Even the most optimistic of Twins fans now has to realize it is time to sell.

Another day and another loss to another last place team. Out of the break the Twins had a chance to make a statement with 6 of first 9 games against last place teams the Rockies and the Nationals. They did not disappoint.  From making a statement anyways, just not the statement we were hoping for.

Becoming the first team to lose a series ALL YEAR to the Rockies, and then losing a 3 game series 2-1 at home against the Nationals. Yes we won 2 of 3 against Dodgers, but cannot put much into that given everything else that has happened, and the Dodgers have been in a funk.

SO now there is NOTHING getting in the way of the Twins making moves. Gone is the "soft sell" or "soft rebuild" Now we need to maximize talent in return for top potential trade chips.

SELL SELL SELL!!!  and not just the Ty Frances and Harrison Baderses of the world.

Is Texas a potential new trade partner? and if so how aggressive will they be?  With Seager back and healthy again, with deGrom back and healthy again, the Rangers are making their usual 2nd half run.  now just 4 games back in the division and .5 out of the wildcard.

Texas is looking for a big arm in the bullpen, and could use a RH bat. The Twins can be in position to provide BOTH in one trade!!!

Wili Castro may not be a BIG bat, but he is a QUALITY bat and his versatility will offset some of his lack of power. then of course there is Jax and Duran. at this point we should move at least one of them.

Just how much would Texas be willing give up to significantly shore up their chances?

Would they be Sebastian Walcott willing? 

I would assume he would be a non starter from Texas' perspective, but would he really??  While he is the #4 overall prospect in the game, and is seen as close to a cant miss as you can have.  Prospects are indeed prospects until proven otherwise.

A career .257 hitter with a 29% K rate and .783 OPS doesn't scream future HOF, but the kid is only 19 playing at AA. the Rangers challenge their prospects, and the talent is there.

Walcott is a SS/3B. 

Seager is only 31, a perennial MVP candidate and under contract for 6 more years. He is not going anywhere... SS BLOCKED

Josh Jung, was a #8 overall pick. While he hasn't really blossomed into his potential is still there. Josh Smith is also serviceable, and both just 27, so while 3B by no means BLOCKED, they can live with what they have there.

We need to shoot for the moon and go hard after Walcott,  We offer Duran, Castro, and Emmanual Rodriguez. for Walcott.

Duran is a proven commodity and has a ton of trade value, dominant arm and controllable for a few more years.  Castro was an AllStar, a consistent hitter and the RH bat Texas needs.

And yes we throw in Rodriguez. Is this an overpay?  possibly, Rodriguez could end up being a perennial Allstar on the level of Walcott or better.  But he has just never stayed healthy!!! at this point we can no longer have top prospects with health histories as part of our future plan.

As far as Walcott's fit here? We have Correa. Yes he has a no trade clause, but would he waive it to go to a contender? Would he move to 3B to protect his health?  Possibly on both,   and yes we have Royce Lewis at 3B, but is that still his final home? We wont have to make that call for another 1-2 years. and with Walcott's arm and speed could make a transition similar to Fernando Tatis into the OF.

and while having to wait 1-2 years to see anything from trading Duran, Castro and a top prospect of our own may look like a tear down rebuild move, would it really?  Yes losing Duran would hurt. but we would still have Jax, and what good is an elite closer if we are not in closing positions?  Castro is 99.9% gone after this year anyway as an UFA. So that is not a loss moving forward.  Losing Rodriguez could be a short term hit, but again he just cant stay healthy, and if we believe in Walker Jenkins, then he sort of buffers the loss as they both had similar time frames and both are OF.

My new Endorsement...

Trade Duran and whoever else we need to get Sebastian Walcott!!