Why Would the Twins Trade Sonny Gray or Kenta Maeda?

1. No chance they trade one of Maeda, Gray or Mahle before the season starts. If that is the FO’s thinking, why the earth shattering Gallo signing? In all seriousness, two of the three have injury concerns so better to bet on proving those concerns wrong and increasing value anyway.

2. The FO will attempt to extend one or two of them no later than the trade deadline based on first half performance and mutual interest from the pitcher (don’t take that for granted - all three may want a change in scenery and/or want to bet on themselves).

3. Unless we are competing (which includes deluding ourselves into think we are) and assuming no extensions, at least two and maybe all three are moved at the deadline.

So yes, in all likelihood it will make sense to trade some or all of them at some time, but not now.

Rodon signed with the Yankees a couple days ago.....

The Twins need to give the 5th spot to Winder, Varland or SWR. That would be three years in a row a rookie would be inserted into the rotation. Ober, Ryan, ? , Maybe a 2nd one steps up a forces the FO hand. That is how you build a pipeline,

Then have another ready for 24 (Prieline, SWR?, Raya, Festa, Medina) somebody. then you look trade off Ober for prospects, then Ryan, and on and on.

That way you can spend big money on offense and if some stud pitcher becomes available to help, you have the prospects to trade for them to make a run. Or one of those prospects that steps up on the pitching side is young enough (Not Ober, Ryan, Winder, Varland) you extend them for big money.

So if you get something decent for Maeda now, trade him, not so sure on Gray just yet, maybe mid season type of deal.

Maeda has no value as of now so he isn't going anywhere.  Not sure you could get proper value for Gray....so not much is going to go on with either of them.

It is interesting that you note the Twins traded Urshela so Miranda could have third base all to himself when they now say they may sign Turner to share time with Miranda and mentor him.  This FO changes their opinions as often as the Minnesota weather changes.  I think they are looking to justify these last minute acquisitions so they don't look like they screwed things up waiting for Correa.

Agree with the above comments that I would be shocked that Maeda has enough value to merit a trade at this time.  On the other hand, I expect to see the Maeda of 2020.  Unfortunately, his innings are going to be somewhat limited.  Maybe he starts for the first four months, then moves to long relief in the bullpen around the time Paddack returns.

Gray on the other hand could be interesting.  I know we don't know how happy/satisfied he has been being part of this team?  I assume the coaches and FO does.  If he isn't 100% on board with the style of Rocco's management, he isn't likely to sign an extension.  In that case, I could see moving him, although I would want a top return.  If it isn't available, move him in July.

Trade veterans of value and rebuild.  The delusion of this FO and these foolish signings make me believe the FO doesn't understand how to construct a roster.  They got lucky in 2019 and now think that is the formula to compete.  Hasn't worked in the 3 years since.  No, the 2020 team would not have had a good record if they had to play games against teams other than the AL Central.

If they get blown away of course they could trade either player. You also have to think of what a possible Kepler and prospects could bring back for a starter as well.

Nathan Eovaldi, Jordan Lyles, Michael Wacha, and Corey Kluber out there as free agents. Not the sexiest names out there but there is potential at the right price.

I think either Gray or Maeda could be traded right now. If so, I would expect a group of top prospects with primary focus on close to the majors starting talent. They have enough controller players to fill the starting lineup even if many do not have much major league experience. They've got to learn sometime. I like the idea of acquiring young starting talent to go with the young lineup. Let them develop together and hopefully when they "arrive" they can be a long term playoff contender.

It sounds like a completely ridiculous rumor to me, but I thought the same about the Joey Gallo rumor.

1 hour ago, SanoMustGo said:

Trade veterans of value and rebuild. 

If this is the plan, this FO needs to go, besides one season this team has done nothing to prove they belong part of yet another rebuild.

A pitching starved team shouldn’t be trading pitchers at their lowest value!  
 

See if either pitches well and if you are out of contention or have to much pitching mid season you can deal them at the trade deadline when pitching value increases significantly!

It makes absolutely no sense to trade either of them. None aren't worth much being in their last year, with Maeda you can get a poor lottery ticket if you're lucky. We need to be improving our rotation not subtracting.  We need to be extending Gray not trading him. Anything we get in return more than likely wouldn't pan out. This Gray & Maeda trade talk has the stench  of the Rogers trade because they didn't want to extend him. And we all know how well that turned out.

I agree that Winder, Varland and SWR should be getting more playing time. Long relief is where they are better suited at this stage of their growth.

Of course teams have interest in getting them on the cheap. If either of them are traded by this FO together with this Gallo signing, it's grounds for their termination due to incompetence.

3 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

I know these articles are queued up in advance, and released at certain times despite having been written well in advance, but nearly every article released in the last week has had a free agent rumor in it that had already been completed. Rodon being the example here. Getting to be a bit ridiculous at this point. I wouldn't think it's too hard to go back and take those things out after they happen. It's not like there wasn't plenty of time to edit this article since Rodon was off the board on Thursday.

