Twins trade Gomez to Milwaukee for Hardy

[StatFreak101]

It's true.

http://www.twinstarget.com/2009-article ... hardy.html

[StatFreak101]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/11/t ... hardy.html

[Musk21]

WHoa!

Rotoworld:

Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports that the Brewers have traded J.J. Hottie to the Twins for Señor Excitemento.

Hardy was a goner with the Brewers committing to Alcides Escobar at shortstop and the Twins have long been a rumored destination for him, so this deal makes sense. Gomez fell out of favor in Minnesota after arriving in the Johan Santana trade, but the speedy center fielder will be given a clear path to everyday playing time in Milwaukee as the replacement for free agent Mike Cameron.

[DPJ]

Fuck yeah Bill Smith...I didn't think there was a chance the Twins could get anything good for Gomez.

[StatFreak101]

For as much grief as I give and have given Bill Smith, he deserves a significant amount of praise for making this trade.

Now he needs to get a third baseman, get a starting pitcher, and address the bench.

Then he will be just fine in my book.

[crapforks]

I will miss Gomez, but let us hope Hardy turns it around.

Would anyone here rather it was Young?

[VodkaDave]

I will miss Gomez, but let us hope Hardy turns it around.

Would anyone here rather it was Young?

I think everyone here rather it was Young, but unfortunately none of us run the Brewers.
Good trade for the Twins, hopefully both Hardy and Young become big bats for us.

[DPJ]

I will miss Gomez, but let us hope Hardy turns it around.

Would anyone here rather it was Young?

JJ will be fine, a low BABIP just brought him some bad luck this season.

Kudos to Billy on this one...

[Musk21]

I think this is a good trade for both teams.

Wonder who the Twins will be looking at for our 4th OF? Any ideas? They'll have to be able to play CF. Hopefully someone with a little pop in their bat.

[DPJ]

Wonder who the Twins will be looking at for our 4th OF? Any ideas? They'll have to be able to play CF. Hopefully someone with a little pop in their bat.

I assume it will be Pridie...

[skoalvikings]

Great trade. Now I don't have to continually fool myself into thinking Gomez will become a valuable piece of the offense.

[Jason]

Wonder who the Twins will be looking at for our 4th OF? Any ideas? They'll have to be able to play CF.

[Klobs]

I think this is a good trade for both teams.

Wonder who the Twins will be looking at for our 4th OF? Any ideas? They'll have to be able to play CF. Hopefully someone with a little pop in their bat.

Craig Monroe?

[notoriousgod71]

Billy better hope Hardy returns to form.

A .659 OPS is nothing to get excited about and his career numbers are .751.

[StatFreak101]

I think this is a good trade for both teams.

Wonder who the Twins will be looking at for our 4th OF? Any ideas? They'll have to be able to play CF. Hopefully someone with a little pop in their bat.

As DPJ said, as of now it is probably Pridie.

Although, if there is a cheap, decent option available via FA or even trade, I think the Twins would explore that option.

[Musk21]

Hardy comments on the trade:

http://brewersbeat.mlblogs.com/archives ... lings.html

[notoriousgod71]

At least my last memory of Gomez is him falling down around second base and costing us a run in Game 2.

[Klobs]

Billy better hope Hardy returns to form.

A .659 OPS is nothing to get excited about and his career numbers are .751.

They traded Señor Excitemento to get him.

[argentrans37]

What an exciting day!

The Minnesota Twins got a lot better today. I can't complain about trading away no talent from a position of strength in exchange for talent in a position of severe, severe need.

A+ move, with the potential to drop to a D- if this is our "blockbuster offseason acquisition."

[Justanotherfan]

Why do I still feel like they will not resign Mauer?

[Doba]

Twins should take a long hard look at Reed Johnson for another OF. The guy flat out hussels 100% of the time. He can play all three OF spots. Loved him when he played for the Cubs.

[jewscott]

Now Nick really is going to jump.

[Nick N.]

Dan claims to have it on good authority that the Brewers wanted Perkins and the Twins wouldn't give him up. If that's true, I'm baffled and annoyed.

[alswearingen1]

I think this is a good trade for both teams.

Wonder who the Twins will be looking at for our 4th OF? Any ideas? They'll have to be able to play CF. Hopefully someone with a little pop in their bat.

As DPJ said, as of now it is probably Pridie.

Although, if there is a cheap, decent option available via FA or even trade, I think the Twins would explore that option.

I can't see any reason to give a job to Pridie. He is not even a good AAA player. On my 2010 roster guess, I had Corey Patterson as the Twins 4th OF. I'd rather have Patterson than Pridie, but someone like Johnson or a cast of thousands of others would be better than Pridie.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Dan claims to have it on good authority that the Brewers wanted Perkins and the Twins wouldn't give him up. If that's true, I'm baffled and annoyed.

