What My 2012 Twins Look Like

by nick5253 on Aug 23, 2011 2:58 PM EDT

In response to al-exx's fan post, I thought I'd throw up my own version of the 2012 Twins if I were in charge. Here's my roster (and projected salary) and how this came to be after the jump:

(salary in mil)

C Geovany Soto (5)
1B Justin Morneau (14)
2B Trevor Plouffe (0.5)
SS Alexi Casilla (1)
3B Joe Mauer (23)
LF Denard Span (3)
CF Ben Revere (0.5)
RF Joe Benson (0.5)
DH Michael Cuddyer (11)
B INF Nishi (3)
B INF Tolbert / Hughes (0.5)
B OF Jason Repko (1)
B C Drew Butera (0.5)

SP CJ Wilson (15)
SP Carl Pavano (8.5)
SP Francisco Liriano (7.5)
SP Scott Baker (6.5)
SP Nick Blackburn (4.75)
RP Anthony Swarzak (0.5)
RP Phil Dumatrait (0.5)
RP David Bromberg (0.5)
RP Alex Burnett (0.5)
RP Brian Duensing (0.5)
RP Glen Perkins (1.5)
CL Joe Nathan (9)

Total Payroll 118.75 give or take a couple million on those projections.

The big changes you'll see with my roster is at C and 3B revolving around Joe Mauer. With my tremendous GM abilities I worked a trade with the Cubs to get their starting C, Geovany Soto for 3B Danny Valencia and SP Kevin Slowey. I think this trade makes sense for both sides and has similar value going each direction, so I think it could get done. There might be a few prospects added on either side, but these 3 are the framework.

I would start Geo at catcher 2/3rds of the season and have Mauer and Butera split the remaining days. This would have Mauer's catching load down incredibly to around 30 games. I could even be talked into not catching him at all. Geo adds a RH bat with power and decent on-base skills. He is a tremendous upgrade to Butera.

In the middle infield, I give up defense for power in Plouffe and I go with whoever is less terrible between Casilla, Nishi and Tolbert at SS. There is not much hope here, but you just need someone not to kick the ball around and give you a decent AB once every 5 times in the 9 hole. Also, there just isn't a lot out there available to upgrade and I need the money elswhere.

In the outfield I go very young and athletic, starting 3 CFs across the OF. I move Span to LF to hide Revere's arm in center and to better use his range. Although, have Span in CF and the speedsters in the corners would be fine as well. Cuddyer is resigned to a hometown discount, in years, not dollars. I'm thinking 2 years, $22 mil with maybe a team option for year 3. Also, Repko is brought back, but he's interchangable and with guys like Cuddy, Plouffe and even Mauer able to fill in the OF spots, he's not really needed.

In the rotation, I remove Duensing since he's been exposed against righties and could be used better in the pen. The big splash is CJ Wilson. He'll be the best available starter on the market. He's not my first choice as a #1 stud, but he's basicially it for guys that are attainable. I'm thinking he'll need something like 15 mil for 6 years to get him to the Twin Cities. I round out the starting 5 with Baker, Pavano, Liriano & Blackburn. I could see trading Liriano, but his value is so low and Blackburn only keeps his spot because of his salary.

In the pen, I bring back Nathan to a deal similar to Cuddy's - 2 yr 9 mil per sounds about right. The Twins will over pay for some closer and I'd prefer Nathan to most of the other guys. The rest of the pen is weak. Adding Duensing will help marginally, but this team is in need of a strong RH set up guy. If the FO can spend a little extra, this is where I'd spend it.

So here is my lineup:
Span
Revere
Mauer
Morneau
Cuddyer
Soto
Plouffe
Benson
Casilla

I've added some needed power with Soto and Plouffe as well as power potential of Benson. There is also a ton of speed with Span, Revere, Benson and Casilla.

What do you think? Plausible? Something the FO would ever pursue?

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Comments

The rosterbating has officially begun.

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
あなたが深淵に長い間熟視場合、深淵はあなたにも眼差し。 -Nishi

by less cowbell, more 'neau on Aug 23, 2011 4:44 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs

lol can we at least wait until the season's over?

by bl4ckduck on Aug 25, 2011 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Infieild is still poor

But few fly balls would hit the grass

by clutterheart on Aug 23, 2011 8:26 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Poor is generous

But with the Twin’s options poor is the ceiling. And outside of Reyes, there really isn’t an upgrade available outside of a trade where you’re giving up a lot of talent.

by nick5253 on Aug 24, 2011 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Same team as this year....

