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  • 10 Relievers Minnesota Could Target

    Cody Christie

    By Cody Christie

    Minnesota missed out on the Craig Kimbrel sweepstakes, but the Twins will certainly have opportunities to add other impact relievers before July’s trade deadline. The Twins have been able to do more than survive with their current bullpen situation. However, bullpen arms and bullpen usage are critical when it comes to winning games in October.

    Here are 10 relievers who Minnesota could target before the trade deadline.

    Image courtesy of © Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

    Twins Video

    LHP Jake Diekman, Kansas City

    2019 Stats: 4.10 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 39 K, 26.1 IP

    Diekman’s 13.3 K/9 rate seems made for the post-season and some of his other peripheral numbers look better than his high ERA and WHIP. He has a $5.75 million club option for 2020, so he wouldn’t have to be a rental player. He also seems to be healthy after dealing with ulcerative colitis, a chronic disease of the colon. Since Diekman is on an AL Central squad, it could be tough to swing a deal. Does Minnesota want to send prospect that they could end up facing multiple times a season?

    RHP Ken Giles, Toronto

    2019 Stats: 1.08 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 42 K, 25.0 IP

    Giles has been closing games for Houston and Philadelphia for the last five seasons and he might be amid the best season of his career. He entered the year with a career mark of 11.9 K/9 and he has exploded to 15.1 K/9 this season. Giles has one more year of arbitration as he signed this year for $6.3 million. Back in 2017, he struggled with the Astros on the way to the World Series title. This still doesn’t mean he can’t help a team win in 2019.

    RHP Mychal Givens, Baltimore

    2019 Stats: 5.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 37 K, 27.0 IP

    Givens might not have the eye-popping numbers of some of the other names on this list but that doesn’t mean he should be ignored. His 12.3 K/9 total is a career high. Over the last three seasons, he has posted a 3.29 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP with 10.3 K/9. This season, he has struggled with the long ball as he has surrendered six home runs in 23 appearances. He is still arbitration eligible and the earliest he can be a free agent is 2022.

    RHP Shane Greene, Detroit

    2019 Stats: 1.04 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 28 K, 26.0 IP

    Minnesota got a close-up look at Greene this weekend and has an AL leading 19 saves. He’s putting up career numbers, which might seem like a surprise when looking at the last three seasons. Since switching to the bullpen full-time in 2016, he has a 4.47 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP and 9.3 K/9. He will still be arbitration eligible in 2020 as he signed this season for $4 million. He’s a member of another AL Central foe, so Minnesota might look to other options.

    LHP Brad Hand, Cleveland

    2019 Stats: 0.98 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, 40 K, 27.2 IP

    Some of the names on this list would be rental players, but Hand doesn’t fit into that category. He is signed through 2020 with a club option for 2021. This will make him very intriguing to contending clubs. Minnesota needs another lefty to go with Taylor Rogers in the bullpen and Hand could fit that mold. Over the last three seasons, he’s posted a 2.62 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP with a 12.0 K/9. Since he’s with Cleveland, Minnesota might not want to make an in-division trade and Cleveland’s asking price could be high.

    RHP Greg Holland, Arizona

    2019 Stats: 1.31 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 28 K, 20.2 IP

    Holland is a familiar name to Twins fans as he was Kansas City’s closer for the first half of this decade. Tommy John surgery cost him the 2016 season and this year might be the first time he is back to his pre-surgery form. His 12.2 K/9 rate is his highest total since 2014. He has playoff experience as part of Kansas City’s trip to the 2014 World Series and he pitched in the 2017 NL Wild Card Game with Colorado. He’s a free agent at season’s end, so he could be a cheaper option than some of the other names on this list.

    RHP Sergio Romo, Miami

    2019 Stats: 5.48 ERA, 1.43 ERA, 21 K, 23.0 IP

    Romo has the most playoff experience of anyone on this list. He was part of three World Series titles in San Francisco and has pitched in 27 playoff games. From 2016-2018, he posted a 3.63 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP and 9.8 K/9. Romo signed a cheap one-year, $2.5 million contract with Miami this off-season so there would be very little financial commitment to him. He also wouldn’t cost a lot to acquire. However, his decreased strikeout rate from 10.0 K/9 to 8.2 K/9 is concerning.

