Trade Deadline Thread: Who Are Your Favorite Bullpen Targets?

Honestly, what was he supposed to say about Pohlad adding salary to ease the prospect burden? "Na, you guys are right. He is cheap"

 

Honestly, what was he supposed to say about Pohlad adding salary to ease the prospect burden? "Na, you guys are right. He is cheap"

 

 

Honestly, what was he supposed to say about Pohlad adding salary to ease the prospect burden? "Na, you guys are right. He is cheap"

 

It is also a possibility that Pohlad wants to win and is actually willing to add salary

Ya, I hope so. As far as the trade, Kennedy for a lower prospect (or two) who needs to be added to the 40 man this fall would be nice. Take on all the money. I would like them to aim a little higher than Diekman, but if they feel they *need a lefty they could do worse.

Obviously, they can't get them all, but if 2-3 of these names were in play I'd be happy (Yates, Giles, and Vazquez removed due to assumed prospect cost):

 

• Ian Kennedy
• Seth Lugo
• Will Smith
• Jose Leclerc
• Chris Martin
• Austin Brice
• Dylan Bundy (buy-low, bullpen flyer)

I've seen all sorts of the SP/RP trade ideas -- mainly MadBum+Smith/Stroman+Giles -- but I hadn't given much thought into reliever double dip move. That intrigues me.

 

This Kennedy+Diekman idea you have would go a long way toward fixing the pen. And I don't think the cost would be so prohibitive that it would prevent the Twins from staying in on other bigger bullpen targets as well.

 

I'm going to sound extremely Terry Ryan right now, but if I'm in this front office I'm getting at least one reliever in hand Monday at the latest. You can't go into the final 48 hours of the deadline with nothing at all when you really need multiple upgrades. Can you imagine if everything fell through? Oof.

 

Anyway, Sam Dyson had been the guy I really liked a lot, but now that San Francisco is over .500 and just three back in the wild card, I'm not sure he'll be available. Mychal Givens from Baltimore is now my go-to guy in that second tier of relievers who should be available. Kirby Yates from San Diego or Felipe Vazquez of Pittsburgh would be great, but I don't think either of those guys gets moved until we're within 24 hours of the deadline (but what do I know?).

 

One last really under the radar guy I'll throw out is Scott Oberg from the Rockies. He's been a very solid pitcher for them the past two seasons, has multiple more years of team control and that team is in a tailspin right now. I'm not sure they'll necessarily be shopping him, but I think that was also the case with the Twins and Ryan Pressly last year. 

 

 

Obviously, they can't get them all, but if 2-3 of these names were in play I'd be happy (Yates, Giles, and Vazquez removed due to assumed prospect cost):

 

• Ian Kennedy
• Seth Lugo
• Will Smith
• Jose Leclerc
• Chris Martin
• Austin Brice
• Dylan Bundy (buy-low, bullpen flyer)

 

In my opinion, the Twins have to add two relievers at the minimum. It will cost a lot, but Vasquez, Giles or Yates may be a key piece the Twins could add. 

I would love for the Twins to get Kennedy.  Since it isn't my money, I would trade a package of lower end guys that have to hit the 40 and a GCL flyer to the Royals and take on all the salary.   I doubt the Twins would do that though.

 

Jaylin Davis, Jovani Moran and Donny Breek for Ian Kennedy and his full salary.

 

I'm not as high on Diekman at this point.  He walks way too many guys and that's been killing the Twins.  I'd rather just go rent a LOOGY like Avilan from the Mets.  Avilan doesn't have any control, but he won't make sense in 2020 anyway with the new 3 batter rule.  The Mets are not deploying him properly.

 

In my opinion, the Twins have to add two relievers at the minimum. It will cost a lot, but Vasquez, Giles or Yates may be a key piece the Twins could add. 

 

2 for sure, 3 would be preferable.

 

I would definitely love to have any of the three big guys, but I really made my list based on my realistic expectations of what I think the FO would be willing to part with to acquire help.

 

I'm not confident they'll cough up the pieces to get those guys though.

 

I've seen all sorts of the SP/RP trade ideas -- mainly MadBum+Smith/Stroman+Giles -- but I hadn't given much thought into reliever double dip move. That intrigues me.

 

This Kennedy+Diekman idea you have would go a long way toward fixing the pen. And I don't think the cost would be so prohibitive that it would prevent the Twins from staying in on other bigger bullpen targets as well.

 

I'm going to sound extremely Terry Ryan right now, but if I'm in this front office I'm getting at least one reliever in hand Monday at the latest. You can't go into the final 48 hours of the deadline with nothing at all when you really need multiple upgrades. Can you imagine if everything fell through? Oof.

 

Anyway, Sam Dyson had been the guy I really liked a lot, but now that San Francisco is over .500 and just three back in the wild card, I'm not sure he'll be available. Mychal Givens from Baltimore is now my go-to guy in that second tier of relievers who should be available. Kirby Yates from San Diego or Felipe Vazquez of Pittsburgh would be great, but I don't think either of those guys gets moved until we're within 24 hours of the deadline (but what do I know?).

