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  • Official Twins Daily July Trade Deadline Thread


    Seth Stohs

    There are certain days in a baseball season that people just know, just remember. Opening Day is obviously a big one. At Twins Daily, the days of the MLB Draft are very busy and warrant their own thread. The July 31 Non-Waivers Trade Deadline is another one of those days. This article can be used to discuss any trades and rumors that happen up until the 3:00 deadline.

    Image courtesy of Linwood Ferguson (Max Kepler, Kohl Stewart)

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    Rumors certainly ran rampant throughout the day on Thursday. Things were fairly quiet on the Twins front, though talk picked up later in the evening regarding the San Diego Padres. Are the Padres going to sell? It certainly seems like it. Who are they looking to trade? Could Justin Upton really be of interest to the Twins, and if so, what would they have to give up to get him? Joaquin Benoit and Shawn Kelley are probably available. Which would the Twins prefer? Can, as Jeremy asked a couple of days ago, they really be interested in James Shields? Could they rid themselves of Ricky Nolasco’s contract at the same time?

    Now it sounds like the Padres and Astros (who have been busy this past week) are talking about relievers, so there will be competition for their players. The Yankees are reportedly now interested in Craig Kimbrel. My sense is that GM AJ Preller and the Padres will be quite busy on Friday.

    The Twins certainly have some trade chips. Buxton, Sano and Berrios are likely untouchable, but could Max Kepler be in play? If so, getting three hits (including two home runs) on Thursday night likely improves his value. He is now hitting .337/.418/.553 (.971) with 25 doubles, nine triples and six home runs in 77 games with the Lookouts. He has very good speed as evidenced by his nine triples but also his 13 stolen bases. He can play all three outfield positions and first base. If he is traded, the Twins had better get a nice haul for him! He’s certainly demanding people’s attention around baseball circles.

    Jorge Polanco played well in his start at shortstop on Thursday night, collecting two hits and getting on base three times. Would the Twins consider trading him, or would they prefer to deal Danny Santana? Would teams be interested in him?

    It was certainly noteworthy that the Twins flip-flopped LHP Stephen Gonsalves with RHP Kohl Stewart in the Ft. Myers rotation. Stewart had his scheduled start pushed from Thursday (before deadline) to Friday (after deadline). Could it be that they just felt Stewart needed a day off? Sure. Could it be that the Twins didn’t want to risk an injury to Stewart so that he could be traded? It sure could. Stewart’s name has popped up in rumors.

    Now, we know that the Twins typically are not huge players at the trade deadline. They aren’t typically a team that is going to give up a ton of high-quality prospects for elite talents. That said, they have been an active team most years at the deadline. Here’s a quick look at Twins moves in late July in recent years:

