Around AL Central: Tanaka spurns ChiSox, Albers headed to Korea & Santana at third

Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Twins

As a foreign pitcher prepares to come stateside in Tanaka, could the Twins be losing one of their young pitchers to an overseas team?

A Korean team has expressed interest in Andrew Albers, but Minnesota has yet to reach an agreement to sell his contract. Should they work out a deal, this would be a quick wave of the white flag for the Twins. Albers burst on the scene by going 8 1/3 innings and picking up a win in his major league debut on Aug. 6, 2013 in Kansas City. The lefty followed that up with a complete game shutout at Target Field against Cleveland.

It didn’t take him long to fall apart, allowing five runs in each of his next two starts (including Aug. 22 against the Tigers). After starting his career 2-0, Albers finished his rookie season with a 4.05 ERA and was 0-5 in his final eight starts.

So why give up so soon? Minnesota has a logjam of young pitchers competing for the final rotation spot without minor league options.

"Albers was expected to compete for the fifth spot in the rotation this spring but was one of several candidates, including Samuel Deduno, Scott Diamond and Vance Worley, and all three pitchers are out of Minor League options. – Rhett Bollinger, MLB.com"

Before joining the big league club, Albers posted a 2.86 ERA in 22 starts and was named the organization’s Minor League Player of the Year.

Follow the jump for the news on the Cleveland Indians.