TKF Duets: The Hand Deadline (Part 2)

The MLB Trade Deadline is a difficult time for all baseball fans. Nicholas McCann and Nick Burmeister AKA Padres Haiku wrote to each other for an entire week about it. Here is part two.

PADRES HAIKU – July 28, 2017 at 2:37:28 PM PDT

So the Rays got their guy from the Mariners. This might mean that Brad Hand stays put. A last-minute deal is still possible and exciting. However, I don’t think Milwaukee has made a move yet but they’re 2 yrs early on their rebuild so parting with a prized prospect is unlikely. There might be a quantity over quality move on their part to get Hand. This weekend’s series with the Cubs will clear that up. Speaking of the Cubs, they might want the lefty but might be leaning starter. Verlander is my guess for them.

Hand is closing games. This is for sure an interview for him. I’ve seen articles that say that Hand has never pitched in playoffs or a pennant race. This is true but if you’re Hand and you know every contender in the majors is scrutinizing every pitch right now. that’s a lot of pressure too. Not the same but still. I guess AJ wants a Miller/Chapman type return. Does that seem reasonable? It does for Britton. Maybe not Hand. What do you think would be a good return for Hand? Do you think it still happens?

NICHOLAS MCCANN – Sat, Jul 29, 2017 at 9:14 AM

I was at the game last night. Brad Hand is our closer. It’s crazy they keep putting him out there and he keeps delivering, almost daring the rest of the league to not take him.

https://twitter.com/patrickbrewer93/status/891162094124417025

Sure, he’s not pitching in high pressure situations, but I think they can get a haul. We know how these playoff series play out. It becomes so much about the bullpen and how managers navigate those low scoring high pressure games.

Also, Pirates fans need to remember that 6burgh doesn’t apply to baseball. Calm down.

PADRES HAIKU – Sat, Jul 29, 2017 at 11:19 AM

I guess AJ was taking calls and walking around the field last night [tweets] Hand might still be on the move but he pitched three nights in a row. Do you think he pitches again before the deadline?

NICHOLAS MCCANN – Sat, Jul 29, 2017 at 3:15 PM

He shouldn’t pitch tonight just because we don’t want to over work him. Andy Green has made his point. I think Hand might go in on Sunday, but that’s it. The case has already been made. He’s an asset and this could go to the wire.

Monday will be fun. After the deadline the San Diego sports conversation will be centered on whether or not media and twitter heads should talk about the LA Chargers. SAD!

PADRES HAIKU – Sat, Jul 29, 2017 at 7:29 PM

Oh for sure local media centers it’s coverage on the Chargers. San Diego still loves Rivers and Gates, but it’s not that weird to support an LA team (see Lakers/Clippers/Kings/etc) and local honks need the content to fill time. It’s gonna be weird. Radio guys will convince you that you’re still Chargers fans and watching Gates break that record will help make their point. It’s gonna feel really really weird-get used to it.

I don’t think Hand pitches again at all. Unless he stays put, he’s done in a Padres uniform. The Nationals made an early move and might want a second helping from the deadline pool. With all the chatter I’d be surprised if Hand DOESN’T get moved.

Travis Wood was pretty good last night; we should try to flip him. That would be amazing. I’d make t-shirts.

NICHOLAS MCCANN – Sun, Jul 30, 2017 at 1:55 PM

I had fun last night at Sycamore Den. Thanks for inviting me out. That place is hella Mumford and Sons. I wish we could transcribe what we talked about, but it was mostly yelling over loud music between well whiskey shots and High Life (the way geniuses drink). The Dodgers fan at our table needs to get over Verdugo.

24 hours left and we can all exhale. The Padres are finishing their series with the Pirates and our good (possibly great) reliever Brad Hand is still a Padre.

This time tomorrow it will all be over. What do you think we’ve learned so far? For me, the anxiety of the fan base being ramped up is probably more fun than we realize. After the deadline the Padres will fade away into what they’ve been all along: just another bad baseball team

Chargers training camp started. I’ll get mad about that next week. This is Brad’s time.

