It's Trade Deadline Week!

by Jon Marthaler on Jul 25, 2011 9:01 AM EDT in WTF

Well, sort of. It's non-waiver trade deadline week. If you want a guy that anybody else in the league might want, you have to trade for him this week; otherwise you're stuck trying to pick up Bobby Keppel-level bullpen talent off the wire.

Frankly, I'm excited for this week. In fact, I'm already trying to write the headlines and subheadlines for the seven days between now and the trade deadline. Here's what I've got so far:

Twins Trade For Koji Uehara
2012 resurgence set for whoever it is they give up

Relief Pitching Gets Mildly Better
Offense still terrible, starting pitching still inconsistent

Kevin Slowey Traded For Bag of Baseballs
Slowey: "No problem, I'm busy reading David Foster Wallace anyway."

Bill Smith: "Getting Denard Span back is just like making a trade"
Fans: "Don't spit on our head and tell us it's raining"

Ben Revere Sent Back To Minors
Falls over twice on trip

Twins Decide To Carry Fifteen Pitchers
Three are better hitters than Tsuyoshi Nishioka anyway

Is Danny Valencia On The Trading Block?
Unsettled by rumors, Valencia gets a hit in a non-clutch situation

Is Matt Tolbert On The Trading Block?
No.

Fans Create Proposed Trades For General Manager
General manager still stuck outside gates of Happy Imaginary Magic Unicorn Land

Michael Cuddyer Not Going Anywhere
Team discusses 40-year contract extension, just in case

Tweet Comment 64 comments | 3 recs |

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Radio Broadbast

Yesterday on the Radio Gordo and either Morris or Gladden were talking about potential guys who might be traded.

Gordo speculated that Hughes or Tosoni. might have good value as trading chips. But he was worried that trading those two might be hurting the future team.

He didn’t even mention the fact that Kubel, Young and Thome might be traded. This is a big problem. I think the fan base expects the FO to do something to help the team NOW.

I hope they can resist and not make your Headlines #1 and #2 a reality

by clutterheart on Jul 25, 2011 9:13 AM EDT reply actions

What?!

“Relief Pitching Gets Bette Midler”?
Oh wait, “Mildly Better”.
Never mind.
Hmmm, wonder what Bette’s fastball clocks at?

by z-squad on Jul 25, 2011 9:26 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Didn't she pitch in a League of Their Own?

If I recall, she opened up quickly and had a nasty fork ball.

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

by cmathewson on Jul 25, 2011 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions

League of their own brings back wonderful memories...

…my son’s Mantle team played a game in Bosse Field (Evansville, IN) where parts of the movie were filmed. He got to play in the same center field as Madonna! But what a beautiful old ballpark with the wooden roof over the grandstand, brick outfield wall, etc. Doesn’t get much better.

by roger13 on Jul 25, 2011 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I heard that her slider has absolutely no life left.

"We're talking about unchecked aggression here, Dude."
Off Tackle Empire
The Daily Gopher
@jdmill

by JDMill on Jul 25, 2011 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Ha! That’s one of the more filthy comments I’ve read. Well done!

by z-squad on Jul 25, 2011 1:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Super filthy

True awesomeness

Skol!

by DM_Purp on Jul 25, 2011 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Why must you mock Happy Imaginary Unicorn Land?

It’s me and Bill Smith’s Safe Place.

Steve Goodman lives.

by twinsbrewer on Jul 25, 2011 12:18 PM EDT reply actions

I hope we get past July 31st before Bill Smith acts...

…he really has been pretty good helping the team with trades in August. Hasn’t given up that much for good pitchers like Pavanno and Fuentes.

by roger13 on Jul 25, 2011 12:22 PM EDT reply actions

Headlines I'd like to see by 7/31

Twins trade Matt Capps to Texas (before our series begins)
Twins trade Carl Pavano for prospects, bring up Slowey
Denard Span returns, Revere optioned to Rochester
Twins trade Delmon Young for relief pitching, recall Ben Revere

Twins sign Cuddyer to 2 year $17M contract extension

by DJL44 on Jul 25, 2011 12:27 PM EDT reply actions

This is a business and should be run as such,

but I am not sure that trading Pavano would be a great PR move. He is a veteran player who appears to both command and deserve the respect of the other players on the team. Trading players like that for prospects is a risky proposition.

Not disagreeing with you here, just waxing philosophic about how those types of moves have ripple effects. Neither Santana, nor Hunter wanted to play here any more precisely because of these types of moves. While we never could have, nor should have tried to match the contract Hunter got, Santana’s vocal disgruntlement with the team and the FO left us in a much weaker bargaining position come trade time.