Yeah, same here. I was thinking a Perkins for Hardy trade straight up made a lot of sense. Either way, not going to complain. This solves a bit of a problem for the Twins in the process. I'm also guessing that Pridie gets his crack at a 4th OF role, which the team seemed to think he was fit for.

[DPJ]

Twins GM Bill Smith said on the conference call that he talked to free agent Orlando Cabrerror this morning and told him Hardy will be the team's shortstop. Smith would not commit to 2011 Twins' Opening Day Second Baseman Nick Punto as the team's starting second baseman.

I love you Bill Smith...

Dan claims to have it on good authority that the Brewers wanted Perkins and the Twins wouldn't give him up. If that's true, I'm baffled and annoyed.

Not exactly like the Twins are flush with pitchers right now.

[snepp]

No more Gomez/Young debates, I'm saddened.

[lambo_asdf]

Dan claims to have it on good authority that the Brewers wanted Perkins and the Twins wouldn't give him up. If that's true, I'm baffled and annoyed.

Perkins has a lot more value to redeem than Gomez. Plus, he's one of us.

[snepp]

Perkins has a lot more value to redeem than Gomez. Plus, he's one of us.

We're all a bunch of assholes?


[/DPJ]

[Klobs]

No more Gomez/Young debates, I'm saddened.

Bring on the Punto/Casilla debates!

[lambo_asdf]

Hey, this is exactly what I said the Twins should do: trade Gomez instead of Young. Now the Twins should get crackin' on finding a useful fourth outfielder (I suggested Cody Ross for Duensing) who can make a productive 400-500 PA as the fourth OF and be a starter in case Delmon fails again.

[Klobs]

Hey, this is exactly what I said the Twins should do: trade Gomez instead of Young. Now the Twins should get crackin' on finding a useful fourth outfielder (I suggested Cody Ross for Duensing) who can make a productive 400-500 PA as the fourth OF and be a starter in case Delmon fails again.

They can't really afford to move starting pitching, especially if Perkins is going to be moved, as I suspect he will.

[kydoty]

Right now, it should be...

1. Span CF
2. Mauer C
3. Morneau
4. Kuddubel DH
5. Cuddyer RF
6. Young LF
7. Hardy SS
8. Placenta 3B
9. Punto 2B

But Gardy will probably bat Hardy 2nd with his .323 career OBP to go with it.

[neboo]

Reed Johnson for 4th OF.

[kab21]

Hey, this is exactly what I said the Twins should do: trade Gomez instead of Young. Now the Twins should get crackin' on finding a useful fourth outfielder (I suggested Cody Ross for Duensing) who can make a productive 400-500 PA as the fourth OF and be a starter in case Delmon fails again.

either Young or gomez

I would be thrilled if they traded Young also... I've maintained that neither Young nor Gomez should be guaranteed a starting spot next spring.

Marlon Byrd is a solid OF'er as a FA and shouldn't cost too much.

[rongardenhire]

Bill Smith needs to be fired. I dont think he has made a good trade since he has been here. He has no vision at all. Señor Excitemento is a great young talent that is going to be great when he matures. It's not like Cuddyer is going to be here much longer, 2 years... And then Carlos would have been ready to take over. And if you wanted JJ Hardy that bad, they shouldve traded 3-4 B- prospects. The twins have a TON of those types and wouldve been valuable in the Brewers organziation, but clogged in ours. Hardy is not the longterm answer at SS, obviousbly they feel different. Another year of Cabrera wouldve been nice helping out with the younger guys with his veteran presence and still productive bat. This trade is absolute garbage. Welcome to the twins family JJ. Hope you're ready to perform, but this trade was retarded.

[Klobs]

I'd rather have Young than Byrd. Byrd is on the wrong side of 30, and his numbers away from Texas are not significantly better than Young's overall line for three years running.

[lambo_asdf]

They can't really afford to move starting pitching, especially if Perkins is going to be moved, as I suspect he will.

That could be true, but maybe a Perkins-centered package would work for Florida. Either way, I'm not convinced Duensing is the better of those two guys moving forward. Ross is nearly the ideal fourth outfielder. He plays great in a large reserve role, and he has the tools to back up CF. Also, he's one of the best vs. LHP hitters in baseball, which means you can pencil him in for 150 productive at bats platooning with Kuddubel at DH (or rather, playing LF while Delmon is DH).

[EspnBoardIsInept]

Unfortunately, this ensures the Twins of a low-range outfield with a bunch of fly ball pitchers in the starting rotation. I think I can live with it, though. Improves the SS defense, as well.

[Musk21]

They can't really afford to move starting pitching, especially if Perkins is going to be moved, as I suspect he will.