PADRES HAIKU – Sun, Jul 30, 2017 at 6:24 PM

Thanks for coming out. I’m pretty sure A Bourbon with a Beer-Back was Einstein’s order.

I get that people fall in love with prospects but our friend having “Verdugo” tattooed across his knuckles was…unsettling.

Midnight deal for Hand is still on the table. Never doubt Preller. Once the deadline is done we’re gonna see the tank in full force. It’s gonna be ugly. Those players that thought they could get traded are gonna stop caring. They weren’t that good before and they’re gonna be worse now.

Once the Padres are buyers the feeling this time of year will be more intense. I remember getting excited when Tejada and Ludwick got added to the team. I want that again. What I don’t want again is a night of drinking Rusty Nails and the Champagne of beers.

NICHOLAS MCCANN – Mon, Jul 31, 2017 at 8:03 AM

We’re coming in hot this morning. Will AJ wait for the winter to deal Hand? We’ll find out soon. Astros might be in I guess. Mets got three good prospects for Addison Reed!

PADRES HAIKU – Mon, Jul 31, 2017 at 8:45 AM

That’s a lot of arms for a Reed rental. If that’s the market, Hand should bring back a number of quality prospects. Feeling cautiously optimistic about this…

NICHOLAS MCCANN – Mon, Jul 31, 2017 at 9:20 AM

The team is definitely trying hard to make it look they’re totally fine waiting for the winter. I don’t know what to believe. Nothing is real.

PADRES HAIKU – Mon, Jul 31, 2017 at 9:59 AM

Outwardly I’m fine waiting for a winter deal. Inwardly, this is pure torture. If Cersei Lannister was going to kill me, she’s just stack the Padres with lefty relievers and make the trade deadline last until my mind finally crumbled before her.

NICHOLAS MCCANN – Mon, Jul 31, 2017 at 10:24 AM

I’m really feeling her hair this season.

If Hand stays the reaction will be mild. If he then has elbow tightness next week, I’m deleting my Twitter app.

NICHOLAS MCCANN – Mon, Jul 31, 2017 at 12:39 PM

I need a cigarette.

PADRES HAIKU – Mon, Jul 31, 2017 at 12:48 PM

My. Heart. Is. Beating. So. Fast. Right. Now.

NICHOLAS MCCANN – Mon, Jul 31, 2017 at 12:55 PM

Let’s savor this time when Hand could still get traded.

((((DEADLINE PASSES))))

PADRES HAIKU –  Mon, Jul 31, 2017 at 1:11 PM

Welp…

NICHOLAS MCCANN – Mon, Jul 31, 2017 at 1:51 PM

Darvish is a Dodger. If Dave Roberts doesn’t take them to the World Series he should be fired.

The Padres didn’t do anything with Brad Hand, but if Esteury Ruiz works out this could be a good deadline. I can’t look at Padres Twitter right now. People want to fight about things they can’t control. Oh well, I guess we just have to watch this team now.

PADRES HAIKU – Mon, Jul 31, 2017 at 4:19 PM

UGH! Darvish as a dodger seems scary. They’d have to go to the World Series for this to be a successful season. Maybe someone makes a move at the waiver wire. If Chacin gets moved I bet it’s on waivers. Did the Cubs make a move? I can’t remember. This has really been…something. I know I said I’d fine with an off season move of Hand but now I’m less sure. I wanted it now. I need to not care about football for another week. I hate life.

I wonder if we need to look at the Hand non-deal in relation to other trades this year. Would you rather have gotten very little back like the Sonny Gray trade? Beane kinda blew that one didn’t he? Is no deal better than a really bad one?

NICHOLAS MCCANN – Mon, Jul 31, 2017 at 5:49 PM

I think if Hand finishes strong and healthy it’s all going to be fine. It’s also possible they just want to keep Hand and start competing for real next year. The next two months are going to be big for the franchise. If they get to 75ish wins, what will that mean for ownership moving forward?

PADRES HAIKU – Mon, Jul 31, 2017 at 5:52

No move at deadline/ action-less activity/ no one is happy

 

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