Front Page: Trade Deadline: What if the Twins Do Nothing?

[Seth Stohs]

Happy Trade Deadline Day, Twins Fans! This should be a fun day as the Twins find themselves Buyers at the deadline for the first time in a decade. I fully expect the Twins to acquire at least one pitcher before today’s 3 p.m. (central time) deadline, but what if they don’t? What if they stand pat?On Tuesday night, Cleveland finally traded All Star starting pitcher Trevor Bauer. Typically that move would be seen as the team selling, but in this case, I do believe that they got better. They have pitching, and seem to keep calling pitchers up who do well. Shane Bieber and Zach Plesac are two guys who fit into that mold. They also should be getting Corey Kluber back in the near future.

 

Their need was offense, and they added two powerful outfielders in Yasiel Puig and Franmil Reyes in the three-team swap. They also added LHP Logan Allen, a Top 100 prospect, and two more minor leaguers.

 

It was a very creative move for Cleveland. The Twins were very creative in their acquisition of Sergio Romo over the weekend. Not only did the Twins receive the veteran reliever, but they also received hard-throwing RHP Chris Vallimont and a Player to be Named Later for slugging first base prospect Lewin Diaz.

 

On its own, the Twins made a really, creative, savvy move to improve their bullpen and improve the team. Twins fans have generally felt that the trade was good for the Twins, though that thought always comes with the “as long as it isn’t the only move they make by the deadline.”

 

But what if it is? What if Sergio Romo is the only player that the Twins add? What will it mean? Here are my thoughts.

 

DISAPPOINTMENT

 

First and foremost, Twins fans will and rightfully should feel disappointment. On the basic level, it’s always fun to acquire talent. It doesn’t even have to be elite talent, but just make the team better. Let's just say, #TwinsTwitter will not handle it well, for sure!

 

On another level, Derek Falvey and Thad Levine have consistently said that when the Twins window to compete for championships opens, they will pounce. Well, the window is wide open. This team has the talent to compete, not only for the American League Central title but also for a World Series. They have won two of six games against the Yankees this year, and probably should have won two more of those games. They won four of their seven matchups with the Astros this year. They currently have an edge on Cleveland this year too. Those are the top teams in the American League, and the team should absolutely feel like they can compete for an American League pennant. And hey, if you get to the World Series, you have a chance.

 

So Twins fans will absolutely have every right to be disappointed and even upset if nothing is done.

 

HOWEVER…

 

This is a very good team as is, as shown by their performance so far this year against the top teams in the league. Their lineup can compete with anyone. They can slug with the best. Pitching has been the issue although even that hasn’t been as bad as we may think. The starters rank in the top the top third of the league in most statistics. Some of that is because their #4 (Perez) and #5 (Pineda) have been better than most 4s and 5s around the league. Jose Berrios is approaching Ace level. Jake Odorizzi was an All Star for his strong start, but he has been more inconsistent of late. Kyle Gibson’s been good at times but also a bit inconsistent. Not adding a starter would just mean that these guys would need to step it up down the stretch. But would the Twins have a top three or top four that you could feel good about going into the playoffs?

 

And the bullpen has been better than expected, though a lot of that is because of Taylor Rogers. Sergio Romo stepped in as the 8^th inning guy last night in his Twins debut. Tyler Duffey has returned to an intriguing bullpen option. Ryne Harper has been a big surprise. Trevor May was doing well until the 0-2 curveball in Cleveland, but he has the stuff to dominate and will need to find that again.

 

And then some young guys. Cody Stashak had a moment in the Yankees series. Sean Poppen reeling off 96-97 mph fastballs with a strong slider could be great for the team down the stretch. And if Will Smith and Felipe Vasquez are unavailable, I don’t think there is an available left-handed reliever that I would feel better about than giving Lewis Thorpe an opportunity. And Devin Smeltzer is available as well. The concern with them is their lack of MLB experience, obviously.

 

In addition, Fernando Romero has been much improved of late in Rochester. And as it appears the odds of Cody Allen helping the Twins down the stretch is waning, flamethrower Brusdar Graterol returned to the mound on Monday for his first rehab appearance. Maybe he and his 101-mph fastball can help. Jorge Alcala and his triple-digit fastball pitched out of the bullpen in his most-recent outing.