I don't know, but I've been told it's hard to run with the weight of gold,
'the other hand, I've heard it said, it's just as hard with the weight of lead.

by montanatwinsfan on Jul 25, 2011 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Resigning Pavano and Capps were mistakes.

Trading either of them now would be admitting such. They won’t do it. I also agree it would be admitting they’re panicking, and they don’t want to be seen as that.

How trading for a middle reliever we could have had at the beginning of the season is not panicking is another question. But ‘this’ would not be seen as panic to the fan base, oblivious to what moves the team made vs should have made.

So they’ll trade a 27 yr old pitcher who legitimately earned a place in the starting rotation in Spring, but was given the stiff-arm. It’s a bonehead move, but it’s consistent with this FO,

I also would not be surprised to see Hughes/Tosoni traded. But I think ‘doing’ that would be foolish.

Simply put, at best we should be standing pat. Realistically, we should probably be looking at next year.

by Shawn Gillogly on Jul 25, 2011 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Matt Capps was a mistake

Carl Pavano wasn’t. Yes he got off to a bad start, but he is now pitching pretty well. It is the bullpen that needs work and has been denying him wins. We also have had massive problems with offense, but the reason why we are in this position is because of our bad start to the season. Seriously, Bill Smith must go. Will he, I don’t know, but if I were upper management, there is no way I would let him trade with the expections of going all-in for 2011.

I'm a proud fan of the Minnesota Twins and Dallas Cowboys!
"Life is precious and time is a key element. Let’s make every moment count and help those who have a greater need than our own." – Harmon Killebrew

by Jessy S on Jul 25, 2011 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions

not sure about that "legitimately earned a place in the starting rotation" thing

Also, re-signing Capps and Pavano weren’t mistakes. I can agree that trading for Capps was a mistake, at least given what they gave up for him. But Capps last year was very good, and there was no reason to think he’d be so awful this year. And at least it’s only a one year deal, they didn’t compound the problem by giving him a multi-year deal.

by matswilander on Jul 25, 2011 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions

And

The failure to resign Hunter may have gotten Terry Ryan ~~fired~~ reassigned.

by Jessy S on Jul 25, 2011 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions

That decision was Terry Ryan's, have that from a very reliable source.

by roger13 on Jul 25, 2011 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions

And that is why Terry Ryan quit himself.

by Jessy S on Jul 25, 2011 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions

PR move

Trading off Capps would be a great PR move, the fans don’t like him anymore. Trading Pavano would be offset by getting Cuddyer to agree to an extension (using that money).

by DJL44 on Jul 25, 2011 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions

+4, 1 adjustment

…agree with all but one. I would go for trading Liriano, rather than Pavano. Would likewise bring Slowey up to fill the spot. Trading Capps, Liriano and Young should get us enough good young talent with some ready now/next spring to put us in the hunt in 2012.

by roger13 on Jul 25, 2011 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Trading Pavano makes sense

He’s the most expensive
He has no upside, is a “proven veteran”
He will be in demand if made available (starting pitching market is barren)

The other starters fall into a few buckets:
Cheap, under team control and pitching well (Baker, Blackburn)
Underperforming but have potential (Liriano, Slowey)
On the rise (Gibson, Hendriks)
Cheap and flexible but don’t impress scouts, therefore not in high demand (Duensing, Swarzak)

by DJL44 on Jul 25, 2011 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions

"Kevin Slowey to the Pirates for Evan Meek has been in the works for a while now " ......

Really You think so?

~David Kahn is pretty much clueless~
Twins top 11 ~ Gibson, Sano, Hendriks, Hicks, Arcia, Salcedo, Benson, Michael, Kepler, Rosario, Gutierrez ~

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Jul 25, 2011 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions

That would be sad, since we released Meek several years ago

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

by cmathewson on Jul 25, 2011 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Thoughts on Selling

The Twins should not actively be looking to upgrade for this year. They still have a chance in the AL Central, but I don’t think it’s worth mortgaging the future for it. The names the Twins should be shopping should be Delmon, Slowey, and Liriano.

Delmon is obvious. They should see what they can get for him. Either get a prospect now, or get nothing when he’s non-tendered in the offseason.

Liriano may be better to move than Slowey. If the Twins can find someone who want a tremendously inconsistent pitcher, but one who might be great with the right coaching, they should take the bait. Pick up a promising prospect for him. Once again, it’s that or let him walk for nothing (or sign him on the cheap, but I’m not sure that’s a great idea).

If Liriano is moved, moving Slowey looks less smart. Slowey has potential if he is starting. Although I could easily see Swarzak filling a starting role, Slowey could also fill the hole left by Liriano. I would be a little more reluctant to trade Slowey than most Twins fans. Especially because his value is so low right now.

by al-exx on Jul 25, 2011 12:29 PM EDT reply actions

There's no way we trade Liriano with his value this low

by Coolio12 on Jul 25, 2011 12:51 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Delmon isn't obvious.

