With their current skid, the Minnesota Twins are now 5.5 games out of first place. It is time for them to become trade deadline sellers.
The trade deadline is a time where teams take a good look at where they are in standings and figure out if they will look to build on a playoff-type roster or sell pieces to build for next season and beyond. The Minnesota Twins looked like they were going to be grouped in with the first group as recently as a week ago. Now, they are looking more and more like sellers.
On Saturday, the Twins were just 1.5 games back in the standings and held a 49-47 record. As they stand right now, Thursday morning, they are now 5.5 games back and have a record of 49-51. Sure, they ran into the Los Angeles Dodgers who are the top dog in the National League, but that can’t excuse the fact the Twins keep blowing leads in games.
The Indians are getting hot and starting to pull away. They have won six straight games and have effectively pushed the Twins away in a matter of five days. They’re only going to get better, as they are expected to be buyers at the trade deadline. With the Twins sitting in third, it is best for them to sell at this point.
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They have assets to part with.
The Twins have movable parts they can deal to acquire prospects and free up money for the offseason. Some options that have been rumored to be traded are Ervin Santana and newly-acquired pitcher Jaime Garcia. Santana has one more year left on his contract and Garcia will be a free agent at the end of the season. They could both be sought-after options for contenders looking for another starting arm.
Brandon Kintzler is another trade chip that could garner a good return. Kintzler becomes a free agent after this season, and with bullpen arms getting premium return packages it would be smart for the Twins to cash in on trading an All-Star bullpen arm. The market is at an all-time high.
Brian Dozier is another option to be moved, as teams will be looking for more pop in the lineup. Dozier also has plus speed and can help a contender down the stretch. A prospect package for Dozier could get the Twins a big haul. Dozier has just one year left on his contract and will be looking for a big contract. The Twins can free up money if they part with him and could give top prospect Nick Gordon a shot starting next season.
Falling behind in 2017 could mean getting ahead in 2018.
The Twins are falling further behind both the Indians and the red-hot Kansas City Royals in the American League Central Division. Their chances of making the playoffs have dwindled more and more with each passing day. Instead of staying behind, they should be proactive in looking toward getting ahead for next season.
Trading pieces to free up money and bulk up the farm can help them for next season and beyond. While it is frustrating that they have fallen out of contention, Twins fans should be excited about next season. They have shown they can compete and their young guys are blossoming. With one more year under their belt, they will be that much better.
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The Twins have the pieces to trade, and it will not set them back. With the promising season their young stars have had, they should look forward to competing next season. Making these trades now could set the foundation for a run at the playoffs next season. After this past week it is apparent the Twins need to sell. It will benefit them in the near future.