    LHP Will Smith, San Francisco

    2019 Stats: 2.19 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, 35 K, 24.2 IP

    Smith is in his second season back from Tommy John surgery and his performance seems to have seen few ill-effects. Over the last two seasons, he has posted a 2.43 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP with a 12.3 K/9. Even though he’s left-handed, Smith has been successful against righties and lefties as he has held righties to a .487 OPS and lefties to a .399 OPS. Smith will be a free agent this winter so it will be interesting to see what kind of deal the Giants will be able to get for him.

    LHP Felipe Vazquez, Pittsburgh

    2019 Stats: 2.30 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 43 K, 27.1 IP

    Vazquez might come with one of the highest asking prices on this list. He is potentially under team control through 2023. This means, Pittsburgh would need to be overwhelmed in any kind of offer for their left-handed closer. He took over as the Pirates full-time closer in 2017. During that stretch, he has compiled a 2.19 ERA with a 1.08 WHIP and a 11.5 K/9. Minnesota has some depth in their system, but it seems unlikely for them to deal an elite prospect.

    LHP Tony Watson, San Francisco

    2019 Stats: 2.55 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 21 K, 24.2 IP

    Watson might be a name that is a little more unfamiliar to Twins fans. He’s pitched his entire career in the NL for the Pirates, Dodgers, and Giants. As a lefty, Watson is more than just a LOOGY. He has averaged over 70 innings pitched from 2013-2018 and he posted a career high 9.8 K/9 last season. His strikeout numbers have dipped a little this season (7.7 K/9) so that might be a cause for concern. Watson has a $2.5 million player option for 2020 or he could test the free agent waters.

    Who do you think the Twins should target? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

    Cody Christie is a Twins writer and content contributor. His writing can be found exclusively at Twins Daily and his voice can be heard on radio stations throughout the Upper Midwest. Outside of the Twins, he is a father, high school teacher, and avid runner.
    Follow Cody Christie on Twitter: nodaktwinsfan

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    SomeGuy

    SomeGuy 629

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    • Posted

    Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic on Bumgarner's asking price.

     

    “From what industry sources are telling me, Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi already has had a dialogue with some contenders, including the New York Yankees, and he made it clear the Giants will not treat Bumgarner as a yard-sale item that must be cleared off the driveway before moving day,” Baggarly writes. “The Giants will get the value they are seeking or they won’t move him.”

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    TerwilligerBuntsOne

    TerwilligerBuntsOne 64

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    The interesting part of being BUYERS this year is that we are perhaps set up to do so at least in part because we were SELLERS the past year or two at the deadline.  Trading away guys like Escobar, Kintzler, Dozier, Garcia, Pressley (gulp), etc. were not always popular moves.  However, it replenished the farm system with a number of mid-tier prospects in return.  These are exactly the same type of prospects that will help the Twins trade for an arm or two, while not completely depleting the farm system.  The trading window is opening, and we have some money in the bank.  The plan is all starting to come together........

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    nicksaviking

    nicksaviking 26,755

  • Community Moderator

    • Posted

     

    Does Amir Garrett from the Reds do anything for anybody? He's having a great year on (I believe) a one year deal. 

     

    I'd take Garret, Iglesis or Stephenson. The Reds think they're close to contending though, I'm not sure they'd move any of them. But since they have three good controllable bullpen arms, maybe.

     

    Even if the Twins were willing to pay division rival prices for Hand, I kind of suspect Cleveland wouldn't work with the Twins. I can see why an up-and-coming team would be willing to trade within the division, but there's going to be a bit of resentment from the team getting knocked off of the pedestal. 

     

    I doubt Detroit would have the same reservations, but I don't want Greene. He'll be giving Sano a workout if he's closing games. As much as I'm enjoying Sano so far this year, I don't want to put the game in his, or any of the infielder's hands in the 9th.

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    USAFChief

    USAFChief 58,010

  • Community Moderator

    • Posted

     

    Even if the D-backs do sell, I don't want Bradley or Ray anyway.  If you're looking for the combo-platter - Toronto is the place to shop.

    I'd certainly take Robbie Ray, but even if the DBacks sell, I'm not sure they'd deal Ray. He's not a FA until 2021. Archie Bradley has good stuff, and might be a decent buy low bullpen candidate.

     

    If they sell, Grienke will be the first to go.

