5:44 pm: The Rays, Blue Jays and Red Sox are the most active teams in the Berrios market, reports Heyman, who adds that the division’s other contender, the Yankees, have also checked in. It doesn’t seem likely that the Mets — who have long been interested in Berrios but deterred by the Twins’ asking price — will wind up landing him. The Mets continue to be put off by Minnesota’s demand, hears Andy Martino of SNY, and Anthony DiComo of MLB.com suggests that’s also the case in discussions between the two clubs regarding Pineda.
2:39pm: The Twins have numerous offers in hand for Berrios, per Ken Rosenthal and Dan Hayes of The Athletic, who add that the market has exceeded the Twins’ initial expectations (Twitter link). A trade is seen as increasingly likely. TSN’s Scott Mitchell tweets that the Blue Jays are “definitely” in the mix for Berrios.
2:34pm: The Twins are getting “bombarded” with offers for Berrios, Nightengale tweets, adding that the Padres in particular are being aggressive in their efforts.
1:58pm: Some teams who’ve spoken to the Twins about Berrios get the sense that they’re more willing to move him now than they were earlier in the summer, tweets MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.
MLB Network’s Jon Heyman lists the Dodgers as a team with interest, and, like myriad other recent reports, also indicates the Padres have interest. Dan Hayes of The Athletic recently wrote that the Padres had interest in Berrios, Michael Pineda and Kenta Maeda. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale wrote this morning that San Diego is more focused on Berrios than on Max Scherzer.
8:11am: The Twins have already traded away Nelson Cruz, and with an off-day Thursday, today’s focus figures to be entirely on their deadline efforts to reload the club for 2022 and beyond. Jose Berrios is Minnesota’s most coveted trade candidate, and Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune writes that offers for Berrios “have spiked” with the trade deadline now less than 48 hours away.
MLB.com’s Jon Morosi tweets that the Mariners have been pursuing a Berrios acquisition this week, with the Twins focusing on one of Seattle’s top pitching prospects (Emerson Hancock or George Kirby) as part of a multi-player return. The two sides aren’t close to a deal, Morosi adds. Both Hancock (2020) and Kirby (2019) were first-round picks in recent Mariners drafts and have pitched at Class-A Advanced this year. Both players have missed time with shoulder fatigue this year, but Hancock returned this week and Kirby is expected back within the next couple of weeks, Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times tweeted a couple days ago.
The Mets, too, have been linked to Berrios throughout the month of July, but all indications to this point have been that they consider the asking price too steep. Indeed, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports that the Mets are “very” interested but also had “sticker shock” when the Twins initially asked for a combination of two top-100 prospects and a young big leaguer. Beyond that, the Mets’ lack of premium pitching prospects may be a problem. Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes that the Mets would perhaps need to involve a third team if they hoped to actually land Berrios. They’ve recently been more connected to rental pitchers.
Of course, virtually every contender or pseudo-contender has checked in with the Twins on Berrios’ asking price, given his affordable $6.1MM salary for the 2021 season as well as his remaining year of arbitration eligibility before free agency. The 27-year-old Berrios is enjoying the best season of an already impressive career, having pitched to a 3.48 ERA with career-best marks in strikeout percentage (25.7) and ground-ball percentage (43.6). His 6.5 percent walk rate is the second-lowest of his career, and the durable right-hander’s current pace would put him in line to land somewhere in the 195 to 200 range in terms of total innings pitched.
MikeD26
Nooooo
braves2
search your feelings
you know it to be true
Monkey’s Uncle
“That’s not true! That’s impossible!!!”
tstats
Berríos is your daddy
Astros2017&22Champs
The twins are bantha fodder if they trade berrios
Baldkid
disagree – let’s see what the return is before making judgements.
amazing larry
They are at the very least scruffy looking nerf herders
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
Best attribute with Berrios isn’t his W-L record or his ERA, it’s his ability to stay healthy and always be there to pitch. A great addition to any club. FA next year.
5toolMVP
Arb eligible 2022, free agent 2023
LordD99
Nooooo…for the Mariners?
Nooooo…for the Twins?
MikeD26
Mariners
ChiSox_Fan
White Sox should grab him.
Berrios will never have to face Gavin Sheets again!!!
MilwaukeeStrong
I think the Crew should go all in on him
Woodruff
Burnes
Berrios
Peralta
Houser/Lauer/Anderson
Doubt they have enough to give up
adshadbolt
The crew need another bat if they are going all in on anyone it should be Trey Mancini or story
MilwaukeeStrong
id take mancini all day to play first. Hes a beast
baseballdeez
Brewers just landed Escobar. They don’t *need* another bat. Someone will overpay for Story and it won’t be Stearns. Mancini could be extended. They easily have enough to land Berrios; just depends on whether Stearns sees the value there in having to beat other offers
MikeD26
Berrios is not better than Peralta
CalcetinesBlancos
I really fail to see why the Twins wouldn’t blow it up and use this year and next as development/tryout time with a goal to really compete again in 2023. Would be more entertaining to watch than their current group.
