Minnesota Twins 2025 Trade Deadline Primer: Two Pressing Roster Needs

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of © Jordan Johnson (Lewis), Matt Krohn (France)-Imagn Images

With the All-Star break approaching and the summer heat cranking up, the Minnesota Twins find themselves once again staring down a pivotal trade deadline. Like every contending team, they’ll be forced to decide where to patch holes, where to ride internal options, and whether the upgrade is worth the prospect capital. The American League Central remains winnable, and the Twins are in the thick of it. Still, if the front office is serious about making a run in October, there are a couple of clear roster spots that demand immediate attention.

The Hot Corner Is Ice Cold
There’s no sugar-coating it because third base has been a black hole for the Twins in 2025. Minnesota ranks dead last in MLB with a -1.0 fWAR from its third basemen, and only the Milwaukee Brewers have posted a lower wRC+ at the position. It’s one thing to struggle; it’s another to have replacement-level production or worse from a premium defensive spot that should also provide some offensive punch.

This isn’t how it was supposed to go. Royce Lewis opened the spring as the clear-cut starter at third, but a hamstring injury put him on the IL to start the year. Since returning, he has been one of the team’s worst hitters, including being moved to the bottom of the batting order and even being pinch hit for in late inning situations. He’s now carrying a negative WAR total, and a demotion to Triple-A isn’t out of the question.

Brooks Lee was supposed to be the next man up, offering a polished bat and enough glove to hold down the fort. Instead, he’s found himself overmatched at the plate more often than not (76 OPS+), and like Lewis, sits below replacement level for the season (-0.1 fWAR). Rocco Baldelli continues to speak highly of Lee, and there is hope that some of his struggles are due to inexperience at the big-league level. 

The team has mixed in Jonah Bride and Willi Castro, but neither looks like more than a short-term Band-Aid. Castro’s value lies in his versatility; asking him to be an everyday third baseman is asking too much. And Bride, while competent defensively, hasn’t produced with the bat in limited action (66 OPS+).

Jose Miranda, once viewed as a long-term solution at third base, hasn’t made a case for a call-up either. He’s posted a .636 OPS at Triple-A and continues to look lost against anything with spin or velocity. That ship, at least for the time being, appears to have sailed.

If the Twins are serious about winning the division and advancing beyond a token playoff appearance, they’ll need to upgrade at third. It’s not just about getting league-average production. It’s about stopping the bleeding.

Options at Third Base
So, who’s out there? Luis Urias is an intriguing option at third base and is a pending free agent for the A’s, who are expected to be sellers. He has posted a 115 OPS+ this season and has some defensive flexibility. Miguel Andujar is another A’s third baseman who could be a trade target. He has a 106 OPS+ and can play corner infield and outfield. Arizona’s Eugenio Suárez might be the biggest named third baseman traded at the deadline. The Diamondbacks are under .500, and he is a pending free agent. Suárez has 16 home runs and a 124 OPS+. These aren’t sexy names, but the bar is so low for the Twins at third base that even modest production could represent a massive upgrade.

Ty France and the First Base Dilemma
First base isn’t quite the mess that third is, but it’s trending the wrong direction. The Twins brought in Ty France, hoping he could be a stabilizing veteran bat at the back end of the batting order. So far, he’s been anything but

France has posted a 97 OPS+, meaning he’s below league average offensively and at a position where above-average offense is a requirement, not a luxury. Minnesota’s overall first base production sits at a 103 wRC+, good for 16th in MLB. That’s dead average, and average doesn’t cut it when you’re getting replacement-level work at third.

What complicates the France situation is that, on paper, he appears to be producing. He ranks near the top of the team in RBI, but that’s more a function of hitting with runners in scoring position than actual offensive dominance. His underlying production, including exit velocity (36th percentile), barrel rate (47th percentile), and walk rate (10th percentile), all indicate a player who is no longer a middle-of-the-order threat.

