You can go read various threads and articles on this site if you want opinions on how the Twins did by trading Francisco Liriano to the division-leading Chicago White Sox.

I'm going to break down what this trade does from an organization standpoint.

SALARY:

It appears that the White Sox will pick up the rest of Liriano's tab for the season. This saved the Twins $2,073,800. (Their payroll is now $97,775,800 before factoring in the 25th player they need to add.)

Both Eduardo Escobar and Pedro Hernandez are slated to earn the minimum salary this year. At $2,600 per service day they could both spend the rest of the season with the big club and only make a combined $362,000. At this point, with both being assigned to Rochester, their earnings will not count towards the major-league payroll.

40-MAN ROSTER:

Removing Liriano only created one spot. The Twins moved P.J. Walters to the 60-day DL to create room for both Escobar and Hernandez.

25-MAN ROSTER:

Duensing is taking Liriano's place in the rotation, but the Twins are expected to make a move to fill his spot on the active roster today. One of Kyle Waldrop, Lester Oliveros or Deolis Guerra will be promoted to provide the Twins with another bullpen arm. When Liriano's spot comes up in the rotation next week, it would make sense for the Twins to promote Liam Hendriks.

ROCHESTER ROSTER:

Pedro Hernandez, who at 23, is extremely young for AAA. He ranks as the 16th youngest player on the International League circuit (only 5 days older than Deolis Guerra). Hernandez's scouting report reads very similar to Scott Diamond (great command, low strikeout rate) and he will be slotted into the Red Wings rotation. He is in his first option year and, as of today, has a grand total of 1 major league service day. Hernandez should get a shot at breaking spring training in the Twins rotation, but will more than likely start 2013 in Rochester's rotation where he can continue to work on his low-90s fastball, low-80's changeup and, most importantly, his 80mph slider/cutter.

Eduardo Escobar, also 23, is a glove-first middle-infielder. He had previously spent all of 2012 with the White Sox, but still has only amassed 141 major league service days and will have one option year remaining after this year. Barring injury (or trade) to Dozier, Casilla or Carroll, it is expected that Escobar will spend a vast majority of the rest of the season in Rochester. Terry Ryan suggested the Escobar will get "everyday at-bats", which should help improve (or, possibly, verify) his below-average offensive numbers. Short-term, it should have an effect on both Florimon's and Nishioka's playing time; long-term, Escobar could become a cheaper version of Casilla or provide the Twins with additional flexibility should they decide to move Jamey Carroll.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

I wasn't going to do it, but... I think we all hoped that Liriano would net a high-ceiling, (decent) pitching prospect that we've heard of.

Hernandez doesn't exactly fit that profile, but there is potential there. At the very least, he offers another arm that could take on some major-league innings over the next couple years, though he probably doesn't become much more than a back-of-the-rotation starter or possibly a left-handed reliever.

Eduardo Escobar isn't going to hit (so that should eliminate Gardy batting him #2, right?), but their is value in his glove. Does he become their everyday SS? I highly doubt that. Could he become a valuable late-inning defensive replacement? Absolutely. Is there a need for one of those on a team that will struggle to win 70 games? Well, that's a different story. He will get a chance to break camp as a starting middle-infielder, whether that's at second or shortstop, and probably becomes a cheaper version of Alexi Casilla as early as 2013.

Good overall comments. Yes, both can weather another season in the minors if need be.

Interesting that the Twins brought up Manship instead of Hendriks.

Be interesting to see who the Twins call up in September to olster an overworked bullpen - Oliveros, Waldrop and Guerra...and now Hendriks and Hernandez. That's it, unless they rid themselves of Blackburn, Pavano and Capps somehow. I;'m not sure if P.J. Walters will be back or stay on the 40-man once the season ends.

Who else could the Twins conceivably add for a looksee if roster spots open?

Escobar is a stopgap backup...but has youth going for him. I mean, we want Holliman, Florimon, Dinkelman, Chang, or Roof as a back-up infielder instead, assuming the Twins part with Janey Carroll (I bet that still happens in the next few days) and don't resign Casilla.

I'm confused by the Manship promotion unless he becomes a starter. He threw 105 pitches on Friday night, so he's be unavailable until Wednesday, most likely. Good thing the bullpen has been used so little the last couple of days, because Manship isn't going to be able to help out there anytime soon.

I get that he's on his final audition. But so is Guerra... only we haven't seen him at all.

I believe Manship will take over Swarzak's spot in the short term. Duensing will be the 5th starter and the Rochester Shuttle will continue. Bullpen has not been overworked with Cleveland to this point, so Gardy will have mix and match till Wednesday.

You're probably right. With Manship limited (if he's able to pitch at all) for the Chicago series, there really isn't a long guy in the 'pen. Perdomo could probably go three, if needed... but he was shaky (at best) last night. Like you said, Gardy can mix and match, but should that really be necessary on a 13-man staff?

Guerra has only pitched once (for two innings) since coming back, but he would have at least offered the Twins an arm for the White Sox series (and Blackburn is pitching, so the bullpen will need to be used!).