4 Remaining Right-Handed Hitting Corner Outfielders the Twins Could Pursue

[Cody Schoenmann]

With Randal Grichuk, Mark Canha, and A.J. Pollock all traded in the last two days, right-handed hitting corner outfielders are beginning to fly off the board. Who are the four most realistic options left for the Twins?

Image courtesy of Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

 

A right-handed hitting corner outfielder who hits left-handed pitching well was the Twins' greatest need for the latter part of last off-season and remains so to this day. With right-handed hitting corner outfielders Randal Grichuk, Mark Canha, and AJ Pollock getting traded in the last two days, right-handed hitting corner outfielders are beginning to fly off the board.

Luckily for the Twins, an immense amount of adequate options remain. Here are the four best remaining right-handed hitting corner outfielders the Twins could still trade for. 

#4. Adam Duvall - Red Sox - 173 PA, .261/.329/.542 (.871), 9 HR, 128 wRC+, 1.2 fWAR
We start this list off with current Red Sox outfielder Adam Duvall. Duvall has been linked to contending National League teams like the Phillies and the Braves, with whom he won the World Series in 2021, but a trade to the Twins arguably makes the most sense. Duvall provides versatility in the outfield, as he can play left, center, and right field, while also being a plus right-handed bat, a player prototype the Twins are in dire need of. 

The only caveat with Duvall is that he hits right-handed pitching much better than left-handed pitching, which is why he is fourth on his list.

Duvall's splits this season:
When Facing Left-Handed Pitching: 46 PA, .238/.283/.405 (.688), 10 H, 0 HR, seven doubles, two BB, 16 K.
When Facing Right-Handed Pitching: 127 PA, .270/.346/.595 (.941), 30 H, nine HR, seven doubles, 11 BB, 37 K.

Duvall's splits are intense, and if the Twins acquired him, one has to wonder if he would do anything to help the Twins' struggles when facing left-handed pitching or if he would become part of the problem. 

Duvall is an intriguing option, but he doesn't do the one thing the Twins need out of a right-handed hitting outfielder: hit left-handed pitching well. Duvall would be a good addition, but his addition might be slightly redundant. Nonetheless, Duvall is a right-handed corner outfielder to keep tabs on over the next four or so hours. 

Expected Asset Cost For Duvall: Duvall would net a similar haul to what the Brewers gave up for Canha. If the Twins traded for Duvall, expect the Twins to part with a prospect towards the end of their Top 30 list (i.e., Zebby Matthews or Ben Ross, for example) or an assortment of unranked prospects in the lower minor league levels. 

#3. Lane Thomas - Nationals - 451 PA, .285/.333/.472 (.805), 16 HR, 115 wRC+, 2.1 fWAR
The next right-handed corner outfielder comes in the form of the Nationals' current best player, Lane Thomas. Through 451 plate appearances, Thomas has been a revelation for the struggling Nationals, hitting for average and power while displaying elite speed on the base paths and in the outfield.

Unlike Duvall, Thomas has mashed left-handed pitching, hitting .362/.407/.638 (1.045) with 47 hits, eight home runs, ten doubles, ten walks, and 26 strikeouts in 140 plate appearances. 

Thomas, 27, has team control through 2025, so he would cost more than the three other outfielders on this list, who are all rental options. Although Thomas would cost more, he is the best right-handed hitting corner outfielder on this list, and he could stay in Minnesota for two more seasons if the Twins elect to keep him by offering arbitration in 2024 and 2025. 

The Nationals' steep asking price will undoubtedly deter many people, but if the Twins want to attempt to resolve their right-handed hitting corner outfield woes genuinely, trading for Thomas should help them in the short and long term.

Expected Asset Cost for Thomas: Thomas is different from Duvall in that he has two and a half years left of control, plus he is an overall better and younger player. If the Twins traded for Thomas, expect them to send over a handful of Top 30 prospects. It would likely be two-to-three top thirty prospects, with the first prospect being a top ten prospect (i.e., David Festa or Danny De Andrade, for example), the second prospect being a mid-teens to early twenties prospect (i.e., Brent Headrick or C.J. Culpepper, for example) and then a fringe Top 30 prospects (i.e., Cory Lewis or Ross again, for example). Thomas will cost a lot, but he is a legit starting right-handed hitting corner outfielder.

#2. Teoscar Hernandez - Mariners - 441 PA, .238/.288/.408 (.696), 16 HR, 93 wRC+, 0.6 fWAR
The second most realistic right-handed hitting corner outfielder the Twins could trade for is current Seattle Mariners right fielder Teoscar Hernandez. 

