Twins “showing interest” in Trevor Story

[AlwaysinModeration]

Dan Hayes of the Athletic reports the Twins have been in touch with Story’s agent.

MLB Trade Rumors had projected Story would get six years, $126mm.  Maybe the Twins could get him for 5/110?

With Donaldson and Kiner-Falefa gone, the left side of the infield is wide open…for Jose Miranda and Trevor Story (and some Gio Urshela.)

Story posted a (BBRef) 4.2 WAR last year and 6+ WAR in 2 of his 6 seasons, finishing top 11 in the MVP voting in 2018, 2019 and 2020.  He excels at defense and offensively as well.

if the Twins sign Story, the madness of the past three days begins to make a whole lot more sense…

 

 

[wsnydes]

I have to imagine that something is in the works, whether it be with Story or something else.  Still some offseason left to make changes to the roster.

[TwinsDr2021]

1 hour ago, AlwaysinModeration said:

if the Twins sign Story, the madness of the past three days begins to make a whole lot more sense…

Swapping out Donaldson's contract for Story's kind of makes sense, because you have Arraez and Miranda to play 3rd, Swapping out 2 of your top 3 catchers and Donaldson for Story, Gio and Sanchez doesn't really seem like the team got better.

[big dog]

Ah but...what if we add Story and DREW BUTERA??? How about that?

[Squirrel]

2 hours ago, AlwaysinModeration said:

Dan Hayes of the Athletic reports the Twins have been in touch with Story’s agent.

I agree that if we get him ... AND they sign another backup catcher ... it makes some sense. But we've heard this before, until someone else gives him the extra year or extra million we wouldn't. And then we end up going with the reclamation project. Further, I don't like that we've traded away TWO of our catchers, with no one coming up any time soon. Sanchez is not the backup anyone should want when Jeffers needs a rest or has to go on concussion watch. And we lost the only bit of spark we had in the clubhouse with Donaldson.

[Hannytwinsguy]

Not a big fan of the Donaldson trade for Sanchez and Urshala, but maybe they flip them for pitching and sign Story? Hopefully. 

[wsnydes]

33 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

I agree that if we get him ... AND they sign another backup catcher ... it makes some sense. But we've heard this before, until someone else gives him the extra year or extra million we wouldn't. And then we end up going with the reclamation project. Further, I don't like that we've traded away TWO of our catchers, with no one coming up any time soon. Sanchez is not the backup anyone should want when Jeffers needs a rest or has to go on concussion watch. And we lost the only bit of spark we had in the clubhouse with Donaldson.

Sanchez seems redundant unless he actually does catch, which I agree, we don't want.  So that leaves Sanchez at DH, which this team already has plenty of in house options for, namely Sano.

I have to imagine that he gets flipped.

[dex8425]

This would be electrifying. I think Story makes the team better. Urshela, Story, Polanco is a solid defensive infield. Even with losing Donaldson. 

[dex8425]

45 minutes ago, Hannytwinsguy said:

Not a big fan of the Donaldson trade for Sanchez and Urshala, but maybe they flip them for pitching and sign Story? Hopefully. 

It was primarily a salary dump, so it makes sense. I can't see why they'd keep Sanchez though. 

[Rosterman]

It's not a matter of getting him for, perhaps, $110/5years. It is what Story wants and feels he needs to get. I don't suspect he will go cheap but, yes, you might be able to get him for less years, albeit for more money.

 

The Twins will still see potential in Lewis, Martin and hopefully Larnach. But all three could end up as corner outfielders, as Kepler is not necessarily a lon gterm answer in right. So signing a long-term shortstop is not out of the questions...bridging the gap to the Wander Javier decade (sic). The Twins do have a couple of prospects that may be 4-5 years away from fulltime work at shortstop in the majors.

[strumdatjag]

Am I the only one who is curiously awaiting the arrival of either Martin or Lewis as shortstop of the future later in this season?

[dex8425]

1 minute ago, strumdatjag said:

Am I the only one who is curiously awaiting the arrival of either Martin or Lewis as shortstop of the future later in this season?

I don't think that happens unless the team is very, very bad. So I am hoping that doesn't happen. I don't think Martin ever plays SS in the big leagues. Lewis needs to show he can hit at AAA first. 

[strumdatjag]

8 minutes ago, dex8425 said:

I don't think that happens unless the team is very, very bad. So I am hoping that doesn't happen. I don't think Martin ever plays SS in the big leagues. Lewis needs to show he can hit at AAA first. 

Probably true.  But this rotation, even with Sonny Gray, isn’t going to take them very far.  So I have a hard time seeing the hurry in signing Trevor Story to a 4 year commitment. 

[LastOnePicked]

When it comes to free agents, we've heard this Story before. Here's how it ends (choose your own adventure):

1) We get outbid.

2) We offer more, Story rejects the offer and then we read the tweet rumors that Story didn't want to be here.

