Will the Minnesota Twins Upgrade Their Bullpen at the Deadline?

Will the Minnesota Twins be buyers at the trade deadline? More then likely they will be, but don’t expect a blockbuster deal.

It’s more likely that the Twins make moves that go under the radar to upgrade their bullpen.

The Twins bullpen is currently ranked 18th overall in baseball with a 3.71 earned run average. Not horrible, but not great either. If they happen to make the playoffs for the first time since 2010, they will need their bullpen to be much better if they are going to make any noise.

Before Neftali Feliz signed with the Detroit Tigers, the Twins were reportedly interested in signing the hard throwing reliever.

Here are two other relievers that the Twins have been linked to in recent days.

Jul 6, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; San Diego Padres relief pitcher Joaquin Benoit (53) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning at PNC Park. The Pirates won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The most desirable name is veteran reliever, Joaquin Benoit. The 37 year-old has performed well for the San Diego Padres through the first half of the season. In 39 appearances this year Benoit is 6-4 with one save and 11 holds. He owns a 2.39 earned run average and has recorded 33 strikeouts.

Benoit would serve as a reliable set up man for the best closer in the game. Getting Benoit would likely cost the Twins a top tier prospect, but getting a reliable reliever who is under contract until the end of the 2016 season would be worth it for a team trying to make the playoffs for the first time since 2010.

Neal Cotts, the lefty reliever for the Milwaukee Brewers has made 36 appearances for the Brewers. He is 1-0 with a 3.50 earned run average. He has recorded 38 strikeouts in 36 innings pitched. Cotts would give Twins manager, Paul Molitor a left-handed option out of the bullpen.

If the Twins were able to acquire both Benoit and Cotts it would solidify their bullpen and make it a strength, rather than a question mark.

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