Can Twins Finally Leverage Their Outfield Depth at MLB Trade Deadline?

[Chris Hove]

Image courtesy of © Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

With MLB trade rumors heating up and teams jockeying for position to align themselves as "buyers" or sellers," the Twins are in an interesting situation. In the wake of injuries to multiple members of their starting rotation, they're likely to look for pitching help, but they could also stand to beef up the middle of their batting order.

The recent injury news regarding Pablo López and Zebby Matthews opens the possibility of the Twins seeking reinforcements for a rotation they had hoped would be a source of strength and surplus. One option they could look at is trading one of their many outfielders. If you include utility man Willi Castro, the Twins' roster currently has five outfielders, and their two top prospects are also outfielders, so they are well-stocked.

The Twins have a wealth of outfield talent at both the major-league and minor-league levels. Let's take a look at which players could be included in a trade, and what type of value they would hold.

Producing Right Now: Byron Buxton, Matt Wallner, Trevor Larnach, Willi Castro
After this year, Byron Buxton has three years remaining on his seven-year deal. That contract also gives him the power to veto any trade. Yes, we have the injury history and struggles at the plate in years past, but Buxton is one of the best defensive center fielders in the game and one of the best basestealers in MLB (89.6% career success rate). His talent and potential impact make him a valuable asset, especially in center. He's also become the heartbeat of the lineup and a cornerstone in the clubhouse. He's not going anywhere.

Matt Wallner is a Minnesota native and was the only bright spot to start the season, before getting placed on the IL for over a month. He's back now, though, and holds a pretty good slash line so far in 101 plate appearances: .247/.366/.529. He should continue to demonstrate great power and could add good defensive ability in the outfield. Being under team control for four-plus more years, he more than likely isn't being dealt. He needs to stay healthy and show he can hit lefties to stay in the lineup every day.

Trevor Larnach is finally healthy and contributing some nice pop in this Twins lineup. He's on pace for a career-high 25 home runs. He’s played in 65 of 66 games. He started the Toronto series by blasting his 10th home run of the season. The Twins view him as a Matt Wallner-type player, and most likely won't be taking calls on him unless a better-than-average deal comes through.

Willi Castro is quietly having a good season. Slashing .268/.350/.439 puts him second-best on the team in slugging average for players over 150 at-bats, and second-best of his career. He holds significant matchup value as a switch-hitter. He can play six different positions. He's still only 28, and is on a team-friendly contract ($6.4 million). Even though he's a free agent this fall, I don't see the Twins trading him right now; he's too valuable to the team. If the Twins start to fade in the standings, he looks more likely to be moved for those reasons.

A Step Away: Emmanuel Rodriguez, Luke Keaschall, Austin Martin, DaShawn Keirsey Jr. Carson McCusker
Emmanuel Rodriguez is the most significant question mark I had. Twins Daily’s No. 3 Twins prospect’s health has been his greatest shortcoming throughout his career, as he has never played over 100 games in any year. He's only 22 years old and has all of the tools to be a great player. He holds a career OPS of .913. His strikeout rate is close to 30%, so he will have to improve on that. He walks enough to help out his run production. If the Twins were to pull the plug on him and trade him, it would likely be for a bigger name, which (given the Twins' recent history) feels unlikely. But you never know.

Luke Keaschall ignited the Twins' fan base earlier this year when things weren't going well. Stealing bases and hitting the ball all over the field, the rookie burst onto the scene as an intriguing prospect with significant potential upside. He's not a typical outfielder, but his ability to play both second base and the outfield is an asset the Twins covet. He's likely to return in late June or July, making him theoretically available at the trade deadline. Like Rodríguez, though, he would require a significant return. 

Austin Martin has had trouble staying healthy this year. He strained his hamstring at Triple-A St. Paul in early April, and then reaggravated it during a rehab stint in May and is currently on the 7-Day IL. He does have positional flexibility to play second base, left field, and center field. He also has above-average speed, but he's too far down on the pecking order to make an impact at this point. With the amount of depth the Twins have, Martin could benefit from a change of scenery. He does hold some value if he can prove he's healthy, which is a big if.