With a higher total salary and less wins.

I thought the idea was to upgrade at some positions by the addition of new players?…

Three catchers, a never played part time third baseman, and minor league re-runs is not my idea of improvement.

I’m sure Bill Smith loves it. Well, maybe it could be genius if Mauer, Morneau, Fussy and…ah, hmmm…I guess Denard, begin to produce. After those guys, looks like an abyss.

Sorry for the harsh comments, but me thinks if we want to win, then we need to splash more than CJ, AND GEO.

I will not be PONDERing anything, ever again....I'm so tired of this pun. Maybe we could use antonyms to be different, like: "FORGET about last season, as we COGITATE about winning in 2011!"...Whatever, SKOL VIKES!!!

by J.RO on Aug 23, 2011 10:55 PM EDT reply actions

Upgrades

@ C with Soto > Butera (assuming Mauer is moved off catcher at an increasing rate)
@ 3B with Mauer > Valencia

SP with CJ > all others
SP with all others moving down 1 spot

Downgrade in RF, but a wash at DH.

Yes, everything else is the same, but you have to be realistic. Do you think Mauer, Morneau are leaving anytime soon? Or are there better options?

Of course it depends on the health of the team’s best 3 position players (Mauer, Morneau, Span). But that is a constant regardless of what you do. And that is a constant for all teams.

by nick5253 on Aug 24, 2011 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Upgrades

And I’d love to upgrade the middle INF, but give me a target that obtainable and better than what we have for a cost the FO will give up. IE, the FO will NOT give up 7 mil (as we saw with Hardy) nor will they give up decent prospects.

by nick5253 on Aug 24, 2011 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Gotta give to get

I’d love to see them trade for Hanley Ramirez, who appears to have worn out his welcome in Florida. Likewise it would be cool to see them take a risk on Carlos Zambrano if the Cubs want to eat some salary.

by DJL44 on Aug 24, 2011 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Hanley

Hanley Ramirez would be fantastic. I would give up Hicks and another top 3 prospects to get a premier SS like Hanley. I hadn’t heard he was being shopped or running out his welcome. I would find it extremely hard to believe they shop their star position player the offseason before they enter their new stadium. I’d love to be wrong though.

by nick5253 on Aug 24, 2011 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions

See article

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/joe_lemire/08/04/hanley.ramirez.marlins/

Benched this year, Marlins lackeys calling him out on lack of hustle.

by DJL44 on Aug 24, 2011 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions

which is exactly why the twins will never go for him..

this is an organization that has gotten rid of guys like Garza and Lohse (and recently, Delmon Young), yet they’re going to give up a ton to get Hanley Ramirez (attitude-wise)? No chance.

by DJSkillz on Aug 24, 2011 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions

You have it backwards with Delmon

Delmon had reputed attitude problems BEFORE he came to the Twins – he’d once had a 50-game suspension for throwing a bat at an umpire and had a reputation as generally surly. After he got to the Twins, while he wasn’t exactly a bubbly Michael Cuddyer type, he was a pretty solid citizen who never got into any trouble, and I don’t recall any discussions of attitude problems.

"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein

by BeefMaster on Aug 24, 2011 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions

but there's an age thing there...

the Twins thought they could “straighten him out” being just 22-23 or whatever he was when they got him. Hanley’s about to turn 28. Plus, the fact that they couldn’t and ended up having problems with him just makes it worse.

I just don’t see any possible way the Twins will go after a guy like Hanley. I’d say the same for Colby Rasmus or BJ Upton, etc.

by DJSkillz on Aug 24, 2011 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Not that I wouldn't like to see us get a solid SS like Ramirez, but I'm not sure what you're seeing in there that makes him look available...

