The latest from Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com…
- Several teams would target Edwin Encarnacion if the Blue Jays make him available in trades, Heyman writes. However, the Blue Jays’ main priority is putting together an effective and healthy rotation.
- Teams see Alfonso Soriano of the Cubs as a designated hitter, not an outfielder, Heyman writes. One general manager says the Cubs could trade Soriano if they absorb all but $2MM of his contract. The Cubs are indeed willing to pay a “very substantial portion” of the $45MM or so remaining on the contract, Heyman writes. One scout suggested the Rays could be a fit for Soriano, who seems willing to waive his no-trade clause to facilitate a deal to a contender.
- The Twins are believed to be more willing to trade Denard Span than Josh Willingham, writes Heyman. They do not appear to be actively engaged in talks yet, but they would seek a young starting pitcher in return for Span.
- The Dodgers are one of several teams inquiring about Chase Headley, writes Heyman. The Padres are willing to listen on their third baseman and Heyman says they will consider intra-division trades.
The Twins should be open to trading anyone on that roster. Willingham’s stock will never be higher. This is why the organization is in disarray, they’re too loyal and don’t run a team like a business. Did them a lot of good to hang on to Cuddyer and Kubel last year.
What would the Twins want for Liriano and Span?
A pitcher with #5 potential who throws 85-88 MPH
Twins philosophy- we don’t care if you give up 250 hits in a season and throw every pitch down the middle, but please for the love of god, don’t walk anybody.
I completely agree. Why they would hang onto Willingham over Span is beyond me. The Twins scouting and farm system has been stellar over the past decade with the exception of being able to bring up quality pitchers. It’s a shame how horrible the front office is in managing the big league club.
I agree to a point. But the Twins need to build a team around someone.
Mauer isn’t playing to his contract and Morneau could be moved if
someone is willing to deal with injury/concussion history. Willingham is
signed to such a team friendly deal that it makes sense to keep a
slugger who is basically built to hit in Target Field.
No way the Twins trade Willingham. He is the only power hitter they have. Morneau’s career is essentially over, he just doesn’t realize it yet. Once Justin walks away Mauer moves to first base too save his knees. Even then we all know that Joe IS NOT a power hitter. 2009 was a fluke year for him.
Span + for Detwiler would be fair.
Are you kidding me? One of the best everyday centerfielders/lead-off men in the game today for a mediocre (at best) pitcher? Nope, not a chance Terry Ryan does that. I believe they will try to move him, but only for an amazing package… more likely that they would trade Revere for a mediocre pitcher than Span.
I don’t think Detwiler is mediocre. He is far and away better than any pitchers the Twins have in their rotation right now and possibly in their system. This year is his first full season in the rotation and he’s doing very well.
Span is a quality CF, but not a difference maker type. Plays slick D, gets on base, but doesn’t hit for enough average to make up for his lack of power. I think they’d be better served plugging Revere into CF and taking the cost-controlled young pitcher.
If you look at Detwiller’s stats there is nothing to say he is far and away better than say Scott Diamond, or even Liriano (the way he has pitched since coming back from the bullpen). Revere needs to move to a park where he has a chance of hitting the infield with a throw from deep outfield… he is a GREAT fielder… but not playing right field for the Twins.
Whether you agree with it or not, Span is proven as one of the best lead off and on base guys in baseball. For a lead off hitter and CF what you want is exactly what you described plays slick defense and gets on base… not much more you can ask for. And if you are looking for someone to make up for the “lack of power” you shouldn’t be talking Ben Revere who has hit zero major league homeruns. In addition you have to take into account that by trading Span you are giving up one of the best contracts in baseball where he is team controlled for the next few years at a very reasonable price.
Plus, why would the Nationals still want Span when they have Harper to roam CF? Span lacks the power to take a bat away from a proto-typical LF or RF and Harper, while young and inexperienced, can definitely rock CF for the Nats for the next 5-7 years…
I don’t think Revere is that special either, I just feel like he can develop into someone with a similar skillset, minus a little OBP. In my opinion, it would be better for them to trade a steady but unspectacular player to receive a solid young pitcher who has the chance to be a top 3 guy. Detwiler may not be dominant or anything, but he was a high pick for a reason and been performing very well this season.