He’s younger, under team control, and his defense would probably be much better in RF, where his mobility isn’t as big an issue.

Cuddyer is the ‘obvious’ trading block. But they won’t, because the MO is not to trade ‘team guys.’ Slowey would also be a mistake. But it’s a mistake they’ll make.

by Shawn Gillogly on Jul 25, 2011 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions

wow. you sure do seem to know just about everything there is to know

even as to what the future holds.

Are you Negrodamus?

I don't know, but I've been told it's hard to run with the weight of gold,
'the other hand, I've heard it said, it's just as hard with the weight of lead.

by montanatwinsfan on Jul 25, 2011 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Here's the Rub

Trading Delmon Young would bring in more prospects than Michael Cuddyer at this point in time. The Phillies are looking for an outfield bat, They are going to have to trade more for Young than Cuddyer. The same with the Giants as well as any other team in contention right now. If I were a betting man, I would say that Delmon Young could be a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates before this week is out and we pick up one of their best prospects at short as well as a good pitcher.

by Jessy S on Jul 25, 2011 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Cuddy stays now

Why would you trade one of the few guys that is knocking in runs and getting on base.

People talk about sending Revere back to AAA, well Kubel just got back and it will take a while for him to get into the swing of things, I don’t care if we have Span and Young back, can you say without a doubt that Revere isn’t on the same level with one of them, the kid makes stuff happen.

Liriano will never be dealt because Bill Smith has a man crush on him, he’s not an ACE and people need to admit it, and nobody wants to take on that kind of payroll for a mental basket case.

Thome is untouchable because they want him to hit #600 in a Twins uniform.

Deal Capps, and get what you can, we have Nathan and Perkins who can both do the job.

Option Nishi to AAA so he can learn how to hit, as he is starting to collect more errors than hits in the majors.

Trade Slowey for a trainer that can keep the team healthy.

Oh Yeah…..pray that there are some major offseason signings so we have a shot next year!!

by Sixmark on Jul 25, 2011 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions

"Why would you trade one of the few guys that is knocking in runs and getting on base."

Because he’s a free agent and the Twins are out of it.

by DJL44 on Jul 25, 2011 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions

On the pregame, they basically said it's about to happen

And after tonight, I agree. They went from contenders to pretenders in four days.

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

by cmathewson on Jul 25, 2011 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I Still regret trading

Tyler Ladendorf and Billy Bullock

by That'sWhatSheSaid on Jul 25, 2011 12:50 PM EDT reply actions

why?

~David Kahn is pretty much clueless~
Twins top 11 ~ Gibson, Sano, Hendriks, Hicks, Arcia, Salcedo, Benson, Michael, Kepler, Rosario, Gutierrez ~

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Jul 25, 2011 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions

I think that was supposed to be sarcasm...

Got the blue rectangle instead of the code font

by DavidRF on Jul 25, 2011 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions

HOW ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO TELL IF THEY USE THE WRONG FONT

"Pinch-bunters don't have a ton of value, even with the Twins"

by Steven Ellingson on Jul 25, 2011 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions

TWSS

by twinscrazy_german on Jul 25, 2011 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Nationals want Span

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/07/denard-span-high-on-nationals-list.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

How about no?

Follow me, mmk?

by John_Locke on Jul 25, 2011 2:36 PM EDT reply actions

read that and scratched my head

why are the Nationals attempting to “buy”? Wouldn’t they be better off waiting until the offseason to try a trade?

I don't know, but I've been told it's hard to run with the weight of gold,
'the other hand, I've heard it said, it's just as hard with the weight of lead.

by montanatwinsfan on Jul 25, 2011 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Its been a quiet trade season

Maybe they’re getting desperate for rumors.

“Andy MacPhail thinks that Albert Pujols is a pretty good ballplayer”.

There, we’ve just generated some Oriole/Cardinal buzz. Heard first at TwinkieTown!

by DavidRF on Jul 25, 2011 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs

Why not?

If they can grab a legit CF on a team friendly contract for the next couple seasons for a light hitting SS… ugh

by archie2227 on Jul 25, 2011 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions

We would get Desmond and prospects

Also, here is a way out there rumor I just heard.

According to ESPN: the Red Sox are interested in Joe Mauer and plan to use him as the goalie for the soccer team they are planning to build.

by Jessy S on Jul 25, 2011 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions

no!!!

He’s ours, Nats, BACK OFF!!!

I called Thome's 596th home run! BOOM! :D

by twinsgirl197 on Jul 25, 2011 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Wilson Ramos for Span!

since Ramos is probably the most loved non-Twin in the blogosphere

The beard abides.

by Jason Kubel's Beard on Jul 25, 2011 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Better yet, does Matt Capps have a brother?

