not baker. no. N. O. NO. but buh-bye Kyle. We enjoyed having you here, and best wishes. And au revoir Romero.

The Twins will trade Scott as soon as the Devil Rays sell out a regular season game.

Yeah, leave Baker out of this. I won't miss Lohse or Romero.

Hey Bat-Girl

That sounds like a good trade for Mike Lowell for Kyle Lohse haha good riddens and JC Romero for the same thing but I don't think they will get rid of Scott Baker. They should get players that they don't want. Kevin Millar sounds like a good fit but how much is their asking price maybe he could play first base because I don't think Justin Mourneau is the answer at first base. I think the Twins should give Justin one more year at first base. But if they do sign Millar he can fill in positions in the outfield or the Twins can give him a starting job which is a possibly. All these trades could happen but the Twins want some offense out of these guys. But the Twins want to sign the cheapest players out on the market. I will be surprised if they really hit it hard in the trade and Free Agent market. I really want them to do whatever it takes to put a good club out there for the 2006 season because if they are going to have the same roster out there for next year, I probably wouldn't be going to many games their this year. Just Beat the Yankees Six times a year.

Seth Tiegs, Burnsville, MN

I'll echo PJ on this.

if they trade baker i will probably cry. that would be horrible. i can't even think about it.

That's the first time I've heard Baker's name mentioned. I think the fact that Sid East is the one who wrote this should tell us something. And that something is "ain't gonna happen."

It makes sense for this team to trade Lohse, who's getting more expensive, and ride Baker for a few years. It doesn't make much sense to trade cheap, good, young starting pitching.

Dear readers,

While I imagine trading Baker isn't high on the Twins list, we need hitting. Good hitting. And I can't see how much we're going to get for Lohse and Romero--maybe we can get a good hitter, but I'm not sure. Twins Geek wrote a couple months ago that nothing and no one is more important than getting a big bat, because we've shown we can't win without it, and I tend to agree (though I would except the Johanninator to that.) What I am saying is, it's going to hurt and I think we must resign ourselves to that.

Resignedly,
Batgirl

Scott Baker's been great so far, but team's don't pay partial salaries to move veterans without getting good young prospects in the deal. Lyle and JC both have consistency problems so any team that's gonna take on salary for a trade with us is going to want Baker or Liriano. Of the two, I would deal Baker and keep Liriano.

Having said that, I don't think we'd be getting much value for Baker in this deal so I think it's a bad idea. We could get a better player than Lowell for Baker.

I think it's highly unlikely the trade with Florida will happen, anyway. They're trying to dump loads of salary, and someone out there will take on Lowell's whole contract to get their grubby paws on Beckett.

NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! I will beat someone if they try to trade Scott!!His outfit was the cutest at rookie hazing!!!!

Baker stays here and we get everyone good. I like that plan.

You would think we have other pitchers that could garner us someone like Lowell. Or, for that matter, could step up and take Baker's place. I mean, I like Baker, don't get me wrong. He showed he might be ready soon to pitch at this level. But ... whatever happened to Gassner? And, what about Crain? With Balfour back, maybe he moves to the starting ro'? Plus, looking at the active roster, there's a lot of pitchers on there I've never heard of before. Maybe they're trade bait or maybe they're the next arms ready to step in and step up. Again, I like Baker, but really, he's just another pitcher that made a splash this year. If we trade him, they're will probably be another one just like him waiting to take his place. Dang, we got pitching coming out our wazoo. We need a bat.

I'm against trading Baker, too. If we're short Lohse and Mays, we need good starting pitching next year, and Baker has proved he can do it. It will do us no good to pick up a good bat if suddenly 2/5 of our starting pitching staff can't handle the job. Quite frankly, other than Bradke-Santana-Silva-Baker- Hmm. I can't even figure out who the fifth starter will be (other than Gassner and Liriano, none of the starters were in the majors last year; and I still think Liriano won't be called up to start at the beginning of next year). I can't imagine trying to figure two more starters. Unless you're planning on handing Mulholland the ball every fifth day, again.

I will certainly miss Lohse, but J.Ro has been too much of an emotional roller coaster.

Millar can stay far far away. *glares at Millar* Stay. Away.

As for Baker...I'm torn. I mean, yeah, he's like really really good. And it would kick all sorts of butt to get to keep him...but BG, you're right. We need hitting. Good hitting. *sigh* I don't know....

