Twins trade rumors and activity 7/30

Keeping track with the various Twins trade rumors to date, as well as their trade activty.  I will add to this on a daily basis, when news appear.   Hypothetical trades and "good fits" are not in the list, only reports of actual interest by a particular team for a particular player.  Another thing not listed will be negations by Twins' officials that they are not shopping anyone (like this one.)

This is the list of rumors up to 7/30:

The Twins are said to be shopping, Ricky Nolasco, Tommy Milone and Fernardo Abad, per Jerry Crasnick

The Texas Rangers are interested in Kurt Suzuki, per Jeff Passan.

Add the San Fransisco Giants in the list of  Eduardo Núñez' suitors, per Jon Heyman via Tyler Jennings, who were actually the team that received him, for LHP Adalberto Mejia, their number 5 prospect, according to Baseball America

There looks to be some action around Brandon Kintzler and Fernando Abad, per Jon Heyman

Eduardo Escobar is auditioning tonight, in request of un-named teams, per Mike Berardino

The Marlins, Orioles, Blue Jays, Pirates and Giants are the 5 teams that have the most talks about starting pitching, according to un-named seller team executives per Joel Sherman.  All 3 but the Jays and Giants have been scouting the Twins and the Twins have been scouting the Marlins recently.

The Twins interim manager Rob Antony has indicated that he will be looking for starting pitching as a return in a trade per Derek Wetmore.

Nunez, Kurt Suzuki, Fernando Abad and Brandon Kintzler are the names that other clubs have been calling the Twins about, per Ken Rosenthal.

An unnamed contenting club has shown interest in Kyle Gibson, but the Twins are only listening, per Mike Berardino.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, who are monitoring relievers, according to LaVelle E. Neal, were scouting the Twins game with Atlanta yesterday that Ervin Santana started and finished.   The Cubs and Pirates also scouted yesterday's Twins' game, per Darren Wolfson

For some reason the Twins are scouting the Florida Marlins, per LaVelle E. Neal,

The Florida Marlins and Baltimore Orioles had scouts in the Twins games in Fenway, started by Ricky Nolasco and Tommy Milone, per Darren Wolfson.

The Twins have talked to the Red Sox, about undisclosed player(s), but no matches were found, per Mike Berardino.

Twins trade rumors 7/29

Keeping track with the various Twins trade rumors to date.  I will add to this on a daily basis, when news appear.   Hypothetical trades and "good fits" are not in the list, only reports of actual interest by a particular team for a particular player.  Another thing not listed will be negations by Twins' officials that they are not shopping anyone (like this one.)

This is the list of rumors up to 7/29:

Add the San Fransisco Giants in the list of  Eduardo Núñez' suitors, per Jon Heyman via Tyler Jennings, who were actually the team that received him, for LHP Adalberto Mejia, their number 5 prospect, according to Baseball America

There looks to be some action around Brandon Kintzler and Fernando Abad, per Jon Heyman

Eduardo Escobar is auditioning tonight, in request of un-named teams, per Mike Berardino

The Marlins, Orioles, Blue Jays, Pirates and Giants are the 5 teams that have the most talks about starting pitching, according to un-named seller team executives per Joel Sherman.  All 3 but the Jays and Giants have been scouting the Twins and the Twins have been scouting the Marlins recently.

The Twins interim manager Rob Antony has indicated that he will be looking for starting pitching as a return in a trade per Derek Wetmore.

Nunez, Kurt Suzuki, Fernando Abad and Brandon Kintzler are the names that other clubs have been calling the Twins about, per Ken Rosenthal.

An unnamed contenting club has shown interest in Kyle Gibson, but the Twins are only listening, per Mike Berardino.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, who are monitoring relievers, according to LaVelle E. Neal, were scouting the Twins game with Atlanta yesterday that Ervin Santana started and finished.   The Cubs and Pirates also scouted yesterday's Twins' game, per Darren Wolfson

For some reason the Twins are scouting the Florida Marlins, per LaVelle E. Neal,

The Florida Marlins and Baltimore Orioles had scouts in the Twins games in Fenway, started by Ricky Nolasco and Tommy Milone, per Darren Wolfson.

The Twins have talked to the Red Sox, about undisclosed player(s), but no matches were found, per Mike Berardino.

Complete profile and scouting report of the newest Twins' pitcher LHP Adalberto Mejia

The Twins acquired LHP Adalberto Mejia, from the San Fransisco Giants, in exchange for Eduardo Núñez.   Núñez came to the Twins from the Yankees for Miguel Sulbaran who came to the Twins from the Dodgers for Drew Butura who came from the Mets for Louis Castillo who came from the Marlins for RHPs Scott Tyler the Twins 2001 2nd round draft pick and Travis Bowyer the Twins 1999 20th round draft pick.

Mejia was signed as international free agent from the Dominican Republic by the Giants in 2011.  Mejia last played for the Giants in AAA Sacramento River Cats (Pacific Coast League,) and was invited to their 2016 MLB camp for his first time.  He is on the Twins' 40-man roster, and likely September callup.

