Trade Deadline: GM For A Day

[Jeremy Nygaard]

The trade deadline is fast approaching, and Twins Daily has explored many of the teams that the Twins could potentially trade with.

Let's take a shot at putting all of those puzzle pieces together and preview what the organization could look like when the dust settles.

The Twins made their first big move sending Nelson Cruz to Tampa Bay in exchange for two pitching prospects. 

There were reports over the weekend that Byron Buxton won't be signing a contract extension with the club and rumors of willingness to listen on team-controlled players such as Jose Berrios, Taylor Rogers, and Max Kepler.

So, where do we go from here?

We're going to start with the players on expiring contracts.

Trade Andrelton Simmons to the Reds for SS Gus Steiger. Steiger, who is from Minnetonka and played collegiately at South Dakota State, signed with the Reds as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and would provide organizational depth in Fort Myers. The Twins would send no cash in the deal, leaving the Reds on the hook for the remaining $3.5 million on Simmons' contract.

Trade Michael Pineda to the Astros for P Misaell Tamarez. Tamarez has less than 75 professional innings under his belt and has a walk rate over six, but he also strikes out more than a hitter per inning and has some ceiling. Tamarez would join the Fort Myers staff, where he could start or relieve. The Twins would get all of next year to evaluate Tamarez before deciding whether or not to add him to the 40-man roster. Pineda has $3.4 million left on his contract, which the Astros would pick up. I'd also expect Big Mike to be back with the Twins on a two-year deal this offseason.

Trade Hansel Robles to the Red Sox for RP Durbin Feltman. Boston will give up Feltman, who may help in a bullpen someday, for Robles, who will help them in the bullpen for the rest of the year. Robles is owed less than $700,000 for the remainder of the year. Feltman, who has seen his velocity dip since turning pro in 2018, is the type of prospect on who the Twins could take a chance. If they can unlock some of that lost velocity, there is a chance he could be added to the 40-man when first eligible this upcoming offseason.

Trade J.A. Happ to the Phillies for a PTBNL or cash. Happ broke into the big leagues with Philadelphia in 2007 and can provide rotational depth. The return for Happ would likely be a little bit of cash to offset his contract. He's still owed just shy of $3 million. The Twins would stay on the hook for almost all of that. 

The only other impending free agent is Alex Colome, who has been bad this year. If there's a team interested, he could be had for a meager price. Even if the Twins pay the remainder of his salary, the return will be low… in fact, it would be a win if someone else would be responsible for buying out his option.

Before going on to the next - and definitely more debatable - part, one thing that needs to be discussed (because it will get a lot of consideration) is the 40-man roster. Except for Drew Strotman, none of the actual or projected returns to this point include someone on the 40-man roster. The Twins also have five players on the 60-day IL that will need to be activated this offseason. 

Now, granted, the roster has several fringe-40-man players that can be removed, but the organization has to be very careful about the position they put themselves in with acquiring players. Part of the reason Tampa Bay was ok giving up two of their top prospects for Cruz likely had to do with the crunch they were going to face this offseason. (They probably would have lost Strotman on outright waivers.)

Just by my quick estimation, there are eight players (seven pitchers!) that I think are more likely to get added to the 40-man than not either later this season or in the offseason. If the Twins are going to rebuild, they would be wise to acquire prospects who are at least a year away from needing to be added to the 40-man roster. 

Whatever Taylor Rogers did to his finger last night puts his status on the trade market in question. If healthy - and if I were calling the shots - I would have him very available. But for this exercise, he will remain with the Twins.

I'm not going to trade Josh Donaldson either. My stance would be that I would make him available, but I want a fair prospect return. The money complicates that. The Twins, in my opinion, will move Donaldson if someone is willing to take on the remainder of his contract. That will minimize the return. Josh Donaldson is too good of a baseball player just to give away.

I'll listen on Max Kepler and Jorge Polanco, but I don't see either getting moved. Kenta Maeda as well. For an overpay, I'd move every one of them.

Now for the big dogs…

Not only do I think Byron Buxton will not be moved, I believe a whirlwind Trade Deadline Week is going to be capped off with a Byron Buxton extension. Maybe it won't be Friday because the front office will be busy. But soon enough that the fanbase won't be able to check out for the year.