David Barista
What explains the Twins record this year? Buxton’s injuries? How does trading your best hitter and then bringing back the same team make you competitive in 2022? I see they have two nice pitching prospects in the minors…. Are the Twins in any position to spend in free agency and compete in 2022?
hiflew
This is essentially the same team that won a very competitive division last year. It’s all about getting a good start. Last year the Twins got one, this year they didn’t. Momentum is a very real thing even if it doesn’t show up in the stats.
That being said, if the Twins go into rebuild mode this year, 2023 is not when they are competing again. It would be more like 2027. Team do not rebuild in a single year no matter how many pieces they have to trade away. It takes at least 4 years before rebuilds even start to show. Look at Detroit. Look at Baltimore. THAT would be why teams put off rebuilds as long as possible.
Joel Peterson
Rebuilds are very different from club to club. Some teams have money to spend in the short and long term and some don’t. The Twins area mid market team with some good young talent. They would not do a full rebuild. But one where they trade assets like Berrios and Buxton for help in 2023 and later that’s what makes sense.
David Barista
The most essential player to the Twins lineup is now playing for Tampa…… Half-measures aren’t elevating the Twins to division champions…. They simply can’t afford to re-sign Buxton and Berrios AND fix their other problems in free agency…. 17 games under .500 and denying the inevitable
Samuel
@ hiflew;
There are different types of rebuilds….
The ‘Tank for 5 Years’ worked for the Astros and Cubs, but has left the Phillies in tatters.
On the other hand, the Giants are leading the NL West in the 3rd year of their so-called rebuild, and the Red Sox leading the AL East in the 2nd year of theirs.
It depends on the core veterans plus the existing young prospects, the intelligence of trades and signings, and most of all – the way the organization works in making their players better.
ABCD
The Cubs were good starting in Theo’s 4th year. Miggy Montero, 2015: #WeAreGood.
gibsonlp
The Twins have enough young talent and Donaldson is the only real contract they have. They could make a pretty quick turnaround without going full rebuild.
CalcetinesBlancos
Trading your best hitter? I’m saying they should trade everyone not under contract for more than next year.
Baldkid
Amen
twins33
Pitching is the answer to the first question. They are bottom five in MLB in pitching this year. They were top five in MLB WAR in 2019 and 2020
Berrios is doing well, but Maeda is having the worst (or second worst) year of his career. Pineda hasn’t been as stable as he usually is. Shoemaker and Happ have to be the worst signings in MLB, or close to it. The only reliever doing well in the entire BP is Rogers and now he’s hurt.
As far as spending next year, the have 90 something million spent in payroll (this included arb estimates). If they keep a similar payroll they will have 30 million to spend. Absolute needs are: 1-2 SP, 1-2 RP, SS
Any trades or extensions could obviously change certain things about the above.
Samuel
“…..but Maeda is having the worst (or second worst) year of his career. Pineda hasn’t been as stable as he usually is. Shoemaker and Happ have to be the worst signings in MLB, or close to it.”
@ twins33;
What you wrote is why I question the Twins future.
First off, it seems like they misevaluated either their existing players abilities and/or their coaching staffs ability to make them better players. Too many of their veterans have hit a wall and are heading down.
Next, the players they brought in via trades and signings this year have not have a positive impact on the team winning. i.e. (as you noted) The acquisitions for 2021 were terrible.
It seems to me that the Falvey-Levine tandem may be at the same point as Terry Ryan and his staff in 2015-16 – having had a nice blip, but it was coming clear they weren’t going much further. Their competitors in the ALC are all getting better. It’s looking like the Twins success the past few years was based more on teams cyclical issues in their division then the prowess of the FO, Manager and his staff.
twins33
I go back and forth on whether they can fix this quickly or not. I can see the argument either way.
The White Sox, right now, don’t scare me and I don’t think they’ve greatly passed the Twins. The White Sox have something like a .410 win percentage against teams above .500. Everything that people always slam the Twins about (they only beat the bad teams/win because the ALC is terrible etc) is exactly what the White Sox are doing right now. I’m not saying they are bad, because the Sox are not bad but they are doing a great Twins impression whether they like it or not.
