Article: 2013 Minnesota Twins Trade Tutorial

[Cody Christie]

Download attachment: Willingham_Josh_Hi5_US_720.jpg It is a little over a month away from the July 31^st trade deadline. The season has started to look a little better for the Twins but the club is still in the bottom half of the AL Central. This should mean the club will be sellers at this year's trade deadline.

 

As stated previously, the Twins focus should be contending again by 2015. Joe Mauer will be the veteran bat in the middle of the line-up, surrounded by young players like Oswaldo Arcia, Miguel Sano, and Eddie Rosario. Even last year's number one draft pick Byron Buxton could be ready for the big leagues in 2015.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

Minnesota has one of the best minor league systems in baseball and the organization has the opportunity to improve its depth by trading away some veteran pieces before August. Productive power hitters and useful members of a pitching staff can be valuable commodities this time of year.

 

We'll look at a few of the names that could be floating around as baseball's summer- time hot stove league begins heating up.

 

Position Players

Justin Morneau, 1B

The former MVP is in the final year of his contract and it doesn't seem likely he will be part of the next winning Twins' team. His ability to play first base and history of hitting for power might be intriguing to more than one contending team. Morneau might be most desirable for a team that has suffered an injury to its first baseman. That said, there are recent injury issues for Morneau and his power has been almost nonexistent in 2013. A team trading for him wouldn't be making a long-term commitment; this could help to strengthen his market.

 

Josh Willingham, LF/DH

There were a few trade rumors swirling around last season when Willingham was in the midst the best season of his career. Things haven't gone as smoothly in 2013 but that doesn't mean other teams won't be interested in adding him for the stretch run. Willingham is under contract through 2014 at a reasonable salary and this could add to his trade value. He will turn 35-years old before next season and some teams might be scared away by his aging body, especially in the mostly DH-less National League.

 

Dark Horse: Trevor Plouffe, 3B

Minnesota has seen some flashes of good signs from Plouffe and these might lead some clubs to have interest in him. The former first round pick didn't work out as a middle infielder but he continues to improve at the plate and on the defensive side of the ball. Miguel Sano is working his way through the Twins system and he looks to be the Twins third baseman of the future. Deibinson Romero has also compiled some solid numbers in the minor leagues and might be able to fill-in for a little while. These make Plouffe expendable if the Twins want to move him.

 

Pitchers

Kevin Correia, RHP

There is not going to be a ton of starting pitchers available and this could be a positive for the Twins. Correia has put together the numbers the front office thought he would produce when they signed him to a free agent contract. The Twins gave Correia a two-year deal so he is still under contract for 2014 at a salary of $5 million. It'd be nice to dump that salary on a team looking to add a back of the rotation starter for its playoff push. He might not net a big haul but he could be worth a mid-range prospect or two if the market continues to be weak for starting pitching.

 

Jared Burton, RHP

Things have been a little rough on the mound in the last couple weeks for Mr. Burton. After last season's outstanding job as the team's set-up man, the Twins gave him an extension. Something isn't quite right with him and this might be reason enough for the organization to ship him out of town. Contending teams can often use another reliever, especially a veteran arm like Burton. He even had the opportunity to close a few games and some teams value this "skill." In July, he will need to show some flashes of the pitcher he was last season or other teams will not consider him an option.

 

Dark Horse: Glen Perkins, LHP

Reports were out last week that Twins general manager Terry Ryan is going to want a haul in return for Perkins. The team's closer is under contract through 2015 with a team option for 2016. It's a very team-friendly deal and that's a good thing for the Twins and their fans. If Perkins stays with the Twins, he likely be the closer on Minnesota's next winning team. Ryan might get an offer that is too good to pass up, putting Perkins in another uniform by the end of July. It seems like a long shot at this point but anything can happen around the deadline.

 

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