…because this is what I see:

“The Marlins recently stood firm at the trade deadline, wanting to keep their roster intact in advance of next year’s move. The franchise has a gifted core of young talent … but it is the 27-year-old Ramirez who is unquestionably the team’s best player, making him essential to helping fill the as-yet-unnamed new park.”

and

“Ramirez, who has three years and $36.5 million left on his six-year, $70 million contract that runs through 2014, is the most critical part of the team’s core.”

and

“We’re hopeful…We haven’t gotten the final word of what things will look like [financially] as we get to 2012, but obviously we’ll continue to build and add to our core and hope to bring another championship down to South Florida.”

"...and we'll see ya tomorrow night!" - Jack Buck, Game 6, 1991 World Series

by WindyCityTwinsFan on Aug 24, 2011 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Zambrano

Can be had for simply picking up 1 mil. It would be worth a flier, but I wouldn’t expect more than what we’ve seen from Pavano this year. Eat innings, around 4.5 ERA. He is a workhorse, but very limited upside.

Given that, for 1 mil I’d still do it. The rotation needs a ton of help. I would love to see 2 new faces in the front 5.

by nick5253 on Aug 24, 2011 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Carlos Zambrano?

No attitude problem there.

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
あなたが深淵に長い間熟視場合、深淵はあなたにも眼差し。 -Nishi

by less cowbell, more 'neau on Aug 24, 2011 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions

and can someone come up with a mock roster...

That doesn’t include the gritty no-hitting Deplo?…anyone? I thought that was who Benson aS replacing.

We would be better off that way, while keeping Kubel for part time platoon and DH.

by J.RO on Aug 23, 2011 10:58 PM EDT reply actions

Repko

Is on my roster only because of Gardy and FO. Not because I like him or thinks he adds much. He’s the 25th man on my roster and isn’t really necessary.

I’d love to keep Kubel, but think he’ll be too expensive. If you like the current starting rotation (I don’t) then you can keep Kubel and double down on our front 5.

by nick5253 on Aug 24, 2011 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions

deplo...

Auto-correct for Repko…Hehe, that’s funny. :)

by J.RO on Aug 23, 2011 10:59 PM EDT reply actions

That lineup

Will lose more games than the current lineup

by Emma2011 on Aug 23, 2011 11:01 PM EDT reply actions

my 2011 roster to get us back on track...

1. Hrbek
2. Lombardozzi
3. Gaetti
4. Gagne
5. Mauer/laudner/Butera
6.Puckett
7. Gladden
8. Brunansky
9. Molitor
10. Chili
11. Winfield

Pitchers:
Viola
Bly
Morris
Berenguer
Aguilera
Erickson
Kluwe
Nathan

by J.RO on Aug 23, 2011 11:06 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs

Wonderful

That roster will help us when we play the Yankee legends.

Dave Winfield can switch sides halfway through the game.

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
What Doug_2050 doesn't know that Brian Wilson is Creepy because of the Snakes in his beard (SportsCenter Ad), While I hate Snakes with a passion.

by Jessy S on Aug 25, 2011 1:07 AM EDT up reply actions

I actually don't think it's bad overall....

The Soto thought is intriguing. We definitely need a new backup C. I’d still prefer Mauer to play around 100 games at C if we find one though. Easing back to around 80/yr or so in a few years. He’s just so valuable there still. I have no doubt he could play 3b though.

I think Wilson is a pipedream. He’ll be easily the most- sought after FA pitcher on the market. CC is a FA in name only, just like ARod was; he’ll be back with the Yankees. And there’s always teams desperate for pitching. Wouldn’t surprise me at all if Wilson got a 6-7 year deal for $17M+/yr. And no way I’d pay that for him. I’d try the trade route; try to get a guy like Greinke who is only under contract through 2012. Matt Cain would fit this criteria too. And both of those organizations could use good young OF’s, which we have in abundance on the way. Then you hope that Baker is healthy and that Liriano gets healthy (been hurt all this season IMO) and bounces back.

Lineup I like overall, though could use an upgrade in the INF for sure. I believe Casilla has earned the right to start at a spot next year. Plouffe has to really show something the rest of this year to not upgrade there though. Bullpen definitely needs new blood.

Overall nice effort!

by DJSkillz on Aug 24, 2011 12:16 AM EDT reply actions

Oh, and a couple other things:

If given a choice, I’d take Kubel over Cuddy. I just think he’s better and especially younger, which means he’s likely to be better over the next several years. And Cuddy’s “versatility” is highly overrated at this point. He should only play OF/DH/1b at this point, which are all things Kubel is capable of doing.

