Could Twins, Brewers match up in possible trade for Neal Cotts?

The Minnesota Twins and Milwaukee Brewers could match up in a possible trade during this year's trade deadline season. 

According to Mike Bernadino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Twins' GM Terry Ryan has reached out to his Brewers counterpart, Doug Melvin. The talks are in a "preliminary" stage, per Bernadino. 

Bernadino notes that one name to watch out for in the talks is left-handed reliever Neal Cotts.

Cotts would be an interesting upgrade to a Twins bullpen that has pitched much worse than advertised. While the group has a 3.82 ERA (20th in MLB), their xFIP is 4.34, ranking last. 

The 34-year-old Cotts would be an inexpensive, short-term option for the Twins and could add some value with his 3.53 ERA and 3.62 xFIP. The Brewers signed Cotts to a one-year, $3 million deal over the winter, making him a free agent at the end of the year. 

In order to get more in return from any team that deals for Cotts, the Brewers could package him with someone else. 

That other player could come in the form of Carlos Gomez, who has already been linked to the Twins and would be a huge addition to a struggling outfield. 

--Devan Fink

---