Jose Berrios is a different story. Even a week ago, I wasn't convinced that Berrios was going anywhere. Now I've done a complete 180 and think there is no way he's not traded. And there's going to be a market. Take your pick…

San Diego is aggressive, has prospects, and is forward-thinking enough to pull off another blockbuster. Would they include any of their four top prospects? Would MacKenzie Gore, who's been a mess lately, even be enough? Or would the Twins shoot for the injured CJ Abrams or Robert Hassell? Could the Twins bring back Eric Hosmer's bad contract to help the Padres out financially and ask for another top prospect too? 

The Dodgers don't want to share the spotlight. Is it really a possibility that they offer Dustin May? If so, that is a conversation that needs to be had.

Maybe the Giants won't want to be outdone, and though they can't offer a top-end pitching prospect, they do have prospect currency, including SS Marco Luciano and C Joey Bart. There should be enough interest that the Twins don't have to settle for prospects that aren't in the top tier.

The AL East is also worth watching. Toronto (P Nate Pearson and SS Austin Martin) and New York (P Deivi Garcia) would both be able to move the needle.

The NL East is just as interesting. The Mets have the prospects, but all are a few promotions from the major yet. (Plus, Kevin Mulvey is no longer available.) The Braves could be a match. 

So what would I do….?

I'd call Trader Jerry and make a deal with the Mariners. The basic framework would be Jose Berrios for P George Kirby. Kirby is a Top 20 prospect and hasn't reached AA yet (but will soon). 

The Mariners are also in the market for an infielder. Does expanding the deal to include Jorge Polanco make sense? Would the Mariners have any interest in taking on Josh Donaldson? Does DiPoto want to roll the dice on Taylor Rogers being ready soon and helping out down the stretch?

It would be hard to bet against the Mets, Dodgers, Padres, or Yankees in a bidding war, but the Mariners are a longshot who could make the best deal for both teams. 

Maybe the holes these trades would create would have to be filled internally, which may not seem to scream "we're competing in 2022," but in a season with so many questions and so few answers, do we really want to be tricked into thinking that's possible anyway?

View full article

[Mike Sixel]

I was just looking at the Mariners' list, and that's the one I want to raid for sure. Berrios for their best SP prospect and one of their top 2 SS prospects, or Pineda for their second best SP prospect.......

I agree on Buxton being signed.

I don't deal Kepler, unless I'm absolutely blown away. Of course I deal Simmons if possible, along with Happ (agree, PTBNL). If someone will take half of Donaldson's deal and give me a legit prospect, I deal him. But only if I really believe I'll spend the money on SP or SS next year. I keep Garver, unless I can get a legit C prospect for him that is ready next year (like, Garver and Rortverdt for a legit C prospect at AA or AAA, and another good prospect).

I'd like to see Miranda and at least 2 minor league starters up after the deadline (Miranda is 3B and DH and maybe 1B). They need to get 1-2 starters ready for next year.

[LastOnePicked]

You seem like a sharp GM. Good moves, and sharp read of the deadline possibilities.

If the Twins are serious about the belief that they can contend in 2022, the HAVE to keep Berrios and Buxton, don't they? What's the harm in seeing if the team has fight in 2022? If they falter early again, put Berrios/Buxton on the trade market in June. If Berrios/Buxton specifically falter, then you save yourself from trying to lock them into a new contract or you go year-to-year with them while they rebuild free agent value.

I wouldn't trade either one of these players now in 2021 if I had even the faintest idea that this team could make a run in 2022. However, personally, I don't think they have a chance to knock the White Sox from their perch for another 2-3 years or so. So I might lean towards a greater rebuild mode than most.

[Tim]

I'll just roll with the biggest move I think will be made...

Jose Berrios - Trying my best to create a bidding was between the Dodgers and Padres. Loop in the Mets depending on how bad Cohen wants to win this year. 

• With the Dodgers, I love the Dustin May concept, but I'm going to need more. Ryan Pepiot + 1 more throw in arm is what I want attached. Might have to include Taylor Rogers to get a higher level arm and I'm not opposed to packaging the two. (barring injury)
• The Padres are interesting. If they want to include Eric Hosmer, fine. With that said, if I'm taking on 58 mil, while also giving up Berrios, the package is steep. I need CJ Abrams back in any deal. . Abrams, Adrian Morejon, and one of Robert Hassell / Luis Campusano is what I need. If not, LA can take the division from you this year and next. Also, your stuck with Hosmer because he gets 10+5 rights after this season. Ouch..
• Mr. Cohen, what better way to start off your ownership of the Mets with a deep playoff run. Berrios + Rogers? Great. If Kumar Rocker's arm checks out and that's not the hold up in the deal right now, he's coming back to Minnesota as a PTBNL following the world series. Matt Allan and Robert Dominguez can come back now. Pleasure doing business. 

