Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Deadline Day!

Happy Trade Deadline Day to everyone! Seriously, I have always loved July 31st. I realize that most years, most of the big rumors never materialize beyond discussion. But, the speculation is so much fun. There were several deals yesterday, including the Twins trading Luis Castillo to the Mets for two minor leaguers. My guess is that there will be several more today as well. The deadline is at 3:00 central time. That is when the deals have to be in to MLB's offices, so we could continue to hear about deals into the late afternoon. Most won't involve big names. I also have a feeling that the Twins aren't done. I don't think it'll be anything big, but something. What do you think?

Today, I would like to post a guest column by a reader, Bill Jacobson, who sent me an e-mail that may perfectly show exactly what makes this milestone of the season so much fun. It's all about speculation and it's fun to just think of possibilities and play GM! So, here is the e-mail from Bill. Please feel free to discuss it. And, don't worry, he won't feel bad if you disagree. I think that some of it is a bit much and we discussed it a little. So, please leave comments below and I am sure that Bill will be happy to explain some of this to you!! Thanks Bill for taking the time to write this and to send it to me and allow us to post it.

I felt compelled to send this information, because I’ve been knocking around some of these ideas for a while. Even though the Twins bounced back strong against Cleveland this weekend, the hole is too deep to climb out of this year, so I’d like to get some players with experience instead of draft picks for compensation.  The other consideration when it comes to trades is the 40 man roster limit, which may be an issue in the future so I’d like to do some trimming. Personally, I do not believe the Twins are that far off, so I am targeting young major league ready talent.
 
1. Trade: Torii Hunter, Boof Bonser, Dennys Reyes - Receive: Chris Young, Carlos Gonzalez, Br. Anderson
 
Analysis:
Arizona is able to pick up a proven, veteran presence for the stretch run and a mentor for Upton along with a young replacement starter for Randy Johnson and a second lefty out of the pen.
 
The Twins acquire their CF of the present and future, in addition, to a potential future RF and a future left-handed starter with plus control.
 
2.  Trade: Johan Santana, Joe Nathan - Receive: Chad Billingsley, Jonathan Broxton, Andy LaRoche, Clayton Kershaw
 
Analysis:
Would Terry Ryan ever be able to pull off a blockbuster like this one?  While this would not be a popular PR move, it may very well pay out big in the long run.  Even if Santana accepts a hometown discount, the salary would be a significant portion of the team’s available pool.
 
The Dodgers get the best pitcher in baseball, who should get even better, if it’s possible, while pitching half his starts in the cavernous Dodger Stadium. Acquiring Nathan allows LA to bump Saito to the setup role.  This would make the Dodgers legitimate WS contenders.
 
The Twins get a rising front of the rotation pitcher, a future potential closer, a third baseman of the future and a young power lefty.  I would be interested to get feedback on this deal from people that follow prospects.
 
3. Trade: Luis Castillo, Carlos Silva, Juan Rincon - Receive: Mike Pelfrey
 
Analysis:
Castillo can replace the injured Valentin, while Silva and Rincon help shore up the pitching.
 
In Pelfrey, the Twins get a young power arm that should be a hot commodity.
 
4. Trade: Mike Pelfrey, Scott Baker, Brian Duensing, Anthony Swarzak, Denard Span, Matt Moses, Jose Morales - Receive: Roy Oswalt, Brad Lidge
 
Analysis:
The Astros are able to get young and cheap in a hurry. In addition to bolstering the pitching staff, Span allows Pence to slide from center to right, while providing speed at the top of the order to replace what was lost when Tavares was dealt. Moses gets plugged in at third for Morgan Ensberg, who was DFA’d. Finally, Morales provides the young backstop so Brad Ausmus can finally be put out to the pasture.
 
The Twins are able to deal from strength and replace the #1 starter lost in Santana for half the price. Lidge will provide a bridge until Neshek or Broxton is able to assume the closer role.  Additionally, this allows Guerrier to be converted back to a starter for next year, which was one of my goals.
 
Once the deals have been completed, Morneau must be locked up for four years, which will cost a lot more than it would have in the beginning of the year.  I’d also like to see Ryan approach some of the other younger arbitration eligible players.
 
Projected Rotation:
Roy Oswalt
Francisco Liriano*
Chad Billingsley
Matt Guerrier
Matt Garza
 
* Kevin Slowey or Glen Perkins could take a position if Liriano is not ready.
 
Bullpen:
Brad Lidge
Jonathan Broxton
Pat Neshek
Glen Perkins/Carmen Cali/Ricky Barrett
Jesse Crain *
Kevin Slowey
 
I’d like the Twins to pick up a relatively cheap veteran guy to help out of the pen in the offseason.
 
1B: Justin Morneau
2B: Alexi Casilla
SS: Jason Bartlett
3B: Andy LaRoche
C:  Joe Mauer
RF: Michael Cuddyer
CF: Chris Young
LF: Jason Kubel
 
Nick Punto is now shifted to the bench, where he belongs. The only other addition would be a veteran full-time DH, instead of the platoon.
 
