Closer for Sale....Liam Hendricks

Interesting trade, but are you filling one hole and creating another?  Personally I wouldn't do it. Two years of Hendriks and his contract make sense if he's the final piece to a World Series, but I don't think that situation fits the Twins right now.

I don't think the Twins know what they have with Larnach yet. Before he got hurt you could argue he was one of their best hitters and he impressed me with his defense in left.

Pass. Why are we so eager to trade our best young players when we have $60 million to spend on free agents?

Larnach no, Kepler yes.

Trading for a closer is not a great idea most of the time. A team only gets rid of a good closer for 2 reasons. 1, They are making too much money and it's a small market team. 2. They are moving on because they know he's washed up or damaged goods.

What if they're looking for a guy who stays IN the lineup most of the time?

Hendricks has been great, and might be great a couple more years. But 34yo next season, 35 the year after for a combined $30M? I'd pass unless, as LewFord stated, he was a final piece. And while I like the framework and potential of the Twins, I don't think a closer, even a great one, moves the needle.

That $15M could bring 2 nice bullpen additions to what's on hand and maybe even have a couple $M left over.

1 hour ago, DocBauer said:

Hendricks has been great, and might be great a couple more years. But 34yo next season, 35 the year after for a combined $30M? I'd pass unless, as LewFord stated, he was a final piece. And while I like the framework and potential of the Twins, I don't think a closer, even a great one, moves the needle.

That $15M could bring 2 nice bullpen additions to what's on hand and maybe even have a couple $M left over.

Not that it would change my thoughts about acquiring him but I would expect them to eat some money as well if they want to move him.

Let us assume Chicago is truly trying to trade Hendrix, and let us assume we are interested and are making an offer.  What would make us assume Chicago would trade him within the division, making one of their prime competitors better?  Even if they think he is on the decline and that is why they are shopping him now, what if he does have a good (great?) year or two in him?  Are they willing to take the chance on that within the division?  My guess is they will do their best to move him outside the division, and maybe even outside the AL.  

2 hours ago, Mark G said:

Let us assume Chicago is truly trying to trade Hendrix, and let us assume we are interested and are making an offer.  What would make us assume Chicago would trade him within the division, making one of their prime competitors better?  Even if they think he is on the decline and that is why they are shopping him now, what if he does have a good (great?) year or two in him?  Are they willing to take the chance on that within the division?  My guess is they will do their best to move him outside the division, and maybe even outside the AL.  

The Sox would make a trade that would make them better now and the future. It would be MLB level prospect and other prospects.  The Sox. Have good bullpen pieces. The Sox’s in my opinion are fishing for a steal.  

12 hours ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

Larnach no, Kepler yes.

This is the better option.

But I am leery of trading for RPers...they are just so iffy.  Although LiamH has proven himself the past few years.

I am not giving up Kepler without a quality MLB player in return.  I think LiamH qualifies. ?

41 minutes ago, old nurse said:

The Sox would make a trade that would make them better now and the future. It would be MLB level prospect and other prospects.  The Sox. Have good bullpen pieces. The Sox’s in my opinion are fishing for a steal.  

I agree with every word.  I just think that they will do it in one of the 5 divisions in MLB that they don't have to play 13 games a year against.  I think they will find a trade partner that has a prospect(s) as good as we would be willing to part with and is not a prime competitor.  However, I have been wrong before.  As a matter of fact, I can still remember the time I was.  ?

12 hours ago, DocBauer said:

 

That $15M could bring 2 nice bullpen additions to what's on hand and maybe even have a couple $M left over.

I think it would be wise to collect two 5 to 6 mil dollar relievers and still have Duran waiting to finish the game.

Hendricks contract has no surplus value. He’s not worth a legit major league player. 

Hendricks BTV is 11.6.  Larnach is 14.6.  So a little something extra (maybe picking up a LOT of the salary or a player) would have to come from Chicago.  Kepler 5.8 and Moran 5.5 would be in the ballpark as well.  Having a proven closer would allow the Twins to use Duran in high leverage situations.  If Lopez bounces back and Alcala performs you've got the beginnings of a solid BP.  Maybe the White Sox do it because they like the players coming back, and maybe because they don't view the Twins as a real threat.  

The Twins have already made one mistake with Hendricks, letting him go, trading for him would be their second.

12 hours ago, darin617 said:

Not that it would change my thoughts about acquiring him but I would expect them to eat some money as well if they want to move him.

1 hour ago, baul0010 said:

I think it would be wise to collect two 5 to 6 mil dollar relievers and still have Duran waiting to finish the game.

Sox aren’t trading Liam Hendricks inside their own Division! Wish they would but it’s a no go.

I agree that one guy at $9- $10 million or a couple at $6 million make sense for good BP depth but who are these pieces?? Paying a $2.5 million guy $6 million & getting excited because he’s new doesn’t work! How about hiring a top line pitching coach and working with Trevor Megill on a cutter or a change-up? He’d be devastating!!!

Need a back end BP guy to help get to Durhan!

I still like Maeda in the pen for first half of year to bridge games from middle of sixth to start of eighth! Let’s make sure he’s healthy AND plug a hole with our club.

To get help & depth with Maeda in pen we need to sign a front end starter - to me - that should be our number one focus, ahead of SS & ahead of RP.

The guy from Mets is best left, that’s affordable. Name starts with a B? Anyway, Rodon seems to be out of our league relative to $.

PLAN:

Starter from Mets, internal fix with Megill & Maeda in pen, SS from the Rockies for $8 million (placeholder) & Wilson Contreras for offensive punch for 100 games at catcher & 25 at DH……….Contreras & Rockies SS = Correa & our current catcher’s offensive output & it’s more affordable - leaves more $ for pitching!

1 hour ago, TopGunn#22 said:

Hendricks BTV is 11.6.  Larnach is 14.6.  So a little something extra (maybe picking up a LOT of the salary or a player) would have to come from Chicago.  Kepler 5.8 and Moran 5.5 would be in the ballpark as well.  Having a proven closer would allow the Twins to use Duran in high leverage situations.  If Lopez bounces back and Alcala performs you've got the beginnings of a solid BP.  Maybe the White Sox do it because they like the players coming back, and maybe because they don't view the Twins as a real threat.  

White Sox definitely view TWINS as a competitor! No trade of a proven bull pen stud within the Division.

If Lopez bounces back to the only good 3.5 months of his career and if Alcala is healthy are 2 big IF’s. They’ll get a chance.

Moran is MLB solid & should be given more opportunities this year while Megill has legit top tier stuff. If Megill could develop a cutter or change-up he’d be great.

Need a legit pitching coach to get the most out of all 4 of these guys!

35 year old closer Kenley Jansen signs with Red Sox; 2 year $32 mil contract. Thats a lotta green for 60-70 innings per year.