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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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Jun 7, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins shortstop Eduardo Nunez (9) hits a home run in the fifth inning against the Miami Marlins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 7, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins shortstop Eduardo Nunez (9) hits a home run in the fifth inning against the Miami Marlins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Eduardo Nunez to Marlins

Nunez seems like a candidate for the Twins to sell high on and find a solid return. The Marlins are a strong fit for him, and the Twins should not feel like they need to keep him in the core due to his strong start in 2016.

Nunez slowly came up the farm system with the New York Yankees and has been a bench player with the Twins the last two years. At age 29, he entered the season with 18 home runs on 1,123 at bats. This season he has 12 home runs on 329 at bats. His .313 average this season will surely be a peak for him.

He is also only under team control through next year. At that point they will have to decide whether to extend a 31-year old version of Nunez, or to lose out on anything. It feels like the perfect time to sell high before dealing with a potential fall off.

The Marlins are a great fit. They need an offensive punch in the infield in the worst way. Dee Gordon will return this season, but without him for the next month they need some more speed on the bases. Nunez comes in with 22 steals on the year. He has played second base, shortstop and third base for the Twins.

The Marlins would likely move him to third and platoon Derek Dietrich and Martin at second base until Gordon is back. The Marlins may have to give up one of their better prospects, or a strong package, but it seems like it would be worth it to add depth and speed to the infield.

Nunez could be the spark they need to find themselves in a wild card match, and even if they do, the Twins should have been able to recoup enough to know they made the smart decision.

Next: 2. Kurt Suzuki to Red Sox

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