Article: Eddie Rosario as a Trade Chip

[Badsmerf]

I don't think either have much trade value right now. I like both a lot and am excited about them, but to have value other GM's have to feel the same way. Right now I'm doubtful that is the case. Would you trade a guy like Meyer for Rosario or Dozier? I probably wouldn't, and I'm not even super high on Meyer. I would hope the Twins would try to exhaust all options before trading one of them.... unless a deal is good of course. If a deal arose similar to the Span-Meyer trade you have to seriously consider it.

 

I don't think anyone outside of Buxton, Sano, Meyer (trading pitching would be dumb) are untouchable.

[josecordoba]

Rosario and Berrios seems low for Price. Perhaps Rosario and Meyer/Gibson gets the Rays to at least consider it. The Twins then would probably need to do a 5 Year Deal in the Neighborhood of 100 Million to make a Price deal worthwhile.

[DJL44]

Not the guy I'd be looking to deal. There are other prospects who probably should be traded before their stock falls - Max Kepler and Travis Harrison come to mind - but the Twins have little depth in the middle infield.

[twinsnorth49]

Maybe I'm wrong but I didn't think the OP indicated this is something we should do this winter, so I don't get the whole "too early" crowd. If Dozier continues his current play next spring then you'd at least have to explore the possibility come the trade deadine.

 

I'm still hopeful that Dozier can translate his play to SS though and by 2015 we have them both and by some miracle we acquire some SP depth somewhere along the way.

[Trevor0333]

Rosario is seriously being under rated here. Dozier's been a definite bright spot & I'm all for rolling with him & Plouffe starting next season at 3B/2B and make him show this isn't a fluke. Sano & Rosario atleast starting next year at AAA and being called up when you find the right deal for Plouffe & Dozier maybe even packaged with Hammer is the way it should go.

[Boom Boom]

I'd wait another season before pulling the trigger on a trade like this. For one, Rosario probably isn't going to sniff the majors next year anyway, so there's no rush to trade him. Second, I'd like to see Dozier put together a good year in 2014 before locking him in.

[stringer bell]

If, and I repeat if, one of Dozier/Rosario is traded, I would opt for Rosario. I think that since he is younger, his value would be higher. If Dozier's power is legit, I am not sure Eddie will produce those numbers any time soon. Finally, Dozier could regress on offense, but the defense is legit and it is between good and elite in his first year at the position. Of all the facets of both players' games, Dozier's defense at second base is the one thing we can be most sure of going forward. From a player control point of view, Dozier would be one or two years ahead of Sano, Buxton, Arcia and it is probably good to stagger the guys who will cost money in arbitration.

[DakotaTwins]

I would trade him. For one pitcher. Some one who grades out between meyer and gibson and currently pitches in AA or AAA. Somebody like archie bradly or dylan bundy or tj walker (seattle).

 

Yeah, I'm pretty sure TR would make one of those trades in a second. And then the opposing GM would be promptly fired by his owner for making one of the dumbest trades in history.

[stringer bell]

I'll post that I am a big Dozier fan. I am happy for him having a very good season and breaking through. I will echo what the others have said about waiting to be sure that his hitting really is what it has been since June before locking him in long term as the Twins' answer at second base. However, as Brock said, this is the player we were expecting last year who didn't show up (plus extra base power). I believe he will be good next year and that at that point he should be considered part of the solution when the Twins are back to being relevant.

[Monkeypaws]

The A's would probably trade Dozier before Rosario. I imagine Dozier's value is pretty high right now, probably moreso than Rosario.

 

Keep the young cheaper option seems like a viable strategy, especially when the older option is still pretty cheap and has high value, kind of like what the Twins did with CF last off-season.

 

Of course there is the Hicks factor to be wary of.

[jay]

Outside of Yankees (Robbie Cano) and Cardinals (Matt Carpenter), no other team has an OPS at 2nd greater than .788. These guys don't grow on trees.

 

I'll agree with the others that this is premature. If we're looking for near MLB-ready pitching talent, a near MLB-ready Rosario next offseason is probably more valuable and we get more time to evaluate if he's blocked by a still-performing Dozier.

