Article: Twins Trade Deadline: Final Touches

[Ted Schwerzler]

We’re closing in on the final 24 hours prior to the 2019 Major League Baseball trade deadline. This season, with a single deadline, teams won't have another opportunity to add players outside of their organization, and the Minnesota Twins' need to supplement is as high as it’s ever been. Having made just one move of significance thus far, there’s still work to be done.Derek Falvey did a tremendous job of acquiring some initial relief help in the form of Sergio Romo. He looked like a fit for this club over the winter and netting him along with another intriguing prospect for a guy who was subject to 40-man addition is quite the execution. If we can expect that strength of process in future deals, then this club should be in good shape. The front office has displayed plenty of evidence that they operate at a very high level, but it’d be a massive misstep not to see it in action at least one more time.

 

LaVelle E. Neal has reported that the Twins were looking for impact starters if they were going to make a move there. Marcus Stroman was a name they were in on, but the Toronto Blue Jays never circled back before accepting a lackluster offer. Noah Syndergaard is another name Minnesota has targeted, but the Mets wanted catalyst Byron Buxton to headline the return. Now seemingly out on starting pitching, the attention turns back to where it’s been needed all along.

 

Romo represents a solid addition that should take some pressure off Taylor Rogers, but the next arm in needs to be another tier up. Continuing to add talent that slots in at the height of the talent pool and raises the bottom rung is the way in which Minnesota should operate. Any acquisition can’t fall in line with dart throws like Matt Magill, Mike Morin, or Blake Parker. Entering the final stretch and needing significant contributions in the Postseason, these arms need to be heavily reliable from the get-go.

 

It’s a pretty risky proposition to ever give up significant prospect capital for relief pitching. There are some very strong options that are under team control going forward however (Kirby Yates, Felipe Vasquez, Raisel Iglesias, Edwin Diaz, etc) and asking on those pieces first should be a must. Will Smith still represents an immediate band-aid and should require a muted return given the impending free agency. Despite what the Giants think they may be, getting them to sell that piece would certainly be a win for a true contender.

 

Trusting in the blueprint and belief from this front office it’d be hard to question anyone they see an ability to squeeze more from. Wes Johnson has gotten quite a bit out of some unexpected places this season, but time and remaining schedule are both of the essence at this point. I think there’s real reason to believe an Archie Bradley or Mychal Givens could be high level additions that more is gained from both now and in the future.

 

The area Minnesota can’t afford to settle is in the land of Daniel Hudson. Sure, he’s available and a piece, but that’s not the type of acquisition a team preaching opportunity should be agreeing to. After suggesting all offseason that they would go when the team was ready, Falvey will have a hard time selling a smoke and mirrors arm as the final piece of the puzzle. Peripherals matter and although Hudson, or someone like him, may have strong surface numbers a significant amount of impending regression should be cause for concern.

 

I’d circle back once or twice on the man known as Thor and see if Brodie Van Wagenen has gotten back on his rocker yet. If that is out of the question or eating salary to take on Zack Greinke isn’t an option, then adding two more relief arms is how this should work out. Go get Will Smith if you don’t feel the top-tier controllable arms are worth the squeeze. Then add in another Sergio Romo type, or someone a bit more under the radar, and call it a day.

 

Falvey has a team that’s very close, and next to nothing they can do is going to sacrifice 2020 and beyond. Failing to capitalize on this position while other contenders push their chips towards the middle could represent the setback everyone is trying to avoid.

 

MORE FROM TWINS DAILY

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For Enlow and Other Minor Leaguers, “No One Is Safe” At Trade Deadline

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Let's Make A Deal, Part III: The Ammunition

Trade Deadline Thread: How Far Would You Go to Add an Ace?

What Sergio Romo Brings to the Twins Bullpen

 

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[Cody Pirkl]

It's going to be a difficult day for the main beatwriters on social media tomorrow if we stand pat.

[Bavarian]

You think we'll get two more relievers? 

