Houston's Bud Norris on Twins' radar?

[Parker Hageman]

Yes, says 1500ESPN.com’s Darren Wolfson. According to Wolfson, the Astros’ 28-year-old right-handed starter is a potential target for some on the inside of the Twins’ front office.

 

Writes Wolfson following a conversation with Twins VP of Player Personnel Mike Radcliff:

 

The Twins aren't necessarily just sellers. They could trade for a player signed beyond this year. "It's a possibility," vice president of player personnel Mike Radcliff said. "Nothing is imminent." Radcliff would neither confirm nor deny, but a league source said the Twins have some interest in Houston pitcher Bud Norris. He's under team control through 2015, so it's not a guarantee he goes anywhere. In addition to the Twins, a handful of other teams like him.

 

Norris is the Astros’ top starter and possibly the most valuable commodity that they have. At 28-years-old, he’s making just $3M this year and will have two more years of club control past this season. Because of that, the Astros are bound to ask for some top flight prospects in return.

 

Norris has seen his strikeout rate decline since the transition to the American League – dropping from 23% to 16% (below league average of 20%). Admittedly, he has baseball’s worst defenses behind him. Houston has converted just 67.1% of balls in play into outs. Likewise, their 71 errors are the second-most in the game. Having to face a higher percentage of hitters and a more difficult league with a designated hitter means his strikeout rate will inevitably decline.

 

For the Twins, I’d place the likelihood of this happening at roughly 3%.

[ThePuck]

Norris has seen his strikeout rate decline since the transition to the American League – dropping from 23% to 16% (below league average of 20%).

 

They likely weren't interested until this happened :-)

 

Anyway, his WHIP suggests that ERA is a mirage. Even so, he moved to the AL and his ERA+ is better than he's ever finished a season with. So that's something I guess.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

For the Twins, I’d place the likelihood of this happening at roughly 3%.

 

...and you're rounding up. I'd pass anyway. Of course, that's coming from the perspective that Norris' WHIP and K/9 killed my fantasy team.

[nicksaviking]

Not intersted as the asking price will be high. He's not a front of the rotation guy. Decent pitcher but not special enough for a top prospect. That K/9 would rank 6th compared to Detroit's five starters. I'm tired of the Twins considering these kind or arms "Aces."

[ThePuck]

Not intersted as the asking price will be high. He's not a front of the rotation guy. Decent pitcher but not special enough for a top prospect. That K/9 would rank 6th compared to Detroit's five starters. I'm tired of the Twins considering these kind or arms "Aces."

 

A little off topic but since you brought up Detroit's rotation, why do you think Leyland sticks with Porcello when they have Smyly?

[ThePuck]

...and you're rounding up. I'd pass anyway. Of course, that's coming from the perspective that Norris' WHIP and K/9 killed my fantasy team.

 

If you were counting on Norris to not kill your team, there were other problems on that team. just sayin' :-)

[snepp]

A little off topic but since you brought up Detroit's rotation, why do you think Leyland sticks with Porcello when they have Smyly?

 

A sub-4 ERA since his 2/3rd inning debacle on April 20th probably has something to do with it.

[ThePuck]

A sub-4 ERA since his 2/3rd inning debacle on April 20th probably has something to do with it.

 

You think he's better than Smyly?

[snepp]

You think he's better than Smyly?

 

Yes, that's exactly what I said.

 

 

 

/pokerface

[howieramone1406390264]

I think he would look good in a Twins uniform. Last time I looked even a non-ace might able to squeeze himself into our rotation.

 

Jeremy, I think bringing up your fantasy team maybe a conflict of interest.

[JeffB]

Whether Norris or someone else, I like the idea that the Twins might look to add MLB-ready starting pitching. Relying on their arms in the minors in order to be "competitive" in 2014-15 is iffy. On a related note, where might our surplus of prospects be that could be used for such an arm? That scares me.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Pass.

[ThePuck]

Yes, that's exactly what I said.

 

 

 

/pokerface

 

I didn't say you said it, I was just asking what you thought. With that pokerface, not sure what you think :-)

[nicksaviking]

A little off topic but since you brought up Detroit's rotation, why do you think Leyland sticks with Porcello when they have Smyly?

 

Wasn't the belief that coming out of spring training Porcello had the job for a possible audition for a trade? There were plenty of rumors, that's for sure. I can't say I've seen him pitch a ton, but I'm guessing he's pitching better than his ERA suggests. His K/9 has jumped nearly 2 points while his WHIP has lowered significantly as has his BB/9. He's probably earned that spot now. Even if Smyly had actually earned it going into the season.

[howieramone1406390264]

Whether Norris or someone else, I like the idea that the Twins might look to add MLB-ready starting pitching. Relying on their arms in the minors in order to be "competitive" in 2014-15 is iffy. On a related note, where might our surplus of prospects be that could be used for such an arm? That scares me.

 

Completely agree with you, but if any team is desperate for prospects it's Houston. If we can deal multiple prospects, without giving up muscle, I'd talk. Their farm system has taken a leap, but when you pass on Buxton and make the deal they made, you know they are looking further down the road.