In my mind, the team would get younger and have more payroll flexibility for the future.
 
Thanks for listening,
Bill J.
 

So, there you have a series of four trades all leading to a brand new roster. Now, I haven't even bugged him about suggestion that Matt Guerrier be put in the starting rotation while guys someone like Kevin Slowey goes to the bullpen. I would definitely be in favor of the Twins bringing in Chris Young! I mentioned a few other topics to him and he did come back with some very good arguments. So again, take this as what it is, a fun exercise in discussing how fun the conversations around the July Trade Deadline can be. Of course, you can also talk about trades that do go down, Twins or others and feel free to discuss anything. Thank you again Bill for writing!   

Twins and their Minor League Updates

Here are the Twins updates from the weekend, including game reports of their minor league affiliates. Each week, you will want to check out Roger's Minor League Report. Click here for this week's report.

Monday SethSpeaks Player of the Day – Rashad Eldridge, New Britain Rockcats
Monday SethSpeaks Pitcher of the Day – Dave Gassner, Rochester Red Wings

ROCHESTER REPORT
Monday - Red Wings 3, Scranton/Wilkes Barre 2 – Dave Gassner had his monthly good start and improves his record to 4-12. The lefty went six innings and gave up just one run on three hits. He walked none and struck out two. Julio DePaula came in and threw two shutout innings. Bobby Korecky picked up his 29th save despite allowing a run in his inning. Jose Morales continues to hit. He went 2-4 with his 22nd double, second home run and two RBI. Garrett Jones went 1-2 with two walks. Yankees big prospect Joba Chamberlain is being moved to the bullpen as a potential replacement for Scott Proctor, should he be traded, or down the road to replace Mariano Rivera. Anyway, in this game, in one inning, he struck out all three batters he faced.

 
NEW BRITAIN NEWS
Monday - Rockcats 8, New Hampshire 7 – Rashard Eldridge led the offense of the Rockcats by going 3-5 with his fifth home run. Trevor Plouffe had another solid game. He went 2-4 with his 30th double and his eighth home run, a three run shot. Matt Allegra went 2-4. Anthony Swarzak started the game and went 6.2 innings. He gave up four runs on seven hits. He walked two and struck out eight. JP Martinez then came in and gave up a walk and a hit without recording an out. Jose Mijares came in and got an out to end the 7th inning. He then walked the batter to lead off the 8th inning and was replaced by Tim Lahey who gave up a home run to blow the save opportunity. However, he went two innings and gave up two runs (1 earned) on four hits. He was credited with the win and improved to 8-3.


FT MYERS MEMOS
Monday - Miracle 6, Dunedin 5 – The Miracle scored four runs in the bottom of the 9th to gain this Miraculous comeback win. Alexander Soto hit a two run single to tie the game, and then Steven Tolleson singled in the game winning run. Tolleson went 2-4 with a walk and his 14th double. Soto was 2-4 with those two RBI. Erik Lis went 2-4 with his 25th double. Kyle Waldrop started and gave up four runs (3 earned) on seven hits in five innings. He had a surprising three walks, and he struck out two. Adam Hawes picked up the win by throwing the final four innings. He gave up only an unearned run with four hits. 

 

BELOIT BITS
Monday - Snappers 5, Ft. Wayne 2 – Cole DeVries improved to 8-3 with another strong performance. He gave up just one unearned run on six hits over five innings. Jesus Carnevales gave up a run on four hits over two innings. Aaron Craig pitched a scoreless inning, and then Anthony Slama picked up his fifth save with another scoreless frame. Steve Singleton went 2-3 with a walk. Joe Benson went 2-5 with two RBI. Eli Tintor went 1-2 with a walk, was hit by a pitch and hit his sixth double.

 

E-TWINS REPORT
 Monday - E-Twins 6, Greeneville 2 – Derek Bromberg pitched well again to improve to 5-0. In five innings, he gave up two runs on five hits. He walked just one and struck out eight. Spencer Steedley, Curt Leavitt, Omar Alcala and Brad Tippett each pitched a scoreless inning of relief. All nine E-Twins hitters had one hit. Mark Dolenc had the only extra base hit, his third home run.

 

GCL TWINS REPORT
Monday - GCL Twins 8, GCL Pirates 3 – Juan Richardson went 3-4. Angel Morales was 2-3 with his first home run and four RBI. Minnesota-native Nick Biagini went 2-4 with his fourth double. Another Minnesota-native Andrew Schmiesing went 2-4. Yangervis Solarte went 2-4 with his third double. Ben Revere stole his 12th and 13th bases. Thomas Wright started and gave up three runs (2 earned) on four hits and two walks in four innings. Lee Martin got the win by striking out three in two innings. Tom Stuifbergen, Dominique Rodgers and Michael Mopas each pitched a scoreless relief inning.    

 

Do you have any further thoughts on any Twins prospects, minor leaguers, or these summaries? E-mail me, or also feel free to leave comments below.

That is it for today. Have a great day!

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