With the likelihood of the Minnesota Twins being in the market for a starting pitcher ahead of the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline, chances are the Twins were paying close attention to the situation developing between starting pitcher Aaron Civale and the Milwaukee Brewers. After the Brewers promoted top pitching prospect Jacob Misiorowski to the Major League level, Civale was moved to the bullpen. Civale requested a trade on Thursday, and on Friday, the Brewers obliged.
The Brewers traded Civale to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for first baseman Andrew Vaughn. First and foremost, we must enjoy the hilarity of Civale requesting a trade and then being sent to one of the worst teams in Major League Baseball. In that sense, it feels more like a punishment than it does his wish being granted. Nevertheless, with the White Sox, Civale will now get a chance to return to a starting rotation.
Prior to the White Sox swooping in and grabbing Civale, the case could have been made that the Twins should have had an interest. In 5 starts this season, Civale posted a 4.91 ERA. However, if you remove his start against the New York Yankees to open the season, Civale has returned to form in his comeback from an early-season injury. In his last four starts, Civale's sits with an ERA of 3.32.
White Sox acted quickly in poaching a trade target for the Twins
The White Sox are in desperate need of starting pitchers. With first baseman Andrew Vaughn not appearing to have much of a future with the organization after being demoted to Triple-A last month, the White Sox saw an opportunity to exchange their castoff for a castoff from the Brewers.
A free agent after this season, Civale would have been an ideal trade target for the Twins. As the Twins look for rotation help, it's important to point out that they likely won't be shopping at the top of the trade market. That would have made a deal for Civale match up with the lane they are driving in ahead of the trade deadline. Nevertheless, the Twins' search will continue.