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  • Official Winter Meetings Tuesday Thread


    Seth Stohs

    Brian Dozier came to town on Monday. The power-hitting second baseman was in DC at the Winter Meetings for a marketing, promotional event for Under Armour. However, with his name mentioned in all kinds of trade rumors, it certainly brought about reason for more talk.

    But on Monday it appears it was all talk for the Twins new front office, and throughout baseball. There weren't any major transactions announced on Monday, but there was plenty of talk, and much of it was in the American League Central.

    As always use this thread to share rumors and transactions throughout the day as you hear new information. Of course, if the Twins do make a transaction, we'll post that in an article as quickly as we can.

    Image courtesy of Eric Hartline, USA Today

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    The Winter Meetings are often a place where there is a lot of talking, but there aren't necessarily a lot of transactions. That was the case Monday, but a lot of the talk centered around the American League Central. Here's the rundown from Monday as we look forward to Tuesday at the Winter Meetings when we expect some of these talks to turn into official transactions.

    The big talker from Monday was the Chicago White Sox. It appears they are going into full rebuild mold. It looks like they are attempting to follow the plan of the cross-town Cubs. Names like Todd Frazier, Adam Eaton and others could be on the move.

    However, the Chris Sale rumors really heated up on Monday night. It was reported that the Nationals and White Sox are a long way down the path toward a deal that would involve Chris Sale. The White Sox would likely receive elite pitching prospect Lucas Giolito and top outfield prospect Victor Robles, and maybe more.

    The Nationals appear resigned to the fact that in two years Bryce Harper will leave for major money as a free agent, so they are going to go for it. A rotation with Max Scherzer, Chris Sale and Stephen Strasburg at the top of it would give the Nationals a real shot.

    With Mark Melancon signing a four-year, $62 million deal to be the Giants closer on Monday, the market for top closers has been set. Aroldis Chapman is said to be looking for six years (though I can't imagine him getting it). Kenley Jansen is going to also get huge money, likely from either the Marlins or the Dodgers. With that as the backdrop, the White Sox should certainly look to deal their closer, David Robertson. He's signed at a fair price for the next two years, and if the White Sox are selling, they don't really need an elite closer.

    Also last night, rumors came out that Cleveland was very much in on former Blue Jays first baseman Edwin Encarnacion. Despite getting to the World Series, Cleveland didn't have many elite hitters. They had several very good hitters, but Encarnacion would give them an elite bat in the middle to team with Francisco Lindor, Jason Kipnis Jose Ramirez and Carlos Santana to give them a very good lineup to go with their very good pitching staff. They would not only be the favorites in the American League Central, but a favorite to return to the World Series.

    The Royals certainly are making it known that they need to sell off some of their top talent. It appears they are making attempts to deal outfielder Lorenzo Cain. As Brandon Warne often says, Cain can provide young Torii Hunter defense while providing veteran Torii Hunter offensive production. He was hurt some in 2016, and his defense will soon start to go in the other direction so now is the time to deal him.

    Back to the closer discussion, the Royals are also said to be dangling Wade Davis. Davis was hurt in the second half of 2016, but he could command a huge return. The Cubs are said to be interested. Jorge Soler's name has been mentioned though I would think that the Cubs would have to add at least one, and maybe two, more pieces.

    DAILY DOZIER UPDATE

    Dozier appeared on MLB radio, and Derek Falvey was on earlier on Monday. Both were certainly saying the right things, especially when meeting with local Twin Cities media.

    Dozier made it clear that he would like to be part of the solution in Minnesota. He's invested a lot of time, work and passion into becoming a great player with the Twins. He wants to stay. But at the same time, he is intrigued by the rumors and says he has paid attention. He wants to win. He wants to be loyal. And he understands the business side of the game in which a 100-loss team needs to add as much talent as they can, even if it means difficult decisions.

    For his part, Falvey is saying the right things too, which isn't easy. He isn't flat-out lying and saying that nothing's going to happen. He talks about the respect that Dozier has earned and deserves, but he does so while clearly getting a lot of interest from teams on the second baseman.

