Jump to content
Twins Daily
  • Create Account
  • Twins Offseason Trade Target: Matt Chapman


    Cody Christie

    Matt Chapmans is one of the best defensive players in the American League and his offense isn’t too shabby either. He certainly isn’t without flaws, but the Athletics are trying to cut payroll this winter and dealing Chapman could save them some money as he gets more expensive through the arbitration process. Would the Twins consider a franchise-altering move to add someone like Chapman?

    Image courtesy of Jordan Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

    Twins Video

    What would it take to get Chapman?

    Chapman was an All-Star in 2019 while hitting 36 home runs and 36 doubles with an .848 OPS. He won his second Gold Glove Award at third base and it might not have been close. Chapman is in a close conversation with Nolan Arenado as the best defensive third baseman in all of baseball and Chapman could be in the discussion as one of the league’s best overall defenders.

    Minnesota also has one of the league’s best defenders, but he has been injured over the last couple seasons. Byron Buxton won the Platinum Glove back in 2017, but injuries have kept him off the field over parts of the last two seasons. Could the giant Oakland outfield be a better home for the budding superstar? He has more service time than Chapman and he can be a free agent in 2023.

    Chapman is nearly a year older than Buxton, but they have nearly the same amount of games played at the big-league level thanks to Buxton’s DL stints. Chapman might fit with the Twins, but it will take more than Buxton to land Chapman in a Twins uniform. Minnesota would likely need to add a prospect or two to the equation to get Oakland to consider a deal.

    Minnesota’s Line-Up Ramifications

    Adding Chapman to the line-up would mean Miguel Sano would no longer be needed at third base. This would allow the Twins to shift him to first base and designated hitter on a more permanent rotation. Nelson Cruz and Marwin Gonzalez would continue to get at-bats at those positions next season, but this would allow for some positional depth at all those spots, especially since none of those players played a full-season last year.

    If Buxton was out of the equation, Max Kepler would continue to play center field during the 2020 campaign. Then in 2021, Royce Lewis would be given the opportunity to play there and Kepler could slide back to a corner outfield role. Lewis’ defensive future has been in question over the last couple offseasons and this year’s Arizona Fall League only brought that more to the forefront.

    One of Minnesota’s biggest defensive weaknesses this offseason might be third base. Adding Chapman would take away from an area of strength and add to an area of weakness. The cost of adding Chapman might be steep, but the Twins would have him for multiple years with the opportunity to offer him an extension.

    What do you think Chapman would be worth in a trade? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

    MORE FROM TWINS DAILY
    — Latest Twins coverage from our writers
    — Recent Twins discussion in our forums
    — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email
    — Become a Twins Daily Caretaker

     Share


    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments



    Featured Comments

     

    It's almost like people are trying to destroy the core of the team.  Why on earth would you ever consider that type of an offer?  Aren't you trying to compete for the playoffs and would be giving away key contributors, all three of which project to be more talented than Chapman? I mean if we offered Buxton for him, I would want their top 2 prospects to even start considering it.

     

    I wouldn't....I said that is what it would cost.....

     

    You can't be serious. Chapmann is cheaper than Buxton, healthier, and better. And has another year of control.....

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    I wouldn't....I said that is what it would cost.....

     

    You can't be serious. Chapmann is cheaper than Buxton, healthier, and better. And has another year of control.....

    Healthier maybe. You can’t promise that going forward. Buxton is elite though in center and his offense showed real promise. His OPS is already pretty close to Chapman. He has far more speed on the base paths and create far more. He is also trending up. Chapman seems like a regression candidate

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    When Buxton does leave the Twins, whether as an FA or by trade, Oakland is where I'd like to see him land. It would remind me of one of my all-time favorites. Rickey Henderson. Too bad Buxton can't stay on the field. He'd maybe be as great as Rickey was.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Chapman is awesome but I would use all trade capital to try and get front line pitching. Sign Donaldson or open the vault and get Rendon to play 3rd but trade for pitching.

     

    Outfield is a strength to trade from but I hate to sell low on Buck, I could accept it for pitching though.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

     

    Why would Oakland do this? Chapmann costs less than Buxton, and has an extra year of control. He's never been hurt, and he's better than Buxton.

