The Padres just bought two aces, could the Twins have done similar?
Share this story
Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/MLB Photos via Getty Images
The hot stove is finally, well, lukewarm, thanks entirely to AJ Preller and the San Diego Padres, who traded for two ace pitchers and signed Korean infielder Ha-seong Kim within 24 whirlwind hours. Blake Snell will be moving from the Rays to SoCal, and Yu Darvish will be leaving Chicago for the west coast as well. Could the Twins have potentially topped either of these deals? Obviously they chose not to, but lets look at the pieces that left San Diego, and the most comparable bits of the Twins farm.
San Diego Padres acquire ace Yu Darvish from Chicago Cubs
play
Why the Snell trade is a win-win for Rays, Padres (1:27)
David Schoenfield breaks down how the Rays and Padres benefit from their Blake Snell trade. (1:27)
Jesse joined ESPN Chicago in September 2009 and covers MLB for ESPN.com.
The San Diego Padres made their second trade for a star pitcher in as many days, acquiring righty Yu Darvish from the Chicago Cubs, it was announced on Tuesday.
Darvish and Victor Caratini, who emerged as the right-hander s personal catcher in Chicago, will go to San Diego.
In return, the Cubs acquired right-hander Zach Davies and four young prospects: outfielders Owen Caissie (18) and Ismael Mena (18) and shortstops Reggie Preciado (17) and Yeison Santana (20).
What Yu Darvish, Blake Snell trades really say about financial mindsets of Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Rays
play
Why the Snell trade is a win-win for Rays, Padres (1:27)
David Schoenfield breaks down how the Rays and Padres benefit from their Blake Snell trade. (1:27)
Has worked for four MLB teams.
The MLB offseason has been historically slow, mostly due to the coronavirus pandemic (and the associated revenue problems), but having a new collective bargaining agreement due next winter (and the associated labor fights until then) is also a factor. Although the major free agents in this winter s class still haven t signed, there has finally been some real movement, courtesy of San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller:
Padres finalize deal acquiring ace Blake Snell from Rays
December 30, 2020 GMT
FILE - In this Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, file photo, Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Blake Snell throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game 6 of the baseball World Series, in Arlington, Texas. The San Diego Padres finalized their acquisition of ace left-hander Snell from the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, sending four prospects in exchange for the 2018 AL Cy Young Award winner. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
FILE - In this Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, file photo, Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Blake Snell throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game 6 of the baseball World Series, in Arlington, Texas. The San Diego Padres finalized their acquisition of ace left-hander Snell from the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, sending four prospects in exchange for the 2018 AL Cy Young Award winner. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
MLB notebook: Dodgers get pitcher in 3-way trade with Rays, Phillies
The Los Angeles Dodgers acquire left-handed pitcher Garrett Cleavinger from Philadelphia.
Associated Press
Share
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Garrett Cleavinger was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers from the Philadelphia Phillies in a three-way trade with Tampa Bay. Matt Slocum/Associaterd Press
LOS ANGELES The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired pitcher Garrett Cleavinger from the Phillies in a three-way trade Tuesday involving Tampa Bay and Philadelphia.
The Dodgers will send minor league infielder Dillon Paulson and a player to be named or cash to Tampa Bay, while the Rays will send left-handed pitcher Jose Alvarado to Philadelphia to complete the transaction.