 

One last really under the radar guy I'll throw out is Scott Oberg from the Rockies. He's been a very solid pitcher for them the past two seasons, has multiple more years of team control and that team is in a tailspin right now. I'm not sure they'll necessarily be shopping him, but I think that was also the case with the Twins and Ryan Pressly last year. 

I have been high on Givens all season so he is also my number one guy in that second tier. Past success, high upside and years of control are definitely a few keys you look for in that second tier. Plus, his slider is awesome. By the way Tom, click on Sam Dyson's name in this post for a surprise.

 

I have been high on Givens all season so he is also my number one guy in that second tier. Past success, high upside and years of control are definitely a few keys you look for in that second tier. Plus, his slider is awesome. By the way Tom, click on Sam Dyson's name in this post for a surprise.

Yeah, I'm sad that Dyson move didn't happen at that time when it appeared the Giants had every reason to sell. Well, from the outside looking in at least.

 

Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported today that the Twins "are interested in" Daniel Hudson. Now, as evidence by my love of Oberg, I can get behind under the radar types. Hudson? No thanks. Batters are hitting the crap outta the ball against him. His exit velo and hard hit % are terrible.

Felipe Vázquez is my answer because he's really good at baseball (this is the big one) and on a great contract. You've gotta deal some prospect capital at some point. Maybe not go full blown Dombrowski, but this club is gonna need a little more life in the bullpen if they hope to get by the Yankees and Astros in the playoffs. 

I've been waiting to play this game! I don't think SF or AZ will sell and I haven't heard anything about Cincinnati selling, but they'd be dumb not to move at least one or two of their interesting bullpen arms:

 

Felipe Vazquez

Kirby Yates

Ken Giles

Seth Lugo

Raisel Iglesias 

Amir Garrett

Ian Kennedy

Shane Greene

Roenis Elias

Buck Farmer

Michael Lorenzen

Scott Oberg

Jose Leclerc

Mychal Givens

Robert Stephenson

Daniel Hudson

 

Felipe Vázquez is my answer because he's really good at baseball (this is the big one) and on a great contract. You've gotta deal some prospect capital at some point. Maybe not go full blown Dombrowski, but this club is gonna need a little more life in the bullpen if they hope to get by the Yankees and Astros in the playoffs. 

Sure, but the asking price right now anyway was like a top two prospect and unless that is lowered the Twins will not do it in a million years.

Giles and Kennedy--can't help but be an upgrade and shouldn't cost that much. Keep Smelzer to be the long guy or starter.

I would rather see them add a starter, move Perez to pen, and keep working with the young three that have shown promise (Stashak, Thorpe, and Smeltzer). I hate the idea of trade away young talent for BP arms.

I already think Schmeltzer is better than Parker and optimistic that Thorpe and Stashak can be better than Magill and Morin.   I would be thrilled to get Kennedy and any other upgrade that does not cost us a top 3.   Along those lines, is there any reason at all to think Graterol can get back on the mound in the next couple weeks?   or several weeks?  I have said before I don't want to trade him for an answer.   I want him to be the answer.   I am coming around on the idea of him and Gordon for Stroman cuz the rotation is still a good way to alleviate the stress on the pen.    My confidence in Perez and Odorizzi has waned.

 

I would rather see them add a starter, move Perez to pen, and keep working with the young three that have shown promise (Stashak, Thorpe, and Smeltzer). I hate the idea of trade away young talent for BP arms.

The plan is for the main topic of conversation for tomorrow's thread to be on starting pitcher, so make sure to check back in.

I don't think we can solve our mound issues with one deal.   I think we need to make a rental deal for Bumgarner/Smith.   Maybe Gordon, Duran & a couple lesser's get that done.   We also need two RH guys for the pen.   Giles for Larnach/Rooker & Balazovic.   Then finish with Kennedy for Jaylin Davis, if the Royals eat some salary.

 

None of those deals are worth including Royce Lewis unless we can get a piece to flip into one of the other deals.

 

Felipe Vázquez is my answer because he's really good at baseball (this is the big one) and on a great contract. You've gotta deal some prospect capital at some point. Maybe not go full blown Dombrowski, but this club is gonna need a little more life in the bullpen if they hope to get by the Yankees and Astros in the playoffs. 

 

Sure, but the asking price right now anyway was like a top two prospect and unless that is lowered the Twins will not do it in a million years.

 

The Pirates GM has also explicitly stated multiple times that Vazquez won't be traded.  As always, it could be posturing, but Vazquez isn't on my list for that reason.

I would love to see the twins add Giles then a second tier reliever maybe a rental in the good not great range and then get somebody like Robbie Ray from the Dbacks and bounce either Pineda or Perez to the pen

I'm excluding Vazquez since the GM has been pretty explicit about him not being available.  I'll include the Giants' guys because who knows if they'll be traded.

 

1) Ken Giles - Definitely moving, definitely good

2) Kirby Yates - I think the Padres hold on to him if they don't get a ridiculously good offer

3) Will Smith - Will he be available?