[beckmt]

Will Smith given where the Giants are now will not be available. I could see a Bradley, Givens, Greene, or others, Jake McGee from Colorado etc.  Just go get 2 - 3 of them.

[rdehring]

Keep checking this site every couple hours to see if that next trade has been finalized.  So far, continue to be disappointed.

 

As for going all in for Thor, forget it, even if the ask gets realistic.  But the reliever they get has to be a good one, a step up from Romo, and under team control for at least another year. 

 

Also looking for another 40-man trade.  Someone like Wiel, Hackimer, Raley (injured), Alcala or Rijo for a prospect who is a couple steps lower on the ladder.

[ashbury]

In the post-season you can't laugh off a loss, after a 4-inning start, or an 18-inning nailbiter, and say "get 'em tomorrow" like you can in the regular season. There aren't enough tomorrows in the post-season. Boston had one of each of those two game types among their four World Series wins last season; losing one or both games opens the door for LA. You have to have the arms in the bullpen to go many innings that are of high quality, if need be.

 

You don't bring a knife to a gun fight.

 

We have a Rule-5 crunch looming anyway. And the year after that, too. It's a false economy to hang onto every mid-level prospect now.

 

Go get 'em. Not tomorrow, but today.

[Doomtints]

We will see what happens. I'm glad we are being realistic that they might be done, or any further moves might not be interesting.

 

Any team asking for Buxton in a trade is not being realistic or serious, so the team is right to just walk away from that.

[Cody Pirkl]

 

Will Smith given where the Giants are now will not be available. I could see a Bradley, Givens, Greene, or others, Jake McGee from Colorado etc.  Just go get 2 - 3 of them.

Could change in a hurry. Giants are discussing MadBum with the Astros. Their statement that they're not going to sell could have just been theatrics only to open the market as time runs down.

[Trov]

This is the classic deadline chicken game.  This year will be interesting because only one trade deadline.  Who will blink first.  Toronto sure did.  Many people were upset the Twins did not make similar offer, but sounds like Toronto was not dealing with Twins for that little.  Wonder why they caved to Mets?  

 

Mets do not have to sell Thor now so they should ask for a lot, but trading buxton would be giving up on season, look at record when he does not play vs when he does.  

 

The issue is unless you going after rentals, teams can hold onto controllable pitchers and trade in off season, but the rentals they will lose for nothing so teams will more likely take less for them.  

 

I would be willing to give up some of top prospects for a good controllable pitcher, but Mets' asking price is way too high, but does not hurt to ask.  However, I doubt any team will come close to giving up current MLB talent for him now.  It would take other trades to fix the hole you create by trading away current players, unless that team has player waiting to jump in.  

 

Tomorrow will get interesting when all the teams looking to actually sell are up against the deadline.  In my opinion trade deadline should always be a buyers market, at least the rental player market.  First year under new rules.  Let the fun begin. 

[Danchat]

Just a thought, what team’s fanbase is happy with this trade deadline? Is anyone satisfied with the mediocre pitchers that have been traded in the last week? I don’t think this is just a Twins thing. The Yanks haven’t been in the rumors lately for starting pitchers, is it time to panic? The Red Sox only have acquired Andrew Cashner, you think that’s gonna move the needle? The As and Rays fans are probably disappointed, and the Astros also have yet to do anything. And that’s just the AL.

Edited July 30, 2019 by Danchat

[Slim Tubby]

It seems to me like this year is a lot harder to pin down trading partners with all of the parity in the league right now and multiple teams still in the running for the playoffs. I just hope we don't make a trade just for the sake of making one. Trust your evaluations and business model. It's not a one-year window for the Twins. Hopefully we're looking at a window of 5-7 years with all of our young talent. 

[dex8425]

 

Just a thought, what team’s fanbase is happy with this trade deadline? Is anyone satisfied with the mediocre pitchers that have been traded in the last week? I don’t think this is just a Twins thing. The Yanks haven’t been in the rumors lately for starting pitchers, is it time to panic? The Red Sox only have acquired Andrew Cashner, you think that’s gonna move the needle? The As and Rays fans are probably disappointed, and the Astros also have yet to do anything. And that’s just the AL.

