With the Twins recent free fall, some of the team’s veterans could be on their way out before the July 31 Trade Deadline.
The Twins postseason aspirations seem to be on life support after their latest 3-11 stretch. This more than likely means the Twins will be sellers around the trade deadline and will be looking to move some of their older, more expensive players.
CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman compiled a list of 60 players that could be traded around the deadline and two Twins – Josh Willingham and Kevin Correia – made Heyman’s list.
Heyman writes that Willingham may be highly coveted by opposing teams due to the market’s lack of bats, and could be a good option for the Seattle Mariners or Boston Red Sox. Willingham, who is in the last year of his deal with the Twins, is batting .217 with 8 home runs, despite missing significant time due to a wrist injury.
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe also wrote about Willingham as a possible trade chip for the Twins. Cafardo said that while the Twins like Willingham’s presence in the clubhouse, he could play an important role on a team like the Red Sox or Kansas City Royals.
Cafardo also mentioned Twins designated hitter Kendrys Morales as a player the Twins could move. The Twins signed Morales just last month to a one-year, $12 million contract. He is currently batting .229 for the last-place Twins.
Heyman said Correia, who is also in the last year of his contract, is available, but could be difficult to move due to the depth of pitching available to teams. Correia is 4-11 with a 4.79 ERA . He may have helped his cause last night, however, after giving up just two runs in seven innings Monday night in Seattle.
Judd Zulgad of 1500 ESPN offered up the idea of the Twins shopping All-Star catcher Kurt Suzuki, depending on whether or not he wants to re-sign with the team after this season. The Twins signed Suzuki last offseason to a one-year, $2.75 million deal.
Needless to say, the Twins roster could have a different look to it come July 31.
