Twins Acquire Matt Capps For Wilson Ramos

[gophersfan]

LHP Joe Testa is also going to the Washington Nationals.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/0...att-capps.html

Wow this will go down as one of the top 5 worst, thoughts.

[fan of Ray Williams]

Yeah, just seen it moments ago. I guess they didn't trust Rauch in this second half.

[betterdeadthanred]

I actually don't think it is that bad of a trade, Capps is only 26, and I don't see Mauer moving to 3rd anytime soon.

[felde]

Originally Posted by betterdeadthanred

I actually don't think it is that bad of a trade, Capps is only 26, and I don't see Mauer moving to 3rd anytime soon.

I didn't realize Capps was that young. How long is his current contract?

[betterdeadthanred]

according to the article

Capps, 26, has 25 saves and a 2.80 ERA with 7.4 K/9 and 1.8 BB/9. He earns a base salary of $3.5MM this year ($1.3MM remains) and can be retained as an arbitration-eligible player for 2011.

[hyaluronic]

Seeing as I tend to think Nathan won't have many, if any, meaningful years left... I cannot complain.

[GophersInIowa]

I don't see Capps as much of an improvement over Rausch. Hopefully he proves me wrong. But I almost threw up in my mouth when I first heard this trade.

[tikited]

Needed trade. We [B]had[B] to improve the bullpen or starting staff and this is an improvement.

I like the new kid and don't trust Rausch with the closing job. I predicted Rausch would take over and have been mostly happy with his performance, but he isn't a closer. The waiver list will be interesting...

Plus, Mauer is a catcher for a few years to come so Ramos would have been traded at some point no matter what.

I hope people know that Nathan is done (being an all-star type player) by the way. He won't be dominating anyone ever again.

[MN Gopher Fan]

I like it, can always get bullpen help and ramos was just waiting to get traded, at least the kid will get his shot sooner rather than in 5 years...

[MrGopher]

You don't have to look at this as Capps replacing Rauch. Look at it as Capps replacing our worst reliever. Rauch is fine, but he is best as a middle reliever/8th inning man.

It's very dangerous to have a weak link in the bullpen. Capps helps replace our weakest link, whoever the Twins decides that is.

[monk10]

Isn't Ramos our third catcher? Doesn't every team know this? I'm not sure how much of a bargaining chip he was.

[tikited]

Originally Posted by MrGopher

You don't have to look at this as Capps replacing Rauch. Look at it as Capps replacing our worst reliever. Rauch is fine, but he is best as a middle reliever/8th inning man.

It's very dangerous to have a weak link in the bullpen. Capps helps replace our weakest link, whoever the Twins decides that is.

Spot on.

Say goodbye to Slama imo.

Just imagine if Blackburn could overcome his funk and Duensing could go back to the pen...top notch bullpen is what that would be. A bullpen that deep can overcome some starting pitching woes.

[gopher_alum_2005]

I think they should send Blackburn down. Let him regain his confidence as a starter because that's where the Twins need him in the long run. I think Slama has better stuff for a bullpen arm over Blackburn.

[From the Barn]

Originally Posted by monk10

Isn't Ramos our third catcher? Doesn't every team know this? I'm not sure how much of a bargaining chip he was.

You mean 4th.

[monk10]

Good point. Wasn't sure where Morales sat as far as catching. Either way seemed like we were sitting on the wrong end of need.

[fan of Ray Williams]

Originally Posted by gopher_alum_2005

I think they should send Blackburn down. Let him regain his confidence as a starter because that's where the Twins need him in the long run. I think Slama has better stuff for a bullpen arm over Blackburn.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire told ESPN1500 today that Nick Punto is likely headed to the DL with a pulled hamstring, and that Nick Blackburn is likely headed to Class AAA Rochester to start.