Longshot, Rays - If they want to jump in the Jose Berrios + Taylor Rogers sweepstakes, we'd love to do another deal. Shane Baz, Taj Bradley, and Sandy Gaston would be the dream scenario.

Any of these deals, I'm going to bed happy.

[roger]

Like your moves, Jeremy.  Although I do believe that the Twins will get more back for Pineda, before resigning him after the season as you indicate.  I am in the camp that also doesn't see a Buxton trade.  Also think that Berrios will stay put unless the return is HUGE, more than you envision.

Totally agree with your thoughts regarding the Rule 5.  Question?  If the CBA expires at the end of this season and they are battling getting a new one in place, will there be a Rule 5 this year?

[Jeremy Nygaard]

1 hour ago, LastOnePicked said:

If the Twins are serious about the belief that they can contend in 2022, the HAVE to keep Berrios and Buxton, don't they?

It's one thing to say "we plan to compete" and another to make the moves to actually compete.

I really think the FO planned/plans to compete in 2022, but then realized that moving Berrios/closing the 2022 window that was only slightly opened anyway might be less favorable then moving Berrios for a haul. If it's not a haul, they say, "Yeah, we always planned to compete in 2022." 

(Before trading Berrios in the offseason.)

[Jeremy Nygaard]

1 hour ago, Tim said:

I'll just roll with the biggest move I think will be made...

Jose Berrios - Trying my best to create a bidding was between the Dodgers and Padres. Loop in the Mets depending on how bad Cohen wants to win this year. 

• With the Dodgers, I love the Dustin May concept, but I'm going to need more. Ryan Pepiot + 1 more throw in arm is what I want attached. Might have to include Taylor Rogers to get a higher level arm and I'm not opposed to packaging the two. (barring injury)
• The Padres are interesting. If they want to include Eric Hosmer, fine. With that said, if I'm taking on 58 mil, while also giving up Berrios, the package is steep. I need CJ Abrams back in any deal. . Abrams, Adrian Morejon, and one of Robert Hassell / Luis Campusano is what I need. If not, LA can take the division from you this year and next. Also, your stuck with Hosmer because he gets 10+5 rights after this season. Ouch..
• Mr. Cohen, what better way to start off your ownership of the Mets with a deep playoff run. Berrios + Rogers? Great. If Kumar Rocker's arm checks out and that's not the hold up in the deal right now, he's coming back to Minnesota as a PTBNL following the world series. Matt Allan and Robert Dominguez can come back now. Pleasure doing business. 

Longshot, Rays - If they want to jump in the Jose Berrios + Taylor Rogers sweepstakes, we'd love to do another deal. Shane Baz, Taj Bradley, and Sandy Gaston would be the dream scenario.

Any of these deals, I'm going to bed happy.

All of these returns include a "big name" and I think that's the cover charge on doing business with the Twins about Berrios.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

1 hour ago, roger said:

Like your moves, Jeremy.  Although I do believe that the Twins will get more back for Pineda, before resigning him after the season as you indicate.  I am in the camp that also doesn't see a Buxton trade.  Also think that Berrios will stay put unless the return is HUGE, more than you envision.

Totally agree with your thoughts regarding the Rule 5.  Question?  If the CBA expires at the end of this season and they are battling getting a new one in place, will there be a Rule 5 this year?

I wrote the Pineda piece prior to him pitching last night. His value is higher today than yesterday.

Great question about the CBA... I have no idea. I'd *guess* it would still happen.

[Dman]

I was pretty confident the Twins would do a deal with the Dodgers before the Sherzer news broke and Rogers developed a finger issue.  Not sure what happens now for sure.

I do agree it seems that Berrios gets dealt.  With no discount available at all and a likely overpay to keep him from free agency if the offers are good enough I think they move him.  Has to be a starter included that over time could be a mid rotation piece and likely a high upside position player to make it work so I just don't see San Diego working out but who knows.  If Atlanta does become a seller that could change things as well.