Hernandez's 2023 season has been a story of struggle, evidenced by his unimpressive stat line and below-league-average wRC+ of just 93. Hernandez appears to no longer be the player he once was with the Toronto Blue Jays. However, he is still a serviceable right-handed hitting corner outfielder, especially when facing left-handed pitching.

Here are Hernandez's numbers when facing left-handed pitching this season:

• 92 Plate Appearances
• .295/.315/.568 (.883)
• 26 H
• Six Home Runs
• Six Doubles
• Three Walks
• 31 Strikeouts

Hernandez has hit left-handed exceptionally well while showing immense power, as evidenced by a .568 slugging percentage. 

Hernandez has star potential, and if he can tap into that ability down the stretch, he could significantly help this Twins lineup down the stretch, and even if Hernandez continues to struggle, it is fair to assume that he will continue to mash left-handed pitching. 

Expected Asset Cost For Hernandez: The Mariners are both buying and selling, so if the Twins were to trade for Hernandez, expect them to send over a young player or even an MLB-ready veteran. Trading Larnach for Hernandez is too much. Yet, if the Twins could acquire Hernandez plus a reliever in Justin Topa, for example, the Twins could send Larnach plus an outside of the Top 30 prospect back to the Mariners.

#1. Tommy Pham - Mets - 264 PA, .268/.348/.472 (.820), 10 HR, 127 wRC+, 1.7 fWAR
The most realistic right-handed hitting corner outfielder the Twins could still trade for is current Mets outfielder Tommy Pham.

Having already traded David Robertson to the Marlins, Max Scherzer to the Rangers, and the previously mentioned Canha to the Brewers, Pham will likely depart the Mets within the next handful of hours. 

Like Thomas and Hernandez, Pham fits the mold of a right-handed corner outfielder who hits left-handed pitching very well.

Through 109 plate appearances, Pham has hit .255/.339/.532 (.871) with 24 hits, eight home runs, two doubles, 13 walks, and 23 strikeouts.

Pham is an interesting character who has done some questionable things in the past, but this Twins clubhouse, which tends to appear uninspired at times, could use someone to shake up the clubhouse and bring a unique perspective.

Despite not being the best player on this list, Pham, being a rental option and a team the Twins have had confirmed dialogue with, feels like the most likely option for the Twins.

Expected Asset Cost For Pham: Acquiring Pham should be cheap and, as reported by Dan Hayes of The Athletic, the Twins have been having discussions with the Mets pertaining to the surplus amount of young left-handed corner outfield bats the Twins have, so a hypothetical trade of Pham and left-handed relief pitcher Brooks Raley to the Twins for Larnach would make sense.

Which of these four corner outfielders do you think the Twins should trade for? Who do you think the Twins are most likely to trade for? Comment below.

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[TNtwins85]

Thomas or Pham seem to be the only fits here. I would lean towards Pham at this point as a rental and try to package Raley in that deal. One would suspect that’s the move. I can’t see them getting Thomas at this point from Falveys comments and I wouldn’t give up what the nationals probably want for him either.

[nicksaviking]

I have no interest in any of these platoon righties, but I understand why others do.

I'm just really, really frustrated that this team keeps looking at below average veteran bats to jam onto the roster. If you need two players for half of your positions because neither hits same sided pitching well enough, you've done a terrible and inefficient job of building a 26-man roster.

I'd rather they just stop, wipe the slate clean of these vets in the offseason, give the young guys practice at hitting same side pitching and see if you can build an actual functioning regular lineup from there.

[Cornholio]

Kyle Garlick

[LA Vikes Fan]

Only Thomas is really interesting, and only if the FO think this breakout season is real and not just a career year. Maybe a Larnach, Headrick or Culpepper and a fringe 30 prospect could be enough. Pham and Raley would be an OK get, but again only if we are getting rid of Gallo as part of a Larnach trade.  

Frankly, Thomas makes sense because he is a longer term asset.  Raley is a 1.5 year guy assuming we exercise his option, and Pham is a pure rental. Hard to get excited about trading Larnach for that unless the FO has given up on him. I haven't; i think Larnach could be an average to above average regular if he could get consistent playing time. 

[KnoblauchWasFramed]

Lane Thomas is the only one that moves the needle, and that is for next year and beyond, not this season so much.

Fan don't seem to want to accept that right now this is not a playoff team.  They will get in by default and do not stand a chance getting by the first round.... again.  Sorry, but it is what it is.