    • July 24, 2014 – Traded DH Kendrys Morales to Seattle for RHP Stephen Pryor.
    • July 31, 2014 – Traded OF Sam Fuld to Oakland for LHP Tommy Milone.
    • July 31, 2013 – Traded C Drew Butera to the LA Dodgers for a PTBNL (Miguel Sulburan).
    • July 28, 2012 – Traded LHP Francisco Liriano to the Chicago White Sox for IF Eduardo Escobar & LHP Pedro Hernandez.
    • July 29, 2010 – Traded LHP Joe Testa and C Wilson Ramos to Washington for RHP Matt Capps.
    • July 31, 2009 – Traded SS Tyler Ladendorf to Oakland for SS Orlando Cabrera.
    • July 31, 2007 – Traded 2B Luis Castillo to the NY Mets for OF Dustin Martin and C Drew Butera.
    • July 31, 2006 – Traded RHP Kyle Lohse to Cincinnati for RHP Zach Ward.
    • July 31, 2004 – Traded 1B Doug Mientkiewicz to Boston in a four-team traded, received LHP Justin Jones from the Cubs.
    • July 16, 2003 – Traded OF Bobby Kielty to Toronto for OF Shannon Stewart and a PTBNL (LHP Dave Gassner).
    • July 12, 2002 – Traded OF Brian Buchanan to San Diego for SS Jason Bartlett.
    • July 28, 2001 – Traded LHP Mark Redman to Detroit for RHP Todd Jones.
    • July 30, 2001 – Traded OF Matt Lawton to NY Mets for RHP Rick Reed.
    • July 15, 2000 – Traded OF Butch Huskey and 2B Todd Walker to Colorado for 1B Todd Sears.
    • July 31, 2000 – Traded 1B/OF Mario Valdez to Oakland for C Danny Ardoin.
    • July 31, 1998 – Traded OF Orlando Merced and LHP Greg Swindell to Boston for RHP Matt Kinney, OF John Barnes and LHP Joe Thomas.
    • July 6, 1995 – Traded RHP Rick Aguilera to Boston for RHP Frankie Rodriguez and PTBNL (OF JJ Johnson)
    • July 7, 1995 – Traded RHP Scott Erickson to Baltimore for RHP Scott Klingenbeck and PTBNL (OF Kimera Bartee)
    • July 31, 1995 – Traded LHP Mark Guthrie and RHP Kevin Tapani to LA Dodgers for IF Ron Coomer, RHP Greg Hansell, RHP Jose Parra and PTBNL (OF Chris Latham).
    • July 31, 1989 – Traded LHP Frank Viola to the NY Mets for RHP Rick Aguilera, RHP Kevin Tapani., LHP David West, RHP Tim Drummond and PTBNL (RHP Jack Savage).
    • July 31, 1987 – Traded PTBNL (RHP Jeff Perry) to Cleveland for LHP Steve Carlton.

    There is certainly a mix of good trades, bad trades and forgettable trades.

    The trade deadline this year has been surprising. There haven't been a lot of minor trades. There have been a lot of big names traded all over. Just five teams (including the Twins and the Padres) have yet to make a single move this month as we approach these final hours. I’d expect both of them to make moves on Friday.

    On Thursday, there was a crazy 13-player, three-team trade between the Dodgers, the Braves and the Marlins. Carlos Gomez thought he was going from Milwaukee to the Mets on Wednesday night. That trade was called off, and on Thursday he (and Mike Fiers) were dealt to Houston. After getting Troy Tulowitzki earlier in the week, the Blue Jays gave up LHP Daniel Norris and more to get David Price for the rest of this season. In case you missed it late on Wednesday night, the Rangers sent five prospects to the Phillies for Cole Hamels.

    It’s been a very interesting deadline and now we are on the actual day of the deadline. Sure, things will happen in August too, but it should be a very exciting day.

    Feel free to use this thread to discuss moves and rumors throughout the day, particularly those regarding the Minnesota Twins.

    Twins Daily will attempt to keep up with everything and if the team does make a deal, check back for even more coverage.

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    Per mlbtraderumors we're more in the Craig Breslow market than Craig Kimbrel

     

    Actually it says we are not interested in Breslow:

     

    •Though the Twins are in the market for relief help, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports (via Twitter) that they’re not interested in either Junichi Tazawa or Craig Breslow of the Red Sox. Berardino hears that the Twins are turned off by Tazawa’s five-plus years of service (he’ll be a free agent after 2016) and Breslow’s impending free agency.

     

    http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/07/pen-notes-astros-seek-impact-arm-twins-prioritizing-control-lowe-drawing-interest.html

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    I could definitely get behind Kimbrel, but for Kepler?  Unless the Twins think Kepler is a mirage and are selling high, I'd probably look to send a lesser prospect for Kimbrel. 

     

    Got to sell high.  There are some disturbing things about Kepler, namely power or lack of (compare his numbers with Arcia's at this point,) defense, and speed.   Kepler and Arcia are pretty much repetitive in the organization, with the difference that we know that Arcia will hit for more power (and the Twins do not have (m)any power hitters from the L side.) and Arcia's OF D has been improving while Kepler's declining.   Kepler's ceiling?  2015 Mauer with less defense and likely less contact.  In other words, Scott Stahoviak (who was highly rated also, btw, compare his MiLB numbers with Kepler's...)

    Sell High.

