MLB Trade Deadline Rumors: 5 trades Marlins should make

Trade Edinson Volquez to the Twins

Edinson Volquez gave us one of the great moments of the 2017 season when he pitched a no-hitter June 3, in a game he dedicated to the late Fernandez and Yordano Ventura, Volquez’s countryman and former teammate with the Royals.

Things haven’t gone so well for Volquez since, as he’s posted a 6.46 ERA in 23.2 innings across five starts, and landed on the disabled list after his July 5 start with knee tendinitis. We don’t know how long Volquez will be out, though he isn’t expected to miss extended, and will hopefully be back before the trade deadline.

Overall, the 13-year veteran is 4-8 with a 4.19 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 92.1 innings across 17 starts with the Marlins. He is in the first season of a two-year contract, which could appeal to teams not interested in simply adding a rental player. One team that could be a fit is the Minnesota Twins, who have reportedly shown an interest in adding controllable pitchers this summer.

Volquez would give Minnesota’s starting rotation an immediate boost. After All-Star Ervin Santana and resurgent 23-year-old Jose Berrios, the Twins have struggled mightily. Kyle Gibson, Hector Santiago, Adalberto Mejia and Phil Hughes – all of whom have made nine or more starts – all have ERAs over 4.40. Only Mejia has an ERA lower than 5.50.

The Twins would need to get more than Volquez to part with Nick Gordon, a Top 100 prospect and No. 8 shortstop in the minors according to MLB.com, but it would be fun to think of Gordon and his half-brother Dee as the double play combination of the future in Miami. Of course, Dee Gordon might be on the trade block as well.