Twins clear another roster space before the Winter Meetings

July 3, 2011; Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-US PRESSWIRE

The Minnesota Twins outrighted RHP Deolis Guerra, assigning him to AAA Rochester.  He will still receive an invitation to spring training camp  at the major league level.  Guerra joined the Twins organization in 2009 after three seasons in the New York Mets minor league system.  By the end of 2009, he reached the AA level and has fluctuated between AA and AAA levels.

The moves leaves 37 men on the roster, three open spots to be filled, and the Winter Meetings beginning on Monday.  While trades are still possible, the Twins best trade chip was dealt on Thursday when Denard Span went to the Washington Nationals in exchange for flamethrowing prospect Alex Meyer.

If the Twins are going to add the starting pitching they so desperately need, the likelihood of a signing or Rule 5 Draft pick-up may now be more likely than a trade involving a player from the major league roster.  While the Twins could make another move or two involving guys on the 40-man, many more moves than that would turn into a fire-sale and all-out rebuilding.

While some critics say the Twins are in rebuilding mode and others say they should be, I think the Twins believe they are a few arms away from a completely different season in 2013.  I think a playoff run in 2013 is a pipe dream, but relevance in 2013, finishing closer to the top than the bottom of division in 2013, and playoff contention in 2014 are possible with a few more shrewd moves.  And a good dose of luck.