3) In a panic, we wildly outbid every other team. Story signs and underperforms his contract in the first year and fans declare him a bust. FO pays heavily for one of the top payroll teams to take his final contract years off our hands.

We had Kiner-Falefa. We had something resembling a plan. And then we get all this garbage, which now gives us huge holes at 3B, SS and C all while clinging to the hope that we're going to sign a "big name."

I've been wrong before. But, man, I'm mad.

[farmerguychris]

The possibility of getting Story here makes me even more excited for the season to start!  Hope the news comes across soon!  If we can't get FA pitchers here, at least we can do our best to get a lot of runs across the plate.

As far as pitchers go, I wouldn't be surprised if we're done getting new starters.  Gray, Ryan, Bundy, Dobnak, and 1 of our young guns could be what we end up with to start the year.  Maeda may be playing in 22 as well.  

Still need some help in the pen, but that never seems hard to find.

Don't know anything about Gio, but read on Yankee pages that they are pretty pissed they traded him and even saw posts about wanting the Yanks GM Cashman fired over it.

If we signed Story, and if we bring up Miranda - I think Gio could be a great SS/3B sub who could possibly also play 2?

Getting interesting!

 

[Squirrel]

15 minutes ago, strumdatjag said:

Probably true.  But this rotation, even with Sonny Gray, isn’t going to take them very far.  So I have a hard time seeing the hurry in signing Trevor Story to a 4 year commitment. 

If you aren’t going to sign enough proven, above-average pitching, then you absolutely need a solid, proven infield to help backup the young, unproven pitching. Having neither will make for a worse season this year than last, imo, and then why trade away one of your better pitching prospects for Gray? That’s where I’m at with it. If you are going to go with the prospects for pitching, have a quality infield. Or go out and get quality pitching. I don’t think the Twins are done with their maneuvering, but I really hope they aren’t out-maneuvered in the process.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

55 minutes ago, Rosterman said:

It's not a matter of getting him for, perhaps, $110/5years. It is what Story wants and feels he needs to get. I don't suspect he will go cheap but, yes, you might be able to get him for less years, albeit for more money.

 

The Twins will still see potential in Lewis, Martin and hopefully Larnach. But all three could end up as corner outfielders, as Kepler is not necessarily a lon gterm answer in right. So signing a long-term shortstop is not out of the questions...bridging the gap to the Wander Javier decade (sic). The Twins do have a couple of prospects that may be 4-5 years away from fulltime work at shortstop in the majors.

Noah Miller looked good in a spring training inter-squad game last week. He hit a homer over the right field fence. I know, I know, that and $5.50 will get you a tall , hot caramel macchiato with almond milk at Starbucks. 

[Obsvr]

18 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

If you aren’t going to sign enough proven, above-average pitching, then you absolutely need a solid, proven infield to help backup the young, unproven pitching. Having neither will make for a worse season this year than last, imo, and then why trade away one of your better pitching prospects for Gray? 

because Petty is 4-5 years away from the majors and there is no guarantee that he is going to even make it.  If he was a top 5 overall pick, I might question it, but I think for the current on field product, its an excellent swap.

[dex8425]

39 minutes ago, strumdatjag said:

Probably true.  But this rotation, even with Sonny Gray, isn’t going to take them very far.  So I have a hard time seeing the hurry in signing Trevor Story to a 4 year commitment. 

Twins likely aren't done adding to the rotation. But if they aren't, we still need a good defensive infield to backup those young starters. Story's defense is elite and will improve the pitching just by him playing SS.

[chpettit19]

41 minutes ago, strumdatjag said:

Probably true.  But this rotation, even with Sonny Gray, isn’t going to take them very far.  So I have a hard time seeing the hurry in signing Trevor Story to a 4 year commitment. 

The other 3 (likely more) years on his deal still count. I never understand the idea that signing a good player to a long term deal is bad if there are holes in other parts of the roster. Fill your SS hole for the next handful of years so you don't have the same exact hole in the roster next year. And I'd think they're still looking to add pitching, too. But generally speaking it's never bad to add talent for multiple years. Only problem is if you're wrong on that talent and you get Chris Davis deal that destroys your team.

[JFeist5]

8 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

The other 3 (likely more) years on his deal still count. I never understand the idea that signing a good player to a long term deal is bad if there are holes in other parts of the roster. Fill your SS hole for the next handful of years so you don't have the same exact hole in the roster next year. And I'd think they're still looking to add pitching, too. But generally speaking it's never bad to add talent for multiple years. Only problem is if you're wrong on that talent and you get Chris Davis deal that destroys your team.

Exactly! You got to sign studs when you can. If you are going to bank on unproven players in the farm system to propel you to the playoffs/WS in a few years, using the available funds and space you have now is smart. Twins have better minor league pitching depth than SS depth, plus no FA SPs out there, so makes sense to strengthen the SS position. Even if Martin or Lewis develop to the potential we hope, no team has ever been upset they signed a stud and at that point you consider the options and can trade him or have better team depth.

