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Where Frankie?
The Twins have been linked to Oakland Athletics starter Frankie Montas since shortly after the lockout, with reports emerging that the sides have been in contact for quite some time. Montas, 29, is a premier target. Montas owns a 3.33 ERA and 3.35 FIP over his last 49 starts, working with an upper-90s fastball and an elite splitter. He's under team control through 2023, which is undoubtedly attractive for a Twins club expecting to compete again next summer.
Montas was sporting a 2.80 ERA over his last 45 innings before his July 3rd start in Seattle, where he lasted just one inning. Montas exited with shoulder tightness and hasn't started since, with Ken Rosenthal reporting that he won't pitch in a game until after the All-Star Break. Athletics' reporter Martín Gallegos tweeted Tuesday that Montas threw a successful, 25-pitch bullpen session. His shoulder is a concern, but Montas will have an opportunity to showcase his health for a few weeks before the break.
According to Bovada, Montas will likely remain in Oakland (-145). If he's moved, the Twins are the favorite at +325, followed by the Mets (+350), Cardinals (+450), Dodgers (+900), and Red Sox (+1200). Montas would instantly front the Twins' rotation if healthy, giving them a legitimate Game 1 starter. The question is straightforward: is he worth the risk?
Another Bopper?
Given their interest before the season, it's not shocking to see the Twins as a viable destination for Montas. It's hard to say the same for Washington Nationals' first baseman Josh Bell. If the Nats move Bell, Bovada lists the Twins as a distinct betting favorite to land him at +275. The following closest teams are the Padres and Blue Jays at a distant +600. It's jarring to see, especially considering the Twins' logjam at first base and designated hitter.
Bell, 29, is hitting .300/.380/.488 with 19 doubles, two triples, and 13 home runs. He swings from both sides of the plate, hitting for average, power and striking out at a meager rate for a burly first baseman. Bell is a rental for any club, meaning he'll be a free agent after this season, but he's undoubtedly a middle-of-the-order force. For mostly any other contending team, he makes a ton of sense. For the Twins? Maybe not so much.
The emergences of José Miranda and Alex Kirilloff have created logjams in the corners. Gio Urshela plays a solid third base (at least by the eye test), and the Twins have an All-Star at first in Luis Arraez. Byron Buxton continues to draw starts at DH and will likely need to do so in the second half. First baseman Miguel Sanó is trying to force himself back into the mix. After adding an everyday player in Bell, It would take some severe gymnastics to get everyone their at-bats.
The Twins got wild after the lockout so it's possible they do so again at the trade deadline. What if they traded for Bell, making Miranda, Kirilloff, Urshela, and Sanó expendable in another deal for a starting pitcher or reliever? We could see some intense shifting, and nothing is out of the question for this front office.
What do you think about these latest odds at Bovada? Comment below!
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