Scott Diamond is pretty good, but that’s just one pitcher. Liriano has looked great since his demotion but he is an impending FA and I don’t really expect him to stay around with all his inconsistencies.
I just felt like this would be a deal that may help both teams, though the Nats probably don’t have a big need for a fielder when Werth is back, they have gone on record by saying they are still looking for a natural CF.
If teams are offering trades like that then I expect to see Span in a Twins uniform for awhile. Detwiler would hardly be an upgrade on what the Twins already have on the mound and he certainly is not worth Span+ or even Span alone.
2m/year for soriano??? WTH!!! I know he is getting older and legs are gone! But he is proving he can still hit the ball!!!! Im not at all saying he is worth his contract, i think he is worth along the lines of 6m/year
Yeah, people have enormously overrated his decline. $2m/year is just stupid really. He’s a decent player, especially if DH’d. His suckiness has been blown out of proportion because of his contract.
Actually, I think it would be less than $1M/year if they absorb all but $2M of his contract. He is still signed for two more seasons plus the remainder of this year.
Yes Dodgers trade for Headley. Don’t overvalue your pitching prospects. You already have Kershaw, and this coming offseason you can get one of Hamels/Grienke. By trading for Headley would for once you would be getting a player who would not be a rental. He fills the Dodgers biggest whole, that at third base. Teenagers Corey Seager and Alex Santana can eventually replace Headley. DO THIS TRADE
Well Headley is a top 5 3B so I wouldn’t worry about replacing him and upgrading you simply wouldn’t, and dodgers don’t have the prospects to get headley anyways.
I never said upgrading. I meant that getting Headley would mean filling a need for the next few years. So even if the Dodgers fail to keep Headley long term via a big contract, he would for the most part bridge the gap to the Dodgers best 3rd base prospects who are still many years away. As for whether the Dodgers have the prospects to get him, I think 3 good starting pitching prospects might tempt the Padres. I agree his value is very high, but I don’t think a deal would be impossible by any means. Don’t be so quick to attack someone and to put words into their mouth.
The Dodgers have a notoriously weak Farm system. All they really have to offer is Zach Lee, who is a good pitching prospect, but alone is not enough. The padres have plenty of young pitchers ready to hit the big league soon in Kelly, Erlin, Wieland. Other teams will have better offers. Just don’t see a match.
If we’re talking about an inter division trade, the diamondbacks have much more attractive pieces to offer.
Ethan Martin, Rubby De La Rosa, Allen Webster, Chris Reed, Chris Withrow, and Nathan Eovaldi are all pretty good too.
They may be decent prospects, but they’re nothing the padres don’t already have in their very deep farm system.
The Padres would up the cost consider they’re trading within the division. I think they would wise to wait until they see who’s actually going to be buyers and sellers come mid-july. If the Brewers don’t move up in the standings I’m willing to bet Aramis would become available
I don’t really understand the inter division thing. I get that they don’t like the idea of Headley helping another team beat them, making it harder for them to win the division, but don’t they LIKE the idea of taking prospects away from a team within their division? That should help them defeat that team in the future.
Yeah, I get you. It would definitely be different if they were near contention but they’re a good 5 plus years from being anywhere near that. I hope for their sake, they deal him before he loses any value.
Read Heyman often, but always with a grain of salt. Seems most of what he says never comes to pass.
That’s why I love watching him on MLB Network, just to see what crazy trade proposals he comes up with
It’s too bad the Dodgers don’t have a decent SS propsect, I’m sure the Padres would be trippping over themselves to make a deal then. As a Padre fan, I don’t mind intra-divisional deals, especially with a guy who you know struggles so much at Petco. Even if he does come back to bite you in the butt, he probably won’t be doing it in front of the home fans.