To Trade or Not to Trade

It’s hard not to know Joe Nathan’s current situation, he’s recently been diagnosed with a torn ulnar ligament. He is expected to play his first game of catch today since the terrible news. If all goes well, he’s likely to be the Twins closer this season. However, if all doesn’t go well, he’s likely to need a surgery similar to Tommy John, meaning his season will never happen and his career could possibly be over.

So, the question is, “What if things don’t go well? What if he can’t pitch this season?” The Twins have options. Some arguably better than others and some undoubtedly more realistic than others.

The Twins have shown interest in All-Star righty, Heath Bell who in 2009 saved a total of 42 games, the most in the National League. There were also rumors that they were showing interest in Blue Jays’ reliever Jason Frasor.

A trade is what everyone seems to be rooting for. For me the price the Twins would have to pay for a decent closer at this point in the year isn’t worth the risk. In my opinion, even with Joe Nathan as closer the Twins have a lot of holes in their roster.

Newly acquired JJ Hardy is still a question mark for me. Although he was an All-Star in 2007, his numbers weren’t impressive in the 2009 he finished with a .229 batting average, 47 RBI, and 53 runs scored. He in fact was sent to the minors in August. This leaves a question only time will answer, will he put up numbers similar to those in his 2007 and 2008 seasons?

Another concern I have is that the Twins still haven’t found a true third baseman, one that will pose a threat in the line-up. Don’t get me wrong, Nick Punto is a great defensive player, but his numbers will never be that of a third baseman.

Justin Morneau too has his issues. One, he’s coming off back surgery. Two, since his MVP year in 2006 he’s shown inconsistency between his first half numbers to his second half numbers. The latter a problem he’s said he’s working on. I also think though that he’ll learn a lot from playing with and watching newly acquired veteran DH Jim Thome.

The last major concern that I have with the line-up is Delmon Young, he hasn’t been what the Twins had hoped he would be when they acquired him in 2008 from the Tampa Bay Rays. He hasn’t been the power hitter that they wanted. And he’s shown little patience at the plate. This I have to attribute to his age, he’s only 23 and in my opinion has a lot to learn about the game. But nevertheless an issue that should be addressed.

I think if need be, a trade in the middle of the season would be a better option than one before the season starts. I’d really be happy for a trade at this uncertain time in the season if and only if the Twins could somehow trick the team into giving them both an established closer and an established power hitting third baseman. The Twins are crafty but unfortunately not that crafty.

So, I say work with what they have for now, see how the season starts out. If they see they have a real chance at making it to the play-offs then I say go ahead see what they can get. Right now there are still too many ‘ifs’ to take that big of a risk.