The Twins made a push to trade for Ervin Santana before the Royals acquired him this week, Darren Wolfson of 1500ESPN.com reports. The Twins were “in heavily” on Santana, but they wanted the Angels to absorb more than $1MM in salary. Here are some more Twins-related notes from Wolfson…
- Rays starter James Shields could become a target for the Twins in Wolfson’s view.
- Assistant GM Rob Antony was expected to speak with the agent for second baseman Alexi Casilla yesterday. It seems likely that the Twins will non-tender Casilla, who’s arbitration eligible this winter. You can view MLBTR’s full list of non-tender candidates here.
- The Twins have inquired about right-hander Randy Messenger. The 31-year-old last pitched at the MLB level in 2009, but he is coming off of a strong season with the Hanshin Tigers in Japan. Messenger posted a 2.52 ERA with 7.6 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 in 196 2/3 innings this past season.
Who would the Rays want for Shields? Span and prospects?
I’d say Span for sure, and maybe two other level B prospects. Maybe Liam Hendriks and Joe Benson? I don’t think the Rays would go for this scenario, but I wouldn’t give up much more if I were the Twins with Shields’ contract situation.
Twins won’t trade Liam, Benson and a Hudson
Then no way do they get shields. None those players are even in the top few twins prospects.
Span for Shields is already a minnesota overpay.
albeit a slight overpay
i disagree, i think Span for Shields is a slight tampa overpay. Shields has stuck out over 220 that last 2 years and is signed through 2014 with a team friendly contract
You are way overvaluing span there. Shields is a very very good #2 starter, era has changed, but his xFIP has fallen 3.24/3.25 last 2 years. Span really hasn’t been all that great a hitter since his first 2 years in the majors. Sure he provides good defense in center, but in reality that is about all that he provides.
A very good #2 outweights a defensive minded outfielder in value, and it’s not even close.
If you compare Baseball-Reference’s WARs across their careers, Span is worth a touch more (16.5 in 5 years) than Shields (17 in 7 years). Especially for last year (Span = 4.8 vs. Shields = 2.2). This doesn’t even account for the years/$$$ left on each contract.
Don’t get me wrong, I believe that Shields might be worth the overpay given the state of the Twin’s pitching staff. But I think you may be undervaluing defensive-minded CF with high OBP.
I do value high obp center-fielders, just span isn’t one of those. .331/.328/.342 is his obp over the past 3 years.
someone that can put up a 3.25 xFIP has a value that is much higher than a cf with a .335-.340 obp
If it was the span of earlier in his career that put up a .390 obp in his first 2 years it would be different.
Shields saves at least 30 runs over an average pitcher, span probably only saves maybe 10 over the average cfer.
Span and Benson for Shields and Wade seems fair to me.
trade for Wade Davis (he couldn’t he crack the Rays rotation last year but could possibly be a #2 here)
He would be perfect for the Twins. For who?
i would do either Span or Revere
NO WAY the Twins trade any of them for Wade Davis, maybe Benson. Also unless the Twins get a ace pitcher they won’t trade Revere!
keep dreaming…the Twins aren’t getting an ace pitcher for Revere
Now that sounds like a legit Twins target. Over/under on “Messenger delivers!” references by Bert, The Dazzle Man and Bremer is currently set at 52,450 for 2013.
I can’t be the only one out there that is surprised to see Randy Messenger still in professional baseball…
I’m more surprised the Hanshin Tigers got nearly 200 innings out of him.