I also think the whole “trading within your division” thing is less of an issue than most people think. All things being equal, you might prefer not to trade within your division, but the idea is to strengthen your team. The Twins are contenders now and could use a top starting pitcher. They can’t worry about whether some kids they trade to KC might actually improve the Royals. They just have to be concerned about whether trading those players away weakens themselves, now and/or in the future, more than adding Greinke improves them. Likewise, if the Royals can get the kind of talent they think they need to be able to contend in the division sooner by trading an expensive pitcher they can’t afford right now to a division rival, they’d do it.

Somehow I think the Royals have something to say about the whole matter.

BTW, the Royals aren’t “anxious” to rid themselves of Greinke’s contract. ..after all, Jose Guillen and his $12 milion per year are now off the books.) Not to mention Kyle Farnsworth and his $4.5 million. And David DeJesus and his $6 million. And Rick Ankiel and his $2.75 million.

When you opined about Pavano and the Twins being a good fit, my response was:

“I think they’ll offer Pavano arbitration, but I doubt he’ll take it. The Twins can afford to pay him what he’ll demand, but I think he’ll command 2-3 guaranteed years and if they’re going to pay someone over 10 mil for a couple of years, I’d rather it be someone younger (Greinke, de la Rosa). If Pavano is kept, it means there is no change in the rotation this year… and I think it needs improvement.”

I think I still stand by that. I think they’ll offer arbitration. I think he’ll turn it down. I believe the Twins can afford to pay him what he wants, but the number of years would be an issue. I’d still rather pay Greinke or de la Rosa $10 mil+ a year for multiple years than Pavano and I still think the rotation needs improvement.

But like I said in the post above, if you can’t GET that improvement, maybe you’d better try harder to keep what you have.

Yanno, now that I think about it though, I MAY HAVE written that something you suggested was unrealistic… that whole sports-star-beanie-baby idea still sounds pretty iffy to me!

Oh… and I agree that as long as KC is demanding other teams be absolutely stupid about giving up multiple top tier players for Greinke, there’s no way the Twins should oblige and be that stupid, especially to another team in their division (even if it is the Royals).

FWIW I certainly don’t see the Twin’s giving “several frontline players” up to a team in the Central. If, and that’s a big if in my book, there is a play for Greinke from the Twin’s it would have to involve a third team.