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    tman

    tman 12

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    • Posted

    The Twins are likely to have the luxury of acquiring help just with the playoffs in mind, as it's looking like they will win the division crown handily.  IMO, they'll need two bullpen guys and a top-line starter.  If they are not able to get the top-line starter (i.e.--Bumgarner), the bullpen guys won't matter as much, as the Twins won't have much chance to get to the World Series without an experienced #1 starter.  At least one of the bullpen guys needs to be a right-hander.  I like both Giles and Holland.  Although Giles has not done well previously under playoff pressure, maybe he could redeem himself.  I also like left-hander Hand as a target.   It's interesting to note that the writer is leery of a trade within the division for fear that whoever the Twins trade will come back to haunt the Twins in future years.  I am thinking that division teams such as Detroit, KC, or Cleveland may be thinking that whoever they trade to the Twins will come back to haunt them in the future.

     

    Other random thoughts:   Ryan Pressley would really look good back in a Twins uniform now.   If and when the Twins make the playoffs, I would think that one or a couple of the current starters would be possible bullpen pitchers.  (Pineda, Perez, even Gibson if the Twins are able to acquire a front-line starter.

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    Otto von Ballpark

    Otto von Ballpark 20,320

  • Community Leader

    • Posted

    Arizona has been pretty streaky this year, and based on their off-season, are rebuilding.

    FWIW, Arizona was actually trying to acquire Mike Leake last week. I think they have said they are buyers, for now. Although that could change.

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    Otto von Ballpark

    Otto von Ballpark 20,320

  • Community Leader

    • Posted

    He had a 114 OPS+ with regular playing time last year. Since being back in AAA with regular plate appearances, he's got a .366 wOBA. He also doesn't hit arbitration till 2022. He's not a prospect to build a core around, but if you're entering a rebuild like the Giants you could do way worse than having him in the OF rotation.

     

    I can't imagine the market for Smith being all that robust considering the service time. I figure the Cubs will be interested, but they're pretty strapped right now on their farm. They'd likely also be offering damaged goods like Ian Happ, I presume.

    Cave also had a .363 BABIP last year.

     

    Smith is a pending FA but he is well regarded and pitching great right now. A LHP who dominates both sides. He might be the Giants best trade chip, so I think they need to aim for upside on his return.

     

    Don't get me wrong, Cave is a useful player and the Giants would benefit by having him. But they can't spend Smith to get a guy like that, or their rebuild will go nowhere -- they need to find their Cave types just like how the Twins did (DFA and minor trade situations).

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    DocBauer

    DocBauer 14,431

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    • Posted

    Trading within your own division is not just on the Twins and a reluctance and giving good players to a rival. Said rival team isn't always interested in helping you achieve your goals for this season, and possibly longer.

     

    Just being a realist, I don't think you see the Twins, or most any team, acquiring 3 pitchers, much less 4. I like Watson, and have for some time, as a 2nd LH in the pen. He's had a nice, somewhat under the radar career and looks solid again this season. I don't think he'd be all that expensive. Then, bring in a top RH with at least one more year of control, and I'd be pretty happy. Just not sure who that choice would be.

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    JW24

    JW24 470

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    • Posted

     

    FWIW, Arizona was actually trying to acquire Mike Leake last week. I think they have said they are buyers, for now. Although that could change.

     

    They seem to be playing for a WC spot at best (2.5 games back, currently). If they hit a slump and fall further out of the playoff picture, do they change their tune? Moving Goldschmidt last off-season for Luke Weaver (MLB), Carson Kelly (MLB) and Andy Young (AA) would say they want guys either MLB ready or close. Being in the same division as the Dodgers, I don't see them as serious contenders for a couple years at best. It might be in their best interest to trade a couple of guys for a big package of prospects that will debut over the next couple years. But this is purely speculation for the sake of discussion.

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    jorgenswest

    jorgenswest 5,941

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    Does Amir Garrett from the Reds do anything for anybody? He's having a great year on (I believe) a one year deal.

     

    He won’t be a free agent until 2024.

     

    The Reds might sell high on him having a career year at age 27. He won’t be inexpensive.

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    Otto von Ballpark

    Otto von Ballpark 20,320

  • Community Leader

    • Posted

     

    They seem to be playing for a WC spot at best (2.5 games back, currently). If they hit a slump and fall further out of the playoff picture, do they change their tune? Moving Goldschmidt last off-season for Luke Weaver (MLB), Carson Kelly (MLB) and Andy Young (AA) would say they want guys either MLB ready or close. Being in the same division as the Dodgers, I don't see them as serious contenders for a couple years at best. It might be in their best interest to trade a couple of guys for a big package of prospects that will debut over the next couple years. But this is purely speculation for the sake of discussion.

