Twins Scorecard Excerpt: Twins Trade Deadline Deals

by Nick Nelson

If you're not familiar with the Twins' Official $1 Scorecard, you should be. It's sold at the program stands near the entrances to Target Field, and it's only one buck. How many things can you buy at the ballgame for a dollar? Aside from providing the necessary tools for a scorekeeper to do his/her thing, the scorecard also includes content that changes for each series. Even if Nick Nelson wasn't the guy supplying that content this year, I'd highly recommend picking up a copy each time you make it out to the park. It may be the best value at Target Field.

Below you'll find an excerpt from the Twins' side of the next coming scorecard, which will be available during the Orioles series when action resumes after the All-Star break.

Notable Trade Deadlines for the Twins

With the non-waiver trade deadline just a couple short weeks away, here’s a look at some memorable past deadlines during the Ron Gardenhire era:

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2003: Twins trade OF Bobby Kielty to Blue Jays for OF Shannon Stewart and SP Dave Gassner.

The Twins carried an eight-game losing streak into the All-Star Game, pushing them 7.5 games out in a division they’d been on top of for much of the first half. Needing an offensive spark, they acquired Stewart during the break and installed him as their leadoff man. They never looked back, going 46-23 the rest of the way as Stewart hit .322/.384/.470 and even picked up a few MVP votes.

2004: Twins trade 1B Doug Mientkiewicz to Red Sox, receive SP Justin Jones in four-team swap.

This move was more about clearing space at first base for Justin Morneau than loading up for the stretch run. It worked out well for both sides – Mientkiewicz won a World Series that year in Boston, while Morneau was an MVP two years later.

2005: Twins acquire 2B Bret Boone from Mariners.

Remember Bret Boone? The offense-starved Twins hoped to catch lightning in a bottle by snagging the former star slugger, but he proved to have nothing left in the tank. Boone batted .170 in 13 games for the Twins and was done as a big-leaguer after that.

2007: Twins trade 2B Luis Castillo to Mets for OF Dustin Martin and C Drew Butera.

In one of the only “sell” moves that the Twins have made in the past 10 years, they unloaded the veteran Castillo and his salary for a pair of prospects. The purpose was to compete while making room for Alexi Casilla, but the Twins didn’t make the postseason that year.

2009: Twins trade SS Tyler Ladendorf to Athletics for SS Orlando Cabrera.

Cabrera flashed impressive pop after coming over on July 31, hitting five homers down the stretch including a key blast in the Twins’ AL Central tiebreaker victory over the Tigers.

2010: Twins trade C Wilson Ramos to Nationals for RP Matt Capps

Seeking to shore up the closer position, the Twins dealt away their top catching prospect for the experienced right-hander. Capps was very effective the rest of the year, though he’s had some ups and downs over the rest of his tenure in Minnesota.

You can find more, including previews of each team for just $1 just inside any gate at Target Field or at any gift table.