Are the Twins about to trade a starter?

[Thrylos]

you can read the whole story (and see photographic evidence) here, but the story in a few bullet points goes like this:

 

 

• The Twins were about to travel to Sarasota to play the Orioles with Kevin Correia slated to be the starter
  
• Even before the game was called off Kevin Correia started for the AAA game in the Twins intrasquad game at Fort Myers
  
• There was a Tampa Bay Rays scout who was scouting both Correia and May (who pitched for the AA team in the intrasquad game) and the Rays right now are at 2+2+? starters solidified.
  

 

Pretty sure that Correia (and May) would be an improvement of what the Rays can trot right now at the 5 spot, but it will be an interesting thing to watch the next couple weeks...

[Willihammer]

Just to clarify the scout was gunning and taking notes on both May and Correia? Not just May, or not just Correia?

[biggentleben]

I'm pretty sure I'd take Jake Odorizzi over Correia any day of the week and twice on Sundays.

[jokin]

I'm pretty sure I'd take Jake Odorizzi over Correia any day of the week and twice on Sundays.

 

Agreed. But isn't a David Price deal bound to happen at almost any given moment?

[Thrylos]

Just to clarify the scout was gunning and taking notes on both May and Correia? Not just May, or not just Correia?

 

Yes. Not Gunning, because there was a gun about 10 feet away (look at the pic and that's the gun I look at to tell speeds, too; that black thing in the stand) but he was timing every single pitch and time between pitches with a stopwatch.

 

And only for those 2. AJ Achter, Matt Sumers, Matthew Hauser, Dakota Watts, Steven Gruven pitched as well, but he was uninterested in all of them.

[Old Twins Cap]

You don't think the forecast of rain in Sarasota had anything to do with Correia pitching the MiLB game?

[biggentleben]

Agreed. But isn't a David Price deal bound to happen at almost any given moment?

 

If it doesn't happen before the first pitch of opening day, I'd be very surprised if he doesn't pitch the entire season with the Rays.

[jokin]

If it doesn't happen before the first pitch of opening day, I'd be very surprised if he doesn't pitch the entire season with the Rays.

 

Seems like a good trade fit could be had with the Braves? They have the type of pieces the Rays covet in a trade for a departing star. Any thing in the wind in that regard in Hotlanta?

[Halsey Hall]

I doubt very much if Correia or any of the starting rotation would be traded. May could be, but he really had a bad last inning, and didn't get thru it. He was pretty upset when he walked off the field. Correia really looked good on a very windy and dusty day. I like how he just looks cool all the time, nothing seems to get him upset, but one fastball he threw to low. First time I've seen any emotion from him.

[clutterheart]

Interesting speculation. If it works out, hopefully Ryan can get a better deal than Bill Smith!

 

We’ll see. However, I don’t think its significant he was uninterested in AJ Achter, Matt Sumers, Matthew Hauser, Dakota Watts, Steven Gruve®)

 

Those guys mostly likely won’t be with the team in 2014. Its possible the scout is just doing his work getting a spring baseline for these guys in the regular season

[tobi0040]

I doubt very much if Correia or any of the starting rotation would be traded. May could be, but he really had a bad last inning, and didn't get thru it. He was pretty upset when he walked off the field. Correia really looked good on a very windy and dusty day. I like how he just looks cool all the time, nothing seems to get him upset, but one fastball he threw to low. First time I've seen any emotion from him.

 

It was a different but similar thread regarding the injury to Medlen and Beachey . But Jarrod Parker needs TJ (his second). Lot of potential partners out there.

[Dman]

The Rays might be interested as KC is cheep, only has one year left on his contract and he has MLB experience. Sounds like the Rays MO.

 

Maybe the Twins have to throw in May as well to get what they want. The Rays know how to get the most out of pitchers. Wouldn't be surprised if they turned May into something. A trade is possible but unlikely as there are better options out there. The Twins might be very motivated partners so who knows.

[Physics Guy]

If it doesn't happen before the first pitch of opening day, I'd be very surprised if he doesn't pitch the entire season with the Rays.