I'm flabbergasted the Yankees haven't added starting pitching yet. Their rotation sucks and there are few holes in the rest of their team. 

 

I'm happy with this deadline if I'm a Mets fan. They got Stroman for hardly anything and clearly there is a lot of demand for Thor and Wheeler. They also rid themselves of Jason Vargas. 

[ChrisKnutson]

As much as I like the Romo deal, winning trades shouldn’t be the goal of the FO when the team is a legit WS contender. Obviously you don’t want to get burned, but there’s always a possibility of that on both ends in every deal that is made, so you have to be very careful about how much you value the guys in your system compared to the potential acquisition. That being said, I do understand that there’s always a limit to how much a FO is (or should be) willing to overpay (like Lewis, AK, and especially Buxton), and I really hope Falvey has it in him to make a big move for someone like Vazquez, Yates, or Diaz at the expense of a couple of their other top prospects like Larnach, Gordon, and Thorpe because I have a strong feeling that that could be the move that puts us over the top like did for the Astros when they traded for Verlander.

[yarnivek1972]

It seems to me like this year is a lot harder to pin down trading partners with all of the parity in the league right now and multiple teams still in the running for the playoffs. I just hope we don't make a trade just for the sake of making one. Trust your evaluations and business model. It's not a one-year window for the Twins. Hopefully we're looking at a window of 5-7 years with all of our young talent.

Who’s going to pitch next year?

 

Plenty of position player talent. MLB caliber arms are not plentiful. Unless something changes, the Twins 2020 rotation is Berrios, Perez, Smeltzer, Thorpe and Stewart.

[Danchat]

 

I don't anticipate Twins will add. We have history working against us and looks like the new guys have former GM Ryan's touch or inability to close deals. Would be nice to add bullpen arms. They are finally starting to move. Hard to get excited about Twins called on this guy or inquired about that guy reports. Takes two to tango.I hope they get some kind of payoff for all there efforts. Blue Jays didn't wanto trade with Twins, kind of snubbed the Twins. I do hop hope they get one of their targets.

Falvey and Levine come from backgrounds that had several major trade additions at/before the deadline; this history you speak of is from Terry Ryan and Bill Smith, and I think it's crazy to suggest they're cut from the same cloth. They might be sticklers to their prospects, but I expect at least one move tomorrow if not multiple (and there is also likely to be a flurry of moves tomorrow, though the trade deadline has been bizarre this year). 

 

BTW they still have 3 open 40 man roster spots, and I doubt they DFA'd all these relievers just to decide to do nothing at the trade deadline.

[Slim Tubby]

 

Who’s going to pitch next year?

Plenty of position player talent. MLB caliber arms are not plentiful. Unless something changes, the Twins 2020 rotation is Berrios, Perez, Smeltzer, Thorpe and Stewart.

Bumgarner, Cole, Wheeler, Ryu and Keuchel are all FA's in the offseason. The question is whether or not the Pohlad family will be willing to spend big money on top tier starting pitching. Your point is still valid, though.

[rebldomakr]

Most of the people on here underestimate how bad our pitching is starters and relievers... why Falvey and Levine dint see it is beyond me.... absolutely irritating

[Bavarian]

I still wonder if Greinke is an option for this team.  He doesn't like big markets so much.

[LFRGary]

I like the addition of Sam Dyson. He's got solid numbers in terms of ERA, K/9 innings & walks per 9 innings. It isn't splashy but adding Romo & Dyson definitely improves the Twins' bullpen.

[Riverbrian]

OK it's over... we got our roster. 

 

I got a couple of ideas going forward. 

