Twins Still Searching For A Starter

August 31, 2009 · Paul Raymond · Jump to comments

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The Minnesota Twins are only 4.5 games behind the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central but running out of time. The team has a huge void in their rotation and only a short time left to fill it. The deadline to add players, whom can play in the playoffs, is 11 pm tonight, August 31st. So who can they possibly add that would help?

The Twins initially placed a claim on Chicago Cubs pitcher Rich Harden. Unfortunately for them, the two sides weren’t able to come to terms on a trade by the noon deadline. I’m sure the Cubs asking price was pretty high as they quietly work themselves back in to playoff contention. Regardless, the Twins should of pushed for something to get done.

Harden would of instantly been named the ace of the staff. The Twins rotation is so weak, their current ace is one Carl Pavano. Yea, that Carl Pavano. WHo’d ever think he would be considered an ace.

There is another option for the Twinkies and that’s former Boston Red Sox pitcher Brad Penny. There’s still no word on whether or not the Twins or any other team has placed a claim on him. If no team does, he’ll become a free agent and can sign with a team of his choosing.

Penny has plenty of options and I’d assume he’d want to return to the National League. Even so, the Twins should really make a push for him, as he too could move into the ace or #2 slot in that rotation. Because of that same reasoning, I think they should of just put a claim on him and ate the contract they’d have to take on.

I do have to give the Twins organization some credit thou, even with the mistakes they’re making in their search for a starter.

They’ve got two young starters, Francisco Liriano and Glen Perkins, coming off the disabled list shortly and WILL NOT use them in the rotation. Liriano was on the DL with arm fatigue, while Perkins suffered from shoulder tendinitis. Both players will instead be used in the bullpen to try and protect their arms for the future.

The Twins thou have to figure something out by tonight’s 11pm deadline. They’re only 4.5 games back and a solid pitcher can go along way in helping them catch the Tigers.

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