What Moves Are Left For The Twins?

The Minnesota Twins haven’t been incredibly active this offseason, but despite losing 90 games in 2014, they went into the offseason needing to make only a few key moves. Signing an outfielder in Torii Hunter and a starting pitcher in Ervin Santana, the Twins have a couple of options they could still look to consider.

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With plenty of quality arms now in the fold for the starting rotation, the Twins are likely done when it comes to the starting pitcher market. While I would have liked to see Minnesota be in to some extent on James Shields, Santana will be more than serviceable in a number two role behind Phil Hughes. Considering that Alex Meyer, Tommy Milone, and Mike Pelfrey could all find themselves on the outside of the rotation looking in, there’s no real need to add another arm into the mix.

In the outfield, Hunter doesn’t really feel the bigger need the Twins had in the Target Field grass. He can still hit, and sure he can be a mentor, but defensively he is a liability. The Twins pitching staff needed all the help they could get in the large outfield at Target Field, and now with Oswaldo Arcia and Hunter slated to patrol the corners, defense could be a problem there again.

One area that could still be addressed would be in the form of a defensive replacement type outfielder. Colby Rasmus is still a free agent, but would project as much more than a defensive replacement late in games; the same situation would be true in regards to Alex Rios. A trade target could still be a guy like Peter Bourjos of the St. Louis Cardinals though.

If another outfielder or bench bat is brought in, the idea should be to have the defensive prowess to remove the liability that both Hunter and Arcia will undoubtedly be. Needing to cover ground alongside whoever the center fielder is, Twins pitchers would gladly take someone that is more fleet of foot behind them.

Another potential move waiting to be made could come in the form of a relief pitcher. Anthony Swarzak and Jared Burton were both let go this offseason. Casey Fien is still in position to play setup man for Glen Perkins, but the bullpen has other roles. Conventional wisdom says Mike Pelfrey slots into a long relief role, and does so relatively well. Outside of him though, another solid option could be had, and the Twins likely wouldn’t have to pay through the nose for the upgrade.

Minor league bullpen options come in the form of Michael Tonkin, Lester Oliveros, and even Logan Darnell. While each of them could be serviceable in certain situations or over the short term, the Twins may be best suited to look for an out of the organization option.

At this point, the exciting free agent moves appear to be over for the Twins. Heading into 2015, the rest of the roster moves made will be in an effort to round out the 25 man roster to best compete in an ever intriguing AL Central division.

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