The Twins plan to hold onto Josh Willingham through the trade deadline, reports Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (via Twitter). Minnesota could, however, deal the outfielder over the August waiver period.
Willingham, 35, had been said to be a possible acquisition target of several clubs looking for right-handed pop from the corner outfield. Though he has only a .222 batting average on the year, he has reached base at a .363 clip and slugged a respectable .422 (though that latter figure is well off his career .468 mark). The veteran is earning $7MM this season in the final leg of a three-year pact.
why.
Incredible how that “bargain contract” is suddenly bad enough to make him pass through waivers in August. How things change.
I only understand this if he was actually good enough to be offered a qualifying offer.
He’s not.
This may save Jack Z from himself in Seattle. Last thing they need is another Corey Hart (all swing, no plate discipline, mediocre-at-best fielder) in the lineup. If they’ve really moved on from Byrd, time to go after Rios with a passion. Will he cost a lot in prospects? Yes, but he’s signed through next year with an option for 2016, and he’ll be MORE than reasonable compared to any of the free agent dreck out there. Make it happen, Jack!
You mean the same Josh Willingham that has a career .360OBP and has a .363OBP this year? Yes, all swing in this guy, especially how his average is .120 points below his on base percentage.
Put him in Safeco. He doesn’t have ballpark proof power, and his swing will become longer. Whiff, whiff, whiff. It would be a huge mistake. Rios is probably out of reach; I’d rather have Ludwick than Willingham.
Perhaps you’re unaware he played in Oakland before and last time I checked Oakland is one of the most pitcher friendly ballparks in all of baseball because like Seattle, they play their home games on the West Coast. Perhaps you’re also unaware that he batted better at home that year. With that being said, I’m aware he’s not exactly the same hitter he was a few years ago, he’s still however a good disciplined hitter and has been for his entire career which totally contradicts your entire statement of him being another Corey Hart.
Well, I guess it’s because he is playing so well… err, no, it’s because the Twins are still in contention… umm, wait I know, it’s because he is so inexpen…
OK, I give up.
I wish Terry Ryan could work some of that trade magic where he got Johan Santana, Liriano, Nathan, David Ortiz, ect. for nothing.
Personally, I think the only likely explanation is that no other team actually wants him, despite the rumors. Otherwise, the Twins would trade him merely for salary relief plus a low-ceiling prospect that’ll never see more than 100 Major League ABs with the team.
At this point, based on what we’ve seen this season and last, he’s basically an overpriced 4th OF/platoon DH caliber player. Therefore, he will be a top candidate to be the Twins starting left fielder next season at an only slightly reduced salary. You heard it here first.
facepalm
Unless the Twins are committed to resigning Willingham, it makes absolutely zero sense to keep him. He’s not getting a qualifying offer from the Twins — nobody would be that stupid — so they’re not keeping him for the compensation pick. Trade him for a bag of balls for cryin’ out loud. Get something in exchange. I can’t believe that not a single team didn’t offer cash considerations or a conditional PTBNL.
I agree. Has little to no trade value. Get whatever you can…
Willingham has hit 11 homeruns in 238 at bats, which translates to roughly 26 homeruns over the course of a full year.
(He hurt his wrist after being beaned the second week of the season and missed a considerable amount of time, but his knees have been healthy all year.)
In essence, he is having (more or less) a par year. Perhaps a savvy GM will understand this and pick him up as a valuable piece to a pennant drive.
Well wouldn’t that time be now? Are you talking August
If a team waits until August, they run the risk of another team claiming (or blocking) him. I can’t say I fully understand why some players make it through and others don’t.
Unless this is some bizarre attempt at a PR bluff to try to get someone to pay more to get him a couple weeks “early” I don’t understand.