Rumor: In A Market With No Sellers, Twins May Trade Away MLB Players

[DJL44]

15 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

2) Kepler has value, but he is probably worth more to the Twins than any other team, so he stays.

This I don't agree with at all. The Twins have a LOT of options to replace Max Kepler. He's hot right now but there's no upside beyond how he has played in July and plenty of downside that he'll revert to his production for the previous 2 years. Move him and put Wallner in RF.

[tony&rodney]

1 hour ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

Yes, please, but my borderline irrational dislike of Max Kepler is already well-document 'round these parts.

Kepler has had more than a few rough patches. I just don't see any team giving up someone worthwhile for Max. Despite all frustrations for Kepler's game, he is still a very good outfielder and base runner who can also cause damage with his bat. If Kepler had enough value to another team he would have been traded. Finally, I had commented a number of times in the past that Kepler had seemed unhappy and even morose as he moved through the year. This is certainly unquantifiable. Yet, we have seen more emotion and smiles from Max since the All Star break than in the last couple of years. I guess he needs some love or a reason to focus? I don't think Kepler is going away, so you will need to learn to love him.

[Otaknam]

Gallo is a redundant player on this roster, so he could be moved. Larnach is the obvious choice in a trade for a right handed hitter. He has great power, os at least average defensively, and comes cheap. As for Maeda and Gray, I doubt they will trade either one unless they are blown away with an offer. Maeda has essentially been their number five starter and has given them the chance to win almost every time. So he does have value.
 

Unless they trade someone I can’t see how they will work Gordon into the roster right now, as they have other players who perform the same roll.  

Edited July 28, 2023 by Otaknam
Not finished

[chpettit19]

15 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

I believe that Seattle might be an interesting match. It really depends on how the Mariners view the Twins players. Any one of Gilbert, Kirby, or Miller would be massive additions and Brash is a guy who would really be a fine addition as well. 

Generally, my preference in position players includes guys who are smooth and athletic. Witness Tony Oliva and Rod Carew as opposed to Harmon Killebrew. although I always had great respect for HK and his value. Still, I see Julien and Wallner as players who possess some rare hitting talent and have room for improvement. I also believe that each can become average with the glove although they may never be aesthetic looking in the field. If the Twins believe in those two, there are others available to trade (Lewis, Larnach, more). 

I see San Diego and Seattle as possible positive partners for trades, but am still believing that the Twins will sit it out.

San Diego is another interesting possibility for sure. I don't think they're going to sell, though. Too much invested to do anything drastic. I don't expect the Twins to make any sort of big splashes, but I'd check on those Seattle arms and see if there's something that can get done there, though. I don't expect it, but my "perfect deadline" scenario for the Twins would be to bring in one of those top 3 Seattle arms while moving Gray for an MLB ready righty OF bat while moving any of the lefty OF bats we have in the process.

I'd keep Lewis over Wallner 100 out of 100 times. I don't think either Wallner or Julien will ever become average defensively, and I think Wallner's Ks will be too much for him to be a special bat over the long haul. I do think Julien can be a top of the order bat for years, though. Lewis has way more upside than Wallner, and his injuries are the only concern I have about him as a baseball player. I'm not trading Lewis for anything (within reason) and taking my chances that he stays healthy. His talent is way too high, and I'd keep him through his arb years no matter what.

[Road trip]

Doing nothing is not an option.  Somebody goes.... today... by 6:45.  Barring a setback Polanco is scheduled to be activated prior to tonight's game.

Options:

1. Return Wallner or Julien to AAA.  Sending down either is absurd, as they are the two hottest hitters on the roster.  There are no other optionable position players.

2. Trade (or DFA) somebody

3. (Theoretically) a DL stint for someone.  It won't be Buxton, who just returned from leave.  I suppose it could be Kirilloff if his shoulder is worse than originally thought.

Barring some large deal it seems logical to try to get something, anything, for Joey Gallo.  The front office has known this day was coming for awhile.  Hence, the "Hey, look! Gallo can still play centerfield" advertisements in recent lineups.

[cmoss84]

30 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

I think we have a playoff team. Yes, I know ... weak division, blah blah blah ... but I think we are playoff bound. And I think we have the pitching to win a few games. And if our offense keeps up, we have a team. Another reliable relief pitcher and a right-handed bat ... that's it. World Series bound? Doubtful. But, I think we have a playoff team. Dumping everyone now, as you suggested in an earlier post, I think would be very foolhardy. Trading away everyone to make a splash at one position ... nope. I don't know when, but not this year.

Is now not a good time to trade Polanco? Logjam?

You're going to be hurt if we trade or DFA Kepler or Gallo?

