Twins Video
NEW YORK METS (38-32)
The Mets need to fill the hole at third base left by David Wright, who may miss the rest of the season following neck surgery. While there has been talk about the club’s interest in Cuban free agent Yulieski Gourriel, which demonstrates their need at the hot corner, we should all know that if the Dodgers are interested in the Cuban - which they are - he’ll end up in L.A.
So who could the Mets have that interest the Twins?
Marcos Molina, RHP - Molina has a 92-94 fastball that tops out at 96, a plus changeup and a developing slider. He also has a fresh scar on his right elbow as the result of Tommy John surgery which occurred in September. He won’t pitch in 2016 and when he returns in 2017 - to high class-A no less - he’ll still be three promotions from the major leagues.
Robert Gsellman, RHP - Gsellman is nearly a clone of Kyle Gibson, who relies primarily on a low-90s sinker. He also has a changeup, curveball and slider in his arsenal, none that excite scouts a whole lot, but he doesn’t walk many (2.0 BB/9) and was recently promoted to AAA. Could profile as a back-end type.
Gabriel Ynoa, RHP - Ynoa, who is currently on his second option, has yet to make his MLB debut. He’s long been known for his control. (He’s always had a sub-2.00 BB/9… up until this year). He sits in the low-90s with his fastball and offers both a changeup and a slider. His ceiling is as a back-end starter, but he’s struggled thus far in AAA.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS (38-33)
Yeah, they are a divisional opponent. And yes, there have been rumors of them pursuing Jose Reyes. But Nunez would offer the versatility that the Royals love and he can play third base while Mike Moustakas is out for the year.
Matt Strahm, LHP - Strahm missed 2013 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, but he’s had a K/9 over 11.0 in each of his three spots since then. He’s struggled in AAA to start the year, giving up seventy hits in seventy innings so far, but still has a 8.5 K/9 and is walking less than two per nine. Strahm throws a low-90s fastball with a curveball and a changeup.
Alex Mills, RHP - Mills made a spot-start for the Royals in May and is now pitching in AAA after starting the year in AA. Mills hits the mid-90s with a plus changeup and also throws a curveball and a slider.
Ricky Araceno, SS - Aracena doesn’t fit the close-to-bigs mold I’ve tried to set with the rest of the names on the list, but the 5-8 shortstop is an 18-year-old playing short-season ball and has an advanced bat with the chops to stay in the six-hole.
CLEVELAND INDIANS (41-30)
Juan Uribe has been better as of late, but the Indians could still use another bat to lengthen their lineup. And if they’re serious about competing with the Royals, they will need to make moves.
Juan Hillman, LHP - Hillman is a long way from the big leagues. In fact, he’s only thrown 30 professional innings including one start this year in the New York/Penn league. One draw of Hillman - besides that he’s a high-ceiling starter with loads of potential - is that he was a high school teammate of Nick Gordon and Tom Gordon is his legal guardian. The elder Gordon has helped groom Hillman, who just recently turned 18.
Rob Kaminsky, LHP - Kaminsky was drafted by the Cardinals and traded for Brandon Moss. After dominating both low- and high-A ball, he’s struggled with his first taste of AA this year. The 5-11 southpaw has walked (22) almost as many batters as he’s struck out (28) in 51.0 innings. But there’s still hope that he can be a back-end starter if he continues to hone his very good curveball.
Those are just a few teams that the Twins could talk to about Nunez. What would you do?
MORE FROM TWINS DAILY
— Latest Twins coverage from our writers
— Recent Twins discussion in our forums
— Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email
— Become a Twins Daily Caretaker
Recommended Comments
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.