That could be true, but maybe a Perkins-centered package would work for Florida. Either way, I'm not convinced Duensing is the better of those two guys moving forward. Ross is nearly the ideal fourth outfielder. He plays great in a large reserve role, and he has the tools to back up CF. Also, he's one of the best vs. LHP hitters in baseball, which means you can pencil him in for 150 productive at bats platooning with Kuddubel at DH (or rather, playing LF while Delmon is DH).

I like it. Cody Ross is who I had in mind as well for the same reasons you stated. Crocodile Tears in Florida sounds fitting. Pridie's numbers at AAA are weak. Why would they be any better in MN?

[Rocketpig]

I have to admit that I'm becoming a fan of Bill Smith.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Vezina Trophy Winner Billy Smith needs to be fired. I dont think he has made a good trade since he has been here. He has no vision at all. Señor Excitemento is a great young talent that is going to be great when he matures. It's not like Cuddyer is going to be here much longer, 2 years... And then Carlos would have been ready to take over. And if you wanted JJ Hardy that bad, they shouldve traded 3-4 B- prospects. The twins have a TON of those types and wouldve been valuable in the Brewers organziation, but clogged in ours. Hardy is not the longterm answer at SS, obviousbly they feel different. Another year of Cabrera wouldve been nice helping out with the younger guys with his veteran presence and still productive bat. This trade is absolute garbage. Welcome to the twins family JJ. Hope you're ready to perform, but this trade was retarded.

I'll take the bait. I have to admit his trades thus far have not been very good, but at the same time, looking at them in proper context, we have to admit that they were decent deals at the time. The Santana trade was unfortunate, in part because Santana forced it giving us that horrible haul, but at the same time no one thought we would have competed in 2008 either, so it made sense. That trade was bad though, not because of Smith but because of the fact that he had no leverage. Garza and Young is a bit different, but adjusted for context isn't as bad as we had thought. There were a lot of people who wanted us to trade from strength to fill a position of weakness, and Garza/Young did precisely that. A lot of people liked that trade. Admittedly, it hasn't panned out, but in context it hasn't been bad. Keep in mind Jerry Ryan pretty much only did trades unless he absolutely schooled the other team. He had a rep. People wouldn't trade with him. This isn't a bad thing at all in my opinion. Yes, I would have rather traded Perkins for Hardy, but then again, it could be that Florida didn't want Gomez and wanted Perkins as a part of a deal for Uggla... Who knows.

Bottom line is this. We got better today... by a lot, and solved an outfield jam as well. Whether the fourth OFer is Pridie or perhaps an inexpensive FA, I think it gives Gardy somethign better to work with, especially in those late inning situations where it was obvious our bench was horrible.

[argentrans37]

And if you wanted JJ Hardy that bad, they shouldve traded 3-4 B- prospects. The twins have a TON of those types

I think there are 30 teams in the majors with "3-4 B- prospects." That's the whole thing. It takes value to get value. Don't get me wrong, I would love to trade Brock Peterson, Justin Huber and the likes for a starting infielder, but I just don't see other teams liking that offer.

[kab21]

I'd rather have Young than Byrd. Byrd is on the wrong side of 30 and his numbers away from Texas are not significantly better than Young's overall line for three years running.

You're right the difference in defense is negligible and not worth mentioning. byrd is hardly an answer to LF but simply an acceptable stopgap until someone like Revere/Tosoni/Benson/Hicks/Morales is ready. If you can grab a .750-.775 OPS OF'er with solid defense on the cheap (let's say 4M or less and 1 to maybe 2 years) it's solid.

Or you could see if you could grab DeRosa on the cheap if there are concerns about his surgery and then just hope that 2 of DeRosa/Placenta/Young/tosoni pan out at 3B and LF.

[Klobs]

They can't really afford to move starting pitching, especially if Perkins is going to be moved, as I suspect he will.

That could be true, but maybe a Perkins-centered package would work for Florida. Either way, I'm not convinced Duensing is the better of those two guys moving forward.

I'm not convinced of that either, but Perkins is not a company man.

[StatFreak101]

Dan claims to have it on good authority that the Brewers wanted Perkins and the Twins wouldn't give him up. If that's true, I'm baffled and annoyed.

Not true.

Twins officials have confirmed that Brewers did not request Anthony Perkins.

[Musk21]

Dan claims to have it on good authority that the Brewers wanted Perkins and the Twins wouldn't give him up. If that's true, I'm baffled and annoyed.

Not true.

Twins officials have confirmed that Brewers did not request Anthony Perkins.

1. Who is Dan?
2. Where have Twins officials confirmed this?

You guys want to clue us in on your info? OK thanks.

[StatFreak101]

1. Who is Dan?

I believe he is 'Dwade' here at BYTO.

2. Where have Twins officials confirmed this?

It's all over Twitter.

You guys want to clue us in on your info? OK thanks.

Sure, you're welcome.

[a-wan]

Does this mean Cabrera is going to be signed to be the utility infielder?

[Klobs]

Tom Powers takes a hatchet to Gomez.