A Few Under-The-Radar Trade Targets for the Twins

[Matt Braun]

With all due respect, Nick, the Twins are not trading for Juan Soto.

Image courtesy of Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

 

OF Tommy Pham, 35-Mets
If you missed it, Mets owner Steve Cohen hosted a unique, and somewhat strange press conference in which he processed his team’s weak play with a shrug while admitting that he’s willing to deal pieces to gain prospects. The Twins don’t need Max Scherzer or Justin Verlander—and Pete Alonso is also a pipe dream—but Tommy Pham could be a wise addition. 

At 35-years-old on a one-year deal, Pham seems like a logical trade chip—and Minnesota should be in. His Baseball Savant profile is as red as the South, as he’s been able smoke fastballs and breaking balls alike, showcasing a rare dynamic hitting ability that made him so coveted a few years back. His glove isn’t great, but who cares. The only issue is the hulking elephant unable to wallflower his way around the room—Joey Gallo. The Twins would likely need to cut bait with him to create space for Pham, and whether they will admit defeat and do so is unclear.

RHP Hunter Harvey, 28-Nationals
Hunter Harvey looks like someone retrofitted Rod Beck to modern times. He throws gas, almost touching 99 on his average heater while yoinking hitters with an effective split and a slider that’s death to righties. This one isn’t complicated: Brock Stewart’s elbow issues softened a bullpen already lacking a little in depth, and the Twins will need to avoid “Jovani Moran on the mound needing multiple outs against a good team” as much as they can. The only issue is that everyone will probably look to Harvey—what other arm does Washington have—which will inflate his price.

RHP Mark Leiter Jr. 32.-Cubs
Another reliever, Mark Leiter Jr. is throwing splitters 35% of the time with the Cubs, and he is dominating. His ERA is fine, but his peripherals are mouth-watering—and his style of pitching as a reverse-split lefty-killer could help aid the Twins as they search for Caleb Thielbar’s health and Moran’s control. If neither of those come to pass, Leiter Jr. should be a cheap-ish lefty neutralizer just entering arbitration.

RHP Chris Martin, 37-Red Sox
There’s something hilarious about a team playing just about as well as the Twins having to sell; should have made your home in an easier division, Boston. Anyways, Martin is on what feels like his hundredth year of solid relief work, as the veteran holds a 1.67 ERA and good peripherals. Not 1.67 ERA peripherals, but good enough. He’s actually found a touch more velo this season, and while the strikeouts are down, his under-the-hood numbers don’t appear strange. Martin is no rental as well; he would be a Twin in 2024 as well if they consummate a trade for him.

DH/1B Justin Turner, 38-Red Sox
Did you know that Justin Turner was an Oriole way back in 2009? He’s famously the Met Who Couldn’t Hit turned The Dodger Who Could Do Nothing But, and 2023 so far has been yet again consistent—almost boringly so—with a healthy 121 wRC+. Considering Royce Lewis’ injury and José Miranda’s refusal to hit, waiting on the baseball gods to alter their favor may be unwise; Turner could be the name they look to for lineup beefing. He’s not much of a fielder anymore, making Byron Buxton’s permanent residence at the DH slot a tough road block, but few bats available at the deadline could provide more punch.

I think if there were any lessons learned from this exercise, it’s that the extra wild card slots have made it more difficult on the buyers, as mediocre teams may buy into their glory, and close up business. Important pieces are no longer free to deal for. There will be surprises—that will never fully go away—but it’ll be hard to dig through and uncover players who can help the Twins going forward.

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[terrydactyls]

This is a perfect time to be a seller.  There are a lot of buyers and not a lot to pick from.  It's like a grocery store meat counter during COVID.  The Twins can possibly win the ALC but the odds of them advancing beyond the first round are very slim (according to thelines.com).  Time to offer to contenders anyone not in the 2024 plans.  Think long term.

[Coach Wheels]

Not super interested in RH arms but a LH bullpen guy would be a logical acquisition.

