Minnesota Twins trade Chris Herrmann to Arizona Diamondbacks

Minnesota Twins fans might just be one step closer to being reunited with A.J. Pierzynski after the team made a trade. Twins General Manager shipped off backup catcher Chris Herrmann to the Arizona Diamondbacks for first base/outfield prospect Daniel Palka.

Palka is 24-years-old, but hasn’t risen through the minors too highly yet. Last season, he played in High-A ball in the Diamondbacks organization and excelled, but, as Rhett Bollinger points out, he was playing against competition a few years younger than him. In 129 games, Palka hit 29 home runs, 90 RBIs and .280/.352/.532. Palka won’t be an instant help for the Twins and should be slotted to start his Twins career with the Chattanooga Lookouts at the Double-A level.

Palka is also playing in the fall league this offseason and through 17 games has hit a pair of home runs with 14 RBI and is hitting .304/.364/.449.

The Twins traded away Herrmann who was the best offensive option behind the plate that was close to the major league level, but Herrmann could never quite make that offensive talent show at the major league level. Herrmann appeared in games for the Twins over the last four seasons and only hit .181/.249/.280 in a combined 142 games. This last season behind Kurt Suzuki, Herrmann hit .146 in 45 games played at the major league level with a pair of homers and 10 RBI.