Billy Beane's Dream World: Valencia for Cabrera

From Joe C.'s post-game update late last night, it sounds like Oakland has asked for 3B-of-the-future Danny Valencia for SS Orlando Cabrera. Christensen follows that up with "Twins would never do that, but it was a reminder that Valencia’s name probably comes up frequently in trade talks. Valencia didn’t play for Rochester tonight, making me suspicious, but I checked and Valencia was sick after going 0-for-6 on Sunday."

It wouldn't surprise me to see the Twins deal Valencia at the deadline, but you think it'd be for something more substantial than O-Cab.

about 1 year ago Jesse 13 comments 0 recs |

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It would surprise me

He’s the closest thing to an untouchable in the system, considering he plays a position of need in 2010 and is the top prospect in the organization.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Jul 28, 2009 9:19 AM EDT reply actions

Minnesota would riot.

Bill Smith wouldn’t do it. Unless he drastically underestimates how closely Twins fans follow the farm system, he wouldn’t give it a second thought.

by Neil on Jul 28, 2009 9:30 AM EDT reply actions

A couple of things

1. Why not ask? Wouldn’t surprise me, but obviously wouldn’t happen.

2. the interesting question is where this info is coming from? Is the Twins FO leaking this to soften the blow when they don’t make a move? “What could we do? The A’s were asking for Valencia, we couldn’t do that.”

by Eric in Madison on Jul 28, 2009 10:01 AM EDT reply actions

softening the blow

i had the same thought with the rumor re: inquiring about halladay. i feel certain that rumor had to have come from the front office in response to the criticism from fans/joe/justin/joe. hopefully they are just softening the blow for NOW but are still out there making it happen.

by dctwin on Jul 28, 2009 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions

I'd do Valencia for Cabrera...

and Duchscherer and Jemile Weeks.

by DJL44 on Jul 28, 2009 10:14 AM EDT reply actions

maybe for Paker, Henderson , Henderson, and Stewart

oops it’s not 1988.

Billy Beane is an idiot. And I’d like to think the Twins are smart enough not to do a trade like this.

by caluofmn on Jul 28, 2009 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Why does asking for Valencia make Beane an idiot?

If he expects Valencia, that’s one thing. If you’re negotiating a deal, you aren’t going to ask for the pupu platter first, AND THEN ask for the lobster. You start from the top and slowly pare down to an acceptable offer.

by GACTwinFan on Jul 28, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions

But what kind of reporting is this?

“Billy Beane asks for entire Twins farm system in exchange for Mark Ellis. The Twins are not going to do that but it does show that their entire farm system is considered of some value to other teams.”

I’m very skeptical when we get these alleged play-by-play of the negotiating process. Anything that gets leaked to the media is part of the “game”. When big trades do occur, they usually happen out of nowhere and have little to do with any of the vapor-deals discussed beforehand.

by DavidRF on Jul 28, 2009 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions

True

my dislike for Billy Beane got the better of me.

He can ask for Valencia and Miss Minnesota if he wants but that’s not a story and not a realistic request but you’re right why not ask and see what happens.

I enjoy that Billy Beane has won as many WS titles as the Royals since 2000. So much for his Billy ball revolution.

by caluofmn on Jul 28, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes, and as many as the Twins have won as well!

So much for the “Twins Way”™.

by Eric in Madison on Jul 28, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions

I like that Twins Way is trademarked, nice touch

A big difference for me is that Terry Ryan didn’t build a cult of personality based on his supposed superior baseball knowledge. Last I checked there isn’t a book called The Twins Way.

I guess Beane just bugs me. It doesn’t have to be completely rational does it?

by caluofmn on Jul 28, 2009 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Joe C is just yanking our chain...

Honestly, what kind of “rumor” is that. Toss in Kubel and maybe we can get Adam Kennedy too. Middle infield problems for the next two months are solved.

Next we’ll start a panic saying that all our best young players will be signing with the Yankees once they are eligible for free agency. Wait, we’ve already reported that rumor this year.

by DavidRF on Jul 28, 2009 10:36 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah

It’s a stupid rumor. BS probably told Joe C. the rumor to get a little slack, knowing the Joe C. would report it as fact. Also, Joe C. is crazy if he wouldn’t be surprised that the Twins deal Valencia. When was the last time the Twins traded their best prospect at a position of immediate need?

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Jul 28, 2009 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions