That's a very interesting point. I don't think I've ever seen a case where a non-contending team blocked a contending team from a waiver pickup so they could keep their guy front and center. But it would work - provided the Mariners didn't then block Willingham.

 

You can even play out the logic in making the claim: pick up Morse from the M's and move Morneau, you fill the hole short-term at 1B, you still save money, net-net, and maybe breakeven or better in the prospects you either move or acquire in Willingham and Morneau trades. Plus, Morse is due for a bounceback in 2014, and the Twins get a headstart in the chances at signing him and keeping him off the FA market before it even opens.

Not trying to take cheap shots, but I really don't think the Twins FO is capable of thinking that far outside the box. Sorry, but I just don't think they even considered that.

 

Not to mention, that judging by their asking price, they didn't have any serious intentions of trading him to begin with.

 

Which again, begs the question, why did they bother in the first place?

You can even play out the logic in making the claim: pick up Morse from the M's and move Morneau, you fill the hole short-term at 1B, you still save money, net-net, and maybe breakeven or better in the prospects you either move or acquire in Willingham and Morneau trades. Plus, Morse is due for a bounceback in 2014, and the Twins get a headstart in the chances at signing him and keeping him off the FA market before it even opens.

 

This is actually a really good idea, one that I would have given a ton of credit to Ryan if he had pulled off.

Hats off to you sir.

I don't fault Ryan for asking for the player he wanted. Hard to say what the Oriole's counter-offer was, unless i missed that. 2013 Willingham has been a shadow of last year's version, but I am hopeful a combination of good health and the incentive of upcoming free-agency may lead to a nice rebound next year, increasing his value.

The stinker would be if the Twins just gave the Orioles Willingham. Then the Orioles would be on the hook for Willingham's salary. Sure, the Twins could block by claiming Morse and making the Mariners give him to us, and then throwing him on last minute waivers for whomever, if that would happen.

 

The Orioles blacked a bunch of guys from going forward. They basically don't have to offer anything except salary relief and call a team's bluff. I almost think the Twins should've,m but then Ramirez went on the DL. Sure, we have Thomas and Mastro (and Hicks), but looks like another month for Willingham to redeem himself.

 

The Twins sure like the smell of their...crap!

The Twins should not have blocked Morse. That would alienate the Mariners and any other team interested. In the future, we don't need the Mariners or other non contenders blocking all players of value the Twins placed on waivers. It would probably upset Morse also. He doesn't want to move away from his family to play for a team going nowhere.

 

John is correct. Noncontending teams don't do this.

Twins wanted a legitimate prospect for Willingham (reportedly Eduardo Rodriguez) and I don't blame them. The fact that the Twins didn't trade Willingham for Avery should demonstrate that their sole goal is NOT to shed salary.

Edited August 31, 201313 yr by PseudoSABR

Not to mention that Avery kind of sucks. I'm glad that the Twins were asking for a legit prospect for Willy. I find it funny how many on this board felt that Willingham shouldn't even be on the block before the season began and now many think he should be given away for nothing. Or that some think the Twins don't spend enough money and that they should send Willy packing for basically nothing in return.

 

willingham is the kind of veteran gamble the team should be taking while the prospects are coming up. He's cheapish with one year left on his contract and I really don't want guys like Arcia and Sano pressed into the 3/4 spots in the order like Hicks led off this year.

Twins wanted a legitimate prospect for Willingham (reportedly Eduardo Rodriguez) and I don't blame them. The fact that the Twins didn't trade Willingham for Avery should demonstrate that their sole goal is to shed salary.

 

I think you meant "goal is NOT to shed salary"

 

If salary relief is what this is about, they could have giving Willingham away. I do think it would be wise to ask for a decent spec, and Xavier Avery was not that. Willingham has one more year left, and his value is low right now. It could easily be much higher next year and I cannot imagine it will be much lower.

This is actually a really good idea, one that I would have given a ton of credit to Ryan if he had pulled off.

Hats off to you sir.

And doing this wouldn't give you a certain reputation as a GM? This would make me far more mad then hearing a high price for a player, even if I thought it was absurd, if I was another teams GM. Sometimes teams will pay a ridiculously high price, but this move is just against the essence of waivers (AA style)

And doing this wouldn't give you a certain reputation as a GM? This would make me far more mad then hearing a high price for a player, even if I thought it was absurd, if I was another teams GM. Sometimes teams will pay a ridiculously high price, but this move is just against the essence of waivers (AA style)

 

Why would it give you a bad rep? In his idea (that I quoted), it was just for gamesmanship, it would be to replace Morneau at 1B.