General manager Bill Smith has said the Twins' four-man crowd in the outfield isn't a problem, that the team doesn't see any reason to thin the ranks. But he may be moving behind the scenes to use that depth to his advantage as he shops for offense.
A Fox Sports report in late November quoted an unnamed general manager as saying Twins left fielder Delmon Young "is very, very much out there" on the trade market, an indication that Smith is willing to move the 23-year-old former No. 1 overall pick just one year after dealing away Matt Garza to get him. Young's first season with the Twins wasn't bad, but it probably mildly disappointed Smith and his staff. The younger brother of Nationals first baseman Dmitri Young batted .290 but added just 10 home runs and 69 RBIs, a decline from the 13 homers and 93 RBIs he managed during his rookie season with Tampa Bay.
The Twins, who finished last in the American League with just 111 home runs, are looking for offensive upgrades at third base and shortstop, and a trade may be Smith's best option. And with four starting outfielders on the roster --Carlos Gomez, Denard Span and Michael Cuddyer are the others -- Young is the logical candidate to be traded.
Gomez played a stellar center field, showed considerable raw talent at the plate, and as the centerpiece of the Johan Santana trade, is unlikely to be moved. Span posted a .387 on-base percentage and made himself a valuable leadoff hitter. And while Cuddyer, whose 2008 season amounted to just three home runs in 71 injury-plagued games, is the player the Twins might like to move, particularly in the wake of his $24 million contract, his trade value is at a low ebb right now.
That means Young, who turned 23 in September, could be moving on to his third team in three seasons. The Twins have been quiet so far this offseason, but deals for Colorado's Garrett Atkins or Seattle's Adrian Beltre have apparently been discussed, with Young and a starting pitcher believed to be Smith's opening offer.