     

    Buxton, Lewis, and the SP in the minors the As most want....that's what it would cost.

     

    I can get on board with that. Good thot! 

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    I just watched Chapman’s highlights to see if there was something I was missing and I really don’t see what you guys all see. A lot of his homeruns are going to turn into pop outs. Nothing really exciting with the bat. Defense is good but there’s been plenty of good defensive 3B. Range isn’t the best and it’s not going to get any better. I would say that former Athletic 3B, Eric Chavez was quite significantly better than what Chapman is today and based on the type of posts here you would think the opposite. It’s bizarre

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

     

    Pete Alonso is easily better than Chapman and its not even close.  He had a .941 OPS in his rookie year and simply passed the eye test.  Tatis was also better.  .969 OPS and high batting average as a 20 year old!   I'll give you Robles, but he still projects to be better than Chapman and the nationals would never take that trade.  You can't just consider past stats but also you need to look at the scouting report of how they will do going forward.  Chapman certainly seems above average but I wouldn't call him a star.

    I was trying to say it would be bold to say Kirilloff or any other Twins prospects will have a rookie year compared to those three, not how good they could become, and none of those three were as good as Chapman last year overall which I don't believe is really up for debate.  Based on fan graphs and Baseball American Chapman was one of the best 8-11 non-pitchers in all of baseball.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Yeah, unfortunately, I don't see this scenario playing out. The A's would scoff at getting Buxton for Chapman. Buxton cannot stay healthy long enough to complete the trade. He'd probably jam his finger while trying to sign the contract. There is no upside for the A's in such a trade.

     

    Four years of control would cost the Twins plenty. I would say two prospects of high quality and Rosario, or they would hang up the phone.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

     

    Why would Oakland do this? Chapmann costs less than Buxton, and has an extra year of control. He's never been hurt, and he's better than Buxton.

     

    Buxton, Lewis, and the SP in the minors the As most want....that's what it would cost.

    At the very least...and I am not sure they want Buxton at all.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

     

    Pete Alonso is easily better than Chapman and its not even close. 

    that is factually incorrect. Chapman has won the Platinum Glove Award two years running. Alonso had a better year offensively but was below average fielder at 1st base and saying somebody is better without taking into consideration the half of the game isn't they way to judge players. They were both awesome and I would take either on the Twins.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    that is factually incorrect. Chapman has won the Platinum Glove Award two years running. Alonso had a better year offensively but was below average fielder at 1st base and saying somebody is better without taking into consideration the half of the game isn't they way to judge players. They were both awesome and I would take either on the Twins.

    It wasn’t even close offensively and more importantly projecting for the future. Mets would laugh at the A’s if offered Chapman for Alonso. This reminds me of Mientkiewicz blocking Morneau and people saying you couldn’t discount defense. While 3B is mildly more important than 1B, some of the factors are the same. Chapman is limited by some physical characteristics that won’t change over time. With age his range will decline. And unlike 1B it’s not exactly like you are putting scrubs out there as the replacement defense. It’s not nearly as important as say CF defensively, which Buxton impacts more as defensive CF than Chapman does at 3B. For Alonso, it is hard to replicate that type of offense.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    And I keep going back to this example. It seems like the guys that just started following baseball this year are all about Chapman, but he isn’t nearly as good defensively or offensively as what Eric Chavez was back in the day. We’re talking about perspective. I would liken him more of a Corey Koskie type value player. Hell I think Koskie would be better than Chapman if he played with these baseballs.

     

    Also 3B is not a position players age gracefully. Usually if a 3B is playing defense great late in their career it’s because they came from SS which is a more athletic position

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

     

    And I keep going back to this example. It seems like the guys that just started following baseball this year are all about Chapman, but he isn’t nearly as good defensively or offensively as what Eric Chavez was back in the day. We’re talking about perspective. I would liken him more of a Corey Koskie type value player. Hell I think Koskie would be better than Chapman if he played with these baseballs.

    Also 3B is not a position players age gracefully. Usually if a 3B is playing defense great late in their career it’s because they came from SS which is a more athletic position

    Just because you say something doesn't make them true. Chavez never came close to a dWAR that Chapman has put up and once in his whole career had an oWAR of 4.8, which Chapman had this year and was 5.0 last year. and Koskie had one year in his career comparable to Chapman in 2001.