(ducks)

by DavidRF on Jul 25, 2011 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Geese!

"The ships hung in the sky in much the same way that bricks don't."
Follow me @SimulacraAlex or on facebook!

by TWinSS on Jul 25, 2011 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Nick Punto says hello.

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"God grab your neck but never choke" -Ozzie Guillen

by less cowbell, more 'neau on Jul 25, 2011 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Okay

For Strasburg I’ll do it.

by DJL44 on Jul 25, 2011 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

If Span goes to the Nationals I will puke

for about 2 months straight; and then pitchforks, torches, ect. ect. are going to be marching towards Billy Smith

For Bryce Harper or Strasburg? never would happen

~David Kahn is pretty much clueless~
Twins top 11 ~ Gibson, Sano, Hendriks, Hicks, Arcia, Salcedo, Benson, Michael, Kepler, Rosario, Gutierrez ~

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Jul 25, 2011 4:39 PM EDT reply actions

Delmon Young may be the one going to D.C. - for the life of me it cannot be Span...

Agree ?

~David Kahn is pretty much clueless~
Twins top 11 ~ Gibson, Sano, Hendriks, Hicks, Arcia, Salcedo, Benson, Michael, Kepler, Rosario, Gutierrez ~

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Jul 25, 2011 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions

100% agreed

by archie2227 on Jul 25, 2011 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions

That would be idiocy

Let’s trade our best player in 2011 who happens to be signed to a team-friendly long term contract? Span would be one of the LAST players to trade (along with Baker and Mauer).

by DJL44 on Jul 25, 2011 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions

The Nats need someone who can play center

but they need to look elsewhere.

by Stefa on Jul 25, 2011 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Ben Revere

I would consider trading Ben Revere if they offered enough in return.

by DJL44 on Jul 25, 2011 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I wish

Span is too valuable, especially with the recent Ben Revere slump

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

by cmathewson on Jul 25, 2011 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions

It all comes down to value

if they properly value his defense, OBP, and contract, and get an even return, I could get behind this. I just doubt that will happen.

"Pinch-bunters don't have a ton of value, even with the Twins"

by Steven Ellingson on Jul 25, 2011 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Disagree

I would go pitchforks & torches first. Then puke for 2 months.

by clutterheart on Jul 25, 2011 5:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Why not simultaneously?

An angry, puking, pitchfork and torches mob would be more fear inducing.

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"God grab your neck but never choke" -Ozzie Guillen

by less cowbell, more 'neau on Jul 25, 2011 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Flailing puke torches on pitch forks

How about …. get mad, puke on your torch, light it, attach to pitch fork and flail wildly. That would scare me.

by AceWrigley on Jul 25, 2011 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions

And after that

We nail Bill Smith to a cross.

by Jessy S on Jul 25, 2011 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Tried that once

but the guy came back after a short rehab and didn’t even wind up on the DL

The only stat that counts is W

by wayback on Jul 26, 2011 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

And harder to clean up!

by twinscrazy_german on Jul 25, 2011 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Trouble is...after last night's game

An angry, puking, pitchfork and torch-wielding mob would be only mildly disturbing.

The other teams could make trouble for us if they win. — Yogi Berra

by Twnzfan on Jul 26, 2011 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Everyone but Mauer

Everybody on this team should be expendable with the exception of Mauer. This team just does not have the talent to compete with teams outside the division.

by Emma2011 on Jul 25, 2011 9:00 PM EDT reply actions

Every player has a price, to be sure, even Mr Mauer

But a quality player at a hard to fill position for prospects at ones easier to find is a bad deal.

Basically, I would say the Twins put themselves in the position this offseason where everything had to go ‘exactly’ right for them to match last season. Lexi had to be an everyday SS, and Nishi as good as Hudson @ 2b. The Slowey to the bullpen experiment + Capps or Nathan to set-up had to work as well as the relievers we let go. Morneau had to come back 100% from day 1. Thome and Pavano had to match last season. They made no significant improvements at any position, and expected prospects or aging veterans to match players who played at Replacement Level or better (and in Pavano’s case, career year better).

That illusion was shattered with Swisher’s slide. Bill Smith did not do enough to put a competitive team on the field last season. And Gardy deserves as much blame for this as he got for last season, since several of the players run off were let go because he didn’t value them, not to mention his personally shilling for the Lexi as an everyday SS experiment, despite the fact his career #s at the position were abysmal.

The problem is, the people who caused this mess are the people who now are going to be in charge of reloading for next season. This is not a happy thought.

by Shawn Gillogly on Jul 25, 2011 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions