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Twins Trade Rumors: Minnesota intersted in acquiring catching

By Josh Hill

Jun 24, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Boston Red Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski (40) looks to the dugout after being stolen on for the second time during the seventh inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Boston Red Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski (40) looks to the dugout after being stolen on for the second time during the seventh inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Minnesota Twins are in a position to win the AL Central this season, and they could be buyers at the trade deadline as a result. 

Usually when this time of year rolls around, the Minnesota Twins aren’t among the teams being discussed as buyers. Things have changed recently though, as Paul Molitor has willed his new team to a winning record through half of the season and Minnesota is in the hunt for the AL Central crown for the first tim in years.

This means the team could go back to being fringe buyers on the trade market, the same way they were in years they were contending in the 2000s.

According to Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the Twins are looking at acquiring catching before the deadline passes, which could lead to a reunion with A.J. Pierzynski or poaching former All-Star Jonathan Lucroy from the Milwaukee Brewers across the state boarder.

Minnesota hasn’t seen the bountiful returns they wanted to out of Joe Mauer, but this isn’t a trade to replace him because he’s not even the catcher anymore. Kurt Suzuki has been the Twins saving grace since Mauer moved to first base a year ago and Minnesota clearly wants to fortify the position.

If the Twins re-acquire Pierzynski, it would continue a running theme over the last few years of former Minnesota sports icons returning home at the tail end of their careers. The Vikings traded for Randy Moss a few years ago, the Timberwolves have Kevin Garnett back and Pierzynski returning to the Twins would be something fans instantly get nostalgic about.

Minnesota traded Pierzynski to the San Francisco Giants back in 2003 for Francisco Liriano and Joe Nathan — two players that helped them win over the following years. Pierzynski is a nostalgic choice for the Twins but there are younger options that could turn into long-term solutions at the position beyond just being rentals this season.

That’s the category Lucroy and Alex Avila fall under, but there’s no saying either the Brewers or especially the Tigers would be willing to deal those players away.

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