As for turning things around in 2022, it’ll be hard but it can be done. If Berrios is kept, that will help. I have no idea what’s wrong with Maeda. His control has been off since start 1 which makes me believe it wasn’t sticky stuff but something else. This just isn’t normal Maeda, even Dodger Maeda. I figure at least one guy in the minors will be in the rotation next year (Ober?) so they need 1-2. Ive looked at the list. There are like 5-10 starters I wouldn’t mind them getting. That is a TON. Usually I only like 1-3. I think they can get at least one of them and I believe they are at least a step or two above Shoemaker/Happ.
As for the BP, I’m okay with their approach to this. The approach: piece it together yearly and don’t spend a ton of money on it. Relievers are so volatile year to year. They just need better results, easier said than done.
Baldkid
^^^This, all of this
Samuel
@ twins33;
I thought the Twins rebuild under Ryan would make them a power. Thought Buxton and Sano would be anchoring the line-up at 3 and 4. Loved Berrios and other pitchers. Hicks. Young hitters coming out of their ears. Dozier as a veteran presence – the whole ball of wax. Didn’t care for their manager much, as I recall.
Lost touch with MLB for a few years and couldn’t believe what had happened to the Twins when I caught up.
I’ve found Twins fans to be some of the most respectful, patient, and appreciative in all of MLB – in relation to the population of the marketplaces. On a weighted plane the gripers and complainers are nowhere near that of most markets / teams fans.
I have no answers, but will say that I believe that Twins fans have gotten a raw deal from ownership for decades. Spending money does not equate to winning anymore than not spending it equates to losing. But these teams being fielded aren’t playing smart, fundamental baseball (which the Kelley / Puckett teams did). They don’t seem to have a coherent style of play. I don’t care for the current FO or manager, and the only coach I thought was good was Wes Johnson – yet his pitchers went south on him this year.
There’s something funny going on there. From afar it feels like a lot of territorial infighting with people compromising instead of working with a common vision. Ownership must review this situation and demand better. Who knows, maybe their intervening and that’s doing it……I’m not there.
Twins fans deserve better.
Baldkid
MN fan here – I view this potential trade a possible re-visit of Viola being moved (I’m not saying Berrios is Viola, not saying he can’t be, just not there yet).
The return the Twins got in the Viola trade directly resulted in a World Series ring in 1991 – not saying that’s going to happen with a trade of Berrios, but I’d like to see what would happen.
ohyeadam
If every player in starting lineup and a good number of your pitchers are desired by contenders at the trade deadline and you have all these players locked up for next year or more why would you go into a rebuild?
David Barista
17 games under .500 with that starting lineup and a good number of your pitchers…. Bring back Cruz in free agency and fire the manager?
CalcetinesBlancos
Just because players on your roster are desired as supplementary pieces for other teams, that doesn’t mean your team is good. And you go into a minor rebuild because as more than just a rental those players bring more value. Look at the Gallo trade.
whynot 2
A White Sox fan suggesting a competitor blow up their team… no bias there.
stymeedone
White Sox blew up a team that had Sale, Quintana, Eaton, and Semien, all on cheap contracts, at a time that only Cleveland was competitive. They preceded to watch 3 of the 4 get Rings with other teams, and the 4th make the playoffs regularly, and are just now coming out of the current rebuild. White Sox fans should be experts on the subject.
JRamHOF
-stymeedone
Semien wasn’y exactly tearing it up for the Sox and only 2/4 that you listed won wings
CalcetinesBlancos
“A White Sox fan suggesting a competitor blow up their team… no bias there.”
Lol, yeah I am incapable of looking at the Twins objectively. But actually you’re right, they should totally trade nobody and be crappy next year and for many years after that. I’m totally cool with that scenario.
Samuel
Most teams that aren’t contenders are in some sort of rebuild – degrees of going into one or of coming out of one.
There are 30 teams in MLB. Generally there will be 4-5 teams that are legit WS contenders each year.
What I’m leading to is this – Most rebuilds fail. It’s a numbers thing.
niedenfuer92
I don’t think they need to trade anyone away other than happ, Pineda, and anyone else on a 1 year contract. This is a completely fluke of a year, just go all in this offseason on making a legitimate starting pitching staff and you are right there contending again.
Baldkid
Please look what happened to the Twins AFTER they traded Frank Viola and Johana Santana = could result in the ring, might not.
tanner829 2
Nooo! I don’t see the point in giving up a top young pitcher with 6 years of control for Berrios! M’s are not even making the playoffs this year- relaX.
dshires4
I am more than fine with giving up Kirby or Hancock for the right, controllable piece. Berrios is not that piece.
tribepride17
The odds that either of them become as good as Berrios are slim. The M’s will have him for two playoff runs so the price is going to be high. If it’s just one of those two pitchers I think the M’s should pull the trigger.
dshires4
They only have him for two playoff runs if you actually believe the 2021 Mariners will be in it by the end of September. Count me as one a Mariners fan that doesn’t buy this team having the pieces to do it this year.
