Twins could be active before Trade Deadline

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The Twins sit 11 games over .500 and hold a 1 1/2-game lead in the American League Central over the Tigers. It's a relatively new spot for Minnesota at this time of the year, as the club often found itself in recent years digging out from early holes.

But with the Tigers sitting right behind them and the White Sox only 5 1/2 games back, the Twins certainly aren't in cruise control. And though the team has been atop the division for nearly the entire season, there are areas where the team could perhaps upgrade.

So the question as the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline looms a little more than a month away is whether the team feels a pressing need to address those areas.

General manager Bill Smith showed last year that he's willing to make moves to help his club during a pennant chase, as he traded for Carl Pavano, Jon Rauch and shortstop Orlando Cabrera, and signed reliever Ron Mahay.

Could the Twins be that active this year?

Financially, the Twins appear to be in good shape if they want to make moves. Minnesota opened the season with a club-record $97.56 million payroll, which was nearly 50 percent more than its 2009 Opening Day payroll, $65 million. And the club has been drawing well at its new ballpark, Target Field, and the increased revenues are sure to help. The club also reportedly has insurance on closer Joe Nathan's $11.25 million contract, so there could be additional funds to work with as well.

And there have been musings from around the league that the Twins could be one of the most active teams leading up to the Trade Deadline.

So where could the team try to upgrade?

Recent indications have been that the Twins might consider their greatest need to be at third base.

When the Twins acquired shortstop J.J. Hardy and second baseman Orlando Hudson this past offseason, it left room for them to focus on defense, since they had upgraded offensively at the two middle-infield positions. But the lack of offense at third became more of a glaring issue over the past month, as both Hudson and Hardy were sidelined with left wrist injuries.

Now that Hudson is back in the lineup and Hardy is getting closer to returning, perhaps the need isn't as strong. Still, the Twins rank near the bottom of the league in production from that position, as their third basemen have hit .222 with just two home runs and a .291 slugging percentage.

The Twins have reportedly been in contact with the Red Sox regarding veteran third baseman Mike Lowell. Boston has been actively shopping Lowell, who has been relegated to bench duties, with Adrian Beltre getting the bulk of the starts. According to some reports, the Red Sox are willing to eat most of Lowell's salary, but there are questions about his defense -- he's 36 and coming off thumb and hip surgery -- and he's batting .215 with 12 RBIs in 30 games this year. But the Twins have expressed interest in Lowell before, and it's possible they could explore the possibility again.

So far, Lowell is the only third baseman the Twins have been linked to publicly. Although it seems unlikely, the Twins could have a solution in-house with Michael Cuddyer, who filled in at third base for two of the three games against the Phillies this past weekend, though that was done to keep designated hitter Jason Kubel in the lineup at National League ballparks by playing him in the outfield.

In addition to third base, an area the Twins appear to be targeting is starting pitching. As in recent years, the Twins could be looking for a boost to their rotation, which ranks eighth in the AL in ERA, at 4.27. But the club isn't just looking for a veteran to eat innings or provide leadership, it will try for a No. 1-type starter who could help solidify the rotation not only for a division push but also a postseason run.

Two big-name pitchers who have been reported as possible trade candidates are Astros right-hander Roy Oswalt and Mariners left-hander Cliff Lee. So far, all indications are that the Astros have not made a decision to move Oswalt, and acquiring him would be a expensive, long-term move -- he's making $15 million this season, $16 million in 2011 and has a $12 million option for 2012.

As for Lee, who will be a free agent after this season, the Mariners reportedly are seeking young Major League hitters in return. The Twins might need to offer catching prospect Wilson Ramos -- their best bargaining chip -- if they want to get Lee for even a short-term rental.

Though many reports have linked the Twins to some of the starters on the market, the club could also try to acquire additional relief help.

It may seem a surprise, considering that the Twins' bullpen ranks second in the AL in ERA, at 2.89, just barely trailing the Tigers (2.88). But when the Twins moved Rauch into the closer role when Nathan was lost due to an elbow injury, the club lost one of its primary setup men, leaving Matt Guerrier as the primary right-hander for the eighth inning.

The Twins could scour the market or perhaps look internally. Pat Neshek is working his way back in the Minors following an early-season finger injury, and the club also has right-handed prospects in Kyle Waldrop and Anthony Slama.

One thing that seems certain is that the Twins will be exploring the market in the coming weeks, and though nothing seems imminent, it could be another interesting Trade Deadline in Minnesota.

Not a bad idea

Go get a pitcher like Lee or Oswalt.