Twins won't cast too far when fishing for a deal

Twins fans can daydream of Roy Halladay and Freddy Sanchez. Realists should focus on Alexi Casilla, Bobby Keppel and Jesse Crain.

The Twins have made one outstanding trade-deadline deal this decade. In 2003, they gave up on promising outfielder Bobby Kielty at just the right moment, trading him to Toronto for Shannon Stewart, who helped them win division titles in 2003 and 2004.

That trade was the result of unique circumstances.

Kielty fit the trendy profile of a "Moneyball" player at the time. He hit for power, drew walks, and worked cheap. The Twins privately thought he was going downhill after seeing him move sluggishly in a series at Anaheim before the All-Star break, and took advantage of Blue Jays General Manager J.P. Ricciardi's "Moneyball" background -- he had worked for Billy Beane in Oakland -- and made the trade that saved the 2003 season.

That was a steal.

Steals are not available today. If the Twins wanted to trade for Sanchez, the Pirates' good-hitting second baseman, they would have to outbid other suitors, give up a strong prospect or two and spend a lot of money. That's not likely to happen.

Every year since 2001 at this juncture the Twins have sought bullpen help. It is difficult for an organization that values its prospects, though, to trade a good young player for a pitcher who might contribute only 20 or 30 meaningful innings.

They are looking for a righthanded reliever who can help Matt Guerrier with the late-inning workload.

They are hoping Casilla can hold down second base.

Manager Ron Gardenhire is treating Delmon Young as a fourth outfielder, favoring Carlos Gomez's speed and fielding over Young's squandered power potential.

They are holding their collective breath, hoping Joe Crede can hold down third base despite a balky back.

They are dependent on their young players and farm system to support their three stars, Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Joe Nathan.

When Casilla plays well, he gives the Twins a natural No. 2 hitter, and two speed players at the top of the order in front of Mauer and Morneau. He lengthens the lineup and creates a merry-go-round of speed players when Gomez and Nick Punto get on base at the bottom of the order.

When Casilla failed to maintain a professional demeanor and approach earlier this season, he left the Twins with a shallow and slow lineup.

When Crain pitches effectively, he relieves Guerrier of what has been a tremendous workload the past three seasons, and gives Gardenhire another middle-inning option. When Crain failed, the Twins' stated unwillingness to overwork Guerrier became meaningless.

Casilla will start at second base today. If he can be a professional, the Twins could become a dynamic offensive team again.

Crain is sure to return to the majors in the next month, assuming good health and reasonable results at Class AAA Rochester. If he can return throwing strikes and finishing off hitters -- his stuff is good enough, if not his approach with two strikes -- the Twins should be good enough to win a mediocre division.

Consider the years the Twins have won the division:

2002: With the public clamoring for bullpen help, the Twins surprisingly turned to Eddie Guardado and LaTroy Hawkins as their key late-inning relievers, and both delivered career seasons. Also, journeyman reliever Tony Fiore somehow won 10 games.

2003: The Stewart trade was pivotal; the Twins also promoted a lefthanded reliever named Johan Santana to the rotation, and he dominated down the stretch.

2004: Juan Rincon, a rare Latin American player signed and developed in a Twins academy, emerged as a viable setup man, going 11-6 with a 2.63 ERA. Lew Ford, a long-shot outfielder, hit .299 with 15 homers in his only full, productive big-league season.

2006: Punto and Jason Bartlett took over the left side of the infield, sparking a stunning stretch of winning baseball, and journeyman lefthanded reliever Dennys Reyes went 5-0 with an 0.89 ERA.