The Major League Baseball trade deadline is set for 3 p.m. Friday.

The Twins have fallen to eight games back of Kansas City in the American League Central division and have a 53-48 record. While the Royals have distanced themselves from Minnesota in the division, the Twins are still the second team in the Wild Card standings and trail the Los Angeles Angels for first place in the Wild Card standings by two games.

The Twins are in the playoff hunt. And they made a move Friday to help their bullpen. The Tampa Bay Rays traded reliever Kevin Jepsen to Minnesota. He's 2-5 with a 2.81 ERA this season.

Minnesota's biggest problem has been with its bullpen, as they have had trouble finding consistency finding middle relief help. The Twins have several options that are still works in progress. Trevor May has bounced around in time from the starting rotation to the bullpen. Top pitching prospect Alex Meyer was called-up to pitch in the bullpen, but he's been reassigned back to the minor leagues. At the back of the bullpen, Glen Perkins has been the best option for the Twins with his 29 saves, but he's struggled lately and especially since blowing a save at home against the New York Yankees.

In Minnesota's starting rotation, Phil Hughes has been solid as of late with a 5-0 record in his last seven starts. Ervin Santana produced a quality start that resulted in a no-decision against Kansas City in his first game back, picked up a win in a quality start against the Angels and then struggled in his last start against Pittsburgh. Outside of Hughes and Santana, Kyle Gibson is 4-3 in his last seven starts, Tommy Milone is 3-1 in his last seven starts and Mike Pelfrey has struggled is his two starts.

So the rotation has been solid for the Twins.

The line-up has shown pop and have produced for Minnesota with a mix of veteran and rookies. Brian Dozier leads the team with 22 home runs, Torii Hunter has hit 16 home runs and Trevor Plouffe has smacked 14 home runs. Then you have Miguel Sano, who has shown his display of power with three home runs, while Aaron Hicks has came around, as he's blasted five home runs. Eddie Rosario has been a nice surprise, falling a single short of the cycle Thursday and he has five home total.

It's been good to see Twins management recognizing they are the mix of the hunt and willing to call-up their top prospects. Sano has shown he's been worth the wait and Byron Buxton showed in his first couple games before getting injured that he's going to be special with his speed on the base paths.

Its been fun watching a Twins team again late into the summer showing promise and staying in the hunt for a playoff spot. The future is bright.

 

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