Pirates, Rockies interested in Twins’ Slowey
Kevin Slowey’s future with the Minnesota Twins was in question from the moment he failed to make the major-league rotation coming out of spring training.
Now, it’s looking more likely that he will be dealt prior to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.
The Rockies and Pirates are among the teams showing continued interest in Slowey as he nears the conclusion of a minor-league rehabilitation assignment at Class AAA Rochester, major-league sources told FOXSports.com. Slowey has no record and a 2.45 ERA in two starts for Rochester, with his third outing set for Friday night in Buffalo.
Slowey, 27, is currently on the disabled list with an abdominal strain, but a source said he is healthy now. He also missed a month earlier this season because of bursitis in his throwing shoulder.
Slowey is earning $2.7 million this season but hasn’t found a role on the Twins’ big-league roster. He has a smaller build than most right-handed pitchers, and it doesn’t appear that he’s well-suited for relief pitching, which involves throwing back-to-back days.
The Twins are willing to trade him to a club that would use him as a starter, as long as they receive fair value in return. If they don’t deal him soon, it’s possible that Slowey will simply be kept in the minors on an optional assignment.
The Blue Jays have had interest in the past, but Slowey’s strike-throwing style is probably a better fit for the National League than the American League, where he has spent his entire career.
Slowey would probably welcome a trade to Pittsburgh, since he grew up in the area. The right-hander would be a good fit for the Pirates’ near-term and long-term plans, since he’s not due to become a free agent until after the 2013 season.
Slowey is 39-21 with a 4.43 ERA in 92 career big-league games, all but 10 as a starter.
— Jon Paul Morosi