 

I would agree with the caveat that the Rays stay in the playoff race. I'm sure they would like to make another run with him, but if they fade I would have to think they try to trade him. If they can't find a decent return they give him the Q.O.

[Physics Guy]

Sorry, but I don't see them getting much in return for Correia. He's worth more to us than most others because our rotation has been horrendous. He was arguably our best starter last year. From what I've seen or heard about Worley and Diamond thus far, I wouldn't want them in the rotation to start the year, which would happen if they trade KC. I'm fine with Deduno as the #5.

[biggentleben]

Seems like a good trade fit could be had with the Braves? They have the type of pieces the Rays covet in a trade for a departing star. Any thing in the wind in that regard in Hotlanta?

 

This would make a lot of sense, and both sides speculated that the fit would be right, centered around a package headlined by either Gattis or Bethancourt along with Lucas Sims and Joey Terdoslavich with a few more final pieces to be added. In fact, the Rays and Braves had some heavy talks around the deadline last year with a similar framework, but the Rays would not allow the Braves to talk with Price regarding an extension before the trade was finalized. That's apparently paramount for the Braves before they'd make a move for Price, and with the price it'd cost (pun unintentional, but it works!), I completely agree with that stance.

 

At this point, the Braves wouldn't make the move for him midseason, I don't believe. It doesn't work with their budget or team-building philosophy. I'm not even sure if there's room for Price in the current budget.

[jokin]

Sorry, but I don't see them getting much in return for Correia. He's worth more to us than most others because our rotation has been horrendous. He was arguably our best starter last year. From what I've seen or heard about Worley and Diamond thus far, I wouldn't want them in the rotation to start the year, which would happen if they trade KC. I'm fine with Deduno as the #5.

 

how about Deduno and Gibson at 4 and 5 (or Johnson)? Regardless of Correia's value, wouldn't that $5.5M come in handy in signing draft picks and internationals later this year (money is fungible)?

[SweetOne69]

Well according to Twins article about the rain out, Worley was scheduled to start today and will start tomorrow.

[Major League Ready]

Trading Correia makes sense to me if they feel Deduno is healthy. They can go north with Gibson as the 5th starter and use Diamond or Worley in long relief or send Gibson down until they find a way (trade or release) to resolve the situation woth Diamond / Worley.

[biggentleben]

I would agree with the caveat that the Rays stay in the playoff race. I'm sure they would like to make another run with him, but if they fade I would have to think they try to trade him. If they can't find a decent return they give him the Q.O.

 

I would agree, but I'm not sure they'll get a good enough return for him to move him in season.

[gunnarthor]

I don't think there's much reason to think a trade is happening. Other teams scout players all the time, esp in ST. Rays are probably just doing due diligence on the Twins in case something comes up during the season.

 

I don't think the Twins will trade Correa until the deadline. They won't want to look like they are punting on the season by trading away last years best pitcher before the games even start. If/when they are out of it at the midpoint, they can trade him (and Willingham). Ryan knows he'll use more than 5 starters this year so it probably doesn't matter that much who the 5 are in April. As the season goes on others will get their chances.

[jokin]

I would agree with the caveat that the Rays stay in the playoff race. I'm sure they would like to make another run with him, but if they fade I would have to think they try to trade him. If they can't find a decent return they give him the Q.O.

 

 

Price isn't a FA until 2016. He will make $14M this year.

[biggentleben]

how about Deduno and Gibson at 4 and 5 (or Johnson)? Regardless of Correia's value, wouldn't that $5.5M come in handy in signing draft picks and internationals later this year (money is fungible)?

 

Unless they intend to seek out a penalty, they can tell you today what they will have for cash for the draft and international signings. Moving Correia wouldn't change that amount. That said, I don't want to get into a whole other money and utilization of those resources debate.

[Physics Guy]

how about Deduno and Gibson at 4 and 5 (or Johnson)? Regardless of Correia's value, wouldn't that $5.5M come in handy in signing draft picks and internationals later this year (money is fungible)?

 

I sort of forgot about Gibson since he seems destined to be in AAA to start since we have three guys who are out of options. I would be fine with Gibson at #4, Deduno at #5, Diamond or Worley in pen as #6. Meyer as #7 later in the season if needed?

