2011 Trade Watch (was trade deadline watch)

[MarquisDeSade]

the o's suck that was hilarious yesterday.

You know why posters like you and Sportsnyan rule?  Because you guys can hang and don't crap seriously.  Keeping kick azz d00d. 

[NatsSince05]

Jim Bowden's quote about relievers not being important is laughable.  He built possibly the worst bullpen in major league history here and the team lost 100 games every season.  If he thinks Storen for Span is a good idea, that's a perfect example of why we shouldn't make the trade.

[MarquisDeSade]

Jim Bowden's quote about relievers not being important is laughable.  He built possibly the worst bullpen in major league history here and the team lost 100 games every season.  If he thinks Storen for Span is a good idea, that's a perfect example of why we shouldn't make the trade.

It's really too bad the Nats didn't call you prior to hiring your boyfriend Rizzo.  Maybe you could have saved us from the 2009 Nats.

[houston-nat]

Because you guys can hang and don't crap seriously.

Hey, I'm sure hammonds takes crapting perfectly seriously.

[RD]

Just to throw this out there:

In 9 games on his rehab assignment, Span is hitting .206(7-35), with 1 2b, 0 walks, 5 K's.

Im not usually one to make a big deal of rehab numbers, and Im not here. However, coming off a concussion and he's having trouble making contact and is not as patient as he once was. That could signal thath e's not ready for big league action yet, and it may take a bit for him to get back up to speed once he does.

While I know it's not suppose to be a long term thing, Morneau sure hasn't been the same since(and I know he's had other issues, just saying).

[Lintyfresh85]

Ahahaha. That's a joke post, right?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

From mlbtr:

Are the Twins talking to any other team about Span?

Does anybody else think the Twins might be trying to get back at us for the Capps-Ramos trade???

I'm jumping 6 pages of threads to post a reply, so I'm not sure someone else has pointed this out.  

First, relievers are at max trade value at the trade deadline and not the winter.  There are always plenty of relievers who are available as FAs in the winter, so there is no compelling need to deal for one at that time.  At the trade deadline, contenders are looking for missing pieces and the value of a small improvement in the likelihood of making the playoffs (which is all that some people think most relievers provide) is enough to have a team overpay.  Span would be unlikely to be available for a reliever in the offseason.

Second, I don't believe the Twins necessarily want to move Span.  They should be thinking their shot at the playoff is pretty long still because they have to hope 3 teams ahead of them all play badly enough for MN to overtake the others.  those other 3 teams have all improved themselves this week, too (maybe not the Tigers, I/M/O).  If the Twins are thinking about a playoff spot, then they will want to fill multiple holes, thus the asking price.

Third, there's more than a chance that the Twins are looking at this deal as a rebuilding deal for their bullpen and infield than they are looking at it as a deal to contend. If that is the case, then the likelihood of finding a different valuation for a reliever v prospect is low (unlike last year when we dealt Capps).  

My guess is both sides walk away and no deal gets done because I don't see the willingness of the Twins to overpay (in Rizzo's mind, if not some on the board) for a reliever.

[hammondsnats]

wow someone is speculating on twitter nats would give up storen, bernadina, hood for span.  that's just way too much.  the lombo rumor was way too much too, imo.

[cmdterps44]

if they throw in hood than Rizzo should be fired.

[cmdterps44]

if they throw in hood than Rizzo should be fired.

Also because Storen and Hood are better than any of the other players that were traded in the Bourn and Pence deal and I would've rather had one of those guys.

[NatsSince05]

Just to throw this out there:

In 9 games on his rehab assignment, Span is hitting .206(7-35), with 1 2b, 0 walks, 5 K's.

Im not usually one to make a big deal of rehab numbers, and Im not here. However, coming off a concussion and he's having trouble making contact and is not as patient as he once was. That could signal thath e's not ready for big league action yet, and it may take a bit for him to get back up to speed once he does.

While I know it's not suppose to be a long term thing, Morneau sure hasn't been the same since(and I know he's had other issues, just saying).

Absolutely legitimate post.  Giving up Storen ALONE for Span, let alone throwing in Lombo and Bernadina, would be a risky move.  I'm glad our front office finally recognized this instead of making a trade for the sake of making a trade.

[MarquisDeSade]

Third, there's more than a chance that the Twins are looking at this deal as a rebuilding deal for their bullpen and infield than they are looking at it as a deal to contend. If that is the case, then the likelihood of finding a different valuation for a reliever v prospect is low (unlike last year when we dealt Capps). 

That's kind of the way I see it but I'm not what anyone would considered "clued-in".  That makes sense though given the injuries and moves the Twins are probably going to have to make after this season.

[PANatsFan]

wow someone is speculating on twitter nats would give up storen, bernadina, hood for span.  that's just way too much.  the lombo rumor was way too much too, imo.

Hood is a lot less major league ready than Lombo, but Storen+Hood would be the max.

[hammondsnats]

Hood is a lot less major league ready than Lombo, but Storen+Hood would be the max.

that doesn't mean he's less valuable though. 

[Section214]

I can't believe this is happening. Storen is a huge part of this teams future but more importantly he is a huge part of our present. This guy is not some projectable arm like A.J. Cole or Robbie Ray. He is a proven closer in this league. Span is a slightly above average CF... This is unforgivable. Storen-Span is a STEAL for the Twins. We throw in more, im speechless.

[kirubel94]

Ok, twins are really trying to get back at us for the capps-ramos deal, Hood?? hell no!

[NatsSince05]

wow someone is speculating on twitter nats would give up storen, bernadina, hood for span.  that's just way too much.  the lombo rumor was way too much too, imo.

I think the posts others have made about the Twins trying to get the Nats back for the Ramos-Capps deal are spot on.  The huge difference here is that anyone who followed the Nats closely knew last year that Capps was overachieving and lucking out in many of his saves.  Storen has fantastic stuff, a great attitude, and is one of the rare Washington prospects to bolt through the system and find a way to stay there.  He will be a very good reliever for many years to come.  He's no Matt Capps -- he's MUCH more valuable than Capps ever was to this organization.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Span has been out with a concussion for two months?

Span's lst MLB game was 6/6.  his first rehab game in AAA was 7/17.  6 weeks between the injury and resuming baseball activities.  That does not sound too slow for a concussion.  It's not Morneau / Roberts, but he does not seem to be outclassing the players in AAA, either.  6 for 28, no walks, only one double.  I don't know if that suggests lingering effects.

http://www.fangraphs.com/statsd.aspx?playerid=8347&position=OF&season=2011

edit - I threw out the first two games.  An 0 for 6 that I'll just say rust.  the 6 for 28 is in games since 7/19.

[PANatsFan]

Span's lst MLB game was 6/6.  his first rehab game in AAA was 7/17.  6 weeks between the injury and resuming baseball activities.  That does not sound too slow for a concussion.  It's not Morneau / Roberts, but he does not seem to be outclassing the players in AAA, either.  6 for 28, no walks, only one double.  I don't know if that suggests lingering effects.

http://www.fangraphs.com/statsd.aspx?playerid=8347&position=OF&season=2011

He needs a physical - if it's post-concussive syndrome, the trade is too risky.

[PC]

First, relievers are at max trade value at the trade deadline and not the winter.  There are always plenty of relievers who are available as FAs in the winter, so there is no compelling need to deal for one at that time.

Then it comes down to the value of Drew Storen specifically as opposed to going after someone whose contract just ended.

There's no comparison.

[RD]

Giving up Hood would be a major mistake. All the talk about an everyday player over a reliever, and now we'd include a potential impact every day player? It just makes no sense.

Also, a big reason for the addition of Span is his leadoff ability. What if Lombo can lead off? That's what he projects as, and he appears to be highly regarded. He's not so special in the 8th spot in the lineup. Neither is Span.

I'd rather give Lombo a shot at the leadoff spot. Then, we can get a better bat than Span in the OF. I dont think there's much in FA, but if you're open to trading Storen and top prospects, a big bat in the OF should be a possibility.

[PC]

Span's lst MLB game was 6/6.  his first rehab game in AAA was 7/17.  6 weeks between the injury and resuming baseball activities.  That does not sound too slow for a concussion.

Actually, that seems FRIGHTENINGLY slow.

[RD]

Also, the Bourn trade shows you what the market is for a CF that can lead off. Bourn is better, and they got him for nothing really. To give up a big league closer plus better prospects for Span is just downright ridiculous.

Also, I read an article about the potential trade, and Twins fans chimed in. One mentioned than Span is hesitant in the OF about approaching the wall for a ball ... If he was that way before the trade, how is he going to be after a concussion(I know the concussion wasn't from hitting the wall)? There are legitimate questions about Span, and he's only a solid player anyway.

[houston-nat]

Wow, nobody has Strasburg37 on ignore yet.

[RD]

Actually, that seems FRIGHTENINGLY slow.

I agree. There's a reason why they created a 7 day DL spot for it. It's generally not expected to take 15 days. So six weeks is definitely not the norm.