[Squirrel]

26 minutes ago, Obsvr said:

because Petty is 4-5 years away from the majors and there is no guarantee that he is going to even make it.  If he was a top 5 overall pick, I might question it, but I think for the current on field product, its an excellent swap.

I don't have a problem with trading Petty for Gray ... unless you have no intentions of making this year and next year viable, competitive years, then what does it matter having Gray at all? I don't think it's a good swap because I don't think the on field product right now is good. IF you sign Story and another true backup C, and another pitcher (or two), then it makes sense. Until then? Ugh ... we have two years of Gray and a bad team.

[MN_ExPat]

44 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

If you aren’t going to sign enough proven, above-average pitching, then you absolutely need a solid, proven infield to help backup the young, unproven pitching. Having neither will make for a worse season this year than last, imo, and then why trade away one of your better pitching prospects for Gray? That’s where I’m at with it. If you are going to go with the prospects for pitching, have a quality infield. Or go out and get quality pitching. I don’t think the Twins are done with their maneuvering, but I really hope they aren’t out-maneuvered in the process.

I'm not sure it's a matter of getting "out-maneuvered" necessarily.  Generally teams/FOs try to make deals work out mutually for each (at least as best that they can),  If a GM gains a reputation for screwing other teams, no one is going to take them seriously for long.

Not to say though that GMs don't make questionable decisions in who they want to trade for though  .

[Squirrel]

5 minutes ago, MN_ExPat said:

I'm not sure it's a matter of getting "out-maneuvered" necessarily.  Generally teams/FOs try to make deals work out mutually for each (at least as best that they can),  If a GM gains a reputation for screwing other teams, no one is going to take them seriously for long.

Not to say though that GMs don't make questionable decisions in who they want to trade for though  .

What I meant by 'out-maneuvered' was ... counting on having enough money to make a deal, then letting another team outbid you because, 'oh my, we can't go that high, even with the surplus we have to use'. Not that any specific team will 'screw' us ... we will screw ourselves. So maybe it's we out-maneuver ourselves with this when we don't pull the trigger.

[Trov]

As soon as I heard of the trade with Yankees I said no way is that last of what FO is doing.  I said most likely it means they are either doing another trade with a guy on a big contract, or they are going after Story.  I also said I bet Sanchez gets flipped as well.  

If this happened pre 2019 we would be singing praises of the OF to get Sanchez.  However since the second half of 2019 he has been terrible on both sides of the ball.  He has shown some power still but overall he has been terrible.  Garver has not been healthy, but when he was last year he was putting up some good numbers again.  

[chpettit19]

5 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

What I meant by 'out-maneuvered' was ... counting on having enough money to make a deal, then letting another team outbid you because, 'oh my, we can't go that high, even with the surplus we have to use'. Not that any specific team will 'screw' us ... we will screw ourselves. So maybe it's we out-maneuver ourselves with this when we don't pull the trigger.

They definitely need to hit on some more moves and sign some more players for these moves to make sense. Worst case scenario is definitely coming out of all this without a star on board. I applaud the attempt at a real shakeup, but they better hit on a big name or it's a disaster.

[cHawk]

They better get it done. My hopes are high and they better not let me down.

[Vanimal46]

2 minutes ago, Trov said:

 I said most likely it means they are either doing another trade with a guy on a big contract, or they are going after Story.  

 

We could have afforded Story pre-trade. But now this allows the Twins to sign Story to a $20-27.5 million AAV contract and be in a position to take on another team’s salary dump for pitching… Maybe San Diego thinks about shedding a contract on their pitching staff now that Tatis Jr. will be out 2-3 months. Oakland is always a wild card who could trade one or both of Manaea and Montas. 

[Squirrel]

2 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

They definitely need to hit on some more moves and sign some more players for these moves to make sense. Worst case scenario is definitely coming out of all this without a star on board. I applaud the attempt at a real shakeup, but they better hit on a big name or it's a disaster.

Even if they do hit on a big name, I'm not sure a complete shake up is good? Although I have no idea what the clubhouse is like and having so many 'new' personalities in it will do, or if it even makes a difference or will have an affect. We are talking about professionals, BUT, winning teams do 'click'. Yeah, okay ... now I'm 'arguing' intangibles  

[chpettit19]

3 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

Even if they do hit on a big name, I'm not sure a complete shake up is good? Although I have no idea what the clubhouse is like and having so many 'new' personalities in it will do, or if it even makes a difference or will have an affect. We are talking about professionals, BUT, winning teams do 'click'. Yeah, okay ... now I'm 'arguing' intangibles  

It can't be worse than last year and 18 straight playoff loses! Shortened spring training gives them all a chance to come together and bond quick while creating a new identity for the team. Right? Or at least that's what I'm going to tell myself. Complete shake up is good if they win!