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MLB Trade Deadline 2017: 5 best spots for Andrew McCutchen

By Joshua Sadlock

PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 27: Andrew McCutchen
PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 27: Andrew McCutchen /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JULY 07: Byron Buxton #25 of the Minnesota Twins runs the bases against the Baltimore Orioles during the game on July 7, 2017 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Orioles 9-6. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JULY 07: Byron Buxton #25 of the Minnesota Twins runs the bases against the Baltimore Orioles during the game on July 7, 2017 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Orioles 9-6. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

3. Minnesota Twins

The Twins continue to hang around the top of the AL Central and are right in the thick of the league’s wild-card race. They’re doing this despite having one of the weaker pitching staffs in the league. The 2017 season was still viewed as a rebuilding year for the Twins, but their winning ways will make it impossible to trade staff ace Ervin Santana or closer Brandon Kintzler.

If Twins management is prevented from selling, they have hinted that their focus could turn to acquiring long-term assets. McCutchen is only signed for the 2018 season, so he may not necessarily fit their “long-term” qualification, but he does offer value to the Twins as a mentor to Byron Buxton.

Buxton is now in his third MLB season, and it still has not clicked for one of the most dynamic prospects to rise through the minor leagues in recent years. In 222 MLB games and 755 plate appearances, Buxton is slashing .219/.281/.365 with 250 strikeouts and only 55 walks. There are many similarities between Buxton’s skill set and that of McCutchen when he debuted at the age of 22.

Rebuilding teams like the Twins often have to make a snap decision when it comes to ending the rebuild and transitioning to the next phase. Their lineup is mostly complete, but the struggles of Buxton have left a big hole and questions about his future as a full-time starter. Regardless, the Twins are in this playoff race to stay in 2017, and will be in even better position going forward with an acquisition like McCutchen.

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