    Edited by Thrylos
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    Interesting Stahoviak comp and while there are similarities, it should be noted that Scott received roughly half his MiLB PAs in the PCL. Kepler is posting similar numbers but he's doing it in a much more balanced Southern League.

     

    Also, Stahoviak struck out nearly twice for every walk taken while Kepler has a 1:1 ratio this season, though that is a relatively new thing for Max.

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    I would be in favor of a deal for Shields and Benoit - allowing the Twins to push Pelfrey into the bullpen, where I think he would be very good.  A Santana, Shields, Hughes, Gibson, Milone rotation looks quite good to me - as does a Pelfrey/Duensing/May-6th and 7th inning, Benoit-8th inning and Perkins closing.

     

    Padres take on Nolasco, get Kohl Stewart and possibly Arcia or Santana.

     

     

     

     

    Edited by MileHighTwinsFan
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    I think Molitor has different motivations - he still has to manage the current 25 man roster, and can't have it out there he is asking for a trade in case something doesn't happen.

     

    If he was honest he would probably say "Get me some bleeping relievers yesterday"

     

    The only thing Molitor needs to say is "Keep your eyes out of the sports section and your heads in the game".

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    Got to sell high.  There are some disturbing things about Kepler, namely power or lack of (compare his numbers with Arcia's at this point,) defense, and speed.   Kepler and Arcia are pretty much repetitive in the organization, with the difference that we know that Arcia will hit for more power (and the Twins do not have (m)any power hitters from the L side.) and Arcia's OF D has been improving while Kepler's declining.   Kepler's ceiling?  2015 Mauer with less defense and likely less contact.  In other words, Scott Stahoviak (who was highly rated also, btw, compare his MiLB numbers with Kepler's...)

    Sell High.

     

    That's quite the low ceiling, a likely outcome but his ceiling? really?  Why do you say his defense has been declining?  I haven't seen any reports on this and that's really all we can go by in the minors for the most part.  The fact he's been playing all three outfield positions makes me doubt this claim as well. 

     

    If you said that he may just end up as a no power guy who plays 1B and Corner outfield, I may agree that is a possible, maybe even likely outcome but his ceiling is much higher than a .725 OPS guy who can only play 1B/DH.   He was expected to take a bit longer to develop than other prospects due to his background and now we're starting to see him flourish.  Hey may never be a 20-30 HR guy but that doesn't mean he's 2015 Joe Mauer all of a sudden.

     

    I do agree though that I'd almost rather trade him than Arcia because as you point out, we'd be selling high on Kepler and low on Arcia.   I think he'd bring more in a trade because he does have a high ceiling and now it's translating to the field in AA. 

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    Got to sell high.  There are some disturbing things about Kepler, namely power or lack of (compare his numbers with Arcia's at this point,) defense, and speed.   Kepler and Arcia are pretty much repetitive in the organization, with the difference that we know that Arcia will hit for more power (and the Twins do not have (m)any power hitters from the L side.) and Arcia's OF D has been improving while Kepler's declining.   Kepler's ceiling?  2015 Mauer with less defense and likely less contact.  In other words, Scott Stahoviak (who was highly rated also, btw, compare his MiLB numbers with Kepler's...)

    Sell High.

    I disagree with literally every word. Kepler is nothing like Arcia, except for being a lefty.  He has a higher SLG. percentage than Adam Walker right now (yes, seriously.) Kepler's OF D has been declining? What? I have heard only the opposite. And Arcia's OF D has been improving? Where do you get that from?+ Look, I get that HRs are sexy. But really, a lot of doubles and triples will make up for only mediocre HR numbers, which is what Kepler has/will have.

    Edited by nytwinsfan
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    Kimbrel isn't a free agent until 2018 so we'd have him for 2+ years. I'd do that trade for Kepler. We have plenty of Of's at this point not much at the end of the bullpen. Kimbrel and Perkins in the 8th and 9th would be very nice the next two years, imo.

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    Trade JR Graham back to Atlanta for AJ, then get some real bullpen help. Anybody want to take Pelfrey, Arcia or Santana? They're not all world right now but gotta be worth something.

    They might try to get the Braves to include Graham in a deal with Pierzynski. It would enable the Twins to add an arm in the pen and give Graham some AAA starts.

