Interest in the Twins’ available trade pieces spiked following the club’s dismissal of general manager Terry Ryan, reports ESPN’s Buster Olney. Many executives from other clubs expected that he would take a fairly conservative approach at the non-waiver trade deadline, but the way in which interim GM Rob Antony (Ryan’s longtime assistant GM) will proceed is yet an unknown. Olney lists Kurt Suzuki, Brandon Kintzler, Fernando Abad and Ervin Santana as potentially appealing chips on the Twins, and Eduardo Nunez’s name can probably be added to that list as well; he was reported recently to be among Minnesota’s most asked-about trade pieces.
A few more notes on the trade market…
- Abad has long appeared to be a logical trade candidate for the Twins, though he tells Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press that he was slowed late last month and in early July by a minor back issue that limited his usage. Abad says his back is at full strength again, but the minor tweak was a big part of the reason that he’s pitched in just five games since June 22. Abad says that he’s happy in Minnesota and would like to stay, but a left-handed reliever with a 2.73 ERA, 8.2 K/9, 3.9 BB/9 and a 46.2 percent ground-ball rate that is earning a $1.25MM base salary this year figures to be a sought-after piece — especially considering the fact that he’s controllable through 2017.
- Orioles general manager Dan Duquette joined MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM to discuss his team’s needs at the trade deadline this week (audio link). “Our team’s strengths are pretty clear,” said Duquette. “We’ve got a good bullpen, we’ve good defense, we score a lot of runs. If we can find some consistency to our starting pitching, we can probably advance to the playoffs. That’s really where our focus is: we’re trying to get some consistency to our starting pitching. We’re also looking around the trade market, which by the way is quite thin this year when it comes to starting pitchers.” Duquette adds that Dylan Bundy will continue to get an opportunity in the rotation for the foreseeable future and said the team also expects continued improvement from Kevin Gausman. The Baltimore GM added that the asking price in trades for starters has been high since the offseason, making it difficult for deals to come together and heightening the risk for acquiring clubs.
- The Giants could match up with the Brewers on a trade for bullpen help, reports Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle (Twitter link). The Brewers, according to Schulman, have been scouting Giants pitching prospect Adalberto Mejia recently and are believed to think quite highly of the left-hander, who rated 91st on Baseball America’s midseason list of the game’s Top 100 prospects. Mejia recently moved up to Triple-A and has enjoyed a strong all-around season in the minors, working to a 2.77 ERA with 8.4 K/9 against 2.1 BB/9 in 100 2/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. Of course, he’s also a nearly MLB-ready arm, and the Giants have been in need of rotation depth for much of the season. San Francisco could also simply turn to Mejia in the bullpen for the remainder of the year if it preferred not to sacrifice big-league-ready pitching depth, though that’s just my speculation. The Giants have been linked to Brewers relievers Will Smith and Jeremy Jeffress of late.
- If the Brewers want to extract maximum value for Jonathan Lucroy, the time to trade him is in the next 11 days, writes Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. While demand in the offseason may be greater with more teams looking for catching help, clubs won’t be willing to part with as much this winter, and beyond that Lucroy is currently in the midst of an offensive surge that is bolstering his value. He’s been connected to the Rangers and Indians within the past few days, and Haudricourt writes, “…rest assured there have been talks with other clubs as well.”
ATL needs to be in on Lucroy. Not because we are a contender needing a piece – but b/c he could help the young staff continue to develop and add some much needed offense.
Only if he agrees to an extension.
That is a good point and try to extend him a couple years, still giving him a shot at FA for one last big deal.
The man is 30 and a catcher to boot… His
Time for a large contract is now.
Lucroy has made it clear he wants to play for a contender. Atlanta is the wrong direction. It would be foolish for them to trade for him.
Lucroys deal will be up before the braves contend again and there is no way he would want to sign an extension so it would be a complete waste of prospects to trade for him
What? Atlanta would just trade him next summer and in the meantime give up much needed prospects to acquire him. Trading him would be equivalent to being on a 2-year treadmill.
