Twins are believed more willing to deal Span than Willingham

The interest should be strong if the Twins make Denard Span available. Minnesota would want pitching in return.

By Jon Heyman

Jun 29, 2012 at 8:41 am ET • 1 min read

The Twins are believed more willing to trade speedy outfielder Denard Span than his power-hitting outfield mate Josh Willingham.

While the struggling Twins don't appear actively engaged as a seller yet, they are believed willing to listen on Span in the July trading season because of the presence of emerging center fielder Ben Revere. Center field is a position of concern for a few other teams, so the interest would be substantial in Span. The Nationals and Marlins are among teams to have pursued Span in the past.

The Twins would seek a young starting pitcher in return for Span, and if no one's willing to offer one they'd likely hold onto him.

While the interest in Willingham would be significant considering his excellent first year in Minnesota and a weak hitting market, a person familiar with the Twins' thinking said he believes they are reluctant to trade him only a half year after their prescient signing. Willingham has 15 home runs, 49 RBI, a .272 batting averase and .920 OPS.

Span is hitting .277 with three homers and 19 RBI. Even the Yankees could make sense if Brett Gardner isn't able to return this year (the Yankees hope Gardner can come back in late July). Revere is hitting .323.