    There wasn't a lot of new information on Monday. Jon Heyman pointed out that he learned the Yankees have inquired about Dozier. It's good to hear some specific names of other teams, even if just to let the Dodgers think that they need to up their offer if they really want to acquire Dozier.

    The Yankees added a lot of talent last summer from their trades of Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman. Certainly Gary Sanchez and Aaron Judge would likely be unavailable. But would pitching prospects like Luis Severino or lefty Justus Sheffield be available? Sheffield is the brother of Jordan Sheffield whose name has been mentioned as a possible return from the Dodgers. James Kaprelian is another pitching prospect of note.

    Clint Frazier is their top prospect, according to MLB.com. He came to the Yankees in the Andrew Miller deal and played in AAA the second half of the year. The Twins like their talented outfielders from Georgia high schools! An outfield of Kepler, Buxton and Frazier would sure be fun to watch grow!

    Gleyber Torres came from the Cubs in the Chapman deal. The shortstop was one of the top prospects in the Arizona Fall League and is a top shortstop prospect in the game, ranking even higher than Nick Gordon. A middle infield down the line of Torres and Gordon would sure be nice. They both would start 2017 in AA Chattanooga. This is likely just wishful thinking as I doubt Torres is be available.

    Let's be honest. Outside of Brian Dozier talk and rumors, things have been very quiet on the Twins front, as it has been throughout baseball through one official day of Winter Meetings will that change on Tuesday?

    Here's the question for you to discuss and answer in the comments below - along with discussing other rumors of the day - In your opinion, what are the odds that the Twins trade Brian Dozier a.) before the end of the Winter Meetings on Thursday, or b.) this offseason? Discuss below, and take the Twins Daily Twitter survey by clicking below.

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    NO! The Twins are in no way close to contenting that they would even bother talking to his agent. The Twins are just one of the teams in the AL that have their 1st round pick protected.

     

    I don't want the Twins to lose their 2nd round pick next year mostly due to its value; the Twins should be in the driver's seat at draft time and be able to game the situation due to their draft pool as the Astros have done recently.

     

    But I'd guess the idea of signing Bautista would be that you could trade him in July for prospects much better than a 2nd round pick.

     

    Problem is he's been hurt a lot lately.

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    I wouldn't call signing Joey Bats a contending move... It would be a strategic move for the team if he continues to mash at Target Field, and flip him to a contender in July. 

     

    I like this idea. It would be an improvement in the on-field product, a good veteran presence for the team, and a pretty good chance to be flipped for something better than whatever would be available with that 2nd round pick. And the return player(s) would hopefully be closer to helping the major league club than a draft pick.

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    I like this idea. It would be an improvement in the on-field product, a good veteran presence for the team, and a pretty good chance to be flipped for something better than whatever would be available with that 2nd round pick. And the return player(s) would hopefully be closer to helping the major league club than a draft pick.

    That's what I'm thinking too... Sign him to a 1 year deal, hope he hits 20-25 bombs by July, then flip him for someone further along in their development than the 2nd round pick will be. If his presence helps the Twins win more games in 2017, even better. 

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    That's what I'm thinking too... Sign him to a 1 year deal, hope he hits 20-25 bombs by July, then flip him for someone further along in their development than the 2nd round pick will be. If his presence helps the Twins win more games in 2017, even better. 

    You can't just sign guys, they have to agree.  No one jumps on board with a 106 loss team to likely have to move their family mid-season.

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    I disagree. They are contenders next year....they won 84 games last year. Add Dozier, add a SP from someplace....that definitely gives them a legit shot at 90 wins, imo.

    Man, I forgot they won 84 games.  I guess a Yankees tank isn't as bad as Twins tanking season. Especially after trading way high-end relievers and getting high end prospects back...