4) Sam Dyson - Ditto

5) Scott Oberg - Haven't seen him talked about, but the Rockies should definitely be selling now and he's cheap and controllable

6) Raisel Iglesias - Not sure if he's moving, but the Reds ought to be shopping him, also hasn't pitched to expectations so far

7) Shane Greene - If home runs continue to be an issue the ERA won't continue to be so low

8) Alex Colome - Has been lucky like Greene, but still a decent option

9) Ian Kennedy - His home run rate is way down to the point where there's probably a lot of luck involved, he's also old and expensive next year

10) Cam Bedrosian - Angels are almost back into a race, but they still ought to sell

11) Tony Watson - Could be a LOOGY pickup, but again, will the Giants sell?

12) Seth Lugo - With 3 more arbitration years left, I think the Mets ask for a lot in return.

 

I love your ideas, but I think the proposed price for Bumgarner/Smith is waaaaay too low for SF to consider. Add in the Giants' moves up in the standings and I think we're looking at Gordon, Duran and a lesser or two just for Smith and that might not be enough. I don't think Gordon has much value at this point. 

 

Frankly, at this point I think Bumgarner is effectively off the table and the cost for Smith will be such (one of our top 5 prospects plus more at least) that he's effectively off the table well. SF will keep their pieces for a run at the Wild Card in Bochy's last year and they think they can re-sign guys for next year plus. Maybe a lower level SF bullpen piece might be in play, like Meloncon or possibly Dyson but probably not a good trading partner for us.    

The Giants only shot is a 1-game Wild Card play-off, and their farm is weak.  They've been auditioning OF's all season and Crawford & Panik ain't getting any younger (or better.)  Add Badoo/Celestino or Maciel to that package and I think it's a better offer than you're giving credit for.  We've already seen that the QO compensation isn't a guarantee for the Giants, with the way Keuchel and Kimbrell played out this year.  I think the Giants would give it strong consideration.

 

The Giants only shot is a 1-game Wild Card play-off, and their farm is weak.  They've been auditioning OF's all season and Crawford & Panik ain't getting any younger (or better.)  Add Badoo/Celestino or Maciel to that package and I think it's a better offer than you're giving credit for.  We've already seen that the QO compensation isn't a guarantee for the Giants, with the way Keuchel and Kimbrell played out this year.  I think the Giants would give it strong consideration.

Maybe for one of MadBum or Smith, but not the pair. It's less about the offer in a vacuum than it is about what I'd expect other teams would offer. Someone else would beat that package.

No way the Twins are taking on all that salary AND giving up a 40-man worthy prospect.

 

https://www.royalsreview.com/2019/7/17/20696903/ian-kennedys-trade-value-contract

After the Blake Parker experiment, I don't think I could stand another reliever who walks so many hitters. Even the guys from AAA like Thorpe and Stashak are upgrades because at least they throw strikes.

 

After the Blake Parker experiment, I don't think I could stand another reliever who walks so many hitters. Even the guys from AAA like Thorpe and Stashak are upgrades because at least they throw strikes.

True, that makes sense but Parker didn't strike people out to counter the walks and Diekman is one of the better strikeout relievers. He is 11th in K/9 in all of baseball.

 

No way the Twins are taking on all that salary AND giving up a 40-man worthy prospect.

https://www.royalsreview.com/2019/7/17/20696903/ian-kennedys-trade-value-contract

 

After reading that, I must be way overpaying.   I would like to think a 40-man worthy to the Twins is more than a 40-man worthy to KC.   Is giving them Davis basically like just saying, "Here, now you don't have to use one of your Rule 5 picks. You just have to use a 40-man spot."

 

Perfect. I posted an almost identical list in another thread except that you added Brice and I had Roenis Elias. I say let's get 2 off the list adding Elias to your top 6 guys. Smith is the big target but I just wonder if SF will really make a fair deal given their position in the standings. 

 

I'm less thrilled about Dylan Bundy although I can see the potential upside, even as a starter next year. Does he have any options left?

 

Perfect. I posted an almost identical list in another thread except that you added Brice and I had Roenis Elias. I say let's get 2 off the list adding Elias to your top 6 guys. Smith is the big target but I just wonder if SF will really make a fair deal given their position in the standings. 

 

I'm less thrilled about Dylan Bundy although I can see the potential upside, even as a starter next year. Does he have any options left?

 

I believe he's out of options, but still has 2 years of control left. 

 

Misses a fair amount of bats, walks are consistently around 3 per 9, and he was pretty decent in the pen when they had him out there in '16. I'd assume his stuff would play up a bit if he took to the pen.

 

It could just as easily be a crazy idea, just a guy that's always intrigued me.

In no particular order, I really hope the FO is bold enough to make a deal for at least two of the arms on this list.

 

Kirby Yates

Felipe Vazquez

Raisel Iglesias

Carlos Martinez

Jose Leclerc

Mychal Givens

Ian Kennedy

Tony Watson

Sam Dyson

 

For those wondering why some names are missing it’s because I don’t trust Greene or Giles, and I think Smith is an overpriced rental.

We have a legit shot to win a World Series this year.

 

Don’t care about the prospect cost. Go shore up the pitching staff in whatever capacity the team feels it needs - 1 SP and 2 RP?

 

I want to hang a banner. It’s time to take a shot.