Thread: MLBTradeRumors.com announces their free agent predictions

MLBTradeRumors.com has identified what they believe are the Top 50 Free Agents this offseason and have predicted their landing spots. For the Twins, they've predicted Terry Ryan would lock up Joe Blanton and Scott Baker.

Rotation? Fixed.

meh.
Speculation. Guesses. Not anymore informed than the average fan on this board.

This list was one of the highlights of the offseason for me last year. Not only does Dierkes have them locking up those two, he also has them looking into Anibal Sanchez, Shaun Marcum, and Jeremy Guthrie. Of the other pitchers on this list, I could (and hope to) also see them going after: Edwin Jackson, Dan Haren (if the Angels don't get a trade worked out), Joe Saunders, and Joel Peralta (for bullpen help). Not that they should count on even having a shot, but just calling Greinke's agent for a working price wouldn't be the worst thing, either. After that, pitchers they would want to bring in (other than relief pitchers) probably aren't worth giving a shot.

if the Twins don't sign Greinke they will be in last place for the next 3 years.

Originally Posted by Top Gun

if the Twins don't sign Greinke they will be in last place for the next 3 years.

Sarcasm? What's worrisome is that if they sign Greinke they might not be in first place each of the next 3 years.

Originally Posted by PseudoSABR

Originally Posted by Top Gun

if the Twins don't sign Greinke they will be in last place for the next 3 years.

Sarcasm? What's worrisome is that if they sign Greinke they might not be in first place each of the next 3 years.

What's worrisome is that even if they sign greinke they might be in last place...

If the Twins are truly serious about fixing the rotation it can't/won't be done through free agency alone, one of Span/Morneau/Willingham/prospects will have to be moved for a front line starter as well.

Originally Posted by SpiritofVodkaDave

If the Twins are truly serious about fixing the rotation it can't/won't be done through free agency alone, one of Span/Morneau/Willingham/prospects will have to be moved for a front line starter as well.

That makes sense to me, considering that the Twins will likely get outbid on the good starters who are free agents.

If Blanton is the best we can do (having made $10M last year), we're in deep trouble. He hasn't shown much since '07. Hopefully, there's someone out there who's willing to do what Jackson did last year - take a one-year deal to set themselves up for a multi-year deal. And if we're lucky, they'll do well, like it here and want to stay longer term (i.e. Pavano, Willingham, Doumit).

I don't mind the idea of Blanton. He's an okay back end of the rotation guy and being at Target Field might help him suppress some of those HR's compared to Citizen's Park. He's not going to get 10 million this off season either.

The MLB Trade Rumors Free Agent prediction page is always depressing to me, because I know that the Twins have never been aggressive shoppers, so I see names that I think would be a good fit or help the team improve and I doubt the Twins will make an offer to the player, let alone a competitive one.


Signing Willingham and Doumit last year was really encouraging, though. I would be really happy if the Twins went against their usual tendencies and went after some of the better Free Agent Starters or made some aggressive moves on the trade market.

Is there a list somewhere of Starting Pitchers that are likely to be traded? I've seen rumors about Buerhle and lots of speculation about Dan Haren being traded before his option is due- anyone else?

Originally Posted by iastfan112

I don't mind the idea of Blanton. He's an okay back end of the rotation guy and being at Target Field might help him suppress some of those HR's compared to Citizen's Park. He's not going to get 10 million this off season either.

Last year, Citizen's park was 11th in HRs and Target was 14th...so not much difference...and overall Target played more of a hitter's park than Citizen's bank. Source: ESPN MLB Park Factors.

Originally Posted by Kirby_Waved_At_Me

Signing Willingham and Doumit last year was really encouraging, though.

True, but it was predictable...and also remember, they weren't additions to our roster replacing weak players, but replacements for Cuddy and Kubel. Yes, this year they were upgrades to those two, but that's one year and with the saved money they didn't do anything with it

Originally Posted by ThePuck

True, but it was predictable...and also remember, they weren't additions to our roster replacing weak players, but replacements for Cuddy and Kubel.

Agreed - In theory, the Twins still haven't replaced Liriano, Pavano and, ahem, Marquis.

Dierkes pretty much tells us how much this is worth in his opening paragraph when he says he got 8 of 50 of these correct last year.

Complete guess work.