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5 Minnesota Twins Who Should Be on the Trading Block Right Now

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Minnesota Twins: 5 Players Who Should Be on the Trade Block

Mike Pelfrey, Minnesota Twins
Jamie Squire Getty Images

The Minnesota Twins appear to be at least one more year away from possible playoff contention, when a few top prospects may be ready to contribute. Up to this point in this season, there has been hesitancy to give younger players that are deserving an opportunity.

With that in mind, here are five Twins who should be on the trading block right now.

5. OF Jordan Schafer

Jordan Schafer, Minnesota Twins
Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

5. OF Jordan Schafer

Jordan Schafer, Minnesota Twins
Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Schafer showed some promise as a potential late-bloomer during his time with the Twins last season, hitting .285 with 15 stolen bases in 41 games. But he's hitless in his last 20 at-bats, with a .114 batting average and a .139 on-base percentage, while playing mediocre defense in center field so far this season. The Twins would do well to get anything for Schafer, while there may still be a perception he has value as a fourth outfielder.

4. C Josmil Pinto

Josmil Pinto, Minnesota Twins
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

4. C Josmil Pinto

Josmil Pinto, Minnesota Twins
Rick Osentoski USATODAY Sports

Injuries during the spring helped keep Pinto from starting the season in the big leagues, and he's hitting .325 for Triple-A Rochester thus far. If the Twins don't think he can become an adequate defensive catcher, Pinto has no clear place long-term and his offensive potential gives him trade value.

3. SS Danny Santana

Danny Santana, Minnesota Twins
Jonathan Daniel Getty Images

3. SS Danny Santana

Danny Santana, Minnesota Twins
Jonathan Daniel Getty Images

Santana's success last season (.319, seven home runs, 40 RBI, 20 stolen bases/24 attempts) was driven by an elevated BABIP (.405), but his minor league track record is a better indicator of who he is (.273/.317/.391 and 118 stolen bases-69 percent success rate). Four hits over the last three games (14 at-bats) is an encouraging sign, and if Santana goes on a hot streak the time to trade him at another relative peak in his value may come soon.

2. IF/OF Eduardo Escobar

Eduardo Escobar, Minnesota Twins
Jonathan Daniel Getty Images

2. IF/OF Eduardo Escobar

Eduardo Escobar, Minnesota Twins
Jonathan Daniel Getty Images

Santana's struggles offensively should be giving Escobar a bit more time at shortstop, but he has played more games in the outfield (four) than he has at shortstop (two) so far this season. If the Twins remain committed to using Santana exclusively at shortstop, Escobar's perceived versatility may give him value on the trade market.

1. SP Mike Pelfrey

Mike Pelfrey, Minnesota Twins
Denny Medley USA TODAY Sports

1. SP Mike Pelfrey

Mike Pelfrey, Minnesota Twins
Denny Medley USA TODAY Sports

Pelfrey pitched seven shutout innings on Wednesday night, and he has a 2.65 ERA over his first three starts. It's a small sample size, no matter how you want to see it, but he has allowed 15 hits in 17 innings with a 8:7 K/BB ratio and outlier peripherals (61.1 percent ground ball rate, .250 BABIP, 90.1 percent strand rate, via Fangraphs.com). Now is the time for the Twins to trade Pelfrey, before his surface stats correct dramatically.

Brad Berreman is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
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