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  • Twins Offseason Trade Target: Kyle Seager

    Cody Christie

    By Cody Christie

    While Minnesota’s top priority continues to be starting pitching, the club could also be looking to add to other parts of the roster. The Twins have been rumored to be interested in adding free agent third baseman Josh Donaldson, but there are questions about his age and the length of his contract. Would trading for a third baseman fit the team’s needs?

    Image courtesy of © Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

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    Seattle’s Kyle Seager could be an option teams turn to if they lose our on the likes of free-agent Josh Donaldson or trading for another player like Kris Bryant. Seager will be entering his tenth big league season at age 32 and he has been remarkably healthy throughout the course of his career. Last season was the first time he played under 154 games since his rookie campaign.

    Part of Seager’s contract might hinder teams from making a deal. Currently, there is a $15 million club option for 2022 in his contract, but this will turn to a player option if he is traded. He is due to make $19.5 million in 2020 and $18.5 million in 2021. By adding in the additional $15 million, he could cost his acquiring team $53 million over the next three years.

    Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic is reporting that multiple teams are interested in trading for Seager. He also mentions that Seager might be in the process of amending the contract clause mentioned above. Seattle is in the midst of a rebuild and Seager might be looking to play for a contending club. Some other options mentioned by Rosenthal include Seager getting more money over the next two seasons or the Mariners sending cash or a prospect as part of the deal.

    As far as on-field production, Seager has seen a slight dip in his offensive production. Over the course of his career, he has hit .256/.324/.443 (.789) while averaging 32 doubles and 24 home runs. Seager’s batting average has dropped 20 points over the last three seasons and his OPS is down nearly 50 points. That’s even including last season when baseballs seemed to be flying all over the MLB parks.

    Defensively, Seager has won a Gold Glove at third base, but that came back 2014. SABR’s Defensive Index ranked Seager in the middle of the pack defensively last season with a -0.6 SDI. Minnesota’s Miguel Sano ranked third from the bottom with a -6.7 SDI, so Seager would be a defensive upgrade over Sano. Adding Seager would allow Sano to spend time at first base next year.

    Do you think Seager could be a fit in Minnesota? What would it take to get him? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

    OTHER TRADE TARGET STORIES

    — Matt Chapman

    — David Price

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    Cody Christie is a Twins writer and content contributor. His writing can be found exclusively at Twins Daily and his voice can be heard on radio stations throughout the Upper Midwest. Outside of the Twins, he is a father, high school teacher, and avid runner.
    Follow Cody Christie on Twitter: nodaktwinsfan

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    Cody Pirkl

    Cody Pirkl 1,409

  • Twins Daily Contributor

    • Posted

    I don't dislike Seager but I think there has to be two situations where trading for him makes sense.

    1. The Mariners are willing to eat a not insignificant amount of that contract. There's no way Seager is worth $38 million over the next two seasons and we'd be better off spending that kind of money on a free agent/trade pitcher or signing a more impact bat like Donaldson for a bit more if we're footing the full amount.

     

    2. His contract comes with somebody like Marco Gonzales who is a cheap, controllable pitcher who helps the Twins right now. I'm not interested in prospects coming over to soften the blow. If the front office has a number cap in mind for the 2019 payroll, I don't want that much of it inhabited by Seager's contract unless there's more MLB ready talent included.

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    High heat

    High heat 655

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    I wouldn't mind bringing in Seager assuming Donaldson is extremely expensive and we have lost out on better options. 

     

    As the roster sits right now Seager make this team better.  Assuming you are getting Seager for basically free or even getting prospects to take him.  Improving infield defense is badly need and Seager helps that.  

     

    You have to find a way to improve this team, bargain bid shopping doesn't look like its going to work like it has the last 2 seasons.  You have saved $ the last few years maybe taking on contracts for player who are overpaid but still help your team and you feel can thrive here is a way to get better. 

     

    Twins need to do something, and cant get caught with there pants down.  if it comes to spring training and we signed a couple #5 at best starter and our payroll sits at $100 mil. and they give us the same old lame excuses.  You saw last summer, that this town loves baseball who you can put an exciting product on the field night in and night out. 

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    specialiststeve

    specialiststeve 450

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    Yuck.... please no. Lewis just around the corner to play short... put Polanco at 3rd where he should be fine and his defense would be fine. Don't panic folks. 

     

    Donaldson would be fine as he could go over to first if needed and Sano to DH after next year. 

     

    Biggest need is Bumgarner.... period. Get it done guys we need that top of rotation guy that can beat someone in the playoffs.... overspend please. 

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    twinfan

    twinfan 242

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    How can you possibly think Seager is any better than Sano? It would be stupid to trade for him. Donaldson had a great year but is overpaid and could regress but might be worth a shot. But don't bet the farm that we will spend the money to get him. 

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