MLB: Twins acquire Matt Capps for Ramos and Testa

[jtd9046]

Capps to be the closer, Rauch to the setup role.

Testa is a single A LHP. Twins get cash in deal too.

Matt Capps is a Twin | StarTribune.com

Not sure how I feel about giving up Ramos for a RP. I think he could have been used to get more, whether it was this year or next.

 

[mwitt]

Expendable piece, but definitely looks like an overpay. At least it isn't a complete rental. If it took Ramos to land Matt freaking Capps, then the rumors of Washington asking for your first born son for Dunn must be true.

 

[3GenClone]

Great opportunity for Ramos - catching for Strasburg and provide stability to the catcher position so Harper can move positions. Nats are taking the Tampa Bay model of acquiring talent and could be on the upswing in a couple of years.

 

[jtd9046]

Expendable piece, but definitely looks like an overpay.

Expendable for sure, just think he could have gotten more for the Twins than a RP.

Your point may be right as well, not a complete rental and could provide to be valuable next year with the uncertainty of Nathan's return from surgery.

 

[ZCyclone]

I knew Gardie was a bit unhappy with Rauch, but really didn't see them making a move for RP. I was thinking that the Twins would make a move towards starting pitching (Lily, etc)

 

[RING4CY]

Rauch wasn't horrible as a closer. Certainly wasn't any Joe Nathan, but the Twins have been spoiled at the closer position with Aguilera, Everyday Eddie, and Nathan over the last 15 years or so.

But to send the organization's #1/#2 prospect for a rent-a-closer, even if Ramos had no future with the Twins being stuck behind Mauer, is way too much of a steep price.

Oh, and I'm not quite sure how this addresses the Twins biggest need, bolstering the starting rotation.

 

[shagcarpetjesus]

You really have to wonder how much Ramos' struggles in AAA this year affected his value on the trade market. He's had pretty decent offensive numbers throughout the minors as he came up, but he's really struggled at the plate this season to the tune of .241/.280/.345. That's pretty ugly.

 

[jtd9046]

Rauch wasn't horrible as a closer. Certainly wasn't any Joe Nathan, but the Twins have been spoiled at the closer position with Aguilera, Everyday Eddie, and Nathan over the last 15 years or so.

But to send the organization's #1/#2 prospect for a rent-a-closer, even if Ramos had no future with the Twins being stuck behind Mauer, is way too much of a steep price.

Oh, and I'm not quite sure how this addresses the Twins biggest need, bolstering the starting rotation.

1) You're right that Rauch did fine, this definitely does show that they didn't have confidence in him down the stretch.

2) Capps can be retained as an arbitration-eligible player for 2011. He made 3.5 this year so he could be a security blanket for Nathan's return from injury. If Nathan turns out to be fine, trade him someone where else and get the prospects back. He is not a rental.

3) I don't mind this move in regards to the SP need. If Lily wasn't an option, than there really wasn't any other SP that could really make an impact needed from a trade. Now that Duensing is in the rotation, the Twins did need more BP help.

 

[jtd9046]

You really have to wonder how much Ramos' struggles in AAA this year affected his value on the trade market. He's had pretty decent offensive numbers throughout the minors as he came up, but he's really struggled at the plate this season to the tune of .241/.280/.345. That's pretty ugly.

His numbers and the fact that everyone knew he was expendable. The Twins really didn't have as much leverage with him as we hoped, most likely.

 

[Steve]

This is a great trade for the Twins. Ramos has yet to prove that he can hit a big league breaking ball. After starting out on fire in his debut with 7 hits in his first 9 AB's, he quickly fell off with 1 hit in his next 18 AB's when he started getting a steady dose of off-speed pitches. He might prove able to make the necessary adjustments, but there is a long list of hot prospects who failed in their attempt to handle Uncle Charley. I like the idea of getting an all-star in return for someone who is unproven at this point.

The Twins bolstered their end of the game options with Capps. Rauch seems to be going through a rough spot just when the Twins need to be in a position to make a run. He has managed to convert 21 of 25 save opportunities, but he has not posted a 3 up / 3 down inning in his last 10 appearances. Capps has a similar save ratio with 26 out of 30, but his underlying numbers are better. He has better ERA, WHIP, and GO/AO numbers. He has also been the hotter pitcher lately with perfect innings in 5 of his last 10 appearances. He should also benefit from the Twins solid infield defense. Two of his blown saves in his only rough stretch back in June were a direct result of errors leading to unearned runs.

I also expect that Smith is not done yet with strengthening the bullpen. The Blue Jays may be more willing to work out a deal now that they realize that the Twins have already improved their position and can walk away if needed.

The Twins can certainly win the division with their current starting 5 now that Lariano has found his grove, Baker is pitching like he typically does down the stretch, and Duensing has bolstered the rotation. Pavano is the anchor even if he isn't granted the title of ace. Slowey can at least be serviceable as the 5th starter with an upside of being .500 or better if he pitches like he has proven that he can in the past.

The ace in the hole for the Twins is when Morneau gets back. Can't do any better than adding a MVP bat to the lineup.

