Pierzynski to the Giants

[OaktownTribeFan]

For Joe Nathan and two minor leaguers. Off the top this looks like the proverbial 'good deal for both teams.' Thoughts?

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1661751

[Wolf Hopper]

Giants get a good backstop. Twins get some good young arms. Sounds like win-win.

[Gosfgiants]

I am totally scratching my head on this one. Nathan was a key set up guy last year. Why cut him loose when you're probably going to lose Tim Worrell to FA? I also though that Yorvit Torellalba was going to be the primary catcher with Albert Castillo backing up. The Giants just re-signed Castillo. Does this mean that Torellalba is now trade bait? Of courese these things have a history of working for Sabean and the Giants, but I'm confused.

[JamesI]

My main questions is why the Twins couldn't get a good middle infield prospect in the deal.

[SmedIndy]

Joe Mauer must be ready. That's my initial take. I just can't image Matt LeCroy playing much catcher.

[Wolf Hopper]

I have an easier time see Steve Balboni catching - - over Big "Foot" LeCroy.

[Swan]

I would have to say initialy, that unless Sabean has a major payroll dump up his sleeve... getting AJ in a trade where he will be arbed for roughly 2.5mil is not prudent. Here's why:

1) Tha Giants are looking to cut payroll, and they have 4 positions that they needed filled... 1B, RF, SS and rotation.

2) One position that they did not have a need, and could have spent minimum cash is catcher. Yorvit seemed like he was ready to make his claim at the backstop.

so.. 1) + 2) =

3) Since they were looking to slash payroll, and C was not one of their weaknesses, it appears, through my darkened glass, that Sabean's efforts were misplaced.

[LeGrandOrange]

If Yorvit Torrealba was expected to be the regular catcher...well, then this was a bang-up move by Sabean. And my presumptions were right, Torrealba's stock has dropped sharply after game 4.

This will really just help San Francisco since there are replacements to Joe Nathan available. It's kind of a strange deal from Minnesota's standpoint...I don't know anything about Mauer's readiness or Matt LeCroy's catching "ability". I can only hope this move doesn't damage the team's chemistry...

[manny tortolero]

The Giants are looking for an improving of their offensive and Pierzynski gives that as catcher. I don't think they had Yorbit as full time catcher in their plans.
Probably they will go to add another bat mainly in the RF and then go cheaper at SS and 1B (excepting if Tejada's cost is not so high as is expected). They must be looking for someone to protect Bonds to give him the chance to be more productive hitting than walking.

[sweaver]

Word on the street is that Mauer moves in as Twins' catcher. What I don't get is how many young arms the Giants are dumping, first in the Ponson trade and now here. That stuff can come back and bite you.

[manny tortolero]

I think SF was not thinking in Nathan's year as something that could be happening again in 2004. His stats were mainly product of the pitcher's favor effect of Pac Bell :

Home 7-1 1.39 ERA 40.2 inn 1 sv
Away 5-3 3.99 ERA 38.1 inn 2 sv

And his w-l record was obtained as middle reliever (any game started in 2003). Probably find a pitcher that could repeat Nathan's numbers in 2004 in Pac Bell looks easier than find a catcher with hitting skills as Pierzynski.
Manuel

[sweaver]

It's not Nathan I'm really looking at, it's Bonser. He's supposed to be a hot property.

[KCBOOMER]

Aaron Gleeman is not sure Mauer is ready yet. The Twins have to be hoping that Nathan isn't going to drop off the earth and that one of the young pitchers pans out. Neither has advanced far enough to even discuss when they will be ready for the bigs.

With Santiago leaving the Giants they needed a catcher and I think they wanted one who add some offensive punch. The 27 year old Pierzynski should be a noticeable improvement over the 39 year old Santiago at the plate.

[gyb13]

SF catcher:

2003
C
PLATE APPEARANCES >= 100

RCAA                           RCAA      PA     
1    Javier Lopez                 55      495   
2    Jorge Posada                 37      588   
3    Jason Kendall                21      665   
4    Mike Lieberthal              18      561   
5    Ivan Rodriguez               17      578   
T6   Jason Varitek                11      521   
T6   A.J. Pierzynski              11      533   
8    Greg Myers                    9      369   
T9   Mike Piazza                   7      273   
T9   Todd Pratt                    7      156   
11   Ramon Hernandez               6      536   
12   David Ross                    5      140   
13   Robby Hammock                -1      216   
T14  Doug Mirabelli               -2      176   
T14  Miguel Ojeda                 -2      163   
T16  Victor Martinez              -4      174   
T16  John Flaherty                -4      116   
T18  Tom Wilson                   -5      287   
T18  Yorvit Torrealba             -5      221   
T20  Benito Santiago              -6      434   
T20  Bengie Molina                -6      430   
T20  Mike Redmond                 -6      141   

no doubt about the upgrade there

[rcartman28]

I really meant to comment earlier, but it seems to me like the Twins did this to save a couple million moving Pierzynski and hoping Mauer is ready, plus they move Nathan into Hawkins slot, saving some more money while hoping the young pitching prospects pan out. Personally, I think San Francisco got the better end of the trade and wish AJ all the best in Pac Bell and hope Mauer is actually ready next year.