 

SUMMARY

 

So, while I still think it is very likely that the Twins make one or two moves before the trade deadline, and this article will be all for naught, it is important for Twins fans to stand by a team that has put themselves in this position. Absolutely, be disappointed that nothing was done, but hopefully you’ll be able to quickly shift your attention back to the fact that this team, as it is currently put together, can win the division. And, if you are under the opinion (as I mostly am) that the playoffs are mostly a crapshoot, then you should still believe that the Twins can win in the playoffs too.

 

All that said… Come On, Twins… Make a Move!

 

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[Puckett34]

[ashbury]

"Welp."

 

The above is the blog entry I have written and proof-read. It's all ready to go, come 4 pm EDT.

[Dave Overlund]

While no moves being made would be frustrating for fans, I would imagine the players would be even more disappointed. How many former Twins (Hunter, Dozier, etc) have we heard grumble about the team never truly going for it? Even Berrios' recent tweet spoke to that. 

 

The FO needs to send a message to the current (and heck, future) Twins that this team is committed to trying to bring home a World Series. 

[Doomtints]

We will see what happens. We should not assume either way.

[SpicyGarvSauce]

We riot.

[zenser]

I would like them to make a big splash and get 1 or two of these... (Yates, Vazquez, Syndergaard, Giles, Madbum, Smith, Greinke).  But, I know better than that.

 

My gut tells me that they will make one more trade for the likes of one of these guys (Hudson, Bradley, Dyson, Kennedy, Elias).

 

I would be a little shocked if they did nothing else.

[Cody Pirkl]

I think Wheeler would be a great target to go after today. His peripherals put him right there with Berrios and give us a 1-2 to match up with Clevinger and Bieber. Our lineup is still better despite them significantly improving theirs. The glaring weakness between us is clearly the starting pitchers. If we get one more good one though, I think we're still much better.

[Vanimal46]

If they don't supplement a HISTORIC offensive lineup for a playoff run, they will never do it. Hard to be a fan of a team that doesn't take advantage of a great season.

[SpicyGarvSauce]

I don't get this part...

 

"it is important for Twins fans to stand by a team that has put themselves in this position."

 

If they opt to stand pat and not do anything to improve the obvious and glaring weaknesses of this team, why should we stand by this team and its front office? They are doing a disservice to everyone involved, including the 25 guys in that clubhouse, the coaches, and fans, if they don't make a move to improve this team.

 

That is such a cop out of a statement, really.

[Doomtints]

 

If they don't supplement a HISTORIC offensive lineup for a playoff run, they will never do it. Hard to be a fan of a team that doesn't take advantage of a great season.

 

Yeah.

[FlauerPauer]

It's up to the fans to make the front office notice. A boycott of the next homestand would send a message. It really sucks for the players, but it realllly sucks for the fans who invest time and effort into following a franchise. Players will play for anyone who pays them, but fans just can't jump from team to team. 

[jorgenswest]

I hope they go big or do nothing today.

 

The Romo trade grades OK but I think it helps them get to the playoffs but not enough to help them win in the playoffs. I don’t want more deals like this. I’d rather keep the prospect and give the opportunities to the current roster. Don’t get someone that might be a slight upgrade over Duffey but is either a rental or in decline.

 

My fear as taken individually the trades grade OK but does not move the bar in taking on the Astros or Yankees. If they can get a Daniel Hudson for Nick Gordon let’s keep Gordon and develop the relievers in the system.

 

Syndergaard or Smith or Diaz or even a lefty specialist like Watson should be the targets. Aim high.

[HawksNest]

Burn. It. Down.

[Brock Beauchamp]

I'll be pretty angry if nothing happens.

[nicksaviking]

I'll be pretty disappointed if there's not a significant addition to the pitching staff, preferably two or three.

 

I'm starting to worry that very few pitchers of consequence are actually available though. I mentally departed with Kirilloff a week ago, so I'll hope there isn't a top end pitcher who gets moved who could have been obtained using him.

[gunnarthor]

I think they might make a Zack Duke trade in reverse but nothing that moves the needle.

This deadline is another good reminder that the players are winning despite ownership, not because of ownership. Over the last 25+ years, we've seen our FO's forced to keep payroll low. That's why we hired these two guys. 