Baker? *sniff*

Lohse? *blubber* (I know, I'm the only one...I just have come to like the guy for no actual baseball-related reason. Except August-September this year didn't hurt).

At least last season... I wouldn't exactly classify Lowell as a "good hitter." Just sayin. He's a used-ta-be-good hitter. What reasons do we have to expect him to return to good hitter status?

Why can't Guerrier pick up some starts? I believe his name was tossed around a bit for that purpose. I'm leery of throwing balfour right into the rotation. I dunno why, I just am.

Guerrier won't start because he only has one really strong pitch. He can look great one time through the order, but by the second time the hitters have figured him out.

Guerrier is injured right now, i wouldn't call Lowell or Millar good bats. If we have to trade Baker or Liriano, i would like someone like Adam Dunn or Troy Glaus in return.

I know you have to give up something good to get something good, but trading Lohse and Baker would be dealing away what could otherwise be 2/5 of next year's starting rotation. This team has lots of other pitching prospects down the line. Maybe if another team needs good young pitching we can get them to take somebody who isn't quite as MLB-ready as Baker. Especially with Radke probably retiring after next year, this team could lose its pitching edge in a hurry if it's trading away guys like Baker and Liriano. Maybe they can get a team to take Boof instead. As much as I like the idea of a Twin named Boof (and the Boof is my Boyfriend T-Shirts that would come with it), he's more expendable.

Matt's injured - when did this happen??

I know Grant Balfour suffered a set back in his rehab and MIGHT not be ready for spring training -

Anyway there is a rumour about a Lowell-Burnett-Blaylock trade -

Much Love
WW

And NO TROY GLAUS!!!!!!!!

Much Love
WW

Oops - Beckett not Burnett - got all confused -it's a Monday =)

This might become moot:

The Dallas News reported this morning that: "While the Rangers, according to a club source, inched forward Sunday and agreed to include one of their top two pitching prospects along with third baseman Hank Blalock in a deal for Beckett and Mike Lowell, the Marlins were also considering an offer from Boston."

http://www.dallasnews.com/s/dws/spt/baseball/rangers/stories/112105dnsporanglede.39e1038.html

I think if someone can teach Beckett how not to get blisters, he is as good as any pitcher in baseball. And I would go near Lowell right now. Often injuried and has not played as well as we have seen for a few years.

If the Marlins are truly having a fire sale, then I would want Pierre, Cabrera, Willis, and Beckett. These guys are all players that can make a difference. LoDuca would be good for a team that really needs a steady catcher as well.

el diablo say:

NOOOMMMMAAAAAHHHHHHRRR!

Did anyone else notice the fourth to last paragraph in that Marlins fire sale article?

"If the Beckett trade is completed, there's a chance the Marlins will trade Blalock to another team. Blalock might not fit into Florida's long-term plans because he is owed $3 million in 2006, $4.75 million in 2007 and $5.95 million in 2008."

So, why don't we just let the Marlins and Rangers do their thing, and then take Blaylock's salary off Florida's hands for a couple of young arms along with, say, Lohse? A two-time allstar would look pretty good at third base under the dome...

Re: Baker

I'd probably put Baker on the "nearly untradable" list. Ahead of Liriano. Ahead of Morneau. Ahead of Kubel. (And since two of those guys are among my NSMC, that's saying something.)

We know what we're getting with Baker. A solid, young, mid-rotation pitcher with good stuff, above-average control, and good stamina. Some people like to minimize his impact by saying "he'll never be an ace". The fact is, there aren't enough aces to go around in this league. Bartolo Colon is not a true ace - his ERA isn't that low, he won't strike out ten per game - and he won a Cy Young.

That's what Scott Baker has the potential to be for this team - a solid, reliable innings-eater who, while he won't dominate in either ERA or strikeouts, will give the team a good chance to win around 30 out of 35 starts each year.

Besides, for the next three years, he's a serf. That means he's owed "only" one million FOR ALL THREE YEARS. Sure, trading him for a bat might make the team better next year, but a small-market team has to look further ahead than one season.

If Baker gets traded for anyone, it better be either a top-10 prospect with a chance to play today (um.. Hanley Ramirez? B. J. Upton? Maybe two or three others who aren't available anyway) OR a guy who is already established as an MLB offensive force and still has at least one year of serfdom (none that I can think of).

Now, Boof Bonser, J. D. Durbin, Dave Gassner, Jesse Crain, Travis Bowyer... these are the prospects that are expendible.

