tvagle

We've all heard the Billy Beane 2 months to see what you got, 2 months to align adjustments, 2 months to make the playoffs bit...I'm ready for an early start to fixing little(?) things Maybe I'm still suffering from T-Wolves melt-down or not quite over the Wild losing their identity because the playoffs started (or did they just don the Wild playoff identity) but how about we proactive this thing and just make some Big League moves now instead of waiting for a presumed better time/deal?? Here's a couple ideas birthed from this MLBTR post on 10 Potential Trade Candidates and "consider the source" Jim Bowden TheAthletic post on Trades He'd Like to See (Pay-walled so I'll just list the players he "thinks" will get the trade done) All stats from Baseball Reference TRADE #1 - 1B/DH Josh Bell Washington Nationals (Free Agent at end of the Year so why not Rent for a little longer than a month) Sure he's been a Streaky Hitter throughout his career but he's Currently trending as follows: AVG / OBP / SLG / OPS / OPS+ .342 / .434 / .504 / .938 178 K% DOWN 6.9% (17.8 -> 10.9) W% UP 0.9% (11.4 -> 12.3) Career K% 18.4% - Miggy is 36.4% Career W% 11.8% - Miggy a respectable 11.7% Small Sample Size and all here's the last two years of Bell and Sano (I'll let you figure out who's who) And a Career Comparison A switch hitter who strikes out half as much with more games played in one less year and pretty near identical production He may be on a hot streak and is bound to come back to his norms...but that seems to be an alright thing to me But enough about that what would it take to land Josh Bell? According to Bowden Blue Jays acquire 1B/DH Josh Bell from Nationals for SS/2B Leo Jimenez - #5 Jays prospect according to MLB Pipeline Age: 20 Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 30 | Run: 55 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50 RHP Trent Palmer - #23 Jays prospect according to MLB Pipeline Age: 23 Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40 What would a Twins comparable offer look like: Would the Versatility of Spencer Steer (#10), Louie Varland (#15) and Favorite son Matt Wallner (#11) get it done? Do you consider Noah Miller for a rental? Maybe it's a quick spin of Brayan Medina (from the Padres) or Ronny Henriquez (from the Rangers)?? It's all on where the Nats are in their process...I'd consider Arraez if they want more win next year players (this highly affected by the play of Royce and a lesser extent Miranda) Feel free to tell me a bunch of teens prospects won't bring back much...but he is a one year rental TRADE #2 - Go get Frankie Montas Oakland A's (substitute Luis Castillo if he shows he's healthy in the next few starts if you like) I won't spend your time (or mine) on any research on this other than to say JUST DO IT! Here's Bowden's offer from the Rays Rays acquire RHP Frankie Montas from A’s for RHP Cole Wilcox - #12 Rays prospect according to MLB Pipeline (Tommy John Recovery) Scouting grades: Fastball: 65 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45 2B/OF Vidal Bruján - #4 Rays prospect (#75 Overall) according to MLB Pipeline (currently on the MLB roster but has not mastered the Majors) So I'll just jump right in on this one with the longest three-way deal ever completed: Twins get Montas Blue Jays get Berrios A's get Austin Martin (#2 Twins, #50 Overall) and Simeon Woods Richardson (#7 Twins) Want to keep Richardson then how about Enlow (TJ Recovery) and Canterino It's gonna take Martin + + for two pennant races of Montas or Castillo so start the calls and get them here for as many starts as possible Wes's smoke and mirrors has been great to see this season...the sticks might be coming around...injuries will clear up and there's nothing wrong with running away with the division and maybe earn a bye to the 2nd round of the playoffs is the best ticket for Minnesota Sports teams! You know the drill...critique...dismantle...dispute in the comments

I propose a swap of positions with Conger...I can't imagine a former catcher ever thinking of sending himself home with no outs and a piano waiting 30 feet down the line

I know garlic is great on spaghetti...or is it just the thick bread mom used to dip in butter and cover in the stuff...but I'm beginning to wonder just what kind of pictures of who Garlick must have?? I'll give Rocco the three strike approach on this but he's down to one left after the following moves In the Boston Massacre game (have to name the seldom seen offensive production) Rocco goes against the late inning defensive replacement plan and inserts his favorite vegetable (look it up) to put the game further out of reach due to a poor matchup (I believe he managed to produce the same True outcome...K'd) and then we got to see Devers hit a 300 foot moon shot that bounces off the top of the fence for a HR off Duran...now if it's the top of the Green Monster...ok...tough break...this was the top of the RF fence Pesky Pole area which is about 3'6" high...where's the RF in all of this? Right up against the wall ready to make the HR robbing catch? Yes...unfortunately...he was about 6 feet off on where the ball hit the fence and bounced over...I'm thinking Kepler might have had that one but he was moved to CF I believe Strike 2 - Maybe we can call this the "I could never get a hit off of Flash" game or the "Elementary Dear Watkins" of to just "The Duff"...as noted above Flash the 3rd makes an adjustment to getting blown away by two high fastballs to triple on the next high fastball...while it was nice to see a professional hitter adjust within an AB and win...I can only surmise that Gordon was making the other guys look bad so he needed a calm down on the bench moment so we could watch some Ratcher and Clank action for half the game in RF...haven't checked the box score but I don't think we had much productivity at the plate from that spot in the lineup So the count is in the Sano-hole 0-2 and here's hoping Rocco passes on the garlic this time and maybe shortens up and lines a triple to the gap

