Feinsand: Trade Candidates Whose Stock Is Rising (And One That Fits The Twins)

[Brock Beauchamp]

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com wrote up a list of trade deadline candidates whose stock is rising.

He only lists one candidate as a potential fit for the Twins and it's an intriguing one: Jesse Winker.

Winker, once a promising rising star with Cincinnati, fell upon hard times in 2022 after joining the Seattle Mariners. He was later traded to the Milwaukee Brewers and had an even worse season in 2023. He signed with the Nationals hoping for a rebound season and he has accomplished exactly that: a 134 OPS+ on the back of a .263/.377/.425 triple-slash line.

Winker, a left-handed outfielder (who is better positioned as a designated hitter, frankly), would slot nicely into the Twins lineup, which is elite against left-handed pitching while slightly above-average against right-handed pitching.

Hit the link above to check out the rest of Feinsand's list.

View full rumor

[FlyingFinn]

I really don't think we're going to trade for Winker when we have Wallner and Keirsey hitting well in AAA and Julien working his way back (Castro would move to the OF). All can bat LH with Castro a switch hitter, of course.

[Doctor Gast]

I really don't think we need to buy another LHH cOF bat.

[Mike Sixel]

22 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

I really don't think we need to buy another LHH cOF bat.

Agreed. 

[Vanimal46]

Could be a buy and sell situation. Sell Kepler, buy Winker. I would be good with that. 

[LambchoP]

I don't think we need any more position players. Our guys are hitting great and we have solid hitters in AAA ready to go. What we need is pitching. Both a starter and one or two relievers. With Stewart and Topa going on a rehab assignment next week, we probably won't buy too much. I'm hoping for at the very least a solid lefty for our pen.

[nicksaviking]

Raise the ceiling, not the floor. This sounds like a trade just for the sake of making a trade.

[LA Vikes Fan]

This initial sounded interesting until I tried to figure out where and how Winker would play. after looking at things, I wouldn't do it because I'd rather have the DH ABs for the one of the Miranda, Lee, Santana and Lewis group or your only playing 2 of the 4 with Castro at 2B. Even worse, to play all 4 of those guys you have to take up 2B, 1B, 3B, and DH, and that means moving Castro to LF so there still isn't a place for Winker, Larnach doesn't play, and all the AAA guys have no place to go. I just don't see how Winker fits unless there's serious injury. 

Now, if Larnach or Kepler gets traded, then things get much more interesting. I don't see that happening though. 

[Doctor Wu]

Interesting idea, and like you said he certainly has rebounded this season, but I don't see this as a big need for the Twins this season. As others have noted, we already have enough bats, from both sides, plus the recent addition of Brooks Lee, so adding another bat should not be a priority. But another bullpen arm might be nice. 

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

I don't see Winker happening but overall, I really hope the Pohlad's do something to help this team. The door is cracked open in the AL right now. The Yankees are scuffling and have become more risk adverse when it comes to adding at the trade deadline. Baltimore looks legit but they're young and unless they make a trade for a top-line starter, their rotation is beatable. I've made my thoughts known on Cleveland. And the Twins have shown they can beat Seattle and/or Houston. If Pablo rediscovers his form, and if the line-up stays healthy, this team has a chance. Up to ownership to help increase those odds and add to the roster.

[Chris Spencer]

If its not a quality starting pitcher, they should just stand pat and keep all of our prospects. 

[thelanges5]

Everybody needs pitching so it will be expensive. That being said let’s try to get some pitching.