So now you’re asking me to trade one of the top arms in the minors for a one year run with Berrios in 22? I would absolutely do it if we were Berrios away from contention. But we aren’t just one starter away.
MikeD26
That’s what I wanted to say with my nooooo, thanks.
Painful itch
You can’t trade JRod/Marte/Kirby for sure. Hancock I’d trade in the right deal. Be mindful of the future.
ayrbhoy
2 questions-If this current FO selected and nurtured JRod/Marte/Kirby- why cant they do it again yr in yr out?
If the M’s are going to really make a push for the playoffs do you want them to nudge the door open to take a peek into the playoffs or do you want them to ‘open that door then walk deep’ into the playoffs room? Just curious what you and others think on those 2 questions…..
Lurking, looking, and laughing...
I would say you want to open the door and remain sustainably in the room. You don’t accomplish that by trading controllable starting pitching for rentals.
If Berrios gave them a legit shot at a ring, sure, but they aren’t close to that stage yet.
ayrbhoy
Berrios is not a rental. He is avail for 2022 and would most likely be your OD starter. Berrios Kikuchi Gilbert Flexen Marcos Dunn/Sheffield – loser of that final spot hits the BP or gets traded.
Benjamin560
No he wouldn’t! Flexen, Gilbert, or Kikuchi start before Berrios does. Gilbert is the future ace of this staff. Kirby might be as well. Hancock is a future #2 or 3 that could possibly be even higher. M’s aren’t letting any of those three go.
mdbaseball05
This is a tough one for me. This was the exact same conversation that occurred back when the Mariners were talking about getting Stanton from Miami, and all of the fans were like “No, no way can you trade from the big 3” It was Walker, Paxton, and Hultzen at that time. Prospects are just that… prospects, no matter what you think the upside is. Yes, we all hope they become that good, but, you never know. Temper expectations.
On the other side of that, I will say I like this big 3 or 4 now better than I did those back then. And, I don’t think this is our year to go in and contend by bringing in Berrios. Let these guys come up and develop, as well as guys like Julio. Stick to that plan and try to fully compete in ’22 or ’23. Sign Berrios then if needed. For now, just try to get someone like Merrifield or Ketel Marte (need a 2B), and see what happens this year.
Maybe an unpopular opinion… I’d float Kikuchi and see what kinds of offers you can get in return for him. His value is at its highest right now
Stevil
Dunn & Sheffield are already out of the conversation.
Anderson is in the number five slot.
bucketbrew35
This would be a bad move for the M’s. They could legit just wait another year and add him via free agency since an extension is doubtful. By then their window should be opening.
whosyourmomma
Berrios, Polanco & Garver to White Sox for Madrigal, Dylan Cease, Cespedes, Jake Burger, Zack Collins, Reynaldo Lopez and Dalquist. Let’s Go!
JRamHOF
Bro what
usafcop
Too much leaving the White Sox in this scenario….
dom d
I think the Mets sending JD Davis and Rony Mauricio should get Berrio.
baines03
The Twins want pitching.
Yankee-4-Lifer 75
Berrios isn’t that good. Not worth giving up all your prospects for. Maybe 1 prospect in your top 5. And another one in your 10-15. Power arm, but exposed in playoffs. I could see the Yankees giving up Deivi or Gil plus another power arm for the bullpen. Not much more than that.
seamaholic 2
True. Jon Gray’s numbers (park adjusted) are better in virtually every way. Only thing Berrios has on him, and obviously it’s important, is the extra year.
DT.J.B.
He hasn’t been awful in the playoffs, 2 starts 9 IP 2 earned runs (a couple unearned) 10 k’s. But he is not a stopper at this point in time so true, he doesn’t have the rep.
CalcetinesBlancos
Yeah I agree. I’ll be curious to see who gets him because I’m trying to think who has the prospects and also has a need for someone like him.
Lurking, looking, and laughing...
This smells of using Seattle’s farm to up an offer from someone else. No way Dipoto gives one of those arms away for a 2 month rental
LordD99
Berrios is under contract through next season.
Mike_99
Berrios a free agent after 2022 season
houkenflouken
Berrios has one more year after this one
Stevil
Dipoto has been clear that he won’t give up elite talent for ‘rental-types’.
I think 1.2 years counts as a ‘rental-type’.
Doesn’t mean he won’t try to dance around the bigger names.
brian214
Is Daryl Morey the GM of the Twins as well as the Sixers (with the outrageous trade demands)? Seriously, I’m guessing any package from the Phils would have to start with Abel since I doubt Howard or Medina could headline an attractive package.
