Matt Capps traded

[Montana168]

Already a Capps to the Twins thread here:

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=417543&p=3306405#p3306405

Capps will close, Rausch to the 8th.

[wrveres]

Good lord though... if Ramos pans out, the Nats future could be looking scary bright with Strasburg, Storen, Harper, and Ramos all being on the roster come 2012. Then again, Harper/Ramos could be complete busts too.

the zimmerman(s) never get any love.

[jake_twothousandfive]

Then again, Harper/Ramos could be complete busts too.

Not really. Ramos is already MLB ready defensively and he has plenty of room for growth offensively.

They have been shopping Ramos around for a while (like when Cliff Lee was on the market) and the Twins have been linked to Matt Capps before, so they must see him as more than just an above average RP. But yeah, no matter how you look at it this is bad value for a top 5 catching prospect....even though I'm sure a blocked prospect carries considerably less value in trade negotiations. At least they were able to address a need (even though Capps was available for nothing this past offseason).

Seems like they've just been trying really hard to move Ramos this season for whatever reason.

[jake_twothousandfive]

The Twins are just in love with pitchers with good control. I'd be willing to bet that they have the fewest walks as a pitching staff by a good margin.

[thejusman1]

Awesome trade for the Nationals. I'm really excited to see what that team can do in a few years.

[TDS-MN]

Anyone aware of Capps' contract situation? Wondering how long he might be in the mix here in MN.

Interesting move, but I'm not really sure what I think of it yet. . . .

[jake_twothousandfive]

Anyone aware of Capps' contract situation? Wondering how long he might be in the mix here in MN.

Interesting move, but I'm not really sure what I think of it yet. . . .

The Twins will have control of him for 2011. The Nats are also paying $500,000 as part of the deal. And he's the type of guy they'd be able to sign to an extension (which couldn't be said for someone like Cliff Lee had they been able to get him).

Capps also gives them a failsafe should Nathan not be able to make it back to his all-star level when he returns.

[TDS-MN]

Cool, thanks for the info. That was sort of what I was wondering about, if he would remain an option if/when they see how Nathan does return.

not that it really matters now, but I wondered, if a Lee or an Oswalt might not have been able to have been signed, if they HAD landed here. Not like the Twins are looked at as a fluke any more, and they have been spending money. I presonally think that them getting out of the 'Dome could have some impact on their attractiveness to players considering a move.

[kab21]

Cool, thanks for the info. That was sort of what I was wondering about, if he would remain an option if/when they see how Nathan does return.

not that it really matters now, but I wondered, if a Lee or an Oswalt might not have been able to have been signed, if they HAD landed here. Not like the Twins are looked at as a fluke any more, and they have been spending money. I presonally think that them getting out of the 'Dome could have some impact on their attractiveness to players considering a move.

I think the Twins preference for Capps was that Guerrier/Rauch/Crain are all FA's this offseason and Capps gives the Twins a solid (but unspectacular) setup man or closer in 2011 if Nathan struggles. This could be a major win for the Twins if they can offer Rauch and Guerrier arb provided they turn it down and get comp picks. But that's risky because teams aren't very willing to give up draft picks for average RP'ers like Guerrier and Rauch.