Fansided

MLB Trade Deadline: 5 players Twins should trade

By Parker Hurley

Jul 17, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins first baseman Kenny Vargas (19) fields and forces out the batter during the third inning against the Cleveland Indians at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 17, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins first baseman Kenny Vargas (19) fields and forces out the batter during the third inning against the Cleveland Indians at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 26, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Kintzler (53) pitches in the eighth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Kintzler (53) pitches in the eighth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Brandon Kintzler to Blue Jays

The Twins have recently moved Kintzler to the closer position. What this does at the very least is improve his trade value.

There is something about that “S” in that statistical column that managers love. The sense that a player is not only established in a bullpen, but can handle the pressure of closing out a game seems to be the intangible correlated to what makes closers so valuable.

Kintzler is having a career year and has converted on all five of his save opportunities. Kintzler is 31, and has just one more year of team control with the Twins. It is unlikely that he would have the closer job next year, so it almost feels like they have to ship him off this year, or they are missing out on all of his value.

The Blue Jays do not necessarily need a closer, but they need late inning relief. They are seeing that Kintzler can be trusted with the pressure on, and now can ease the pressure by throwing him back into the situation he was in before Glen Perkins went down and Kintzler began closing out games.

The Blue Jays are right in the mix, and will not be afraid to go and get a player they want. That said, the Twins should know that Kintzler does not have much value, and a low-end arm with a chance to help in a couple of years should be worth it.

Next: 4. Ervin Santana to Rangers

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