Options at First Base 
So, what do the Twins do? Josh Naylor is a familiar name to Twins fans after playing the last three seasons in Cleveland. He is a pending free agent for Arizona and has posted a 103 OPS+. However, his $10.9 million contract might be tough for the Twins to absorb, even though they would only be on the hook for a portion of that total. Other potential first-base options look bleak. But with third base being such a clear area of need, first base might be more of a “nice to upgrade” rather than a “must fix” situation unless the right opportunity presents itself.

What’s the Priority?
There’s no question: third base is Priority No. 1. The production there is actively hurting the team, not just failing to contribute. With no internal solution stepping forward, Derek Falvey and Jeremy Zoll will need to act. The key will be identifying a buy-low veteran or controllable bat who can provide stability and league-average offense. That alone would represent a sizable upgrade over the current crop of sub-replacement contributors.

With the division race tight and the margin for error shrinking, the Twins can’t afford to let the trade deadline pass without action. They’ve built a strong enough foundation to compete, but it’s time to shore up the weak spots. And it all starts at third base.

 

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[GNess]

The Twins need to demonstrate some patience. Yes, Lee is going through some growing pains and Lewis has been horrific at the plate. However, these two were blue chip prospects and have flashed considerable and unmistakeable talent. There is a good chance one or both get on track.

France has been pretty good, maybe better than many expected, but agreed the typical set up at 1B requires more offense and some power. Might not Keaschall be a potential solution to adding some punch at 1B or to the line up in general when he returns in a few weeks? 

This is not to say if a possible deal to upgrade the offense emerges the Twins shouldn't act. Just let's give this some more time before potentially jettisoning two (Lee and Lewis) out of the equation.

[Melissa]

I may need eyeglasses to see at all clearly, but the Ty France I see on my tablet watching Twins games is well worth keeping around. His defense has been solid, and his hitting in key situations is quite a bit above his usual average. I wouldn't rely on the paper stats to look for a replacement. 

Third base -- another situation altogether. Maybe when Keaschall is back, he and Lee can trade off 2nd and 3d? With Willi at 2nd some of the time, too?

[jorgenswest]

I don’t see the need at third base and don’t think I would trade assets for a third baseman. I do see really poor bats thus far from Lewis and Miranda but the first two months of the season is not a great projector of the next two months. Besides Miranda and Lewis they have Castro, Lee, Clemens and Bride.

I would frame the need is a bat for the middle of the line up regardless of position. That bat may come from within. I think the two positions that are the thinnest are catcher and outfield. If I prioritized where I would get the bat it would be outfield. Someone like Jaren Duran would really be helpful. There is plenty of space in the line up to use Buxton, Duran, Wallner and Larnach when they are all healthy. 

 

[Cory Engelhardt]

It'll be good to get Keaschall back before the deadline too. That arguably will fill one of the spots lists assuming health otherwise.

I think someone who can play 1b/3b/dh or some combo of two of those should be easy enough to acquire otherwise.

[Jocko87]

Called it yesterday, getting Royce right is just like making a trade! 

[LA Vikes Fan]

I agree a middle of the order bat is an important upgrade, but I think you have the positions reversed and are calling for action a little too soon. I think the biggest place to upgrade is at 1B. France is pretty average and there do appear to be available upgrades in the rental market like Ryan O'Hern and Josh Naylor. Both of them should be available for prospects outside of our top 10 and both can help the middle of the order pretty dramatically.

I think it is too early to say that upgrading 3B is the number one priority. We need to let the next 4 to 6 weeks play out and see if Lewis can rediscover his form. I agree that Lee is not the answer since I think he is a serviceable hitter at the MLB level at best, a .675-.725 OPS type with no speed to help him raise that number, and it is very unclear whether he will ever be anything more. His defense and defensive versatility makes him valuable but more as an average to below average hitting 2B with a good glove or a solid utility player to augment Castro this year and replace him next year rather than a starter at a bat first position like 3B.

