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| Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images North America |
Again without posting in almost a month, I regress that I haven't given much attention to this blog. However in my defense it's summer, it's hot, I've been busy and nobody reads this nonsense anyways.
With the MLB trade deadline looming in about six days, the Twins find themselves in a peculiar situation. They sit 7 games back behind Detroit after losing 3 of 4 games at home to the Tigers this weekend. As rumors have it, the Tigers are aggressively pursuing players and are likely to be buyers before the deadline, the Twins may be wise to visit the other option and sell some of our highly sought after players to build for the future.
As of today, John Paul Morosi of Fox Sports Tweeted that the San Francisco Giants are still very interested in Micheal Cuddyer to play second base and outfield in their quest for another championship this fall. Also, Amanda Comak of the Washington Times reported today that the Nationals are very interested in bringing in Twins' outfielder Denard Span. Although the Nats are unlikely to deal either Tyler Clippard or Drew Storen, shortstop Ian Desmond remained a name to center a deal around. As dependable and rather inexpensive as Span is, and with the production from Cuddyer this season the asking price for the two players really could be significant.
The Twins already arguably have a pretty slim farm system could really cash in and get both prospects for the future and solid major league ready players with upside for today by dealing one if not both Span and Cuddyer. Kubel and Delmon Young are both healthy again, each having little trade value and Ben Revere has been electric in the outfield and the base paths in filling in for the injured Span since his June concussion. A team trailing in the division like the Twins would be wise to look to the future for the direction of the team.
I have been a known the past few seasons to not be a fan of Micheal Cuddyer. However I see what value he brings to this team and I have curbed my disdain for Cuddyer. He can play infield, outfield, hell he even pitched a scoreless inning tonight in a rout at the hands of the Ranger. I get why people care for him and would want him around. What I don't quite get is the reason we aren't selling him to the highest bidder. The Twins have had Cuddyer for several good seasons but still have come up empty in the playoffs with him and I don't see any bright future in the post season with him here. Cuddyer isn't a franchise type of player to build around and if a playoff bound team like the aforementioned Giants want to send a few players our way to bring in Cuddyer while he is playing far ahead of his career averages, who's to say that is wrong?
I can see the reasons to hold on to Denard Span. He is rather inexpensive, being owed a mere 15 mil through 2015 with a club option in 2016, he's more than dependable in the field while being a solid table setter at the top of the lineup hitting around .290 for his career. Albeit Revere has been good, it is a small sample size to look upon in the sense to be replacing a player like Span. While comparing the two players however, they both have a similar style to the game. Both play with speed and play above average defense, but Span does have a much better arm than Revere and will be able to put the ball out of the park on occasion offensively.
The way I see things, is the Twins not only have a crowded outfield situation, they lack talent in the high minor leagues and need to address the situation in their bullpen being one of the worst in baseball. The Minnesota Twins more than likely aren't going to make the postseason or make a deep run in the off chance they do, with the roster they currently have. With their two most intriguing assets being in their most crowded position, I don't see a reasonable excuse not to pull the trigger and move one if not both Span and Cuddyer. At least the way the rumors look from the media, both could net 3 plus players in return, setting the Twins up with some talent in the top of their minor system and possibly their big league club as well. And for what it's worth, maybe we could get Washington to give us Wilson Ramos back.
Just saying.