Bi Soxual
Gavin Sheets is already proven BEAST in his first 60 MLB ab’s.Left handed easy power can crush high cheese were 5% of power hitters are able in the league.Then you have Larnach,Madrigals ex teammate can catch up to the occasional cement mixer. Chalk & Cheese Casablanca Rick strikes again.
Monkey’s Uncle
Respectfully, “proven beast” and “first 60 ABs” really shouldn’t ever be in the same sentence.
Bi Soxual
When you crush Soto’s 98 above the letters to the pullside in Det 454 that’s all the proof I need
Monkey’s Uncle
The Mariners and Dipoto right now are that car behind you on the interstate that keeps changing lanes trying to find the fast one, only they keep getting stuck behind someone who suddenly changes lanes right in front of them.
houkenflouken
Hard disagree.
HBan22
Trading 6+ years of either Kirby or Hancock – who both look like potential studs that should arrive in the near future – for only a year-plus of Berrios would be a very foolish move by the Mariners. For all the criticism that Dipoto used to get (and still gets to an extent), it’s hard to deny that he has done an excellent job leading the Mariners rebuild. In my opinion, there is no need to jump the gun here and start trading top prospects in an effort to make a playoff run this year… the M’s weren’t even supposed to compete this year, and should be focusing on competing long term. Give this team another year or two to graduate most of their top prospects, and they are going to be exciting to watch.
I had the same reaction to the Whit Merrifield/Mariners rumor – to me it just doesn’t make sense for them to be trading any really good prospects for guys that only have a year or two of control left. I hope Dipoto doesn’t get overly excited with his team getting closer to competing, and start making overly aggressive moves that will benefit the team more in the shorter term than longer term. Trading a few of their lower ranked prospects wouldn’t be completely unreasonable, but they really should be hanging on to their impressive nucleus of top prospects.
outinleftfield
Key words from Morosi. “Aren’t close. Will any team give up that much for Berrios? I doubt it. The Twins are not getting offers that include top 100 prospects. That much is clear because he is still a Twin.
Baldkid
HAHAHAHA – teams will get desperate closer to the deadline.
Joel Peterson
I don’t think for a second the Mariners would deal a Kirby or Hancock for Berrios.
Look at what the Rangers got for Gallo. It wasn’t top prospects. The days of teams selling put their farm systems for short term gain are over. The Torres Chapman trade was unique in many ways. Gallo is better than Berrios……
smoked_gouda
Every team should be in.. he’s a stud. What team doesn’t need starting pitching?
mlbnyyfan
Why are the Mets reluctant to make a big move. DeGrom not getting any younger the time is now.
SwingtheFNbat
Yes mostly true, any team that has reasonable expectation of contending this year or next.
Mill City Mavs
as a minnesotan that moved to washington i would love to see him out here. guy is a great number 3 or even 2 when on, just not the ace minnesota tried to push with him. gives his all and fun to root for.. I doubt the Twins get one of those arms back but that would be a big win for them and maybe a win for the M’s if they could get an extension done. berrios should provide quality innings for 5 more years. but if the two sides want to get creative, both have prospects and big league pieces to make an interesting deal.
Bi Soxual
Berrios wants to get paid like an ace,Min wants to trade him like an ace.The problem is 3rd time through batting order his ERA is 8.44 over last 4yrs
Bi Soxual
Min has adapted to Berrios weakness when you look @ the numbers.In his last 30 starts he has pitched 121.2 innings!! Not exactly ACE or even #2 workload
Joel Peterson
Truly that’s more of a selling point then it is a turn off. Because in today’s game twice through an order for a starter is acceptable. And if you take him out at that point obviously his numbers would be even better than they are today.
Game is changing. Learning how to use your pitching talent in 2021 is very important.
Bi Soxual
LOL It’s not much of a selling point when you want to get paid like an Ace,& you’re workload is a #3
Noel1982
The have the means to compete with an outbid Padres for him ! Do they have the stomach to is the question?
kws001
The M’s won’t do this for either of those guys. Jerry makes questionable moves sometimes, but this would be incredibly short-sighted when they aren’t good enough to get over the hump. This last series with Houston proved that to me. The Astros are in another stratosphere.
timyanks
you shouldn’t covet
GB85
“And how do we begin to covet, Clarice? We covet what we see everyday.”
Astros2017&22Champs
Thank you hannibal
Baller4mlb
Anyone else getting a Chris Archer trade vibes if this goes down? Please Dipo, don’t do this to your teams promising future.
timyanks
he’s no star. barely over .500 win percentage
Baldkid
So you are still looking at pitching stats from 1980? Good for you.
richt
Saying “the Mets, too, have been linked” is so awkward, and reading it is awkward too. Why can’t Adams just say “the Mets have also been linked” like a normal person?
mjpeez
Why not say “the Mets have been linked, as well”? What a strange critique
houkenflouken
M’s honestly have enough prospect depth behind their top 7 to get this deal done if they want to. Unless the Twins only want someone in the top 7
FOmeOLS
The Mariners need to be looking at John Means. He’s better and cheaper, and controlled for longer, only downside is that he has less of a track record than Berrios.
