Squirrel

At this time of year and through the beginning month of the season, I always take the pov ... anything is possible. (Probable is a different discussion, but possible is hopeful.) But ... I also still take the stance ... hope for the best, prepare for the worst. Still ... at this point in time ... anything is possible. :)

Not sure. Probably not. But if someone were to offer a front-end starter, I’d listen. Right, I know. I’m playing make believe, so it’s not happening, but that’s kind of my point, and I think the point others are making. I wouldn’t shop him, and I don’t think anyone would, but if someone called with an offer I couldn’t refuse? I’d have to consider it … wouldn’t you? That’s really all I meant. For me, no one is untouchable, but with Lewis, as I said, I wouldn’t be shopping him, but if someone called and made an awesome offer, I’d have to consider it.. Especially since the Twins won’t go out and sign such a pitcher.

Can a team agree to terms but delay signing until this happens?

Just a note ... you could have made your point without the stereotyping of 'older generations.' I'd say there are plenty older folks on here who perfectly understand the analytics and plenty of younger folks who don't. And plenty of older and younger who may not understand them all, but still give them their due. And then there are plenty of older and younger who complain about them. I don't think this is just an 'older generational thing' at all.

The assumptions are on both sides here. I don't think anyone is suggesting to just trade him away for little return. If a team is willing to overpay and hand over an ace pitcher, it's something to consider. Anyone can be traded ... for the right price. I don't think anyone is suggesting he should be shopped, but, if someone came knocking, I'd hear them out. I'm not sure Royce falls into the 'untouchable' category, but the offer had better be outstanding and something they couldn't refuse to do it.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com Says for Evan Sisk and Steven Cruz

Better not be for Josh Winder. I’d be pissed at that.

Just because a player gets injured doesn’t mean it’s the position they play that caused it. Sports are physically taxing and players get injured. All over the field. Period. Some players are more prone to injuries than others. Doesn’t mean the position caused the injury. The action caused the injury. This argument that some of you make about the outfield being, what, a more dangerous position to play? You are making anecdotal claims that are just not proof.

Arraez stopped playing left field because he was a horrible left fielder.

Possibly Lewis, too, depending on where they think he's at

And I would guess the FO thinks so, too, or they wouldn't have traded him. However ... if that doesn't happen, then they projected incorrectly and will have to make more moves during the season. Or, maybe they aren't through, yet, and more is to come. The off-season isn't over yet.

That’s just not true. One could say they valued him more than others because he’s the one who got the return they wanted and cleared space for Kirilloff, Lee, Julien and/or Lewis. This trade was all about value on many levels, not about lack of it. This game is played by human beings, and we all are emotional about our favorites and perceptions of good. FOs have to be more objective than that and view their players not just as human beings but as assets or no one would get traded ever. It’s probably the hard part of the job, especially with one as well liked as Arraez. I hate when players get traded away or non tendered. I still feel pangs for Eduardo and Eddie. But in the end, those were all the right decisions to make, imo, including this trade of Arraez.

Miranda could be a possibility if Farmer starts at 3rd with Kirilloff at 1B

You are also forgetting the potential to trade him sooner. If he continues to be a highly rated prospect that is capital that can be used in a trade.

Not only that, but by adding Salas, it's another piece we can use in a trade. It was a good move. Lopez wasn't the pitcher I'd have gone after, as I've said, but, I think the Twins made a good value trade.

I wouldn’t have made the trade if it was strictly one to one. Miami adding the prospects makes it a better trade for us. As I said in another thread, I think it was a good trade, however, I would have liked the Twins to spend a bit more to get one of the other pitchers

Wow ... you deem me a superfan. Thank you. I don't think I come close to that, but wow, how kind!

That remains to be seen, but for now depends on which source you choose to believe

Joe Mauer begs to differ. Didn’t he win two, even?

I do think the trade was a good trade in terms of players going and coming. However, I still wish the Twins had aimed a little higher than Lopez and paid a little more to get one of the other pitchers from Miami. Maybe those discussions included Lewis or the equivalent, I don't know. But, I'm not disappointed in this. Other than I will miss Luis.

Okay ... then give us examples of when team in contention traded a veteran on an expiring contract, who was contributing to the team's contention, and they received prospects or young players in return, that weren't to help that year's team but to replenish the pipeline and some future team. And then give us examples of teams not doing that and it meant their pipeline was a myth. Because that's what vanimal has said ... that by not trading Grey and Maeda at the deadline, regardless of where the team is at, regardless what those players are contributing, it means the pipeline is a myth. That's what this discussion has turned into (in a topic about trading for Lopez). And you're throwing in something I might have said last year, out of context, from a different situation, that doesn't at all correlate to this discussion where I'm already having difficulties understanding the correlations. Convoluted is what I called this and that's what this discussion has become. My biggest objection to what vanimal has said is the part about that if we don't make these trades, the pipeline is a myth. I don't understand the correlation in that, at all. At all. I'm not saying we shouldn't trade those two, I'm saying that 'it depends' and it does, imo, and if the 'it depends' means we keep them, it means our team is doing well and so are they and it doesn't mean our pipeline is a myth. If our team is doing well and we can get someone even better to help, then yes, make a trade. If we aren't doing well, but they are, yes, let's hope we can get a good return for future use. And if SWR is that phenomenal that we need him down the stretch, to be a regular starter, then make a move to do that. That's how it should work. There shouldn't be some absolute here. It depends. I get that we do need to make trades to replenish the farm, but I do think it matters when we do this, that that should be a big part of the consideration, and not do it, regardless.

Oy ... now you are just convoluting the discussion further.

Eh, I’d rather another team come out on top in this poll and then play the underdog all season.

I won’t take that bet because it is dependent on too many things. If those two are contributing to a winning record, then no, they won’t be traded. If we still have a winning record but one or both aren’t contributing, then yeah, one or both could be traded at the deadline. But, that would also depend on the readiness of others. And how well those two are contributing, one of them could be extended, but, again, a lot of ‘it depends’ in that, too. But your definitive statement that if they aren’t traded, regardless how they are doing, regardless how the Twins are doing, the pipeline is a myth … that statement is, in itself, a myth. Or at the very least, just doesn’t correlate. However, if the Twins are doing poorly, yes, they could both be traded and should be traded. That is when you trade veteran players. However, how they are doing will determine the return they get. And whether Maeda is starting or relieving will also make a difference to all of this. There is just way too much ‘absolutism’ in your opinion to something, imo, simply does not correlate.

As it is with anyone, I’d like to hear the offer first. For a front end starter, I might consider it, but it had better be a very, very good pitcher. I don’t think Lewis would be in the untouchable realm, but, I’d be looking for a huge return or don’t bother me.