The other thing to keep in mind is that hopefully Luke Keashall will be back after the ASB. While we've only seen a small sample size, he was terrific. 85 – 90% of what we saw would be a huge upgrade at the front of the order and help the middle by moving Buxton or Larnach back a spot.  He is going to need a place to play every day and I don't think we want an every day DH. He could and should be the every day 2B or 1B (I am assuming he can't play 3B after the TJ surgery). He may be the replacement for Ty France with a combination of Lee, Castro, and Clemens playing 2B. 

Bottom line, I think Lewis is playing for his 2025 job in the next 4-6 weeks. He is the preferred solution at 3B, with Lee perhaps an alternative if he can improve his hitting. I would like to see a post ASB lineup that has Keaschall at 1B, 2B or DH pretty much every day with Lewis at 3B hitting even at a .750 OPS rate starting today, O'Hern or Naylor at 1B if not Keaschall, and Castro, Lee, and Clemens on the bench each playing 3 days a week. That means Bride is elsewhere, and France probably traded for a prospect.  Frankly, I'm fine with not picking up a new 1B if the cost is too high and France can hit at a consistent .725 OPS level. 

[DJL44]

They have spent so much effort on finding RH bats that finding a lefthanded power hitter for the infield could be useful. France could stick around to platoon and pinch hit. Kody Clemens has been pretty awesome this month, but his career split is just a 666 OPS vs RHP.

[mickster]

1 hour ago, jorgenswest said:

I don’t see the need at third base and don’t think I would trade assets for a third baseman. I do see really poor bats thus far from Lewis and Miranda but the first two months of the season is not a great projector of the next two months. Besides Miranda and Lewis they have Castro, Lee, Clemens and Bride.

I would frame the need is a bat for the middle of the line up regardless of position. That bat may come from within. I think the two positions that are the thinnest are catcher and outfield. If I prioritized where I would get the bat it would be outfield. Someone like Jaren Duran would really be helpful. There is plenty of space in the line up to use Buxton, Duran, Wallner and Larnach when they are all healthy. 

 

Miranda is a lost cause in my opinion.   I would love Duran, but what are you going to give up to get him?   I wouldn't give up any young arm, so then you are looking at a young position player............if they would take Lee or Lewis for him I think it is an upgrade.

[jorgenswest]

11 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

They have spent so much effort on finding RH bats that finding a lefthanded power hitter for the infield could be useful. France could stick around to platoon and pinch hit. Kody Clemens has been pretty awesome this month, but his career split is just a 666 OPS vs RHP.

Agree on the left handed bat. A left handed outfield bat works for me too. It is easier to find left handed bats in the outfield (or 1B) since they can throw left handed at those positions. I have no concerns at all if they have three good left handed bats in the outfield in addition to Buxton. It wasn’t to long ago that the starting outfield was Castro, Bader and McCusker followed soon by Kiersey, Clemens and Castro. 

[arby58]

1 hour ago, jorgenswest said:

ISomeone like Jaren Duran would really be helpful. There is plenty of space in the line up to use Buxton, Duran, Wallner and Larnach when they are all healthy. 

It'd take A LOT to acquire Duran. One trade rumor was the Guardians giving up elite relief pitcher Cade Smith and two top prospects - ranked 3rd and 6th best Guardian prospects by MLB. That would be the equivalent of somewhere between Jax and Duran and prospects like Keaschall or Emma Rodriguez and Marco Raya or Connor Prielipp. Given team control, Boston probably is the one who said ' need more' on the Guardians deal.

San Diego has also been mentioned, as have the Mets.

[arby58]

1 minute ago, mickster said:

Miranda is a lost cause in my opinion.   I would love Duran, but what are you going to give up to get him?   I wouldn't give up any young arm, so then you are looking at a young position player............if they would take Lee or Lewis for him I think it is an upgrade.

There is no way Boston will give up Duran for either Lewis or Lee - or even both. From the speculation on other websites, they have already gotten far better offers.

[jorgenswest]

8 minutes ago, arby58 said:

It'd take A LOT to acquire Duran. One trade rumor was the Guardians giving up elite relief pitcher Cade Smith and two top prospects - ranked 3rd and 6th best Guardian prospects by MLB. That would be the equivalent of somewhere between Jax and Duran and prospects like Keaschall or Emma Rodriguez and Marco Raya or Connor Prielipp. Given team control, Boston probably is the one who said ' need more' on the Guardians deal.

