Friday, November 30, 2007
Six Questions with Nick Nelson
Here is another Six Questions with another Twins blogger. You all
know Nick Nelson of
Nick & Nick’s Twins Blog.
You will definitely want to bookmark it if you haven’t already. Let’s jump
right into the questions and again, remember these responses came before the
Twins trade with the Devil Rays.
SethSpeaks: You’re the GM, what do you do about Johan Santana? To trade, or not to trade? If your answer is “To Trade”,
what would it require in return to make it happen?
Nick Nelson: This is fully dependent on what the return on Santana
would be in a trade. Would that package be more beneficial to the Twins than
another year of Santana and a pair of draft picks? If the Twins can get a
package like Kershaw/Kemp or Hughes/Cano, I think you jump on that in a
heartbeat. You're getting a potential replacement top-of-the-order pitcher
while also acquiring a bigtime hitter that can fill a
lineup hole. If you can't get a really great package, I think you sit on Santana
and maybe re-evaluate at the trading deadline next year. I'd hate to see
Santana walk as a free agent in return for nothing but draft picks, but I
really don't think you can trade a pitcher like that for an underwhelming
package.
SethSpeaks: The Twins have been hesitant in the past to trade young pitchers.
It sounds like that theory may be somewhat altered this offseason. Are there
any of the Twins young pitchers that you would call untouchable?
Nick Nelson: No.
Certainly there are guys that you'd be more comfortable moving than others, but
at this stage I think you've got to be willing to listen to offers on just
about anyone..
SethSpeaks: As of today, where would you rank the Twins in the AL Central?
Nick Nelson: Third,
behind the Tigers and Indians. The Twins will have a difficult time overcoming
either of those loaded squads.
SethSpeaks: What would you consider the top three things that the Twins need
to do this offseason?
Nick Nelson: I'm
trying to think of something other than the obvious answer, but I'm not creative
enough. Solve the issues at third base, center field and designated hitter.
This team needs offensive improvement, and that absolutely has to be the top
priority.
SethSpeaks: On a scale of 1
to 10, how confident are you that Bill Smith will be able to do the things that
the Twins need to compete?
Nick
Nelson: That's a difficult question
to answer, because I just don't know much about how the man operates yet. So
far I've been satisfied with the things he's done; he passed on handing Hunter
a ridiculous extension and let a few players loose that weren't going to help
the team. We'll see what he's able to accomplish.
SethSpeaks: Tell us a little about what you do on your blog, where we can find
it and what you write about during the offseason?
Nick Nelson: Our
blog is at
http://twinsfanatnicks.blogspot.com/.
We update about three times a week during the offseason with random musings
about player moves and rumors.
Thank you to Nick Nelson and everyone for stopping by this site. If you have any questions, comments or ideas for future postings, please e-mail me.