Official Winter Meetings: Sunday Thread

Per Heyman:

 

Dozier is coming to the meetings? That would be significant.

 

 

I get the feeling that the Falvey Twins would see Kohl Stewart as a comp to what Bauer and Kluber were before Cleveland acquired them.

 

1. former high draft pick

2. teased as a future #2+ starter

3. strong peripherals in milb

4. potential could be flatlined at a #4 starter 

5. a bit unsolved by home org.

6. seems like a throw-in sweetener in a big trade

 

For these reasons, I hope we keep him.  He's enigmatic and I'd love to see what new voices/messages Falvey, et. al. add to their minor league staff to bring Kohl around.

I can be on board with including Kohl, if it is to help get a guy like Urias who we hoped Kohl someday became, when we drafted him. Not "just to trade him".

Can I just point out that I can't remember the Twins involved in a serious trade drama since...Johan? Terry Ryan simply never was willing to consider trading sell-high guys, let alone build a market for those guys. It really is the dawn of a new era.

To be fair, Bill Smith had us in the Cliff Lee conversation back in 2010. And that was the last time we had an asset or need worthy of serious trade drama (although I too understand that TR wouldn't be pushing Dozier like this).

Odds are Kohl Stewart isn't gonna be involved in any trade any time soon, but it is fun to talk about it. Really though I think it would be a very good idea to throw in a perkins or santiago or another pitcher that won't be apart of our future to improve the deal.

 

I am very on board with adding Puig as a second or third part of this deal. There's no better buy low player in the majors right now.

 

Unless we're getting De Loen and Alvarez or Puig I'm not making the deal.

I get the feeling that the Falvey Twins would see Kohl Stewart as a comp to what Bauer and Kluber were before Cleveland acquired them.

 

1. former high draft pick

2. teased as a future #2+ starter

3. strong peripherals in milb

4. potential could be flatlined at a #4 starter

5. a bit unsolved by home org.

6. seems like a throw-in sweetener in a big trade

 

For these reasons, I hope we keep him. He's enigmatic and I'd love to see what new voices/messages Falvey, et. al. add to their minor league staff to bring Kohl around.

Did you just describe Alex Meyer?

I like the idea of including Stewart in a trade. The question, though, is how much upside do other teams see in him. Given his average showing so far in the minors, my guess is the Twins are probably higher on him then other teams relying mostly on stats.

Personally, I have a couple thoughts on Stewart. The second..reverse order i know...is that he just may not be what we hoped and what scouts envisioned when he was drafted. Highschool pitchers are the most tantalizing prospects available, and the ones with the biggest question marks surrounding them. One is that I'm actually higher on him now than I was a year ago at this time.

 

His work at high A last season was very encouraging, and even while his numbers at AA weren't as good, he wasn't bad, and still showed potential and "weak contact" projectability. And I believe Seth stated once he only faced one or two batters in his AA time that were actually younger than him. He hasn't astounded anyone, or put up amazing numbers, but he has shown flashes and growth. My option is he is still learning how to be a PITCHER and not a thrower. He didn't concentrate on baseball until he signed with the Twins. He's also had a few mild injuries that have slowed him a bit. I read that the velocity and the "stuff" is there, despite limited K numbers, etc. He's still quite young. And from what is whispered here and there but not really said out loud, I think there is a maturity issue with him, IMO.

 

I am not saying not to include him in a deal, but my suspicion is that if he just grows up a little more, and can embrace learning, that he could very well be "late" bloomer who turns out to be a fine pitcher. "Late" meaning 24 or 25 when we hoped for 22-23.

 

On a side note, I see you are also from the Big Red state and here in Omaha! Didn't catch it until today.

1. Agreed they won't seek him out, but possible he becomes a third (or maybe second) piece if Dodgers really want to get rid of him and the first piece is really good (say Bellinger or (even less likely) Urias). Still, I agree this is unlikely.

2. I think if Falvey/Levine really really believe in Alvarez's upside (as some prospect followers do - e.g., Keith Law or Fangraphs), then this might be possible, with Wood taking the place of De Leon as the "now" pitching piece. Otherwise I think you are right that it requires De Leon.

3. Yup, sure, as a third piece. But Garver's stock has been rising of late and Barnes' falling. Not sure if Barnes is that much of an upgrade.

.

Despite an apparent "glut" of quality 2B in the league right now, a high quality player is still a high quality player. And Dozier is that. Plus, even if such glut exists, that doesn't mean those players are actually available. So even if Urias is off the table, it doesn't mean you have to settle for the 3rd or 4th pitching prospect available. You turn to other offers at that point.

 

I'm OK with Puig as a lottery ticket in the deal as a sort of "buy back" from the Dodgers to make the deal happen, if necessary. But IMO, he'd be, at best, the 3rd piece in this trade to just help the Dodgers out, and maybe entice them to sweeten the pot overall.

