MLB Rumors: Twins are offering up another starting pitcher as part of their deadline fire sale
By Josh Hill
The Minnesota Twins fire sale is officially underway, and another pitcher has been added to the MLB rumors heap.
While MLB rumors are fixated on the Chicago Cubs and what they’ll do with their impending fire sale, another Central division team is setting up shop for as sellers at the deadline.
Over in the American League, the basement-dwelling Minnesota Twins are waving the white flag as the deadline approaches and appear to be open for business. Ace starting pitcher Jose Berrios looks increasingly likely to be traded ahead of Saturday’s deadline, as does star outfielder Byron Buxton.
Over the weekend Buxton rejected a contract extension from the Twins, all but signaling the end of this time with the team. Whether that comes in the winter with free agency or before Saturday in a trade is yet to be determined.
But the Twins aren’t simply offering up its two best players as trade bait. According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, starter Michael Pineda is the next man up in the Twins deadline fire sale.
“Twins starter Michael Pineda is drawing trade interest ahead of Friday’s deadline, source says. Pineda, 32, will be a free agent after the season. His start Monday against the #Tigers will be watched closely by the industry,” Morosi tweeted on Monday.
The Twins have already completed one trade, kicking off its fire sale by shipping veteran slugger Nelson Cruz to the Tampa Bay Rays.
Pineda is just the latest Twins player to get tossed into the auction pit by the front office. In addition to Berrios and Buxton, Minnesota is reportedly dangling everyone on their roster as trade bait from offseason acquisition Andrelton Simmons to closer Taylor Rogers.
Minnesota had aspirations of repeating as AL Central champions this season, but have sunk deep into the basement of the American League. The Twins are over 17 games out of first place and are owners of the fifth-worst record in all of baseball.