Twins Trade Graterol to Dodgers for Kenta Maeda in Blockbuster Deal

[NY Twins Fan]

With our luck Brusdar will develop into a Cy Young winner.

[Mike Sixel]

Certainly unexpected. Four years of a guy that has been good or better in the majors for six years of a guy that hasn't really pitched in the majors. It seems to make sense. As chief said, if you won't pay in free agency, this is the price you pay.

[HawksNest]

I like it, especially if they're 100% convinced Graterol is a reliever long-term.  Folks may be underselling Maeda a bit since he was in the NL and on the west coast.  

 

He's really pretty good.

 

[lukeduke1980]

If Graterol already hadn't had TJ it would make more sense to me. Seems like Maeda could have been gotten for less.

[VivaBomboRivera!]

 

Bad deal if Graterol turns out to be a very good starter.  If just a reliever than this deal is fine as Japanese pitchers seem to last longer than most.  Maeda has been good and helps with payroll over the next few years.  High risk, High reward.

The operative word here is "if."  Maeda is a known quantity at the ML level, Graterol is not.  These are the dice that get rolled when dealing prospects for established players. 

 

The Twins now have a competent staff to go with a world-beating batting order, and a reliable bullpen to back both up.  I'm looking into flights and tickets for a big September. 

[TFRazor]

I think this says that the FO believes we have better *starter* prospects. I think Duran and Balazovic made them comfortable with moving Brusdar. Honestly I’m not surprised he was moved after they said they were moving him to the bullpen

[S.]

 

Yeah I suppose I can rally behind the idea that, injuries or idiotic suspensions notwithstanding, we have three legit SP going into next season. With the deadline and the offseason to hopefully find a 1 or 1A.

Getting an actual ace at the deadline is a surefire way to dismantle your entire farm system for a year or two of service

[stringer bell]

I've also wondered about Graterol's body. type He's not tall and he weighs 265 according to the Twins web site. I'm not calling him out for conditioning etc., but questioning whether a guy with that type of body can be durable while throwing triple digits.

[James Rivah Twins Fan]

We don't know how this will turn out but we got a "Win Now" piece that we needed, and I am just impressed as he** that our FO is wheeling and dealing with a purpose that most of us can understand. Dang, we are pushing in the chips... and we didn't lose Kiriloff, Larnach or Lewis.

[TFRazor]

Twins with the Heel turn of the century

[USAFChief]

 

I've also wondered about Graterol's body. type He's not tall and he weighs 265 according to the Twins web site. I'm not calling him out for conditioning etc., but questioning whether a guy with that type of body can be durable while throwing triple digits.

http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/omnisport/92/2a/bartolo-colon-110717-usnews-getty-ftr_1xp2rbniqrmrq1etrzwyg0wky4.jpg?t=-1719394857

[TheMatt]

Hate it

[curt1965]

I don’t hate this trade: I remember Graterol throwing 100+, but if it’s straight, major league hitters can rip that. 

[raindog]

I'm all for taking risks and making a "win now" move. I just don't see Maeda as someone you start in the playoffs and feel great about. You just feel ok about him as the number 3 or 4 in the playoffs. Not worth it for losing Graterol. 

[USAFChief]

 

Getting an actual ace at the deadline is a surefire way to dismantle your entire farm system sell high on overhyped prospects for a year or two of service

ftfy

[Strato Guy]

If I am not mistaken, I thought I read somewhere that Maeda's contract could potentially reach 10 M each year with incentives. Still not an excessive amount of money for being productive.

[Diesel]

 

I don’t hate this trade: I remember Graterol throwing 100+, but if it’s straight, major league hitters can rip that. 

It had plenty of movement on it, was almost a slider. Go all in for an ace, an this team is the front runners for the title. Top lineup and bullpen, and a solid rotation.

[Ben B]

I was shocked at first, but I like this move. Maybe they think Graterol's arm won't hold up or he's a reliever long term. Falvine have earned the benefit of the doubt from me, but even if Graterol turns into a stud starter in 5 years, I won't be mad for 1 second. Window is wide open, let's win now. 

[TFRazor]

http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/omnisport/92/2a/bartolo-colon-110717-usnews-getty-ftr_1xp2rbniqrmrq1etrzwyg0wky4.jpg?t=-1719394857

As much as I loved Bartolo I don’t think he was breaking the century mark. However I also agree that with pitchers I don’t put much stock in “body type”

[Twodogs]

I've also wondered about Graterol's body. type He's not tall and he weighs 265 according to the Twins web site. I'm not calling him out for conditioning etc., but questioning whether a guy with that type of body can be durable while throwing triple digits.

Bartolo Colon

CC Sabathia

[SwainZag]

Agree with Raindog. Trading a our top pitching prospect for a number 4 starter. Doesn’t quite make sense.

Curious how you peg Maeda as #4 starter. Which numbers are you using?

[Wizard11]

Love this trade!  Maeda is not a 3rd or 4th starter.  He is more of a #2.  The Dodgers used him differently but it does not define his talents or results.  Graterol is a pitching prospect which is an oxymoron.  He has barely pitched above AA.  He may be great or he may not even have a MLB career.  

[USAFChief]

Further proof, along with Bailey, Hill, and Chacin that the front office isn't too enamored with trusting a rotation spot to any of Dobnak, Thorpe, or Smeltzer for anything other than emergencies.

 

An opinion I share, for the record.

[PseudoSABR]

We traded a lot of potential, but with that, a lot of uncertainty, for a lot certainty in the middle of the rotation for FOUR years at a very cheap price whether Maeda hits his incentives or not.   Given that Graterol was designated as a reliever, and the in-roads the Twins pitching coaches/techniques made with veterans last year, I really like this.   

Edited February 5, 2020 by PseudoSABR

[twinstalker]

Ridiculous. If the idea is to trade Graterol, and you can't get more than Maeda right this moment (they probably could have), you have him making starts in the minors and trade him during the season.

 

This trade sickens me. If the 4+ ERA over the last three years isn't enough, consider that was without facing the DH or having the worst infield defense behind him.

 

Plus, let's lower your leverage by saying you're moving him to the pen, then deal him. Brilliant.

[gunnarthor]

Man, I'm not sure I like this trade for the Twins. I know I hate it for LA and love it for the Red Sox.

[PseudoSABR]

 

Further proof, along with Bailey, Hill, and Chacin that the front office isn't too enamored with trusting a rotation spot to any of Dobnak, Thorpe, or Smeltzer for anything other than emergencies.

 

An opinion I share, for the record.

Proof? Meh.  Can never have enough pitching.  They still may have plenty of faith in those players, it's the pitching part that probably gives them pause. 

[ChrisKnutson]

Not happy.

[HawksNest]

Maeda is good, Graterol is a reliever.  It's a good trade IMO.

[RaoulDuke]

Wow I didn't see this one coming. 

 

Maeda is a good get, young(ish) arm with strikeout stuff to plug into the rotation for the next few years.  Certainly a better get than Price or any of the lower hanging guys like Archer.  Not sure he is ever going to be a guy you want throwing game 1 or 2 in the playoffs but solid.

 

Graterol feels like a lot to give up, and he is, but it was always going to cost one of the prospect arms to get a good pitcher back.  If they think Graterol's future is in the pen then I guess they would rather hold on to Balzovic. 

 

I'm very torn on this which is usually the sign of a fair trade.