The Diamondbacks are reportedly gearing up to sell by Wednesday’s deadline, which could make left-hander Robbie Ray one of the game’s most popular trade candidates during the next few days. The Twins are among the teams that have inquired about Ray, Jon Morosi of MLB.com tweets.
On paper, the 27-year-old Ray would be a quality get for the Twins or any other team. He’s a capable starter who’s affordable right now ($6.05MM salary) and controllable via arbitration through next season. One of the majors’ premier strikeout artists dating back to 2016, Ray has fanned a prodigious 11.85 batters per nine this year across 123 innings. At the same time, though, he has issued 4.24 walks per nine, induced ground balls at a mere 38.4 percent clip and allowed home runs on an unappealing 19.1 percent of fly balls. Ray’s control and homer problems have led to a 3.95 ERA/4.27 FIP, which is solid but not excellent.
In terms of bottom-line results, Ray’s not a massive upgrade over any of the Twins’ current complements to top starter Jose Berrios. Kyle Gibson, Jake Odorizzi, Michael Pineda and Martin Perez have posted similar numbers in the run prevention and-or fielding-independent pitching categories. With that said, a Ray acquisition could still make plenty sense for a Minnesota team facing a great deal of uncertainty in its starting staff after the season.
Aside from Berrios, nobody from the Twins’ rotation is a lock to return in 2020. Gibson, Odorizzi and Pineda are pending free agents, while Perez has a $7MM club option (or a $500K buyout). As such, adding Ray could bolster the AL Central-leading Twins’ rotation now while taking care of an offseason need in one fell swoop.
Are we going to run the “Twins inquire on every starter headline” daily?
I think the front office pays reporters to print these stories so that they can say afterwards, “Well…we tried.”
Certainly, if the price is right. Pick him up for next year.
Wes Johnson could probably help turn the kid into a beast.
The Twins would never do it, but I wonder if a team could catch a break on the return if they agreed to also take on Greinke’s and his entire salary.
Go get them Eppler, Arte has been known to spend “stupid money”.
Right!? Which starters haven’t they inquired?
I hope the Sox are inquiring on someone.
Inquired? When? Still seems like an attempt to kick start the trade market to me.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the fact that we’re actually being active on the trade market and all, but our highest priority should be adding to our weak a** bullpen. Falvey should focus on adding to the rotation in the offseason; or at least fix the bullpen first.
Trust me, I like Ray and Syndergaard, but personally I think Carlos Martinez is the best fit for the Twins; current bullpen help/controllable starting pitching.
I don’t know if the cardinals are selling now they are in first place…but I could actually still see them trading Carlos if they can find another closer or at least get a left handed bat or reliever
What about Grienke? If the Diamondbacks are absolute sellers wouldn’t they be open to eating at least some of that ridiculous contract considering he is too old to help them win a future championship?
Have you seen his numbers? And you Twins fans sure are forgetful about your own history. Zack is a far better pitcher than Jack Morris, who carried the 91 team to a WS.
I wonder what criteria Greinke used to come up with his do not trade list.
I saw some good teams on that list. Doesn’t he want to win a WS?
He could demand a financial incentive to be traded to those teams.
Zack Greinke has social anxiety disorder, that might have something to do with the teams on the list.
In his first season with the Brewers, after he had requested a trade from the Royals, Zack Greinke admitted he didn’t like the attention he received. In Milwaukee.
Greinke told The Star’s Sam Mellinger in 2011: “People have been talking to me more, and I don’t like that. Everyone seems to be noticing me, looking at me and stuff. I don’t like that.”
^ Kansas City Star 9:20/17
Players, like Grienke, generally update their no trade clause yearly just before the season begins. The latest rumored clause published that I can find is 30 November 2018 which means it’s probably out of date.. So unless another one is found or reported we have no idea who is on his current list.
I suppose the list is negotiable if Greinke is approached with a trade. Might as well put teams on that list which might offer more to tempt him.
After getting used to winning alot before the break, the losses are extremely painful. Please get a great SP, we can move Gibby to bullpen for a few innings. Getting an extra closer to compliment Taylor Rogers would be wonderful as well. Twins fans have been faithful through thick and thin over the years. Start spending some ca$h. Sure we care about future years, but dammit, we care about continuing to WIN NOW!!!
Didn’t mean Gibby as a closer, meant an addition to our team.