Liriano may return; Bonser may go

The Twins are exploring trade opportunities, possibly hoping to acquire a relief pitcher or a third baseman.

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: July 31, 2008 - 8:25 AM

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The Twins are exploring potential deals as today's 3 p.m. non-waiver trading deadline approaches, but the biggest move they might make is adding lefthander Francisco Liriano to the major league roster.

According to a person with knowledge of trade talks, Liriano could be added to the roster in the next few days. How the Twins would make room for their former phenom remains to be seen.

There are indications that the Twins are shopping righthander Boof Bonser in an attempt to create room for Liriano, but the Twins are prepared to resort to other ways to clear a roster spot if they are unable to trade Bonser.

There is one report that the Rangers, who are in need of pitching, have inquired about Bonser, who is 3-6 with a 6.59 ERA. And the Giants had one of their top scouts at Wednesday's game.

Liriano is 10-2 with a 3.28 ERA in 19 starts at Class AAA Rochester -- 9-0, 2.51 in his past 10 outings.

The Twins are interested in dealing for bullpen help, a righthanded-hitting third baseman and have looked into middle infield help in the wake of the torn right thumb ligament injury suffered by second baseman Alexi Casilla on Tuesday.

Smith has spent the week huddling with his staff, which includes senior adviser Terry Ryan, assistant GM Rob Antony and pro scouting coordinator Vern Followell.

Mike Radcliff, vice president in charge of player personnel, arrived in town on Wednesday.

"If we can make the club better with a good baseball trade we will,'' Smith said. "We are not going to panic on it.''

Here are a few updates as the deadline nears:

The door might not be closed on a trade for Seattle Mariners third baseman Adrian Beltre. A person familiar with negotiations said many conversations have taken place with the Mariners.

But Seattle is interested in Nick Blackburn, Scott Baker, Kevin Slowey, Glen Perkins or Denard Span as part of a package, and the Twins won't go there.

The Twins have called the Orioles about second baseman Brian Roberts, whom they were interested in during the offseason. Indication are, however, that they will be unable to land him.

The club was interested in former Twin LaTroy Hawkins, who was designated for assignment Saturday by the Yankees. Their chances seemed to improve earlier in the afternoon when Kyle Farnsworth was traded to Detroit, which eliminated a competitor. But Hawkins ended up being traded to Houston on Tuesday evening.

The Tampa Bay Rays have scouted Craig Monroe recently. A person familiar with the Rays situation said the club is looking for some righthanded pop off the bench.

Tampa Bay struck out in attempts to land Xavier Nady and Mark Teixeira and view Monroe as a fallback option.

Staff writer Joe Christensen contributed to this article.

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