FanHouse Jason Pridie

Earlier today, Matt Watson wrote about a blockbuster deal that's reportedly very close between the Twins and Rays. The Twins would acquire the bat-tossing megatalent Delmon Young in exchange for starting pitcher Matt Garza. What would this trade, if consummated, mean for the ongoing trade talks involving Johan Santana?

On the one hand, Young puts the Twins in position to contend next year. Slot him in the middle of a lineup with Justin Morneau, Joe Mauer and Michael Cuddyer and you've got a lineup that's as good or better than this year's 79-win edition. If Francisco Liriano can come back and make an impact, they've got an outstanding top of the rotation and, assuming he isn't dealt, Joe Nathan to close out games. That's a solid core that, with a little tweaking, would contend for the playoffs.

On the other hand, the Twins could view Young, Mauer and Liriano as the base for a cheaper rebuilding effort. If this deal comes to fruition, the Twins would also be getting centerfield prospect Jason Pridie, who tore up AAA this season. Pridie's never played in the majors before but the Twins did pick him in the 2006 Rule V draft, and sent him back to Tampa, so they clearly see something they like in him.

Wow, I did not see this coming. According to La Velle Neal of the Star-Tribune, the Twins and Rays are close to making a pretty big trade that may not technically be a blockbuster but is damn close:

The main pieces changning teams would be outfielder Delmon Young and righthander Matt Garza. But indications were strong on Wednesday that as many as six players could be involved.

In addition to Garza, the Twins would send Tampa Bay shortstop Jason Bartlett and reliever Juan Rincon for Young, shortstop Brendan Harris and outfielder Jason Pridie. Pridie was with the Twins during spring training of 2006 as a Rule 5 pick.

Young finished in a distant second place to Dustin Pedroia for AL Rookie of the Year honors this year after hitting .288/.316/.408 with 13 home runs and 93 RBI. Scouts believe that he's only tapped the surface of his potential, though -- he hit .316 over parts of three minor league seasons and should eventually hit 30 homers a year in the majors. He's had a few run-ins with authority in his short career, but he's still only 22 years old and there's no doubting his talent.

As for Garza, he's been touted as a potential ace but has put up good-not-great numbers in the majors compared to excellent numbers in the minors -- basically making him the pitching equivalent of Young, I guess. The change of scenery should do him good, though -- not because I think there's something inherently good about pitching for the Rays, but simply because the Rays are more likely to stick him in the rotation and leave him there, whereas he was always working on a relatively short leash in Minnesota.