Article: Ron Gardenhire talks September roster

[ThePuck]

Not any sarcasm really. Many of us commonly point to an article or quote as clear proof of something when, in reality, it's quite probably not.

 

In this case, there's been quite a few sources though. It still makes no difference.

 

Short of having blind faith in a person's abilities, one looks at all the info available to try and form an informed opinion as to their performance.

[Mike Sixel]

so you are saying ryan lied last year?

[ThePuck]

so you are saying ryan lied last year?

 

No, that would be against TD policy. Besides, even if I was saying that, I was told before that it's okay he said that, all GMs do that.

[jay]

No, that would be against TD policy. Besides, even if I was saying that, I was told before that it's okay he said that, all GMs do that.

 

I literally LOL'd.

[golfboy1]

Nobody is arguing that he has great value. Several people have argued that he may have some trade value if the Twins pay his remaining salary. We're hearing they won't.

 

Alex Rios is owed $12.5 million next year and a $1 million buyout in 2015. The Sox 'spent' a million they owed Rios anyway, cleared 13.5 million in future salary space, and acquired a shortstop prospect who may well be as good as Escobar, but is two years younger.

 

The Cubs likely saved $2.5 million in salary and buyouts and will get a ptbnl who may very well turn out to be much more than "nothing" (as did Sulbaran) for a guy you acknowledge is about as good as Morneau. By the way, since NL teams need a pinch hitter nearly every game, Morneau's all bat value is that much more valuable there.

 

And they did it despite everyone in MLB knowing that they needed to get rid of DDJ, even by dfa'ing if necessary, to clear space for Lake, Bogusevic, and Jackson when he's healthy. DeJesus is at the very most a 4th OF on a contender, while Morneau could start 4 games a week if he platooned at one rumored destination, Pittsburgh.

 

 

Again, why should it matter to Ryan that teams want him to use the money he budgeted to pay Morneau to... pay Morneau? Because of the hit the franchise's bottom line will take when walk-up ticket sales plummet for 30 days after Morneau leaves?

 

The money is gone. There is no money. And it's extremely likely that soon, in either a few days or a few weeks, there will be no Morneau. All that remains to be seen is whether 30 days of Morneau farewell tour is worth trading for a prospect who may or may not turn out to be a sleeper prospect like Sulbaran.

 

Everyone gets that not seriously pursuing a 'cost-free Justin for some stripe of prospect' trade won't significantly diminish the future of the franchise. But to me, and maybe to others, it looks like the thought process that led them to that decision seems likely to hurt the Twins in the future.

 

 

I understand your POV...& agree with it to a certain extent. I'm just saying that it appears that Morneau has very little trade value & if other teams want the Twins to pay his salary & still just send a filler prospect I can see why Ryan would say no.

 

Regarding the others trades I mentioned. There are obvious differences but Rios is a far superior player than Morneau & they still only received a player who is probably equal to Escobar..plus the Twins also received Hernandez.

 

Dejesus was let go for cash considerations per BA.. ".Chicago received cash considerations from Washington, but more pertinently, they saved the remainder of DeJesus’ $4.25 million salary—an estimated $708,000 per month—plus his $1.5 million buyout for 2014."

 

Apparently neither of these players is as valuable as Butera since the Twins received a superior prospect in that trade (IMHO).

 

This argument can be flipped. Why won't the other team pay his salary if they think Morneau will help them win a playoff spot? How can a team be so blanking cheap they won't pay $3 million to help themselves win a playoff spot? My opinion is it is about more than just the money..ie.. the prospect in question is the holdup.

 

Another question. If it's ok to just dump Morneau for anything we can get, plus pay his salary why doesn't every team do this? Colorado could send Helton(plus money) packing. Seattle could trader off Ibanez, Morales, Morse. I'm sure I could think of a few others that fall into the same category. Teams will take these players if they get them for no money & a bag of balls.

 

 

I respect your POV but I'm willing to give the Twins/Ryan enough credit that if they could get a reasonable prospect in return, the money would not be the holdup...since it's been stated plenty that the Twins owe Morneau the money regardless

[jay]

The Pirates just acquired Byrd and Buck. We can probably count them out on Morneau. The prospect they gave up was #10-20 range in their org, maybe Niko Goodrum-ish. The Pirates got a guy producing better than Morneau AND a solid backup C better than Butera. The Mets are also covering some of the $1.25M due to Buck.

 

Not sure that's positive news for what we could get for Morneau, even paying every last cent he's due.

[drjim]

Some noise that Baltimore and Pittsburgh have interest in Morneau.

 

Interesting quote as it relates to our debate:

 

Morneau has cleared waivers, and word has been that the Twins are willing to pay some of the close to $3 million left on Morneau's $14 million salary, depending on the prospect worth returned in a trade. The Pirates showed they are willing to dig into their farm system when they sent middle-infield prospect Dilson Herrera and a player to be named to the Mets, but so far they've deemed the Twins' requests as high.

 

Pirates looking at Morneau after landing Marlon Byrd - CBSSports.com

 

I stand by my prediction that the Twins will give in and move Morneau near Aug 31 for basically no return.