New Faces, New Places: Biggest Impact Moves For Minnesota

The trade deadline approaches and for most MLB teams, it can be a time to sell for the future or buy for today. The Minnesota Twins have found themselves on both sides of trades. The most recent of which was Johan Santana being dealt to the New York Mets. Here are some notable trades that were made or times where no deal was made that shaped Twins history.

5. Rod Carew, who had won his seventh batting title in 1978 with a .333 mark, was dealt to the California Angels for pitcher Paul Hartzell, outfielder Ken Landreaux and promising rookies Brad Havens and Dave Engle.

4. In 1964, Cesar Tovar was dealt to the Twins from Cincinnati for Gerry Arrigo. The rookie phenom teamed with Jim Kaat to help push the Twins down the stretch and into the playoffs.

3. In 2008, the beginning of the season was dismal at best for the Twins. After losing Johan Santana, Carlos Silva and Torii Hunter, the Minnesota Twins finished the year with a rotation of starters all under the age of 27. Along with newly acquired Carlos Gomez, the Twins decided to stand pat at the deadline. The move almost paid off as the Twins lost a decisive one game playoff against the Chicago White Sox.

2. After the 2007 season speculation arose as to what the Twins would do with ace Johan Santana, whose contract ended after the 2008 season. The Twins, unable to extend Santana, traded him after a flurry of offers to the New York Mets in exchange for four prospects. The trade was headlined by Carlos Gomez, a fleet footed outfielder with was scouts called, the fastest speed of any Major League player.

1. In 2003, the Twins reached a lop-sided deal with the San Fransisco Giants. The trade sent disgruntled A.J. Pierzinski to the Giants in exchange for starters Boof Bonser, Joe Nathan and top prospect Fransisco Lariano. Pierzinski struggled to make it in San Fransisco, and was later dealt to the White Sox.

Bonser struggled with weight and stamina until 2008 but has missed 2009 with injuries. Joe Nathan was moved quickly into the closer role and has since been on of the top closers in all Major League Baseball since then. Lariano has seen his career take many ups and downs. In 2006 he had won 12 ball games before tearing a tendon in his elbow. He missed the rest of the season and made a premature return that saw little or no success.

All these trades or decisions helped shape the Twins history and some still impact today. And with the trade deadline approaching once more, it is once again time to wait and see.