[Ozziedavisfan]

I read the article and the first thing that poped into my head was , not just no but hell no. First of, dozier is probably be trade bait after 2014 if he has another decent season. For the simple reason a. Rosario is younger than he is b. is going to be a better hitter c. is probably as good defensively.

[jay]

b. is going to be a better hitter c. is probably as good defensively.

 

Those are some big assumptions, but we can hope they come true.

[nicksaviking]

I'm in the trade Dozier over Rosario camp. He's basically found money, he went from zero trade value to pretty solid value in the space of about 40 games. As noted by others, he's looking legit though the power might be a mirage. But really, if the power isn't legit what do we have? Even with the 17 HR he's only a .735 OPS and .311 OBP.

 

I think the last couple weeks of the season he should play some at SS to see if it is viable, if that isn't an option however, perhaps the Twins could finally trade a guy when he's at his peak value.

[jmlease1]

I think it's something that will have to be considered, but it's a good problem to have. I agree that it's not something that should be pursued seriously this offseason, but the Twins have to be prepared for an offer that would blow you away. I think it's more likely other teams will try and make low-ball offers that should be laughed at!

 

Dozier has been a real bright spot this season. The defense has been excellent and the power a really nice bonus. If he makes it happen another season (and maybe brings the BA up another 20 pts?) he's a really nice asset in the middle INF. It lets the team be patient with Rosario, which is a good thing for a player who changed positions like he did.

 

It could be a very interesting question of which one becomes the trade chip: Rosario or Dozier. Rosario could bring an MLB-ready power arm, and if it's a pitcher about to hit free agency who the Twins could lock up long-term to head up the rotation...wouldn't you have to do it (assuming the extension was part of the package)? Alternatively, Dozier could bring a Ben Revere/Denard Span type of haul (or more).

 

It's a good problem to have. I think with the Twins philosophy they're more likely to keep Rosario and look to more Dozier if/when he starts to get more expensive and try to get that type of prospect haul. It worked incredibly well dealing from strength with AJ, and while Hicks struggled out the gate, overall I think it's been a reasonable move with dealing Span & Revere.

[Danchat]

I would agree with the others and say it's too early, but if Dozier and Rosario continue the way they're going, we might have to trade Rosario. We have enough young guns coming up and we NEED starting pitching. It has to be a good deal for Rosario, because he is gonna be really good. Borderline top 10 2B in my opinion.

[gunnarthor]

If, and I repeat if, one of Dozier/Rosario is traded, I would opt for Rosario. I think that since he is younger, his value would be higher. If Dozier's power is legit, I am not sure Eddie will produce those numbers any time soon. Finally, Dozier could regress on offense, but the defense is legit and it is between good and elite in his first year at the position. Of all the facets of both players' games, Dozier's defense at second base is the one thing we can be most sure of going forward. From a player control point of view, Dozier would be one or two years ahead of Sano, Buxton, Arcia and it is probably good to stagger the guys who will cost money in arbitration.

 

I think this makes a lot of sense. I'd also note that it looks to me that RH pull power bats are going to be a lot more successful at Target Field. LH bats won't be.

 

But I also think that Rosario's value isn't that great right now. A good team needing a 2nd baseman right now isn't going to want to trade for a AA one (Dozier would make sense and maybe we move him at next years deadline if Rosario is doing well in AAA). A bad team needing a 2nd baseman won't want to give up a prospect. So I think Rosario would get us back a mediocre vet - sort of the opposite side of the Rollins and Buchanon trades. Plus Rosario's a nice complementary prospect but he's not an elite one. Next year he might crack BA's top 100 but he's probably in the 75 range.

[Mike Sixel]

So if you wait, and one or both struggle, what is their trade value then?

 

And, Rosario is being way under valued on this thread, he's a top 50 prospect in all the game, maybe higher. The way teams value high upside, cheap players right now, he's worth more than some are saying here, imo.

 

There was a good point on the TB/KC trade, that trade may have distorted things for a short term.

