Article: Twins Rumor Central: Sunday Edition

[Seth Stohs]

On Saturday, we learned that the Twins front office was definitely working as sellers at this point. Another late-inning tough loss for the Twins, this one at the hands of the A's, and it's all but certain that is the appropriate decision.

 

In this article, we will discuss some of the rumors that have been out there about the Twins. It will be updated throughout the day as we hear more. Consider this your place to discuss rumors.

 

Obviously any actual trades will have their own article within moments of the deal's completion.7:20 p.m. - Ken Rosenthal says that the Diamondbacks are not looking to add an infielder as they have plenty of depth.

 

 

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4:55 p.m. - Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Chris Owings fractured a finger today. He's out for the year. The Diamondbacks may have a need at second base.

 

 

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1:05 p.m. - Jon Morosi reports that the Twins and Mariners have had at least some level of discussions regarding Ervin Santana.

 

 

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11:40 a.m. - Twins GM Thad Levine was on MLB Radio on Sunday morning, talking about where the Twins are in terms of the trade deadline. Said that Cleveland and Kansas City "did us a favor" by going on their winning streaks when they did. Also, "we've probably had our highest volume of calls on Kintzler and some of our other relievers." Also mentions that he hopes the Twins and Kintzler have good enough of a relationship to extend him. So, you never know exactly what to believe and what is posturing, etc. In reality, both things are likely true.

 

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Update (8:30 a.m.) Early Sunday morning, the Twins and Yankees announced that Jaime Garcia (along with Cash) has been traded to New York in exchange for RHP Zack Littell and LHP Deitrich Enns. (For more discussion, click here)

 

The Twins also announced that lefty Craig Breslow has been released.

 

I'm sure today will be busy, fully of Twins-related rumors as we anticipate Monday afternoon's trade deadline.

 

 

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On Friday, I posted my thoughts on which Twins players could be traded, and a percent-likelihood that they were dealt.

 

Earlier on Saturday, it was youngster Chris Cotillo who first let us know that the Twins were having conversations with buyers about some of their veterans.

 

 

The above tweet also indicates that Derek Falvey and Thad Levine are not going to wait until the deadline to start dealing.

 

In fact, shortly after the Twins loss in Oakland, Jeff Passan said that the Twins may be nearing a deal already.

 

 

Now, I don't know if that is another Twins trade involving Jaime Garcia that is "close" or not, but the wording certainly indicates that it should happen relatively quickly, probably even on Sunday. Passan followed up by saying that if the Yankees acquire Garcia, it won't stop them from pursuing the A's Sonny Gray.

 

According to Jon Morosi, the Twins might be interested in RHP Zack Littell. MLB.com has him ranked as the Yankees #22 prospect.

 

 

Littell has split this season between High-A Tampa and AA Trenton. Combined, he is 14-1 with a 1.87 ERA. He's also 5-0 with a 2.05 ERA in seven starts in AA. Seems intriguing at least. The 21-year-old was the Mariners 11th round pick in 2013 out of high school in North Carolina and traded to the Yankees in a minor deal in 2016. And... just because it's fun... his middle name is Stuart...

 

It appears that Jaime Garcia will likely be the guy we remember for making one start with the Twins, and it was a Quality Start and a Win.

 

Garcia is a free agent at the end of the season. Likewise, Brandon Kintzler is also, and there are several teams showing interest in his services. Of course, when the Twins had a save situation on Saturday night, Kintzler was left in the bullpen. He has pitched a lot of late, including 26 pitches a night earlier. So that was the reasoning given for him not coming into the game, and it is certainly real. But, if the Twins are looking to deal him, not pitching him is likely the best strategy.

 

The Twins will not face Sonny Gray on Sunday in the series finale with the A's. The team says that he's being pushed back to Monday, but we all know it is because he's going to be traded by then.

 

Along with Kintzler and Garcia, it's possible that teams will be interested in Matt Belisle as well since he is a free agent at season's end too.

 

Ervin Santana rumors slowed down some on Saturday. Houston still seems like the one team that might make some sense. It feels to me like Santana is the fall back plan for the teams to go after when they realize that they won't get one of the big fish (like Gray, Darvish).

 

And, there has been little talk of Brian Dozier at this point. That, of course, could change at any point.

 

(Again, this article will be updated as any rumors about the Twins come out. Please use the comments to discuss said rumors and your thoughts on them. If nothing else, the trade deadline should be very interesting for Twins fans.)

 

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[T_J]

Well... What does anyone know about Zack Little?