If Buxton wants to start fresh somewhere else and a team is willing to take a risk, you say no?

I am not saying all of these happen in the next few days. But it seems like a prime time to reshape the current roster to make an improvement or 2.

You would rather keep Correa than have Lee/Lewis at SS?

There are moves that need to be made if we want to do anything in playoffs. I am not satisfied getting there and getting our butts kicked.

[tony&rodney]

1 minute ago, chpettit19 said:

I'd keep Lewis over Wallner 100 out of 100 times. I don't think either Wallner or Julien will ever become average defensively, and I think Wallner's Ks will be too much for him to be a special bat over the long haul. I do think Julien can be a top of the order bat for years, though. Lewis has way more upside than Wallner, and his injuries are the only concern I have about him as a baseball player. I'm not trading Lewis for anything (within reason) and taking my chances that he stays healthy. His talent is way too high, and I'd keep him through his arb years no matter what.

This is my thinking too - Lewis over Wallner all day. Yet, pitching is always the name of the game and I'm real tempted by Logan Gilbert and perhaps Royce Lewis is the fair price. Nah, we better keep Royce because we hope he becomes a star. See if Seattle would have other interests from the Twins roster (Wallner + Polanco?).

I do think San Diego will trade for fair offers. I just don't know what that looks like.

[chpettit19]

2 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

This is my thinking too - Lewis over Wallner all day. Yet, pitching is always the name of the game and I'm real tempted by Logan Gilbert and perhaps Royce Lewis is the fair price. Nah, we better keep Royce because we hope he becomes a star. See if Seattle would have other interests from the Twins roster (Wallner + Polanco?).

I do think San Diego will trade for fair offers. I just don't know what that looks like.

Wallner and Polanco would be guys I'd be willing to part with for one of the Seattle arms. I'd guess they'd want some other pieces added, but I'd see if I can build a package around those 2 for one of their arms. I think it'd really come down to what Seattle thinks of Wallner. He's a young, controllable bat like they want, but is he a good enough bat to trump other offers they may get?

[LA Vikes Fan]

48 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Here's my opinion(s): 1) Gallo would bring back nothing of value. The choice is whether to keep him on the team or DFA him. I say DFA. 2) Kepler has value, but he is probably worth more to the Twins than any other team, so he stays. The big question that will probably be determined by August and September production, is whether the Twins will pick up his option for 2024. 3) Wallner is less than a year younger than Larnach and has only 127 plate appearances in the majors, but he shows more upside (particularly power) than Larnach. 4) Larnach has nearly 700 major league plate appearances and has failed to establish himself as a major league regular. He's shown enough to interest other teams, particularly rebuilding teams, and is the logical choice to be traded for someone who can help the club this year. 

If I'm the Twins FO, I would DFA Gallo (swing and a miss on that signing), trade Larnach for the best relief pitcher or RH hitting outfielder they can find and put Byron Buxton on the IL.

This is uninspiring but probably correct. Today shouldn't be a big day - it's easy to get Polanco on the roster by trading or DFA'ing and then trading Gallo. Laranch has to stay in St. PAul for 10 days barring injury any way since he was optioned. The harder moment comes when Lewis is ready to come back. Until then, there really is no crunch.  

I could see trading Larnach if we get something other than just a rental guy back. I've rad that the Nats are scouting AAA - maybe a move for Lane Thomas and/or Kyle Finnegan is in the works.?  Both controllable for multiple years. Larnach plus a blocked lower level guy like Severino for one or the other? Larnach plus Winder or SWR for both? Probably not enough but maybe . . .

[cmoss84]

44 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

I believe that Seattle might be an interesting match. It really depends on how the Mariners view the Twins players. Any one of Gilbert, Kirby, or Miller would be massive additions and Brash is a guy who would really be a fine addition as well. 

Generally, my preference in position players includes guys who are smooth and athletic. Witness Tony Oliva and Rod Carew as opposed to Harmon Killebrew. although I always had great respect for HK and his value. Still, I see Julien and Wallner as players who possess some rare hitting talent and have room for improvement. I also believe that each can become average with the glove although they may never be aesthetic looking in the field. If the Twins believe in those two, there are others available to trade (Lewis, Larnach, more). 

I see San Diego and Seattle as possible positive partners for trades, but am still believing that the Twins will sit it out.

Have a hard time believing Seattle would trade any of those SP.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

Gray - a lot depends on whether he will retire or not.  I would be open to trading if decent prospect, keeping if will continue to pitch and get compensation draft pick for him, or lastly keep him for rest of year even if plans to retire

Maeda- I think need to keep Maeda.  With Ober currently our best pitchers.  Still an outside shot he performs well the rest of year and can also get compensation pick for him.  