Mejia was born on 6/20/1993 in Bonao, Dominican Republic and was a late bloomer signing by the Giants as an eighteen year old.  That season in the Dominican Summer League he impressed, starting 13 games for 76 innings with 71 K (8.4 K/9) and only 8 BB, with a 0.868 WHIP, 1.42 ERA and 1.75 FIP.  This was enough for him to skip the Giants' US-based Rookie leagues, jumping right on full season A in 2012, playing for the Augusta GreenJackets of the Southern Atlantic League. He participated in 30 games, among them 14 starts. His final numbers for that season were:  106.7 IP  with 79 K (6.7 K/9) 21 BB (1.8 BB/9), with a 1.341 WHIP, 3.97 ERA and 3.29 FIP.  He started the season in the pen, with limited success and moved into the rotation in June, where he found success, finishing the season with a 6-3 record, 3.00 ERA and 1.13 WHIP, post All Star break.

The next season he moved up to the San Jose Giants of the High A California League.  He started 16 games (87 IP) with 89 K (9.2 K/9) and 23 BB (2.4 BB/9) for a 3.31 ERA,  4.20 FIP and 1.126 WHIP.  He miss 48 games that season in May and June with shoulder issues, but came back okay.  He was called to AAA Fresno to start a single game (5 IP, 5 H, 2 HR, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K) and participated in the Arizona Fall League playing in 7 games, 3 as a starter for 8.47 ERA, 1.529 WHIP, 7.4 K/9 and 4.2 BB/9 in 17 innings.  In 2014 he moved up to AA Richmond Flying Squirrels (Eastern League) where he started 21 games and relieved in one, pitching 108 innings with 82 K (6.8 K/9) and 31 BB (2.6 BB/9), for a 1.389 WHIP, 4.67 ERA and 3.78 FIP. He went to the DL three times for 6 days with a leg bruise after a ball hit him in April and for 8- and 12-days in July with finger blisters.   His weight that season went up to 240 lbs (he is 6'3") and needed to be reduced.  Unfortunately he took a banned weight loss supplement that contained stimulants and tested positive, receiving a 50 day suspension, very much like current Twins' DH/1B Kennys Vargas.

He repeated AA in 2015 after he served his suspension. He appeared in 12 games (9 GS), pitching 51.3 innings with 38 K (6.7 K/9) and 18 BB (3.2 BB/9), for a 1.091 WHIP, 2.45 ERA and 3.41 FIP.  Despite the nice performance, he needed innings so he returned to the AFL (7 GS, 31 IP , 1.258 WHIP, 3.48 ERA, 7.5 K/9, 4.1 K/BB) and also appeared in the Dominican Winter League (playing for the Gigantes, coinsidentally: 5 GS, 18.3 IP , 1.091 WHIP, 3.44 ERA, 7.9 K/9, 1.5 K/BB).  After he was invited to his first MLB spring training as part of the Giants' 40-man roster, he was caught in the numbers games and started against at AA Richmond where he excelled after he trimmed down this season (11 GS, 65 IP , 0.985 WHIP, 1.94 ERA, 8.0 K/9, 2.2 K/BB) forcing his promotion to AAA in his age 23 season (he was 22 at the time.)  His numbers (7 GS, 40.7 IP , 1.303 WHIP, 4.20 ERA, 9.5 K/9, 2.4 K/BB) are fairly impressive, especially for the Pacific Coast League.

He has an above average to borderline plus fastball that has increased in velocity this season, sitting at 92-94 and touching 95 as a starter.  Average to above average command and improving and the pitch is projecting to be plus pitch in the near future.  Natural cutting action on the pitch.  His slider is his best pitch.  Siting at 83-84 mph and up to 86.  Nice biting motion, great command and above average control.  This is a pitch that he throws anywhere on the count, pretty much like current Twins' starter Tyler Duffey does with his curve ball.   He also throws a changeup that is an average to above average pitch that can improve.  Nice fluid mechanics.

Weight is a consideration for him, and it currently is under control, listed at 195 lbs.  His ceiling is that of a number 3 starter, but he has a high floor. His floor is of a 8th inning reliever.  He held lefties to a .216/.273/.275 slash line and had 11.3 K/9 against them, which is pretty impressive for the PCL.

Mejia was listed as the 5th best Giants' prospect by Baseball America and 7th best by MLB.com.  He would be among the top 10 in my Twins' list if I had to do this list now, but likely he will be called up in September and that will disqualify him.  Very good return for the Twins.

Twins trade rumors 7/28

Keeping track with the various Twins trade rumors to date.  I will add to this on a daily basis, when news appear.   Hypothetical trades and "good fits" are not in the list, only reports of actual interest by a particular team for a particular player.  Another thing not listed will be negations by Twins' officials that they are not shopping anyone (like this one.)

This is the list of rumors up to 7/28:

Add the San Fransisco Giants in the list of  Eduardo Núñez' suitors, per Jon Heyman via Tyler Jennings.