It's all good and well that you guys banter around the "trade Jesse Crain" talk now that Hockey season is in full swing, but if Kafumbly catches anyone saying that you'll be lucky to get a fist shaken at you.

I finally make the commitment to Baker to be my boyfriend, and now there's talk of trade:( I DON'T want to see Baker get traded, but as mentioned earlier...we need a good bat!

Heartaches happen, life goes on....
I survived losing Douggie...my first BF!

Wait a minute. Did that Dallas article say the Rangers were considering trading one of their top two pitching prospects?

That just BEGS the question... when did the Rangers get one, nevermind 2, pitching prospects?

As for the Baker issue, "nearly" untouchable is probably right. If you trade him, you risk making yourself look really bad down the line (or even very quickly), but if you get a legitimate every day player that hits with some power (and that you can likely afford to keep around a few years), I'd probably make the deal.

If the Rangers are shopping Blalock, then I think the Twins should go right for Blalock. Now. Right now. Because he's young, good, and a bargain right now.

Twins need hitters. Rangers need pitchers. Twins have lots of pitchers. Rangers have lots of hitters. These two teams always seemed like trade partners made in heaven.

Dear Mr. Neil,

Fifty more for Gryffindor.

Sincerely,
BG

Our chances of landing Blalock aren't looking too good.

From Rotowire

"Texas has agreed to part with either John Danks or Thomas Diamond in the mega-trade involving Blalock, Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell, with the trade only needing an agreement from Florida according to the Dallas Morning News.

Spin: Florida is reportedly deciding between this offer and one from Boston; Texas wants an answer by Monday."

A follow up to PlayhouseGang if the Rangers trade Blalock to Florida.
From ESPN.com:
"The Marlins, if that deal were completed, then would turn around and trade Blalock, who would block Miguel Cabrera's return to third base if Florida kept him. Teams known to be interested in Blalock include the Twins, Phillies and Devil Rays."

Curiouser and Curiouser.

I just saw that one, too, T-Mac, soon after my post. Though, the latest "news" on ESPN.com makes it sound more and more like Boston's getting Beckett. I guess we'll just have to go Neil's route and go right to the young slugger source.

So the Marlins/Rangers deal fell through. Meaning Hank Blalock is still available for pitching. I love Baker/Lirano but we gotta give one up along with Loshe and/or Romero if we're going to get Blalock. I say we make a run for it.

Me, you are dead right. trade Jesse Crain?! one more word like that, and I swear...

neut, darling, you want expendible? I'll show you expendible. :shakes fist:

;-)

Don't you just love trade rumors?

I have to say, Blalock is my favorite rumor so far.

BG:

You're right about having to trade quality to get quality - but there's the rub.

Lowell was far from quality in 2005. If we're going to trade Baker, especially for someone with a hefty pricetag, we need someone in return who isn't a question mark possibly on the far side of his peak.

Add a bag of balls to Lohse & Romero - not Baker.

Baker for Lowell? No thanks.

Baker for Blalock? THIS I could be interested in....

Dear Mr./Ms D,

I wholeheartedly occur. Baker is almost untouchable to me, too, unless we get someone fab or someone with a really great nearly unspellable name.

Sincerely,
BG

The Red Sox reportedly are getting not only Lowell, but Josh Beckett for Hanley Ramirez, right-hander Anibal Sanchez, and Jesus Delgado.

Cold check it:

http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view.bg?articleid=113315

I'm not sure I understand the attachment to Baker. We only started hearing about him this year. How many just like him are there in the Twins system? Someone, other than Liriano, will stand out in Spring Training, just like Baker did this year. Again, I like Baker and, based on his limited appearances this year, he looks like he's ready. But, let's be realistic. Justin Morneau looked ready in his limited appearances two years ago and we all know how that turned out. Baker's no more of a sure thing than anyone else in the Twins farm system.

5 starting pitchers and no hitting equals what we had this year. 3 starting pitchers and some hitting equals ... what? The Yankees? The White Sox? As Santana found out, holding a team to 1 or 2 runs doesn't do any good unless you, too, can score some runs.

I guess, I'm saying if Baker could get us someone like Blalock, then we might be wise to do that. Only TR and his staff know if we have the pitching in our farm system to survive something like that.

As for Liriano starting out of Spring Training, I agree that he won't. But that's because he's projected to be the fifth starter and the first month or so of the season doesn't really include many opportunities for a fifth starter. So, he starts in the minors to stay sharp.