After dropping three straight games to the Dodgers and falling below .500 for the first time since April, the Twins are now fielding offers on their shorter-term assets, reports MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand (on Twitter). That includes right-hander Ervin Santana and newly acquired lefty Jaime Garcia. They’re also getting hits on closer Brandon Kintzler and second baseman Brian Dozier, Feinsand adds. MLB.com’s Jon Morosi suggested yesterday that the Twins would be open to such moves if their struggles continued.
[Related: Minnesota Twins depth chart]
The 34-year-old Santana paced the Majors in ERA for a full calendar year, working to a 1.75 ERA from June 1, 2016 to June 1, 2017. However, Santana’s peripheral numbers never came close to supporting that aesthetically pleasing figure, and he’s regressed substantially over the past couple of months. That said, he’s still as durable veteran with quality results that has averaged nearly 6 2/3 innings per start this year. He’s also averaged 6.9 K/9 against 3.1 BB/9 with a 42.8 percent ground-ball rate and is still averaging a respectable 92.7 mph on his heater.
Santana is earning $13.5MM in 2017 and is controlled through 2018 at the same rate. His contract also includes a $14MM club/vesting option for the 2019 season ($1MM buyout) that’ll automatically kick in if he throws 400 innings between now and the completion of the 2018 campaign (with at least 200 frames next year).
Dozier was the focus of rumors all offseason, primarily drawing connections to the Dodgers, but he ultimately remained in Minnesota. He’s predictably seen his power regress after last year’s 42-homer campaign, but he’s still on pace to approach 30 homers and is hitting a solid .249/.334/.441 with 16 homers, 21 doubles and two triples on the year. He’s earning a highly affordable $6MM in 2017 (with about $2.1MM of that sum remaining) and will make $9MM in 2018 before hitting free agency upon completion of his age-31 season.
Kintzler has gone from minor league signee to closer in short order since joining the Twins, and while he doesn’t miss many bats, he’s a ground-ball machine with strong control. Set to turn 33 years old the day after the non-waiver deadline, Kintzler is earning $2.9MM this season and has averaged 5.6 K/9 against 1.6 BB/9 with a 58.7 percent ground-ball rate since joining the Twins in 2016. That’s led to a 3.01 ERA in 98 2/3 innings. Most clubs probably view the impending free agent as more of a setup option, but his strong results against lefties and hard sinker would fit well on a number of teams looking for short-term ’pen help.
The inclusion of Garcia likely causes some to raise an eyebrow, as the Twins gave up a prospect to acquire him just three days ago. Minnesota, though, also took on the entirety of Garcia’s contract as well as $200K of what the Braves still owed catcher Anthony Recker. In doing so, the Twins minimized their own cost of acquiring him and also created the possibility of flipping him for a greater return. Garcia reportedly drew interest from roughly a half-dozen teams before he went to the Twins, and if Minnesota is willing to pay the remaining ~$4.5MM on Garcia’s deal, he could conceivably be flipped for a superior prospect to the one the Twins surrendered (Huascar Ynoa). In essence, that would be akin to buying a better prospect. Garcia, a free agent at season’s end, is set to make his first start for the Twins tomorrow in Oakland.
Of course, the mention of Oakland makes it worth reminding that the situation is likely fluid. The Twins drew a tough schedule coming out of the break and have already faced baseball’s two best teams, the Astros and Dodgers. Their next six games are against the rebuilding Athletics and Padres, so a quick rebound in Oakland could cause new chief baseball officer Derek Falvey and general manager Thad Levine to pump the brakes a bit.
The Twins’ presence near the top of the AL Central was a surprising development for most, and comments from Levine and Falvey all summer have suggested that the team wouldn’t deviate from its long-term focus by mortgaging significant pieces of its future. Seeing what offers materialize for veteran players likely wasn’t the route the club hoped to take this summer after a hot start, but the Twins also never separated themselves from in the division by a wide enough margin to fully rule out the possibility.
How the mighty have fallen!
did you call the Twins mighty? Are you dense?
why can’t you tell sarcasm? Are you dense? OMG lighten up!
