Twins' Kintzler drawing interest as trade deadline nears

Here's a quick trade update before I leave Oakland and prepare for my trip to San Diego.

There were no rumblings of anything brewing as of Sunday evening, but these things can change in a hurry. The Red Sox were among teams having expressed interest in Brandon Kintzler as a set-up man. He's done a great job as the Twins closer, thrust into duty when Glen Perkins went down with an injury. But on a team with a good bullpen, he's a set up man.

I can see the Twins moving Kintzler before the deadline. They almost dealt him last year at the deadline. But if they trade him, they would have a good chance at re-signing him as a free agent. I think the Twins would be one of a select few teams willing to use him as a closer. He seems willing to come back to the Twins if that happened.

So I'd watch out for that tomorrow. I've received indications that there has been little interest in Ervin Santana and Brian Dozier. Again, once Yu Darvish, Sonny Gray, Dan Straily and maybe Justin Verlander have the fates determined, the Twins could get fresh calls about No. 54.

By the way, the one thing about the Garcia trade that still stuns me - the Twins GAVE THE YANKEES some money. I never thought I'd see the day when that happen.

A couple leftover tidbits from the game:

Brian Dozier set a career high with five strikeouts

Miguel Sano was ejected in the 11th inning by home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi. Cuzzi made one of his bad strike calls, and Sano slammed his bat to the ground in disgust. Cuzzi missed a few pitches, I thought, on Sunday.