Trade Central: Twins Move Ben Revere For Pitching

Finally! It seems like the Minnesota Twins are getting it through their thick skulls that they need some younger talented pitching. I’m kind of sad about that as I want the Tigers to continue to face the likes of Nick Blackburn and some guy named Jeff Manship. Earlier in the 0ff-season, the Twins made a move to get talented hard thrower Alex Meyer in the Denard Span deal. Today, the Twins made a move trading yet another center fielder in Ben Revere to the Philadelphia Phillies for pitcher Vance Worley and prospect Trevor May.

Sept 29, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA: Minnesota Twins right fielder Ben Revere (11) hits a infield single in the sixth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Target Field. Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

I’m a little surprised the Twins move the fleet-footed Revere, as he seemed like the obvious candidate to take over for Span in center field, but Minnesota fans can be happy with the deal as they got two talented pitchers in the trade.

Worley has been hanging on the fringe of the Phillies rotation the past couple of years, and while fringe would indicate just another Twins pitcher, we can’t forget that Philly has themselves a pretty sweet rotation. While Worley doesn’t have great stuff, it’s plenty solid, and he has averaged close to eight strikeouts per nine innings so far in his career. He should fit in nicely into the middle of the Twins rotation right now, and if not, is a likely fourth starter.

Trevor May could be the big fish in this deal for the Twins. May as soon as pre-2012 was the highest rated prospect in the Phillies system. What I really like about May is that he doesn’t fit the typical model of what the Twins have been about pitching wise, and so obviously isn’t working for them right now. May is a strikeout pitcher who features above average stuff. His downfall of course is that he goes through long periods where he struggles with his command. If the Twins can get May to control his repertoire a little bit, he could be a #2 type starter for the Twins as soon as 2014.

The move of trading Revere seems to open up the CF spot wide open for Twins prospect Aaron Hicks as well. Not sure Hicks is quite ready, but he started putting his considerable tools to good use in 2012.

Now, if the Twins have the guts to move Willingham for some pitching, they might just be able to field a respectable rotation.