Article: The Case For Brett Anderson

[Guest USAFChief]

On what do you base that much value? Cuz that's a lot to give up, for such a risk and such a price. The pedigree doesn't seem thaaat good. Curious, not nitpicky.

I don't value minor leaguers (in particular low minor leaguers) as much as many, and want the Twins to end up with a couple top of the line starters. I think Anderson has a better chance of being one, and sooner, than does random minor leaguer somewhere down the road.

 

Meyer would be a tough call, but again I think Beane wants the $8m to use this year and won't have $12m next year, while most other teams don't have $8m laying around to gamble with while the Twins do, so I don't think the price will be that high.

[Brandon]

The A's were Willinghams last team. Suppose the Twins trade him and his 7 million contract back to Oakland for Anderson and his 8 million contract? That is something Beane would do since he already has the money spent. Both players have questions marks going into next year.

[TheLeviathan]

The A's were Willinghams last team. Suppose the Twins trade him and his 7 million contract back to Oakland for Anderson and his 8 million contract? That is something Beane would do since he already has the money spent. Both players have questions marks going into next year.

 

Beane can find a newer, younger Willingham at a far cheaper price.

 

You want a name that might entice them? Travis Harrison - fits their mold of player so far. Might be enough to get it done too.

[halfchest]

The A's were Willinghams last team. Suppose the Twins trade him and his 7 million contract back to Oakland for Anderson and his 8 million contract? That is something Beane would do since he already has the money spent. Both players have questions marks going into next year.

 

AT first I thought, stupid, yah right. Then I thought hmm, A's are in win now mode, Willingham wouldn't be enough alone but he could probably be part of the package. Plus that frees up the Twins a little more cash. Maybe we send Harrison, Willingham and some cash for him. I could definitely live with that. I don't know what their needs are as far as a power hitting DH/corner OF though. Any insight anyone?

[howieramone1406390264]

AT first I thought, stupid, yah right. Then I thought hmm, A's are in win now mode, Willingham wouldn't be enough alone but he could probably be part of the package. Plus that frees up the Twins a little more cash. Maybe we send Harrison, Willingham and some cash for him. I could definitely live with that. I don't know what their needs are as far as a power hitting DH/corner OF though. Any insight anyone?

 

It looks to me Arcia would be the best fit. Since it appears Anderson is ready to pitch right now, would you trade 25 HR's and .280 for a lefthanded #2-#3? I would only make the deal with a 3+1 year extension. Tough call.

[Shane Wahl]

Willingham (+ a bit of his salary), Harrison, and Baxendale.

[PseudoSABR]

Willingham for Anderson straight up is pretty interesting, as Shane suggests, throw in a 'spec to get it done.

[howieramone1406390264]

Willingham (+ a bit of his salary), Harrison, and Baxendale.

 

Moneyball won't take a power hitter in decline coming off a poor season, a good Class A power prospect w/o a position, and a borderline starting pitching prospect for a 25 year-old lefty #2-#3. Garza is the only #2 in free agency and he is going to fetch 5 years for 85M-100M.

[TheLeviathan]

I think Harrison would have high value to Oakland moreso than other teams. He'd have more value than Willingham for sure. Harrison and a bullpen arm or another spec is more likely to me than tossing them a player they already didn't want to keep recently. that move only makes sense due to position, but nothing else about Hammer makes sense.

[mudcat14]

I tend to agree that salary relief is more important than return to BB and the A's in this deal. That's not to say that they will settle for the Twins to stock their soda machine next season, but Harrison and a lower-tier arm should be enough if the Twins are willing to eat the contract.

[Oxtung]

I'd love for the Twins to pick up Anderson. He is a legitimate starter on a playoff team with the potential to be a game 1 starter. He is left handed and still only 25. I'd trade for him in a heartbeat. If things go well in 2014 I would look at signing an extension next fall, if they don't you cut bait. There is an interesting crop of FA SP next winter (of course many of those might sign extensions yet). If he is good and the Twins can't get the extension then he is a possible mid-season trade candidate in 2015 and as someone stated earlier, there is no better trade chip in baseball than starting pitching.