Eduardo Escobar is auditioning tonight, in request of un-named teams, per Mike Berardino

The Marlins, Orioles, Blue Jays, Pirates and Giants are the 5 teams that have the most talks about starting pitching, according to un-named seller team executives per Joel Sherman.  All 3 but the Jays and Giants have been scouting the Twins and the Twins have been scouting the Marlins recently.

The Twins interim manager Rob Antony has indicated that he will be looking for starting pitching as a return in a trade per Derek Wetmore.

Eduardo Núñez, has been evaluated by the Cleveland Indians, per Buster Olney.

Nunez, Kurt Suzuki, Fernando Abad and Brandon Kintzler are the names that other clubs have been calling the Twins about, per Ken Rosenthal.

An unnamed contenting club has shown interest in Kyle Gibson, but the Twins are only listening, per Mike Berardino.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, who are monitoring relievers, according to LaVelle E. Neal, were scouting the Twins game with Atlanta yesterday that Ervin Santana started and finished.   The Cubs and Pirates also scouted yesterday's Twins' game, per Darren Wolfson

For some reason the Twins are scouting the Florida Marlins, per LaVelle E. Neal,

The Florida Marlins and Baltimore Orioles had scouts in the Twins games in Fenway, started by Ricky Nolasco and Tommy Milone, per Darren Wolfson.

The Twins have talked to the Red Sox, about undisclosed player(s), but no matches were found, per Mike Berardino.

Twins trade rumors 7/27

Keeping track with the various Twins trade rumors to date.  I will add to this on a daily basis, when news appear.   Hypothetical trades and "good fits" are not in the list, only reports of actual interest by a particular team for a particular player.  Another thing not listed will be negations by Twins' officials that they are not shopping anyone (like this one.)

This is the list of rumors up to 7/27:

Eduardo Núñez, has been evaluated by the Cleveland Indians, per Buster Olney.

Nunez, Kurt Suzuki, Fernando Abad and Brandon Kintzler are the names that other clubs have been calling the Twins about, per Ken Rosenthal.

An unnamed contenting club has shown interest in Kyle Gibson, but the Twins are only listening, per Mike Berardino.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, who are monitoring relievers, according to LaVelle E. Neal, were scouting the Twins game with Atlanta yesterday that Ervin Santana started and finished.   The Cubs and Pirates also scouted yesterday's Twins' game, per Darren Wolfson

For some reason the Twins are scouting the Florida Marlins, per LaVelle E. Neal,

The Florida Marlins and Baltimore Orioles had scouts in the Twins games in Fenway, started by Ricky Nolasco and Tommy Milone, per Darren Wolfson.

The Twins have talked to the Red Sox, about undisclosed player(s), but no matches were found, per Mike Berardino.

By the numbers: How bad have Deron Johnson's Twins' drafts been?

As the Minnesota Twins are evaluating their front office, I would like to take the opportunity to objectively evaluate the performance of certain parts of their front office for which there might be appropriate objective evaluation criteria.  Deron Johnson, the Twins scouting director since 2008, who came into the organization when the dearly departed Terry Ryan became the General Manager in 1994, as a regional scout, has been primarily responsible for the Rule 4 amateur draft.  There is a feeling that the Twins do not draft and develop players well.  But drafting and developing are two different things, and need to see how each of them might be performing against the rest of the league. 

How has Johnson done against the league, in the draft?

Here is the data:  I looked at the overall WAR for each team for each draft for all players selected by that team in the first 10 rounds of that draft.   Calculated the average WAR for each draft and the teams better are indicated with green.  The teams are listed alphabetically and the Twins are bolded.  Averages in yellow indicate small sample size, because simply not enough players made it to the bigs in the last few seasons to make any conclusions, but the ones who made it, count to the total team WAR numbers, since Deron Johnson was responsible for the Twins draft.

Long story short:

During the time that Johnson has been in charge of the Twins draft the Twins did better than only 6 other teams in the league: The Red Sox, Yankees, Phillies and the Rangers who all are willing to open their wallets and buy players drafted and developed by others and, surprisingly, the Rays, who are more than willing to sell everyone high to restock their system with players that other teams drafted to develop.  The Twins do neither, so that it a pretty big problem.  And yes Deron Johnson has been performing way below average, and D students should go home...

Few notes:

• This is pretty interesting data about where the Twins can look to stock their front office.  Surprisingly, the Diamondbacks', Padres', Jays', White Sox', and Nationals' systems might be good sources of scouting talent to replace at least Deron and some of his scouts.
• If it were not for 2009 where Dozier and Gibson account for most of the Twins' WAR, the numbers would be really pathetic.
• If you look at teams like the White Sox, that have had the fourth best draft WAR in the period and really nothing to show about it in the majors, you can make easy conclusions about problems with their development and management systems
• Yes, there are up and downs in most teams, but with the Twins other than 2009, it has been mostly downs, and the other teams, have done something about it (replacing under-performing Front Office pieces.)  Will the Twins have the guts to do the same?