June 22, 2009 12:46 am
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The Twins of the Ron Gardenhire Era have not been noted for trading-deadline deals.
Their preferred method of fixing a roster hole is to reach into the minors.
Indeed, since the Shannon Stewart trade in 2003, Minnesota’s most significant mid-season deals were subtractions — trading away Doug Mientkiewcz in 2005 to make room for Justin Morneau, dumping Kyle Loshe in 2006, trading away Luis Castillo in 2007 to open a job for Alexi Casilla.
If that changes this summer, it will probably be to fix the bullpen. Of course, the front office didn’t act last summer, when the problem was more obvious than it is now, but maybe they’ve learned a lesson.
So ... let’s look around and see what credentialed late-inning arms might be available in the next six weeks or so. (Stats as of Saturday.)
LaTroy Hawkins, Houston Astros. Gave up a two-run bomb Saturday to Jason Kubel. Despite that, he’s having his best year in some time — ERA, 2.93. Part of his appeal here is that he has a history with Gardenhire and pitching coach Rick Anderson.
Houston is closer to last place than to first in their division, but they’re generally reluctant to go into sell mode, so Hawkins may not be available. Logically, they should be willing to deal him for a building block. Logic may not prevail.
Danys Baez, Baltimore Orioles. In the final guaranteed year of a too-big contract ($7.5 million this year). ERA this season: 3.22.
Like Hawkins, Baez has been tried as a closer and as a starter and appears to have found a niche in middle relief. Andy MacPhail, now running the show in Baltimore, says the O’s are not running a fire sale this summer, but keeping Baez makes little sense for them. He will be traded.
Huston Street, Colorado Rockies. The Twins have been rumored to be in pursuit of him for years.
But he’s closing for the Rockies (15 saves, 3.41 ERA), they’ve climbed into the wild-card chase with a two-week hot streak, fellow late-inning man Manny Corpas just went on the DL and the Rox have a habit of overvaluing their players. I don’t see him going anywhere.
Takashi Saito, Boston Red Sox. Supposedly the Red Sox are shopping him, but I don’t know why. He’s cheap ($2.5 million), he’s credentialed (81 saves in three years with the Dodgers), and he’s effective (2.59 ERA).
If he’s available, the buyer better know why he’s available.
Cla Meredith, San Diego Padres. About to enter arbitration years, so the Padres might be willing to move him. ERA: 2.70.
The one pitcher on this list who has never been a closer. A submarine-sidearmer. Not a power arm, and his leading indicator stats are all mediocre, but he’s allowed just three extra-base hits all season.
Matt Capps, Pittsburgh Pirates. He has 15 saves with an ugly 5.16 ERA. He had health issues in May and seems recovered now; his ERA has actually dropped about three full runs since May 15.
Like Meredith, he’s about to enter arbitration eligibility, so the Pirates might be willing to move him for kids.
Prediction: My guess is that the Twins won’t trade for any of these guys. They’ll wait to see if they can fix Jesse Crain, or test an untried kid (or two or three, or more).
If they do trade for somebody on this list, my first choice would be Capps, followed by Baez. Of course, that all depends on the asking price.
The Twins should be willing to trade Delmon Young for any of them, and Ben Revere or Aaron Hicks for none.
Edward Thoma is a Free Press staff writer. He is at 344-6377 or at ethoma@mankatofreepress.com. He also has a baseball blog at www.mankatofreepress.com/ethomabaseball
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