Twins Trade Rumors: Kurt Suzuki to be Extended
The Minnesota Twins made an early morning splash today as the dealt Sam Fuld back to the Oakland Athletics, the team he opened the year with, and in return received Tommy Milone. Milone was then optioned to Triple-A Rochester to be stretched out and Kennys Vargas was called up from Double-A New Britian. Now the Twins are back to work on Kurt Suzuki.
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Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Twins have gone back to the drawing board and are working on a contract extension with Kurt Suzuki.
Source: #Twins again talking to Suzuki about extension. Reasonable chance it gets done.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2014
The All-Star catcher has been praised by teammates Glen Perkins and Phil Hughes, despite his pitch framing numbers. After a surprising season at the plate, the Twins have been intent on bringing their impending free agent catcher back.
Suzuki has been looking to get paid along the lines of Carlos Ruiz, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and A.J. Pierzynski. Minnesota has been reluctant to go that high on a guy who has ridden a high batting average to a good place this year.
However, it seems the Twins are back on track in working out a long-term extension with Suzuki. Teams have stayed away from Suzuki, arguably the only viable starting catching option on the trade market, as the Twins have been vocal about their desire to bring him back.
Minnesota has mentioned that Suzuki is vital to their roster, noting that not only Josmile Pinto, but the host of their minor league catching prospects just aren’t yet ready.
Minnesota’s best case scenario involves either a contract extension or a trade of Kurt Suzuki by days end. Doing nothing and watching him walk at the end of the season would be a big miscue for the Minnesota ball club.