According to Phil Miller of the Star Tribune Josh Willingham has been claimed by an unknown team through waivers. The Twins now have until Friday to either trade him and his $7 million salary or pull him back and keep him for the rest of the year.

Knowing that Willingham is now back healthy and starting to pick up the pace offensively it would be a smart move for many contending teams to take a bid at the 34 year old left fielder. With waivers it would start with the American league, then if no team in the American League has claimed him, it then would then move over to the National League.

Assuming he has been claimed by a contending American League team, a team that would need a right handed left fielder, in my opinion are the Rangers, or the Rays. At the begining of the season the Rays had the 3rd best farm system while thr Rangers had the 4th best. If he had made through waivers in the American League and was claimed by a National League team he could have been claimed by the the Arizona Dimanondbacks. Who I think is the most probably option due to Jason Kubel being designated for assignment. The Diamondback had the 13th best farm system at the beginning of the season. The Daimondbacks also have the 6th best prospect in Archie Bradley.

UPDATE: The Star Tribune and the Baltimore Sun report that it has been the Orioles who have claimed Josh Willingham off of waivers. No deal has been made yet.

As seen on http://upnorthbaseball.blogspot.com/?m=1