 

I really see no downside here. Chance at an ace with no long term salary commitments.

[Oxtung]

Cannot trade Gonsalves (or Stewart for that matter) until a year after they signed... Late summer

 

Starting in January they could be a part of a package as a PTBNL.

[halfchest]

It looks to me Arcia would be the best fit. Since it appears Anderson is ready to pitch right now, would you trade 25 HR's and .280 for a lefthanded #2-#3? I would only make the deal with a 3+1 year extension. Tough call.

 

I couldn't give up anyone as valuable as Arcia for him. He has value I get that we're not getting him for peanuts but anyone young and under control for many years along with being major league ready is too much.

 

I like Willingham as part of the deal for sure since he wont' be around when we start winning and could be a really nice middle of the order bat for them. That wouldn't be enough. I would offer a middle reliever that they might like as we have a glut of guys who did pretty good last year and might be helpful on a playoff team. Then I would look at our out of the top ten prospects. A young guy with upside that might intrigue them. Brett's got value due to his youth and performance but his health over the last three seasons drives that down.

 

I've said it before if I were Beane I'd probably just keep him and hope he can have a healthy productive first half. Then either keep him cuz your team is in playoff contention or flip him for a lot more than he's worth right now.

[AlwaysinModeration]

Willingham (+ a bit of his salary), Harrison, and Baxendale.

 

I was thinking of Baxendale and Harrison as well. Willingham would be a good add, and you are right the Twins should cover some of his salary.

 

That sounds like a great offer to me. Might be laughed at, since we undoubtedly view the Twins prospects too highly.

 

Would also really hope for a 4/40 extension or something like that after 1 year..

 

longterm rotation of:Anderson, Meyer, Gibson, Nolasco and Hughes. Nice.

[AlwaysinModeration]

I think a useful comp is the Gio trade last year...Nats traded four guys, none ranked in the BP top 100...Peacock, AJ Cole, Milone, and Norris. A package starting with Harrison and Baxendale (or maybe Berrios) isn't crazy, in my opinion.

[Brock Beauchamp]

I think a useful comp is the Gio trade last year...Nats traded four guys, none ranked in the BP top 100...Peacock, AJ Cole, Milone, and Norris. A package starting with Harrison and Baxendale (or maybe Berrios) isn't crazy, in my opinion.

 

No way is Gio a comp for Anderson. Gio was coming off consecutive 200 inning seasons when he was traded.

[Jdosen]

I'd trade Perkins for this guy. I hate the closer role. The best pitcher in the bullpen only gets used for three outs in the 9th when there's a lead? Drives me crazy. Perkins showed a few cracks in the armor anyway.

I agree I've been a big proponent of having an "ace reliver" rather than a proven closer for a long time now. Perkins should be used in the highest leverage situations, no matter the time of game. If the bases are loaded in a tie game in the 6th, have him put out the fire rather than someone who is worse and possibly not even get to use Perkins to save a win.

[Jdosen]

Unfortunately Anderson has not provided much more to judge him on recently, or ever, really.

You do realize he has thrown 450+ career big league innings, no?

[Monkeypaws]

I'd trade Perkins for this guy. I hate the closer role. The best pitcher in the bullpen only gets used for three outs in the 9th when there's a lead? Drives me crazy. Perkins showed a few cracks in the armor anyway.

 

Given Perkins team-friendly contract, I wouldn't. Walker seems like a good fit because he is also a boom or bust proposition. It could end up a win-win trade for both teams.

[Alex]

Moneyball won't take a power hitter in decline coming off a poor season, a good Class A power prospect w/o a position, and a borderline starting pitching prospect for a 25 year-old lefty #2-#3. Garza is the only #2 in free agency and he is going to fetch 5 years for 85M-100M.