The Mariners can really grab a spot in October if they trade carefully.
Rsox
And all that control would come with a higher price tag. If Mariner fans don’t want to trade Kirby or Hancock for Berrios why would they want to potentially trade both for Means?
Kipp35
I’d like to keep Berrios and dump Buxton, but the Twins don’t usually do anything makes makes sense. Offered $70mm + to Buxton who has played just 38% of the games he should have over his career, and they won’t look to reward Berrios for being a durable Ace for the rotation. Can we trade our front office?
YaGottaBelieve
Berrios is great, but I’d really like to see them pick up a good hitter like Turner.
If they pick up Berrios then we have an overstock of SP’s.
Especially when Dunn is healthy and Sheffield. I want a 1B who can rake!
houkenflouken
Might be right. Dunn and Sheffield might be bullpen guys for the rest of the year tho and we can always go 6-man too
BuddyBoy
Sheffield and Dunn should be bullpen arms, particularly Sheffield. I think Dunn could be the closer if transitioned there
hoof hearted
Dunn can be too wild at times to be a closer
mjpeez
Dipoto already shot himself in the foot. This won’t make up for it, if this is their only addition before Friday
houkenflouken
How? Trading graveman?? People way overreacted to that trade. Stop pretending like dipoto ain’t a top tier GM
mjpeez
Dipoto is not a top tier GM. He’s made a ton of mistakes in Seattle and waited way too long to tear it down. And look how poorly the team is playing and openly complaining about his lack of communication about his deadline plan. Top tier GMs know how to communicate to the players and not blindside them. If you’re trying to make the playoffs don’t trade important clubhouse pieces
Gk_holiday
Dipoto has nothing but improve the depth and development of the Mariners. He started the rebuild from the ground up, taking the farm from nearly dead last in rankings to a top 5 farm, maybe even top 3… The list successful reclamation projects, development of prospects, and performance of discarded players from other organizations is lengthy. The Mariners have arguably the best bullpen in the MLB largely from efforts of no-name players acquired over the last year or two. Sure he admittingly has altered club house chemistry with the Graveman trade, but in hindsight this is a move that should pay dividends going forward. People love to hate on Dipoto, everyone makes a bad trade once in awhile – but the state of the Mariners under Dipoto, comapred to where the organization was under jack Zduriencik isn’t even close. There is so much hope, excitement and potential with the current roster/farm. Seattle fans haven’t felt that in a loooong time.
BuddyBoy
Every non biased person evaluating the Toro/Graveman trade said the Mariners did very well. If they made that trade today, it wouldn’t have been received as badly as it wouldn’t have followed the emotional win
mjpeez
The trade as a face value baseball trade is a fine trade but the impact in the clubhouse has been clear as they are playing completely flat since then. It’s never a good move to make a trade that makes your players cry
Benjamin560
The M’s future is bright. Stop letting your emotions cloud your judgment. Dipoto has constructed this roster top to bottom as well as the farm system. Coming off a rebuild of only 2 years when he said we were is pretty impressive. This year was never about contending and yet it was. There is a fine line. He has openly stated that he is looking for players that are controllable through future years. Its a great time to be an M’s fan right now.
Yes the trade came at the worst possible time, but trades like that are necessary if you want to win championships. I’ll take 4 years of an everyday high end quality prospect(#3 in Houston farm system) over a 2 month rental reliever when you’re bullpen is brimming with talent.
Erik Swanson
Paul Sewald
JT Chargois
Drew Steckenrider
Casey Sadler
Ken Giles
Andres Munòz
And is about to get another jolt with Dunn and Sheffield! We traded from a major area of strength(bullpen) to help the weakest area(infield) on this team. Grow a sack and quit crying. Dipoto has built us a winner.
mjpeez
If they don’t find a closer now… they don’t make the playoffs. Toro is a nice long term fit but trading your closer doesn’t put fans in the seats and the Mariners fan base lacks enough passion on their own to just show up. They have had 30K once this year and they are actually competitive. That place will be as empty as ever in September
Benjamin560
Paul Sewald is the closer and has better numbers than Graveman. Steckenrider can close too. Ken Giles is signed through next season along with Andres Munóz. They are both both in the closer’s conversation as well.
Justin Bobko
Agree-take the emotions out of it and it was a very good trade. Relievers are super volatile. Good job by dipoto to leverage that into Toro, who can actually be a useful player for 4 more years.
