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Poll: Which Twin Is Mostly Likely To Be Traded In August?

By Jesse Lund
May 19, 2012; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Minnesota Twins pitcher Carl Pavano (48) during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-US PRESSWIRE
May 19, 2012; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Minnesota Twins pitcher Carl Pavano (48) during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-US PRESSWIRE

Later today we'll revisit exactly how trades and waiver claims work now that we're into August. For now, let's kick off our morning with a very serious question: which Minnesota Twin is the most likely to be traded this month? Here are your most likely candidates.

Matt Capps

#55 / Pitcher / Minnesota Twins

6-2

245

R

R

Sep 03, 1983

W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2012 - Matt Capps 1-4 29 0 0 0 14 1 28.1 26 13 12 5 4 18 3.81 1.06

For all the hell Capps has taken over his performance last season, he probably doesn't deserve the same criticisms this season. He's allowing less than a hit per inning and has walked just four batters, and the worst thing you can say about him is that he's allowed a couple too many homers for just 28.1 innings of work.

His swining strike percentage has rebounded from last season, which is a great indicator of how much better he's felt this year. If a team is looking for a closer to step, or if a team is looking to upgrade the back half of their bullpen (more likely), Capps would be a very good choice.

Remaining Salary: $1.58 MM (plus $6 MM option for 2013, $250 K buyout)

Justin Morneau

#33 / Designated Hitter / Minnesota Twins

6-4

235

L

R

May 15, 1981

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG
2012 - Justin Morneau 81 315 38 81 19 1 13 47 27 60 1 0 .257 .320 .448

Morneau might seem like an unlikely inclusion to this list, but with his salary for next season I have to believe they'd explore their options in the right situation. Plenty of teams can still use an offensive upgrade like Morneau. Would he pass all the way through waivers? Or would he even reach a contending team?

Remaining Salary: $4.7 MM ($14 MM in 2013)

Carl Pavano

#48 / Pitcher / Minnesota Twins

6-5

250

R

R

Jan 08, 1976

W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2012 - Carl Pavano 2-5 11 11 0 0 0 0 63.0 80 46 42 9 8 33 6.00 1.40

Pavano should be back in the relatively near future, and in spite of that unsightly 6.00 ERA he will garner some interest. When the Twins picked him up from the Indians in August of 2009 they did so in an effort to upgrade the bottom of their rotation, and that's exactly how other contending teams will see him this year. Teams with an underwhelming or inexperienced number five will see a player who can easily go seven innings while still being competitive.

Remianing Salary: $2.83 MM

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