When the Twins decided to change course and begin selling assets, righty Brandon Kintzler immediately became the club’s most obvious trade chip. He’s a pending free agent with an affordable salary and sterling track record over the past two seasons. While contenders won’t likely be targeting him as a closer, he has succeeded in that role over the past two seasons in Minnesota.
Here’s the latest chatter on his still-developing market:
- The Twins appear to be nearing a trade involving Kintzler, though it’s not yet apparent where he’s headed, according to a tweet from ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick.
- Also still involved on Kintzler are the Diamondbacks, per LaVelle E. Neal III of the Star Tribune (Twitter link).
- The Nationals are indeed “in touch” on Kintzler today, tweets Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post, with MLB.com’s Jon Morosi characterizing things similarly on Twitter by citing “ongoing discussions” between the teams.
- Discussions are likely to go right up until the deadline at 4pm EST today, per Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (via Twitter). The Nationals and Rockies are among the teams that have checked in on Kintzler, he notes. Likewise, the Rays have shown at least some interest, per 1500 ESPN’s Darren Wolfson (via Twitter).
- With the Red Sox landing Addison Reed, that may have taken one suitor out of the running. But it also perhaps teed up Kintzler as the next-most-appealing righty rental reliever. As MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand suggests on Twitter, the volume of traffic on Kintzler now has the Twins believing he’ll be dealt today.
Kintzler to the Astros for Yordan Alvarez
I don’t see the Twins parting with Kintzler unless they get multiple MLB pieces back in return. They’re still on track to compete next season and they could still reasonably make the postseason this year as well. No need to trade a controllable closer unless you’re rebuilding or you get a monster return, neither of which will likely apply to this situation.
The post clearly states that he’s a free agent after this year
Kintzler is a rental
Kintzler is not controllable, he will be a free agent after this season.
and also, he isn’t very good. So multiple MLB pieces is laughable.
This season he is, without a doubt, “very good.”
Could an argument be made that he won’t be in the future? Sure. However, saying he isn’t currently very good is laughable.
He’s definitely exaggerating. I think he just means that there’s no sense giving up multiple MLB pieces for a good but not great reliever that isn’t on the level of Chapman, Miller, etc.
Addison reed got Boston’s 18,23, and 28th best prospects. Kintzler is not as good but he is a lot cheaper and still really good so he should bring back 2 prospects around that level
I think that’s a fair statement, although it’s important to note that the guys the Mets got for Reed are all relief prospects
Doesnt really matter what position they play. The braves were going to take burdi for garcia but it witched to ynoa both mid 20’s prospects burdi is 100% a reliever while ynoa is being brought around as a SP
If the Cardinals still they can compete I could see them in on him. They seem to pick up a relief arm ever deadline.
Kinsler is not a front line closer. Very few clean innings and his stuff isn’t overwhelming. He is a very nice compliment to a bullpen for a club in a pennant race.
Worth a couple prospects….prospects ranked 15-30 in an MLB teams farm system. As a Rockies fan I wouldn’t mind seeing another reliever added. The more the better in Colorado.
Who is the twins closer post Kintzler?
byron buxton
Pressly has the stuff but isn’t getting the results. I’d go Hildenberger if we’re talking guys already with the team.
Yeah that’s a rough pen there. I was thinking maybe Tyler Duffey would be in the running but there isn’t much there
Pressly closed a couple games last year if I remember correctly. His stuff played way up in the 9th, but hasn’t been the same since. If the Twins sell Kintzler, I would give Pressly first opportunity to fail, Hildenberger would be next in line in my opinion.
Chris Gimenez
Yes.
well options A,B, and C ( burdi, chargios,, jay) all have had major injuries this year. so curtiss or pressly would be the best options.
Glen Perkins is advancing through his long-awaited rehab. He should be back pretty soon.
Good fit to close for Nats
I know this is off-topic but is there not gonna be a summary of the prospects brought back in the Addison Reed trade? Usually there’s a blurb somewhere about each prospect like “Taco Martinez is averaging 8.60 K with a 200 mph fastball and is ranked 10th overall on Baseball America bla bla bla” but i see nothing on the Reed Trio.
My only concern is that he does not miss a lot of bats, but the rest of his numbers a solid so it would be a good pick up. It would also allow Dusty to use Doolittle as a match up guy more. Doolittle, Madson, Kintzler would be a good 7,8,9
That’s not a real good 7,8,9 for the postseason. It might be enough w the Nats starting pitching but the Nats should be aiming a little higher than kintzler.
No intimidating guys, but combined with the starters and lethal offense, it’s respectable
the rockies don’t need a closer, but more back-end help doesn’t hurt. would rather a lefty though