[ThePuck]

Wasn't the belief that coming out of spring training Porcello had the job for a possible audition for a trade? There were plenty of rumors, that's for sure.

 

I don't know, maybe. I don't remember hearing that, but it's certainly possible...I wouldn't doubt it.

 

Maybe we should try and get Smyly. I have a feeling he'd be our ace and he can't crack the Tigers' rotation. :-)

[snepp]

I didn't say you said it, I was just asking what you thought. With that pokerface, not sure what you think :-)

 

I think it's a combination of Porcello pitching really well as the Tigers "worst" starter, and their bullpen being a disaster outside of Benoit. In their position right now, I don't know if the small upgrade to the rotation is worth the potential collapse of their pen (which Smyly is almost single-handedly holding together pre-9th inning).

[cmb0252]

No thanks

[ThePuck]

I think it's a combination of Porcello pitching really well as the Tigers "worst" starter, and their bullpen being a disaster outside of Benoit. In their position right now, I don't know if the small upgrade to the rotation is worth the potential collapse of their pen (which Smyly is almost single-handedly holding together pre-9th inning).

 

Interesting. Thanks for the insight.

[snepp]

Interesting. Thanks for the insight.

 

To go a step further, Porcello may be pitching his way into being a half-decent trade chip. Assuming he doesn't do a faceplant I think they deal him in the offseason, look for bullpen help somewhere (or get some in return for Porcello), and give Smyly that rotation spot heading into spring training.

 

Or maybe they keep him as the #5 and move Fister instead. Either way they'll need serious help in the pen, Benoit being a free agent adds to it as well.

[ThePuck]

To go a step further, Porcello may be pitching his way into being a half-decent trade chip. Assuming he doesn't do a faceplant I think they deal him in the offseason, look for bullpen help somewhere (or get some in return for Porcello), and give Smyly that rotation spot heading into spring training.

 

Or maybe they keep him as the #5 and move Fister instead. Either way they'll need serious help in the pen, Benoit being a free agent adds to it as well.

 

Going the extra mile...thanks, man!

[PseudoSABR]

I'd prefer Gallardo if we go this route, but it's encouraging that they are taking advantage of available pitching--which is something we complain that they don't do enough.

[ThePuck]

I'd prefer Gallardo if we go this route, but it's encouraging that they are taking advantage of available pitching--which is something we complain that they don't do enough.

 

We don't know they are actually doing anything yet. Kicking tires isn't doing anything. Do, or do not. There is no try.

[ThePuck]

Braun has been suspended for remainder of the season.

[PseudoSABR]

Woodson's article also says the Twins had interest in Arrieta before he was traded to the Cubs.

[jorgenswest]

I don't see how it would happen.

 

Starters are in short supply. Teams in contention should and will be more willing to overpay. The Twins have no reason to overpay right now.

[Brandon]

Whether Norris or someone else, I like the idea that the Twins might look to add MLB-ready starting pitching. Relying on their arms in the minors in order to be "competitive" in 2014-15 is iffy. On a related note, where might our surplus of prospects be that could be used for such an arm? That scares me.

 

We could trade the prospect we get for Morneau plus Baxendale and The 1b Hicks that just got promoted to High A. if thats too much swap out Hicks for a lesser prospect Levi or something.

 

I dont think Baxendale has too high of a ceiling, Hicks has some power and is around the league average in age so he has some potential and i do not know what we get for Morneau but to say we got A major leaguer would sit better with fans i think. We can also throw in a reliever instead of a prospect too as there are so many way to match up with the astros on this one. I am confident enough on TR to have better judgement than me and not trade too much.

 

Anyway you look at it there should be enough prospects down there to get the value the Astros need as right now they need just about everything.

[notoriousgod71]

Woodson's article also says the Twins had interest in Arrieta before he was traded to the Cubs.

 

So we clearly didn't learn from any of the past 20 seasons. Arrieta and Norris are marginally better than what we have now. I don't care if we win 68 games or 58. Either go big or go home.

[PseudoSABR]

So we clearly didn't learn from any of the past 20 seasons. Arrieta and Norris are marginally better than what we have now. I don't care if we win 68 games or 58. Either go big or go home.

I agree, but I'm happy to see that they are looking for pitchers in all capacities.

[Oxtung]

We could trade the prospect we get for Morneau plus Baxendale and The 1b Hicks that just got promoted to High A. if thats too much swap out Hicks for a lesser prospect Levi or something.

 

I dont think Baxendale has too high of a ceiling, Hicks has some power and is around the league average in age so he has some potential and i do not know what we get for Morneau but to say we got A major leaguer would sit better with fans i think. We can also throw in a reliever instead of a prospect too as there are so many way to match up with the astros on this one. I am confident enough on TR to have better judgement than me and not trade too much.

 

Anyway you look at it there should be enough prospects down there to get the value the Astros need as right now they need just about everything.

 

I think it would take considerably more than that to move Norris given his years of control left. My guess is you're looking at a top 75-125 talent plus a another 100-200 prospect. Something like Kepler and Berrios, but that is just an uneducated guess without looking up comps so it's probably worth the paper it's written on.