Twins Trade Nelson Cruz to the Rays for Two AAA Starting Pitchers

[Rigby]

Supposedly San Diego was involved in the Cruz sweepstakes. We'll most likely never know but I am curious as to what their offer may have been. Toronto, Tampa Bay, San Diego and the Dodgers have the most appealing systems.

[Squirrel]

16 hours ago, Otto von Ballpark said:

Tampa likely would have kept one of the prospects then.

They would have kept both

[Squirrel]

I like this trade ... I think it's a win-win for both teams ... will miss Cruz, though  

[Aerodeliria]

4 hours ago, VivaBomboRivera! said:

Sometimes it's enough to wish someone well without wishing for anything for ourselves.

Amen.

[Minny505]

Would like opinions on this. I'm actually torn.

Taking back Kiermaier (Owed $12mil in 2022, then FA) in the trade to get Joe Ryan and a top6 system pick and plug the backup CF hole that the Twins have. Tampa might be open to that to get out from under that 18%-of-their-payroll contract.

What's Twins Territory think about doing something like that in fairy tale land?

[Otto von Ballpark]

1 hour ago, Minny505 said:

Would like opinions on this. I'm actually torn.

Taking back Kiermaier (Owed $12mil in 2022, then FA) in the trade to get Joe Ryan and a top6 system pick and plug the backup CF hole that the Twins have. Tampa might be open to that to get out from under that 18%-of-their-payroll contract.

What's Twins Territory think about doing something like that in fairy tale land?

I appreciate the creativity, and that would be a good deal for the Twins, but I'm not sure it would have been a good fit for the Rays. Their overall frugality means they don't have a pressing need to unload any contracts right now -- notice that they are taking on Cruz's remaining salary, and just swapped Rich Hill for a comparable contract too. Kiermaier is still producing (defensively) for them, so they'd probably rather keep him and hang on to their better prospects.

[Otto von Ballpark]

4 hours ago, MGM4706 said:

Why is it the Whiz Kids in the front office seem to always need to get pitchers coming off Tommy John surgery? It hasn't worked out in the last 5 tries. Why continue down that path?

Who are these pitchers to which you are referring? I tend to doubt that the Twins are taking on more TJS pitchers than other clubs. It's just a reality that a lot of pitchers have TJS these days -- you can't really avoid them.

And I'm not sure that TJS pitchers should be avoided as a general rule in modern MLB either -- plenty of them have had the surgery and come back just fine (i.e. deGrom 10 years ago).

FWIW, Strotman's TJS was over 3 years ago now -- it's likely only an "issue" right now because the 2020 minor league season was cancelled. Ryan, likely the better prospect of the two, hasn't had the surgery.

[wsnydes]

4 hours ago, MGM4706 said:

Why is it the Whiz Kids in the front office seem to always need to get pitchers coming off Tommy John surgery? It hasn't worked out in the last 5 tries. Why continue down that path?

There are essentially two kinds of pitchers these days.  Those that have already had TJ and those who will.  Avoiding them reduces your pool of pitching options considerably.  The surgery is common enough these days, and with a very high success rate, that I don't believe it to be a reason to avoid someone.

[Brandon]

20 hours ago, Danchat said:

I like the return. I was right in thinking that the Twins would get "more than a low A prospect" and that he would command a decent return, and he did. Fangraphs marks them down as their #17 and #18 prospects, but their farm is loaded and these guys are close to the majors. Ryan profiles as a reliever with some nasty stuff, and Strotman has been inconsistent, but could end up as a #3/4 starter, or possibly move to the pen and see his stuff tick up. This is a solid return.

Cruz will be missed. Trading him was absolutely the right move, as he deserves a chance to win it all with the Rays. I will be cheering for them.

...and it looks like I'll have to update my avatar now. Thanks, Twins!

 

Also, is there anyone on Twins Daily who actually knew who Calvin Faucher is? I hadn't heard of him before today.

Calvin Faucher was a relief pitcher who was drafted in the 10th round I think from UCI in Irvine CA.  He had a low 90's fastball and was their closer.  That is all I got for you.  And he signed for around slot value or just under it I think.  He was a senior....

 

[Danchat]

36 minutes ago, Brandon said:

Calvin Faucher was a relief pitcher who was drafted in the 10th round I think from UCI in Irvine CA.  He had a low 90's fastball and was their closer.  That is all I got for you.  And he signed for around slot value or just under it I think.  He was a senior....

 

I figured that much out, I was just wondering if anyone had heard of him before the trade. I hadn't, but there was an article on him from a couple years back.

[wabene]

Strotman's control problems could be a symptom of his TJ recovery. 

[RpR]

Well maybe the 100 loss season will help get rid of Baldelli.