MINNEAPOLIS -- With one week until the Aug. 1 non-waiver Trade Deadline, Twins interim general manager Rob Antony knows how important this week could be for the future of the franchise and his potential to remain the club's full-time GM.
Antony, named the interim GM when Terry Ryan unexpectedly stepped down on July 18, has full discretion to make trades. Antony has been with the organization since 1987, serving in a variety of roles, including one as Ryan's right-hand man as an assistant general manager since 2007. Despite the fact that the Twins are mired in last place in the American League, he was just as surprised as everyone else when Ryan stepped down once he was informed by owner Jim Pohlad he would not return as GM next year.