Though the Twins traded for two young outfielders last night, acquiring someone to play center is still a priority. Minnesota’s stance should mean the Yankees’ Melky Cabrera is still a candidate to be part of a Johan Santana deal and, for whatever slim chance the Mets have, potentially Carlos Gomez as well.
The Twins dealt for Tampa Bay outfielders Delmon Young and Jason Pridie, acquiring them as part of a package for starter Matt Garza. Yesterday one MLB team executive suggested Young would play center for Minnesota, giving the Twins an outfield of Young, Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel.
“My gut feeling is they won’t necessarily need an outfielder now,” the executive said. “Unless they use one of the guys as a DH.” He later added, “You don’t want a young guy DH’ing.”
Last night on a conference call, Twins GM Bill Smith said he has different plans for Young.
“We didn’t get him to play center field,” Smith said. “We need a center fielder.”
The Twins like Gomez, so if Minnesota still looks to add a center fielder, the Mets could be candidates. However, an MLB team official and an AL team executive said they believe the Mets are not a good match with the Twins in a Santana deal.
Both said they believe the Twins would move Santana.
“This move might help them try to win next year,” the executive said. ” ‘Cause Garza, you couldn’t necessarily count on Garza. You can count on Delmon Young. This deal might tell them they don’t need to do anything until July.”
The exec believed the Twins’ priorities now would be younger pitchers and a third baseman. But according to Smith, center field remains an issue.
“We’ve got a long way to go before March 31,” Smith said.
The Mets made a small deal with Tampa Bay yesterday, picking up righty reliever Brian Stokes for cash. The 28-year-old posted a 7.07 ERA in 59 games this past season. . . . So much for the Mets opening 2008 on April 1. It’s now going to be on March 31 against the Marlins in Miami.