Nationals Send Matt Capps to the Minnesota Twins

Certain trade rumors light up the Twitter Universe like fireflies on a clear summer's night. When word spread that Minnesota Twins’ catching prospect Wilson Ramos was removed from his Triple-A game and that he might be traded for Matt Capps, the Twitter Universe lit up.

The rumor was met with mostly astonishment from the Twins perspective. There is no way a smart organization like the Twins would trade a top prospect for an above average closer, would they?

Well they did.

The Twins traded catching prospect Wilson Ramos and minor league pitcher Joe Testa for Matt Capps. The Twins will also receive cash from the Nationals.

I, for one, am shocked by this trade.

Capps has had a nice bounce back season in Washington, posting a 2.74 ERA in 47 IP. And for what it’s worth, his 26 saves are good for fourth in the NL.

Capps should replace Jon Rauch as the closer in Minnesota, but Capps isn’t a game changing closer. He’s just as shaky as Rauch, and isn't trustworthy in a big spot in October at Fenway Park or Yankee Stadium.

The Twins gave up the 42nd ranked prospect in baseball prior to the season according to Keith Law for a stop gap closer, who has mediocre stuff. I really don’t see the difference between Capps, Rauch, or Matt Guerrier; they are all the same to me.

Capps is under team control as an arbitration-eligible player next season. So, the Twins traded Ramos and Testa for 1.5 seasons of his services. If you figure Capps’ salary is going to raise from $3.5 million to $5 million in arbitration, and if you figure that Joe Nathan is going to be healthy next season, Capps becomes a very expensive setup man in 2011.

Ramos has hit .241/.280/.345 in Triple A with five homers this season, and while he might be having a down year, he still should be good enough to be the Nationals catcher of the future. Any time a team can trade a player who doesn’t fit into their long-term plans for their X or Y position of the future, it’s a good move.

First overall pick in 2011, Bryce Harper, will be shifting from catcher to the outfield, so there is no issue there.

Ramos’ future in Minnesota was hindered by the presence of Joe Mauer, but the Twins sold low on him. A couple of weeks ago, Ramos was rumored to be part of a potential Cliff Lee deal. Now he gets traded for Capps?

Not a good trade for the Twins.

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