MLB trade rumors: Twins could shop Ervin Santana, Jaime Garcia, Brandon Kintzler, Brian Dozier

UPDATE: Minnesota is also receiving interest in reliever Brandon Kintzler and second baseman Brian Dozier, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. Both players will surely draw offers, though it’s unclear if Minnesota is motivated to move either at this point.

Kintzler and Garcia are both free agents after the year, making them the more likely candidates to be dealt.

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ORIGINAL: The Twins will consider moving starters Ervin Santana and Jaime Garcia if their recent struggles continue, according to MLB.com’s Jon Morosi.

Minnesota has lost four of its last five and is 4-7 since the All-Star break, causing the club to fall 4.5 games out of behind the Indians in the AL Central and three games behind the Royals in the wild card race. They declared themselves as sellers by acquiring Garcia in a three-player deal with Atlanta on Monday but could look to immediately flip him if they fall further out of the race.

Santana, an All-Star this season, owns a 5.47 ERA since June 1 but will likely draw interest from clubs looking for a controllable starter. The 34-year old is owed $13.5 million for next season before a $14 million option (or $1 million buyout) kicks in for 2018.

Garcia, who will make his Twins debut Friday, is a pure rental. Being moved twice in the same trade season would surely be unusual, but is now possible with the Twins potentially looking to shift course as Monday approaches.

The Twins play tonight in Los Angeles (with Santana starting) before three games in Oakland before the deadline. Their results in those games will likely determine the fate of pieces like Santana and Garcia.