Rosenthal's Latest: Feliz, Nathan, Sexson

Pence + for Nathan?

I always have trouble valuing closers.

Also... doesn't the Cardinals' offense blow everywhere EXCEPT 1B?

Is it true that Sexson was put on waiver and got claimed by a club (Tigers?) during the summer? If so, why did the Mariners decide to keep him?

Just curious, would the Twins stay in-house for a closer if Nathan was dealt or do you think they would try to sign someone like Dotel as a stopgap closer? Could Neshek close?

I admit to not seeing many Giants games becuase it made me sick to see Barroid Bonds, but is Feliz really that bad of an option for the Cards? I mean Rolen would normally hit higher than .253 but I would have loved to get 20 HRs out of him last season.

If the Twins were to move Nathan to the Astros they would want Costanzo and either Paulino, Patton or Gutierrez in return.

Sexson to the Yanks!

I really hope the Astros don't give up Pence, he's like 1/3rd their offense. Maybe in a deal for Cabrera...

Then again, Cooper and Co. have said they're going to build around "pitching, speed, and defence", so I guess there's no room for offense.

Probably going to try (and fail) with a Luke Scott / Chris Burke package.

As a longtime Giant fan, I have to say that Pedro Feliz may be one of the worst hitters in major league baseball.

He has absolutely no plate discipline and watching him hit will drive you nuts. He'll take fastballs down the center of the plate and then swing at any breaking pitch of the plate away. If there is ever anyone on base ahead of him, he's easy to induce into a double play groundout.

I'd be surprised if the Astros parted with Pence for a closer.

I think the Astros would be peddling their "top" pitching prospects - Troy Patton, Felipe Paulino and Matt Albers. The Astros also have a handful of low level outfielders. Luke Scott, Wandy Rodriguez, and Chris Burke could also be packaged in a deal.

All that said, I don't think the Astros can trump other teams looking for a closer (ie. Brewers)

If I'm the Twins, I'd ask for (at least) Paulino, Samuel Gervacio and Mitch Einertson.

thank the mariners and dodgers might be worried now to know kuroda is not limited to the west coast, especially since Dayton Moore wants him in KC so bad? Expect to see "Gil Meche" money thrown out there.

i agree with darin, the only way pence goes anywhere is in a trade for a young starter...a la ian snell, etc

i would tip my hat to ed wade if he could land nathan for a bunch of our prospects. the matsui and brocail signings aside, that would be a coupe

To my understanding, Chris Burke are Felipe Paulino are involved in the talks regarding Joe Nathan. My only problem is that this is Nathans contract year, meaning he will be a free agent at seasons end. I'd like to get him signed to an extension ASAP if this trade were to happen.

Nathan would be a great fit for the Astros, but Pence isn't going anywhere.

I wonder if Luke Scott might be going to MIN, since the Twins are a bit light on power-hitting outfielders...

Also, the Astros have scads of decent young starters just past prospect level, so one or 2 of them may be included.

Astrosfan, you are right, however, I think the Astros are trying to sell the Twins on the fact that Nathan is a free agent at seasons end and there is no guarantee that he will re-sign. Therefore, there is no sense in giving up more than 2 players for him.

Joe Nathan has been one of the top 3 closers in all of baseball over the past 3 years. go look again at his numbers, if you haven't lately. there's no way a league average (at best) player such as Scott or Burke + some table scraps gets it done.

Capsaicin, under normal circumstances, you would be right. But this is his last year and the Twins want to trade him now and get something in return for him before he leaves and they get nothing. I'm not saying Burke and Scott would get it done, but it will probably end up being 1 of those along with Felipe Paulino or Juan Guiterrez for Nathan, if it gets done.

Johan Santana is in the exact same position with respect to free agency, and the Twins could still get one of the best pitching prospects anywhere, a MLB-proven CF, plus another decent prospect for him. today. judging by what Johan's next contract will be ($22M+/yr), and what the price of a top closer is ($12-15M/yr), Nathan should be able to bring back around half the value of the Johan package, no?

exclusive negotiation rights for a long-term extension is what it's about, not just the one year left before free agency..

I think you really need a good closer when you are a contending team, and the Astros do not fit that profile. Why are they going to expend resources on a closer?

"The Twins are discussing Joe Nathan with the Astros. Interesting match but who goes over to Minnesota in that one?"

It has got to start with Hunter Pence, because that is obviously the Twins biggest need, unless they get one for Santana. I think the Twins might have to throw something else in to get Pence though, because he is very good, though Nathan is one of the most important pieces on a team. We'll see though, they could settle for something like Bourn and maybe Brad James/Troy Patton. Then again are those guys your top prospects, because I don't know much about the Astro's minors?

If the Astros were going to trade Hunter Pence to the Twins, it would be in a package for Santana....but Ed Wade is running the show, so maybe Pence, JR Towles and Troy Patton for Nathan and Carlos Silva. I know Silva's a free agent, but Wade probably doesn't.

Seriously though, Pence is vastly under rated, and if Ed Wade is dumb enough to trade him, the entire city of Houston would burn down Minute Maid Park.

how about this: Hunter Pence for Joe Nathan, Juan Rincon and Jesse Crain?

Nathan is a stud. I would love to dump K-Rod and land Nathan. If he played for a different team (maybe one in NY or Boston) all we would ever hear about is how Nathan is the best closer in the game.

The Twins don't need to dump him for crap. He will be a Type A and return draft picks they hold on to him.

If Hunter Pence played for the Yankees or Boston, Melky or Ellsbury would be sitting on the bench.

"If Hunter Pence played for the Yankees or Boston, Melky or Ellsbury would be sitting on the bench."

I wouldn't go that far, but Melky and Jacoby sure as hell wouldn't be in center, because Pence is at least a potential 25 HR guy.

"The Mariners desperately want to trade Richie Sexson." Hmmm... Yes... and in related stories, Jeff Weaver would really like to win the Cy Young and Bill Bavasi would love to grow hair once more... Just a bit unlikely, I'm thinking.