However, the core of a solid team is already here and with the removal of Gallo, Kepler, Polanco, and the possible reduction of Buxton this lineup will win the division next year and with a solid SP core of Ryan, Lopez, Ober, & Paddock is a great way to start the season without a single addition.  But to give away even more prospects to chase a first round sweep in the playoffs is just stupid and short sided.

It sucks that Falvey and Rocco are fighting to keep their jobs for next year, but it's also their faults that they are in that position.  But to further burn the future prospects even worse than they did last year at the deadline should be criminal.

Once you can convince yourself that this team just making the playoffs is meaningless you will see things differently about how much better this team will be in 2024.  Why??  All of this years dead weight will be gone.  

[Hubie29]

If we land Thomas, he immediately becomes our #1 OF.  Hard to believe huh? He would be an awesome leadoff hitter with power and average for years. What would be the price for that? Doubt it happens, but would love it if it did 

[Beast]

I’d be OK with Thomas for De Andrae, Headrick, and Lewis.  No question.

Not really interest in the others.  Hernandez at a discount would be OK.

Why do so many think it’s a good idea to bring Pham into this already mentally fragile clubhouse?  I don’t know much about the guy as a person.  But, when you’re getting stabbed outside of strip clubs, punching teammates over fantasy football, saying on record that you want to fight fans for heckling you, etc., a few red flags come up.  Who knows how long that special kind of individual (to put it kindly) will even be able to play before picking up a suspension.

The Mets are clearly dysfunctional in some way, despite having strong winning  personalities/leaders like Verlander, Lindor, Sherzer, even character guys like McNeil, Alonso, Corrasco, young studs like Alvarez and Baty…there’s something going on in that clubhouse that doesn’t smell right.   Not sure I want to bring any part of that here.

Pham’s last 50 PAs, he’s slashing .186/.327/.279.  2 of the 3 years before this he’s OPS’d .686 and .624.  The peak in those 3 years is .723.  He slugged well under .400 in all 3 of those years.

Lastly, he’s been dealing with Groin injury for a while now.  He just left a game in the third inning after hobbling to first about a little over a week ago.

For a multitude of reason, on the field and off, I wouldn’t touch Pham with a 10 ft pole.

[KnoblauchWasFramed]

Imagine 2024

Kirilloff, Julien, Correa, & Lewis in the IF with Brooks Lee looking to kick down the door in AAA.

Wallner, Buxton, & Larnach in the OF and maybe Lane Thomas as the DH.

Catcher is set for at least 2 more years.

Ryan, Lopez, Ober, & Paddock at the top with multiple prospects laying in the AAA weeds.

And at least Duran and Jax back in the BP.  This is the primary spot that the FO needs to be concentrating on in any deadline trades and in FA.  

I, for one, am already excited for next year with a new manager and maybe a GM much better at drafting and developing talent.

[RpR]

4 minutes ago, KnoblauchWasFramed said:

Lane Thomas is the only one that moves the needle, and that is for next year and beyond, not this season so much.

Fan don't seem to want to accept that right now this is not a playoff team.  They will get in by default and do not stand a chance getting by the first round.... again.  Sorry, but it is what it is.

However, the core of a solid team is already here and with the removal of Gallo, Kepler, Polanco, and the possible reduction of Buxton this lineup will win the division next year and with a solid SP core of Ryan, Lopez, Ober, & Paddock is a great way to start the season without a single addition.

 

Unless you are Carnac the Magnificent, you do not know what fans are thinking.

As for the second paragraph, unless you are CtM, wishful thinking and nothing else, which in all probablility, is incorrect.

[TNtwins85]

10 minutes ago, Hubie29 said:

If we land Thomas, he immediately becomes our #1 OF.  Hard to believe huh? He would be an awesome leadoff hitter with power and average for years. What would be the price for that? Doubt it happens, but would love it if it did 

Probably costs the Twins a couple higher Rated prospects though. If they think he’ll hit like this the next couple years then absolutely! Pham could probably be had for one or two 15-30 ranked prospects. They both provide value at different cost levels for sure

[Linus]

Thomas would be my choice. The Twins have needed a right handed hitting outfielder for years and there isn’t any on the farm getting ready for next year. 

[TNtwins85]

10 minutes ago, RpR said:

Unless you are Carnac the Magnificent, you do not know what fans are thinking.

As for the second paragraph, unless you are CtM, wishful thinking and nothing else, which in all probablility, is incorrect.

