MLB trade rumors: Twins want starting pitching
By John McCarty
The Minnesota Twins are looking into acquiring starting pitching as the trade deadline approaches.
Perhaps no team in the American League is a greater surprise to be a contender in their division that the Minnesota Twins are in the American League Central. Now, as teams get back to work and the trade deadline approaches, the Twins are said to be exploring adding starting pitching. Specifically, the organization is said to be exploring controllable starting pitching.
As Jeff Todd indicates over at MLB Trade Rumors, Minnesota has begun the background work on Jose Quintana of the White Sox and Sonny Gray of the Athletics. A young team, Minnesota’s general manager Thad Levine has indicated the organization would be willing to add assets that help the organization not only this year but in years to come.
Minnesota may have to target second-tier prospects. Mentioned as a possibility could be a Dan Straily of the Florida Marlins. As is noted by Todd, a bidding war could spur the Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves to make available or at least be more open to listening on Gerrit Cole and Julio Teheran respectively.
Next: What Nationals prospects could be on the move?
Starting pitching is certainly an area where the Twins could use an upgrade. Lead by Ervin Santana and Jose Berrios, the rest of the rotation has had their struggles this season. Names like Kyle Gibson and Hector Santiago were counted on to perform and provide quality innings, something to this point they have not consistently been able to accomplish. Another starter would go along way in helping Minnesota stay afloat in the Central race as well as the American League Wild Card.
Currently, the Twins sit 2.5 games out of first in the Central behind the Cleveland Indians and only one game back of the second spot in the American League wild card race.