Trading Places: Could Twins End Up with Brandon Crawford at Shortstop?

[ashbury]

The phrase "better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven" comes to mind, where Crawford's preference is concerned. Not that I like the idea of the Twins being anybody's Baseball Hell. But here we apparently are; kudos, Pohlads and FalVine.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

31 minutes ago, Nick Nelson said:

If people don't think there's a chance Crawford accepts the trade, that's fine. Probably correct. But the idea he's not a legit upgrade over Farmer is puzzling to me. The Reds moved away from Farmer as their SS in August last year. The REDS! Here are their fWARs over the past 3 seasons:

2022
Farmer - 1.4
Crawford - 2.0

2021
Farmer - 1.9
Crawford - 6.4

2020
Farmer - 0.2
Crawford - 1.6

That's before you account for the off-the-field intangibles, which honestly is what I think would be the primary driver for the Twins pursuing a player like him. They're reeling from what they lost in that regard with Correa almost as much as the on-field impact. If there are other guys out there who could fill that void, I'm all ears.

Based on what I read, Vasquez will be a good veteran clubhouse presence. Buck and Gray seem to be a good leaders. I do agree that positive veteran leadership  is important to any ballclub. I'm sorry it won't be Correa. 

[Mike Sixel]

I initially thought this was a good idea. Now I'm not sure. Imo, this team isn't a legit playoff team. They should not be dealing prospects away. If anything, they should be trading veteran players off. 

Sixteen million a year for a guy you hope only plays half a year seems like an odd investment for a team that won't sign elite players.

 

[hitterscount]

So many needs… so many unproven players with a history of injuries and just not a day or two, months. Crawford does nothing to improve this team, more glaring needs at 1st and the OF. 

[Nick Nelson]

I don't think Crawford would cost much of anything in terms of prospects, which is part of the appeal. His remaining contract (1 yr/$16M) is probably about neutral value. 

[Mike Sixel]

1 minute ago, Nick Nelson said:

I don't think Crawford would cost much of anything in terms of prospects, which is part of the appeal. His remaining contract (1 yr/$16M) is probably about neutral value. 

He's a great utility player or decent 3B on a team trying to win it all. If he costs any prospects, and your best case scenario is that Lewis plays SS this year at some point, I don't get why I'm giving up prospects? Why give up prospects for a guy you hope doesn't play half the year?

[twinssporto]

I'd rather play Farmer or just bring in some young guys. At least I would enjoy watching that instead...

[JD-TWINS]

5 hours ago, mike8791 said:

I'll have what Nick's drinking.  Really, why is everyone so down on Farmer?  He is a perfectly acceptable fill-in until one of the rooks is ready, that is providing the Wonder Boys fill in several gaping holes that still exist.

TWINS fan since ‘68……live in Cinti past 30 plus years and see Farmer play all the time. Solid - not flashy. I suggested in one of these forums 90 days ago that we should see what we could get for Urshella & get Farmer to fill void at SS due to Correa leaving inevitably. We saved about $3million in salary for similar offense & opened a spot for Miranda with Urshella trade/Farmer acquisition.

He’s a great bridge to 1 of the 3 SS prospects we have in system. Last June Lewis was going to be the heir apparent for ‘23 “….when Correa opted out….” after about 8 games. Now we seem to think we need to spend a 1/4 of a billion for a shortstop or we’ll be terrible. Makes no sense.

Please spend on pitching!!!!

[adorduan]

36 year old SS don't age well....

[dex8425]

7 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

He pretty much willed the Giants to 107 wins in 2021.

Dang, he was really good in 2021. Posey and Gausman were solid too but you're right he was the best player on the team that year.

[Stew]

I don't believe it's a good  idea. He may be a better fielder than farmer. But farmer is clearly a better hitter. Plus farmer is younger. Also we don't need a ton of one year deals.

[MGM4706]

With the new Banker in charge they will probably move Polanco back to short and put Arrez at 2nd and call it a Profitable Day!;

[Mark G]

17 hours ago, Nick Nelson said:

If people don't think there's a chance Crawford accepts the trade, that's fine. Probably correct. But the idea he's not a legit upgrade over Farmer is puzzling to me. The Reds moved away from Farmer as their SS in August last year. The REDS! Here are their fWARs over the past 3 seasons:

2022
Farmer - 1.4
Crawford - 2.0

2021
Farmer - 1.9
Crawford - 6.4

2020
Farmer - 0.2
Crawford - 1.6

That's before you account for the off-the-field intangibles, which honestly is what I think would be the primary driver for the Twins pursuing a player like him. They're reeling from what they lost in that regard with Correa almost as much as the on-field impact. If there are other guys out there who could fill that void, I'm all ears.

I don't pretend to speak for anyone else, I am far too extremely humble for that ?, but my issues with this would be 1) age - he appears to be declining with age.  2) price - how much of the salary do we cover and how much, if any would SF be willing to cover.  3) He is a SS - he has never played anything but SS and would be brought here to play SS.  That moves Farmer into........what?  We moved Urshella to save salary and open a position, and brought in Farmer because of his experience at SS.  Farmer would now not be SS, and I ask myself how many super utility players does one team need before it becomes a game of musical chairs with someone always without a chair.  And last, but not least, 4) we are not signing a FA and only spending money, we have to send a body (bodies?) as well, and I would rather save that kind of capital for a different kind of trade, not trading for another infielder on a team loaded with infielders (if you count almost ready prospects).  Now if it was purely low level end prospects and SF was willing to eat a considerable portion of the salary, it would definitely be more palatable, but that still leaves the game of infield musical chairs with Arraez, Miranda, Farmer, Polanco, potentially Kirilloff, and now Crawford.  And I wish I had a dollar for every mention of the guys coming up in the next year or two that would crowd the field (pardon the pun) even more.  And Crawford would definitely be a one year stop gap, so I wouldn't move any of the others to clear roster spots or free up playing time.  

At the end of the day, as much as I like the guy and would enjoy watching him play the game, it is the kind of move a true contender makes, not a team that can't decide if it is trying to be "competitive" ( I have come to hate that word) in a poor division or rebuild, and either way it is far too little for either scenario.  

[Dan In Real Life]

Actually I really like this idea, assuming you don't give up a lot for Crawford. Really the only one this wouldn't be good for us ... Crawford. Dang.

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, Dan In Real Life said:

Actually I really like this idea, assuming you don't give up a lot for Crawford. Really the only one this wouldn't be good for us ... Crawford. Dang.

I'd give up nothing to get a guy that you want Lewis to replace by June. Well, money. But not players.

[mrtwinsfan]

On 12/15/2022 at 9:40 AM, Thebigalguy said:

I don't mind a trade, but not for a guy with one year on his contract at his age. Farmer can get the job done at SS. and the idea of trading Arraez is horsemeat. My contention is that the Twins have what they need on the roster and in the minors if most players live up to their potential and stay healthy. A good starting staff and a trustworthy catcher, with Jeffers under less pressure to grow, a premier relief staff, the batting king to lead off, some pop and power here and there, a premier defensive outfield. Infield defense is a possible weakness. I think we can be playoff bound with what we have.

Please,  Can i have some ??

[jorgenswest]

For this to work the Twins need to take on the contract and get the better of prospects in return. If the Giants add someone in their 5-7 range like Carson Whisenhunt in return for someone like Sabato or Enlow it is a deal that could make sense given the roster position they are in today.