It is going to be a wild ride going into the deadline for us this year.  I just hope they get good deals.

[Otto von Ballpark]

2 hours ago, Jeremy Nygaard said:

Trade J.A. Happ to the Phillies for a PTBNL or cash. Happ broke into the big leagues with Philadelphia in 2007 and can provide rotational depth. The return for Happ would likely be a little bit of cash to offset his contract. He's still owed just shy of $3 million. The Twins would stay on the hook for almost all of that. 

Great article, but would this be better described as "trade Happ and cash to the Phillies for a PTBNL or cash"? Aren't transactions generally written with the assumption that the acquiring team assumes the full remaining salary, unless cash is sent along with the player? Your other trade descriptions seem to follow that convention. So if we're covering any of Happ's remaining salary, we should be sending cash (although that doesn't preclude Philly from eventually sending some cash back too).

[Dodecahedron]

Kudos to Taylor Rogers for giving the Twins 'The Finger' when his name started to hit the trade rumor pile.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Dustin May... a highly regarded SP prospect who quickly acclimated to MLB -- even postseason -- and was starting to dominate when he got hurt. 142 ERA+ in 113 MLB IP so far.

Yes, TJS means he's out until late 2022, but it also means his 2023-2025 arbitration salaries are going to be held down too. (Which could make him a good target for signing a reasonable extension at some point.)

And it's probably too early after surgery to really worry that the Dodgers would be trying to sell a lemon.

Would be fascinating if the Dodgers were actually willing to deal him!

[Otto von Ballpark]

I was wondering if Rogers would welcome a trade to the NL West. He'd get to play some games in his home state of Colorado, and he could play against (or even be teammates with) his brother.

[gunnarthor]

I'd move on from Kepler and plan to have a Larnich/Buxton/Kiriloff OF next year. I think someone might give up some nice pitching potential for him. Even with him gone, we'd still have Rooker, Cave, Celestino, Gordon and Arraez around. (This is really where getting nothing for Wade and Baddoo really hurts).

I think I'd trade one of Polanco or Arraez as well. Both play second well enough but I'm not sure they should be our starting MI next year. Not sure what the market for them is though.

I'd move Rogers if we can as well as all of our free agent to be pitchers.

Even with those trades, we should have enough offense next year and I like Miranda as a bat coming up. The problem is we have a bad rotation and a useless bullpen.

[ashbury]

Agree generally with all the points in the article - and might be fine with an opposite take on each individual player not on an expiring contract. It all depends on what is offered, and even more importantly what the talent evaluators tell me about the fundamentals of the acquired players' games.

For Berrios, I anticipate either the Padres or Dodgers to emerge with the best offer, because I expect neither wants the other to land him. Seattle may be a good candidate but doesn't have quite that same jealousy to either motivate them or their rival, I think.

[Otto von Ballpark]

1 hour ago, roger said:

Question?  If the CBA expires at the end of this season and they are battling getting a new one in place, will there be a Rule 5 this year?

Yes, there will still be a Rule 5 draft. There was even one in 1994, during the strike! The 2001 Rule 5 draft occurred without a CBA too -- it expired in early November that year (that was the "contraction" offseason).

In general terms, "once a CBA expires, an employer has a statutorily imposed duty to maintain the status quo until its bargaining obligation is either satisfied by way of a new CBA or it is suspended while the bargaining parties are at a bargaining impasse."

https://www.laboremploymentlawblog.com/2020/04/articles/national-labor-relations-act/expired-cba-mv-transportation-raytheon-network/

The Rule 5 draft fits well within the definition of "status quo." And with a Dec. 1st expiration, I doubt there would be any kind of "suspension of bargaining obligation" by the usual Rule 5 date (Dec. 12th-ish).

[Mike Sixel]

11 minutes ago, gunnarthor said:

I'd move on from Kepler and plan to have a Larnich/Buxton/Kiriloff OF next year. I think someone might give up some nice pitching potential for him. Even with him gone, we'd still have Rooker, Cave, Celestino, Gordon and Arraez around. (This is really where getting nothing for Wade and Baddoo really hurts).

I think I'd trade one of Polanco or Arraez as well. Both play second well enough but I'm not sure they should be our starting MI next year. Not sure what the market for them is though.

