Twins Receiving Calls On Outfielder Matt Wallner

[Brock Beauchamp]

Appearing on Skor North's The Scoop, Doogie Wolfson of KSTP 5 mentioned that the Twins are receiving calls on minor-league outfielder Matt Wallner. Wallner, after a highly successful half-season in 2023, stumbled out of the gate in 2024 and was demoted back to the Triple-A St Paul Saints where he has rebounded nicely, posting an .869 OPS in 64 games played.

While the Twins may be fielding calls on Wallner, it's hard to imagine them actually trading the Minnesota native. He has less than a year of service time under his belt and with the expiring contract of Max Kepler looming, the Twins will need another left-handed bat as soon as next year.

It can be argued that the Twins don't need Wallner next season, they need him today. While the Twins have done an excellent job of mashing left-handed pitching (.799 OPS, 2nd in MLB), they're merely adequate against right-handed pitching (.720 OPS, 10th in MLB). Wallner's left-handed power stature could play well in the Twins lineup in the second half of the season.

Ultimately, it will boil down to the front office deciding whether Wallner is more critical than the Twins' immediate need of pitching help, both in the rotation and bullpen.

 

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[Mike Sixel]

No chance they deal him with Kepler leaving after this year. They'd need to get a controllable SP in return, and they have Festa, and two guys in AA (plus Raya, who I think is a RP). Plus Paddock for next year maybe. And Varland (who should move to RP, imo). I can't see them adding payroll, so it would have to be a cheap guy too, who is trading a cheap, good, player for Wallner?

 

[Brock Beauchamp]

Just now, Mike Sixel said:

who is trading a cheap, good, player for Wallner?

That's where I landed as well. He's not enough to get what the Twins need at the cost they need.

[Cory Engelhardt]

It's all about what comes back. Long term it's hard for me to get around his strikeout percentage. With Rodriguez and Keaschall both knocking on the doorstop, and Larnach (arguably) surpassing him, I'd be open to trading him especially if someone comes back that can help now.

[Mike Sixel]

10 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

That's where I landed as well. He's not enough to get what the Twins need at the cost they need.

I mean, if you could package him for Teel (the C from Boston's AA team, who I wanted in last year's draft, who's already good in AA, at catcher....), but you'd have to give up A LOT, I'd guess, to get him....more than Wallner.

I understand people are skeptical of Matt, but he was GREAT last year. And he's hit at every level. People here, IMO, are way too down on him. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

2 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

I understand people are skeptical of Matt, but he was GREAT last year. And he's hit at every level. People here, IMO, are way too down on him. 

I agree that Wallner is valuable, I just think in the grand scheme of things his position and defense knocks his raw offensive output down a little.

[Mike Sixel]

5 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

I agree that Wallner is valuable, I just think in the grand scheme of things his position and defense knocks his raw offensive output down a little.

His defense is under rated.....but I get most here disagree. NO ONE runs on him at all, and he was not awful out there at all....they do have Rodriguez and Larnarch and possible Keaschell on the door step also (and, Kiersey, which seems unlikely). So, he's available, possibly, but for what? Gotta be, as we both said, a cheap, good, player. 

[SF Twins Fan]

If they can get something for Wallner that helps this season or next, then the front office should absolutely consider trading him.  There are other players at AA and AAA who can come up.  Lee will likely be promoted after the futures game, which will push Castro back to the outfield. Buxton, Castro, and Larnach.  Plus Martin and Keirsey.  Add in E. Rodriguez, who will likely start next season at AAA. 

[ashbury]

40 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

That's where I landed as well. He's not enough to get what the Twins need at the cost they need.

And if he was, the Twins wouldn't even consider trading him.

If the FO has decided he's trade bait, for something more significant than minor league maybes, it will have to be in a package with other pieces.

PS, I think it's slightly hilarious that Major League Trade Rumors has a piece on retread Tony Kemp opting out from the minors, but nothing at the moment on an actual trade rumor regarding Wallner.  That site needs to change their name.

[RpR]

He is not going any where. He is a Minn. native and the Front Office does not mind having another Joey Gallo type outfielder but it would be nice if he could field as well as Gallo.

[JD-TWINS]

The batting stats issues (OPS) v. RH pitching were enriched by Wallner’s .080BA before he was sent to St Paul. 

