The Twins beat the White Sox last night, which is actually a BIG deal. Losing two of three, or hell, three of three from the ChiSox could have potentially crippled the Twins before the trade deadline.
That said, I would argue it’s disappointing the Twins have waited this long in the first place to improve their team.
And maybe I’m an idiot… But doesn’t it seem like the Twins always make trading sound like an impossible task? In reality, it’s not hard — and not expensive — to upgrade over Punto/Casilla/Tolbert. And it wouldn’t have been hard to trade for Cla Meredith, who’s been touted in this web (and Twins Weekly) space for weeks now.
Let’s not make trading sound harder than it is.
That said, one of my favorite beat writers, Joe Christensen of the Star Tribune provided this nugget on Monday regarding the Orlando Cabrera sweepstakes:
Heard today that Oakland has asked for Class AAA Rochester 3B Danny Valencia in return for SS Orlando Cabrera. Twins would never do that, but it was a reminder that Valencia’s name probably comes up frequently in trade talks. Valencia didn’t play for Rochester tonight, making me suspicious, but I checked and Valencia was sick after going 0-for-6 on Sunday.
Let me say this. I certainly don’t doubt Joe’s credibility, because he’s a fantastic reporter. He’s reporting what he was told. But I believe whoever told Joe the A’s want Danny Valencia for Orlando Cabrera is full of BS.
The A’s, possibly more than any team in baseball, know the value of a mediocre rent-a-player, which is what Orlando Cabrera is. Billy Beane wouldn’t disrespect the Twins (I don’t think…) by asking for one of their top three prospects.
Could it be the Twins front office is simply floating this information to ultimately make it look better when either A.) they don’t make a trade, or B.) they trade a lesser player?
Who knows.
But the clock is ticking. A trade should have been made by now. Bullpen help should have been here long ago. A middle infielder with a wOBA over .275 (preferably over .315) should have been here long ago.
Might head to the dome for tomorrow’s game against the ChiSox. I’d like to see some new Twins walking around in the clubhouse.
Plus the A’s just landed Brett Wallace. Why request another third baseman?
Agreed. It just doesn’t make sense. And because the A’s know they won’t get ANYTHING for OC after the season (clause in contract bit), they’d be stupid to high-ball the Twins.
I don’t understand why Cla Meredith is being touted. He hasn’t been good since 2006.
1) Brett Wallace might not have the chops defensively to stay at 3rd base, part of the reason the Cardinals were ok to include him as the main piece in the Holliday trade. His future may lie at first or at DH.
2) Why would you be surprised Billy Bean asked for Valencia? He wants the best player(s) back he can get.
3) The Twins spreading mis-information? Please. Like they really have the time to do that/really care enough to do that. Does Joe Q Twins fan have ANY clue who the hell Valencia even is? Fuck no.
4) Orlando Cabrera is no better than Brendan Harris. In fact he is probably worse.
5) By all acounts, Phil, you are a good dude. But your baseball elitist style takes are really f-ing old. I f-ing HATE people like you who think because you following sabermetrics and other modern stats that you know more than other fans, and know more than even GMs. You act like GMs refuse to acknowledge these new age stats. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
6) The fantasy baseball challenge with PA is stupid and you know PA thinks the same thing.
PEACE BITCH I’M OUT.
Great job on ESPN NEWS last night. I’m just throwing this name out but would it be possible to get David Eckstein to help the middle infield and fill the 2 hole?
Normally I wouldn’t accept comments from uneducated morons like “The Real PMAC”, but I want to clear a couple things up.
1.) So, because you don’t understand sabermetrics, I’m an elitist? In reality, you are probably too lazy to look into new-age stats.
Why is it that stat-heads are singled out as elitist? Gleeman gets this type of comment a lot too.
2.) “You act like GMs refuse to acknowledge these new age stats. That couldn’t be further from the truth.”
The Twins do not use sabermetrics. This is based on frequent off-the-record conversations I’ve had with people in the front office. They are one of roughly 10 teams who do not base decisions on new-age stats.
3.) Next time use your real name and email address. Or go back to RubeChat. Whatever.