     

    Once again, you are probably right, and I am probably wrong.  I HATE THAT! :) 

     

     

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    It's entirely possible, perhaps even probable, that the Yankees aren't in on Dozier given their current duo of MI. However, if I was the Yankees and I knew another team was involved with deep farm system like the Dodgers I'd be denying I was in the market too. All that admitting interest does is create a potential bidding war. They're better off denying it and then trying to sneak in the back door with an offer.

    I doubt teams can really control that. The Twins can tell.the Dodgers they are talking to the Yankees, and if the Yankees still deny it, they just look like fools.

     

    Possibly, the Yankees issue a public denial to keep the confidence of the player they would be replacing, but I assure you all the teams involved know who is actually involved (as much as it would affect them and their offers, of course).

    Edited by spycake
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    You can't just sign guys, they have to agree.  No one jumps on board with a 106 loss team to likely have to move their family mid-season.

    Money talks... The Twins were a 103 loss team.... And who says Bautista has to move his family to Minnesota? 

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    Man, I forgot they won 84 games.  I guess a Yankees tank isn't as bad as Twins tanking season. Especially after trading way high-end relievers and getting high end prospects back...

     

    Once again, you are probably right, and I am probably wrong.  I HATE THAT! :)

     

    that post was pure laughing, thanks! No idea who is "right".....

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    I doubt teams can really control that. The Twins can tell.the Dodgers they are talking to the Yankees, and if the Yankees still deny it, they just look like fools.

    Possibly, the Yankees issue a public denial to keep the confidence of the player they would be replacing, but I assure you all the teams involved know who is actually involved (as much as it would affect them and their offers, of course).

    You call up the Twins and during the discussion Falvey let's slip the Yankees are interested too. You pick up the newspaper and Cashman is flat denying that they have even talked to the Twins. Who do you believe? They both have a vested interest in their story being the "true" story. I can even image a scenario where Doziers agent himself leaked the "4 teams interested" to draw national attention to his client because Brian wants to be traded to a contender.

     

     

    I don't think anything about this time of year is clear cut. To support this there was an interview posted here earlier this week where Gammons and Rosenthal both said Agents and teams try to use them all the time to spread disinformation. That their job mostly is to sift out the truth from the lies.

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    You call up the Twins and during the discussion Falvey let's slip the Yankees are interested too. You pick up the newspaper and Cashman is flat denying that they have even talked to the Twins. Who do you believe? They both have a vested interest in their story being the "true" story. I can even image a scenario where Doziers agent himself leaked the "4 teams interested" to draw national attention to his client because Brian wants to be traded to a contender.

     

     

    I don't think anything about this time of year is clear cut. To support this there was an interview posted here earlier this week where Gammons and Rosenthal both said Agents and teams try to use them all the time to spread disinformation. That their job mostly is to sift out the truth from the lies.

    Again, both can be "true" in the sense that the Yankees don't want their incumbent infielders to know. But they are probably under no illusion that what Cashman says to a reporter will affect the Dodgers.

     

    I think the amount of specific outright lies between actual GMs is far lower than you are suggesting.

    Edited by spycake
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    Is Polanco considered a better defensive second baseman than Dozier? If that's the case I would absolutely try and ship Dozier sooner rather than later. If there is Any chance of getting an elite defensive SS and pitching prospect for Dozier, I'd hope the FO would make a move. I'm sold on the idea of better defense helping the pitching staff out at the expense of offense.

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    Starlin Castro 2016 WAR: 1.1 (Fangraphs)

    Brian Dozier 2016 WAR: 5.9

     

    Starlin Castro 2013-2016 WAR: 4.8 

    Brian Dozier 2013-2016 WAR: 16.4

     

    ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

     

    Apples and oranges.  They will move Castro to the OF, so you need to compare his value with that of (let's say) Aaron Hicks.  Both can co-exist in the same Yankee's lineup

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    You can't just sign guys, they have to agree.  No one jumps on board with a 106 loss team to likely have to move their family mid-season.