And honestly the dude should be given a complete pass for the next decade anyway for somehow shedding Cabo’s contract while acquiring kelenic.
SwingtheFNbat
Justin doesn’t want to compete for a decade.
Rsox
Trading Graveman was addition by subtraction. Subtracting Graveman gave the addition of not having to see Montero again
hoof hearted
Did Cleveland get a Hancock or Kirby caliber player for lindor?
Did Boston get a Kirby or Hancock caliber player for mookie betts?
Jerry dipoto better not trade Hancock or Kirby for Barrios!!
M’s is for maybe
Exactly. There is only a fools chance this happens, and if it does we know that fools name is Dipoto
Rumors2godsears
With how bad the Mariners develop pitchers I’d be ok with them trading Hancock for a proven MLB starter.
Benjamin560
Logan Gilbert, Yusei Kikuchi, Justin Dunn and Chris Flexen all say hello.
SwingtheFNbat
Total PR stuff here after the trade of Graveman. Barrios just doesn’t make much sense. Totally not a JD fan, but he showed some tremendous balls on that trade. Good for him, he’s smart enough to know this season is not realistic year for a playoff run.
M’s is for maybe
Let’s freaking Hope so.
If Dipoto does this, Tar and feathers!!!!
M’s is for maybe
No no no Dipoto pump the damn breaks.
Giving up any of Kirby or Hancock for two years of Berrios is completely foolish. What ever in this world make you think we would be competitive against either the Astros (whom you just bolstered their pen) the Red Sox (especially if they land Sherzer) let alone anyone from the NL west?
With Berrios? And Anderson?
Those adds will not get you through the playoffs, and I would rather have a pitching staff capable of being a fixture in the playoffs for years to come.
FFS M’s fans have waited this long, we can wait another year and be more relevant…..
Benjamin560
Hancock and Kirby should be off the table but here’s a list of high end arms that the M’s will make available:
Isaiah Campbell
Sam Carlson
Levi Stoudt
Matt Brash
Adam Macko
Penn Murfee
Juan Then
Brandon Williamson
Connor Phillips
These names are not cannon fodder. Seattle has been stockpiling arms during the rebuild. Of course every team is gonna ask for the “Creme Del a creme”, but thats never going to happen. 4 of those pitchers are in our Top 10, and all but one of them are in the Top 20.
M’s is for maybe
I concur minus Williamson.
circaflex
I hope the Mets are all over this guy; I personally think the offense is fine but the Starting Pitching has been lackluster since degrom went down, Walker is back to being walker and the rest are just fillers at this point. The addition of Big D Mountain and Cookie coming back will be huge, but with the mets you can never have enough quality starting pitching.
Oldschoolandthemets1980
The offense is not fine lol
TradeAcuna
AA get off your booty and fulfill the Berrios and Buxton blockbuster
jvent
Come to the Mets Berrios after the last couple of games the Mets need another SP, Walker should go to the bullpen, Walkers last 3 starts sucked, bring Simmons and Rogers with you
Oldschoolandthemets1980
Leave Roger’s instead bring Buxton
LordD99
Seems like lots of trades may happen in the next 24 hours.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Berrios to SD.
Dbird777
Abrams and Hassell…plus more is what the Twins should demand
BuddyBoy
Are you drunk? For a #3 starter with limited control?
Aoe3
I wonder if the Jays can take on quite a bit of Donaldsons salary and plug him at third. With o without acquiring Berrios.
bobtillman
But have the Twins talked to the Orioles?
Seriously though, they almost have to trade him. You get the best that’s offered (whether it’s “fair” or not is irrelevant), and it sounds like the Twins are getting swamped. And it’s deserved; Berrios is at least a solid #2, with #1 possibilities.
Good opportunity to “re-image”; they certainly don’t need to tear it up.
WrongM
Rationally I can see a case for both trading Berríos and not trading him. As a fan, particularly if the Twins are going to “re-image” (which I agree is better than tearing it up), I find the idea of trading him super discouraging.
Baldkid
If he brings in a haul of players, it may be worth it. It might be one of those “we couldn’t turn it down” trades.
bobtillman
Every player has a certain “value”, which involves all the metric stuff, contract stuff, “soft analytic” stuff. I wish it was some kind of scientific judgement; it isn’t, not totally.
It just sounds like what they’re being offered exceeds his value. That’s not as unique as it sounds; he really offers little value to the Twins for 2021. And of course that has to be balanced that he DOES offer value in 2022, short of some event of some sort.
Falvey doesn’t have an easy decision here; but, as they say, that’s why he makes the big money.
