"The Twins have been unable to improve the front end of their pitching staff via trade but on Thursday, they strengthened the back end.

All-Star closer Matt Capps is coming to the Twin Cities after the Twins and Nationals agreed to a trade in which top catching prospect Wilson Ramos was sent to Washington. The Nationals also acquired minor league lefthander Joe Testa in the deal; the Twins will receive $500,000.

"It's a big step for us to be able to add a pitcher of this caliber," Twins General Manager Bill Smith said Thursday night.

Capps, 26 and in his first season with the Nationals, is 3-3 with a 2.74 ERA and 26 saves in 30 chances. He will be installed as the Twins' new closer, with Jon Rauch, who has 21 saves in 25 chances, moving back to a setup role with Jesse Crain and Matt Guerrier."