    Edited by jorgenswest
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    Kimbrel isn't a free agent until 2018 so we'd have him for 2+ years. I'd do that trade for Kepler. We have plenty of Of's at this point not much at the end of the bullpen. Kimbrel and Perkins in the 8th and 9th would be very nice the next two years, imo.

    Both guy actually have 2018 options so as long as they keep pitching it would be for 3+ years.  I would do that no problem, especially if it includes taking back Nolasco's contract as part of the deal. 

     

    I think people also need to realize that Kimbrel is not just a very good reliever but he may be the best reliever in the game right now.  Plus with Perks cheap contract we can afford to pay his big contract. Again, I just wonder who would end up closing games if we got him. 

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    I heard Kepler was dangled in a package for Kimbrel, but it's not going anywhere.

    If the Yankees offer Mateo, they'll get Kimbrel. Then the Astros go after Benoit and the Twins are left standing with all the chairs full.

    Heard the Upton rumor with more detail: The Padres would trade him and take back Nolasco's contract for Hicks or Rosario. That would amount to a salary dump with no other moves and people would be angry.

    Unless it's part of something bigger. Stay tuned.

    Justin Upton straight up for Hicks OR Rosario and they'll also take Nolasco??

     

    Make it Rosario and I'd jump all over this.  To me, if Padres insist on Hicks, we gotta have more [whatever that might be].  Twins can use the extra power hitter and an extra free spot on the pitching staff. 

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    They might try to get the Braves to include Graham in a deal with Pierzynski. It would enable the Twins to add an arm in the pen and give Graham some AAA starts.

    That would be a nice addition to a Pierzynski pickup.

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    I'm OK with the Twins not doing much. Let them pay the offseason price for a catcher and bullpen help.

    Let Polanco play at SS and see what we have got there. If he hits and fields we got our man. If he hits, but doesn't field he is tradeable.

    If he hits and DOESN'T field how is he tradeable?

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    Got to sell high.  There are some disturbing things about Kepler, namely power or lack of (compare his numbers with Arcia's at this point,) defense, and speed.   Kepler and Arcia are pretty much repetitive in the organization, with the difference that we know that Arcia will hit for more power (and the Twins do not have (m)any power hitters from the L side.) and Arcia's OF D has been improving while Kepler's declining.   Kepler's ceiling?  2015 Mauer with less defense and likely less contact.  In other words, Scott Stahoviak (who was highly rated also, btw, compare his MiLB numbers with Kepler's...)

    Sell High.

    Count me in on asking some more follow up on this one.

     

    I'm not saying Kepler is going to burn it all down, but I'm not sold on minor league home runs as being indicative of major league power development, especially with a uber-development player like Kepler. 

     

    Brian Dozier (while likely a statistical outlier) hit 7 home runs in 311 AA at bats (22 Doubles/7 Triples). In 323 at bats, Kepler has 6 Hr/25 doubles/9 triples). Arcia at AA 262:20/510.

     

    I have to run to a meeting, but I would also compare the K/W ration....stupid meetings..

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    I would love to see a situation where they just said screw the traditional closer role.  You have two elite pitchers to cover the back end of the game and they are used interchangeably depending on matchups.

    Bill Campbell and Tom Burgemeier :go:

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    I would love to see a situation where they just said screw the traditional closer role.  You have two elite pitchers to cover the back end of the game and they are used interchangeably depending on matchups.

    100% agree with this. What's more important winning games or saves? Check your ego at the door and do what's best for the team.
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    Rosario or Hicks absolutely should NOT be traded in order to dump Nolasco. The Twins have plenty of payroll flexibility and while it sucks having Nolasco's money on the books the Twins can easily just eat it instead of giving up a stud OF like Hicks or Rosario.

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    Broxton to the Cardinals.

     

    For a 20 yr old posting a .700 OPS in his third yr in rookie ball, without a position.

     

    Too steep a price for TR?

     

    I thought this said "Buxton to the Cardinals." It caused me to spit out a little bit of the soda I was drinking and do a double take. 

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