So, Cliff Lee (probably) isn’t going to be a Twin after all (UPDATE:  It’s official, Lee is spoken for).  That’s disappointing, because a Lee-Liriano 1-2 punch would have been fun to watch, even if it were only for half of the season. As an analyst, I think it’s a terrible idea to give up even middling prospects for a rental. These players typically provide more benefit in terms of cheap, reliable, roster-filler than any gained in a post-season run (especially since the teams who make these deals tend to flame out in the postseason). As a fan, however, I want to win a pennant. Or at least enjoy watching the best left-hander in baseball pitch for my team, even if it is just for half of the season. Anyway, while we wait to find out where it is exactly Lee will be headed, here’s a rundown of the Twins’ possible options:

• Roy Oswalt: While there hasn’t been much in the way of trade rumors regarding Oswalt lately, there is little doubt the 33-year old is going to be moved. The Astros are in a rebuilding phase whether they like it or not, and would love to get out from under his albatross of a contract. Oswalt, for his part, would love to go to a contender. And while he’s far-removed from his days as a 5+ win pitcher, Oswalt is in the midst of another fine season, posting a 3.08 ERA, 3.32 FIP, 3.47 xFIP, and 3.39 K/BB ratio in innings. Oswalt would provide a nice boost to the rotation, but whether the Twins acquire him depends upon how much salary the Astros are willing to eat. Oswalt is owed $39.5 million over the next two years, and though the Twins have more money to spend than ever before, they’ve also got an estimated $155.75 million in payroll commitments through 2012, and that isn’t including all of the arbitration-eligible players.

• Dan Haren: Haren is likely the best choice of the three. Like Oswalt, he’s in the midst of another fine season, though unlike Oswalt, he actually has some experience pitching in the American League. I doubt very much he would post the 6+ WAR seasons in Minnesota that he has with the Diamondbacks, but 3-WAR isn’t an unreasonable expectation. His skill set is a particularly good fit for the Twins. His (career) 7.69 K/9 rate would be second to Francisco Liriano as the best in the rotation. He also induces a lot of ground balls, which fits well with the team’s defensive capabilities (the infield defense is very good, while the outfield defense stinks). The 27 year-old is also locked up relatively cheaply through 2013, with an estimated $45.13 million left on his contract. Unfortunately,this means the Diamondbacks will probably be asking for the moon (and they should), so it’s unlikely he will end up a Twin.

• Nobody: Of course, the Twins could always choose to stand pat at the deadline, which would obviously be a huge disappointment to the fans. If they can’t find a suitable option to upgrade the rotation, this isn’t a bad idea. It seems unbelievable given how terribly they have pitched as of late, but the starting rotation really isn’t that bad. While their 4.43 ERA isn’t all that impressive, their peripherals suggest they are pitching better than that. Their 4.02 xFIP leads the American League, while their 3.96 FIP is behind only the Red Sox and White Sox. They don’t miss a ton of bats, with just a 6.53 K/9 rate, but not surprisingly, they don’t issue many free passes, either, with a league-leading 1.88 BB/9 rate. They’ve been stung by the long ball a little bit, with a 10.1 HR/FB percentage, but not much more than league-average and it’s likely the result of having such a fly-ball heavy staff. For what it’s worth, their .317 batting average on balls in play is right around league-average, though their 20.3 line drive percentage is awfully high, suggesting mediocre defense isn’t entirely to blame for their recent struggles. Still, if the front office wants to gamble that things will eventually turn around on their own, it wouldn’t be a bad bet.

If you think I missed someone, or if there is another starter you feel the Twins should target, please feel free to discuss it in the comments.

The happiest moment of my entire childhood

A rematch of the greatest world series of all time, though with considerably less at stake. The Braves got off to a slow start this year, winning just nine games in all of April, but after winning 12 of their past 16 games, are now leading their division by 2.5 games. Of course, the big story of the year has been likely ROY Jason Heyward. Heyward was one of the top prospects in the Braves’ system and has been every bit as good as advertised: batting .272/.398/.505 with a .393 wOBA, .233 ISO, and providing above-average defense in the outfield. Oh yeah, the Braves also dealt away Javier Vazquez during the offseason, since their starting rotation was pretty strong and they didn’t really want to pay the $11.5 million left on his contract (also, I’m guessing they couldn’t find any takers for Derek Lowe). The trade looked like a win for the Yankees at the time, but now it kind of looks like a wash. Anyway, for more on the Braves and the series, check out Tomahawk Take.

Probable ptichers:

Friday, June 11:

Tim Hudson: 2.44 ERA, 4.44 xFIP, 1.17 K/BB, 3.97 tERA. It’s the matchup of former greatest-pitchers-in-the-AL looking to recapture their pre-Tommy John glory. Hudson is quite a bit older than Liriano and his chances of returning to his previous form are pretty long, but he’s been a useful pitcher since returning last year. The Braves organization hopes the 35 year-old Hudson will continue being useful for the next three years.

vs.

Francisco Liriano: 3.10 ERA, 3.13 xFIP, 3.62 K/BB, 2.46 tERA. I’ve said my piece about F-Bomb here. Oh, and don’t let Hudson’s shiny ERA and 6-1 record fool you: Liriano has been the better pitcher in almost every way this year.

Saturday, June 12:

Derek Lowe: 5.04 ERA, 4.24 xFIP, 1.38 K/BB, 4.38 tERA. This is the battle of two league-average sinkerballers hoping to not get shelled. Lowe is long removed from his days as a 3+ win pitcher, posting a 4.77 ERA since signing with the Braves. I predict a 10-9 Twins win.

vs.

Nick Blackburn: 5.21 ERA, 5.18 xFIP, 1.21 K/BB, 5.11 tERA. Blackburn has the lowest strikeout rate of his entire career, a league-worst 2.27 K/9, so it’s no wonder he’s getting smacked around. Oh, and if you think the Blackburn contract is bad, check out what the Braves are paying Lowe.

Sunday, June, 13:

Kris Medlen: 3.21 ERA, 3.72 xFIP, 4.33 K/BB, 4.41 tERA. Medlen has been pretty lights out in his second season with the Braves. He and Tommy Hanson essentially made Vazquez expendable.

vs.

Kevin Slowey: 3.45 ERA, 4.64 xFIP, 3.27 K/BB, 4.00 tERA. After failing to make it past the fifth inning in all but two starts, Slowey is coming off of back-to-back strong outings. The righty struggled a bit with his control, posting a career-high 2.83 BB/9 rate through the end of May, but it’s now around his career average. We will see how the control artist fares against a lineup currently leading the NL in walks.