[SpicyGarvSauce]

 

I'll be pretty angry if nothing happens.

And rightfully so. I don't get how people can legitimately expect the Twins fans to be okay with this team/front office not making any improvements to this team.

 

Romo is a start - but he cannot be the move. That is the type of move that hardly moves the needle, especially when you factor in the competition. The Indians have been playing like gang busters, just improved their offense significantly, and should be getting back a few of their better arms sooner than later.

 

The fact that people claim that we, as fans, should "stand behind" or be okay with this team doing nothing to improvement itself is insulting and just goes to show there really is a a "Pohlad Pocket Protector" mindset.

[USAFChief]

There really isn't a good reason for NOT beefing up the pitching.

 

They deserve an angry fan base if they waste this opportunity and engaged fans.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

There really isn't a good reason for NOT beefing up the pitching.

They deserve an angry fan base if they waste this opportunity and engaged fans.

There really is no excuse, especially relief help. The Twins are absolutely loaded with the type of players it takes to get a relief arm (B/C prospects).

 

If the front office can't identify a few of those players they don't really like in the first place and move them for at least one reliever, that's a pretty massive failure on their part.

[Aerodeliria]

Serpentine Shelly! Serpentine!

[terrydactyls]

I don't get this part...

 

"it is important for Twins fans to stand by a team that has put themselves in this position."

 

If they opt to stand pat and not do anything to improve the obvious and glaring weaknesses of this team, why should we stand by this team and its front office? They are doing a disservice to everyone involved, including the 25 guys in that clubhouse, the coaches, and fans, if they don't make a move to improve this team.

 

That is such a cop out of a statement, really.

 

You stand by them because there is a possibility that every trade discussed began with "We want either Buxton or Kepler and either Lewis or Kirilloff plus Graterol for" (insert whatever name you want). None of us knows what the front office is doing to try to improve this team. But, IMHO, it seems like a lot of people are assuming they are doing nothing.

[J_Dobs]

I would be extremely upset. You can claim all you want that the "price was too much", but I know for a fact you can get Ian Kennedy pretty reasonable and all you need to do is take on the salary, and if we don't end up with anyone you didn't try at all in my opinion.

[drivlikejehu]

The front office has gotten a lot of unfair criticism on here, but obviously this would be an entirely different scenario. I don't even want to get into the ramifications because I can't accept that it's a real possibility.

[DutchFarmer]

Probably an unpopular opinion but I'm totally cool if they do nothing. 

[BobAzar]

If they dont do anything, I'm gonna really regret not getting tickets to the BP even at TF. Thad might want to bring a poncho or some old clothes for when he gets pelted with rotten produce.

[SarasotaBill]

The worse thing would be a "Archer" or "Capps" trade

[lukeduke1980]

It depends on what their goal is.  Maybe they'll be happy just making the playoffs.  Thad and Derek weren't here for the Gardy years.

[nicksaviking]

 

There really is no excuse, especially relief help. The Twins are absolutely loaded with the type of players it takes to get a relief arm (B/C prospects).

 

If the front office can't identify a few of those players they don't really like in the first place and move them for at least one reliever, that's a pretty massive failure on their part.

 

What if Sergio Romo ends up being the best reliever traded? Not just for the Twins, but the entire league. I'm worried that if the Pirates don't move Vazquez, there will be nothing but Romo-esque types available.

 

This is disappointing, MLBTR is quieter this morning than it has been in two weeks. Bad vibes. Hopefully it's just the calm before the storm.

[FormerMinnasotan]

The question is this: Do the Twins want to go for a Championship this year or do they punt to next year and beyond? If they punt they are foolish because there are no guarantees the Twins will be better next year and beyond.

 

Also, there’s absolutely no guarantees our top prospects will pan out so...it’s smart to move some of these prospects (like Lewis, Kirilloff, Graterol, etc) especially when there are several top prospects who play the same position (see Graterol, Duran, Balazovic, Kirilloff, Larnach, Rooker).

 

To be real without a trade for another starter who can we trust in the Post Season w/ Berríos? Odorizzi? Not likely. Gibson? No. Perez? Again no. Pineda? Probably not. So it’s obvious that we need another starter. If not now, when?