[jimbo92107]

Dozier is one hot week away from being some contender's key acquisition. Problem is, he's been looking very mediocre at the plate, not like a guy about to go on a hot streak. 

[T_J]

Zack Littell i guess. Seems like an improvement over what they gave up.

[Jacksson]

This time next year Dozier will be on the move but probably won't be going anywhere this year.

[Roaddog]

Litell, excuse me if it's spelled wrong, has fantastic numbers. If it boils down to getting him for a rental pitcher and Ynoa, I'm ok with that.

[Dman]

Seems like we gave up very little for Little. If that is who we get.  Stats make him look like a solid pitcher but he could end up being a AAAA player as well.  He appears to have a decent Curve which is all the rage these days.  If the Twins pull it off I would say this is a good get for Garcia.  By making the Garcia trade they move on from a 19 year old in Rookie ball to a 21 year old in AA.  That speeds things up.  A number 4 isn't sexy but pretty good for a rental.

 

If they get this guy some starter in Chatty has to move up, right?

[Rosterman]

I like Dozier, but should he be the leadoff hitter most all of the season. He is still a bargain and contributes well. But I don't see anyone knocking down the door to get him and, as they showed in the off-season, no one really thought he would repeat his 2016 campaign. The question is can he and the Twins reach an agreeable contract? At worst, I picture Dozier being a viable DH in a couple of years who can still play the field.Assuming that we don't have the "where to play" Mauer issue, and Sano can still play third base.

[Oldgoat_MN]

 

Well... What does anyone know about Zack Little?

He has good numbers.  More than that, it looks like he may be real.

Here is an article about Littel in the Yankee system. The author is a fan, to say the least.

 

Last line in the article:

Armed with a pinpoint fastball that regularly sits between 91-94 mph, Littell is currently refining an at-times unhittable slider to go along with his changeup and curveball.

Edited July 30, 2017 by Oldgoat_MN

[howeda7]

Trade Kintzler, Grossman and Belisle. DL Polanco. Activate Buxton and call up Vargas and 2 relievers. Give Hildenberger the 1st shot at the closer role. Rogers clearly isn't it. 

[AlwaysinModeration]

It should be an interesting two days. While Falvey and Levine were hesitant to pull the trigger on the Dozier trade over the winter, the one thing I have noticed this year is that they are very quick to make roster moves in general. Lots of roster churn in the first four months of their tenure.

 

Now that they have decided to sell, will be fun to see if the same trend follows, and they do in fact sell several pieces. It would be a huge change from the dull trade deadlines of the past few years.

 

Littell looks like a good target. Not too far away, great K/BB rates. And an 11th round high school pick, which after this year I have learned means he was likely someone targeted as a hard sign.

[kab21]

 

Littell looks like a good target. Not too far away, great K/BB rates. And an 11th round high school pick, which after this year I have learned means he was likely someone targeted as a hard sign.

This would be a nice trade since I think he is a better prospect than the one traded away.

He signed for 100K (max without affecting the signing cap). 

 

This shows us that they are selling on this season but I am not so sure that they will sell on next season. Maybe Kintzler is on the move. Maybe Escobar (versatile and a surplus position).

[drjim]

Here is Fangraphs on Littell from the offseason:

 

Zack Littell, RHP, 2.6 KATOH+ – Acquired in a November trade with Seattle, Littell is a pitchability righty with fringey stuff. He pitches heavily off of a loopy, early count-curveball and sequences well, but the stuff is that of a depth arm.

[drjim]

He's also #99 on the mid-season stats-only KATOH list!

[HitInAPinch]

Thad Levine:  The GM said his team's "unfortunate reality" has changed in the past week.

 

http://www.startribune.com/gm-thad-levine-says-twins-looking-more-long-term-after-rough-week/437418403/

 

I wonder how deep [or should I say, "high up" Levine and Falvey will go on the roster. I think the only guy that is untouchable is Sano.  Not sure I'm firm on that.  I'd just like to see a reduction in strike outs over the rest of the year.

 

[hybridbear]

 

Trade Kintzler, Grossman and Belisle. DL Polanco. Activate Buxton and call up Vargas and 2 relievers. Give Hildenberger the 1st shot at the closer role. Rogers clearly isn't it. 

Others teams, like the Dodgers and now Boston with Price, are using the 10 day DL to give players a break or rest when they're slumping. Why the heck haven't the Twins put Polanco on the 10 day DL as a way to send him on a "rehab assignment" to AAA to help him get things figured out?