 

1. I'd strongly consider moving Perez into the bullpen (at least for a little while). If SP health remains (doubtful but maybe) Perez probably works out of the pen in the playoffs with a 4 man rotation. While Perez works out of the bullpen to see how he does. It will give the Twins a chance to see if Smeltzer or Thorpe can perform as starters. Yes this move carries some risk but I think it's important to identify our 6th starter because we just might need him. While taking a look at Perez out of the pen. 

 

2. Cruz has been doing some work at 1B. OK... give him a start tomorrow and let's see if he's passable. If this team makes the World Series... you lose that bat in the National League park unless you got a defensive position for him. We will want his bat in the lineup. 

[Mr. Brooks]

OK it's over... we got our roster.

 

I got a couple of ideas going forward.

 

1. I'd strongly consider moving Perez into the bullpen (at least for a little while). If SP health remains (doubtful but maybe) Perez probably works out of the pen in the playoffs with a 4 man rotation. While Perez works out of the bullpen to see how he does. It will give the Twins a chance to see if Smeltzer or Thorpe can perform as starters. Yes this move carries some risk but I think it's important to identify our 6th starter because we just might need him. While taking a look at Perez out of the pen.

 

2. Cruz has been doing some work at 1B. OK... give him a start tomorrow and let's see if he's passable. If this team makes the World Series... you lose that bat in the National League park unless you got a defensive position for him. We will want his bat in the lineup.

Cruz has never played an inning at 1B. I don't think I want my team teaching a 39 year old dog new tricks during a pennant race.

 

If our two biggest complaints are that we've made the World Series, and we have Nelson Cruz to pinch hit in a big spot, I can live with that.

[Riverbrian]

 

Cruz has never played an inning at 1B. I don't think I want my team teaching a 39 year old dog new tricks during a pennant race.

If our two biggest complaints are that we've made the World Series, and we have Nelson Cruz to pinch hit in a big spot, I can live with that.

 

Not my fault.

 

I heard Provus or Bremer (Someone with a microphone) say he's been taking grounders at first. 

 

Yeah, I know there is a long way between chopsticks and Billy Joel. But maybe, he can at least play a song. 

 

I make no assumptions. Well... other than he could of stayed in the game after pinch hitting yesterday.

 

That isn't a good sign for my 2nd request. I'd like to keep his bat in the lineup for Game 7. He can hit. 

[USAFChief]

 

OK it's over... we got our roster. 

 

I got a couple of ideas going forward. 

 

1. I'd strongly consider moving Perez into the bullpen (at least for a little while). If SP health remains (doubtful but maybe) Perez probably works out of the pen in the playoffs with a 4 man rotation. While Perez works out of the bullpen to see how he does. It will give the Twins a chance to see if Smeltzer or Thorpe can perform as starters. Yes this move carries some risk but I think it's important to identify our 6th starter because we just might need him. While taking a look at Perez out of the pen. 

 

2. Cruz has been doing some work at 1B. OK... give him a start tomorrow and let's see if he's passable. If this team makes the World Series... you lose that bat in the National League park unless you got a defensive position for him. We will want his bat in the lineup. 

1. I don't like the idea of intentionally weakening your team, just to get an idea of what it will look like once it's been weakened. We can identify the 6th starter when the need arises for a 6th starter. IF the need arises. Give one or the other innings then...if needed.

 

2. Concur. Although if he's truly bad in RF, or at 1st, the dropoff might be worse than the gain over Cron's offense. It's always been a minor, but real, drawback to Cruz. Well worth it though, in the long run.

 

I don't know for sure, but I really don't think he can be a corner outfielder--and I'm someone who doesn't put much worth on corner OF defense. But major league players can catch throws and shorthops, it's possible he can play a passable first base. Maybe they already know that from practice, and they'll do it in the WS, but don't want to add injury risk for regular season games. Maybe just the opposite...they already know he can't.

[Riverbrian]

 

1. I don't like the idea of intentionally weakening your team, just to get an idea of what it will look like once it's been weakened. We can identify the 6th starter when the need arises for a 6th starter. IF the need arises. Give one or the other innings then...if needed.