I don’t see the Club trading a Native Minnesotan, an inexpensive guy that has decent OF play - with potential to harness his arm into a real weapon - and a whole bunch of power!

I still think Lee is the next guy up and Castro eases back into the OF. Wallner will be on the Club in September for sure….,,,sooner than that?

Not trading him.

[twinstalker]

You may suspect Wallner is valuable, but teams won't want someone who strikes out over 30% of the time in AAA.  If somebody does want that, they'll pay the going price for that, which is another flawed player with predictors that say he won't make it in MLB.

[RpR]

3 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

The batting stats issues (OPS) v. RH pitching were enriched by Wallner’s .080BA before he was sent to St Paul. 

I don’t see the Club trading a Native Minnesotan, an inexpensive guy that has decent OF play - with potential to harness his arm into a real weapon - and a whole bunch of power!

I still think Lee is the next guy up and Castro eases back into the OF. Wallner will be on the Club in September for sure….,,,sooner than that?

Not trading him.

He is an average AAA player and would get nothing but another average AAA rookie, not going any where.

[AKTwinsFan]

I say deal theilbar, kepler, farmer and possibly Vasquez. Maybe package a few for decent arms. Recall Wallner to replace kepler in OF, and lee in place of farmer/Castro at 2nd.

[HrbieFan]

8 hours ago, twinstalker said:

You may suspect Wallner is valuable, but teams won't want someone who strikes out over 30% of the time in AAA.  If somebody does want that, they'll pay the going price for that, which is another flawed player with predictors that say he won't make it in MLB.

Analytics seem to be evolving and they finally realize that high K rates are bad. Wallner has power, but he is too streaky for me. If we can get a decent/controllable SP3 and he is part of the package, do it. 

[Whitey333]

Over the past few years I've learned to take Doogies rumors with a huge grain of salt.  

[LambchoP]

Trade him if we can get an impact starting pitcher with control. We'd have to package him with a prospect or two, but if it gets us a playoff starter it'd be worth it. If we can't get that, keep him. He'll be Kepler's replacement in right field next year.

[Eris]

12 hours ago, twinstalker said:

You may suspect Wallner is valuable, but teams won't want someone who strikes out over 30% of the time in AAA

I agree with you about the K% and I dislike the fixation on power that leads teams to overlook Ks. If Wallner can produce like he did last year, his K% will not matter. Consistency of performance will matter. 

[Craig Arko]

It kinda all depends on what the offers are.

[arby58]

20 hours ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

It's all about what comes back. Long term it's hard for me to get around his strikeout percentage. With Rodriguez and Keaschall both knocking on the doorstop, and Larnach (arguably) surpassing him, I'd be open to trading him especially if someone comes back that can help now.

Well, Keaschall is an infielder, so it's not an apples to apples discussion. I assume they promote Rodriguez to AAA soon, but he's still got to show it there, and he's only 21 - expecting him to be starting in RF next year seems a year too soon.

I think previous posts make a cogent point on what could they expect back for a guy raking in AAA? Given payroll inflexibility, it is hard to see just what that might be unless money comes along with it. So who needs an outfielder? Well, the Royals are at the top  of the list, but that isn't happening.

[Cory Engelhardt]

10 minutes ago, arby58 said:

Well, Keaschall is an infielder, so it's not an apples to apples discussion. I assume they promote Rodriguez to AAA soon, but he's still got to show it there, and he's only 21 - expecting him to be starting in RF next year seems a year too soon.

I think previous posts make a cogent point on what could they expect back for a guy raking in AAA? Given payroll inflexibility, it is hard to see just what that might be unless money comes along with it. So who needs an outfielder? Well, the Royals are at the top  of the list, but that isn't happening.

Keaschall has played almost as many games in cf as he has at 1b and 2b this year fwiw. If his bat plays, I see no reason he couldn't hold down a corner outfield spot.

[cmoss84]

It would take a REALLY good return and maybe some creative thinking...like maybe for a guy such as...Jeffrey Springs? 

[Riverbrian]

We are currently not balanced properly. We have over addressed our ability to handle left handed pitching that comprise only 25% of MLB pitchers. It's working... we are ranked 2nd in OPS. We need to prioritize the 75% of pitchers who throw right handed. We need more left handed hitters who hit right handers to find the proper balance. 

Kyle Farmer is taking up a roster spot with .534 OPS against Right Handed pitchers over 66 AB's against RH. Farmer has 59 AB's vs Left Handers which is less AB's against left handers if my math is correct. 