[Joe A. Preusser]

Wow, I don't understand this. I know "on paper" doesn't tell the whole story, but on paper Littell looks like a potential monster. If three pitch mix is as advertised, floor seems to be 4\5 starter, cieling much higher. If this goes down we've essentially brokered the prospect for prospect swap the never happens, just with a middle step.

 

Ynoa + cash for Littell.

 

Lots to love if/when this goes through.

[Joe A. Preusser]

Here is Fangraphs on Littell from the offseason:

Zack Littell, RHP, 2.6 KATOH+ – Acquired in a November trade with Seattle, Littell is a pitchability righty with fringey stuff. He pitches heavily off of a loopy, early count-curveball and sequences well, but the stuff is that of a depth arm.

His results in AA don't look very fringy to me.

 

Low 90s fastball.

+ Curve ball.

Developing slide that is "unhittable" at times.

 

I don't read this as fringe at all. Of course, there are many reasons I am not employed as a professional MLB scout

[Mill1634]

I like this move a lot. At worst, I think we got a solid bullpen arm. At best I think we got a number 4 starter. At this point I'll take either. Is he someone that could be a September call up? I saw he needed to be added to the 40 man after this year. If not, when is his expected ETA

[Minnesotatwins005]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/07/twins-trade-jaime-garcia-yankees.html?fv-home=true&post-id=98739

 

Getting an additional prospect back along with Zack Littell

[olivia11]

Ynoa's scouting report suggested that if everything went right he would be a back-of-the-rotation starter in 4-5 years.  Littell profiles as a #4 and could debut in the majors next year.  Plus Littell fits in with the Romero & Gonsalves time frame really well.  If Falvey and Levine are really considering 2019-2022 as the big winning window, then I like that they're targeting guys who can be a part of that. 

 

I really like this move.  

[wsnydes]

Or, if you want a pitcher as early as next year instead of a maybe in 4 or 5 years from now. This was the right move given where this team is at. They need the pitching now to emerge along side the position player core.

 

Ynoa may have more upside, but this team needs young pitching now.

 

I like this deal a lot.

Edited July 30, 2017 by ChiTownTwinsFan

[drjim]

 

His results in AA don't look very fringy to me.

Low 90s fastball.
+ Curve ball.
Developing slide that is "unhittable" at times.

I don't read this as fringe at all. Of course, there are many reasons I am not employed as a professional MLB scout

 

I don't disagree, just thought it was a good balance to the Yankees hometown scouting report.

 

I imagine his success at AA this year has bumped his prospect status up a little. 

[rdehring]

Although he missed a lot of this season and 2015, Enns performance in 2016 would indicate he could be better than Littell. AND the Twins are paying most of the $4+ million owed to Garcia.

 

Littell, plus Enns, plus that catcher for Ynoa and $4+ million looks to me to be a hell of a deal!

[KidBro]

I'd be all but certain Little provides more value than Ynoa if we decide to buy next season also.  This flip of Ynoa for Little just gives the Twins more options with both their pitching internally in 2018, and also adding value if they decide to trade for pitching.  

[twinsbaby]

What? Is everyone a stat scout right now?

 

Ok, please ask fred guerrero what the type prospect Yona can be in his eyes. Let's go right now.

[Minnesotatwins005]

Read up on Enns and he's a upper 80's left hander who may be lucky to touch 91-92. Keeps hitters off balance with off speed stuff. Sounds like that might be the reason he didn't get a chance with the Yankees even though he has put up impressive numbers throughout his minor league career.

[Winston Smith]

I wonder what the Red Sox would give the Twins for Sano? They do need to replace Ortiz! 

[Cap'n Piranha]

Others teams, like the Dodgers and now Boston with Price, are using the 10 day DL to give players a break or rest when they're slumping. Why the heck haven't the Twins put Polanco on the 10 day DL as a way to send him on a "rehab assignment" to AAA to help him get things figured out?

Because if the player isn't actually hurt, you need their cooperation (perhaps a better word would be collusion) to make that move. If Polanco is not hurt, and not interested in a trip to Rochester, he or his agent can simply call foul on an attempted DL placement. That being said, it also doesn't make any sense to avoid playing Polanco to try an win, since we're calling the season anyways. Let him play and develop, or play and help us lose, either way is a win for the team at this point.

[Joe A. Preusser]

I don't disagree, just thought it was a good balance to the Yankees hometown scouting report.

 

I imagine his success at AA this year has bumped his prospect status up a little.

 

Yeah, I hear ya. Wasn't attributing the fringe comment to you, just disagreeing with the sentiment in the eval.