 

2. Concur. Although if he's truly bad in RF, or at 1st, the dropoff might be worse than the gain over Cron's offense. It's always been a minor, but real, drawback to Cruz. Well worth it though, in the long run.

 

I don't know for sure, but I really don't think he can be a corner outfielder--and I'm someone who doesn't put much worth on corner OF defense. But major league players can catch throws and shorthops, it's possible he can play a passable first base. Maybe they already know that from practice, and they'll do it in the WS, but don't want to add injury risk for regular season games. Maybe just the opposite...they already know he can't.

 

1. Does it make us weaker? Smeltzer and Thorpe have looked pretty good in their limited appearances and Perez left handed out of the bullpen could fire some bullets and put out some fires. The move has the potential to make us stronger. That's why you do it. But Yeah... if it doesn't work... it could make us weaker. 

 

2. With Cruz... He hasn't played defense since the Truman administration and there has to be a reason for that. However, in theory, without knowing what he can or can't do, it is a good idea to prepare in advance of playing the world series in a National League park.

 

It isn't just the no DH rule, there are also double switches and if Cruz can man a glove somewhere it opens up more possibilities for what can be done and we won't know what we need in October in August.

 

I go back to the Red Sox last year. They had Mookie Betts taking grounders and turning double plays after the AL Championship series because they had J.D. Martinez to fit in somehow. They didn't play him at 2B but why force yourself to do it last second, instead of prepping for it in August to see if it is even possible? Game action is going to be a little bit different than practice.

 

Mr. Brooks says he doesn't want a guy who has never played 1B before playing there in a pennant race and that is a legitimate concern. I'd just rather he do it for the 1st time in August with more games to play, than do it for the first time in October. 

 

It just takes a little foresight. 

[jorgenswest]

Cruz also takes grounders at second though I don’t think it is preparation for the possibility of playing 2B.

[USAFChief]

 

1. Does it make us weaker? Smeltzer and Thorpe have looked pretty good in their limited appearances and Perez left handed out of the bullpen could fire some bullets and put out some fires. The move has the potential to make us stronger. That's why you do it. But Yeah... if it doesn't work... it could make us weaker. 

 

2. With Cruz... He hasn't played defense since the Truman administration and there has to be a reason for that. However, in theory, without knowing what he can or can't do, it is a good idea to prepare in advance of playing the world series in a National League park.

 

It isn't just the no DH rule, there are also double switches and if Cruz can man a glove somewhere it opens up more possibilities for what can be done and we won't know what we need in October in August.

 

I go back to the Red Sox last year. They had Mookie Betts taking grounders and turning double plays after the AL Championship series because they had J.D. Martinez to fit in somehow. They didn't play him at 2B but why force yourself to do it last second, instead of prepping for it in August to see if it is even possible? Game action is going to be a little bit different than practice.

 

Mr. Brooks says he doesn't want a guy who has never played 1B before playing there in a pennant race and that is a legitimate concern. I'd just rather he do it for the 1st time in August with more games to play, than do it for the first time in October. 

 

It just takes a little foresight. 

1. Well, "does it make them weaker" is a different conversation. If you think Smelzer is better than Perez, put him in the rotation, permanently. But don't put him there to "identify our 6th starter."

 

 2. Maybe. But I'm pretty sure they've already made any decision about him playing the field, else he'd have done so by now. I'd guess they risk it in the post season if they find themselves down in a series and feel like they need the offense. A game or three during the regular season won't help much, if at all, in prepping for that.

[yarnivek1972]

1. Does it make us weaker? Smeltzer and Thorpe have looked pretty good in their limited appearances and Perez left handed out of the bullpen could fire some bullets and put out some fires. The move has the potential to make us stronger. That's why you do it. But Yeah... if it doesn't work... it could make us weaker.

 

2. With Cruz... He hasn't played defense since the Truman administration and there has to be a reason for that. However, in theory, without knowing what he can or can't do, it is a good idea to prepare in advance of playing the world series in a National League park.

