Beltre trade doesn't appear likely

By JOE CHRISTENSEN and LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune staff writers

Last update: July 19, 2008 - 11:52 PM

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After exploring a trade for Mariners third baseman Adrian Beltre, the Twins came away feeling they won't have a match.

Seattle's asking price is steep because Beltre is under contract for next season and is one of the Mariners' better all-around players.

On Saturday, there were indications that it might take a package of prospects, like what Oakland got from Philadelphia in this week's Joe Blanton deal. To get Blanton, the Phillies gave up two of their top four prospects, along with a third minor leaguer.

For the Twins, that could mean one of their young starters -- Scott Baker, Kevin Slowey, Glen Perkins or Nick Blackburn -- along with additional prospects.

Gomez holds leadoff job

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire kept Carlos Gomez in the leadoff spot Saturday, even with Gomez batting .068 (3-for-44) with 13 strikeouts in his previous 10 games. Gomez responded by going 2-for-4 with two doubles and a walk in the 14-2 victory over Texas.

"He had better at-bats [Friday]," Gardenhire said. "That's all I'm looking for right now with him is better at-bats."

Eventually, the Twins could swap Gomez and No. 9 hitter Denard Span, who snapped his own 14 at-bat hitless string with a fifth-inning double. Span went 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

Gardenhire acknowledged he is handling Gomez with care because he's 22 years old.

"You don't want to devastate him any more than he already is because he's fighting it pretty hard," Gardenhire said. "If I have to move him down, I have to move him down. I'm just giving him every opportunity, and we'll see."

Gomez entered Saturday leading the team with 384 at-bats, but his on-base percentage was .284, which ranked last among American League leadoff hitters.

"He's going to play center," Gardenhire said. "You only lead off as the No. 1 hitter of the game once, and then it rolls around. I always find that amazing how much emphasis gets put on that."

Oliva turns 70

The Twins honored Tony Oliva in a pregame ceremony Saturday. Today is his 70th birthday.

The 1964 American League Rookie of the Year and three-time batting champion is still behind the batting cage, in uniform, before every home game.

"I feel great," Oliva said. "Every time you have a birthday, it's a bonus. No complaints. Thank you God. I have my family and friends here, and to be at the ballpark, how much better can you get?"

Oliva also provides commentary 26 games a season for the team's Spanish radio broadcast. He will be back on-air today, on AM-1400 and AM-1470.

Etc.

• Michael Cuddyer had no plans for a magnetic resonance imaging exam Saturday, so there was no update on the right fielder's sprained knuckle.

• Nick Punto, who also has a sprained knuckle, couldn't get his left hand into a glove one day after receiving a cortisone shot. If the infielder doesn't show progress today, he likely is headed back to the disabled list.

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