I have mixed feelings about this development. The first thing that comes to mind is disgust; I would rather do three things than be forced to sign an old, frail third baseman with some pop and horrible defense. Here are the three things that I would rather do than sign Blake...
Trade for Adrian Beltre
I'm convinced the Twins have enough to get a deal done. Beltre has one of the best gloves in the game and carries a very solid bat at the plate. He would be a huge asset to an already powerful Twins middle-of-the-order.
It wouldn't take tons to get Beltre; but probably more than usual. The Mariners are stuck in the middle of a rebuilding mode and want to get as much fresh talent as possible. However, in the same light they might also want to get rid of Beltre and his hefty contract at all costs.
Whatever the case, the Twins could probably make a deal with Seattle involving Michael Cuddyer, Glen Perkins, and a lesser prospect.
The Twins could most likely land Beltre, but the question then raised is, "Do they want to?"
Trade for Garrett Atkins
This deal could also be made. The Rockies just traded for closer Huston Street, and there has been much talk about possibly turning him around and trading him again to fill other holes. The Twins have been mentioned among those who might be interested in Street, with the recent news that Neshek will miss 2009.
Joe C. disagrees. Huston Street was paid closer money, and the Twins have an elite closer in Joe Nathan already. I agree with Joe—although it would be nice to have a player of Street's caliber in the Twins' bullpen. If his ego would allow him to slide into the set-up role, the 2009 Twins bullpen would be among the top in the league.
Back to Atkins, though. He would provide a great bat in the middle of the lineup. Or would he? The biggest question raised about him is his awful home/road splits. He is hitting .342/.380/.523 with a .904 OPS in Colorado, but a dismal .233/.278/.383 with an OPS of .661on the road. Some may dispute whether or not the hitter-friendly Coors Field is the only reason Atkins is even worthy of a starting spot on a major league team.
It is risky to trade for Atkins, but it could reap huge dividends. If a change of scenery is all this soon-to-be 29-year old needs, than the Twins should jump at any chance of trading Michael Cuddyer and/or Glen Perkins for him. Of course, there is no way to know whether or not he would be a trade bust.
13 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Nino Colla 7 months ago
C'mon Minnesota, take the decision out of Mark Shapiro's hands!
I'm not sure how I would feel seeing Blake back in the central on a team like Minnesota..
Hmm........ I think I'd feel a lot better than if he were with the Indians.
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Andrew Kneeland 7 months ago
"I think I'd feel a lot better than if he were with the Indians."
Should that be taken as a warning to Minnesota fans? :)
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Nino Colla 7 months ago
Yes.....kind of..
Casey might put up decent numbers, but it more is a hope that he won't be back here than a warning to Minnesota..
He could totally fizzle out though as well. You just never know.
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Dan Wade 7 months ago
I think Beltre is going to be more expensive than a lot of fans believe. Seattle is rebuilding with a capital R, so I'm guessing Revere or Slama would be included in the deal over Cuddyer who is serviceable, but not exactly part of a long-term core.
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chris sumner 7 months ago
ok so getting rid of perkins is not an option. Keep that core group of guys in the rotation together. Beltre is not worth anymore then Cuddyer and the money we would pay him. Getting Atkins is probably the best option we are going to get because we wouldnt have to give up really that much for him.
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Andrew Kneeland 7 months ago
Thanks for the comment, Chris, but I respectfully disagree. Getting rid of Perkins is definitely an option in my opinion, and I would probably choose to trade him before anybody else on the team (unless somebody wanted Punto).
You are right in saying that Beltre wouldn't be worth what we trade for him, but that is because the M's are rebuilding and want as much as they can get. (Just like Dan said above.) I think that the Twins would get a steal of a deal if they could trade just Cuddyer and Beltre's contract cash for Beltre, regardless of whether or not the M's were rebuilding. Beltre is one of, if not the best defensive third baseman in the league.
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Brandon Heikoop 7 months ago
I'm not sure the Twins have what it takes for Beltre. Unless they are willing to dish out TOP TOP prospects, the Mariners will have no interest in eating some of Beltre's salary. The $11.5M owed is a lot of money for the small market Twins to take on. A nice dream, but far from a reality.
Kouzmanoff is a fair target, but how much better then Buscher is he? He would presumably cost Buscher PLUS a nice prospect or two simply because he has a greater track record, but its doubtful that track record would result in performance on the field.
Garrett Atkins would undoubtedly cost 2 or 3 times the amount you propose. The Rockies aren't in a cost-cutting mode, nor are they in a real need to move Atkins. I also wonder how high Atkins' arbitration figure will get this offseason. He made $4.4M in his first go-round of arbitration, so he is almost assured a raise. $7M isn't out of the question.
That said, $7M+prospects is a lot to pay for a gamble like Atkins.
What about Chad Tracy? Now there's an option!
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Andrew Kneeland 7 months ago
Normally $11.5 million would be a lot to take on, but the Twins had one of their lowest payrolls last year with the loss of Santana and Hunter. If the Twins can take on most or all of the salary I think a deal could be worked out. If the Twins can sign Blake, though, I don't want the Twins to sign Beltre. That would just be stupid.
As to Atkins, I'm sure the Twins could work something out with the "smart" Colorado GM.
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Brandon Heikoop 7 months ago
Not sure what you are referring to about the 'smart' Colorado GM?
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Andrew Kneeland 7 months ago
I was under the assumption that he, well, isn't the sharpest pencil in the drawer? I have heard many Rockies fans claim that they have the worst GM in the league
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Brandon Heikoop 7 months ago
He's made his fair share of gaffs, and the Holliday trade didn't do anything to help his reputation. However, he has made his fair share of intelligent moves (ie waiting for first round picks for Fuentes rather then trading him in a buyers market).
Overall, I don't know enough to assert whether he is terrible, or simply average.
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Andrew Kneeland 7 months ago
Very true, I guess. I guess I sort of meant it as a joke, but whatever. ;)
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Brandon Heikoop 7 months ago
Haha,
Either way, I think Blake is a fine option for the Twins. I just wonder what the hurry is to make such a marginal offensive upgrade.
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