[Nick Nelson]

All these "wait another year" responses seem to overlook a (not unlikely) possible scenario: What if Rosario struggles in Triple-A next year and Dozier regresses big-time in the majors? Then we're all looking back at how the Twins failed once again to strike when the iron was hot.

 

I understand that it's not ideal to move Rosario, knowing that he may turn out to be a great player and Dozier may turn back into a pumpkin, but when you're desperate to add pitching risks need to be taken. The Twins can live with substandard production at second base; they can't continue to live with a completely hopeless starting rotation.

 

I also would strongly disagree with the notion that Dozier has more trade value than Rosario at this point. Rosario is an above-average hitter in Double-A at age 21, whereas Dozier was a non-prospect who didn't become a full-timer in the majors until 26 and has a .684 career OPS. Other teams would likely be just as wary of a step backwards as we are.

[Brandon]

You rarely see teams trade prospects for prospects. so if you plan on trading any of them we would be better served waiting till our core is up and we are ready to trade for some teams pitchers that is looking to rebuild, and in that case they will want more if we are getting the pitcher we want.

[ericchri]

All these "wait another year" responses seem to overlook a (not unlikely) possible scenario: What if Rosario struggles in Triple-A next year and Dozier regresses big-time in the majors? Then we're all looking back at how the Twins failed once again to strike when the iron was hot.

 

I'm also a little puzzled by all the "wait" comments. We desperately need good starting pitching of any kind right now, so if a deal is available, you have to take it. That doesn't mean trading Rosario (or Dozier) for junk, but if something really good is available, go get it. Good starting pitching gets us better sooner and for longer than a good starting 2B does.

[Winston Smith]

"All these "wait another year" responses seem to overlook a (not unlikely) possible scenario: What if Rosario struggles in Triple-A next year and Dozier regresses big-time in the majors? Then we're all looking back at how the Twins failed once again to strike when the iron was hot."

 

 

If that happens then we have the same black hole again, and the likely scenario that who we trade for also struggles. It would seem like re-trying Dozier at short makes sense, if only in spring training. If Rosario is ready and Dozier can't make it at short Rosario is likely a better option than Hermann or Parmelee in the of.

We need good position players, at this point we have few at "the major league level". However, I understand we need good starting pitching but would any team trade a top pitching prospect for either of these guys right now? They might next July.

[Brock Beauchamp]

All these "wait another year" responses seem to overlook a (not unlikely) possible scenario: What if Rosario struggles in Triple-A next year and Dozier regresses big-time in the majors? Then we're all looking back at how the Twins failed once again to strike when the iron was hot.

 

And that's a value judgment, which has to be made with every player. Personally, I think Rosario will gain value. He's still not a lock at second but everything coming from the team (and scouts) suggest that he's closer to becoming a MLB-calibre defensive second basemen with every passing month.

 

That's really the sticking point. His bat should be fine and another year probably won't change much there... But if teams can pencil him into a middle infield spot without hesitation about having to transfer that bat to a corner outfield spot down the road (where it suddenly becomes average at best), his value will reach its true peak.

 

Of course, Eddie could also walk in front of a freight train next June. Thems the breaks.

[Brock Beauchamp]

a. Rosario is younger than he is

 

Fair enough.

 

b. is going to be a better hitter

 

Brian Dozier has an OPS of .735. Guaranteeing that Rosario is going to be a better hitter can't be done without a considerable amount of finger-crossing and well-wishing.

 

c. is probably as good defensively.

 

No. He probably won't ever be as good as Dozier has shown this season. It's always possible but, again, finger-crossing.

[diehardtwinsfan]

I'm also a little puzzled by all the "wait" comments. We desperately need good starting pitching of any kind right now, so if a deal is available, you have to take it. That doesn't mean trading Rosario (or Dozier) for junk, but if something really good is available, go get it. Good starting pitching gets us better sooner and for longer than a good starting 2B does.