I'd move Rogers if we can as well as all of our free agent to be pitchers.

Even with those trades, we should have enough offense next year and I like Miranda as a bat coming up. The problem is we have a bad rotation and a useless bullpen.

Even with Buxton, that would be an awful defensive OF. Awful. I do agree on Polanco/Arraez, though. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

3 minutes ago, ashbury said:

For Berrios, I anticipate either the Padres or Dodgers to emerge with the best offer, because I expect neither wants the other to land him.

I'm not so sure. Both the Padres and the Dodgers are already virtual locks to make the postseason. And Berrios would be unlikely to appear in a wild card game for either. Heck, depending on health, Berrios may only be the #4 starter for the Dodgers in the DS round too -- they are obviously competitive and have a strong rivalry, but how much do the Padres care about preventing that specific Dodgers upgrade?

Either the Dodgers or the Padres might prefer their rival to get Berrios instead of Scherzer. And realistically, 5.5 games back right now, the Padres might not mind the Dodgers overtaking the Giants if they think the Giants will be easier to catch/defeat in the wild card race.

[Dman]

9 minutes ago, Otto von Ballpark said:

I'm not so sure. Both the Padres and the Dodgers are already virtual locks to make the postseason. And Berrios would be unlikely to appear in a wild card game for either. Heck, depending on health, Berrios may only be the #4 starter for the Dodgers in the DS round too -- they are obviously competitive and have a strong rivalry, but how much do the Padres care about preventing that specific Dodgers upgrade?

Either the Dodgers or the Padres might prefer their rival to get Berrios instead of Scherzer. And realistically, 5.5 games back right now, the Padres might not mind the Dodgers overtaking the Giants if they think the Giants will be easier to catch/defeat in the wild card race.

RIght now Sherzer is the key.  Every team even the generally prospect stingy Rays are trying to see what it will take to land him.  Sherzer gives the team who gets him a lock down starter throughout the playoffs I am guessing the return will be massive for a rental.  However, the teams that miss out on him do need to switch to plan B and Berrios will be in play there.

I don't know what you have been reading but every team in the west has been in on Berrios and honestly every one those teams could really use him.  Berrios's greatest value is that he is going to give you solid innings and show up every fifth day to pitch.  Kershaw has had arm issue's for LA and they likely won't have Bauer back.  The Padres have had arm issue's in their rotation and need depth as well.  The Giants haven't had many arm issues to date but Berrios could be a 4th or 5th starter and he would provide depth in case of injury down the stretch.

Those three teams are in a race for wins and cannot afford to give any away or they might be out they also need to prepared for the payoffs if they do get in.  They have to play each other a bunch the rest of the way so having one weak starter could mean giving that game away.  Just like on the field the GM's are fierce competitors and will look to put their teams in better position to win during the season and post season.  So yes I think a team like the Giants would love to get Sherzer or Berrios whether they really need them or not because it keeps them from the competition and still makes their team better.

[Otto von Ballpark]

21 minutes ago, Dman said:

RIght now Sherzer is the key.  Every team even the generally prospect stingy Rays are trying to see what it will take to land him.  Sherzer gives the team who gets him a lock down starter throughout the playoffs I am guessing the return will be massive for a rental.  However, the teams that miss out on him do need to switch to plan B and Berrios will be in play there.

I don't know what you have been reading but every team in the west has been in on Berrios and honestly every one those teams could really use him.  Berrios's greatest value is that he is going to give you solid innings and show up every fifth day to pitch.  Kershaw has had arm issue's for LA and they likely won't have Bauer back.  The Padres have had arm issue's in their rotation and need depth as well.  The Giants haven't had many arm issues to date but Berrios could be a 4th or 5th starter and he would provide depth in case of injury down the stretch.

Those three teams are in a race for wins and cannot afford to give any away or they might be out they also need to prepared for the payoffs if they do get in.  They have to play each other a bunch the rest of the way so having one weak starter could mean giving that game away.  Just like on the field the GM's are fierce competitors and will look to put their teams in better position to win during the season and post season.  So yes I think a team like the Giants would love to get Sherzer or Berrios whether they really need them or not because it keeps them from the competition and still makes their team better.

I don't doubt that teams are in Berrios and he would be an upgrade for them -- that could be said for just about any contender, every year! He's a good pitcher.