[jokin]

I don't think there's much reason to think a trade is happening. Other teams scout players all the time, esp in ST. Rays are probably just doing due diligence on the Twins in case something comes up during the season.

 

I don't think the Twins will trade Correa until the deadline. They won't want to look like they are punting on the season by trading away last years best pitcher before the games even start. If/when they are out of it at the midpoint, they can trade him (and Willingham). Ryan knows he'll use more than 5 starters this year so it probably doesn't matter that much who the 5 are in April. As the season goes on others will get their chances.

 

Optimist? It is incumbent on the Twins to move Correia whenever it is that they can maximize value, be it in the next 2 weeks, or any time up through the deadline. Others have posted, and are probably right- how much demand is really out there for KC? Because of the lack of a complete overhaul and upgrade offensively this offseason, the Twins already were looking like they were punting this year, in anticipation of continuing to put the pieces in place for 2015 being "the turn" for the better. (Sano's TJ may or may not have messed up that timetable a bit).

[Physics Guy]

Price isn't a FA until 2016. He will make $14M this year.

 

Forgot about that too. Off my game tonight. Since he isn't eligible for FA after the season, Rays probably keep him through the season and trade him in the offseason. They don't ever seem to let a valuable piece get to FA without getting something.

[jokin]

I sort of forgot about Gibson since he seems destined to be in AAA to start since we have three guys who are out of options. I would be fine with Gibson at #4, Deduno at #5, Diamond or Worley in pen as #6. Meyer as #7 later in the season if needed?

 

I really like that scenario. It's what a rebuilding team should look like, not giving more starts to a guy with an expiring contract. And especially leaving the door ajar for Meyer to bust through in June or July. A lot of questions for 2015 can be fully answered with this plan.

[jokin]

Unless they intend to seek out a penalty, they can tell you today what they will have for cash for the draft and international signings. Moving Correia wouldn't change that amount. That said, I don't want to get into a whole other money and utilization of those resources debate.

 

As I said, money is fungible. The amount won't be changed, but now you have those signing exercises largely "paid for", freeing up those previously budgeted funds for other areas to improve the club.

[darin617]

how about Deduno and Gibson at 4 and 5 (or Johnson)? Regardless of Correia's value, wouldn't that $5.5M come in handy in signing draft picks and internationals later this year (money is fungible)?

 

Any money saved has no bearings on the draft. Teams only get so much money to sign draft picks. The Twins don't need to cut salary they are raking in the cash clearing at least $100M. Any salary dumps is nothing much more than greed.

I would rather keep Correia in the rotation than adding Diamond or Worley to the rotation. If Alex Meyer was ready it would be a different answer.

[jokin]

Any money saved has no bearings on the draft. Teams only get so much money to sign draft picks. The Twins don't need to cut salary they are raking in the cash clearing at least $100M. Any salary dumps is nothing much more than greed.

I would rather keep Correia in the rotation than adding Diamond or Worley to the rotation. If Alex Meyer was ready it would be a different answer.

 

As I said, money is fungible, money saved in one area can be allotted elsewhere- getting your draft money "paid for" gives you more options in areas to improve. And certainly, the Twins have not always spent all of their avalable funds in both of the prospect areas in the past. I hope that moving a salary for a rebuilding team would mean the chance for more flexibility for doing things like:

 

-Picking up a better player on an unexpired contract via trade.

-Signing Kendrys Morales in June at a discount for multiple years.

-Going over the International limit should there be a bidding war on a coveted prospect.

-Signing a prospective player from Cuba or other country, not subject to the established limits.

 

And I agree with you on Diamond and Worley at this point. But starting out with Gibson and Deduno might be worth considering.

[beckmt]

Twins need to do reasonably well this year to sell seats. Otherwise after this year it will be a disaster until they turn things around. I hope decisions will be made for the good of the club, not players given a chance to prove themselves because of prior track records. Take the best 25 north and don't worry about the fallout. If the Twins fall out early, then move all the veterans you can to make room for the future.