Buxton- I think its slight, but possibility he could be traded,  difference in philosophy between him and org,  likely offseason trade but worth putting out there and acknowledging

MLB players with higher value that could be traded- Ober  (would not like to see it, but of our pitchers other than Ryan would likely get best return for), Kiriloff

MLB players with some value could be traded - Kepler Wallner Larnach, Balazovic

MLB players with minimal value - Gallo Solano, Taylor, Castro Farmer

Prospects - Varland, SWR Martin, Canterino, Festa, Sands, Headrick, Prato, Isola, Williams

I think this is likely the players that we would likely be swapping in and out.   Some have higher possibility that others.  Will wait to see what pops up.  

[Mike Sixel]

I'd still consider dealing Gray, but the price has to be very high. I'm open to any OF being dealt, but the easiest choice is to dfa Gallo. And while Solano had been good, I'd prefer him gone when Lewis returns, rather than Wallner.

I get Wallner has holes, but all he's done is hit. Let's see if that's real. 

[MTV]

Let’s take a peek at the market: 

AL East: all 5 teams are above .500 and first and last place is separated by 5 games, it’s still basically anyone’s race. The Yankees are in last but are poised to have the biggest deadline, the Red Sox are the most likely sellers with a depleted rotation and many rental pieces. 
 

AL Central: just a battle of Twins/Guardians, the only division where 3 teams are 100% selling. 
 

AL West: only the A’s are sellers, Mariners likely going to have a quiet deadline, Angels/Astros/Rangers all likely to be aggressive buyers.

NL East: Braves hold a strong lead, Phillies and Marlins are tight in the playoff race and need to add to win games.

NL Central: still a complete wild card. Cubs have a good rotation but should probably sell, Brewers are the favorites but have most of the team outside of Yelich and the bullpen underperforming, and the Reds are Red Hot but have limited starters. Cards are gonna be the big sellers this year.
 

NL West: Dodgers and D-Backs expected to be heavy buyers with loaded farm systems, Padres and Giants are still wild Cards and Rockies I don’t even know

This deadline actually fits the Twins well, as most of the pieces they can sell are in the majors, most of note being: Gray, Kepler, Gallo, Winder, Larnach, Henriquez, Sands, Moran. They don’t need huge improvement but can get something done with these pieces. Just, try not to touch the farm too much.

[tony&rodney]

1 minute ago, cmoss84 said:

Have a hard time believing Seattle would trade any of those SP.

Seattle has a strong core of Castillo, Gilbert, Kirby, Miller, and Woo with a few veterans on contracts as well as a couple of ready arms (led by Emerson Hancock) in the minors waiting for an opportunity. The Mariners need bats. It would take quite a haul to pry away Gilbert, Kirby, or Miller. Miami faced a similar predicament last winter when the Lopez-Arraez trade was discussed and then completed. It is possible.

[Twinkies are for eating]

3 hours ago, ToddlerHarmon said:

If Max Kepler has any trade value, do you trade him now?

As fast as I could!!!

[chpettit19]

13 minutes ago, cmoss84 said:

Have a hard time believing Seattle would trade any of those SP.

They have already said they're open to trading one of those arms if it brings back a young, MLB ready, controllable bat of a certain level. The likelihood of them finding the right deal is small, but they've already openly spoken about being willing to trade from their pitching surplus to fill in their need on offense.

[MTV]

I think this team should Trade Sonny Gray, I think he’s your best asset to get better this deadline, my question is just how do you replace him. Maeda is capable of holding down the #4 spot in the rotation, but I’m worried that Keuchel/Varland/SWR/Headrick can lock down a spot as the 5th starter for 2 months. Do you trust your depth? Do you get a rental starter to fill gray’s role? Do you get a controllable back-end guy for next year? There’s a lot of different scenarios that could happen.

[Twins GFP]

Looking at the roster and the names coming back, here is what I would do:

I would be looking to move Gallo (yes he has value) and Larnach specifically.  Polanco would be tough to move just coming off the IL.

Farmer and Taylor are too important to this year's team and should not be moved.  Kepler is not going anywhere.

I would be very surprised to see Gray or Maeda moved.  Gray has regressed over the last month+, but like it or not, he is still their horse.  I believe Maeda is an extension candidate, so I do not see them moving him either.

The other fringe guys (Wallner, Martin, half a dozen AAA SP) could be moved for the right prices.  Just don't want to see an overpay.

[Parfigliano]

1 hour ago, cmoss84 said:

Keep Gray for this year. He turns into 1st rd pick. 