San Diego has also been mentioned, as have the Mets.

I am willing to give up a lot in prospect capital. Alternatively I would do little. Either go big and try to be a contender or stay with the current roster and hope to get in as a wild card.

They have some critical elements for a successful playoff with their pitchers. They need another top of the line up bat. That won’t be cheap.

[Doctor Gast]

If we look at what's on paper, IMO, we get in trouble. Royce will turn things around & he adds so many intangibles that we'll lose out on if we move on from him. I don't care how many HRs France doesn't hit. If he keeps on hitting in the clutch, we'll win games.

Our greatest need is a promising young MLB-ready catcher. We've been very fortunate these last 2 1/3 years without having any injuries there (we'd be in serious trouble if we had). Jeffers will peter out again in the 2nd half & we need a Vazquez replacement.

[Road trip]

3B is troublesome, but I don't know that it demands a trade this month, especially considering the candidates are marginal improvements with a low ceiling (Urias) or crazy expensive (Suarez, 15 million).

Keep trotting Lee and Lewis out there.  If both of them continue to flounder just stick Castro there most of the time.  Castro soon won't be needed at 2b at all (Clemens and Keaschell by July), and I'm perfectly comfortable giving most corner outfield starts to Wallner, Larnach, and Bader.

Of course, someone(s) will get hurt and render all of this planning pointless... I am a bit concerned about lack of hitting depth at AAA.  ERod is hurt again, and the Twins apparently think McCusker is a mirage and not worthy of a real try out.

[mickster]

13 minutes ago, arby58 said:

There is no way Boston will give up Duran for either Lewis or Lee - or even both. From the speculation on other websites, they have already gotten far better offers.

agreed, not alone - the price is high for him.   Lewis or Lee would be the major league talent sent, but the sure volume of prospects on this one isn't a price to pay right now.

[mnfireman]

France passes the eye test. Offensively he's on pace to meet or exceed everything Santana did last year (except HR's) and defensively he rates out highly by OAA, runs prevented and all the other metrics. 

[Patzky]

7 minutes ago, mnfireman said:

France passes the eye test. Offensively he's on pace to meet or exceed everything Santana did last year (except HR's) and defensively he rates out highly by OAA, runs prevented and all the other metrics. 

Agree. Now that Paddack isn't going anywhere they want to push France out the door.

[terrydactyls]

1 hour ago, Doctor Gast said:

Our greatest need is a promising young MLB-ready catcher. We've been very fortunate these last 2 1/3 years without having any injuries there (we'd be in serious trouble if we had). Jeffers will peter out again in the 2nd half & we need a Vazquez replacement.

Do you keep this paragraph saved in a Word file so you can copy and paste it into every reply you make?

[Eris]

How to manage the Royce Lewis 3B situation is problematic. Baring a season ending trip to the IL, bringing in an additional 3B likely facilitates a divorce. Also, a return to the earlier version of Lewis is better than most available external options. 
 

A fellow TD member mentioned that Alex Bregman might be available. If so, he is likely the best option. At $40 million/ year he is not likely for the Twins and his opt out after this season complicates trade discussions. 

[Exiled in Illinois]

The Twins are not going to trade for an everyday postion player, at any postion.  Third base will be Lewis, Lee, Castro, Bride.  We'll cycle people through there until someone catches fire, if nobody does, we'll all talk about getting a third baseman as we watch a Twins-less playoffs.

France is our first baseman, if he goes down, dont know what the heck we'll do.  If one of our catchers go down, I don't know what the heck we'll do.  More early off season fodder to talk about.  I do think we need to have better long term solutions at catcher and first base, just don't see us solving these problem spots via trade during this season.

[DJL44]

35 minutes ago, Exiled in Illinois said:

France is our first baseman, if he goes down, dont know what the heck we'll do.  If one of our catchers go down, I don't know what the heck we'll do.  More early off season fodder to talk about.  I do think we need to have better long term solutions at catcher and first base, just don't see us solving these problem spots via trade during this season.

