I have a theory. Bill Smith was waiting for the end of the Cleveland series to make a hard push for Casey Blake. Then, today, the Indians sent Blake to the Dodgers for a hefty bounty. I think this will lead to Smith shaking up the roster a little bit more forcefully than he had initially intended, rather than standing pat as many think he should.
The team is young enough that there will still be a solid core no matter how many young prospects we send away. No doubt, the Twins are in dire need of a right handed bat, and currently, the most available players are third basemen. What about Brian Buscher? Well, Buscher, who is taking over at third with Mike Lamb proving to be ineffective (I bet he recovers just fine next season, by the way) and Nick Punto being Nick Punto, is a lefty. Also, even with Buscher playing at third, the Twins have only won three times since the All-star Break. The right handed bat is paramount.
Not only that, the solution is staring us in the face. Our current DH, the two headed monster of Jason Kubel/Craig Monroe are outfielders by trade. Carlos Gomez has been terrible lately. Until he works out his issues, the Twins can shift Denard Span to his natural position in center and Kubel/Monroe into right, while Buscher moves to DH. There are ideas out there.
So how about this. How about a list of 5 trade possibilites for the Twins in order of likelihood. Of course, it all depends on whether or not the Twins want to pull the trigger anyways.
5: (Colorado) Garrett Atkins and Brian Fuentes for Kevin Slowey, Garrett Jones and Danny Rams
I’m not so good at the prospect thing, but if the Rox are going to give up Atkins and Fuentes, they are going to be asking for a lot. A solid starter and a couple of big hitting prospects for the trouble. And if the Twins are going to be acquiring Atkins, who isn’t nearly as good away from Denver, they will likely seek to bolster their bullpen as well.
4: (Seattle) Adrian Beltre for Kevin Slowey and Jason Pridie
Slowey is clearly the highest worth trade chip the Twins have that they might be willing to move. Liriano will move into his spot in the rotation. And the Mariners have been asking for the moon for a couple years of Beltre, so a Major League pitcher and a top center field prospect still may not be enough.
3: (Cincinnati) Edwin Encarnacion and Jeremy Affeldt for Michael Cuddyer, Brian Buscher, Steven Singleton, Steven Tolleson
It seems like a steep asking price for Encarnacion, but bear in mind that if he was playing for the Twins this season, he would be leading the team in home runs. By 3. Additionally, he is only 25, and this would definitely not be a rental. Cuddyer, already feeling the squeeze from a new crop of young outfielders will be going to an environment where they will be clamoring for veteran leaders next year, should the Reds move Adam Dunn or see Ken Griffey Jr. retire. The problem with this, is that this blockbuster is one that seems more likely to occur in the offseason rather than right before the deadline.
2. (Los Angeles) Andy Laroche for Anthony Swarzak
With the Dodgers adding Blake, Laroche is once again blocked. This could be a good opportunity for the Dodgers to move him and look for a pitching prospect in return. Laroche would definitely qualify as a long term solution at third as well.
1. (Texas) Hank Blalock for Boof Bonser and Matt Moses
A couple of failing and failed prospects should be sufficient for Blalock. Bonser has had recent success and theoretically could recover and become a starter once again. I wouldn’t be surprised. That upside should be tantalizing. Moses was once a number one draft pick. Perhaps he just needs a change in scenery. As for the Rangers, how bad can they feel about dealing a guy who had surgery to remove a rib last year?
Obviously, I am not a GM, and I don’t often need to concern myself with the inner workings of a teams farm system, but these are all trades that seem like they could happen in the next week. Watch the Twins go get Manny Ramirez now.
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