Comments on: Stop With the Premature Trade Talk Already

By: frightwig

frightwig — Thu, 31 May 2012 20:56:39 +0000

When Morneau has been in the lineup, the Twins offense has put up a respectable 4.56 rpg (the league average is 4.42 rpg). Of course, we don’t know if he can stay healthy, and Ryan will have to find a replacement for Doumit and get a new 3B and/or 2B, and Willingham is bound to regress… but, yeah, the core of a decent offense is there for next year, if Ryan wants to build on it.

At the same time, Ryan has to consider that Morneau’s contract expires after 2013, Willingham is signed through 2014 (his age 35 season), and Span is signed through 2014 + a club option for one more year. The window for building around this lineup nucleus probably will be closing within a couple years. So, then Ryan has to ask himself, does he feel confident that he can fix that pitching rotation this winter? Are the right guys out there? Will he have the money to spend?

If he can go get at least a couple good starting pitchers this winter, and maybe another one for 2013, great. Let’s see if we can enjoy one more contending team before Morneau’s contract is up, then. But if he knows that he can’t fix the rotation this winter, because the right guys aren’t available, he doesn’t have the budget, the organization prefers to build through a youth movement, or whatever, then he might as well trade away his veteran parts this summer, or whenever he can get back good value for them.

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 30 May 2012 22:08:26 +0000

How about we trade Trevor Plouffe to Cleveland for Hanahan and get the only gophers in MLB together? We can do that deal tomorrow and ante up 2 buckets of balls to go with.
I just can’t take it anymore. The shoddy defense at ever position was always supposed to be tolerated because of his bat but realistically he’s got a great 4A bat and not much else. I’d rather either try Casilla out over there or bring Valencia back up.

By: Jim Crikket

Jim Crikket — Wed, 30 May 2012 21:59:51 +0000

I don’t believe I wrote anything about expecting the Twins to win championships in 2013. What I wrote was that I expect the Twins organization to put a much better product on the field and to be more competitive than they are now. I don’t believe that’s expecting too much and I don’t believe Twins fans should expect any less.

The current lineup, with even a moderately competent starting rotation, would not be a terrible team. I think some people are much too quick to demand that the team be “blown up.”

It will certainly take more than just a few marginal improvements around the edges, but I do not believe they should be taking backward steps in 2013, just with the hope of competing in 2014 and beyond. This team should be looking to improve every year and fans should accept nothing less.

By: Joel Thingvall

Joel Thingvall — Wed, 30 May 2012 21:28:34 +0000

It’s a crapshoot. Teams are looking at the Twins. Yes, after the draft teams will re-evaluate many players in their systems. You look at where you have an abundance against what you need and such. Players suddenly become available. If you can trade for someone in June to keep them from someone else (as well as improve your team) you do it. The question on the other side is “How uch can I MAYBE hold-out for?” Do I wait or go if someone makes me an offer. Like buying/selling a house, walking into a Pawn Shop with something worth a grand and being offered $200….if I come back tomorrow, after they have a made a few calls, will they give me $300-400-500 or more…or nothing.

The Twins need to look at every play and the situations they make. Trade Doumit, then does Willingahm DH and who plays the outfield. If we trade Span and DH Willingham, who plays two outfield spots. Is Plouffe on third or Valencia. And every name you look at, you are looking at where they will be not only in 2013 with the team, but probably 2014. Can we or do we wish to resign Morneau after 2013. If not, then what do we get for him. O do we want him, and does he expect, to end his carer as a Twin, and is that important.

Do we stay with wannabes in the bullpen and rotation.

The next question is adding to the roster, service time and such and how it relates not just to 2013 but also 2014 and beyond. The Twins are beyond plugging holes for a competitive season in 2013 (sorry, true….they can play good ball and all but a chance at the playoffs will not happen). They can dream about 2013, but so many factors come into play — can hey attract free agents (no), do they have up-and-coming superstars (no, just solid players). Can they trade for talent above the norm in their system but still raw (probably).

It’s not an easy job, but someone will ask the Twins for a player or too waaaaay before July. Be interesting to see what happens.

By: frightwig

frightwig — Wed, 30 May 2012 20:57:16 +0000

Agreed, Terry Ryan probably won’t be trading anyone at least for another few weeks. Just a note: Doumit is a free agent after the season. So, particularly if he continues to play like he has in the last month, odds are against him coming back next year.

By: AW

AW — Wed, 30 May 2012 18:48:32 +0000

I retract my earlier comment.

The Twins should trade Liriano before he comes on to pitch the 7th today.

By: AW

AW — Wed, 30 May 2012 18:18:10 +0000

I agree with the sentiment of this post, namely, that teams will be more desparate to deal better prospects as we get into July. And I think that’s 100% true that it’s too early to trade away guys, unless there is an offer that blows you away.

I think that you’re more optimistic than I am about the state of the 2013 Twins, though. I think the Twins can be better next year than they probably will be this year, but I think they will still pretty far away from a potential playoff team. So I’m not sure that we necessarily need players that are MLB ready for 2013 in order for moves this summer to be good.