Twins playing waiver games

The Twins were reportedly playing the game of cat and mouse also known as the waiver wire this week. ESPN's Buster Olney had heard a report saying the Twins claimed Seattle outfielder Raul Ibanez off revocable waivers from the Mariners. If this is true, the two clubs would have 48 hours to reach a deal.

The move would be great for the Twins considering Ibanez is a right handed bat hitting .292 with 19 homeruns and 82 RBIs. He would more than make up for the absence of Michael Cuddyer and be big presence in the middle of the Twins lineup; however, don't get too excited about the actual possibility of this deal. Waiver deals seldomly happen and Ibanez is playing well enough this year that he may classify as a Type A free agent. Which means if he leaves Seattle this offseason the Mariners would receive two draft picks as compensation. I'm not sure the Twins will be willing to pay the equivalent price of two picks.

Olney also reported the Twins may have put a waiver request on Seattle pitcher Jarrod Washburn. The move was believed to be a strategic act to block the division rival White Sox from making a deal for the pitcher.

We won't have to wait long to see if these moves happen or not, but it's interesting to see GM Bill Smith play the waiver game.