    I doubt the Mets would laugh at a straight up trade, they probably won't do it just based on that Alonso is 2 years younger.

    But I will be done with this and concede you feeling are more valuable than actual stats.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

     

    It wasn’t even close offensively and more importantly projecting for the future. Mets would laugh at the A’s if offered Chapman for Alonso. This reminds me of Mientkiewicz blocking Morneau and people saying you couldn’t discount defense. While 3B is mildly more important than 1B, some of the factors are the same. Chapman is limited by some physical characteristics that won’t change over time. With age his range will decline. And unlike 1B it’s not exactly like you are putting scrubs out there as the replacement defense. It’s not nearly as important as say CF defensively, which Buxton impacts more as defensive CF than Chapman does at 3B. For Alonso, it is hard to replicate that type of offense.

     

    I don't get why you keep bringing up Alonso. Is someone suggesting the Twins have a player equivalent to Alonso who they should trade for Chapman? I don't see anyone suggesting they do or they should.

     

    Chapman is 26, has a really good bat despite playing in a pitchers ballpark, great defense and draws a ton of walks. That ability to draw walks is a big safety net to help prevent him from going belly-up; he'll get on base a lot which means he likely won't slump. It's why Rosario, Schoop and Cron can go ice cold, while Polanco, Kepler and Cruz can ride out a hitless streak and still not kill the lineup.

     

    With his excellent on base skills, well above average power and elite defense, he looks like Scott Rolen, who was rarely a sexy player but ended up one of the best 3B of all time without anyone really talking about it.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Just because you say something doesn't make them true. Chavez never came close to a dWAR that Chapman has put up and once in his whole career had an oWAR of 4.8, which Chapman had this year and was 5.0 last year. and Koskie had one year in his career comparable to Chapman in 2001.

    I doubt the Mets would laugh at a straight up trade, they probably won't do it just based on that Alonso is 2 years younger.

    But I will be done with this and concede you feeling are more valuable than actual stats.

    Don’t care for WAR. Chavez was a better defender with more range and had a better bat/stats. He had a little more range at 3B. Also wasn’t aided by the juiced ball. Eric Chavez was much better and it’s not even close. Matt Chapman will fall off in a couple years defensively and he’s already not a superstar offensively. If you don’t trust your eyes, or even career trends at positions or any other historical data, at least look at the stats and you will see that Eric Chavez was a much better player

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

     

    Don’t care for WAR. Chavez was a better defender with more range and had a better bat/stats. He had a little more range at 3B. Also wasn’t aided by the juiced ball. Eric Chavez was much better and it’s not even close. Matt Chapman will fall off in a couple years defensively and he’s already not a superstar offensively. If you don’t trust your eyes, or even career trends at positions or any other historical data, at least look at the stats and you will see that Eric Chavez was a much better player

     

    Are we talking about the same player here? Chapman just picked up is second consecutive Platinum Glove award and won the Overall Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2018. Also, what evidence is there to say his defense will fall off?

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Are we talking about the same player here? Chapman just picked up is second consecutive Platinum Glove award and won the Overall Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2018. Also, what evidence is there to say his defense will fall off?

    Study the position a bit and trends with players in the history of the game. Then look at his measurables, range, etc.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

     

    I just watched Chapman’s highlights to see if there was something I was missing and I really don’t see what you guys all see. A lot of his homeruns are going to turn into pop outs. Nothing really exciting with the bat. Defense is good but there’s been plenty of good defensive 3B. Range isn’t the best and it’s not going to get any better. I would say that former Athletic 3B, Eric Chavez was quite significantly better than what Chapman is today and based on the type of posts here you would think the opposite. It’s bizarre

    I watched several A's games on tv and was very impressed by Chapman. Excellent ability to snag hard-hit balls to his right and his left. Clutch hitting. 

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    What I find interesting about Chapman is he has as many HRs against relievers as he does starting pitchers-18.

     

    He hits over .600 slugging against relievers as well.

     

    I wonder if he becomes just a .200 hitter against the best teams who have better BPs?

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites




    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

    Loading...

×
×
  • Create New...