I'm just not sure those NL West teams see him as enough of a "disrupter" in their present circumstances to pay a premium to keep Berrios away from their competitors.

They may still pay a lot for him -- he would be the next best SP available after Scherzer -- but I'm not sure they'd pay more than other teams, or if the overall market will bear enough for the Twins to part with him.

[nicksaviking]

So the Pirates almost (or maybe still will) traded Tyler Anderson to the Phillies for two A ball players, though they put up good numbers. Seems like he'd be a reasonable comp to Pineda. I'm not saying the Twins should jump in and swap out Anderson for Pineda, but I'd guess this is a similar return we should be expecting.

That's probably what I'd want to. Pineda couldn't bring back any intriguing pitching in AAA like Cruz did; they might be able to get another Smetlzer/Ober/Jax/Sands type, but we already have enough of those on the 40-man. If the Twins are going to get any more ready-to-roll prospects, I'd want them to be the higher upside guys that the bigger name trade chips might bring back. 

[Mark G]

Once again, I am in a minority of one (or very close to it), but this is something that is simply foreign to me; clean out the major league roster to fill in the minor league rosters and hope someday......what? That they become our major league roster? The first part of the article even said the return for certain players would give organizational depth in the class A part of the system.  From there, I saw maybe one (correct me if I missed something) major league player, and he is recovering fro TJS.  Quality ML players require at least some semblance of ML talent in return, along with "prospects" that may or may not ever see a ML dugout.

I know I am kicking a dead horse here, but quality ML talent requires more than A or AA.......period.  The folks buying the tickets deserve better than that; they always have and they always will.  But then, I would never let a computer tell me how to play the game of baseball, so I am really in a minority.  

[Jeremy Nygaard]

57 minutes ago, Mark G said:

Once again, I am in a minority of one (or very close to it), but this is something that is simply foreign to me; clean out the major league roster to fill in the minor league rosters and hope someday......what? That they become our major league roster? The first part of the article even said the return for certain players would give organizational depth in the class A part of the system.  From there, I saw maybe one (correct me if I missed something) major league player, and he is recovering fro TJS.  Quality ML players require at least some semblance of ML talent in return, along with "prospects" that may or may not ever see a ML dugout.

Traditionally, buying teams aren't trading major league contributors. And the selling teams are content to turn their major league players into younger, cheaper, controllable players. 

It's how the Padres got Fernando Tatis Jr for James Shields. It's how the Brewers got Josh Hader for Carlos Gomez. It's how the Mets got Noah Syndergaard for R.A. Dickey. All seem lopsided towards the prospect side now. (And each team getting the prospects got more than just the guy I mentioned.)

Obviously they don't always turn out. But that's what makes this all so entertaining.

[TheLeviathan]

7 hours ago, gunnarthor said:

I'd move on from Kepler and plan to have a Larnich/Buxton/Kiriloff OF next year. I think someone might give up some nice pitching potential for him. Even with him gone, we'd still have Rooker, Cave, Celestino, Gordon and Arraez around. (This is really where getting nothing for Wade and Baddoo really hurts).

I think Kiriloff is a 1B, not an OF.  The team still has a spot for Kepler and, let's face it, if Buxton is our CFer we better damn sure have a guy that can slide over too.

[RpR]

5 hours ago, Mark G said:

Once again, I am in a minority of one (or very close to it), but this is something that is simply foreign to me; clean out the major league roster to fill in the minor league rosters and hope someday......what? That they become our major league roster? The first part of the article even said the return for certain players would give organizational depth in the class A part of the system.  From there, I saw maybe one (correct me if I missed something) major league player, and he is recovering fro TJS.  Quality ML players require at least some semblance of ML talent in return, along with "prospects" that may or may not ever see a ML dugout.

I know I am kicking a dead horse here, but quality ML talent requires more than A or AA.......period.  The folks buying the tickets deserve better than that; they always have and they always will.  But then, I would never let a computer tell me how to play the game of baseball, so I am really in a minority.  

Too many posters see the real season through the rose tinted glasses of Fantasy Baseball or really more like Fantasy Island. 

 I am with you.?