Great signing from a marketing perspective for Team Twins: If, as so many have mentioned, this is the same joke told over and over and over again they can play "You can call me Al" when he comes into games If he slays it on the hill maybe the Twins channel their inner Grandpa Veeck with "An Evening with Ted" promotion

Kiriloff is an everyday Major Leaguer in 2021 so...IMHO Lewis is the top prospect with Larnach clipping at his heals

Hernandez at the right price is the only one of these two worth pursuing The Twins just let go of the most comparable player to Profar I can think of...Eddie Rosario Rosario is far more accomplished than Profar (at a higher price tag) but if you want to watch the occasional fabulous play in the field followed by a months worth of WTH moments coupled with more head-scratching baserunning maneuvers than you've ever seen from Rosie by all means sign Profar

Apologies for the last post....the point that was rambling around in my head was that this was like a father-son deal with a non-related third party involved and dad has decided it's time for junior to learn to fly on his own, no matter how nuclear the fallout is

I'll avoid yet a 14th thread on Brusdargate and just throw this out here I have not seen or read too much on the Friedman - Bloom Rays Connection Bloom got his start in baseball under Friedman...was promoted by Friedman...worked with/for Friedman for 10 years I imagine this went down something like... AF - Congrats on the new job Bloomer...I think I can help you out, we have been cheated out of the WS Crown the last 3 years and Mookie will put us over the top...you need a graceful way to turn the Red Sox into the Rays and I'll help you out by taking half of Prices contract as well CB - Thanks Andrew, I think this could work out but I'm gonna need to rebuild in a hurry there are actual fans in Boston that care about baseball, not your fans that show up in the 5th and are more interested in sitting by celebrities, these people are obsessed...how about Lux and May? AF - Whoa Bloomer, that ain't happening for 1 year of Betts and a salary dump...you know who fits the "Rays Way"? Verdugo...we don't have room and he needs to play...perfect fit CB - C'mon Andrew, I will need more than just Verdugo...this farm is a mess...have any idea of any young arms with upside that are available? AF - Falvey keeps calling trying to pluck a started from us...seems to think he can help me deal with Maeda situation...like I need help...anyone from the Twins that interests you? CB - Lemme check...What you know about the 21 year old Gatorade kid...he lights it up, read the Twins think he's a bullpenner...think they'd move him? AF - I'll call Levine and ask him to ask Falvey if he'd part with Graterol for Maeda and then I'll just pass him on to you...sound good? CB - So I'll get Verdugo and Graterol and you'll take on half or Prices contract along with Betts...you wouldn't throw in someone else...I'd be Down with Jeter? AF - I see what you did there, very funny...not for only one year of Betts...look you know how I roll...no time for back and forths...Verdugo and Graterol for Half-Price and Betts is that a deal? CB - My mandate was to get under the luxury tax anyway...so I'll check with Mr. Henry and get back to you...gee-whiz that was fast...it's a deal...Thanks Andrew you're the best...and thanks for helping me through this major transition {at this time medicals are passed and things literally start to hit the fan} CB - Andrew...um...ah...well this is really hard to say but the fans here don't like this trade at all and Mr. Henry is not a happy man...who knew an owner could really care what the fanbase was thinking or doing...never happened in Tampa...the docs don't think Graterol will ever become more than a relief pitcher and well, I may need more... AF - Hold it there Bloomer, we're taking on a lot of risk here in LA and you know me when it comes to deals like this...once I agree to a deal that's it...that's the deal CB - I'm getting roasted...any suggestions AF - we're taking on $$$ and only getting one year of Betts...here's Levine's number, call him and ask to talk to Falvey...as for me we have a deal and we're ready to move forward...welcome to the big time Chaim, good luck making it work on your end Here's the employment history for Friedman and Bloom (in case anyone needs facts to back up the connection) Andrew Friedman 2004 Director of Baseball Development 2005 Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager October 14, 2014, Left Rays Chaim Bloom February 2005 Hired as anIntern October 2005 Began Full-time to work in Minor League Operations 2008 Assistant Director of Minor League Operations 2011 Director of Baseball Operations 2014 Vice President of Baseball Operations - Friedman Leaves 2016 Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations 2019 CBO - Chief Bumbling Officer - Chief Baseball Officer in Boston

Mess with the Buffalo...you're gonna get the horns!

Until right now

I sit corrected...my evening math was missing the Games Started Incentive Apologies Stringer Bell and enjoy your time in Houston with The Beard

Might see Smeltzer/Thorpe over Stashak/Wisler as the pen is pretty Righthanded I see a $143.428M payroll to start the season (including Perez/Hill/Pineda)

I believe the incentives bring the total to $10M not and additional $10M If he were to reach all the incentives he'd be well worth $10M/year

Or Brian's ginger twin Bobby