    Nothing wrong with playing for a WC spot -- especially in a division with the Dodgers, they may never see anything better!

     

    But yeah, I expect they will re-evaluate if they fall further back. Worth noting Goldschmidt was an expiring asset -- they may not be so eager to move Ray or Bradley in 2019. Holland would probably be their top chip, reloading for 2020 (they do still have solid controlled players all around their roster).

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    Major League Ready

    Major League Ready 5,943

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    • Posted

     

    Cave on his own wouldn’t get anyone better than the guys they already have in abundance.

    Hand would be great, but he would probably cost Kirilloff or Graterol + others. Cleveland gave up Francisco Mejia, who was approximately the number ten overall prospect at the time of the deal. Hand is signed through at least next year. 2021 is a team option. He has one less year of control than when San Diego traded him, but he’s having the best season of his career. I’m not sure I’d send a top prospect to a still-in-it division rival.

    Vazquez would be great, but more expensive than Hand in terms of prospects. Giles would also be good and possibly a little cheaper, given his previous red flags.

    I don’t know who they’re gonna trade for. I guess my personal preference would be Giles and/or Smith. I don’t think they’ll get more than one high profile arm, in any case, and maybe not even that. Even so, I think they’ll find some guys who can pitch tough innings.

     

    Mejia was the #15 prospect but he only has a 50FV.  Maybe his FV has dropped since the trade. It does not make sense the #15 prospect would have had a 50FV. Regardless, Kirilloff is a 60FV and the Indians were getting an extra year vs the Twins renting him. Plus, The Indians did not add any other prospects unless the report I read was wrong and the Indians got another RP in the trade. I don't think any rental RPs are bringing a FV60 prospect + others.

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    HawksNest

    HawksNest 467

  • Verified Member

    • Posted (edited)

    Pretty sure my first choice would be Amir Garrett.

     

    I think he's an absolute stud on an upward trajectory.

     

    Giles is having a great season but his shaky history scares me a bit. He definitely has the stuff to be elite as we're seeing this year.

     

    Felipe Vazquez is going to cost a boat-load but I'm not necessarily opposed to making a deal if it's there, the guy is a beast.

     

    To me, Will Smith is a rock steady, non-"sexy" option which is completely fine and I would be 100% ok with acquiring him. Don't think he offers the upside of the others but he would immediately become Rogers equal in the 'pen.

     

    I really don't foresee a deal being made within the division so any talk of Diekman, Hand, Greene, Colome, etc. doesn't seem realistic to me. Which is too bad because the other teams in our division each have a reliever or two that would look great on the Twins.

    Edited by HawksNest
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    Steve Lein

    Steve Lein 3,180

  • Twins Daily Contributor

    • Posted

     

    Cave also had a .363 BABIP last year.

    Smith is a pending FA but he is well regarded and pitching great right now. A LHP who dominates both sides. He might be the Giants best trade chip, so I think they need to aim for upside on his return.

    Don't get me wrong, Cave is a useful player and the Giants would benefit by having him. But they can't spend Smith to get a guy like that, or their rebuild will go nowhere -- they need to find their Cave types just like how the Twins did (DFA and minor trade situations).

     

    The Giants "trade chips" aren't actually very good ones because MadBum and Smith are half-year rentals. The market prices, as long as the team is really willing to deal them (sounds like may not be the case with Bumgarner) for these types of guys are not really high (see Familia and other deals from last year).

     

    In my opinion Smith should cost a prospect in the Twins range of 10-20. MadBum a little higher or multiple 10-20 guys.

     

    I'd propose Yunior Severino for Smith. Rooker for MadBum -If they want a pitcher Jhoan Duran. Piece that together however you want for both and maybe add in someone like Jose Miranda. 

     

    The highest guy I'm offering for any rental, no matter whom (including these two in one package), is in Trevor Larnach's range, and they wouldn't be getting much of anything more after that if he's the target.