Off topic, but something I’ve always wondered. Out of curiosity, why do the links go to Baseball Reference instead of Fangraphs?
Would love to Cubs go after Abad even after Montgomery deal. Cubs still have lots of useful pieces that are blocked at big league level. Billy McKinney comes to mind as someone who could be a name in that potential deal.
McKinney should be able to net more than Abad.
Just like how everyone thought Vogelbach should have gotten more than Montgomery? GM’s and fans don’t value players the same.
In defense of that trade Montgomery is still young with 5 more years of control, therefore making him more expensive
So true everyone over rates the prospects their team has. McKinney has very little power playing a corner outfield position. Most teams want power from a corner outfield position. So getting a player that will help you get to post season is his value but not as valuable as a coveted all star.
True. McKinney looks like he’ll be Ryan Sweeney 2.0 offensively.
Stop.
Such an insightful comment
Abad might be a good pick up, but a rental, I believe. I wouldn’t give even McKinney for Abad. If I was gonna give up McKinney and maybe another low level prospect, I’d go after Will Smith.
Abad is controlled thru 2017.
Can you seriously say the Braves are a contender with a straight face? Lol. Even next year they are not going to be contending… That’s kind of a big deal to Lucroy. Also to get Lucroy you would need to give the very same prospects that would help you become a contender…. Please spare me now!
Dude don’t be such a jerk. Learn to read. He said not because they are a contender. Openly admitting that they are not and need to develop the staff. Yes lucroy would cost prospects but not All the young players ATL is developing. I’m not sure it’s a smart trade for ATL but it surely would not hurt them especially if they signed an extension as proposed.
“IF” is the big unknown. Would be REAL dumb for him not to test FA
Lucroy’s next deal is going to start in the Martin range. I just don’t see him signing that with Atlanta before FA.
Texas needs to get Abad and find a way to package Ricky Nolasco with him because they need pitching badly but not badly enough to trade away Gallo or Profar since they could be a huge help especially right now with Fielder and Choo down
Nolasco? Do they need pitching badly, or just someone who pitches badly?
Would the Cardinals consider Lucroy for catching and first base?
Doubtful the Brewers trade Lucroy within the division, nor would the Cardinals want to watch their prospects develop in Milwaukee and hurt them down the road.
I mean if STL wants to empty the farm, then maybe. But considering his already high price and competition in the market, the price will be that much higher for STL since they are in the same division.
With Cain appearing to be nearly done and the Shark struggling, I’d much rather see Mejia slotted in the fifth spot in the rotation right now than dangled for a reliever.
If those are the relievers Evans is targeting we’re in trouble.
Lucroy had a few injury prone down years and now he’s back to form long enough to trade him. I love it. Catchers are like running backs. His next contract will be huge and screw that team up. I Just can’t wait to see what sucker gives up the farm for him. Maybe the’ll take Braun too and really give up the prospects. I hope we keep will smith. Give them Jeffries
A few injury prone years? You sure you’re a Milwaukee fan? He was an All Star in 2014 and last year he had a broken toe, (catcher injury) and a concussion. Wouldn’t exactly call that injury prone. Some team will give up some quality prospects for him and rightfully so. Not often you get a top 3 catcher at a bargain salary that can play 1B as well, therefore keeping his bat in the lineup daily. Not to mention he’s a great clubhouse presence and a high character guy. As far as a big contract? He’ll get paid but he won’t get Fielder or ARod money. He’ll get paid similar to Russell Martin or Yadier Molina. 12 to 15m a year. Not exactly franchise breaking money.
If I had to guess I would foresee a little more than Molina, just simply due to inflation. I would guess more like 18-20m a year.
Lucroy not in starting lineup tonight…….
I have to apologize for what I said about a comment earlier. I obviously misread what Big Green Egg wrote… My bad. Though being on a contending team is very important to Lucroy. Again, my mistake.
The Giants need a starter and pen help….. A number of there staff should be gone at seasons end….. Time to reload…!!!!
Why do u think they should sell
Who would they sell ?