Offseason Trade Candidates

One thing we write for the TwinsCentric Minnesota Twins Offseason GM Handbook are possible trade candidates, which usually includes names that have been rumored to be available or somehow make sense for the Twins to attempt to acquire. The toughest part is coming up with realistic names. Any ideas out there? Or guys you woudl like to see profiled in that section?

One idea I had while talking with Jason Collette of DRaysBay last weekend was Rays pitchers. According to Jason, the Rays are going to need to go hard after some offense after a dismal offensive season from their lineup. Span would make a lot of sense for them, as might Willingham (or Parmelee?). So some Rays pitchers or pitching prospects might be in play.

What other teams or players come to mind? I'm not talking about dream players - I'm talking about realistic targets.

And as soon as I write that, I find one....

The Blue Jays are tired of Yunel Escobar's antics, it appears. (He's "a goner.") He has a $5M contract next year and team options for $5M for the next two years. Seems like a decent target to me. He had a bad year this year, but no more terrible than any Twin will have, and he's 29, and his career OPS is 744.

OK, who else comes to mind...

There was a note on MLB Trade Rumors that the Blue Jays want to part ways with Yunel Escobar. Two weeks ago, I would have loved the idea of trading for him...not so much anymore, but he'd at least answer part of the infield problem for a few years. You can never have enough Escobar's around the infield. I don't see any obvious ways the Twins would match up with the Jays in a trade, though.

If we had two Escobars, I wouldn't be able to decide which one of them to call "Pumpkin".

TOR's Ricky Romero & Brandon Morrow are 2 Id legitimately love to target.
Romero has been excellent for 3 yrs & a low level ace. He has 3yrs 22.5m left on his recent deal (w/4th yr option of 13m) so they could want to save money. His problem this yr has been control as he's maintained velocity.
Morrow is in last year before FA and still hasnt put together a full season tho he was excellent this year when healthy. I thought this year would be his breakout yr but it may be 2013.
Escobar is an above average fielding SS (uzr ranks) as well as offensively. He is due $5m next yr with 2 team options of $5m after the next 2 yrs.
Any type of combo of P/SS would be excellent. I would think a Morneau deal would be the jist of it with the Canadian returning to his home country.

Phillies and Span (and?) for Tyler Cloyd (and?). I wanted the Twins to make that trade in the deadline when Cloyd was still in AAA and flying well below the radar. Got to see him pitch the couple last seasons in Reading and at Lehigh Valley and the guy is legid and the Phillies did not value him because he does not throw 98. Maybe the Twins missed an opportunity here.

I wonder if the Reds would be open to trading SS Zack Cozart? Can Billy Hamilton play SS in the big leagues?

The Dodgers have a lot of starting pitching....I expect they will try to trade someone. TR is going to look for a pitcher on the trade market. Kershaw, Beckett, Capuano, Harang, Lilly, and Billingsley are all under contract for next year at least. Lilly has 1 year, $12 million left. Capuano is signed for 1 year $6 million with a mutual option for 2014. Harang is signed for 1 year $7 million with a mutual option. I could see the Twins trading for any of these guys. If there is a glut of similar pitchers on the market, and the Dodgers are possibly looking to reduce payroll, they might find a plausible match for less than market price.

Not to be a wet blanket, but now my blueprint is going to involve trading no one.​

The Rays need to replace Upton. Span is a hometown guy that would fit what they need. Per fan graph Span is a 3.5 war, value of 15.7m. He is owed 11.25m for 13-14. Shields is a 3.8 war 16.9m value and fits what the Twins biggest need is. He has options for 13-14 for 21m total. Tampa fills a need and saves 10m over 2 years and still has an option for Span in 15. Shields cost only a little more than what Pavano was paid and he'd be a top of the rotation guy. Think how much better he'd be in the Central instead of the East.

Braves are pitching-heavy and if they don't outbid others for Bourn, Span would be a smart choice in their current roster construction focus. They probably have 3-4 guys who could be starting pitchers right now in many places but won't be such for them in 2013, nevermind guys like Brandon Beachy coming back from surgery midseason.

I think the Reds still make sense. Esp after they bomb out in the playoffs. Stubbs is awful and their leadoff guys have an OBP of .257. Even if they think Hamiton is the CF of the future, Ludwick will be 34 next year.

I think the Dodgers are a good fit and I'd bet they're willing to eat some money.

When does this handbook come out and how do I get my hands on one?

There are certain teams I'd stay away from trading with. Tampa Bay is one of them. In most cases they don't lose in the trades they make, most of the guys that get out of Tampa (whether trade or FA) don't go on to put up better numbers elsewhere.

I'm not going to say a specific name (to target), but I think Span should be traded for a pitcher. I'd also field offers on Willingham. But may be more inclined to trade him during the season when someone needs an OF and would be inclined to pay more.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by joeboo_22

There are certain teams I'd stay away from trading with. Tampa Bay is one of them. In most cases they don't lose in the trades they make, most of the guys that get out of Tampa (whether trade or FA) don't go on to put up better numbers elsewhere.

I'm not going to say a specific name (to target), but I think Span should be traded for a pitcher. I'd also field offers on Willingham. But may be more inclined to trade him during the season when someone needs an OF and would be inclined to pay more.

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I agree with waiting until next season to Willingham. He should bring in more once a team realizes they NEED a right handed bat in their lineup. Span on the other hand should be traded this offseason. He has proven he is healthy at the end of this season. Another season of him being on the trading block will hurt him. It is unfair to both the team and him to constantly have these talks about trading him. Trade him for some pitching...good post joeboo.

P.S. A middle infield guy is also something we need. That is a very, very distant second to pitching, but still something to explore.

I am somewhat surprised (and disappointed) that one of the number crunchers here has not identified some pitcher the Twins could go after that underperformed in 2011. Surely there is a SP like Pavano circa 2009 the Twins could go after. That is their MO. They would trade a low level prospect drafted high for someone like that
Escobar of Toronto does not fit the profile of how the Twins do business. If the Yankees needed an infielder, he would fit in there.

I'd really like to see the Twins "roll the Dice" just a bit - shake things up, I mean - how much worse can the starting pitching be?

Like - Target Daisuke, Edwin Jackson, and Josh Beckett. Like you guys said in #59, offer them a year at $6-8 Million with incentives and a team option. If the Rays would part with Upton, try that, - I'd trade either Revere or Span - C'Mon - test the waters and see who might be interested in either - or maybe both! Is Joe Benson going to be ready? Let's make a decision on Morneau/Parmalee. Either one - I don't care - Morneau makes the most sense because of his salary, but DO SOMETHING!!!

Would Luke Hochevar be available? He might be a good fit.

John-you're the Twins Geek, tell us who you think might be available. How high are you shooting? Tampa has a glut of pitching and has the luxury of Wade Davis in the pen? We couldn't convince them to part with him, could we? Or target Atlanta?

Realistic names?

Henderson Alvarez (TOR)
Jeremy Guthrie (Bal)
Jake Westbrook (StL)
Lucas Harrell (Hou)
Wandy Rodriguez (Pit)