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Rumors certainly ran rampant throughout the day on Thursday. Things were fairly quiet on the Twins front, though talk picked up later in the evening regarding the San Diego Padres. Are the Padres going to sell? It certainly seems like it. Who are they looking to trade? Could Justin Upton really be of interest to the Twins, and if so, what would they have to give up to get him? Joaquin Benoit and Shawn Kelley are probably available. Which would the Twins prefer? Can, as Jeremy asked a couple of days ago, they really be interested in James Shields? Could they rid themselves of Ricky Nolasco’s contract at the same time?
Now it sounds like the Padres and Astros (who have been busy this past week) are talking about relievers, so there will be competition for their players. The Yankees are reportedly now interested in Craig Kimbrel. My sense is that GM AJ Preller and the Padres will be quite busy on Friday.
The Twins certainly have some trade chips. Buxton, Sano and Berrios are likely untouchable, but could Max Kepler be in play? If so, getting three hits (including two home runs) on Thursday night likely improves his value. He is now hitting .337/.418/.553 (.971) with 25 doubles, nine triples and six home runs in 77 games with the Lookouts. He has very good speed as evidenced by his nine triples but also his 13 stolen bases. He can play all three outfield positions and first base. If he is traded, the Twins had better get a nice haul for him! He’s certainly demanding people’s attention around baseball circles.
Jorge Polanco played well in his start at shortstop on Thursday night, collecting two hits and getting on base three times. Would the Twins consider trading him, or would they prefer to deal Danny Santana? Would teams be interested in him?
It was certainly noteworthy that the Twins flip-flopped LHP Stephen Gonsalves with RHP Kohl Stewart in the Ft. Myers rotation. Stewart had his scheduled start pushed from Thursday (before deadline) to Friday (after deadline). Could it be that they just felt Stewart needed a day off? Sure. Could it be that the Twins didn’t want to risk an injury to Stewart so that he could be traded? It sure could. Stewart’s name has popped up in rumors.
Now, we know that the Twins typically are not huge players at the trade deadline. They aren’t typically a team that is going to give up a ton of high-quality prospects for elite talents. That said, they have been an active team most years at the deadline. Here’s a quick look at Twins moves in late July in recent years:
- July 24, 2014 – Traded DH Kendrys Morales to Seattle for RHP Stephen Pryor.
- July 31, 2014 – Traded OF Sam Fuld to Oakland for LHP Tommy Milone.
- July 31, 2013 – Traded C Drew Butera to the LA Dodgers for a PTBNL (Miguel Sulburan).
- July 28, 2012 – Traded LHP Francisco Liriano to the Chicago White Sox for IF Eduardo Escobar & LHP Pedro Hernandez.
- July 29, 2010 – Traded LHP Joe Testa and C Wilson Ramos to Washington for RHP Matt Capps.
- July 31, 2009 – Traded SS Tyler Ladendorf to Oakland for SS Orlando Cabrera.
- July 31, 2007 – Traded 2B Luis Castillo to the NY Mets for OF Dustin Martin and C Drew Butera.
- July 31, 2006 – Traded RHP Kyle Lohse to Cincinnati for RHP Zach Ward.
- July 31, 2004 – Traded 1B Doug Mientkiewicz to Boston in a four-team traded, received LHP Justin Jones from the Cubs.
- July 16, 2003 – Traded OF Bobby Kielty to Toronto for OF Shannon Stewart and a PTBNL (LHP Dave Gassner).
- July 12, 2002 – Traded OF Brian Buchanan to San Diego for SS Jason Bartlett.
- July 28, 2001 – Traded LHP Mark Redman to Detroit for RHP Todd Jones.
- July 30, 2001 – Traded OF Matt Lawton to NY Mets for RHP Rick Reed.
- July 15, 2000 – Traded OF Butch Huskey and 2B Todd Walker to Colorado for 1B Todd Sears.
- July 31, 2000 – Traded 1B/OF Mario Valdez to Oakland for C Danny Ardoin.
- July 31, 1998 – Traded OF Orlando Merced and LHP Greg Swindell to Boston for RHP Matt Kinney, OF John Barnes and LHP Joe Thomas.
- July 6, 1995 – Traded RHP Rick Aguilera to Boston for RHP Frankie Rodriguez and PTBNL (OF JJ Johnson)
- July 7, 1995 – Traded RHP Scott Erickson to Baltimore for RHP Scott Klingenbeck and PTBNL (OF Kimera Bartee)
- July 31, 1995 – Traded LHP Mark Guthrie and RHP Kevin Tapani to LA Dodgers for IF Ron Coomer, RHP Greg Hansell, RHP Jose Parra and PTBNL (OF Chris Latham).
- July 31, 1989 – Traded LHP Frank Viola to the NY Mets for RHP Rick Aguilera, RHP Kevin Tapani., LHP David West, RHP Tim Drummond and PTBNL (RHP Jack Savage).
- July 31, 1987 – Traded PTBNL (RHP Jeff Perry) to Cleveland for LHP Steve Carlton.
There is certainly a mix of good trades, bad trades and forgettable trades.
The trade deadline this year has been surprising. There haven't been a lot of minor trades. There have been a lot of big names traded all over. Just five teams (including the Twins and the Padres) have yet to make a single move this month as we approach these final hours. I’d expect both of them to make moves on Friday.
On Thursday, there was a crazy 13-player, three-team trade between the Dodgers, the Braves and the Marlins. Carlos Gomez thought he was going from Milwaukee to the Mets on Wednesday night. That trade was called off, and on Thursday he (and Mike Fiers) were dealt to Houston. After getting Troy Tulowitzki earlier in the week, the Blue Jays gave up LHP Daniel Norris and more to get David Price for the rest of this season. In case you missed it late on Wednesday night, the Rangers sent five prospects to the Phillies for Cole Hamels.
It’s been a very interesting deadline and now we are on the actual day of the deadline. Sure, things will happen in August too, but it should be a very exciting day.
Feel free to use this thread to discuss moves and rumors throughout the day, particularly those regarding the Minnesota Twins.
Twins Daily will attempt to keep up with everything and if the team does make a deal, check back for even more coverage.
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