Johnnymarty95
Hancock and Kirby should be off limits. The M’s aren’t ready to start trading away the farm system. Keep the roster how it currently is. If they fail to make the playoffs this year it won’t be a big deal. Next year’s deadline is when I can picture them making a blockbuster trade that could help them win the division.
Darthyen
I really hope the Blue Jays are actually in on this and not just smoke HOWEVER I hope the cost is not a package that consists of Austin Martin (should be the only untouchable in the Jays system).
smuzqwpdmx
I think Martin could be a fair price for a good starting pitcher with 2+ years of control left, and the Jays can afford to deal a hitting prospect more than they can afford to deal pitching prospects.
Goose
If the Padres moved on to Scherzer and the Twins are now ‘open’ to trading Berrios it sounded like the Padres called their bluff. Lets see how this develops. As of now they say the Padres have a deal almost confirmed for Scherzer. Is it leverage for Berrios or did the Twins drive them away?
Win Cor
Cardinals….Where are you??????
jim stem
After this week’s performance against the Braves, I expect a Mets announcement before midnight.
I’ll predict Drew Smith, David Peterson, JD Davis, Conforto, Mark Vientos and Matt Allen go in two deals. Could even be a three team deal with the Cubs that sends Bryant, Donaldson AND Berrios with Rogers and Kimbrel all going to the Mets.
Bryant goes to right, Donaldson to 3b.
Nimmo
Bryant
Alonso
Smith
Donaldson
McNeil
McCann
Villar/Guillorme
Pitcher
Blockbuster?
Add Baez to the Mets with McNeil being moved!
deGrom
Berrios
Stroman
Carrasco
Megill
Walker
Lugo
May
Familia
Loup
Rogers
Kimbrel
Diaz
…this is VERY post season competitive.
martras
At this point, if the Twins don’t trade Berrios, it’ll be a failure for the front office. Perplexingly, several expiring contracts are still on the Twins’ roster. Somebody did tell Falvey they’re not making the playoffs this year and those expiring contract players walk for free in two months, right?
twins33
I mean, if you were an opposing team would you want most of those expiring contracts? Most of them are terrible and not worth a bag of balls to another team.
goastros123
Make an offer, Astros.
TwinCities
Hard news if you’re a real Twins fan.
Redsoxx_62
Please no Bloom don’t blow up the farm for him, go get Carlos Santana and maybe a reliever and call it a deadline
BantheNFL
Bloom want get Berrios either. He nickles and Dimes. I’m predicting CJ Cron to Boston. It want be a big name. The Yankees are gonna obliterate there farm system for rentals roflmao
adshadbolt
I just don’t see the Sox having the kind of prospects that the twins are looking for they only high end prospect the have is casas and he’s an untouchable for me other than that I don’t think they have the guys to get a deal done especially if names like Kirby and Hancock are being thrown around
The Baseball Fan
Rays Just got Diego Castillo
LASTSON86
Too little too late. Thanks for ruining a great season Chaim. Looking forward to all the basement “prospects” that are gonna come up and do jacks*it the next several years while every other contending team is making moves to get better. MORON!
trussell
Mariners better NOT give up Kirby or Hancock!!!
Dusty Baker's tooth pick.
This has been the most exciting deadline i can remember
jimmertee
Berrios is a 2 turns of the batting order 6 inning pitcher. Not a #1. He’s a weak #2 in the rotation. He is worth a prospect or two but not a top 50 prospect.
Baldkid
ummm, aren’t most pitchers now 5-6 inning pitchers?
MarkoRock68
Jimmer thinks it is still 1995.
smuzqwpdmx
Anybody who can get through 2 turns of the batting order in 6 innings is a #1.
By the way, Berrios led the league in complete games in 2018. This year he’s third. He’s regularly among the innings pitched leaders too.
AL34
The Yankees always over inflate their rookies so teams bite in them. I remember years ago with Bam Bam Muelens, Paul Mirabelli, Henry Cotto, Maas, Sam Milatello, Balboni. Plus the Yankees always throw in that “Under The Table Money”.
jimmertee
Don’t forget the legendary Rob Refsnyder.
Altuves Buzzer
Would toronto dare take Donaldson back. Eating those 2 remaining years would be something they could stomach more then most in terms of luxury line and the secondary revenues….,a lot of folks up here have a special place in their hearts for 2015….if it lowered the Berrios ask significantly id do it, as long as Grichuk goes back the other way
twins33
The Twins aren’t desperate for money so I would be shocked if they would trade Berrios and Donaldson together. They would want the max return they could get for Berrios.
smuzqwpdmx
Donaldson’s contract isn’t that bad…. sure he’s been hurt a bit, but he’s been hitting and it’s only a couple years on the contract now. He raises the cost of a trade, certainly doesn’t lower it.