This afternoon, the Twins traded outfielder Delmon Young to Detroit for LHP born in Edina, MN, Cole Nelson, and a Player to be Named Later. Rene Tosoni will be recalled to take Young’s place on the Twins roster.
The 22-year-old Nelson was the Tigers’ 10th round pick in 2010 out of Auburn. After signing, he pitched in seven games for the GCL Tigers before giving up one run in 12 innings for Lakeland (Florida State League). That is where he went this season, and it has not gone well. In 26 games (17 starts), he is 5-11 with a 4.87 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP. He is 6-7 and 233 pounds, and he is left-handed… and breathing.
Clearly that is all they could get for a guy who just last year hit .298 with 46 doubles, 21 homer and 112 RBI. This year has been a mess for Young from the start. He is hitting just .266 with 16 doubles and four home runs. All while continuing to be one of the worst defensively outfielders in baseball.
The Twins definitely sold low, but did it really matter? They weren’t going to get anything for him when the Designated him for Assignment at the end of the year. It’s unfortunate that the #1 pick in 2002 MLB draft and former two-time #1 prospect in all of baseball. Three-and-a-half years of Young was plenty for the Twins and their fans.
At this point, this is what the Twins need to do. Anyone who isn’t coming back next year should be traded for anything.
Tosoni has really struggled since his most recent demotion to Rochester, but that does not take away his prospect status. He is a solid all-around player and is someone that the Twins should take a look at the rest of the season, especially if Denard Span is (and should be) limited.
What they got for Young is not really the key, how they spend the $5-7MM is the key to this transaction.
Seth, don’t go to the Strib comments, your eyes will likely bleed.
It was great they could get something for him. So they save a little cash this year, about 7 million if they offered arbitration next year and they got something back. Not sure why you say Tosoni is a prospect. He is not by any stretch of the imagination. A lifetime 270 AVE in the minors and below average fielding don’t make a prospect. I hope that the Twins are looking at adding proven players with money next year and not hoping to fill spots with guys like Tosoni and Plouffe. Tosoni may become a 5th outfielder in the majors but defense is usually needed for that to occur. I wish we could stop overvaluing players in the organization and be more realistic about who is going to contribute going forward.
I agree that the timing is unfortunate–a lot more value if he had been traded over the winter. However, he looks awful in the field and I cannot imagine him getting better defensively as he ages. He also showed up to Spring training last year trimmed down and fit–then the season went on and the pounds came back. He didn’t look trim and fit this year. I feel okay about it. Sam Fuld claims that only 7% of major league players that get drafted make it to the majors. We need to reload the whole minor league system. Adding six foot seven left handed pitchers is not a bad thing.
Hip Hip Hooray! Now watch the bum go out and hit 3 homers against us this series. I am so glad he is no longer a Minnesota Twin. Haven’t wanted a guy out of Minnesota this bad since Willie Norwood.
Twins fans/bloggers always talk about “selling low” which is really silly because nobody is ever interested in trading good players or “maximizing value”. Perfect example of this is Glen Perkins. As far as I can tell he still rubbed the Twins the wrong way last year and his trade value would be as high as its ever going to be and no mention of trading him. I know the Twins relief sucks and he’s been the best out there but it proves how when a player performs well, the type of individual they are doesn’t matter. As far as this trade I think it’s terrible. Although a lot has to happen for this to happen but it possible this guy could haunt the Twins for 20 games per season.
And he’ll haunt the Tigers OF for 162 games, so I’ll take that deal.
I hate this trade, he had to have value, it showed last year. The Twins value putting the ball in play, but i predict, if he is with a team that lets him swing for the fences, he will hit 30 plus HR the next 5 yrs, and will feel comfy and still hit .280. Save this, i will be proven right. He hated playing for this team, cuz noone valued him. Lets see the best offensive team bats him 3rd, and one of lower hitting teams bat him 6th , 7th, or 8th.
No one valued him? They traded their starting SS and a starting pitcher for him, handed him LF, and gave him four years of starting. I have no idea what you mean.
Oh what they going to do now, overvalue Cuddyer, i like Cuddy, but if they go higher on there supposed offer of 2yrs $16 million, they are crazy, i was thinking his value closer to $5 or $6 million a yr for 2 or 3 yrs. I have never been a basher of our our GM Smith, but i will now, how we cant trade and get some value, as other teams do at this time of year. This is crazy, bets right now we wont be .500 next yr either. No power pitchers, no sluggers, and no one who can hit coming up.. Im just pissed.
Cuddyer is having a pretty good year and is making $11M this season. $5M or $6M a year? NO way he takes that kind of pay cut. Twins should have traded him when they had the chance and brought him back next season if he wanted to come back. He will probably get 3 years/$27M total from somebody at least.
i agree that is what he will get, but i wouldnt pay him that , and he is prolly my favorite or second favorite player. I agree they should have traded him and then if nothing else try to sign him back after the season.
Why isnt Smith focusing on signing his draft picks?
I am now officially nervous that they have not signed one of their top three picks. Please don’t mess this up, BS, please.
I’ve got nothing against dumping Delmon. It merely means they know they’re done this year, and they weren’t going to tender him contract for 2012.
With Delmon and his perpetually unmet potential now gone, the Twins’ cupboard is already looking pretty bare for productive right handed hitters in 2012. Think about if they let Cuddyer walk but re-sign Kubel…
I almost hate to bring it up, but maybe they should recall Plouffe and shut down Span for a bit.
Plouffe has been up since Friday when Casilla went back down, but you’re right that they should give Span some time to get himself right. Let the young guys play.
BA says Boyd signed.
Cool. I still think Michael signs…
Signing Kubel long term should be the #1 priority, I would have offered Cuddyer arbitration but now that Delmon is gone not sure if that is an option. Twins will probably have to offer him a long term deal unless they have some other idea to get some RH power for 2012.
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