Where they are ranked means nothing...it's how they are pitching.

The pitchers I listed are ALL pitching very well and many have pitched well in the past. All but a few are highly rated in their organization.

The Blue jays have nothing I would want if I was a GM.

No thanks on any pitcher lower than AA. I would want someone that could pitch in the ML in the next 2 to 3 years. Maronde has no track record and would be a very long shot to accomplish that goal.

All the other pitchers listed have pitched well with solid a minor league track records (showing consistent development through the different levels). Those are the pitchers that I feel would be well worth any chance.

We can forget trading Capps. Back on the DL for two weeks, which brings us beyond the trade deadline. I doubt anyone will give us anything beyond a bucket for popcorn for him at this point--he wasn't that good a pitcher to begin with, certainly no contender's closer, and now that he's gone back on the DL for the second time this month...

I'm hearing whispers of Span in trades. Just reading a few articles around the net the past 24 hours. Not like the Twins are SAYING they are going to trade him--they never say stuff about potential trades. Just that some teams are looking at him to give them outfield/leadoff help. Washington I think was one team, and we have a history of dealing with them. I think the Mets, too, were mentioned although I'm not sure they have much of what we need (starting pitching). Some unnamed AL team too.

Seriously? Josh Johnson? The key phrase there: "When healthy". Which he hasn't been much.

I'd pay him $1m with incentives up the wazoo to pitch here. If we trade for him, I want Miami to help with the salary. We're so far out, with a very bad starting staff, that Johnson would only help us smell .500 at best this season. What would we give up for him? Something from the future?

Bad move. Which means, we'll probably make it. lol

Everyone seems to be overlooking the fact that half of the Jays' original pitching staff is on the DL right now. They aren't going to be trading pitching, and we don't need anything more than we need pitching. Willingham to the Jays won't help them, and it won't give us what we need from the Jays.

Not even sure why we'd trade Willingham if we want to try to be competitive in the future. We sorely need power hitters, because we don't have any in the minors. I'm sure, if we did, they'd be up by now.

We do have power hitters in the minors but won't be ready for a few years.

From MLBTR:

"Starter Garrett Richards could be available in a deal for a top starter such as Zack Greinke, Cole Hamels or Francisco Liriano."

I would like a Liriano-Richards Swap. Richards was the 89th highest rated prospect going into 2012. He is having a decent season between AAA and the Majors, but he is a guy that can help the big club in the near future if not immediately. A righty that has a career 3.47 minor league ERA and has some of the best stuff in the Angels farm system.

Here is a quick scouting report from halosheaven going into this season:

"He has two great pitches: a booming, mid-to-high 90's fastball that he can cut in against lefthanders, and a dynamite slider with hard downward bite. Every once in awhile he throws a sweet change-up, so with more consistent execution his arsenal could total three plus offerings. Bringing back his get-me over curveball down the road would be icing on the cake."

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/07/twins-notes-liriano-sanchez-span.html

I noticed this article too and also applied it to another thread. Garrett Richards may have a minor league career 3.47 ERA but what about his college career 6.23 ERA? Or his 5.28 ERA, 10.86 H/9 in AAA?

How is this guy a top prospect again? He seems like a middle-starter at best. Apparently he has some good stuff but evidently he hasn't figured out how to use it effectively yet. This year in the majors he has had 5 QS in 7 games. I'd admit that's pretty impressive. But one of those included allowing 9 hits in 6.2 innings and in those quality starts he threw to a tune of a 24:17 K/BB ratio. That's worse than 3:2. I don't know. I feel like I'm missing something here because of all this "top prospect, first round" talk. If someone can point out what I'm missing please do. Is he still developing pitches? Is there something about just needing more refinement before he's elite? The guy seems like he gets things done quite a bit, but the numbers don't look pretty for projecting consistency. It must be something...

I don't think the Twins need to take those types of chances...ONE pitcher probably won't make much difference in this team...especially when they would be demanding so much money.

BTW Pavano's trade value has certainly decreased.

Very good points...common sense prevails.

@Ken_Rosenthal

Deal indeed done: Dempster to #Braves. No word on financial terms or players involved. @mlbbowman reporting Delgado could be part.

It is official now. Dempster to Braves. Randall Delgado to the Cubs. I think it's a nice deal for both teams. Delgado probably has # 3 starter upside. Dempster helps the Braves win now and always could re-sign him.

Thats a high risk for the Braves for giving up a prospect for a half year rental. Dempster will demand a lot in the off season and I doubt Braves can sign him back.

Who knows. Chipper is retiring so that frees up some money, but they do have guys like McCann and Tommy Hanson they need to extend also. I'm guessing with knowing they are giving up Delgado, they will discuss with Dempster about re-signing quickly. I know Frank Wren is tight with him going back to their Florida days.