My thoughts exactly....in the age of immediate updates(twitter), news like this is annoying. 

We have 3 free agent starting pitchers next offseason.  I imagine the Twins considered signing a starter to a 2 year or longer contract and then trading a starter.  Maybe not making us better in 2023 but a more secure 2024.  And we get prospects back in a trade more than likely which helps balance out the prospects we traded last year a little.  Gray could potentially net us something good as he is a good pitcher.  Pitching isn’t cheap and the Twins could just be gauging the market to see what is available.  

“Have received interest” speaks to other teams doing their due diligence. I don’t have a problem with that, but it’s hardly news.

I’d think it’s a bigger problem if the team has a rotation that other teams don’t have interest in. 

I see references to extending either of the pitchers. This FO wouldn’t extend Berrios who was younger better and more durable. Why the hell would they extend these guys? The only logical reason is they really don’t have a plan. 

22 hours ago, Nashvilletwin said:

1. No chance they trade one of Maeda, Gray or Mahle before the season starts. If that is the FO’s thinking, why the earth shattering Gallo signing? In all seriousness, two of the three have injury concerns so better to bet on proving those concerns wrong and increasing value anyway.

2. The FO will attempt to extend one or two of them no later than the trade deadline based on first half performance and mutual interest from the pitcher (don’t take that for granted - all three may want a change in scenery and/or want to bet on themselves).

3. Unless we are competing (which includes deluding ourselves into think we are) and assuming no extensions, at least two and maybe all three are moved at the deadline.

So yes, in all likelihood it will make sense to trade some or all of them at some time, but not now.

Agreed! ……I’d say all 3 have injury concerns with Gray being on IL twice last season & a history of annual issues. Can’t trade any until we see how things go through May & into June. If there’s some hope we should try to extend all 3 of them…….Paddack & Winder are wild cards & one might pay-off by July? This gives us some flexibility at the deadline.

For my probable 10th time posted in past month ……..…..Sign EOVALDI & move Maeda to Pen to add strength there & ease him back. Sign FULMER & have Megill or Alcala battle for a spot from St Paul.

If we’re winning we have some potential chips in July for trade market!

Pagan - Walner (or Larnach) - Winder for a starting pitcher with 150 innings/history and anything under 4.00 ERA is acceptable to me. We’ve got 2 veteran LH hitting corner outfielders nobody else will want & we retain Kiriloff & one of the two above for future.

With free agents available & $ to spend within budget, trades seem silly for pitching. Sign Eovaldi & extend some of the Vets we have after we see who’s doing what in June.

Gray - Mahle - Maeda are all valuable if reasonably healthy. Extend any one or up to all 3!

If the Twins wish to be competitive in the central division, no reason to trade either right now. If they fall out of contention, both should bring back something of value at trade deadline, if they stay healthy, and the Twins would then have to say they are in full rebuild mode.

I have lost confidence in the FO and Rocco. With the current group of starting pitchers this team isn't going to compete for anything except maybe a .500 season. The best we can hope for is that two of the young starters, like Ryan, Ober, Varland, or SWRichardson take a giant step forward.  But I fear that Rocco’s apparent unwavering belief in four or five inning starters will frustrate Gray, Mahle, and others who will want out so they can pitch for a real ML manager, someone who has some instinct and intuition and doesn’t just manage by computer algorithms. 

1 hour ago, Mike Sixel said:

A lot less money and years. A lot less years. 

Less years for Gray but less AAV?  Not sure. 

8 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

It's about the years. Not even close. 

Yea I’m still skeptical. It’s not been the MO of the Twins to invest substantial dollars to starting pitching and Gray will get substantial dollars. 

On 12/17/2022 at 12:40 PM, darin617 said:

If they get blown away of course they could trade either player. You also have to think of what a possible Kepler and prospects could bring back for a starter as well.

Nathan Eovaldi, Jordan Lyles, Michael Wacha, and Corey Kluber out there as free agents. Not the sexiest names out there but there is potential at the right price.

Eovaldi was statistically the 4th best free agent pitcher available - now the remaining best. He’s 33 and not terribly durable but he has Gray-like stuff. SIGN HIM. If we do that, with the catcher addition, and the Gallo signing (so we can trade a youth left handed batter - maybe ill advised) would be enough for the off season. A signing of a decent reliever (Fulmer) would make it a special off season.

$$$ left to extend the best 2 of 3 Mahle - Maeda - Gray in season

…….. Miranda - Gordon - Polanco - Kiriloff gotta hit!!! Assuming Gallo at .200 - Keppler at .250 - Arraez at his career average of .313. Farmer & Urshella will be a wash in the line-up.