Trade any of Buxton (yes. I am aware he has a no trade clause), Polanco, Kepler, Gallo, Larnach, Kirillof or Maeda.

Trade Correa in off season. 

Trade Buxton.  If only.

[Parfigliano]

41 minutes ago, cmoss84 said:

Is now not a good time to trade Polanco? Logjam?

You're going to be hurt if we trade or DFA Kepler or Gallo?

If Buxton wants to start fresh somewhere else and a team is willing to take a risk, you say no?

I am not saying all of these happen in the next few days. But it seems like a prime time to reshape the current roster to make an improvement or 2.

You would rather keep Correa than have Lee/Lewis at SS?

There are moves that need to be made if we want to do anything in playoffs. I am not satisfied getting there and getting our butts kicked.

Get rid of Buxton

[AceWrigley]

1 hour ago, tony&rodney said:

I had commented a number of times in the past that Kepler had seemed unhappy and even morose as he moved through the year. This is certainly unquantifiable. Yet, we have seen more emotion and smiles from Max since the All Star break than in the last couple of years. I guess he needs some love or a reason to focus? I don't think Kepler is going away, so you will need to learn to love him.

I agree. I was going to post about this too. He seems "happier" now for whatever reason and hopefully he can carry this forward and be one of the better RF's in baseball which I think he has the capability to be.

[SteveLV]

The Twins should not move Gray unless the return is greater than the sandwich pick they will receive after he rejects their QO at the end of season.

If they want to package Gray with someone like Larnach to add to a deal, sure.  Maybe someone wants a veteran bat like Solano, so he could be in the mix if Polanco's return is imminent.

Maeda has been pitching very well since his return, but since he is a pending FA they could deal him, but that would certainly hurt their prospects for the balance of the year.

[Craig Arko]

I have no idea, but, based on previous history, something will happen at the last minute. 

[notoriousgod71]

Twins have too many left handed outfield bats but none of them hit.

Very twins move to trade starting players while in first place.

 

Then again, I'd really only be upset if they traded Julien or kiriloff from our offense.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

11 minutes ago, notoriousgod71 said:

Twins have too many left handed outfield bats but none of them hit.

Very twins move to trade starting players while in first place.

 

Then again, I'd really only be upset if they traded Julien or kiriloff from our offense.

Definitely odd, but they seem to want to make a spot for Keuchel.  Honestly that pick and the way he has been pitching looks like he is a viable arm for the rest of the year.  Our left handed outfileders and currently starting pitching we seem to have excess of,  going to be interesting how they will move around pieces.  I am expecting at least 2 more trades for the rest of the deadline.  

[gunnarthor]

If the Twins can unload Kepler and get something solid that will help us down the road for Gray and/or Meada, I'd be thrilled. 

[stringer bell]

2 hours ago, DJL44 said:

This I don't agree with at all. The Twins have a LOT of options to replace Max Kepler. He's hot right now but there's no upside beyond how he has played in July and plenty of downside that he'll revert to his production for the previous 2 years. Move him and put Wallner in RF.

I'm encouraged by Wallner's major league at-bats this year, but I'm not altogether sure that that he won't slump to Gallo (or at least Larnach) levels. I am sure that Wallner is an awkward outfielder at this stage and that Kepler would make defensive plays that Wallner cannot. I don't see any club that is trying to make the postseason counting on a Wallner type down the stretch, especially a team with as inconsistent of an offense as the Twins possess.

[Mike Sixel]

2 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

I'm encouraged by Wallner's major league at-bats this year, but I'm not altogether sure that that he won't slump to Gallo (or at least Larnach) levels. I am sure that Wallner is an awkward outfielder at this stage and that Kepler would make defensive plays that Wallner cannot. I don't see any club that is trying to make the postseason counting on a Wallner type down the stretch, especially a team with as inconsistent of an offense as the Twins possess.

He's been better than Julien at every level. Why don't people believe in Wallner?

[stringer bell]

6 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

He's been better than Julien at every level. Why don't people believe in Wallner?

Contact issues.

[RpR]

8 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

I'm encouraged by Wallner's major league at-bats this year, but I'm not altogether sure that that he won't slump to Gallo (or at least Larnach) levels. I am sure that Wallner is an awkward outfielder at this stage and that Kepler would make defensive plays that Wallner cannot. I don't see any club that is trying to make the postseason counting on a Wallner type down the stretch, especially a team with as inconsistent of an offense as the Twins possess.

LOL, with Wallner and Julien fielding a play, I get visions of the Blankenhorn bobbled ground ball and throw to Arraez and Arraez throwing it into right field scenario.🥸