 

The wait comments are here because Dozier isn't all that valueable right now, and Rosario's value is more likely to increase than it is to decrease. I get that Rosario has value, and if someone came and offered an Alex Meyer type pitcher for him, I think TR would trade him in a heartbeat, but I doubt that offer comes along as teams are wary of trading elite SP, and I am not sure I'd be comfortable getting a Berrios type player for him. Dozier's value is still going to be low, much like Plouffe last season, he's not going to be coveted based on a few months of excellent play, and even though I think there's more reason for hope with him than what there was for Trevor, GMs aren't going to offer much for him. Not this year at least. I get that there's risk that both will implode and be worthless, but speaking from an odds standpoint, at least one will likely work out and there's a better chance that they both do at this point. An attempt to "sell high" might be premature, and you run the risk of trading the wrong one as well. Not sure this makes sense this offseason unless someone comes in and blows you away.

 

As such, this is definitely a "problem" for next year. My personal opinion is that Dozier is likely a better SS option than Florimon or Santana if this improvement is sustainable. I do think the 15-20 HR power is legit (take a look at his 2011 power in AA, he has some pop). The Twins need an above average SS almost as bad as they need pitching. Given their needs, my plan would be to shift Dozier back to SS before I traded either one of them. That could change if someone dangled a Meyer/Cole/Bradley/Tallison type prospect for one of them, but I don't think that would happen this year, and even if Rosario/Dozier's value rises, I'm not sure you'd get that next year. And that is what it would take for me trade them.

[gunnarthor]

So if you wait, and one or both struggle, what is their trade value then?

 

And, Rosario is being way under valued on this thread, he's a top 50 prospect in all the game, maybe higher. The way teams value high upside, cheap players right now, he's worth more than some are saying here, imo.

 

There was a good point on the TB/KC trade, that trade may have distorted things for a short term.

 

If they both struggle, their trade value will go down. If they both do well, it'll go up. But if you think we should trade someone b/c you're worried their value will go down, then I think it's fair to say the other side will think the same thing and they aren't that valuable.

 

I don't think I've seen any lists where Rosario is a top 50 guy. BA, Sickels and Mayo all did mid season re-rankings and he wasn't top 50 on any of them. He hit pretty well in AA for a bit but had a bad finish. I think he'll be in the 75 range but some will have him higher.

[markos]

I don't think I've seen any lists where Rosario is a top 50 guy. BA, Sickels and Mayo all did mid season re-rankings and he wasn't top 50 on any of them. He hit pretty well in AA for a bit but had a bad finish. I think he'll be in the 75 range but some will have him higher.

 

Keith Law: #41

John Sickels: #56

Baseball Prospectus: honorable mention (i.e. top-75)

Baseball America: unmentioned

Fangraphs: unmentioned

 

I agree with you. He is probably a consensus top-75 guy, not top-50.

[Nick Nelson]

Lots of people suggesting that the Twins should try moving Dozier back to SS. If they had any thoughts of doing so, don't you think he might have played at least one single inning there this year? I don't see it.

[Siehbiscuit]

Middle infield in general is a trouble some spot in this organization. If not for FREAKS like Buxton and Sano, Meyer (mid-20's to mid30's range) and Rosario (40's) would likely be the Twins top two prospects in the organization. These guys are building blocks. Span and Revere were traded because they were cheap and MLB ready. Rosario is not. Even if we could get a prospect like May again, is getting rid of a top 50 prospect worth it for another prospect? Dozier may have peaked in value, but at the same time he is only entering his prime right now and all the years are under team control. Both are part of the solution IMO. WORST CASE move Dozier as his value is at high level and he could fetch a High A - AA type of fireballer talent. Give Rosario 5 years and he can match or exceed Dozier's age 26 season.

 

I vote for keep both long term and move Dozier back to SS.

[twinsnorth49]

Lots of people suggesting that the Twins should try moving Dozier back to SS. If they had any thoughts of doing so, don't you think he might have played at least one single inning there this year? I don't see it.

 

Maybe but it's not like he's unfamiliar with the position. If that's not the case then it's interesting to think about what the hell the plan is for Rosario in a couple of years if they think Dozier can stick at 2nd.