     

    (My current top 10 would go something like: Lewis, Kirilloff, Graterol, Javier, Balazovic, Larnach, Duran, Rooker, Thorpe, Enlow)

     

    Honestly though, in the Twins current situation (1 starting pitcher under contract for 2020?) I might be shooting a bit higher for guys with control for this year and the future. So now we're starting to talk prospect names people might not like, as in Graterol, Javier, Balazovic, and possibly even Lewis/Kirilloff if it's the right guy (not sure who that would be at this point).

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    Otto von Ballpark

    Otto von Ballpark 20,320

  • Community Leader

    • Posted

     

    Mejia was the #15 prospect but he only has a 50FV.  Maybe his FV has dropped since the trade. It does not make sense the #15 prospect would have had a 50FV. Regardless, Kirilloff is a 60FV and the Indians were getting an extra year vs the Twins renting him. Plus, The Indians did not add any other prospects unless the report I read was wrong and the Indians got another RP in the trade. I don't think any rental RPs are bringing a FV60 prospect + others.

    Mejia was 60 FV on Fangraphs preseason 2018 list, and 55 FV at the 2018 deadline. Down to 50 FV on the Padres 2019 list. (At his rate, he'll be at zero FV by 2024 :) )

     

    https://blogs.fangraphs.com/top-22-prospects-cleveland-indians/

     

    https://blogs.fangraphs.com/ranking-the-prospects-traded-at-the-deadline-2/

     

    I agree that I don't expect any rental RPs to cost a 60 FV prospect, but Hand and Vasquez aren't rentals. Especially considering Cleveland is our division rival, I think it would take a pretty overwhelming offer for the Twins to get Hand this year -- easily more than Francisco Mejia circa the 2018 deadline.

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    SwainZag

    SwainZag 5,031

  • Community Moderator

    • Posted

     

    The Twins are likely to have the luxury of acquiring help just with the playoffs in mind, as it's looking like they will win the division crown handily.  IMO, they'll need two bullpen guys and a top-line starter.  If they are not able to get the top-line starter (i.e.--Bumgarner), the bullpen guys won't matter as much, as the Twins won't have much chance to get to the World Series without an experienced #1 starter.  At least one of the bullpen guys needs to be a right-hander.  I like both Giles and Holland.  Although Giles has not done well previously under playoff pressure, maybe he could redeem himself.  I also like left-hander Hand as a target.   It's interesting to note that the writer is leery of a trade within the division for fear that whoever the Twins trade will come back to haunt the Twins in future years.  I am thinking that division teams such as Detroit, KC, or Cleveland may be thinking that whoever they trade to the Twins will come back to haunt them in the future.

     

    Other random thoughts:   Ryan Pressley would really look good back in a Twins uniform now.   If and when the Twins make the playoffs, I would think that one or a couple of the current starters would be possible bullpen pitchers.  (Pineda, Perez, even Gibson if the Twins are able to acquire a front-line starter.

     

    I will have to disagree with you that Twins NEED to acquire a proven ace to compete in the playoffs.  Give me 2 bullpen arms, throw Odor and Berrios in games 1 and 2 with this lineup and we have a fighting chance with anyone in the league.

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    J_Dobs

    J_Dobs 58

  • Provisional Member

    • Posted

     

    Am I being a homer or does the Will Smith rental for Jake Cave seem fair for both sides?

     

    I have argued this personally for at least a month now... give Cave and a 45 overall prospect I feel this would be a no brainier for both sides. But not sure what other teams would be willing to offer.

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    MNT1996

    MNT1996 3,030

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    I don't think trades within a division for a reliever is a good idea. We could very well be sending top prospects that could come back and haunt us for many games during the season. Will Smith + Bumgarner trade please.

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    SomeGuy

    SomeGuy 629

  • Verified Member

    • Posted (edited)

     

    They seem to be playing for a WC spot at best (2.5 games back, currently). If they hit a slump and fall further out of the playoff picture, do they change their tune? Moving Goldschmidt last off-season for Luke Weaver (MLB), Carson Kelly (MLB) and Andy Young (AA) would say they want guys either MLB ready or close. Being in the same division as the Dodgers, I don't see them as serious contenders for a couple years at best. It might be in their best interest to trade a couple of guys for a big package of prospects that will debut over the next couple years. But this is purely speculation for the sake of discussion.

    The Diamondbacks have the 3rd best run differential in the NL. Plus no team in MLB has played more games against teams above .500 than them. A wild card seems well within their sights especially if their schedule evens out. I think they need to go for it unless things change drastically.

    Edited by SomeGuy
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