Free Agency

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I know this is a free agency thread, but I'm curious about who you all would target in trades and what you'd be willing to give up to acquire them. Hopefully, the lockout is over in the near future and it was rumored that the Twins were deep in trade talks before it commenced. I have to think they'll pick up right where they left off.

For me, I would love to see Minnesota acquire Tyler Mahle before making some mid-level signings in free agency. It's been reported that Cincinnati was having trade talks concerning Mahle, Luis Castillo, and Sonny Gray. I would offer Max Kepler, Simeon Woods Richardson, and Cole Sands for Mahle.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Jeff Passan: The Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers are in agreement on a deal that will send shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa to the Twins, sources familiar with the situation tell ESPN.

Catcher Mitch Garver is headed to the Rangers in the deal for Isiah Kiner-Falefa, sources tell ESPN.

This is one of those deals that just makes sense for both sides. Kiner-Falefa isn't a sexy name, but he's a hell of a fielder and a versatile one at that. 26-years old and won't be a free agent until 2024. All they had to give up was their supposed backup catcher. It's not a slam dunk, but it's a rock solid move. Hopefully, there's more to come.

Update: Texas is also sending RHP prospect Ronny Henriquez to the Twins. He was the 15th-best prospect in the Rangers system.

[Jester1534]

Mitch Garver traded for Isiah Kiner-Falefa

Don't know how I feel about it without looking into it.

But I'm sure reasoning is they think Jeffery's is ready and I tend to agree and they got a shortstop for the next two years at 5 million a year and can slow play Royce Lewis.

I will never forget Garver magical year when he was basically Mike Piazza

Edit: Pitcher Ronny Henriquez also coming to Minnesota

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Isiah Kiner-Falefa was one of the best defensive shortstops in baseball last season. He was valued at 10 Defensive Runs Saved. Also hit .271/.312/.357 with 8 HR and 53 RBI for Texas.

This deal is a win for Minnesota, in my opinion. A small win, but a win nonetheless.

[Jester1534]

Isiah Kiner-Falefa was one of the best defensive shortstops in baseball last season. He was valued at 10 Defensive Runs Saved. Also hit .271/.312/.357 with 8 HR and 53 RBI for Texas.

This deal is a win for Minnesota, in my opinion. A small win, but a win nonetheless.

.670 OPS

The basically traded for a younger Simmons which I think is good thing.

This also gives them 5 more mil to spend on pitching or a DH

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Isiah Kiner-Falefa was one of the best defensive shortstops in baseball last season. He was valued at 10 Defensive Runs Saved. Also hit .271/.312/.357 with 8 HR and 53 RBI for Texas.

This deal is a win for Minnesota, in my opinion. A small win, but a win nonetheless.

.670 OPS

The basically traded for a younger Simmons which I think is good thing.

This also gives them 5 more mil to spend on pitching or a DH

I had interest in the Twins signing 32-year old Jose Iglesias this off-season so this move is right in that ballpark except IKF is six years younger, better, and likely cheaper. Can't be mad at it. I think he'll become a fan favorite relatively quickly. Lots of Rangers fans are upset about this deal from what I can tell, though it looks like a win-win to me.

[Jester1534]

Isiah Kiner-Falefa was one of the best defensive shortstops in baseball last season. He was valued at 10 Defensive Runs Saved. Also hit .271/.312/.357 with 8 HR and 53 RBI for Texas.

This deal is a win for Minnesota, in my opinion. A small win, but a win nonetheless.

.670 OPS

The basically traded for a younger Simmons which I think is good thing.

This also gives them 5 more mil to spend on pitching or a DH

I had interest in the Twins signing 32-year old Jose Iglesias this off-season so this move is right in that ballpark except IKF is six years younger, better, and likely cheaper. Can't be mad at it. I think he'll become a fan favorite relatively quickly. Lots of Rangers fans are upset about this deal from what I can tell, though it looks like a win-win to me.

I was talking about it and I don't get the move for Texas. They already have Sam Huff waiting in the wings who's supposed very good at hitting lefties. Predominately what Garver is good at.

I also said There's a 20 percent chance Garver is out league in 2 years based on swing and miss rate on fastballs. We saw this with Kubel sometimes guys lose that bat speed and can never recover it.

I'm Jeffers guy because I like the way he calls a game and his defense. Also I don't think we've seen the hitter he should become yet either.

I wonder if the twins will go after and outfielder with this move. Kirilloff can move to first and they can switch of DH Donaldson and Sano and Arraez just becomes super utility man.

Nick Castellanous makes a lot of sense to me. This team needs a middle of the order bat to replace Cruz production. They can stick him Left and let Buxton protect him.

[Jester1534]

Hearing reports the Rangers plan to platoon Garver with Nate Lowe at first base and have him be the 2nd catcher behind Sam Huff.

It will be interesting how this turns out for Garver. He's had so many hip problems I don't know if he can handle the workload of both.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

All I know Mitch Garver is 31-years old, defensively-challenged (though I respect how hard he's worked to get better), and already hitting an offensive decline. His 2019 season is a definite outlier and not what can be assumed production from him. I think Ryan Jeffers has more bat than he showed last season and he's a very good backstop -- already better than what Garver had been. This deal just works for me.

[Monster]

Seems like a good deal to me. Garver is 31 has had problems staying healthy. If he stays healthy and hits he could be really valuable. There are alot of ifs there though. I have thought for a while dealing Garver for value might be a smart thing to do.

Meanwhile Isiah Kiner-Falefa is really versatile in the field. He has played catcher too so he could even play there if you needed him too. He has a gold glove at 3rd so there are a lot of options of places to play him. He turns 27 in a few days. Obviously it makes the most sense for him to be the guy at SS this year but if someone steps up in the organization this year or next he has the versatility to play other places.

Meanwhile if the Twins feel like they need some depth at catcher after this move it feels like the past couple years it's easy to sign a veteran guy that won't cost much that used to be a starter. I fee a lot better about what you can get there than signing a vet SS/utility guy.

Edit: they also got a pitching prospect. He isn't a highly rated guy but it never hurts to have another lottery ticket. That's more value to the deal.