A RH bat luke Turner also makes sense, he can play 1st base, we have plenty of OF without Gallo or Kepler. This team clearly needs offensive help, Ober last night gave up 1 run in 6 and couldn't get a "W" because our every day guys are unable to score 2 runs. Find offense

[weitz41]

27 minutes ago, terrydactyls said:

This is a perfect time to be a seller.  There are a lot of buyers and not a lot to pick from.  It's like a grocery store meat counter during COVID.  The Twins can possibly win the ALC but the odds of them advancing beyond the first round are very slim (according to thelines.com).  Time to offer to contenders anyone not in the 2024 plans.  Think long term.

I get where you're coming from. It would be a great time to sell. BUT, like the moves or not, you don't sell when you signed Correa, Gallo and traded for Lopez and you're in 1st place. No matter how bad the division is. 2023 central division champs is forever, whether it 84 wins or 104 wins, 1st round playoff loss or ALCS loss. Milwaukee tried it last year. I'm pretty certain they won't do that again this year. I know you are not going to agree with me and that's fine. 5-10 games back I'm with you, if things stay as they are, like it or not, you buy.

As for the article.

Justin Turner would be at the top of my list. I believe he brings much more to a team then what's on the back of his baseball card and what is there would be a big upgrade to the lineup.

Pham..There is something about him that says only use in case of emergency to me. pass

BP arms. Yes please, 1-2 could be a big boost to the pen.

[Riverbrian]

32 minutes ago, terrydactyls said:

This is a perfect time to be a seller.  There are a lot of buyers and not a lot to pick from.  It's like a grocery store meat counter during COVID.  The Twins can possibly win the ALC but the odds of them advancing beyond the first round are very slim (according to thelines.com).  Time to offer to contenders anyone not in the 2024 plans.  Think long term.

You are not alone expressing this and I understand why it's being expressed but I'll never understand.  

This pitching staff is real good.

[Nashvilletwin]

I’ve been pretty vocal on the TD about trading anyone who is not going to be part of the future - i.e. the 2024 and beyond Twins. Those comments have been pretty focused on current Twins: Gallo, Kepler, Solano, Taylor, even Polanco and Castro (I’ve been pretty silent about Gray and/or Maeda, but theoretically they would be on the list).

However, now I’m starting to expand my thinking to include prospects that are very likely not part of the future in the minds of this FO.  This list includes Wallner, Larnach, Julien, Miranda, and probably Celestino and Martin. Maybe even SWR, Varland and Winder. It’s quite possible that only Kiriloff, Lewis, Lee and Ober will be the youngsters to join Correa, Buxton, Ryan, Lopez and Jeffers as the next core.

I don’t agree with the strategy, but it wouldn’t surprise me in the least that this FO trades some of these prospects for a couple of rest-of-season veteran rentals in a bid to see what kind of run this starting staff can achieve.  It’s quite possible it’s playoff wins or bust for this FO and they might be willing to go all in to prove their starting pitching strategy for 2023 was the right call and save their jobs.

[RJA]

I am the son of two fathers on this issue.  I actually believe the Twins have a rotation that could do damage in the postseason when starting pitching is so crucial to success.  So, part of me thinks we should add a bat and a top notch reliever, preferably players who have postseason experience and have demonstrated that they can perform under pressure.  But, the other part of me is terribly afraid of this front office making more deadline trades after getting robbed by the Reds and Orioles last year.  Trading the farm for a pitcher with a bad arm and a pitcher with 3 months of success and years of no success makes me question whether they will simply blunder into more bad trades and further weaken the farm system.  Imagine where we would be today with Steer, CES, Povich and, frankly, Cano instead of Mahle and Lopez.  Steer would especially look good at third, and Cano couldn't be worse than Lopez.  So, do we roll the dice with this FO group again, or do we stand pat? 

[CRF]

A decent bat would be very nice, but Turner doesn't excite me at all, and no way do I want Pham here. I really don't know who they should go after on that front. For RP's, Harvey and Leiter are interesting possibilities. 

[Riverbrian]

The outfield is what needs repair and we could use a 1B or 3B acquisition to improve the OF by moving Kirilloff to the OF. 

Turner I'll pass on because of that player option... I'd prefer a rental. 

Ultimately I'd like to see the team add speed/contact for another way to produce runs but I honestly don't see anybody who fits that description on the teams likely to be sellers. 

So I would settle for just plain good hitters who don't strikeout as much.

Candelario (20.1%) would be my top choice at this moment. 

