If It's Friday, It Must Be Roster Move Day

by RandBall's Stu on Aug 28, 2009 12:42 PM EDT in Speculation

Both the Carl Pavano and Orlando Cabrera acquisitions took place on Friday, known by ~~many~~ ~~some~~ my Mom as RandBall's Stu's day to man the Good Ship Twinkietown. If the buzzing rumor mill is any indication, this Friday could very well be another one of those days. The indefatigable Jesse has already discussed the Brad Penny option. There's also been talk of the Twins picking up Royals reliever Ron Mahay. However, the one that makes you sit up and take notice is the speculation, as reported here by the WWL, that the Twins have put a claim in on the Cubs' Rich Harden.

Let's get the deflation out of the way first: Joe C. doesn't think acquiring Harden is likely, saying the Cubs will want something of value in return and that Penny is much more likely to end up in the Twins' "throw it against the wall, see what sticks" rotation. He is more plugged in than I am, so let's take him at his word.

Now, ignoring that bit of sound reasoning by a person with actual knowledge of the situation, let's speculate wildly: who do the Twins have to give up to get him? He's likely going to be a Type A free agent, so it probably won't suffice to give them Delmon Young and Philip Humber. There's no harm in trying: they're the Cubs, after all, and they never, ever do anything right. Maybe they'll fall for it. But I doubt it.

So, just who and how much would you give up for him? Is Danny Valencia untouchable? Kevin Slowey? A couple of the mid to lower-level prospects (Revere, Slama, Hicks)?

If anything happens in the real world, look here for updates, as always. Until then, discuss.

Tweet Comment 13 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

For Harden

I would have no problem trading Revere and a maybe a pitching prospect

by DaTwins on Aug 28, 2009 12:47 PM EDT reply actions

For 6 starts

You’re loco

www.twinkietalk.com
www.olympicsportsblog.wordpress.com

by fetch9 on Aug 28, 2009 1:11 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

For a one-month rental?

No thanks. We’re not likely to give up a top-10 prospect for five starts. The Cubs would ask for two top-10 prospects considering that Harden is a Type A free agent and they’ll get two top 10 prospects through draft compensation.

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

by cmathewson on Aug 28, 2009 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm confusted

Cmath – If I understand rightly, you’re saying “No Thanks, I don’t want to trade a top-10 prospect for 5 starts”, and following with “the cubs will want 2 top-10 prospects, since that’s what they’re giving up”.

Doesn’t that mean that the trade is really one or two of our top-10 prospects for 5 starts from Harden + 2 top 10 prospects?

by snolls on Aug 28, 2009 2:01 PM EDT reply actions

I suppose so.

So the Cubs will want more than two top-10 prospects. But, yeah, if they just want to save a month of salary and they are willing to take, say, Parmelee and Benson, go for it. We’re likely to get better than Parmelee and Benson in draft compensation.

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

by cmathewson on Aug 28, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Penny

Is Penny tubby or thick? And what did the former Miss Milano see in him?

by wcooley on Aug 28, 2009 2:09 PM EDT reply actions

Maybe she likes fat guys

Like my wife.

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

by cmathewson on Aug 28, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Twins get Mahay cheap.

According to MLB Trade Rumors.

Let him take on long relief, or can he actually still get lefties out?

by Old Twins Cap on Aug 28, 2009 2:36 PM EDT reply actions

Highly doubt this trade goes through for any team.

Harden’s a great pitcher with a great health risk. If he had another three or four years left on his contract he would probably be worth a Revere, but for six starts no team is going to want to give up more than the couple of draft picks the Cubs would receive for hanging on to him.

And, yes, Stu, Valencia still is untouchable.

Viking Vigil - The 2nd greatest Vikings community on the internet!
http://www.vikingvigil.com
Twins Fix
http://www.twinsfix.com

by Andersklasen on Aug 28, 2009 3:05 PM EDT reply actions

We did make a move right?

It looks like we did go and pick up Mahay, and since I know nothing about him, I will cut and paste an interesting comment off of MLB traderumors.com:

The Twins picked up Mahay for one reason only.

The Twins, not the White Sox, are the threat to pass the Tigers in the division. The White Sox will return from the current road trip too far behind to catch up.

The Tigers have seven games left with the Rays, and will be lucky to win three. But after that the Tigers just have to hold their own against the division and have a lot of home games left.

The Twins have already been lambasted by the AL East. Although they are 4.5 games out and below .500, they have a shot.

The Twins play six more games with the Tigers. Three are in the absurd dome where all visiting teams are beaten before they start. The other three are the the last three games of the season, in Detroit. The division title will likely be settled in that final series.

That’s where Mahay comes in. The Twins can use an extra lefty reliever, after Sept 1 roster expansion, to face Granderson in the late innings. Granderson is hitting .180 against lefties, without power. Against righties he’s extremely dangerous. The Tigers cannot remove him and lose his defense.

Mahay will be asked to get a handful of crucial outs in six games: late inning Granderson at bats.

Posted by: pmc765 | August 28, 2009 at 02:01 PM

by montanatwinsfan on Aug 28, 2009 3:13 PM EDT reply actions

mahay

I have not seen this move confirmed by any of the usual suspects. Doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened or won’t happen, but nothing else is out there about it.

by RandBall's Stu on Aug 28, 2009 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions