Twins offer Blake a two-year contract with an option for 2011
Posted on December 3rd, 2008 – 6:15 PMBy Joe Christensen
The Twins have offered free agent third baseman Casey Blake a two-year contract worth about $6 million per season with an option for 2011, but Blake wants the third year guaranteed, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told the Star Tribune today.
ESPN’s Jayson Stark reports that the Twins and Dodgers have basically been told they’ll get Blake if they’ll add a third year to their two-year offers.
Blake, 35, made $6.1 million this year while batting .274 with 21 home runs and 81 RBI for the Indians and Dodgers. He’ll turn 36 next Aug. 23 but has averaged 598 plate appearances over the past six seasons.
The Twins have been aggressive in pursuing Blake, hoping to seal a deal before the winter meetings, but team officials don’t expect a signing tonight.
172 Responses to "Twins offer Blake a two-year contract with an option for 2011"
thanks for the update, Joe.
I hope that the Twins step down the negotiations or at least wait until they talk to the Mariners, Astros, Cardinals and Toronto about 3B trades. Offering a guaranteed 3 year contract to a player who is going to be 36 mid-season next year and will like have only platoon DH the last year (maybe 2) of the contract, does not make much sense…
As wary as I am of relying solely on our minor leaguers, I think one of Valencia and Hughes will turn out to be a very good third baseman within the next three years.
Having Blake there to mentor them would be great, but not 6 million, and certainly not if he deprives them of playing time.
thrylos & Dwade,
I third the motion. I am OK with what the Twins have offered, but not the third year guaranteed. I would not be all that disappointed to start the season with a Buscher/Harris platoon. Blake seems to be a good guy, would provide a stopgap at 3B, and likely be productive. Bur not three years guaranteed at that money.
I don’t get this…two teams are both offering him essentially the same type of contract, and he STILL wants more?
What happened to the market dictating the price?
This will likely be a deal breaker for both teams, especially when the Twins wouldn’t budge on the guaranteed years for Koskie.
I would guess no one wants to offer Blake that third year guaranteed. I would think the Twins could get Blake if they offer him an option that could become guaranteed if certain playing time related stats are achieved the first two years (1,000 PAs combined, etc.). They might have to include a buyout for the third year it it’s not guaranteed also.
I agree with Thrylos that they should explore other trade options first, but I’ll take anything over another year of watching Buscher at third base. Ugh… painful.
If the Twins DO sign Blake, I hope it’s to save resources to try to trade for J.J. Hardy…
I am sure they exploring other options on 3rd and or shortstop. I sometimes think have the other posters here must live in a cave somewhere.
Win Twins!
This is a bad idea. When will the Twins learn that signing players in their mid 30’s on the downside of their career never works out well?
jama - replied to your post on the twolves blog (also I’ll have to disagree with you on Blake - he has shown no signs of slowing down and should be good for AT LEAST another year or 2 and the only real disappointment I had with the Twins was Lamb - to fall off THAT MUCH was terrible; they got what they deserved with the others)
i think blake, while deserving, needs to realize he got 2 legitimate offers (with little interest from other teams)
i said on the other blog that a milestone 3rd year with possible buyout option should be reasonable for both sides. hopefully they get it done, they need an upgrade
Why are we obsessed with former players? Turn the page. Put a package together for Beltre and be done.
All hail Joe C.!
Give him the 3rd year. This is probably the only big money the Twins will spend this offseason anyway. Let’s move on and get a shortstop and a reliever.
2 years, i can accept. 3 guaranteed, i cannot.
I say no to Blake. Too old.
Yes to Colorado’s Garret Atkins. He’s available. Will be 29 in Dec. Way better career numbers than Blake. Under contract for 2 more years. Give up Slowey to get him. Slowey’s ceiling is like a Radke. Twins organization is loaded with arms. We can afford this.
Give up more arms for Yunel Escobar from Atlanta. Make a serious run for the next 4 to 5 years!
medschoolmatt,
Add RonDL White to that equation too. His numbers were much better than Blake’s the year before he came to the Twins. There are very rare cases that singing free agents in their late 30s works for a team. And most of those rare cases are future hall of famers (Ramirez, Nolar Ryan, Randy Johnson). I am not sure that Blake fits in this category…
Yes I can’t stand Buscher at 3rd next season, but the Twins can get a third baseman via a trade and if they cannot, they can have Harris and Tolleson battling for it come spring training next year. I bet that Harris (given the opportunity) will put better numbers in 2012 (maybe in 2011 too) than Blake.
The White Sox are officially in rebuilding mode so it’s basically us and the Indians fighting for the division. Why not spend the money to upgrade thirdbase? Even if we give him the third year we should be pulling down new stadium money by the time that money is an issue.
No to Atkins, Yes to Kouzmanoff, ok to Blake
thrylos -
How do you know the Twins haven’t inquired about those other options? Or that they have decided that those other options are ones they don’t wish to pursue?
Let’s go over your choices.
Rolen - Owed 26 million dollars over the next two years, and has had injury concerns, while putting up Casey Blake type numbers.
Beltre - The Twins asked last year and thought the price was too high. Why do you think the M’s have changed their asking price?
Glaus - Full no-trade clause.
Wigginton - Had home/road splits that were outrageous - had an OPS .383 higher at home than on the road last year, and Houston seems to think it can contend.
good post pete!
Slowey’s ceiling is like a Radke.
Hmmm
This year Slowey had 5.13 K/BB. In the 4 consecutive years that Maddux got Cy Young awards, he averaged 4.1 K/BB. Radke’s career number was 3.3 K/BB and high 5.2. Slowey is almost there @ 24 years old. Also, Slowey last year had 6.9 K/9. Radke’s career high was 6.5 K/9. To put things into perspective, Jake Peavy who is pitching in the NL in a pitcher’s park, and several teams are drooling over, last year (at age 27) had 2.81 K/BB and 8.6 K/9.
Slowey’s ceiling is probably closer to Maddux than Radke. As a matter of fact, his ceiling is higher that that of Liriano and Baker. No way you can trade him at this point…
Thrylos98
You make a valid point. But Radke was not a strikeout pitcher. His big weapon was his changeup which left hitters off balance hitting weak grounders. Both Radke and Slowey are “teacup” pitchers.
I think unless Slowey develops a changeup like Radke’s it’s fair to say he will be lucky to have the ERA, innings potential, and win/loss ratio of Radke.
I really, really hope that signing Blake doesn’t mean we are stuck with the status quo at short. Buscher/Harris did a better job at third than Punto/Harris could do at short. It’s a nice little upgrade at third if it doesn’t get in the way of the more important upgrade that needs to happen to Blake’s right.
I’m torn on the question of Blake. I think he would be better than Buscher/Harris but for 2 yrs @ $6M? I don’t think Blake would be that much better. The 3rd year is a definite deal breaker. Some hitters hit well into their 40’s but who knows if Blake is that kind of hitter? Late 30’s is definitely on the back side of the curve unless you’re a freak or juicing.
Kubelfan,
Sorry to pick nits, but to Blake’s right is foul territory. (unless he is playing with his back to homeplate)
Pete D,
let’s take those 1 by 1:
Rolen: has a 2 year $22 million contact. He is 2 years younger than Blake, has 7 gold gloves and hit .262/.349/.431 (OPS+ 107) last year to Blake’s .274/.345/.463 (OPS+ 110). Rolen had a down year offensively, Blake had an up year; but Rolen is a way much better defender, younger and would not require 3 years.
Beltre: I assume that you recognize that Belte is superior to Blake so I do not need to make this point. Last year the Twins delt with a bunch of interims who were handcuffed. Now Seattle has a GM and a manager named for next year who have decision making power. Bonus: The Twins could potentially get a Beltre/Putz deal
Glaus: His non-trade clause become null once traded to the Cardinals. The Cardinals are shading payroll. 1 year left in contract. Gold glove caliber defense, 4 years younger than Blake, .270/.372/.483 last year. Match made in heaven.
Wiggy: You are reading too much in R/H splits if you are looking them just for a year… It’s not like he is playing in Colorado. His H/R career OPS differential is .060. He smashed LHP last year at a rate of 1.055 OPS (Blake had a .823 OPS last year against LHP). He is 30. He is not a premier defender, but at least better than what the Twins have and better than Blake (2008: .969 FP, .791 ZR vs Blake’s .957 FP and .768 ZR). Houston is in a major sale mode…
Dodgers will give him 3 years and Blake signs tomorrow.
Janet,
Are you speculating?
or are you repeating news?
Speculating, on various web reports.
LA wants him more.
“Slowey’s ceiling is probably closer to Maddux than Radke. As a matter of fact, his ceiling is higher that that of Liriano and Baker. No way you can trade him at this point…”
That is the single worst post I’ve read since they added the commenting feature. I like Slowey, a lot, but, c’mon. Maddux is a top 10 guy all-time…look at the stats.
No way. Find someone who has a present and future. Blake is too old. We need a switch hitting power bat with a solid glove.
Captain America,
“We need a switch-hitting power bat with a solid glove.”
Mark Teixiera is out of our price range.
Drives me nuts that a third year at 6 million (probably could get him for 4 and incentives if it’s guaranteed and an opt out clause) will keep this from getting done. I think this acquisition will occur within the next two days. Going into the Winter Meetings (when trades can happen) with one important piece of the puzzle secured without the cost of any of our talent will give us the upper hand to make a deal for players such as Escobar or Hardy. I think Theriot might even be available as the Cub fans hate him and the Cubbies need a lefty bats which we have plenty.
Scenario:
Tex signs with Red Sox.
Twins trade Prospect for Lowell
Maddux is a top 10 guy all-time…look at the stats
But I am looking at the stats… I just gave you the stats.
W-L and ERA have much less to do with pitching ability than K/BB and K/9.
And if you want to really look at and compare records, at age 24, Greg Maddux was 15-15 with a 3.36 ERA, 1.321 WHIP, 5.47 K/9 and 2.03 K/BB in the NL. Last year Slowey was: 12-11 with a 3.99 ERA, 1.154 WHIP, 6.90 K/9 and 5.3 K/BB in the AL.
Here are the numbers. Tell me which 24 year old would have the higher ceiling…
We need a pretty darn good 3rd baseman like Blake. We need to break the Koskie Kurse.
BTW, regarding RonDL White, if you don’t think he was a Juice King, you’re dreaming. Blake is not a steroid junkie and makes him that much more desireable as he’s had 20 HR power for the good bulk of his career. Every single one of White’s ligaments and tendons was on the breaking point and it was precisely what kept him from every recovering from any injury. While others have historically declined at this time in their career you need to consider the path taken in the steroid years. For example, I wouldn’t touch Jason Giambi with a 1 cc tuberculin syringe.
The Twins had a solid third baseman in 2006.
Janet,
I like that scenario, esp. if Lowell’s back is ok and reports indicate that he is progressing better than hoped.
The Twins had a solid third baseman in 2006
it might be funny to think back, but as bad as he were, in 2006 Tony Batista hit 5 times as many home runs as your Mr. Solid 
Whatever happens with Blake, there are alternatives.
Lowell has 2 years left on his contract.
Not bad.
I believe Slowey has big time potential and a high ceiling. He is going to be an inning eating machine once he get’s some strike zone respect. We all know, Maddux was a master of the 2 inches off the plate called strike. Now, I doubt anyone will ever get that kind of strike zone ever again but Slowey will paint every edge and finesse the heck out of the strike zone. I believe the interest in him after one full season speaks volumes of his talent and potential. It’s premature to call him the next Greg Maddux but can he be better than Radke, I think that’s almost a sure thing. The only question in my mind is if he’ll get to #1/ace status. He’ll be a solid #2 along with almost everyone else on our staff. I think we may have 5 2’s and 3’s in Baker, Liriano, Slowey, Perkins and Blackburn.
I was not speaking of Batista.
I was speaking of the Twins 3B in the second half of 2006 when they caught the Tigers at the wire.
[…] Around the Majors – […]
sid,
I know exactly who you were speaking of (he is currently a free agent) and I said that no matter how bad he was, Batista hit 5 times as many home runs as your guy
“Here are the numbers. Tell me which 24 year old would have the higher ceiling…”
Maddux’s numbers > Slowey’s potential. Not close. I don’t care about W/L either, and Maddux was the rare guy who’s dominance was shown precisely because he could get outs without relying on the K.
We aren’t talking about Maddux ceiling when he was 24, we are talking about actual production. Find a baseball scout who says Slowey’s ceiling is closer to Maddux than Brad Radke…which obviously isn’t possible, meaning you are left to carry that flag, which I guess you are doing, so….good job?
Terry Tiffee?
Adam,
you have to look at both of them as 24 year olds. Ceiling = potential. And at 24 Slowey put better numbers across the board than Maddux did at 24.
Will he have the career that Maddux did?
Who knows?
But the numbers show that he does have the potential to do it, that’s why it is a “ceiling”. And it actually might be unfair to Slowey a bit because this year his K/BB number was higher than that of Maddux’ at his peak…
As a 24 year old he is ahead of where Maddux were as a 24 year old. This is a fact. Nobody knows what will happen in the next years (heck, I’d be in Vegas if I knew that), but you cannot logically (i.e. objectively/numerically based) argue that Slowey does not have the potential to equal or even surpass Maddux’ career numbers since he is ahead of where Maddux where at the same age…
Janet,
sid means LNP
Duh
http://www.rotoworld.com/content/Headlines.aspx?sport=MLB&hl=252469
Khalil Greene is close to being traded to an undisclosed team so says the ny post. I really hope its not the twins.
slowey’s ceiling is closer to maddox than radke. He may never reach his full ceiling, how many do? But if he keeps the longball rate down he could be a truly special ace
GCO,
why? He would be better option that what the Twins have, wouldn’t he?
thrylos:
yeah, but thats certainly not saying a whole lot.
Thrylos98
Are you a lawyer? Good points but I think you put way too much emphasis on KOs. Maddux could vary the speeds of all his pitches without sacrificing accuracy. All of his pitches moved 6 to 12 inches.Right, left, down and the illussion of up. He would aim at a corner and move off the plate or aim off the plate and hit a corner. Slowey can maybe develop that level of control but does’t have the stuff yet.
Wow… with all the Blake-hatin’ goin’ on here, the Twins just might be making the right offer to a veteran free agent - for once.
Slowey is damn good. He might not be in Maddux territory just yet, but that’s where he’s headed if he stays healthy. Give me a guy who can throw strikes and has a plan over anyone who lights up a radar gun.
Actually I just looked at his stats, I think I would rather start LNP over Greene:
http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=MLB&id=3772
Let them sign Blake if it will free up talent to trade for a top RH setup guy &/ or top young RH SS. Our lineup is too LH & we need more power. But strengthening the BP should be our primary goal. Hopefully, signing Blake would be a means to an end in this regard. Another option of course would be a top 2b & shifting Casilla to SS. I’m sure BS & company have a “master plan”. Hopefully they can pull it off & not suffer any interference from other team’s “master plans”.
Did anyone see espn go with Burnett to ATL for 5 yr 140 @ 6 pm eastern? I hope burnette agent tried to lock that down
Even if Slowey “only” ends up equal to Radke, that’s still pretty good. I think we can find away to send him out there every 5th day for a few years.
Paul,
(I am not a lawyer - thank God). My point is that Maddux did not have that control he had at 30 when he is 24 and that Slowey has better control at 24 than Maddux had when he was 24.
There is a caveat and Shawn touched at it and it plagues all the Twins’ starters: Slowey needs to learn (and all of the pitchers need to be taught) that if behind the count, it is much preferable to throw a marginal pitch than a fat one in the middle of the plate. I don’t have the numbers for earlier years, but when behind in the count (rarely for him) last year Slowey threw fastballs 77% of the time. He needs to be able to throw his breaking stuff at that point…
Janet-The Lowell option sounds great but what type of a prospect package will it take?
Of course, Cuddy could probably match Blake & we already have him signed & it would free up the logjam in the outfield & it would give us more money to spend for traded players & ….. oh wait, it just makes too much sense.
Geno,
Good question, I think you have to consider Lowell has a big contract and coming off an injury. I would start at Humber.
GCO,
have a look at Greene’s 2007 stats too…
He had a way off year last year and he was marginalized by the Padres’ field and FO management (think Lohse a couple of years back but even worse). He needs a change of scenery. That said, he is from Detroit, so they might be ahead on the pecking order.
Greene’s just one year removed from a 27 HR season and has a solid glove. I’d be fine with bringing him in over Punto.
My only concern is that his OBP is in Gomez territory for his career… ick.
Lowell is 34 years old and coming off a major injury. He’s owed $12MM in both 2009 and 2010.
If we’re trading for a $12MM third baseman, his name damn well better be Adrian Beltre or Troy Glaus.
Shawn and Thrylos - great point about the “fat” pitches Twins hurlers tend to serve up when behind in the count. I really like Andy as a pitching coach, and I won’t blame him for his staff’s propensity to give up moon shots. But I will simplify my advice to this degree: start knocking Jim Thome and Travis Hafner on their asses instead of serving up “cookies” (as the Dazzler likes to call them). If Blackburn had followed this credo, the Twins and Whities might still be playing (cuz God knows, with LNP and the rest of our slap-hitting lineup we weren’t going to string together four singles to push a run across).
I agree with the injury part, however the players to acquire Lowell would not be as much.
Glaus is not a “clubhouse guy” Strikesout and not very clutch
Beltre is one and done with losing higher quality players in trade.
Good night, sweet dreams.
The key for Slowey and the other young srarters is to learn to take a little off all their pitches.That not my opinion,but Bleleven.He knows more about pitching than i do and probably more than some on this blog.
Geno
Master of the understatement.
“probably more than some on this blog”
Why is Beltre leaving after one year a bad thing?
He’ll be a Type A free agent and yield us two draft picks. He’s younger than Lowell, better defensively, runs better, and unlike Lowell, his numbers can’t be construed as being inflated by being in a hitters’ park.
We’ve got two potential third base prospects coming up in Valencia and Hughes… see how they progress this year and if they fail then look elsewhere.
Beltre won’t cost as much as everyone thinks now that Seattle has a full-time GM and he’s got 3 less months on his contract than he did in July when we were discussing trading for him.
If we can get Putz added in there, then Smith should jump on it.
Steve,
Good points, especially Putz, if he is added I am all in.
I think everyone agrees that the time is right to take a few chances.But at the same time for some,they better take the right chances or they will be ripped for it.There seems to be alot of 22-20 hindsight on this blog.Darn it,which one of you stoled my crystalball!
I’d love to get Putz, though that’s probably just more dreaming than anything.
I think Beltre and Glaus should be their top targets, regardless of who else we receive in the trades.
If anyone else at all, that is.
I agree about Beltre, but I don’t believe in Glaus. See above, also when he was traded to Toronto he wanted special provisions on his contract to play on turf due to knee problems. I know he was not liked in the club house in Arizona.
[…] Minnesota Twins have apparently made an offer to free agent infielder, and former Indian, Casey Blake. It’s reportedly a 2-year $6MM deal […]
I think most think is for the Twins to take a few chances.The only problem is that they better that good chances or they will be ripped for doing so.There is alot of
+
I think most would agree that the time is right for the Twins to take a few chances.The only problem is that to some they better take the right chances or they will be ripped for it.There is a strong 20-20 hindsight mkentality on this blog.Darn it,which one of you stole my crystal ball!
“Beltre won’t cost as much as everyone thinks now that Seattle has a full-time GM and he’s got 3 less months on his contract than he did in July when we were discussing trading for him.”
Why not? Perhaps he will cost more. Perhaps the Mariners want to hold on to him until the trade deadline to see if they can compete this year. I would assume that they can get nearly the same package of players at the trade deadline that they could now - so why make the deal? To save a little bit of money? Perhaps they don’t care about the payroll.
Steve,
here is the situation (and a lot will be clearer in a month) :
Seattle is rebuilding. No bones about it. Nintendo (the majority ownership) despite Wii sales going over the roof, is hurting, like most of the consumer goods corporations worldwide. They got to trim their payroll.
(parenthesis closed, back to baseball). Seattle knows that they cannot compete next year because the Angels will be pretty much intact and the As are improving and the Rangers are 3 starting pitchers away from the division. They cannot take Silva’s contract away and nobody wants him. Bedard is a questionmark and they did overpay for him but there will be no takers.
The Twins want Beltre, they inquired about Washburn and they are a good fit for Putz. These 3 are owed about $30mil next year. This is too much for the Twins to swallow. Seattle has one serviceable outfielder (Ichiro).
I can see a blockbuster deal (Beltre + Washburn + Putz for Cuddyer + Perkins _ Buscher + Dustin Martin + a couple of prospects) that would leave the Twins at a + $20 million for 2009 (equaling their 2007 payroll) and making them 5-6 wins better team, that makes Seattle quasi-respectable on the field and saves them that $20 mil.
Thryros,
You have campaigned alot for Washburn.
Are the Twins willing to add $20 mil?
All that being said it address alot of issues except SS which is ok, I like Tolbert, Tolleson or Harris.
Plus all the big $$ come off the books after next year inclding Washburn right???
thrylos you are getting my hopes up. And I have mixed feelings about it.
Janet,
yeap. Beltre, Putz and Washburn will be free agents after next year. Beltre is guaranteed to be a type A, Putz will be close and Washburn would probably be a type B.
One more thing:
You have campaigned a lot for Washburn.
no I haven’t. Really. (Go read my blog if you don’t believe me ). I think that Pedro Marinez would be a better fit as a fifth starter for the Twins next year for many reasons. That said, Washburn would be ok (I am willing to bet that he will get better numbers than Perkins next year) and sometimes you just got to get that extra something you might or might not like to get a deal done.
Fun playing GM night all.
Thrylos,
One more thing…
Pedro, very interesting, if we need to add a Pitcher .
Where is your blog?
Where is your blog?
Click at my name (up there) or go here:
http://tenthinningstretch.blogspot.com/
the off-season stuff is about 5-6 posts below the current.
Nice
only if you like technicalities and can stand the math thing…
thrylos, did you seriously just suggest the mariners trading beltre, putz and washburn all to the twins for cuddyer, perkins, buscher, dustin martin, and maybe 2 more prospects. that’s so insane i shouldn’t even be commenting on it. why would the mariners want any of those players? they are rebuilding so they wouldn’t want cuddyer and his money. buscher’s stock is not high considering he doesn’t hit for power and can’t play third worth a damn. perkins is a 5th starter, plain and simple (who the mariners absolutely crushed everytime he pitched against them last year, not adding to his stock). the m’s could get a top prospect for beltre on the market from someone like San Francisco or LA Dodgers, not to mention anyone else wanting an upgrade at third. Putz was the best closer in the league in 07 and i don’t think they’ll be selling low on him this offseason. your post was the typical wishful thinking twins fan who doesn’t know anything about being a GM or making trades, something i thought you were better than. .
Anyone speculating on Greene can stop…
He’s a Cardinal.
Steve,
a couple of things are in play here (well, more than a couple:)
a. Cash is king. The Mariners don’t have enough of it and the Twins have more than enough to spend next year and the Mariners will save $20 mil this way
b. Looking at the trades proposed:
Cuddyer and Putz underachieved last year. In a buyer’s closer market I am not sure that the Mariners would get anhything better than Cuddyer for Putz.
The Mariners will get 3 years of Perkins for 1 year of Washburn. This has to be a good deal for them.
They get rid rid of Beltre’s money and they get Buscher to plug in the 3rd base hole temporarily, plus Martin to play the OF with Cuddyer and Ichiro and they get 2 prospects to build on. Depending on who the prospects are, it might favor the Mariners in the long run, but the Twins need to contend next year and Beltre and Putz might just be enough to push them over the line… It is a fair trade. You cannot ignore the money saved by the Ms. Baseball is getting to be more like Basketball and bad contracts traded away is an actualized value…
why is everyone down on signing blake sure he is old but when was the last time we had a guy hit 20 homers from third base….Blake hit 21 last year and if he signs he could very well do it here.
Steve (from Fridley)
not yet… and for a couple of minor league relievers? Like Barrett and Korecky?
Justin,
just a reminder: Tony Batista had 32 home runs the year before he signed with the Twins.
i’m just saying, if they want to get rid of beltre’s money or get rid of putz, they can get better players from elsewhere. even though the closers market is pretty overstocked right now, you don’t think someone would give up more than any of those twins players for them? come on now. i have a hard time seeing them valuing any of the twins players you mentioned over prospects other teams with a hole at 3B or closer have. and why would they want to get rid of beltre’s money or washburn’s money yet take on cuddyers? that defeats the purpose.
Tony Batista wasnt even in the majors the year before he signed he was in japan or something like that
he was in montreal in 04, hit 32 HR’s, over 100 RBI’s but had a .270 OBP. he might’ve been in japan in 05, or else he was hurt. he was a horrible sign by the twins, get over it. casey blake is not batista.
yes, he was definitely in japan the year before he signed with MIN.
he was with the twins in 2006 he wasnt even good enough to sign in the majors in 2005 for whatever reason and he was out of the league and he doesnt have near the glove blake has, not saying blake has a great glove either but hes average. batista was already washed up while blake hit 21 last year and guess what he isnt gonna cost us prospects we can use those to attend to the SS situation JJ Hardy maybe?
Hardy isn’t available, but if he was would cost a baker or slowey…so no. escobar from Atlanta may be the best option, but i wouldn’t get hopes up seeing as how they’d need to sign furcal first.
if they want to get rid of beltre’s money or get rid of putz, they can get better players from elsewhere
Like?
there are 3 clubs that are looking for 3B help: Twins, Indians, Dodgers
there are about 5 clubs who are looking for closers: Mets, Indians, Tigers, Reds, Rays. Given the ones out in the free agent market, Putz would probably be pretty low in the Mets’ and Rays’ pecking order.
The Indians, Dodgers, Reds and Tigers do not have the pieces to make this deal done. It is that simple.
i can think of many teams other than the twins that would like to have beltre at third next season - giants, dodgers, astros, reds, brewers, phillies, a’s, angels, indians, white sox. you don’t think any of those teams would be willing to offer more in terms of talented prospects than what your suggesting? you’re crazy. besides, the M’s wouldn’t give beltre up for anything less than what 2 first round draft picks are worth, which is what they would get by keeping him in their lineup next year and letting him walk.
and about putz, they’re not going to sell low on him. that’s not my opinion, that’s general baseball logic. he’s too talented and too valuable to give away. they’ll keep him before they just dump him for nothing. they have no replacement closer either as morrow will be a starter.
I speculated on trading Cole Devries for Mike Lowell a couple months ago and was laughed at…
http://joshsopinion.blogspot.com/2008/10/winter-targets-mike-lowell.html
can think of many teams other than the twins that would like to have beltre at third next season
giants They got Jose Castillo at 3b
dodgers OK, mentioned them but he did burn bridges there…,
astros Ty Wigginton
reds Edwin Encanrancion,
brewers I would bet that Hardy will be their starting 3B next season and they need to unload Hall…
phillies Nope. 3B is their last of their concerns
a’s They can upgrade but Hannahan is fine for them,
angels Not unless they trade Figgins and how are they going to fit that payroll after getting Texeira? indians They are not willing to spend that much money
white sox. Don’t they have Fields and didn’t they sing that Cuban guy and aren’t they selling every veteran contract away…
Money is important. There are not many teams like the Twins that have $20 mil to add to a payroll.
Josh,
that’s a fair trade.
Fantasy baseball trades fantasized by bloggers who live in a fantasy world.
WHAT A WASTE OF CYBER-SPACE!!!!!
Almost as big of a waste as going on a blog to make fun of bloggers, eh Sy…?
As for the teams Steve mentioned:
A’s/Angels: You just talked about “baseball logic.” Eat some of your own cooking on this one. Beltre won’t go within the division.
White Sox: They’re selling off expensive veterans, not adding them. They’ve got Josh Fields, Wilson Betimit, and Dayan Viciedo (the Cuban defect that Thrylos was referring to and that the Twins SHOULD have pursued hard)
Astros: Houston doesn’t have the resources to make a trade, and besides, they’re desperate for pitching. Wigginton is a fine option, and much cheaper.
Reds: They’ve got Encarnacion, and they need a catcher, shortstop, and corner outfielder. Beltre makes no sense there.
Giants: They could certainly stand to upgrade, but they’ve already spent a lot this offseason. Affeldt, Howry, and now talk that Renteria may have just signed. Plus, they’re still seriously entertaining Sabathia, and laugh all you want, but he wants to pitch in the NL, on the West Coast, and specifically in San Francisco. His words, not mine.
Dodgers: Questionable history and bigger needs. No Derek Lowe. No Brad Penny. No Greg Maddux. Their rotation consists of Hiroki Kuroda and Clayton Kershaw right now, because Chad Billingsley broke his leg. They can have Blake Dewitt play third if they really need, and they’re also pursuing Blake. I don’t see them shelling out big bucks on a 3B.
Phillies: I agree with Thrylos; third base isn’t a huge concern for them. They need a corner outfielder and could use another starter as well.
Brewers: Again, they need pitching. Braun, Fielder, Hardy, Hart, Cameron… their offense is fine. They need young arms and lots of them. Gallardo and Parra can’t pitch 500+ innings each.
The Indians make sense, but they’re talking about moving Peralta to third, like they have been for years. I see them getting a middle IF to complement Cabrera rather than bringing in Beltre.
The Twins are easily the best fit for Beltre. Putz is an afterthought…
The Mariners need young arms in a bad way. I think Perkins and a relief prospect could land Beltre, but I’m not Zduriencik…
Despite 189 posts before.
I would say if Blake gets a 3 year deal we lose out.
I am sure Bill Smith and Staff have done there homework.
I would pursue Crede as #2 in the scheme and work him as Howard points out for the grass in 2010.
#3 Beltre and add a fellow Domincan to the team.
Win Twins!
Give him the third year!
He might break down, he might not! Sign him and lets move on.
i didn’t say any of the teams i mentioned NEEDED beltre, i said they would like him as an upgrade, and could offer more than what thrylos was suggesting to offer. that’s all i was saying. i’m not saying that beltre wouldn’t be great in a twins uniform, but it would be costly and especially more costly than any of cuddyer, perkins, buscher, martin.
What a waste!
First they give Cuddy a bad contract and now Blake. We’ll be stuck with all kinds of over paid players. Is BS the next McHale.
Blake=old=bust
PS - the giants cut jose castillo with a month or 2 left last season. you sure don’t know your baseball for being a hardcore poster/blogger that you are. and also, i think the mariners would indeed trade beltre within the division if they could get a good prospect or 2. after all, as thrylos said, they want to cut his salary. they’re not looking to compete next year
I was speaking on the other teams’ behalves. I don’t think the A’s or Angels want to see their own prospects burning them in the future in order to get one year of Beltre, especially not the Angels since they’re already the favorites to run off with the division again.
I never mentioned Castillo either.
I think the Twins are best served with two speed guys at the top and two at the bottom.The problem is getting a right-handed power bat after Justin(take your pick-Beltre,Hardy,Cuddy,Delmon,Blake).It was obvious that Justin put too much pressure on himself to drive in runs the second half of the season.
Blake’s worth no more then 1 year and 3 million. I hope for the benefit of the team he isn’t signed.
[…] have yet to do anything on the reliever front, Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that they’ve offered Casey Blake a two-year, $12 million contract with a third-year team option. […]
…You can Always trade him before his contract is up… Give him what he wants, and trade him in a year or two. Whenever you see fit. If he even does decently here, someone will bite.
This fact seems to be lost on this blog.
I should add that while I like Blake a lot, his signing here will be almost worthless without another one. i.e. Hardy, Dunn, Burrel, Uggla, Kouzmanoff (I know, another 3b), or some other power hitter. Adding Blake alone will be a small improvement, but adding Blake WITH someone else, should Really help.
steve from fridley,
“Almost as big of a waste as going on a blog to make fun of bloggers, eh Sy…?”
I am not making fun of ALL the trade speculation. I do it myself.
However:
Cole DeVreis for Mike Lowell?
Beltre + Washburn + Putz for Cuddyer + Perkins _ Buscher + Dustin Martin + a couple of prospects?
Sometimes, a dose of reality is refreshing.
The Twins are not making the best choice for their future by trying to get Casey Blake. If they are going to acquire a position player, and it appears that they only need a third baseman, then they should obtain Adrian Beltre. Beltre would add the serious right handed power authority to the Twins lineup that is greatly needed. Casey Blake is more of a mediocre type player. The idea that he is more valuable than Beltre because of his versatility is bogus reasoning. The Twins organization has limited its upside considerably by putting too much emphasis on versatility instead of building a solid reliable lineup. What players like Cuddyer and Punto have done is add confusion and uncertainty to the lineup. It is too easy for Gardenhire to constantly manipulate the lineup rather than to stick with the best established player at each position–and it has cost the Twins considerable games in the standings for several years. The bottom line is that the Twin could really help themselves become better by obtaining Beltre, or they could continue being the “not not quite good enough Twins” for several more years by obtaining Blake.
Why is Beltre leaving after one year a bad thing?
I think the Twins are getting just as tired of the revolving door at 3B as the fans are.
JJ Putz rumored to be made available and would definitely tie into the beltre and putz discussions from this forum earlier.
we have a pretty solid starting five. picking up beltre and putz would make things okay, save the couple extra prospects and leave washburn outta this, maybe flip them for a solid veteran SS to push the LNP and harris’s of the world. That said, ALOT of sources are starting to speculate that the twins continue to be a mystery team checking up on rafael furcal. being that hes only a FA and requires no compensation via draft picks, the high price tag by all means could scare the twins away, bu imagine a world with a M’s trade and the furcal signing.
Lf Span
SS Furcal
C Mauer
1b Morneau
3b Beltre
Rf Cuddyer
Dh Kuebel/Harris/Young (? would assume hed be part of the m’s trade)
2b Casilla
Cf Gomez
Looks pretty good to me. Maybe a team that could really step ahead. But so much for dreaming. Here comes Blake and LNP/Harris. (If we get Blake, jj hardy needs to be on the horizon)
Let’s put a little current economics in the Beltre discussion.
CAN either the Twins or M’s consider offering arbitration next year to Beltre in the current climate? There may be NO draft picks in the mix.
Regards,
But on the other hand i would say if the twins would like to spend on a FA right handed bat. Make it and OF who could play everyday DH at a much better clip then Kuebel. Raul Ibanez they were interested in the last couple of years, and he would be the perfect right handed power bat, who could dh for them. that would also allow them to be free to trade and outfielder away for infield help. realistically, they sign blake. then make ibanez an offer. then package maybe young, perkins and one other prospect for jj hardy? anyone else see something like that happening? or is the pipe dream still on?
If we are going to offer 2 years with an option for a 3rd year we might as well just give in to 3 years. The Twins FO should stop yanking everyones strings like the public is some kind of puppet. The Twins owe it to us to put a good product on the field and It looks like the Twins will be losing DY. Please bring Blake to the Twins you cheap miser
Drewski,
Nice take, but Ibanez is not the “perfect right handed power bat” because he is a LH-hitter.
sane DY and 2 pitchers for David Wright
I just read that the Giants are discussing a trade with the marlins were they would send Jonathan Sanchez in exchange for Jorge Cantu and i’m wondering if the Twins would consider giving up Liriano or Perkins straight up because Sanchez numbers look very close to Perkins but his upside is closer to Liriano.
BC people including myself are a bit skepticle still regarding Liriano’s arm strength and durability still. I don’t know if teams will take Liriano in a trade for one more whole season of watching him. Besides which prior to this year he had 2 years with 25 games played so he may have some injury issues. Givem DY and someone for him
Sorry about that BC. How bout DY and a pitcher for Cantu
Jonathan Sanchez
ERA 5.01
9-12 record
Givem Punto for that but not Liriano
Punto is a free agent right? I think Young for Cantu straight up might work though considering there glut of outfielders.
Have the Twins sought out the Giants as a potential trade partner, yet. It looks like they want Edgar Renteria to replace Omar Vizquel at SS for next season and rumor has it that they want to deal SS Emmanuel Burriss, a very promising young SS…a Furcal like player only 100 times healthier and 10 years or so younger. Not sure what the Giants would want in return (a starter to be sure), but isn’t that what the Braves are wanting and more for Escobar? Having Burriss and Casilla in the middle of the infield could be a Trammell-Whitaker like combo for several years to come…just food for thought. With an “up the middle” line-up of Mauer, the young rotation, Burriss, Casilla and Span/Gomez would be a foundation that could be held together for a decade or more. Hard to imagine Mauer as the “old guy” in that scenario.
The Giants supposedly signed Renteria to a 2 year contract and then have Burriss take over short when he is ready.
If we are going to offer 2 years with an option for a 3rd year we might as well just give in to 3 years.
There’s a big difference in that 3rd year being optional or not. And since the Dodgers (who credited Blake for their playoff push just as much as they did Rameriez) only went with two + 3rd year option.
T it sounds as the the Dodgers or the Twins could sign Blake as soon as today if a 3rd year was guaranteed. Did anyone see the Team engraved urn’s in the USA Today.
if the
Let’s trade thrylos98 for anyone. The guy is nuts…..
I agree about thrylos 98…………..
Top Dogg,
Lay off thrylos98, or he may have you neutered, again.
Whatever happened to The New and Improved Craig
jimmy maybe he wasn’t improved enough and got banned again.
BC He would have to be blocked from each writer like myself I have been banned for calling Howard Mr Keaton and asking how mallory was doing got me banned permanently from only Howard. Then again Howie is a control freak. Unlike Joe C and LaVelle. Whom are awesome
jb: …for calling Howard Mr Keaton and asking how mallory was doing…
thats pretty darn funny.
how is mallory?
Putz is earning like $7 million/year. That’s one expensive set-up man.
Mallory was a hottie. I think Craigs rants are limited to the regular season.
JB: Yeah. Either team could have Blake for that third year…but I think the fact that even the team he HELPED last season doesn’t want to give it to him should be a sign that he’s really not worth it.
Somebody will give it to him, but they’ll regret it. Just like LAA will regret throwing the laurels at Hunter’s feet for what was it…a 6th full year?
What position does Mallory play?
T Yeah I guess I would value the 6.1 mill a year for Blake as underpaid but when Blake’s 3rd year comes around he may be overpaid for his production thus maybe equalling out some wierd way. I would love to get him with the twins if his production was equall or close to last years.
birdofprey A plad wearing hottie from the 80’s sitcom Family Ties
I think all players should have one year contracts and renegotiate every year.
Does anyone know what the Twins offered Reyes besides a deep fried chicken and a bag of donuts?
His personal hot dog vendor at home games.
a lifetime pass to Old Country Buffet?
Hey doesn’t it surprise anyone that Pedroia got roughly they same amount per year that the Twins are offering Blake?
Pedroia and Blake have similar power numbers minus BA… Get Blake for a 2 year deal with a buyout on the third year. Trade Delmon and anything and get JJ Hardy or someone like that. Having a balanced offence like that would be great. Lefties and Righties scattered make this team tough to play against.
The sooner everyone stops getting all of their hopes up about possible free agents the better. You guys are killing your self. They never do it. When they do sign a top notch free agent I will clap for them and welcome them back to Major League Baseball. With that said, Blake haters, get over it. He’d be the best third baseman in a Twins uniform since 91 outside of maybe Koskie.
yeah Ibanez is a Lh hitter. #@%&^*$. foiled again. plots for TWINS world domination will never happen! 
beltre would be the RH power bat though and an older but VERY established hitter in Ibanez would be a better left handed bat then Kuebel. plus hes not quite as lumbering if we have to use him in the field.
Plus i dont know but im very iffy about JJ Hardy. Lower batting average and I dont know just how well he would really fit into the twins plans. I think he would project as a better hot corner then as a SS for them… but if we get hardy, why not ask for bill hall as a throw in? would be a solid bat off the bench and could dh as well. decent enough bat and he is versatile enough. Hall has played Cf, 3b, and SS and i dunno about 2b but he probably would be solid enough there as well.
Low AVG????
He hit .285(?) last year with some serious pop and good defense at short and thats not enough? Wow…if you are expecting a Hanley Ramirez you are setting your sights way too high. Hardy is a damn good shortstop and would look GREAT in a twins uni.
Drewski,
Ibanez will sign a terrible contract and in two years time, in the third year of his deal, will be one of the biggest financial burdens there is on whatever team he plays.
As for his fielding, he’s statistically one of the worst left fielders in baseball. Hell, worst outfielders period.
Why would you want to overpay Ibanez for the same level of production you can get from Kubel?
Not admitting he wouldn’t look great in a twins uni. However, the thing that does get to me about Hardy is the lack of speed (base stealing wise), and thats why I would lean more towards Escobar. And the reason I continue to mention Ibanez is not because of personal preference. Has anyone else noticed that over the past 3 years when Ibanez was being bargained for at trade time, the Twins were involved? I think someone in the front office has a man crush on him, and I only mention him because when the twins have a man crush on a player on the downslide… they tend to overspend to acquire him. As for the low batting average for Hardy. Discount to me being more then a bit tipsy at the time of the post However one thing does frighten me about Hardy. He was known as a defensive shortstop with .280 to .290 average potential a couple of years ago. Pretty much 2 years ago when he went off on the power binge, there were ALOT of ppl that were suprised. My fear is that we would have to give up Young to get him, plus much more, and then watch Young develop HIS power. And Young’s potential power would WAY overweight Hardy’s. I would love to have Hardy, but I think he would cost the organization too much.
Think about the package for Hardy alone.
OF D. Young
SP G. Perkins
and possibly 2 decent prospects
FOR
SS JJ Hardy
and a toss in (B. Hall? They seem desperate to get rid of him.)
To me a possible future superstar, who everyone is down on even though he is only 22, a 4 or 5 starter with the 2 or 3 potential PLUS another prospect or two is what it would take, but would be TOO expensive for one piece.
Admittedly it would be funny to see Young lumbering around missing fly balls in CF for the cheesehead crowd.
Drewski, I think it’s funny also when I see scouting reports about Delmon being a Center Fielder. Perhaps we have just been spoiled the last twenty years?
Well we have had some of the most exciting Cf’s in the league. But by all means Torii was a much better fielder then Puck. Puck had the knack for the big play, but Torii had the range. Puck beat Torii out in one area though.
PUCK had the hops!
The man knew how to steal a homer like none other.
But the good news MudCat…
We will continue to be spoiled for a few years yet, cause GoGo is Torii with more range. And by all means once GoGo learns how to steal a homer, he has reach over Torii.
So spoiled I think so.
What I want to know is how do people feel about Gardy coming out and pretty much telling D. Young to (BLEEP) off?
Oh. And as for a trade. How bout this.
Of D. Young
P P. Humber
and choice of B level prospect
FOR
SS JJ Hardy
Inf B. Hall
OR do you think we’d have to give up perkins in place of humber?
I think we should sign blake and trade for hardy
“Cole DeVreis for Mike Lowell?
Sometimes, a dose of reality is refreshing.”
sy,
obviously you didn’t read the post which is fine. but i didn’t say that it’d take just devries to get him. i just merely speculated why the twins would be willing to trade him and why the red sox may want him… obviously it’d take more than him to land lowell.
