There is one more roster move that the Twins will likely make this season. I don’t know the overall specifics of it, but I have the general frame work of what might happen.
Denard Span will be traded.
Span is still under team control through 2015 (including a team option), is a solid hitter and fielder with some speed. There are several teams out there that would be happy to have a quality lead off hitter. Look at what the Braves paid last year for Michael Bourn (4 players, including the Astros new center fielder) who is much faster, but Span can be the much better hitter when he is healthy. He appears healthy this year.
The real question, then, is what the Twins should try to acquire for Span. Pitching, obviously, is a must. Starting pitching specifically. The team has bullpen that is improved over last year, but is overworked because the starters are so bad. The free agents, honestly, have worked out on offense, and if Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer stay healthy, the offense might come around, even without Span. The immediate, persistent concern is pitching.
But how bad are the Twins? Obviously, the entire rotation reeks of failure. The two options become these; trade for one good starter now, or trade for a handful of prospects down the road. I’m torn as to what is the better option. If the Twins played in a good division, it would be clear cut: trade for prospects. But they don’t. With a few well placed tweaks, the Twins could be competitive as soon as next year. Of course, that depends on things breaking the right way in free agency and player development. Things haven’t gone well lately in Minnesota, so here is hoping for a change in fortunes soon.
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