Lol
Some people are just stupid.
Me to LOL chill you guys got a dome right ?
Turn on the air and trade with the Pirates 2/4/1 deal get that LF guy with PD problem a salary the twins can handle he would be a stud w/ Twins
the line about taking on Garcia’s remaining contract, and minimizing costs and increasing flip value, doesnt seem to make sense.
They thought they could hold their spot, but kc is on fire
It’s the KC R and the Indians race twins trade now 500% a good start now and next year look out for the twins
Basically, they took on all of his contract in order to reduce the prospect price when they acquired him. If they make him an effectively free asset by flipping him again but paying all the salary, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see them get a better prospect than Ynoa in return. They’d be out about $4.5M but would also have a better farm system for it.
They should listen on anyone. I think Santana would be a nice get for a team looking for a third starter in the playoffs.
I would try and bundle Hughes’s contract with Santana and throw in Garcia and or Kintzler while eating their salary for the year then go after free agents/trades in the offseason to bolster the rotation again.
I wouldn’t mind picking up Santana for the Orioles. Just so they can have someone durable that can pitch through 6 innings. Its a move that is more about next year than winning this year though.
Santana would be nice in Pittsburgh. Assurance for Nova whose slipped last few starts. Maybe Dozier also if they find someone to take Freese contract.
Dozior and Santana for the Pirates PDGuy good for Baseball –TRADE
I love when you see comments like Santana and Dozier would be nice fits for Pittsburgh. The Pirates have basically the same record as the Twins. And all of these teams have visions of getting proven major league players for minor league prospects. The Twins need to stay the course with Dozier he is the best power hitting second baseman in the game. They can deal Santana for a top notch prospect being the guy is a legitimate starter and a good one. But don’t just give away everything just to get back worthless prospects. The Twins need Picthers lets see how Garcia Pitches before trading him for next to nothing. Don’t make the Twins into a grab bag for the large market teams to strengthen their lineups. 81-81 would be a great year for the Twins and build for 2018
Moving Santana continues to make no sense. Somebody has to pitch for this team next year. You don’t just wander off trading good pitchers with good contracts when you’re at the beginning of your contention window.
I’m not sure I would call where the Twins are right now as their contention window. I watch every single game on MLB.com and they aren’t that much different from last years team. The position players are okay but their pitching is not good. They need starters and relievers to truly compete. They need to retain their core position players and hope they continue to develop. But my point about Santana is he is 34 years old right now. And hiis production lately hasn’t been what it was at the beginning of the year. If they can net a top notch pitching prospect for a guy who won’t be here when this team really should contend would be a smart idea. The Twins are at least two years out before they can really contend and challenge for anything. I love this team and I am really proud of what they have done.. But they are far from contending for a championship. To win championships they need great young starting picthing and quality relievers and they have few of either.
When your backup catcher has a better WHIP than your third most used reliever, you’ve got a ways to go to before you’re a contender for a ring.
I wouldn’t say they have a ways to go, they aren’t ready this year but they have one of the best defensive teams in baseball and they have 6-8 good hitters. The obviously just need to clean up the pitching but with Berrios you have a future ace, Meija is a good back end (possible mid) rotation pitcher, Trevor May just had TJ but has shown promise enough to be at least a mid rotation guy. When you thrown in Gonsalves, Romero, and Jay you have a lot of promise for the rotation going forward and I wouldn’t be surprised if they make adding a SP their top priority this off season. As far as the bullpen goes, Rogers and Hildenberger both appear to be very good arms and Duffy has a lot of potential, if they can retain Kintzler over the off season and a guy like Burdi is called up (and stays healthy) then you can start to put together at least an average bullpen. I’m not saying the Twins will be WS favorites next year but they are certainly closer than you are giving them credit for..
The part of the current wildcard system that bugs me is that because so many marginally good teams have a believable shot at a playoff berth it’s hard to in good faith trade away assets for prospects when you’re a good week away from the WC spot, if not the division.