[Major League Ready]

12 hours ago, Mark G said:

Once again, I am in a minority of one (or very close to it), but this is something that is simply foreign to me; clean out the major league roster to fill in the minor league rosters and hope someday......what? That they become our major league roster? The first part of the article even said the return for certain players would give organizational depth in the class A part of the system.  From there, I saw maybe one (correct me if I missed something) major league player, and he is recovering fro TJS.  Quality ML players require at least some semblance of ML talent in return, along with "prospects" that may or may not ever see a ML dugout.

I know I am kicking a dead horse here, but quality ML talent requires more than A or AA.......period.  The folks buying the tickets deserve better than that; they always have and they always will.  But then, I would never let a computer tell me how to play the game of baseball, so I am really in a minority.  

For starters, the Twins are not clearing out their ML roster and I have not heard anyone suggest they do so.  However, that practice has been both common and successful when teams are looking to rebuild.  KC started their rebuild that led to a WS victory after 20 years of futility by trading Zack Grienke.  Their CF (Cane) and SS (Escober) came from that trade.  The Astros traded every player on their roster with any experience when they started their rebuild.  The Whitesox trade Sale and Eaton and they would not be in the position they are today without the multiple good players that came out of that trade.  We could go on but what's the point because that is not what the Twins are looking to do.

So far, the Twins have traded one player on an expiring contract and will trade more expiring contracts.  I guess what I would suggest where this practice is concerned is to look around the league a little.  Read some baseball news or listen some baseball radio shows/podcasts.  Literally EVERY (when out of the playoff race) purges expiring contracts in hope of future improvement.  It is not just common, it's standard practice.  So, yes, failure to acknowledge this is a standard practice is going to put you in the minority because most of us pay attention to the practices across the league.

Where Berrios and/or Buxton are concerned, that's a little different.  The are under contract until the end of 2022.  The difference is basically two-fold.  They could bring back players that are difference makers for 6+ years.  The FO has to weigh the value of the impact on 2022 by keeping them IF they get a great offer  VS  the impact on multiple years.  Some of us weigh those variables and conclude the team would be better off taking the assets than betting on 2022 based on the fact we have many holes to fill.  Others want to avoid letting good players go under almost any circumstance.  You might want to take a look at what the Rays have done in recent years.  They have clearly demonstrated the value of maximizing asset value. 

[Jeremy Nygaard]

8 hours ago, TheLeviathan said:

I think Kiriloff is a 1B, not an OF.  The team still has a spot for Kepler and, let's face it, if Buxton is our CFer we better damn sure have a guy that can slide over too.

I think the organization is probably ok with their CF depth if Buxton sticks around. Celestino and Cave (I know) with Gordon and, potentially, Royce Lewis.

With no Buxton, the depth chart is scary. (But in that event, you're signing someone to a one-year deal hoping to cash in at this time next year.)

[Whitey333]

Awesome comments by all.  Great to see so many intelligent and caring fans.  With all the hype of possible upcoming trades, what happens if the Twins do little or nothing at the deadline?  How will we all feel then?  I will be upset.  How about the rest of you?

[TheLeviathan]

6 minutes ago, Jeremy Nygaard said:

I think the organization is probably ok with their CF depth if Buxton sticks around. Celestino and Cave (I know) with Gordon and, potentially, Royce Lewis.

With no Buxton, the depth chart is scary. (But in that event, you're signing someone to a one-year deal hoping to cash in at this time next year.)

Maybe they are ok with that.  They shouldn't be.

[Major League Ready]

Nice plan!  The only thing I would do slightly different is move Donaldson if a good decent is available.  I think our chances of being a real contender in 2022 is very low.  By 2023 he will be in his age 37 season.   I would rather give Miranda or perhaps even Lewis a chance to get established in 2022.   Miranda is unlikely to ever be as good as Donaldson in his prime but there is a good chance he is as good as 37 y/o Josh Donaldson.  Take that money and invest in pitching or a SS next year and you are no worse in 2022 and better (probably) in 2023.  We would need to send money with him.  However, it could be distributed over this year and next with no obligation in 2023.

With Berrios leaving, this plan definitely does not bet on 2022 but it is also far from a rebuild.  Adding Ryan and Strotman to Balazovic / Duran / Canterino / Winder / Enlow / Sands plus whatever we get for Berrios and Pineda gives us a very good bet to establish 3-4 SPs over the remainder of this year and next.  That will provide the financial flexibility to retain Buxton, sign a top FA pitcher and even sign a SS if needed.