Carlos Santana and Ty France are proof enough that it isn't hard to find a veteran free agent 1B every offseason.

Christian Vazquez is proof that it's nearly impossible to find a veteran free agent catcher worth a darn and you'll probably pay a premium to get not much additional value.

[William K Johnson]

I still think that Trevor Larnac needs to learn how to play first base.

[Doctor Gast]

1 hour ago, terrydactyls said:

Do you keep this paragraph saved in a Word file so you can copy and paste it into every reply you make?

It doesn't make it less true. I'll keep on until something is done. If they don't, I'll give up

[Blyleven2011]

Every likely contender,  that's kind of generous on the twins ...

The twins are beating up on teams with poorer pitching and  they should beat up on , against good pitchers and teams they struggle to get more than 3 hits , yes occasionally they win against better teams ...

At the end of June we will know what the twins identity will be , either bad like the first month or like the numbers they had in May,  June we are off to a good start against the Athletics  ...

When I see more consistency from our players , then I will join the contenders list   ( that consistency needs to come from the hitters ) ...

We saw the terrible last 2 months of 2024 and the terrible start in March and April , we've seen the good month of May  , will it continue,  sorry ill let you know at end of June how serious this team will towards being a contender , wins don't just matter , it's how consistently you play the game that makes you a contender  ...

[RpR]

3 hours ago, mnfireman said:

France passes the eye test. Offensively he's on pace to meet or exceed everything Santana did last year (except HR's) and defensively he rates out highly by OAA, runs prevented and all the other metrics. 

France is just fine at `1st base, any negative on him is analytic bollocks that has little to do with reality.

Lee is good at Third, any problem is imaginary, except starting Lewis at 3rd.

[Major League Ready]

4 hours ago, mickster said:

Miranda is a lost cause in my opinion.   I would love Duran, but what are you going to give up to get him?   I wouldn't give up any young arm, so then you are looking at a young position player............if they would take Lee or Lewis for him I think it is an upgrade.

I was thinking the same thing a couple weeks ago.  He has risen from the ashes before so I would not be certain about Miranda.  He has struck out once in his last 50 ABs, has a 306 BA and 860 OPS.    I think he still has a mountain to climb but I would not bet the ranch against him.

[Brandon]

Looking at options We have 4 OF Wallner, Buxton Larnarch and Bader so 1 can DH if need be.

In the IF We have Clemens and Castro for 2B and one of them can play 3rd for a stretch and Keaschal can play 1B.  Lewis can get demoted and see if he can get back on track.  We also have E Rod getting close to being ready for a promotion.  So its not like the team doesnt have options.  but I would be happier if we had a better bat to add to the lineup.  Someone to take time away from France and maybe play some at 3rd as well.  but I dont know if it will be necessary once we get Keaschal back and if Lewis can rebound.  The key is if Clemens can continue to hit.  His bat came out of know where and saved the team.  He has been what Lewis is supposed to be for the team.  

[Blyleven2011]

1 hour ago, Doctor Gast said:

It doesn't make it less true. I'll keep on until something is done. If they don't, I'll give up

Never , never give up , we have to find a Johnny bench sometime somewhere , it's got to happen...

[karcherd]

They need to let Lee and Lewis play every day at 2B and 3B respectively.  These players need to be developed and if they don't have the patience to let them, they need to acquire a clear upgrade not somebody like Urias.  Clemens had a nice couple of weeks, but no contending team is going to count on him to be an every day player.  His defense has been better than I expected but he is not an every day player.  I am not sure why we are so quick to write off Lewis and Lee, it is the same story with every young player they bring up.  If they don't hit .350 with an OPS over 1.000 for two years, they will be deemed not to be worth keeping.  The Twins need to determine who they want and let them play and develop and if they don't then move on.  Stop with the stringent analytic decisions and let them play.  Waller is out of the lineup again tonight, two days off in a row after being called up, let him play.