or Kintzler would be shopped. Not expecting much for Kitnzler.  Perhaps 1 top 100 for Santana.

[mikelink45]

I have been too confused by the current FO to predict what they will do.  For me the people you trade are the ones you have potential replacement for in the system.  So the middle infield and one catcher and one outfielder fit that model as does one or two starting pitchers.  Sano, Romero, Gonsalves, Mejia and either Santana or Garcia makes a rotation for 2018.  And in the bullpen anyone can go, we do not have overwhelming quality out there. 

[bighat]

 

If you're going to platoon, Vargas is a better option.

Garvet is setup to be a fine backup catcher and perhaps able to fill in other spots on occasion, but probably necessary to slow the roll a little bit.

 

Agreed. I notice the Garver chatter has become almost Buxton-like in its frenzy lately. He seems decent, but some of these posts make it sound like we've got a future All-Star in the wings. Garver hasn't even taken a MLB at bat yet. The probability that he's a long term, impact player is very low IMO. I think "Gaver Fever" exists because the current MLB team is taking and the season appears to be over, but it seems that some have very unreasonable expectations for this young lad.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Agreed. I notice the Garver chatter has become almost Buxton-like in its frenzy lately. He seems decent, but some of these posts make it sound like we've got a future All-Star in the wings. Garver hasn't even taken a MLB at bat yet. The probability that he's a long term, impact player is very low IMO. I think "Gaver Fever" exists because the current MLB team is taking and the season appears to be over, but it seems that some have very unreasonable expectations for this young lad.

 

Or, no one has typed "future All Star", and he's 26 with an OPS of .900 in AAA, right handed, and was a bat first draft pick who they hoped could learn to catch who can offer value as a PH, C, potential platoon partner for Mauer, and if needed, can play in the OF in a situation where for some reason he's needed. 

[drjim]

yeah, I'd be actively shopping Giminez whether a buyer or seller. I'd have to think Santana or Kintzler would be shopped. Not expecting much for Kitnzler. Perhaps 1 top 100 for Santana.

A Giminez trade would be more about doing him a favor and clearing a spot for Garver than any type of meaningful return.

 

Seems more like an August move.

[Roaddog]

I don't know if clamoring is the right word. He offers something we lack, power from the right side.

[Oldgoat_MN]

 

Agreed. I notice the Garver chatter has become almost Buxton-like in its frenzy lately. He seems decent, but some of these posts make it sound like we've got a future All-Star in the wings. Garver hasn't even taken a MLB at bat yet. The probability that he's a long term, impact player is very low IMO. I think "Gaver Fever" exists because the current MLB team is taking and the season appears to be over, but it seems that some have very unreasonable expectations for this young lad.

With all due respect, bighat, Buxton came up at age 22 while posting a slash line of .283/.351/.489 (.840) in AA in 271 PA. Garver is posting .277/.382/.531 (.913) in 306 PA in AAA. He is 26 years old.

 

I don't expect Garver to rescue the season, but his play this year has earned a call up. I think that's all people are asking for.

I like Gimenez, but IMHO it's unlikely that after a couple hundred AB Garver's numbers in MLB will be less than the .196/.323/.366 (.689) that Chris is posting.

[JaleelWhite FanClub]

 

My initial response was to someone who suggested a larger role. Not sure why you feel the need to jump in and twist the conversation.

And I agree he should be up over a 13th (not 14th) pitcher.

 

That someone would be me!

 

And yes, given the choice of Castro, Gimenez, and Garver, I would much rather see Garver starting at catcher tonight for the Twins than the other two.

[drjim]

That someone would be me!

 

And yes, given the choice of Castro, Gimenez, and Garver, I would much rather see Garver starting at catcher tonight for the Twins than the other two.

If they are giving up on the season I guess I wouldn't have a problem.

 

Either way, Garver will get some decent run by the end of the year. I just would be sure to temper expectations a little.

[JaleelWhite FanClub]

 

Garver does have an advantage this year, but Vargas outhit him the previous two years. And Vargas is at best a marginal big leaguer.

I think Garver should be up sooner rather than later and he should carve out a nice mlb career, but people are getting way ahead of themselves here. Very Zack Granite like in their expectations.

 

Garver = Granite? No way.

 

Up until last year Granite wasn't on anyone's radar. He was (and basically still is)  a light-hitting speedster with a good glove at best. Did he ever crack the TD Top 20 prospects before this season? He's obviously not a bad player, but also has never had the potential of Garver.

 

Garver has been a steady performer since he was drafted, putting up good numbers with the bat, showing well in the AFL (twice), and improving defensively to the point defense-superstar Stuart Turner was made available and lost. Throw in the fact Garver doesn't have a Buxton-type guy blocking his spot on the big league roster, and yeah, the comparison with Granite has no merit.

 

And no one is comparing Garver to Buxton in terms of pure talent or ceiling, but he's much closer to that level of prospect than to what Granite is.

[old nurse]

 

Someone made a great point about Santana yesterday on another thread. We'd love to see the Twins trade for a solid veteran pitcher in the offseason. A guy who can eat innings, pick up wins, stop the bleeding and have an ERA somewhere in the 3.20 range. Isn't that what we have in Santana? Garcia is one thing - he's a rental. But the Twins have Santana under control and we need reliable starting pitching...I can see trading Santana only if the Twins are going "scorched earth" and trading everyone else as well. They'd better get quite a haul if they trade Santana. I'd much prefer the Twins kept him, myself!

The price for a pitcher as you describe wanting would  cost at least three player and probably Berios. Archer hasn't even done  as well as the pitcher you want.

[ThejacKmp]

 

I can see that... though I'd just go with Garver as the platoon with Mauer at 1B since he'd be $0.5M instead of $5M, and use that extra $4.5M on pitching. 

 

I'm not 100% sold on Garver being ready for that. I know he's a darling of TD but he may have some adjusting to do going up to the bigs. In my mind, if he demands playing time, Danny Valencia is super easy to trade.

 

I also think that with Castro at C and no real DH option, there's plenty of space for Garver to get time without making him a 1B platoon. I worry that if he struggles, we'll see Mauer playing every day and that's not ideal.