Bye Bye Go-Go!

It looks like the Minnesota Twins are looking to get back in the Joe Mauer business. Earlier this morning, the Twins announced they have traded speedy center fielder Carlos Gomez to the Milwaukee Brewers for shortstop J.J. Hardy. This move marks the second trade the Twins have made in the last 6 months. Both of which have occurred on behalf of the shortstop position. The frequency of these roster moves are typically uncommon for a Minnesota team that prefers promoting from within the organization instead of looking for help from outside sources. Clearly, Twins management is doing everything they can to keep one-in-a-million catcher Joe Mauer happy behind the plate as his contract draws agonizingly closer to its conclusion.

More importantly, however, is the immediate impact this move will have on the rosters of the clubs involved. In Milwaukee, the answer to the question “Who is going to play shortstop for the Brew Crew this season?” was effectively answered Friday morning. Waiting in the wings was standout prospect Alcides Escobar, whom has been ready for big league action for some time now. Looks like he’s about to get his chance. For Minnesota, the movement of Gomez has two effects. First, the Twins have now cleaned up their crowded outfield a little more. This move solidifies Denard Span as the team’s ongoing centerfielder, and gives them the options of Michael Cuddyer, Delmon Young, and even Jason Kubel (if need be) in their outfield. Secondly, this move finally brings stability into a Twins infield that sees more players than a college scout. Essentially, Minnesota had 3, sometimes 4, players on rotation on the left side of the infield. Between Brendan Harris, Nick Punto, Orlando Cabrera, and Brian Buscher, the Twins can now designate one of those players to play third (Harris) and now have a solid, everyday shortstop in J.J. Hardy (this all assuming Cabrera will not be returning). In baseball, consistency is king, and keeping the same players in the lineup most of the time will help this team in the long run.