I was on Facebook talking to a pretty rabid Twins (anti-twins management) group talking about the usual problems, when I saw one of the members talk about “what if Oswaldo Arcia or Aaron Hicks flame out … then what?”
Being a Pirates fan I knew Pittsburgh was about to shop OF Jose Tabata, who would be a huge upgrade for Minnesota. I started to think what would make sense, and proposed this: Scott Diamond (LHP) and one of two first baseman/outfielders — either Chris Colabello or Chris Parmelee for Tabata.
No one on the Twins page argued it. I then went to a Pirates page and mentioned it to them as well – they seemed mostly just excited to be rid of injury prone Tabata. Some Pirates fans think they can get more, but most liked the idea of getting another ex-Twins player and seeing what they can do to fix him, ala Francisco Liriano.
From the Pirates perspective this makes sense on multiple levels. One: they have Gregory Polanco waiting until May in AAA. After the solid season he had last year, the only thing keeping him back is his arbitration clock.
Two: the Pirates know that they can out coach the Twins (see Liriano above), and soft-tossing, strike-throwing lefties do better in the National League than in the American League. As a potential fifth starter or long reliever/spot starter, Scott Diamond would be ideal. He is still young enough to improve and he still has his arbitration years ahead of him, giving them control if he should turn it around.
Three: Parmelee can play the outfield and be a backup at first base, which has been a sore spot for the Pirates for years. If they choose Colabello instead, he is 3.5 years older than Parmelee, but he has tremendous power and is a much better fit at first base. And he’s got a right handed bat. His time in the outfield with the Twins also serves to show that he is at least willing to be flexible. Four: Tabata has a history of injuries and he’s shown signs of regression. Five: the Pirates do not want to keep Tabata on the bench just to serve as a backup especially with him under a long-term, eight-figure extension. The Pirates don’t have money to waste on that luxury.
For the Twins this deal would be outstanding. If Parmelee is part of the deal, it would clear up two roster spaces on the 40-man roster – both Diamond and Parmelee are out of options. Colabello is off the 40-man roster, so he would not need to be added immediately to the 25-man roster, and could begin at AAA if need be.
Tabata would give the Twins a true LF and, while he is not an ideal candidate for a leadoff hitter, he would likely be better there for the Twins lineup by allowing them to move Brian Dozier (who showed above average power last year at 2B) to an RBI spot in the lineup. Tabata also would be under control for a few more years at a very team friendly contract meaning that when Jason Kubel flames out and Josh “Mare” Willingham is either traded at the All-Star break or let go at the end of the season, the Twins would still have stability in their outfield. Speaking of Willingham, by having the defensively solid Tabata play LF the Twins could move Willingham to DH – which in and of itself might improve the Twins’ team ERA with the cavernous left field at Target Field.
The likelihood of this deal getting done is minimal. I’ve never seen Terry Ryan make a deal for a major league player without almost falling apart. It almost killed him to trade Bobby Kielty to the Blue Jays for Shannon Stewart a decade ago. I could see the Pirates moving on this before the Twins, though I believe the Twins would be getting the much better deal (I’ve seen Diamond pitch).
Who would get the better of this Twins/Pirates deal?
- Who cares. All of those guys are stiffs (60%, 3 Votes)
- Twins receiving Tabata (40%, 2 Votes)
- Pirates receiving Diamond and Parmelee or Colabello (0%, 0 Votes)
- Both sides win (0%, 0 Votes)
Total Voters: 5
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I think the Pirates would have to be pretty hard up to make this deal. Tabata has shown consistently that he can at least be a major league contributor. Diamond had one-half of a good season. Colabello and Parmelee to this point look like 4A players who will never amount to anything in the bigs. I can’t see this happening – though as a Twins fan, adding an OF who can hit around .280 in 350 at bats sounds appealing.
see where you always mention my “anti-Twins Management” approach you are using an anti-Twins players approach here, and forgetting how many of the former Twins have gone on to do great things!
AJ Pierzynski, Torii Hunter, David Ortiz, Joe Nathan, Grant Balfour, Francisco Liriano, Michael Cuddyer, Jones (already in Pittsburgh), Garza, hell even Little Nicky Punterrible has a WS ring! How do we know that Parmelee doesn’t end up at least as good as Jones? While Colabello will never be a star… he is a great clubhouse guy, a professional, and his right handed power off the bench plus his extremely cheap salary is something that Pittsburgh would like, and be able to utilize.
Furthermore as I said above… the Pirates need starting pitching… they were desperate enough to pay cash for Vance Worley from the Minnesota Twins already proving that they believe they can do a better job than Pitching Cancer (I mean coach) Rick Anderson and the Oklahoma Moron himself Ron OCB Gardenhire.
Now it’s possible that the Pirates could receive more for Tabata, but not a lot of teams are looking for 4th outfielders with long term contracts, and not many teams that are looking for starting outfielders want to take a chance on a guy with injury history and possible regression. The Twins have the worst offense in all of baseball by such a wide margin right now that they almost HAVE TO do this deal if it is presented to them.
Funny, as I type this I see that the Twins have placed Scott Diamond on Waivers.