 

Absolutely agree.

[cmb0252]

People do realize that Mr.Anderson has only started 24 games in the past 3 years and has only thrown a total of 162.3 innings in that time span? I'm all for trading for him but he is what he is, a lottery ticket. Suggesting giving up big time prospects for him is nuts.

[howieramone1406390264]

People do realize that Mr.Anderson has only started 24 games in the past 3 years and has only thrown a total of 162.3 innings in that time span? I'm all for trading for him but he is what he is, a lottery ticket. Suggesting giving up big time prospects for him is nuts.

 

Most top of the rotation starters want albatross contracts and will not be 26 when 2014 starts. I wouldn't think Tommy John and a fractured foot are going to scare off suitors and as far as I know he could pitch today if needed. Find me a cheaper #2-#3 with this much upside, who we know is available.

 

I wouldn't give up Arcia w/o an extension, but could see starting a package with Berrios and Thorpe as currently contracted. You rarely find these type of guys available at 26.

[Trevor0333]

People do realize that Mr.Anderson has only started 24 games in the past 3 years and has only thrown a total of 162.3 innings in that time span? I'm all for trading for him but he is what he is, a lottery ticket. Suggesting giving up big time prospects for him is nuts.

 

If Liriano had been on the trade block going into the 2010 season, which is a very similar scenario that Anderson is in right now. You would say its ridiculous to give him up for anything but another teams top 10-20 prospect.

 

It's funny how some people only want it to work one way. I would give up Berrios & Goodrum easily.

[Trevor0333]

Willingham (+ a bit of his salary), Harrison, and Baxendale.

 

They have plenty of power hitting corner OF/1B/DH types. There isnt much value in Willingham for them.

[Monkeypaws]

Most top of the rotation starters want albatross contracts and will not be 26 when 2014 starts. I wouldn't think Tommy John and a fractured foot are going to scare off suitors and as far as I know he could pitch today if needed. Find me a cheaper #2-#3 with this much upside, who we know is available.

 

I wouldn't give up Arcia w/o an extension, but could see starting a package with Berrios and Thorpe as currently contracted. He was BA's number 7 prospect at one time. You rarely find these type of guys available at 26.

 

Oh hell no! That would be playing right into Beane's hand.

[Trevor0333]

Oh hell no! That would be playing right into Beane's hand.

 

Yeah, Thorpe I would keep out of it.

[howieramone1406390264]

Yeah, Thorpe I would keep out of it.

 

Thorpe is pie in the sky. He would be a high school senior right now. He may make it to Target Field by 2017 at the earliest. We still have the 2014 draft to replenish and if we go starting pitcher, it will be a higher rated prospect.

 

IMO Dombrowski, King Theo, and our very own Terry Ryan are just as capable as Beane.

[Trevor0333]

Thorpe is pie in the sky. He would be a high school senior right now. He may make it to Target Field by 2017 at the earliest. We still have the 2014 draft to replenish and if we go starting pitcher, it will be a higher rated prospect.

 

IMO Dombrowski, King Theo, and our very own Terry Ryan are just as capable as Beane.

 

I can't say he is untouchable talent wise, so much can change from now until 5 years later when he's likely mlb ready. I just dont like the idea of trading guys that young before you have any semblence of what they can really be when they show. Im not opposed to trading Thorpe period. However in 2 years he very likely could be a top 20 prospect in all of baseball and could fetch 2-3 times what he would now.

 

Guys that young with that much upside I just want to get up to high A or AA before trading them away.

[OldManWinter]

Pretty expensive player. We Need to move cautiously when giving up prospects. It was just a minute ago when the Twins farm had no players. Now they are restocked. I am not sure we should let players go easily.

[jimbo92107]

This is a sucker's deal. The guy is injury prone. Does Billy Beane want some guys that are injured? Bet not. Funny how that works.