OT: Twins "Fire Sale" Continues. See Ya, Brian...

[HappyViking]

https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/twins-tra...-288208342

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins made their fifth and final deal before Tuesday's non-waiver Trade Deadline, sending second baseman Brian Dozier to the Dodgers for veteran second baseman Logan Forsythe and prospects Devin Smeltzer and Luke Raley.
Dozier,
perhaps the club's most popular player over the last five seasons, had
become one of the faces of the franchise, along with Joe Mauer,
after developing into a power-hitting All-Star second baseman and a
clubhouse leader. But he will become a free agent after the season, and
the Twins weren't going to re-sign him, so they decided to move him.
Dozier joins Eduardo Escobar (D-backs), Ryan Pressly (Astros), Zach Duke (Mariners) and Lance Lynn
(Yankees) as those sold prior to the Trade Deadline, bringing back 11
prospects and Forsythe. Pressly was under contract through next year,
but the rest were all going to be free agents after the season. The
Twins hung onto closer Fernando Rodney, as they have a $4.25 million club option on him for next season, and right-hander Kyle Gibson, who remains under team control next year.
Dozier,
an eighth-round pick in 2009, was a success story in Minnesota, winning
the organization's Minor League Player of the Year Award in 2012 before
unexpectedly becoming a power hitter in the Majors and a fan favorite.
He participated in the Home Run Derby in '14, was an All-Star in '15 and
hit a career-high 42 homers in '16. He had expressed interest in
signing an extension prior to this season, but the front office never
approached him or his agent about a potential new contract.
Raley,
23, is the headliner for the Twins, as he ranked as the Dodgers' No. 19
prospect, per MLB Pipeline. The left-handed-hitting first
baseman/outfielder is having a solid year at Double-A Tulsa, hitting
.275/.345/.477 with 17 homers, 17 doubles and 53 RBIs in 93 games.
Smeltzer,
22, has posted a 4.73 ERA with 67 strikeouts and 19 walks in 83 2/3
innings at Double-A. He had been starting early in the season but moved
to relief in July.
Forsythe, 31, was included in the deal because
he's making the same salary as Dozier this season at $9 million and the
Dodgers wanted to avoid going over the luxury tax. He also gives the
Twins a veteran infielder for the second half, but he's hitting
.207/.270/.290 with two homers and 13 RBIs in 70 games this season.

[Guest]

What a bummer of a season for a young team with high hopes.  The Twins are a mess.  I won't be one bit surprised to see Molly get canned at the end of the season too.

[Guest]

I think Molly stays unless his overuse of the pen is an unsolvable issue.  Just a plain shitshow the entire year

[Guest]

@"Bullazin" said:
I think Molly stays unless his overuse of the pen is an unsolvable issue.  Just a plain shitshow the entire year

The over use of the pen stems from a lack of quality starting pitching.  It seems that the starters all go to shit at the same time and all seem to go 6 innings or more at the same time amd then the pen gets to much time off.

This team is maddening to watch.

[Guest]

This royally sucks.

[Guest]

I just hope the bodies they got in return can be of value. Twins do not have a good history with this (other than the Viola trade)

[Guest]

Mixed blessing Buxton and Sano have zero value.

[Guest]

I haven't been to a twins game for quit a while,  today should be interesting....  I might have to buy a program to figure out who's on first. 

[Guest]

In the case of the Vikings and Twins, the star treatment gives, and it takes away

Dueling emotions greeted two significant developments within hours of each other Tuesday: the Vikings signing Stefon Diggs, the Twins trading Brian Dozier.One local franchise invited a cornerstone player to unpack his bags and stay awhile. Another team across town pushed a cornerstone player out the door.

One team is trying to maximize its opportunity to win a championship. The other team is engaged in a substantial roster reconstruction.
Dueling emotions greeted two significant developments within hours of each other on Tuesday: Vikings receiver Stefon Diggs signing a long-term extension and Twins second baseman Brian Dozier being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Vikings fans had reason to celebrate. Twins fans better hope Falvine's plan doesn't belly-flop.
If evaluated by an emoji, one move gets a thumb's-up, the other a frown.
The Vikings locked up another core player by signing Diggs to a five-year, $72 million extension. General Manager Rick Spielman and salary cap magician Rob Brzezinski continued to maneuver deftly around financial parameters in order to keep a valuable piece from reaching free agency.
The organization's ability to retain star players who are in their prime while also handing quarterback Kirk Cousins a historic $84 million contract serves as a case study in savvy cap management.
Linebacker Anthony Barr's contract situation remains unresolved on the team's checklist. It's unclear if Diggs' deal will affect Barr's extension talks, but there might be enough money left in the coffers.
If this was an either/or choice, the Vikings picked the right option. Keeping Diggs became imperative once the team signed Cousins.
Diggs and Adam Thielen give the Vikings perhaps the best wide receiver duo in the NFL. The organization invested heavily in Cousins, and his signing brought instant Super Bowl-or-bust expectations. Surrounding Cousins with as much talent as possible gives him the best chance of being successful. It's just common sense.
One counterargument is that elite quarterbacks can elevate any receiver. Maybe, but give me a sure thing every time. Diggs is a sure thing. If he can avoid injuries, his production should only increase with stability at quarterback and offensive coordinator.
"I believe we have something special with the players that we have and the pieces that we added," Diggs said. "Hopefully we can make this last for a long time."
The Twins are operating with a different focus, as was made evident by their fire sale of veterans leading up to the final move, cutting ties with Dozier in exchange for two more prospects and veteran second baseman Logan Forsythe.
A disappointing season compelled new baseball bosses Derek Falvey and Thad Levine to shed veterans with expiring contracts in favor of stockpiling prospects...


http://www.startribune.com/in-the-case-o...489699771/

[Guest]

The twins weren't going to resign Dozier, might as well get some value for him...we weren't going to make up 8 games against a team like Cleveland with quality arms. Next year is very promising from a pitching perspective if Erv can regain form. Gibson, berrios, Santana, Fernando Romero, and odorizzi would be a damn good 5 man rotation. That along with Buxton in center, regardless of his offensive output, will put this team in a much better spot to compete with maybe a free agent signing or two. Polanco missing half the season didn't help either. Tough year for injuries and suspensions for the twins when they needed everyone to be available.