 

[Peter]

All that matters is twins winning division!! 

[mikelink45]

It is a sad comment on the team when this list is expected to improve the team. 

[JD-TWINS]

52 minutes ago, weitz41 said:

I get where you're coming from. It would be a great time to sell. BUT, like the moves or not, you don't sell when you signed Correa, Gallo and traded for Lopez and you're in 1st place. No matter how bad the division is. 2023 central division champs is forever, whether it 84 wins or 104 wins, 1st round playoff loss or ALCS loss. Milwaukee tried it last year. I'm pretty certain they won't do that again this year. I know you are not going to agree with me and that's fine. 5-10 games back I'm with you, if things stay as they are, like it or not, you buy.

As for the article.

Justin Turner would be at the top of my list. I believe he brings much more to a team then what's on the back of his baseball card and what is there would be a big upgrade to the lineup.

Pham..There is something about him that says only use in case of emergency to me. pass

BP arms. Yes please, 1-2 could be a big boost to the pen.

Turner is interesting as it could slide Lewis to 2B in September…….contributes to a stout line-up v. LH pitching……….he’s a great bat off the bench if not starter! His experience & mutual swagger could help lift CC & Buxton to new heights.

Robertson - Leiter - Hand - Harvey - Martin……any one of these would be a Big boost!!

I’m wondering who we are trading in any of these scenarios???

……………………

My (probably unattainable) guy is Friedl - CF for Cincinnati. Fast - BA of .300 - perfect compliment to Taylor in CF, but still just a piece in a sea of young value in Cincinnati & they are starved for pitching.

Gray - Winder?…….doubtful for Reds

Winder - SWR - Maeda?…….a Vet that’s in a groove & couple upside guys

Varland - Winder? ……..a proven horse for innings in Varland with an upside future, plus immediate BP help from Winder

[Daniel Anderson]

A hitter who crushes left-handed pitching please. These games where great pitching performances are being wasted because nobody can hit the opponent's mediocre lefties are getting old.

[Mike Sixel]

4 minutes ago, Daniel Anderson said:

A hitter who crushes left-handed pitching please. These games where great pitching performances are being wasted because nobody can hit the opponent's mediocre lefties are getting old.

Find one on a likely seller..... Good luck. 

[Rod Carews Birthday]

Sign me up for any of the relief pitchers -- even two of them!  Unfortunately, I'm not sure how much any of the bats out there move the needle, which is really frustrating.  If you can find a difference making bat, you have to go for it.  The pitching staff is way too good to just punt on the year. 

I find it frustrating that people are stuck on world series or bust when it comes to the season.  We may not get to the world series with this group, but as we all know, anything can happen in the playoffs, especially when you can pitch.  The 87 and 91 teams weren't juggernauts by any means and we will all remember those teams forever.

[RpR]

2 hours ago, Coach Wheels said:

Not super interested in RH arms but a LH bullpen guy would be a logical acquisition.

A RH bat luke Turner also makes sense, he can play 1st base, we have plenty of OF without Gallo or Kepler. This team clearly needs offensive help, Ober last night gave up 1 run in 6 and couldn't get a "W" because our every day guys are unable to score 2 runs. Find offense

Defense beat the Twins last night, in a close game defense makes the difference.

Trade top level defense for a bat, Twins still lose.

[mnfireman]

If the team plans to DH Buxton all season, then a true back up CF is needed. I re-watched Hicks' SF this morning to see if it was as bad as I originally thought - it was. I like what Castro brings to the team, but he is not a CF option late in close games. He took a horrible route, which resulted in him having to make a running basket catch. It was still a close play, but the route and catch gave the runner the extra time to score. I don't think a trade here is necessary as the team has Celestino in St. Paul. Besides, who do you trade for help now while being able to keep the future intact? The team can't keep emptying the cupboard.

I would also rather see Castro at 3B, as Solano's throw across the diamond on the double play looked like it came from one of the middle school kids I used to coach. I checked on Baseball Savant and his average arm strength is 67.4 MPH. Granted this is mostly as a 1B, but his hardest throw of the season is 80.5 MPH. This is better than Miranda's arm strength, and Solano caught the ball, not a given with Miranda, but Castro would have been the better defensive replacement, but was needed in CF. Farmer also would have been a better replacement, but he had also been PH for by Julien.