Personally, I hate the idea of including Stewart.  I think we're being unreasonable in  our expectations for him.  He is progressing just fine.  He was up to 143 innings pitched this summer, with almost 100 of them coming in AA during his age 21 season.  In 380 career innings, his ERA is under 3.00, he allows less than one hit/inning and has only given up 12 longballs.  Yes his strikeout totals are less than desired but according to reports, his 'stuff' is still there.  I don't think giving up any legitimate arms would be wise for this organizations future.  Regardless of who comes back.

 

The Twins are dealing from strength here.  The Dodgers need to wow us if they want him.  Otherwise he still slots nicely into our line-up at an affordable price.  I do however endorse moving him now.  I don't think his value will ever be higher.

 

Great post! Right there with you!

 

Per Heyman:

 

 

My guess: Dodgers, Angels, Phillies, Braves.  Maybe even Pirates or D-Backs.

 

Like the young pitchers in the Braves system.  Phillies have some nice pieces.

Not so much the Angels.

So, Ben Paulsen signs a MiLB deal w/ the Twins. What are we looking at here...probably a Rochester Red Wings depth player. Appears he's played much more 1B than LF over his three seasons with the Rockies.  Probably a rotation between 1B and DH with Paulsen, Vargas (who has options) and Byung Ho Park.

 

I guess it's possible any of the three could break camp with the Twins and head north.

So, Ben Paulsen signs a MiLB deal w/ the Twins. What are we looking at here...probably a Rochester Red Wings depth player. Appears he's played much more 1B than LF over his three seasons with the Rockies.  Probably a rotation between 1B and DH with Paulsen, Vargas (who has options) and Byung Ho Park.

 

I guess it's possible any of the three could break camp with the Twins and head north.

http://twinsdaily.com/topic/24432-wolfson-twins-sign-of1b-ben-paulson/?do=findComment&comment=561947

No way this deal gets done without De Leon. Twins are looking for top of rotation pitchers and De Leon projects to be that type. If the Dodgers won't give him up, the front office will move on. No questions asked.

 

Did you just describe Alex Meyer?

Minus four years, but sure.

 

I get the feeling that the Falvey Twins would see Kohl Stewart as a comp to what Bauer and Kluber were before Cleveland acquired them.

 

1. former high draft pick

2. teased as a future #2+ starter

3. strong peripherals in milb

4. potential could be flatlined at a #4 starter 

5. a bit unsolved by home org.

6. seems like a throw-in sweetener in a big trade

 

For these reasons, I hope we keep him.  He's enigmatic and I'd love to see what new voices/messages Falvey, et. al. add to their minor league staff to bring Kohl around.

I don't need an itemized list to give Falvey and Levine a chance with our young pitching.   There's some young arms, including Stewart, who stand a chance of developing under the new regime.  

I'm 100% on board with trading Dozier. Great player, Twins draft pick in 2009, but coming off what likely is a career year and on a cheap contract for the next few seasons, and going to be on the wrong side of 30 next season. His value will likely never be higher. I hope we get a good return!

I am in the camp of "why would we add any reasonable pitching prospect?" in a deal to acquire pitching?

 

 

Unless the new brain trust is convinced Stewart is a non-prospect, he stays.

MLBTR relays from Wolfson that the "piqued" report is more rumor than substance at this point.

 

Also, Dozier was previously planning to be at the meetings anyway for a marketing commitment.

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/12/four-to-five-teams-interested-in-brian-dozier.html

Edited December 5, 2016 by spycake

 

I am in the camp of "why would we add any reasonable pitching prospect?" in a deal to acquire pitching?


Unless the new brain trust is convinced Stewart is a non-prospect

 

I'm pretty close to being convinced. I'm just going to have a hard time getting over his strikeout issues. I haven't so far heard any logical or believable explanation as to why those numbers will increase.

 

I'm not Nick Blackburn trolling here as he had a couple of decent years, but I wouldn't lose much sleep if the team traded away a guy who profiles like him. 

 

Did you just describe Alex Meyer?

 

Yes, that also describes Alex Meyer. I would have loved to have seen how he'd respond to a new voice and message as well. 

I demand De Leon + Alvarez+ Lux for as long as ya can. If they settled for De Leon, Alvarez and Stewart I'd do it ... gotta figure the Dodgers or Yankees will overpay

 

 

 

Urias and DeLeon and Brock Stewart for Dozier and Gonsalves or? (and throw in Perkins and Kintzler if you have to), sounds pretty good

I think the Dodgers would sell the franchise before making this trade

I think the Dodgers would sell the franchise before making this trade

Mr Pohlad could afford that. We should keep this possible acquisition of talent in mind.