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How do you stock a bare pitching cupboard? You trade players that people like.
New baseball honchos Derek Falvey and Thad Levine did their yearly Q&A session with season ticket holders yesterday (Strib’s Phil Miller has a good rundown), and the main takeaway is that your Brian Dozier and Erv Santana shirseys are extremely likely to see an increase in nostalgic value.
The key quote from Miller’s story is right here:
None of this should be at all surprising to anyone paying attention, but it is a relief to read that there are no illusions about the problems Minnesota faces. The anomaly of 2015 gave way to the reality of 2016, and there is simply no way a tweak here and a veteran free agent there will lead to a competitive team. THEY DON’T HAVE ANY PITCHING, you see.
The challenge for Falvey and Levine now is getting value for the Doziers and Santanas. Or not hanging up when someone asks about how much it will take to get a Byron Buxton or Miguel Sano. (I really hated typing that sentence, but see the all caps portion of the preceding paragraph.)
Fans, of course, have to wait for a payoff that may never come. Whoever the Twins do get in exchange for the players they move will likely not be a 2017 top-of-the-rotation starter or shutdown reliever; they may never be that, ever. Prospects don’t always pan out. Meanwhile, Dozier and his beautiful hair will get on a stupid hot streak next summer for some contender while you watch Jorge Polanco or whoever struggle in another 8-3 loss.
I am old enough to remember wishing Brad Havens was worth trading Rod Carew. He wasn’t. Prepare for the worst, and remember the good times and hair and baseball-smelling.