The Twins already boast one of baseball's top payrolls at $97MM, but that doesn't mean the club will be unwilling to take on money at the trade deadline. Team president Dave St. Peter spoke to La Velle E. Neal III of The Star Tribune yesterday, telling him that the front office discussed ways to improve the club during a routine meeting, including the ability to up the payroll.
"We think we have some flexibility," St. Peter said. "The last couple of years we have had some flexibility to try to make the team better."
"We feel like we are well-positioned, if we so choose, to make a move to make the team better," he said. "Ultimately, we are about trying to get better. If that means trade, if that means kids from the minor leagues, great."
The Twins made several moves last season and acquired Jon Rauch, Carl Pavano, Ron Mahay, and Orlando Cabrera at the trade deadline. Although their rumored interest in Cliff Lee is the hot topic, the team also has a clear need at the hot corner: Twins' third basemen are hitting a league low .228/.297/.299. Minnesota reportedly will not surrender 2009 first round pick Kyle Gibson in a trade, but they have a great chip in catcher Wilson Ramos, who was recently activated from the disabled list in Triple-A.
“We think we have some flexibility,” Sounds like they are pandering to the fans by saying we can make a move and then when they don’t do anything they will say nothing was good was out there.
Just like last year when they did nothing
I definitely think they get something done, last year people didn’t expect any movies, I know I wasn’t expecting anything and was pretty excited about the Cabrera pick up.
I think it’s pretty obvious that at least something good is out there. The Twins will acquire at least one piece, be it an SP or 3B… they’re not going to be idle this deadline.
say what you will I however am very excited to see who they pick up
Come on Twins it’s time to get it done!
Ted Lilly to the Twins perhaps?
No thanks! There isn’t enough of an improvement over the current rotation for that to matter. IMO: Cliff Lee or thanks for trying.
I’d take Roy Oswalt if we can’t get Cliff Lee. After that, there’s not much in the way of available pitching that interests me.
Maybe Dan Haren, but I think he is going to cost too much in the way of prospects (not to mention payroll). That and the GM change will make things interesting.
I would say Aardsma and Lee would fit nicely.
They may be willing to add a little but they won’t add anything significant
As a White Sox fan I hope they dont make any moves. But I dont see how getting Ted Lilly isnt an improvement over the current rotation. He is better than Baker, Slowey and Pavano. Liriano has more potential than the others and possibly higher upside than Lilly but anything is an improvement. I think if the Chubbies are smart they would move Lilly and Aramis Ramirez for a package of players. Of course that Ramos kid is too much and I am not familiar at all with the Twins’ farm system but they are one of those fundamentally sound teams and I am sure they have some good pieces. GO WHITE SOX!
While Ted Lilly have a good ERA it’s in large part because of his low BABIP .243 so there are probably some who believe that his performance have been quite lucky. His ERA stands at 3.12 but both FIP and xFIP have him doing worse with 4.20 and 4.60, while not every one likes to use these stats they should be kept in mind. Scott Baker have a FIP 3.87 and xFIP 3.74 so He looks to outperform Lilly from here on so does Carl Pavona with a FIP 3.87 and xFIP 3.99. Kevin Slowey looks to perform on almost the same level as Lilly with 4.22 and 4.63. So Ted Lilly seems to bring little improvement here.
Sounds like this could have some interest for the Red Sox. The Twins are looking for a strong third baseman, and the Sox are looking to unload Mike Lowell. Also, with both V-Mart and Varitek on the DL, the Sox could use some more depth behind the plate.
No way Ramos, or even Morales is included in a trade for old, worthless Mike Lowell.
What is Seattle’s deal with Jose Lopez? I know he hasn’t been hitting well, but I know they were trying to shop him last offseason. If Lopez can improve his offense in the next month, Ramos for Lopez?
that is hardly better that ramos for lowell