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  • Nunez Traded To Giants For LHP Prospect

    Seth Stohs

    By Seth Stohs

    Following the Twins 6-2 win against the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night, the team announced that All Star Shortstop Eduardo Nunez has been traded to the San Francisco Giants.

    In return, the Twins received left-handed pitcher Adalberto Mejia. He just turned 23 years old. In 18 starts between AA Richmond and AAA Sacramento this year, he is a combined 7-3 with a 2.81 ERA. In 105.2 innings, he has 27 walks and 102 strikeouts. He made 11 starts in AA and has now made seven starts in AAA.

    Image courtesy of Brad Rempel, USA Today

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    The Giants have an All-Star caliber shortstop in Brandon Crawford. Second Baseman Joe Panik is about to come off of the Disabled List. Matt Duffy has been their primary third baseman. Eduardo Nunez will likely play all three positions, and maybe even a little in the outfield.

    Once considered the heir-apparent to Derek Jeter as the New York Yankees shortstop, Eduardo Nunez never really got that opportunity. Instead, he had to play as a utility infielder. In April of 2014, he was traded to the Twins in exchange for left-handed pitcher Miguel Sulbaran.

    He played in 72 games for the Twins in 2014 and hit just .250/.271/.381 (.654). In 2015, he finally seemed to really accept the role of a bench player and thrived. He hit .272/.327/.431 (.758).

    Because of injury, Nunez finally got an opportunity to play every day and he took full advantage. While he has slowed down in the last month, he is still hitting .300/.326/.444 (.771) with 15 doubles, 12 homers, 47 RBI and a league-leading 26 stolen bases. He made - and earned - his first All Star appearance.

    Popular in the clubhouse, Nunez will likely be missed by teammates. He is considered a leader among the players, particularly the many young players from Latin American countries.

    However, to get a prospect the caliber of Adalberto Mejia for him is rather impressive.

    Mejia was suspended 50 games for PEDs following the 2014 season. He missed time at the start of the 2015 season. Since, he he pitched very well.

    Mejia is listed at 6-3, 195 pounds, but most believe he is at least 20 pounds more than that. However, the southpaw has a fastball that reached to 93-94 mph.He also throws a slider in the mid-80s and a low-80s change up.

    For Rob Antony's first move as the interim GM, I would think this would go down in the "Pro" column for his candidacy for the full-time job.

    Mejia's Twins career will begin with the Rochester Red Wings. Jorge Polanco was recalled to the Twins.

    Seth Stohs has been blogging about the Minnesota Twins since May 2003. A founder and owner of Twins Daily, Seth has been a Twins fan for 40 years and has a passion for covering the minor leagues and prospects.
    Follow Seth Stohs on Twitter: sethtweets

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    Featured Comments

    LaBombo

    LaBombo 14,240

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    In depth scouting report, but a few years old from Baseball Prospectus.

     

    http://www.baseballprospectus.com/prospects/eyewitness_pit.php?reportid=137

     

    Favorite comment was "Painfully slow between pitches." lol.

     

     

    Also, read that the Brewers were scouting him earlier as a trade target.

    The BProp report also places his changeup as his third pitch, rating it good but with room for improvement in deceptiveness with arm motion and in arm slot consistency.

     

    I'm not sure what Allen's track record is with fine tuning changeups, but it seems to me that the Twins in general have had quite a bit of success in developing and/or fixing the changeup in young pitchers as much or more than any other pitch.

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    sorney

    sorney 362

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    This is an odd comment, considering I don't see a single poster criticizing the move, and in fact the vast majority are ecstatic over the move.

    Sorry, I've been flipping between this and twitter....The Tweet machine was a lot more brutal on the move. I meant no harm to the Twins Daily community

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    LaBombo

    LaBombo 14,240

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    Interesting trade. I definitely like it from the Twins' perspective, though I don't think Mejia is anything special. He gives the Twins more depth from which to jettison non-performing veterans.

    That's more or less my feeling, but if all he does is go six most of the time, keep the ERA around 4.50, and, like you said, give them the flexibility to get younger and cheaper, then job well done, Acting Captain.

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    ScrapTheNickname

    ScrapTheNickname 3,577

  • Provisional Member

    • Posted

     

    It better be Polanco at short. Anyone else will be a disappointment in my book.

    However, Polanco has started ZERO games at SS at AAA this year. He has started virtually all his games at 2B.

     

    What does this mean?

     

    1) He presumably won't be playing SS with the Twins.

    2) Dozier will be traded in short order.

    3) Hell if I know. 

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    ShouldaCouldaWoulda

    ShouldaCouldaWoulda 464

  • Provisional Member

    • Posted

     

    The BProp report also places his changeup as his third pitch, rating it good but with room for improvement in deceptiveness with arm motion and in arm slot consistency.

     

    I'm not sure what Allen's track record is with fine tuning changeups, but it seems to me that the Twins in general have had quite a bit of success in developing and/or fixing the changeup in young pitchers as much or more than any other pitch.

    BP /'16 Futures game player preview description;

     

    Adalberto Mejia, LHP, San Francisco Giants (Triple-A Sacramento)

     

    Mejia just turned 23, but on his best nights, he will look like a far more seasoned lefty. He’s a physical 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, and scouts have noted the degree he showed up to Spring Training in better physical condition this season. He’s more appealing for his floor than his ceiling, though he’s the type of pitcher that keeps a team in the game every fifth day. I saw him work with a heavy low-90s sinker and a four-pitch mix this April at Double-A Richmond, and he’ll run his fastball up to the 93-94 range at best. He’s made three starts so far since his promotion to Triple-A Sacramento, and the ceiling is that of a reliable back-end left-handed starter. —Adam McInturff

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    darin617

    darin617 835

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    This is a fine start. 1 down, 3 to go. Let's keep it up Antony!