Repko, I’d let leave. Tosoni or even a guy like Martin could be just as good as him, and cheaper.
Butera; get rid of him please. He’s one of the worst offensive players in the history of the game. Even in a backup role, he should be gone.
Blackburn; ditto; should be absolutely gone. He’s just way too brutal as a starter at this point. Eat the salary if you have to, or try to unload him on an NL team (picking up some of his salary) for a decent reliever. Then you’ve helped the pen and not hurt the rotation. Have Slowey, Hendriks, or Swarzak start if needed. Pavano should be the 5th starter IMO.

by DJSkillz on Aug 24, 2011 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions

The Brewers will be keeping Greinke

I’m sure they’ll want a chance to repeat

by DJL44 on Aug 24, 2011 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Possibly...

but you’re forgetting that they’ll almost certainly lose Prince Fielder. That is a major hole that Mat Gamel will not be able to fill. They may have to blow it up for a year or two and rebuild the farm, which has been decimated by their recent trades. And Marcum is also set to be a FA after 2012. So that’s two guys that they’ll have to pay a LOT of money, with little leverage this close to FA.

by DJSkillz on Aug 24, 2011 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions

I see them rebuilding in 2013

They’ll grab a fill-in at 1B and take one more shot at it. It’s the reason why they emptied the farm in the first place.

by DJL44 on Aug 24, 2011 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree

I think the Brewers window does not close after 2011 even losing Fielder. He’s a big bat, but their lineup is awesome even without him.

by nick5253 on Aug 24, 2011 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions

that's a pretty massive hit to take though.

I don’t know; we’ll see. Will they really risk losing Greinke and Marcum for nothing but picks after next year?

by DJSkillz on Aug 24, 2011 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Flags fly forever

by DJL44 on Aug 24, 2011 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Stupid

Trading isn’t easy, the twins aren’t gonna get rid of valencia and cubs aren’t just gonna get rid of soto… Adding benson is downsizing and adding wilson is just adding another average pitcher, while your thought on our middle infield still makes us suck

by TyReis33 on Aug 24, 2011 2:18 AM EDT reply actions

Cubs

I’m a big Cubs fan so I know their roster as well as I do the Twins. They have a C ready to step in and produce near Soto’s level and Soto is getting into his expensive years. Not to mention the Cubs will be entering a rebuild mode (they should have last year). The new GM will look at their horrible roster and only see a few players that he can get value back for: Soto, Marmol, Marshall. Only Soto has a ready fill-in out of that group which is why I think he’s available.

As for Valencia, he has been on the receiving end of Gardy’s critical comments, and the Twins have made a habit of moving guys Gardy doesn’t like.

by nick5253 on Aug 24, 2011 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Valencia

That might be true, but we don’t know if Gardy will be back beyond September 28th.

by Jessy S on Aug 25, 2011 1:09 AM EDT up reply actions

Stop already.

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
あなたが深淵に長い間熟視場合、深淵はあなたにも眼差し。 -Nishi

by less cowbell, more 'neau on Aug 25, 2011 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions

This is backward

I move Span to LF to hide Revere’s arm in center and to better use his range

CF needs a better arm than LF – it’s a longer throw to both third and home from center.

I am still not ready to pull the trigger on moving Mauer out of catcher. Give the guy a full offseason and at least one more year to see if he can get back to handling a regular catching load. I am in favor of signing a decent backup as an upgrade over Butera, but I still want Mauer catching as many games as possible.

I don’t think I’d entrust Benson a starting spot yet – his .880-ish OPS in AA doesn’t translate especially well to the majors for such an offense-heavy position (although that defensive outfield… wow). They would probably be better off signing a semi-cheap Damon/Guerrero type to share RF/DH duties with Cuddy while giving Benson a year in Rochester.

"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein

by BeefMaster on Aug 24, 2011 11:32 AM EDT reply actions

That makes more sense

I always heard it the opposite, but that might have been ‘put your faster guy in CF’ and therefore the slower guy in LF, with the arm strength generally better for the slower guy.