DaShawn Keirsey Jr. had his flashes with the Twins this year, but he was only called upon for situational reasons. He's a great baserunner and a solid fielder, but he only hit .109 in 66 plate appearances. He could be a guy included in a smaller package deal. He would need to be included in any trade with other players if the Twins wanted a frontline starter, as he's not viewed as having a lot of value.

I love Carson McCusker, but I don't know what direction the Twins are going with the 6’8” slugger. He got his feet wet a little bit, but only had six at-bats. The 27-year-old has moved through the minor leagues pretty quickly, earning an everyday outfield spot for Triple-A St Paul in his third year. He provides power, contact, a cannon for an arm, and a decent amount of on-base ability. McCusker is also viewed as a nice guy and suitable for the clubhouse, so the Twins might want to hold on to him, but like the others on this list, he seems to be the odd man out for right now. He could be dangled in trade talks for a starting pitcher, but not a premier pitcher.

Down the Road: Walker Jenkins, Brandon Winokur, Gabriel Gonzalez
Walker Jenkins is the Twins' top prospect (and No. 6 on MLB.com's list). Although he has had some injury concerns, he has recently started a rehab assignment with the GCL Twins and has since moved up to Single-A Fort Myers, where he crushed his first home run last Friday night. He's a five-tool player who hits the ball hard, draws walks, and doesn't strike out much. He can steal bases, and has excellent instincts to stick as a center fielder. Still, unless you're getting Tarik Skubal or someone of that caliber, the Twins won't be giving up on him anytime soon.

Brandon Winokur came into the pros as a shortstop, but has also played third base and now has 30 games in center field so far in High-A. He's a great athlete, with freakish potential. He’s a good baserunner, with excellent speed. His approach at the plate will need improvement, but at just 20 years old, he is a very appealing prospect, thanks to his athleticism and raw talent. He’s the type of player often traded at the trade deadline: young, talented, but still a couple of years from the major leagues. 

Gonzalez came over to the Twins in the Jorge Polanco trade in 2024. He brings good contact, with a low strikeout rate. Gonzalez has had a great start to 2025, playing 34 games at High-A Cedar Rapids before getting promoted to Double-A Wichita. Over his 49 games in those two leagues, he's slashing .312/.382/.493. He's finally healthy, and is showing the Twins what they were looking for when they traded for him. He should have value in any trade scenario, given his tender age (21) and that solid production. The Twins will have to think long and hard if they want to include him in any deals.

All of these outfielders possess different types of talent and could attract other teams willing to make a trade. McCusker and Rodriguez, as well as Keaschall, could wind up starting in an MLB lineup soon, while the others are not far behind. If the Twins need help come the second half of July, one or more of these outfielders will at least come up.

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[Mark G]

It wasn't too many years ago that I was reading regularly about our great infield depth; this year we had to sign Ty France and Kody Clemens to hold down the fort.  Recently I have read even more about the great pitching depth we have, especially starters (and I use that term loosely); we are now talking about possibly trading for pitching.  And now, we have come full circle, as several years ago we were talking about our great........wait for it.......outfield, and now we have great depth where?  

I don't besmirch the article, or Chris laying out just what kind of depth we have.  I just have to smile every time I hear about what great depth we have at certain positions; it just seems to be kind of a musical chairs type circle.  🫠. (and, yes, if someone is willing, use it to get some pitching)

[TwinsDr2021]

I started reading the article thinking it was going to be satire. The Twins have little to no outfield depth, The idea of any of the players listed as a step away are anything other than an injury fill in for a week or two is laughable. I mean if Jenkins or ERod could stay healthy, maybe. 

The Twins are like most every other team, very little major league depth and a bunch of prospects that look good and people will dream about being major league players but most will fail. Other than Jenkins and Keaschall none of these prospects are bringing anything back by themselves and will require at least one if not more other top prospects to be included. 

