Twins trade for pitching, phat beats

The Twins executed a fairly stunning trade today, made more surprising by what had happened just a couple of weeks ago. Ben Revere, who had been slotted as the starting center fielder after the Denard Span trade was put together, was instead dealt to Philadelphia today. The most surprising aspect to this for some people was that Revere fetched a seemingly more substantial haul than Span did.

I can’t say I’m surprised. The Twins were already down a center fielder, so it should have taken more to pry him loose, and Revere, thought not quite the player Span is in terms of plate patience or power, is faster and younger and under team control for longer. What was the haul? It was starting pitcher Vance Worley (who may now be the best pitcher in the Twins rotation) and top prospect Trevor May.

Worley is young himself, with less than 2 years of experience, and the stuff to be a stable force in the rotation for many years to come. He keeps balls in the park, which will be a task made easier at Target Field. He is mostly a fly ball pitcher, but he strikes out about 8/9 innings. There is no Span or Revere to help out in the outfield anymore, but Darin Mastroianni will play center until Aaron Hicks, no slouch himself, is ready. That may be very soon, especially since the path has been made clear.

Trevor May was a top 10 prospect within the Phillies organization, as a hard thrower who strikes out a lot of batters. He has some serious control issues thus far, but he, too may be ready to join the Twins by 2014. He may not end up a starter, but could end up a closer for the Twins when Glen Perkins is eventually let go.  I think the most important thing about May, though, is his side hobby. Ladies and gentlemen, DJ Hey Beef

I’m pretty OK with this trade. HEY BEEF