Twins rumors: Josh Willingham likely to become available

The Minnesota Twins are expected to make outfielder Josh Willingham available this summer if they fall out of contention prior to the trade deadline, according to Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe.

Cafardo spoke with one National League general manager who described Willingham as "a power right-handed bat that any contender could stick right in the middle of their lineup and get outstanding production." While the unnamed GM admitted that any team acquiring Willingham would "have to give something up," they believed it would be "worth the expenditure" due to the veteran's ability to hit.

Twins kicking tires on Borbon

Minnesota is kicking the tires on outfielder Julio Borbon.

Willingham signed a three-year, $21 million contract with the Twins prior to the 2012 season. He went on to post career-highs in several categories, hitting .260/.366/.524 with 30 doubles and 35 home runs over 615 plate appearances.

Willingham is off to another nice start, hitting .222/.417/.472 with five extra-base hits over his first 48 plate appearances. The same cannot be said about the Twins, who are already inhabiting the basement of the American League Central.

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