LEN III: Nothing Imminent On Jarrod Washburn
Follow the link for complete information, but two things stuck out for me:
* "I have spoken with several people in the organization and received NO indications that an offer has been made. (Smith declined to comment)"
* "And, as one person with the club told me, Brian Duensing might be better than Washburn right now."
about 2 years ago
Jesse
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How many bad pitching signings must we do every year...
Before we realize we could put that money elsewhere?
Duensing IS a better option that Washburn x100.
Percy Harvin is my dealer.
+1
Also Duensing is sweeter and more adorable and I want to make him soup. (What?)
http://www.realityfish.com
by Robin G on Jan 7, 2010 8:41 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I suppose it depends on your definition of "better"
If “better” is measured solely in years of experience…
by Adam Peterson on Jan 7, 2010 9:24 AM EST up reply actions
Interesting Washburn possibility
According to MLBTR, the Brewers are in the market for another starter, but payroll constraints may prevent them from taking on another few $M. The article notes that they may be targeting Washburn, Doug Davis or Jon Garland.
I wonder if the Twins may be a good fit to make a deal here. It doesn’t appear that we need another starter, but perhaps we sign Washburn to 1 year / $6M. Then we turn around and trade him to Milwaukee, taking on a majority of his salary in order to get something in return. What would it take in addition to Washburn and $4-5M of his salary in order to get Mat Gamel and/or Rickie Weeks in return? Gamel is an atrocious fielder, but he’s got an excellent bat. He could be a DH for 40+ games against RHP, Delmon sitting and Kubel in the OF. Or a Crede-Gamel platoon situation at 3B, which might keep Crede rested and healthy.
Anyway, something to think about.
Interesting idea
But I don’t think the Twins have that kind of cash in their budget this year.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
I doubt it as well, but if this type of trade allowed us to "sign"
a cheap 2B or 3B option, the $4-5M hit might be worth it.
by Adam Peterson on Jan 7, 2010 11:52 AM EST up reply actions
I keep thinking about the Red Sox
Maybe they would help pay some of Lowell’s salary and throw in Lowrie for a package of surplus guys. If the Twins took on half of Lowell’s salary, I would think they’d almost give him away.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
I would think so
Lowrie would be a better option though, but if Lowell must come with, then by all means, let the Twins do it. Morneau, Lowrie, Hardy, Lowell/Punto. That is a pretty nice infield. Hopefully the outfield will be able to defend now as most of the pitchers on our club are flyball pitchers (which makes the addition of Clay Condrey very nice…too bad he cant be used as a spot starter though.)
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett
Won't work
Why wouldn’t Milwaukee just sign him instead?
Saving $4-5M
The article speculates that Milwaukee would have to “free up some cash” to sign Washburn, Davis or Garland.
by Adam Peterson on Jan 7, 2010 11:50 AM EST up reply actions
Which they would do separately
They aren’t selling Gamel or Weeks for $4M, everyone would be in on that one.
Signing guys to a FA deal
and then trading/trying to trade them immediately sets a bad precedent, in my opinion.
by DK on Jan 8, 2010 5:50 AM EST up reply actions
Yup.
And in free agency it’s exceptionally hard to do. Why wouldn’t the team who covets said FA not just sign them of their own accord? Plus there’s a lot of risk if anything falls through, because now you’re stuck with a guy you didn’t actually want.
It works on video games. I’m not sure it’s a good idea in reality.
I agree it would be a bad precedent
and it would not be my preference. But it would solve the Milwaukee “free up cash” problem with signing a free agent SP. Of course, there are other ways they could free up cash.
by Adam Peterson on Jan 8, 2010 7:18 AM EST up reply actions
Another reason it's a bad precedent
The Twins don’t want to get a reputation for breaking the collective bargaining agreement.
"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
This is good news
I’m hoping the report that we offered him something is completely bogus. Washburn is not a good pickup at all. We have more pressing needs in the middle infield, and it is distinctly possible that Washburn is a downgrade over Duensing/Liriano/Perkins/Manship/whatever we throw out there for the 5th spot.
Honestly, 6M would have gotten us Joe Crede and Kelly Johnson to 1 year deals with some change to spare. Those would have been very nice sizable upgrades with potentially very high upsides. It would also be a very nice start towards someone like Hudson.
by diehardtwinsfan on Jan 7, 2010 11:39 AM EST reply actions
There's a possibility...
That signing Washburn is a precursor to addressing the holes in the infield? Maybe they sign the veteran arm of Washburn (who was lighting it UP until his injury, and is still solid), to give more flexibility for a trade with the Padres for Kevin Kouzmanoff? Just speculation, but I would think that the twins can acquire infield help through other means besides free agency. Maybe the acquisition of Washburn would make the Front Office feel more comfortable with giving the final piece in a deal for Kouz… I also heard that there is interest in resigning Orlando Cabrera, and he would switch to second. Even though Sid is who I heard that info from, I like the possibility of having him back…
I would prefer
to stay as far away from O-Cab as possible. He would kill the right side of the infield in defense. O-Cab has hardly played 2B, is a bad SS, trying to switch from SS to 2B…what does this logically lead to? O-Cab is a below average 2B.
2B is more demanding than SS. As a 2B, you must have quick feet and fast reflexes. A 2B takes harder hits on slides than a SS does because a SS comes across the bag, whereas a 2B stays on the bag. More reasons to not sign Cabrera but I do not want to go into them.
Sign Washburn to a minor league deal, invite to ST. Trade Perk for Kouz. Easy, lets get it done.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett
WHEW
"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all."
~ Earl Weaver
"In God we trust. All others must provide evidence."
~ Billy Beane
Ditto on Whew!!
I would probably be a lot more receptive to an “expirienced” arm if there still weren’t holes at 2nd & 3rd. It the Twins were to sign Washburn, they would call it a winter and go with what they have.
Let's keep cost-effectiveness in mind,
and stick with Duensing and Liriano (I’m assuming the Twins will be trading Perkins).
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