Another BP arm would be nice, but if you are going to send Duran out for a second inning, stay with heat, the only four-seamers he threw were to McCann, who was bunting. He threw one splitter to Hicks, it was in the dirt. Urias' double and Hicks' SF were on curveballs. I think Balazovik, Sands, or Lopez would have been a better option if the plan was to not use Duran's fastball. Again, who do you trade for that doesn't empty the farm system and can be counted on in close games?

I think we are "stuck" with the current roster as it sits now, unless the team falls out of contention, the we may see some veterans on expiring/bad contracts dealt.

 

[gman]

I wouldn't trade any prospects in the top 20 to do anything this year. We can easily free up 8 to 10 spaces on the roster in the off season for next year's rule 5 additions. If we add a hitter we need to get rid of 1 or 2. I would definitely be planning off season over hauls to the swing hard and strikeout hitting approach. 

[Stew]

I wanted  Pham  3 years ago. I liked his attitude at the time. He said after a down year that he knew he hadn't earned a large contract . His statement was he had to get healthy and do better. I liked his total skill set at the time.  He had some kind of surgery and had a lot of stitches.. he needed a lot of healing time. He's not as fast as he used to be, but he's not slow either. We still need to better arms in the bullpen.

[Brett]

Our offense seems like it’s more than one bat away from goodness. Maybe that’s ok since a lot of playoff baseball is tighter and low-scoring. I’m good with a position player, but let’s make sure they can defend somewhere on the field.

[PDX Twin]

If the Twins are going to buy, they need to buy a "winner." Someone who does his best when the game is on the line and who can be a leader in the clubhouse. Could be a hitter or a pitcher, but they need someone on whom the rest of the team can lean, because right now they are all taking turns falling over each other when the pressure's on.

[Mike Sixel]

4 minutes ago, PDX Twin said:

If the Twins are going to buy, they need to buy a "winner." Someone who does his best when the game is on the line and who can be a leader in the clubhouse. Could be a hitter or a pitcher, but they need someone on whom the rest of the team can lean, because right now they are all taking turns falling over each other when the pressure's on.

There can't be many of those on the likely sellers.....or those teams would be better. 

[TopGunn#22]

I think they should both buy and sell.  Deal whatever dead weight you won't have next season, Gallo, Kepler, Polanco-(because Polanco still has value) and you've got Julien, Farmer, Castro and Lewis.  I agree that they shouldn't trade anybody top 20.  But I would if it brought back Hader and my plan was to extend him.   

Get a couple of bats...I've suggested Bellinger and Pham.  Goldschmidt would be nice but cost too much prospect wise.  Get a stud like Hader in the pen and someone cheap from the previously stated RP's and make a go of it.  With a starting staff like this it would be criminal to just sit on your hands.  Actively pursue opportunities to both buy and sell. 

[dxpavelka]

Nick Senzel might be a name to watch.  Can play 3B or any of the outfield spots, including CF adequately and hits the snot out of left handed pitching, something which I've heard a time or two (thousand) on this very website is a need for this team.  Price might not be prohibitive since he's not a pitcher.  Might be a great year for the Twins to zig (seek bats) when everyone else zags (seeks arms).

 

[rv78]

Buyers or sellers I have no faith in this FO to do the right thing. Think they will cut or trade away the dead weight (Correa, Gallo, Buxton, Kepler) that has been choking them all season? No! That would reflect a mistake in their direction. They'd rather go down with the ship than solely take the blame. I laugh how most here think this pitching staff is really good. Sure, they can rock the Royals or Tigers or any other alsoran team but on any given day against the better teams they struggle like an average joe just to make it to the 6th inning. I'd like to see this organization make a full fledge committment to the young core of players, (Kirilloff, Larnach, Miranda, Lewis, Julien, Jeffers, Wallner). It's time to move on from the likes of Buxton, Kepler, Polanco and the others who have proven they don't have what it takes to take this team to the next level. As for Correa and Gallo, those are 2 mistakes that should have never happened to begin with. 

[USAFChief]

5 hours ago, gman said:

 We can easily free up 8 to 10 spaces on the roster in the off season for next year's rule 5 additions. If we add a hitter we need to get rid of 1 or 2. 

