The Minnesota Twins are looking to upgrade their pitching rotation for baseball’s stretch drive and have reportedly checked in with the Atlanta Braves about Jaime Garcia.
Sources: #Twins discussing a trade for LHP Jaime Garcia with #Braves.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 20, 2017
Chris Cotillo of SB Nation also noted that the Triple-A Gwinett Braves scratched Aaron Blair from Thursday’s start, signaling that a potential Garcia trade might be close.
Braves scratched Aaron Blair from AAA start tonight, potentially to take the spot of Jaime Garcia in the rotation tomorrow night.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) July 20, 2017
At 48-46, the Twins are only one-half game behind the Cleveland Indians for first place in the American League Central. They are also just one-half game behind the New York Yankees for the second Wild Card spot in the American League.
This is despite the fact that Minnesota has a -61 run differential, the eighth worst total in all of baseball. That run differential has been hurt by a 4.91 ERA from the starters, the seventh-worst total in the league.
While Garcia hasn’t been great this year, his 4.33 ERA and 1.33 WHIP would be an upgrade.
Additionally, from his days with St. Louis Cardinals, Garcia has ample experience pitching in pennant races, as well as the postseason. That kind of experience can be crucial to a young team that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2010.