As the Twins sit on the bubble of being a playoff contender, we are seeing lots of discussion on whether the Twins should trade talent to make a run or build for the future. Adding a big bat or top notch arm are not likely to happen, but there is a way that the Twins could still compete for Wild Card without giving up the farm.  While there is lots of talk about dealing Griffin Jax, Joe Ryan, Jhoan Duran, and even Byron Buxton - it may be a few smaller profile deals that could help the Twins get better, not by adding, but by subtracting.

The Twins have a talented young core of position players who should be on a major league roster.  Austin Martin, Luke Keaschell, Emmanuel Rodriguez, Aaron Sabato, and even Edouard Julien have played well enough to get a call up at any time.  Meanwhile, players like Willie Castro, Harrison Bader, Kody Clemens, DaShawn Keirsey Jr. and Ty France could be attractive bats or gloves for a contending team to add.  Castro, Bader, and Clemens have played well for the Twins, but moving them could get modest returns and open up spaces for Keaschell, Martin, and Rodriguez. Keirsey's demotion to AAA could give also give Rodriguez an opportunity. France, who has struggled of late with a +wRC and OPS below league average wouldn't get much in a trade, but moving him off the roster could make room for Sabato or Julien. 

There is no question these players would be missed, but adding the youngsters should be worth considering.  Would bringing these players up be enough to grab the last Wild Card, who knows? However, the Twins should not be moving young talent at the deadline to nab a Wild Card spot, nor should they deal core players that would be key to a deep run in the playoffs in the future.

As a Twins ticket holder, I would love to see these players at Target Field, as part of a playoff run or, at worst, as a glimpse at the future.