Can you show the math on this?

We can easily open up 8-10 spots next offseason, but adding 1 player now changes all that?

 

 

[dxpavelka]

1 hour ago, rv78 said:

Buyers or sellers I have no faith in this FO to do the right thing. Think they will cut or trade away the dead weight (Correa, Gallo, Buxton, Kepler) that has been choking them all season? No! That would reflect a mistake in their direction. They'd rather go down with the ship than solely take the blame. I laugh how most here think this pitching staff is really good. Sure, they can rock the Royals or Tigers or any other alsoran team but on any given day against the better teams they struggle like an average joe just to make it to the 6th inning. I'd like to see this organization make a full fledge committment to the young core of players, (Kirilloff, Larnach, Miranda, Lewis, Julien, Jeffers, Wallner). It's time to move on from the likes of Buxton, Kepler, Polanco and the others who have proven they don't have what it takes to take this team to the next level. As for Correa and Gallo, those are 2 mistakes that should have never happened to begin with. 

Congrats.  Your hindsight is 20/20.

 

[MTV]

5 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

Nick Senzel might be a name to watch.  Can play 3B or any of the outfield spots, including CF adequately and hits the snot out of left handed pitching, something which I've heard a time or two (thousand) on this very website is a need for this team.  Price might not be prohibitive since he's not a pitcher.  Might be a great year for the Twins to zig (seek bats) when everyone else zags (seeks arms).

 

Senzel isn’t an awful idea, but only if you can get him for dirt cheap. He’s posting a .827 OPS outside of Cinncy and a below .600 while in Great American Ballpark. I don’t like how poorly he does on righties but then again that’s how most of this team does against lefties, could be interesting.

[MTV]

There’s been a lot of speculation if the twins should buyers or sellers, and the answer to that is simple: do both. Cut players that are easily replaceable or players that are dead weight. Kepler, Polanco, and Larnach give you solid trade value and are easily replaceable, Gallo could also be added to this list but I like his versatility and (possible) upside, Moran, Sands, Winder and Alcala are also possible pieces if teams are interested. Try to avoid your top prospects, if any Festa can go but only for a hefty return, Schobel and Henriquez are more plausible options. 
 

In terms of what we need back, the twins need at least 2 bats and 1 high-end reliever, but should shoot for 3 hitters and 2 relievers at that. I like Justin Turner a lot, his defense isn’t the best, but neither was Miranda’s, and his ability to play first and crush lefties is very valuable. If Lewis goes out for even longer, his services will be even more necessary. The real issues are the outfield: left Field is a black hole for offense and needs to be addressed, and another Center Fielder to help Taylor would be recommended, I like the option of Gurriel/Fletcher from Arizona, especially with their plethora of lefty outfielders. A controllable high-end reliever would be great, and then a solid 1-year guy would help. I think that this is all possible with trading Polanco/Larnach/Kepler.

[dxpavelka]

21 minutes ago, MTV said:

There’s been a lot of speculation if the twins should buyers or sellers, and the answer to that is simple: do both. Cut players that are easily replaceable or players that are dead weight. Kepler, Polanco, and Larnach give you solid trade value and are easily replaceable, Gallo could also be added to this list but I like his versatility and (possible) upside, Moran, Sands, Winder and Alcala are also possible pieces if teams are interested. Try to avoid your top prospects, if any Festa can go but only for a hefty return, Schobel and Henriquez are more plausible options. 
 

In terms of what we need back, the twins need at least 2 bats and 1 high-end reliever, but should shoot for 3 hitters and 2 relievers at that. I like Justin Turner a lot, his defense isn’t the best, but neither was Miranda’s, and his ability to play first and crush lefties is very valuable. If Lewis goes out for even longer, his services will be even more necessary. The real issues are the outfield: left Field is a black hole for offense and needs to be addressed, and another Center Fielder to help Taylor would be recommended, I like the option of Gurriel/Fletcher from Arizona, especially with their plethora of lefty outfielders. A controllable high-end reliever would be great, and then a solid 1-year guy would help. I think that this is all possible with trading Polanco/Larnach/Kepler.

"Easily replaceable" players would have been gone long ago.