By mid-afternoon Friday the Minnesota Twins’ roster should look a little different than it did at the start of the day.
In other words: A trade is imminent.
General Manager Terry Ryan believes he owes it to the team to make a move that will improve its chances of ending a four-year playoff drought. According to ESPN, Ryan has “every intention” of pulling the trigger on a trade.
“I know they’ve done a hell of a job of getting to this point and we’re in a good position and now it’s my responsibility to help the cause,” Ryan said after the Twins beat the Mariners Thursday night. “We’ve struggled here. The last 12 games have been a battle. We have not played good baseball and I’m aware of that. I’m also aware that one correct move by me could help the cause immensely because it could change the attitude in the clubhouse.”
Ryan has until 3 p.m. CT to swing a deal.
https://twitter.com/AaronGleeman/status/627102116818067456
There isn’t a lot of detail available about whom the Twins are interested in trading for, although the Star Tribune says San Diego’s Joaquin Benoit and Tampa Bay’s Jake McGee are a couple of relief pitchers rumored to be drawing interest from Minnesota.
Shortstop and catcher are secondary needs, per the newspaper.
Ryan is fully aware of the noise teams ahead and behind the Twins are making. Judd Zulgad points out that Toronto, currently two and a half games behind Minnesota, has traded for a pair of All-Stars in left-handed starting pitcher David Price and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. The Astros, who look like a favorite to win the AL West or a wild card spot, made deals for pitcher Scott Kazmir and ex-Twins outfielder Carlos Gomez.
Stay tuned for updates throughout the day.