I don’t think Polanco will be back next year. And if Buxton can’t play CF anymore then I would add him to that list as well. He’s a perfect 1-1 with another vet on a bad deal in the offseason. If he can’t play the field that is

[LA Vikes Fan]

Guys, Pham has a groin problem. Left a game on 7/20 because he couldn't run. Has only played in 3 games fully since then and pinch hit twice. 3-14 in those appearances. Let's not trade for another injured guy . . . 

[umterp23]

Don't see Twins doing anything at this deadline to address right handed bat.  Lineup tonight posted a few minutes ago has Wallner, Taylor, Kepler (OF) and Gallo at 1B.  So looks like this quartet is here to stay.  Obviously guys can get scratched if trade comes through, but just not seeing it

[Patzky]

47 minutes ago, Cornholio said:

Kyle Garlick

They bust out the Garlick more often than an Italian chef does. 

[TwinsDr2021]

37 minutes ago, KnoblauchWasFramed said:

Imagine 2024

Kirilloff, Julien, Correa, & Lewis in the IF with Brooks Lee looking to kick down the door in AAA.

Wallner, Buxton, & Larnach in the OF and maybe Lane Thomas as the DH.

Catcher is set for at least 2 more years.

Ryan, Lopez, Ober, & Paddock at the top with multiple prospects laying in the AAA weeds.

And at least Duran and Jax back in the BP.  This is the primary spot that the FO needs to be concentrating on in any deadline trades and in FA.  

I, for one, am already excited for next year with a new manager and maybe a GM much better at drafting and developing talent.

So basically third time is a charm?

Besides Julien and Lopez, mostly the same team as last year and this year.

[TwinsDr2021]

The guy I want is Teoscar Hernandez., he should be fairly cheap and will be playing for a contract next year, and he is the type of player that can get hot and carry a team for a week or longer. Thinking Shannon Stewart type signing.

[Karbo]

48 minutes ago, TNtwins85 said:

I don’t think Polanco will be back next year. And if Buxton can’t play CF anymore then I would add him to that list as well. He’s a perfect 1-1 with another vet on a bad deal in the offseason. If he can’t play the field that is

Buxton has a no trade clause.

[Chet]

If there was a possibility of trading Rocco , that's where I would start.

[Schmoeman5]

Did the Twins just get Pham? He was seen leaving Mets clubhouse in street clothes. 

[Wax Kepler]

1 minute ago, Schmoeman5 said:

Did the Twins just get Pham? He was seen leaving Mets clubhouse in street clothes. 

I heard on Twitter they got Pham

[Minny505]

Let's avoid using 2023 splits in this discussion. It's relatively useless.

Duvall is an even splits guy. Hard pass.

What was not mentioned in the Lane Thomas section is that he has a career 144 wRC+ vs LHP. It's just 85 vs RHP. He's the perfect platoon OFers, able to handle all three OF positions.

There are not any bat first RH hitting OFers coming up thru the system anytime soon. With 2.5 years of control, the Twins can fix this multi-year problem they have had against LHP for the next few seasons. Use him primarily as a platoon player, which is how to optimize his value based on his career numbers, and his arb rates stay manageable.

Offer Larnach and another prospect outside of the top 8. 

[Minny505]

2 minutes ago, Wax Kepler said:

I heard on Twitter they got Pham

He's head to the Padres.

 

[Schmoeman5]

11 minutes ago, Minny505 said:

He's head to the Padres.

 

And Yankees, Phillies, and Braves too. At least according to Twitter over the last 20 minutes 

[Minny505]

2 minutes ago, Schmoeman5 said:

And Yankees, Phillies, and Braves too. At least according to Twitter over the last 20 minutes 

You're right. It is the D-backs, per Jeff Passan.

[Schmoeman5]

2 minutes ago, Minny505 said:

You're right. It is the D-backs, per Jeff Passan.

Yes sir. I saw that one too. Looks like the D Backs are the winners of the pham sweepstakes.

[Minny505]

8 minutes ago, Schmoeman5 said:

Yes sir. I saw that one too. Looks like the D Backs are the winners of the pham sweepstakes.

I'm still surprised the Twins didn't swing a deal for Thomas. He's the perfect short-side platoon OFer. Unless Larnach + two 9-20 prespects wasn't enough?

[John Belinski]

21 hours ago, Chet said:

If there was a possibility of trading Rocco , that's where I would start.

The Twins could trade him for a bag of used baseballs, but do not think they would get that much.