     

    I don't know if it has happened yet or if a player and his agent will ever come to this conclusion, but if a guy is going to accept a 1-year reclamation deal but he wants a shot at a WS ring, it might be wise to initially sign with a non-contender simply so when July comes around you know that only the real contenders will come asking to trade for you.

     

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    I don't want the Twins to lose their 2nd round pick next year mostly due to its value; the Twins should be in the driver's seat at draft time and be able to game the situation due to their draft pool as the Astros have done recently.

     

    But I'd guess the idea of signing Bautista would be that you could trade him in July for prospects much better than a 2nd round pick.

     

    Problem is he's been hurt a lot lately.

     

    Also, if they would sign him then both Park & Vargas would be in Rochester unless they are dealt.

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    You call up the Twins and during the discussion Falvey let's slip the Yankees are interested too. You pick up the newspaper and Cashman is flat denying that they have even talked to the Twins. Who do you believe? They both have a vested interest in their story being the "true" story. I can even image a scenario where Doziers agent himself leaked the "4 teams interested" to draw national attention to his client because Brian wants to be traded to a contender.


    I don't think anything about this time of year is clear cut. To support this there was an interview posted here earlier this week where Gammons and Rosenthal both said Agents and teams try to use them all the time to spread disinformation. That their job mostly is to sift out the truth from the lies.

     

    I don't know why Brian Dozier's agent would be involved in trade talks. Dozier is under contract for 2 more years and it would make zero sense that his agent would have anything to do with a trade. There is not a no trade clause or anything that would involve an agent in the trade talks.

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    Is Polanco considered a better defensive second baseman than Dozier? If that's the case I would absolutely try and ship Dozier sooner rather than later. If there is Any chance of getting an elite defensive SS and pitching prospect for Dozier, I'd hope the FO would make a move. I'm sold on the idea of better defense helping the pitching staff out at the expense of offense.

     

    What about the offense production? No way Polanco is going to hit for the power numbers Dozier has put up as a Twin.

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    Redsox acquire Sale for 4 prospects....kind of laughing to myself at those who said it would take a package of Sano/Buxton, Dozier and Berrios (and maybe even additional players to swing a Sale trade.....Why do even we as twins fans undervalue our own players?? Seems like a self fulfilling prophecy.

     

    IMO, I wouldnt want sale if it cost me ANY of the above mentioned players. I would have proably done a Rosario, Palka and Vargas trade for him, but thatd be about it. 

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    Redsox acquire Sale for 4 prospects....kind of laughing to myself at those who said it would take a package of Sano/Buxton, Dozier and Berrios (and maybe even additional players to swing a Sale trade.....Why do even we as twins fans undervalue our own players?? Seems like a self fulfilling prophecy.

     

    IMO, I wouldnt want sale if it cost me ANY of the above mentioned players. I would have proably done a Rosario, Palka and Vargas trade for him, but thatd be about it. 

    Moncada is a significantly better prospect then Sano or Buxton.

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    Also, if they would sign him then both Park & Vargas would be in Rochester unless they are dealt.

     

    Not necessarily, considering Bautista is an outfielder. He'd probably rotate through the DH spot at times but he won't clog it up. One of those guys might have to go down at some point, but with the inevitability of injuries they'll still see plenty of playing time. Mauer and Sano (due to inability to stick at 3B due to performance and health) will be blocking those two more than anything.

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    You can't just sign guys, they have to agree.  No one jumps on board with a 106 loss team to likely have to move their family mid-season.

     

    Well he's not going to get signed by a contender due to his qualifying offer, so if he wants more money or opportunity he'll have to go to a bottom-10 finishing team. He wouldn't have to move his family since he'd know full well that it would be a half-season stint if he performs, and a 1-season stint if he doesn't.

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    Well he's not going to get signed by a contender due to his qualifying offer, so if he wants more money or opportunity he'll have to go to a bottom-10 finishing team. He wouldn't have to move his family since he'd know full well that it would be a half-season stint if he performs, and a 1-season stint if he doesn't.

    Plenty of teams would give up that first rounder for him.

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