 

It isn't just the no DH rule, there are also double switches and if Cruz can man a glove somewhere it opens up more possibilities for what can be done and we won't know what we need in October in August.

 

I go back to the Red Sox last year. They had Mookie Betts taking grounders and turning double plays after the AL Championship series because they had J.D. Martinez to fit in somehow. They didn't play him at 2B but why force yourself to do it last second, instead of prepping for it in August to see if it is even possible? Game action is going to be a little bit different than practice.

 

Mr. Brooks says he doesn't want a guy who has never played 1B before playing there in a pennant race and that is a legitimate concern. I'd just rather he do it for the 1st time in August with more games to play, than do it for the first time in October.

 

It just takes a little foresight.

We’re talking about PRACTICE. Not a game, PRACTICE.

[Riverbrian]

1. Well, "does it make them weaker" is a different conversation. If you think Smelzer is better than Perez, put him in the rotation, permanently. But don't put him there to "identify our 6th starter."

 

2. Maybe. But I'm pretty sure they've already made any decision about him playing the field, else he'd have done so by now. I'd guess they risk it in the post season if they find themselves down in a series and feel like they need the offense. A game or three during the regular season won't help much, if at all, in prepping for that.

1. Who is it Smeltzer or Thorpe? Maybe one of them is better than Pineda. All kinds of questions that maybe necessary to know at a drop of a hat and not with a back against the wall.

 

2. I think they have as well. We are in Miami right now with no DH.

[USAFChief]

 

1. Who is it Smeltzer or Thorpe? Maybe one of them is better than Pineda. All kinds of questions that maybe necessary to know at a drop of a hat and not with a back against the wall.

2. I think they have as well. We are in Miami right now with no DH.

Again...if you think Smelzer or Thorpe is better than Perez, then put him in the rotation. That's completely different than what you originally posted.

 

If you need to know at the drop of a hat, take your pick. Just exactly like you'd do if you were "determining who is the 6th starter." You'd pick one, and try it. Then what? Give the other a try? That's not different than what you'd do if the need aroze.

 

In the meantime, your 5th starter is sitting there not pitching, while you try to prepare for a decision that might not be necessary at all, and for which the solution is exactly the same as, and does you no more good than, waiting for the actual need to arise. You've weakened your team for however long your 5th starter isn't in the rotation, and he would probably need to be stretched out again. 

 

Should they put May in the closer role for a while, in case Rogers gets hurt? Call up Gordon and sit Polanco for 3 weeks, to see if he can handle SS for 3 weeks in case they need a SS for 3 weeks?

 

 

 

 

[Mr. Brooks]

1. Does it make us weaker? Smeltzer and Thorpe have looked pretty good in their limited appearances and Perez left handed out of the bullpen could fire some bullets and put out some fires. The move has the potential to make us stronger. That's why you do it. But Yeah... if it doesn't work... it could make us weaker.

 

2. With Cruz... He hasn't played defense since the Truman administration and there has to be a reason for that. However, in theory, without knowing what he can or can't do, it is a good idea to prepare in advance of playing the world series in a National League park.

 

It isn't just the no DH rule, there are also double switches and if Cruz can man a glove somewhere it opens up more possibilities for what can be done and we won't know what we need in October in August.

 

I go back to the Red Sox last year. They had Mookie Betts taking grounders and turning double plays after the AL Championship series because they had J.D. Martinez to fit in somehow. They didn't play him at 2B but why force yourself to do it last second, instead of prepping for it in August to see if it is even possible? Game action is going to be a little bit different than practice.

 

Mr. Brooks says he doesn't want a guy who has never played 1B before playing there in a pennant race and that is a legitimate concern. I'd just rather he do it for the 1st time in August with more games to play, than do it for the first time in October.

 

It just takes a little foresight.

I don't want him in the field in October either.

Preventing runs matters. It's why we needed pitching at the deadline.

Cruz plays the position of DH for good reason. He can pinch hit.