Given, that, having Span in CF is definitely ideal. More experience there, plus the 2 fastest guys on each side able to cover the gaps. That OF D would be awesome.

by nick5253 on Aug 24, 2011 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah Revere in Left, Span in Center is pretty much the future in 2012 and 2013 for sure

Liriano, Mijares, Angel Morales, & Anthony Swarzak for Josh Johnson and Brad Hand

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Aug 25, 2011 7:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Revere has no arm.

Well, he has more of an arm than Paul Orndorff, but that’s about it.

"When among evil companions, try to fit in." - Wild Bill Donovan

by Kpz1234 on Aug 27, 2011 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Range vs. Arm

Which wins?

by spanspanspan on Aug 27, 2011 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions

My 2013 Minnesota Twins

C – Joe Mauer
1B – Justin Morneau
2B – Alexi Casilla
SS – Jimmy Rollins*
3B – Danny Valencia
LF – Ben Revere
CF – Denard Span
RF – Joe Benson
DH – Kubel / Cuddyer (whoever Twins decide to keep – is my take)

bench—-
C – Drew Butera
C/1B/3B – Brandon Inge (2012 Willie Bloomquist)
2B/SS – Tsyoshi Nishioka
OF – Rene Tosoni

SP – Josh Johnson
SP – Scott Baker
SP – Kyle Gibson
SP – Brian Duensing (2012 Blackburn, Duensing in ’pen)
SP – Liam Hendriks

RP – Joe Nathan
RP – Glen Perkins
RP – Lester Oliveros
RP – Nick Massett
RP – Carlos Gutierrez
RP – Alex Burnett
RP – Scott Diamond

Liriano, Mijares, Angel Morales, & Anthony Swarzak for Josh Johnson and Brad Hand

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Aug 25, 2011 7:56 AM EDT reply actions

in 2012 Pavano and Blackburn are hogging up $ along with some others that'd be nice to shed

Liriano, Mijares, Angel Morales, & Anthony Swarzak for Josh Johnson and Brad Hand

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Aug 25, 2011 7:57 AM EDT up reply actions

not sure i like that rotation a lot...

duensing is a bullpen guy, nothing more. and hendriks who knows.

i think Guerra will be in the bullpen by then, and be good. And I think a guy like Wimmers or Salcedo will be up in the rotation by then too.

Offensively, I think Rollins will be done by that point. I prefer a younger option.

by DJSkillz on Aug 25, 2011 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions

oh...

and i’d guess at least one of Hicks/Arcia/Morales is up and contributing in 2013 as well. At least one of them will rise quickly.

by DJSkillz on Aug 25, 2011 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions

I have Guerra in another Org. at this time (quad A type)

and Wimmers in AAA , Salcedo AA

Liriano, Mijares, Angel Morales, & Anthony Swarzak for Josh Johnson and Brad Hand

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Aug 25, 2011 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I think he'll make it as a reliever.

by DJSkillz on Aug 25, 2011 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Brandon Inge is done.

Terrible year and he hasn’t played catcher since 08.

by Desert Aaron on Aug 25, 2011 11:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Ramon Hernandez

Ramon Hernandez is the kind of guy to go after if Mauer only catches 60-80 games. Sign him as a free agent if he refuses arb. The Twins must upgrade the middle infield and backup catcher. Pitching needs to be fortified everywhere. If the choice is between CJ Wilson and Michael Cuddyer, the Twins have to go with Wilson. I’d love for them to bring Cuddy and Kubel back, but their needs are elsewhere. I say they trade no one and sign three guys as FAs—Hernandez, Clint Barmes, and Wilson. Try to sign Nathan to an incentive-laden contract and go like this:

SP-Wilson, Pavano, Baker, Liriano, Swarzak, Slowey RP-Perkins, Nathan, Blackburn (6th starter), Duensing, Oliveros, Burnett, Mijares (gotta have bounceback years from a few guys).

C-Mauer, Hernandez IF-Morneau,Nishioka, Casilla, Barmes, Valencia, Plouffe OF-Span, Revere, Benson, Tosoni. Benson and Tosoni perhaps replaced by bargain basement veterans.

by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Aug 26, 2011 10:05 AM EDT reply actions

That's close to what I would do

I wouldn’t want Swarzak in the rotation and I don’t like Barmes much. I think they have to get at least one veteran outfielder and they’re typically cheap as free agents. They also need to get a DH who can play 1B.

by DJL44 on Aug 26, 2011 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

yep, Hernandez is just about perfect...