Manual Margot is taking up a roster spot with a .476 OPS against Right Handed pitchers over 92 AB's. Margot has 76 AB's vs Left Handers. Which is also less if my math is correct.

Both Margot and Farmer have been healthy and on the roster for the month of June. In June - Margot had 56 AB's and Farmer had 32. To compare and contrast June usage... Willi Castro had 102 AB's in month of June. Under utilized guys who can't hit right handers are a waste of roster space. Replace them with left handed hitters.... Attack the 75% of pitching instead of attacking the 25%

In Elementary school we were all taught the importance of balanced diet from the 4 food groups.

The Twins are not balanced.

You are what you eat.

Keep Wallner 

[ashbury]

This kind of "rumor" is just a message planted by the FO with a friendly local scribe.  They've shopped the player and gotten two tepid offers, and want to let those two FOs know that they need to compete a little to get him. It's a pretty likely sign they've already gotten all the offers they're going to get, though.

They're not going to give him away for peanuts just to free up the 40-man spot.  They can do that well enough in the coming off-season if it comes to that.

IMO.

[Doctor Gast]

On 7/2/2024 at 3:16 PM, Mike Sixel said:

I mean, if you could package him for Teel (the C from Boston's AA team, who I wanted in last year's draft, who's already good in AA, at catcher....), but you'd have to give up A LOT, I'd guess, to get him....more than Wallner.

I understand people are skeptical of Matt, but he was GREAT last year. And he's hit at every level. People here, IMO, are way too down on him. 

I'm a big fan of Teel & we need a future catcher but this FO doesn't seem to share our priority & doubt BOS would trade a future elite catcher.

[Mike Sixel]

4 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

I'm a big fan of Teel & we need a future catcher but this FO doesn't seem to share our priority & doubt BOS would trade a future elite catcher.

No chance. Just a pipe dream type post. 

[Doctor Gast]

"It can be argued that the Twins don't need Wallner next season, they need him today. While the Twins have done an excellent job of mashing left-handed pitching (.799 OPS, 2nd in MLB), they're merely adequate against right-handed pitching (.720 OPS, 10th in MLB). Wallner's left-handed power stature could play well in the Twins lineup in the second half of the season."

We need Wallner today & in the future. He's a pretty good hitter & has straightened out what they asked. He still has a lot of potential to improve in the OF, We need him to compete for Kepler's spot next season. Right now we have a shortage of LH hitters in the MLB and an abundance of RH hitters, trade Margot,

We may need a LHRP or a high-end SP, and so is every competing team, So the only teams that'll trade such players are teams that aren't competing & they'll want prospects. I'm afraid of underselling Wallner for somebody we don't need again & block the playing time of a more deserving in-house young player again. Just to trade for trade's sake & say we did something (Whoopy-ding).

[RpR]

1 hour ago, Doctor Gast said:

"It can be argued that the Twins don't need Wallner next season, they need him today. While the Twins have done an excellent job of mashing left-handed pitching (.799 OPS, 2nd in MLB), they're merely adequate against right-handed pitching (.720 OPS, 10th in MLB). Wallner's left-handed power stature could play well in the Twins lineup in the second half of the season."

We need Wallner today & in the future. He's a pretty good hitter & has straightened out what they asked. He still has a lot of potential to improve in the OF, We need him to compete for Kepler's spot next season. Right now we have a shortage of LH hitters in the MLB and an abundance of RH hitters, trade Margot,

We may need a LHRP or a high-end SP, and so is every competing team, So the only teams that'll trade such players are teams that aren't competing & they'll want prospects. I'm afraid of underselling Wallner for somebody we don't need again & block the playing time of a more deserving in-house young player again. Just to trade for trade's sake & say we did something (Whoopy-ding).

He can improve in AAA.

[nicksaviking]

I like Waller, but the Twins are good at developing this type of player. If they can package him for high upside starting pitching, I do it. Doesn’t have to be him, but I’m not saying no if he’s what is asked for.

[MesaTwinsFan]

The Twins haven't done well with developing  outfield young player and have sold extremely low on some as in Brent Rooker Lamont Wade etc keep Wallner unless it an offer you can't refuse. The man has a Bob Allison cannon and is getting better all the time fielding bring him up to replace Farmer now PLEASE

T