Twins double up trade talks By Howard Bryant Recent Columns by Howard Bryant Thursday, July 21, 2005 - Updated: 03:13 AM EST
Responding to a request by the Minnesota Twins to expand a potential trade, the Red Sox [stats, schedule] are in discussions to acquire starting pitcher Joe Mays and reliever J.C. Romero for third baseman Bill Mueller [stats, news] and first baseman Kevin Millar [stats, news], league sources said yesterday.
The move makes a degree of sense for both teams. The Red Sox need pitching, both in the starting rotation and the bullpen. The Twins are in a pennant race, but can't hit. They're tied with the Yankees for the wild card spot, but rank just 12th in the league in runs scored and doubles, 11th in total bases, slugging, left on base and RBI, and 10th in hits and home runs. In fact, they have just two players in the top 10 in any major offensive category. Millar and Mueller could help.
According to sources, the Twins aren't as willing to part with Mays as they are Kyle Lohse. Once one of the Twins' pitching stars, the 29-year-old Mays seems to have reached a plateau in Minnesota. He is 5-4 with a 4.03 ERA on the year and has given up 16 homers and 117 hits in 105 innings. Opponents are batting .285 against him. Most curious about Mays is his low strikeout-per-nine-innings average of 3.34. He is also expensive, earning $7.25 million this season.
At this point it's all just rumors. But they are saying a possible trade scenario would be:
Florida trades Lowell ($8mm, $8mm in 2006 and $8mm in 2007) and Burnett ($3.65mm)
Minnesota trades Mays ($7.25mm, plus $500K buyout) and Romero ($1.25mm, $2.20mm in 2006, plus $250K buyout)
Boston trades Arroyo ($1.85mm, arb eligible), Mueller ($2.1mm), Embree ($3mm) and 3 prospects
Florida receives Arroyo, Mays and Harvey Garcia
Minnesota receives Mueller, Embree, Brandon Moss and Jose Vaquedano
Boston receives Lowell, Burnett, Romero and $5mm in cash from Florida
I had heard about it on WEEI this morning. I also saw it on a certain infamous Red Sox message board that has people on the inside.
It's also rumored that the Sox might be the only team that would take Burnett without signing him to an extension. It sounds like they feel they can use John Henry's good relationship with Burnett to sign him at the end of the season. Henry was the owner of the Marlins when Burnett made it to the big leagues.
gabenterprises wrote:Burnett over Arroyo, ok, but Lowell over Mueller is a loss IMO.
Yeah, I don't want to see Mueller go either. If nothing else he provides spunk and serious drive to the lineup. It's great watching him at bat, dashing out of the batter's box on contact. <shrug> Then again, despite Lowell's numbers this year it probably won't be that much difference on offense. Lowell might just need a change of scenery, who knows...
rich101682 wrote:The Sox could also use Lowell as a DH or off the bench and give the 3B job to Youkillis. Isn't he ready for it yet?
Actually, I like that idea. Stick Lowell into a DH/PH situation to figure himself out while Youk gets some deserved time in the starter slot. Then again, as it goes with big contracts I doubt the Sox would relegate Lowell to the bench after paying so much money for him. He'd probably start against better judgment.
Lowell in Boston would get a boost in fantasy value.........
This could be interesting.
Yes doctor, I am sick. Sick of those who are spineless. Sick of those who feel self-entitled. Sick of those who are hypocrites. Yes doctor, an army is forming. Yes doctor, there will be a war. Yes doctor, there will be blood.....
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by Big Papi's Pimps » Thu Jul 21, 2005 7:38 am 
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