I don’t want Wilson, just because of price. He’s going to cost something like $100M. He’s not worth that, IMO. He will get vastly overpaid in his contract; top FA pitcher on the market. I see the Yanks signing him to their next AJ Burnett contract.

I think if we want an ace, we need to find one via trade.

by DJSkillz on Aug 26, 2011 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Who via trade? And what are you willing to give up?

A guy like James Shields might be available, but the Rays will be asking for something similar (or better) to the Garza deal which was Archer (1), Lee (4), Guyer (10), plus throw ins from both sides. (BA Cubs prospect list).

So for Shields, that would be a package of: Aaron Hicks (2), Liam Hendricks (6), Carlos Guiterrez (10). Removing Gibson due to injury. I think those 3 guys would be just the starting point for the Rays and likely have to include another top 10 guy.

by nick5253 on Aug 29, 2011 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm not sure it would take that much for Shields...

and he’s not the guy I’d target.

But I’d be willing to give up an awful lot for a guy like Greinke, Felix, Cain, or Hamels, if they become available. Other than Felix, all of those guys are only currently under contract for the 2012 season. And I think for a guy like that, I’m not sure anyone in the Twins’ farm system should be off-limits, with the exception of perhaps Miguel Sano. Yes, I’m still very high on Hicks and others, but we have depth in the minor league system right now in both OF’s (Hicks/Morales/Arcia/Benson/Kepler/Rosario/Roberts, etc.) and in "decent’ starting pitching. I’d be willing to give up a lot of either one of those to get an ace at the top.

by DJSkillz on Sep 1, 2011 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Of those guys

I just don’t see Greinke available 1 year into the Brewers run. Maybe if they tank early next year, he’ll be available at the deadline, but the Twins would need to be in the race….

Felix is definitely not available and would require more than the Twins could ever offer.

Hamels I could see becoming available. The Phils eventually will need to ease some payroll. That would be fantastic to get him and as you said, nobody but Sano should be off limits.

Cain I could also see avaiable, because of more studs coming up behind him that are cheaper. I would also pay a lot for him, as much as Hamels.

Both Cain and Hamels would be tremendous targets for the FO if they were actually attainable.

I think the Phillies would take more young talent to re-stock, but I could see the Giants wanting MLB ready bats to come back. I would be open to a Span for Cain swap (plus whatever other parts the Twins would need to throw in).

by nick5253 on Sep 1, 2011 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions

we shall see...

I really think Greinke could be available. They’re going to lose Prince this offseason in all likelihood and their farm system has been decimated. I could see them trying to restock. Plus, both Greinke AND Marcum are FA’s after 2012. They’re not going to be able to afford both IMO.

Felix is most definitely available for the right price; has been for over a year now. And they match up really well in terms of a trade (they need longterm OF bats).

by DJSkillz on Sep 1, 2011 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I still disagree

I think the Brewers reload at 1B and take one last shot, then strip it down to the frame in 2013. Greinke and Marcum can be dealt at the deadline if the Brewers are out of it and fetch almost as much as they would in the offseason.

Felix Hernandez is an absolute perfect fit for the Twins. He’s the only guy worth giving up big-time prospects to obtain. He’s signed for 3 more years after this one.

by DJL44 on Sep 1, 2011 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Agree on Felix...

We’ll see on the Brewers. I think they can get more by trading one of them this offseason (extra 3-4 months of value to a team) and I think they’ll want to restock the farm. But maybe.

Either way, trading for an ace at the deadline needs to be an option on the table for the Twins as well.

by DJSkillz on Sep 1, 2011 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions

On Felix

IF he has been available, I think he’d be in a Yankees uniform right now. They have a better farm system and are more willing to pony up elite prospects. He’d be the ideal fit, I just don’t think the Twins have enough, even if they say, “Seattle, take your pick at 5 guys”

I agree, the Twins need to be open to add another piece at the deadline. Ideally, they’d bring in 1 piece to the rotation in the offseason and still have the option of adding another.

by nick5253 on Sep 2, 2011 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions