Article: Centerfield Trade Bait

[Twins Fan From Afar]

If the Twins are not in the race by the end of July, I see Span traded for a young up and coming SP. If the Twins are in the race by the deadline, I see someone like Hicks get traded for an established SP. I don't think that Marquis will last the season either way

I'm not sure about Span and Hicks, but I think you're right about Marquis.

In all seriousness, though, a healthy Span, with his reasonable contract, somewhat young age, and demonstrated ability in the field and at the plate, would fetch the best return, I suppose.

[Pitz]

I understand the thinking in terms of trading one of these guys, but I feel the expectations for what the Twins could get in return are a bit unrealistic. It seems to me that teams aren't very willing to trade pitching prospects. I think the best they could get for Span would be someone who projects as a #3 starter. Maybe that would still be valuable for a Twins system that needs pitching, but I'm not sure it would be worth trading a quality leadoff hitter to get.

[Shane Wahl]

I understand the thinking in terms of trading one of these guys, but I feel the expectations for what the Twins could get in return are a bit unrealistic. It seems to me that teams aren't very willing to trade pitching prospects. I think the best they could get for Span would be someone who projects as a #3 starter. Maybe that would still be valuable for a Twins system that needs pitching, but I'm not sure it would be worth trading a quality leadoff hitter to get.

Exactly. Not that lineup order is vitally important other than general OBP, but a leadoff guy is important. Jamey Carroll in that role might be tolerable to some, I suppose.

 

The only way one is going to get the starter the Twins need is by packaging prospects together. One of these CFs, some top pitching prospect and maybe some second-tier OFs (Tosoni, Bigley, Roberts) might be a package that gets you something.

[Mike Sixel]

thrylos, you see Terry Ryan trading a top prospect for a MLB player? Wow. That would potentially be a sign that 2012 is the end of the world, wouldn't it?

[Brandon Warne]

Maybe the Astros? Ha ha.

 

Bud Norris for Ben Revere. I'd do that deal today.

[twinkiesfan11]

Maybe the Astros? Ha ha.

 

Bud Norris for Ben Revere. I'd do that deal today.

I've been thinking the Braves would line up pretty well in a trade. Maybe something centering around Denard Span for any one of Beachy, Minor, Delgado or Jurrjens. The Braves need a long-term centerfielder badly and have a ton of pitching to spare.

[Thrylos]

thrylos, you see Terry Ryan trading a top prospect for a MLB player? Wow. That would potentially be a sign that 2012 is the end of the world, wouldn't it?

They've done it before recently when in contention... Not all top prospects (other than Ramos), but not junk: Pino for Pavano, Hamburger for Guardado, Mulvey for Rauch, Ramos and Testa for Capps, Van Mil for Fuentes. Allegedly, Bill Smith was "running the club". I am sure that Ryan was part of the decision making process...

[Thrylos]

I understand the thinking in terms of trading one of these guys, but I feel the expectations for what the Twins could get in return are a bit unrealistic. It seems to me that teams aren't very willing to trade pitching prospects. I think the best they could get for Span would be someone who projects as a #3 starter.

A comparable trade would be that of McLouth from the Pirates to the Braves for Gorkys Hernandez, Jeff Locke and Charlie Morton before the deadline in 2009. Before the 2009 season, Baseball America ranked Hernandez at the Braves' 4th best prospect (behind Hanson, Heyward and Schafer) and 69th oveall in Baseball, Locke their 6th overall and Morton was very good as well (and already in the majors and like a #3-4 starter for the Pirates already.) And their Braves' system was stocked back then.

 

And I think that Span will bring more because he is signed to a very team friendly contract.

[James Richter]

All this talk about moving an outfielder to make room for Benson and eventually Hicks demonstrates that signing Willingham to a three year deal when the club is rebuilding was perhaps an unwise decision. The knee jerk reaction to replace Cuddyer with a comparable not only blocked younger player's development, but took away $8 million for the next 3 years that could have been better spent on pitching. Don't forget, this team is also looking for playing time for Trevor Plouffe also. Hopefully Willingham has a very nice first half and his 3 year deal looks like a bargain to a contender at the trade deadline. Any of the outfielders should be available for a quality young arm, but Willingham should be shopped as soon as Benson shows he's ready at Rochester.

This is exactly right - Willingham has to go before Span does. Money guaranteed Willingham through 2014: $21M. Money guaranteed Span: $14.75M. Willingham might not return as much, but Span will probably provide more value, and Benson should more than make up for Willingham in all facets of the game.

 

Or, if it looks like Hicks isn't going to put things together, hold onto Willingham and move Revere. They could keep Revere as the 4th OF, but he's probably worth more to someone else. I just don't think he's ever going to be as good as Span.

 

Benson and Hicks in RF/CF and Span in LF is my dream OF. So much OBP, such good defense. Get it going, Hicks!