 

[Clones21]

****. Screws up my saves in fantasy baseball...

 

[Iastfan112]

Initially I was thinking this was a horrible trade, now I just view it as a poor one. Ramos itself would be an overpay. Testa is a fringe prospect which really doesn't hurt that much to lose but its the principle of the thing here. Capps probably should be one of the best arms in our bullpen, but for giving away a top prospect I'd have thought you'd be able to get a dominant BP arm, not a merely good one.

 

[Bipolarcy]

Capps to be the closer, Rauch to the setup role.

Testa is a single A LHP. Twins get cash in deal too.

Matt Capps is a Twin | StarTribune.com

Not sure how I feel about giving up Ramos for a RP. I think he could have been used to get more, whether it was this year or next.

I like the deal. It's not like Ramos would ever get a lot of at bats with the Twins anyway. He's really the Twins fourth catcher behind Mauer, Morales and Butera. And I can't find this left-handed pitcher on any of the Twins minor league rosters. Also when you consider who else was trying to get Capps -- the Yankees, Braves, but most importantly, the White Sox -- is makes sense. anything to keep him away from the White Sox.

 

[RING4CY]

2) Capps can be retained as an arbitration-eligible player for 2011. He made 3.5 this year so he could be a security blanket for Nathan's return from injury. If Nathan turns out to be fine, trade him someone where else and get the prospects back. He is not a rental.

I did not know this part and makes me feel a little better about the trade. I agree, hold onto him throughout the first half of next season as insurance to Nathan. If Nathan is fully recovered, use Capps as a setup man for the first 3-4 months of the season. Then trade him for prospects or as part of a trade for whatever may be a need to make a stretch run in 2011.

 

[CrossCyed]

I like the deal. It's not like Ramos would ever get a lot of at bats with the Twins anyway. He's really the Twins fourth catcher behind Mauer, Morales and Butera. And I can't find this left-handed pitcher on any of the Twins minor league rosters. Also when you consider who else was trying to get Capps -- the Yankees, Braves, but most importantly, the White Sox -- is makes sense. anything to keep him away from the White Sox.

Sox were in no way trying to get Capps. Sights are set on Edwin Jackson and Lance Berkman right now.


I would have thought Ramos would be a chip in a deal for someone bigger than Capps.

 

[Iastfan112]

I like the deal. It's not like Ramos would ever get a lot of at bats with the Twins anyway. He's really the Twins fourth catcher behind Mauer, Morales and Butera. And I can't find this left-handed pitcher on any of the Twins minor league rosters. Also when you consider who else was trying to get Capps -- the Yankees, Braves, but most importantly, the White Sox -- is makes sense. anything to keep him away from the White Sox.

1. If it was merely a matter of most qualified for the role, Ramos certainly would be the backup catcher, as it is getting the stray a bat here and there is hardly conducive to improving both your hitting skill and increasing trade value thus Ramos was in AAA this season.
2. Just because a player is expendable doesn't mean you should sell him for less than he is worth. This seems to be selling very low on Ramos, especially if you compare it to the pieces that the Haren and Oswalt deals netted(two significantly better pitchers).

 

[Nycclone]

Capps saves total is in the mid 20s on a forty win baseball team. Seems pretty good to me, especially if u can get him for next year too. And I lived in the dc area when touch was the closer. Believe me, capps is better.

 

[ISUguy]

1. If it was merely a matter of most qualified for the role, Ramos certainly would be the backup catcher, as it is getting the stray a bat here and there is hardly conducive to improving both your hitting skill and increasing trade value thus Ramos was in AAA this season.
2. Just because a player is expendable doesn't mean you should sell him for less than he is worth. This seems to be selling very low on Ramos, especially if you compare it to the pieces that the Haren and Oswalt deals netted(two significantly better pitchers).

Butera's ability to handle the pitching staff has cemented him as the deserving back up catcher. I saw a stat recently that the team's ERA is lower with Butera than with Mauer. If I remember that correctly, that is very impressive.

You may be undervaluing Capp's worth. When you place a trade value on a player, you look at how good the player is of course, but also what the player is being paid, how long the new team will control the player (is he a true rental player that will be on the team only for the rest of the season or will the new team control him for the future), and if the team trading him is contributing any money to the new team.

In Capp's case, as I understand it, he is affordable and still the Nationals are contributing cash to the Twins. And the Twins will have Capps at least through next year. In addition, Nathan will be a 36 year old closer who is coming off of Tommy John surgery next year. Do you really want to hang your hat on him? Now the Twins will have a very solid option at the end of the bullpen. Nathan's contract runs through next year with a team option for 2012 of $12.5 million. It is possible that he will not close another game for the Twins.

 

[J-Diggy]

I think it does a couple things for the Twins;
1. Moves Rauch back into the set up role he excelled at late last season.
2. Gives Gardy another option other than Matt Guerrier who can't get anyone out right now.

Since the demotion of Blackburn the starters have actually been pretty good. It appears that Baker and Slowey both got the message, pick it up or you're next.

Question - When do the White Sox start playing real teams again? Seems like they have played Seattle, KC, etc 50 times in the last two months.

 

[mj4cy]

I thought Rauch was having a pretty good year?