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Inbox: Twins eyeing deadline deals

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By Kelly Thesier / MLB.com

07/30/09 2:32 PM ET

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Trade Deadline is just a little over 24 hours away as I sit down to write this edition of the Twins Inbox, so there is a decidedly trade-oriented feel to it.

For most Twins fans, this trade season has been slow as usual for the club. While the Twins have been involved in some rumors, so far there has been no real action. Of course, as the Trade Deadline approaches, there is a chance things could start to heat up. But while everyone counts down the hours until 3 p.m. CT on Friday, here is the latest version of the Inbox to browse.

The Twins second basemen this season -- including Alexi Casilla, Nick Punto, and Matt Tolbert -- have combined to hit .186 with 15 extra-base hits. Are the Twins going to try to trade for a real second baseman?
-- Steve A., Fridley, Minn.

The Twins aren't narrowing their middle-infield search to just second base. The club has also been exploring what shortstop options might be available to help fill the gaping hole it's had in the second spot of the lineup, and to provide an offensive lift to a middle infield that's been lacking production.

But the club's middle-infield options dwindled by one on Wednesday when the Pirates traded Freddy Sanchez to the Giants in return for Double-A pitcher Tim Alderson, who was ranked the No. 4 prospect in the Giants' farm system by Baseball America this year. The Twins had inquired multiple times about Sanchez, and there were some reports that perhaps they might be interested in Pirates reliever Matt Capps as well.

As for other middle-infield options, the Twins have also spoken to the A's about shortstop Orlando Cabrera, and they've reportedly been in contact with the Blue Jays about shortstop Marco Scutaro. But so far, nothing appears close on that front for the Twins, at least not publicly.

Have a question about the Twins? E-mail your query to MLB.com Twins beat reporter Kelly Thesier for possible inclusion in a future Inbox column. Letters may be edited for brevity, length and/or content. First Name, Last Initial: Hometown: Email Address: Question:

I know that the Twins could be buyers heading into the Trade Deadline and that they've been seeking bullpen help, and now perhaps starting pitching as well. Which do you think is more likely for the club to get?
-- Joe W., Omaha, Neb.

The Twins' front office has been in contact with many other clubs about relief help, although this week's news about Kevin Slowey's season-ending wrist surgery and Francisco Liriano's forearm inflammation might make starting pitching a bigger need for the club heading into the Deadline.

But right now, nothing -- including any deal for infield help, as I mentioned before -- is looking to be imminent for the Twins. That's not to say they can't pull off something under the radar, and the front-office staff has been working overtime making phone calls to inquire about many players, but my gut is telling me that this might be another Deadline that comes and goes without any action for the Twins. Right now there are more buyers than sellers in the trade market, and that's causing clubs to ask for a lot in return for the players they might move. Of course, as the Deadline gets closer, perhaps some of those high prices might drop.

There were reports earlier this month that the D-backs might be willing to move reliever Chad Qualls. Have the Twins inquired about him?
-- Bobby P., Austin, Minn.

The Twins were one of the many teams calling Arizona about Qualls, but the message all interested teams got was that the club's asking price for the 30-year-old reliever was going to steepen. Qualls still has one year remaining on his contract and he's proven to be consistent and durable over his career. So it would surprise me if Qualls is moved at all, based on what Arizona seems to want in return for him.

I saw earlier this month that the Blue Jays released B.J. Ryan, who at one time was a solid closer. Have the Twins considered pursuing him to help the bullpen?
-- Dan S., Whitewater, Wis.

Ryan is no longer available after signing a Minor League deal with the Cubs on July 16.

I love the move to put Joe Mauer at the No. 2 spot in the order. It allows him to maybe get an extra at-bat, and the same with Justin Morneau. But why do you think Gardy hits Jason Kubel behind Morneau? Yes, he has had a great season so far, but I don't like four straight lefties in the order (Span, Mauer, Morneau, and Kubel). I would be fine with Michael Cuddyer at the four spot. What do you think?
-- Jordan B., Orange, Calif.

With no clear-cut No. 2 hitter currently in the Twins' lineup, I agree with you that the best choice is to have Mauer bat there and move the rest of the lineup up. But as for your concern about four straight lefties in the batting order, I don't seem to see a big problem with that. Between Cuddyer and Kubel, I believe that right now it's Kubel who gives Morneau a little bit more protection. And with the way that Mauer and Morneau hit against lefties, it doesn't seem a concern that a team might be more likely to bring in a tough lefty late in the game to face that stretch.

Now, on days when the Twins face a left-hander, it might be best to keep Kubel out of the fourth spot, considering that he's hitting just .195 with nine RBIs against southpaws this season. In that case, I can see moving him down in the order and using Cuddyer in the spot. But Kubel has really developed into one of the Twins' more dangerous hitters, and I think that's why he'll continue to be used behind Morneau in the lineup.

The Twins have five players -- Morneau, Mauer, Kubel, Joe Crede and Cuddyer -- on pace for 20 home runs this season. Have the Twins ever had five players with 20 or more home runs in a season before?
-- Ron S., Manson, Iowa

If all five players that you mentioned reach 20 homers on the season, it would mark only the second time since the Twins moved into the Metrodome in 1982 that the feat has happened (based on my research of sifting through the Twins' media guide). The only other time I could find was back in 1986 -- Tom Brunansky (23), Gary Gaetti (34), Kent Hrbek (29), Kirby Puckett (31), and Roy Smalley (20).

Going back in club history, the Twins had six players tally 20 or more homers in 1964 -- Bob Allison (32), Jimmie Hall (25), Harmon Killebrew (49), Don Mincher (23), Tony Oliva (32), and Zoilo Versalles (20). That's the most of any team since the franchise moved to Minnesota in 1961.

Has there been any talk of bringing outfielder Ben Revere up? He is playing like crazy down at Class A Fort Myers. What if we brought him up and moved someone just to see how he would do?
-- Joe H., Sioux Falls, S.D.

First off, let me just say this -- the idea of bringing a player up to the Majors from high Class A is a bit far-fetched considering how huge a jump that is in levels. So no, there has not been any discussion of having Revere join the club and it likely will be at least a couple years before you'll see him in a Twins uniform.

That aside, Revere has been having another solid year, as he's batting .312 with two homers and 37 RBIs for Fort Myers with 33 stolen bases in 47 attempts. But Revere has been sidelined recently due to some knee problems, as he had fluid drained from his left knee. It's the same knee that Revere had surgery on late last season while at Class A Beloit.

Kelly Thesier is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.