     

    What are the other 2 moves? Hopefully you mean Nolasco & Abad. If Ervin Santana is dealt there goes any chance at getting out of the cellar next year.

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    Kwak

    Kwak 1,440

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    After a couple 13-14 beers at the bar I'm going to believe in the delusion for one night. Hopefully we don't wake up disappointed tomorrow!

    You won't--there is a thread about Polanco's promotion.

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    Danchat

    Danchat 11,131

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    Hmmm... yes, I like this trade. The Twins acquired a decently-talented starting pitcher in Mejia who I would estimate is a year away from making the rotation. Good stuff.

     

    I'm going to miss Nunez, with his helmet-flying off and insane 2016, but this is for the greater good. Escobar and Polanco can rotate at SS and figure out what the future for that position will be. 

     

    Man, they cleared a logjam and got a decent prospect. I like it!! I'm still expecting a reliever to be traded, but this is a great start.

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    nicksaviking

    nicksaviking 26,755

  • Community Moderator

    • Posted

    I like it, a young controllable lefty with some promise.

     

    The Twins have gotten a pretty good return for Scott Tyler and Travis Boyer! They got Luis Castillo who got Drew Buetera (and Dustin Martin) who got Miguel Sulbaran who got Nunez who now got Mejia.

     

    Not bad starting with a 20th round draft choice in 1999!

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    KirbyDome89

    KirbyDome89 4,113

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    What are the other 2 moves? Hopefully you mean Nolasco & Abad. If Ervin Santana is dealt there goes any chance at getting out of the cellar next year.

    This team isn't contending next year with or without Ervin Santana.

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    Brock Beauchamp

    Brock Beauchamp 39,328

  • Administrator

    • Posted

     

    I like it, a young controllable lefty with some promise.

    The Twins have gotten a pretty good return for Scott Tyler and Travis Boyer! They got Luis Castillo who got Drew Buetera (and Dustin Martin) who got Miguel Sulbaran who got Nunez who now got Mejia.

    Not bad starting with a 20th round draft choice in 1999!

    I'm a little embarrassed for you right now, nick.

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    Mr. Brooks

    Mr. Brooks 7,174

  • Provisional Member

    • Posted

    Hmmm... yes, I like this trade. The Twins acquired a decently-talented starting pitcher in Mejia who I would estimate is a year away from making the rotation. Good stuff.

     

    I'm going to miss Nunez, with his helmet-flying off and insane 2016, but this is for the greater good. Escobar and Polanco can rotate at SS and figure out what the future for that position will be.

     

    Man, they cleared a logjam and got a decent prospect. I like it!! I'm still expecting a reliever to be traded, but this is a great start.

    I think he's a lot closer than a year away. He looks to be ready right now.

    I'd expect he'll be in the rotation by September 1.

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    Danchat

    Danchat 11,131

  • Verified Member

    • Posted (edited)

     

    I think he's a lot closer than a year away. He looks to be ready right now.
    I'd expect he'll be in the rotation by September 1.

    What makes you say that? He's only started 7 games in AAA in his career. If the Twins don't think Berrios is ready, then they definitely don't think Mejia is ready.

     

    Also, does anyone know if Mejia will be on the 40 man roster?

    Edited by Danchat
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    shs_59

    shs_59 100

  • Provisional Member

    • Posted

    Gotta say I"M impressed with MYSELF and Rob Antony to a lesser degree...

     

    as i've been floating out Nunez to Giants for weeks (s) now

     

    I offered up names such as Christian Arroyo and Clayton Blackburn for Nunez and Alex Meyer.

     

    so to get Aldaberto Mejia for Nunez in a 1 for 1 swap  not too Bad

     

    I WOULD OF DONE BETTER , but not too shabby i can live with this one.

    not an 80 trade (aka Pierzynski for haul) or a 20 Capps for Ramos

     

    but somewhere in between, about a 60 or 65.  (we could of pried Blackburn from them also but ohh well)

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    shs_59

    shs_59 100

  • Provisional Member

    • Posted

     

    What makes you say that? He's only started 7 games in AAA in his career. If the Twins don't think Berrios is ready, then they definitely don't think Mejia is ready.

     

    Also, does anyone know if Mejia will be on the 40 man roster?

    absolutely why wouldn't he be?

     

    I'll say its a 60 / 40 chance he'll be a Sept. Call-up this yr

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    NoCal

    NoCal 73

  • Provisional Member

    • Posted

    Being a Bay Area resident, I think that this is a wonderful addition for the Giants. Probably a good move for the Twins too. I really hope that Nunez can ride with the Giants to a World Series, after his very frustrating years in New York. Good for the Twins to be enablers. And they may get rewarded with a starting pitcher, someday.

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    ND-Fan

    ND-Fan 125

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    Looks to be a fair trade for the Twins. Hope he keeps himself clean and not caught again for drugs. It opens up infield for Escobar to get playing time and I wouldn't be surprised if Dozier might be traded opening the way for some Twins prospects to come up later this year. Still expect Twins to trade reliever yet for fair prospect. I hope they can trade Nolasco and Milone for something. Nolasco future is in the national league. Milone would fit with a lot of teams he can make a fifth starter to eat innings or he can be used in long relief. I still wonder how much trading is going to happen before the trade deadline. Its good start for the Twins but I still think they have work cut out for them in moving some players yet.

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