Pitching a priority for Twins at the deadline

Go after anyone and everyone worth a damn. My worry is that we need multiple pitching pieces to win the division and win anything in the playoffs. Pitching has been a complete dumpster fire since Wes Johnson left and a lot of teams will realize this when negotiating with the Twins, so the price might be too much for us. On the other hand, we have roughly 100 infielders in our farm system so moving some youth shouldn't be a problem.

I feel like the Twins may as well pay the price now for a high end starter with at least a year remaining after 2022. It's not really going to be that much cheaper in the off-season and they can look like they are making an effort. And hey - that effort could pay off. Then they have a real ace for next year.

When proposing a trade please remember to include 2 players from the Twins who are either on the 40 man or will need to be added this fall. That's not going to get better after the World Series either.

Now, please pitch in with realistic plans that make me feel better.

Thank you!

I don't see enough quality pitching available for the Twins to win a series against the Yankees and/or Astros.

11 minutes ago, Winston Smith said:

I don't see enough quality pitching available for the Twins to win a series against the Yankees and/or Astros.

In that case do you trade Correa and build for the next few years?

I guess the other option is to trade off some of the future and add a few bullpen arms in hopes of making the regular season more competitive.

I would go big either by adding the best starter moved at the deadline as well as a few good relievers or I would trade Correa. 

41 minutes ago, jorgenswest said:

In that case do you trade Correa and build for the next few years?

I guess the other option is to trade off some of the future and add a few bullpen arms in hopes of making the regular season more competitive.

I would go big either by adding the best starter moved at the deadline as well as a few good relievers or I would trade Correa. 

Agree with go big or go home (trade Correa). Half a** trade effort is a waste of time.

1 hour ago, Oldgoat_MN said:

I feel like the Twins may as well pay the price now for a high end starter with at least a year remaining after 2022. It's not really going to be that much cheaper in the off-season and they can look like they are making an effort. And hey - that effort could pay off. Then they have a real ace for next year.

When proposing a trade please remember to include 2 players from the Twins who are either on the 40 man or will need to be added this fall. That's not going to get better after the World Series either.

Now, please pitch in with realistic plans that make me feel better.

Thank you!

Larnach and Canterino for Montas and AJ Puk (or Lou Trevino). Larnach and Canterino or Steer for Castillo. Enlow for Robertson or Bard. Archer to bullpen in a late inning role (adjust his contract incentives).  Sands, Strotman, and a lower level non-40 man guy (Julien?) for Josh Bell and Tanner Rainey from the Nationals. Substitute Austin Martin for Larnach in above scenarios if that works; don't be afraid to substitute Martin AND Balazovic for Larnach if they would accept that. A package of Martin, Balazovic and Canterino is probably not enough for either starter. 

1 hour ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

Hey now, let's be fair, no one can half-ass code like I can.

Fire Rocco!

54 minutes ago, Karbo said:

Can one of you really smart guys make a list of who will be exposed to rule 5 draft as things stand now?

Someone smart made this valuable resource.

https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/depth-charts/twins

Look for rule 5 status listed as DEC’22 or R5 if previously reached that level.

Trading Correa and selling while in 1st place is just not an option a viable MLB franchise should be thinking about. It would be a giant middle finger to the fans, the clubhouse and any future FA. They can't do it. If they somehow find themselves 5 + games back on 8/2, OK, but I don't even think that's possible at this point.

So the only option is to add pieces that can help now and in 2023 or are reasonable in price and try to win.

The Twins will not and should not trade Correa. Currently, the Twins are in 1st place - what first place at midseason team trades their elite SS who is also arguably their best player? As pointed out by Howeda7 trading Correa would be a buzzkill with the fans, the rest of the team and future potential Twins.

Just accept the Twins are not the Yankees or the Astros, regardless they should prudently strengthen their roster with a few + arms because despite the active postseason streak of futility by the Twins organization any postseason series can be won by the underdog and it typically requires at least decent pitching.

As loyal Twins fans, we should NOT endorse trading away players that constitute the identity of the 2022 squad. That is, you don't trade away Correa, Polo, Kepler, Miranda, or frankly any of the current position players. My one exception might be Larnach, because the Twins have a good number of at least decent outfielders. Trades of position players should happen only in the off-season. Otherwise, who are we cheering for?

Prospects, yes. Of course you want to limit them to ones that are getting close to Rule 5 problems, but that's secondary to getting a deal done, especially for a stud starting pitcher. Unfortunately, some of the franchise's top pitching prospects, usually the most valuable trade pieces, currently are not doing so well, or are on the IL. Steer and Wallner stick out as trade bait, tho I'd just as soon not trade Wallner right now. He's who I think could replace Larnach. Same kind of power, better arm. 

Reading through other people's comments, it looks like people are ready to part with Steer, Ober, Larnach, and Martin. Would Cincy take that package for Castillo? That would give the Twins a pretty formidable top three in the rotation: Castillo, Gray, Ryan. Those guys could win a playoff series or two. 

On 7/20/2022 at 12:38 PM, Mike Sixel said:

You think pitchers forgot what the coach said in one week? I have my doubts. 

Ok, then what do you think the issue is? Since he left here are some SP stats: 26th in fWAR, 27th in ERA, 27th in FIP, 30th in xFIP, 25th in K/9, and 26th in H/9. 

Pitching coaches are also important for game day preparation. I think Wes was a guy who really understood how starting pitchers needed to approach their opponent that day. Again, since he left, the starters have been god awful