[dxpavelka]

27 minutes ago, Mark G said:

It wasn't too many years ago that I was reading regularly about our great infield depth; this year we had to sign Ty France and Kody Clemens to hold down the fort.  Recently I have read even more about the great pitching depth we have, especially starters (and I use that term loosely); we are now talking about possibly trading for pitching.  And now, we have come full circle, as several years ago we were talking about our great........wait for it.......outfield, and now we have great depth where?  

I don't besmirch the article, or Chris laying out just what kind of depth we have.  I just have to smile every time I hear about what great depth we have at certain positions; it just seems to be kind of a musical chairs type circle.  🫠. (and, yes, if someone is willing, use it to get some pitching)

Was thinking along those same lines.  Feels like only a few months ago we were hearing about it being a great time to trade arms for bats.  Things move fast. 

[JD-TWINS]

Most of these guys are just names on paper.

McCusker - Kiersey - Gonzalez have done nothing but bring emergency depth due to injury.

Keaschall seems to be more of an infield piece……..he’s for real and will take Bride’s roster spot at some point after All-star break.

Winokor seems to have real upside & Jenkins upside is obvious! Both are possibilities/probabilities in 2027.

Emma’s lack of contributions get masked by a nice OBP. To me, he hasn’t done much to differentiate what we’ve seen before with Eddie Julien ……..somewhat of a house of cards……. continual strikeouts & injuries really make me apprehensive to get excited about his potential with Big Club.

[TL]

Likely not during the season but in the offseason I think moving Larnach will make sense. He has become a valuable player and will have 2 more years of control at reasonable salaries, albeit at amounts the Twins may not want to pay if they have cheaper in-house options with higher ceilings. 
 

But, if Keaschall comes back strong in a few weeks it could make moving Larnach at the deadline more palatable. 

[JD-TWINS]

Wallner - Larnach - Buxton - Castro - Bader

Probably the best offensive collection of 5 guys across MLB that form an outfield!!

Buxton & Bader, while aging somewhat, are still both very, very good defensively.

These 5 guys are going nowhere.

[Eris]

Neither Wallner or Larnach are good OF.  Their future positions will be at either 1B or DH. 

[chpettit19]

I prefer the word "depth" to the phrase "log jam," I guess. But, generally speaking, there will never be a time that any team has too much of any talent on either the hitting or pitching side of things. Or at any one position. Or at any group of positions (infield or outfield). Never. Not ever. Not a single moment.

But that also shouldn't stop a team from thinking about trades, talking about trades, or making trades. There are times where teams can feel more comfortable with their "depth" than other times, but there's never a time where they say they have too much talent and need to get rid of some of it just because of the position somebody plays at that particular time and what your major league roster looks like at that particular time. It's the same thing with the draft. Draft for talent and upside. Best player available. Not what you major league team or system looks like. Because things change quickly. 

So, can the Twins "finally" leverage their outfield "depth" at the deadline? Maybe. Who knows what that depth will look like at the deadline. Will Emma be playing baseball by then? What will the Twins roster look like? Will McCusker be McCrusher? Will Jenkins be lighting AA on fire and having us calling for a AAA promotion already? Will Martin be back? And what will the Twins place in the standings look like?

As others have said, many of the guys in the minors aren't actually worth much of anything. And trading the ones who are is incredibly risky because developing your own cheap talent is the #1 key to success for every major league team (yes, even the Dodgers and Yankees). As of today, I wouldn't make any meaningful trades. This team looks like exactly what most of us thought they were. A low- to mid-80s win team. That's not a team I'm sacrificing future pieces for. And, honestly, it'd take a lot over the next month and a half to change my mind on that. And without Pablo and Zebby that's even more unlikely. The offense looks exactly like what many of us thought it was. Multiple middle of the order bats away from being consistently dangerous enough to be a real threat. 

So, sure, they could make some trades from outfield pieces throughout the organization. But that's been true forever. Jenkins and Keaschall could bring back a lot, but are likely "untouchable." Emma is in a really weird spot right now. And the rest aren't bringing back anything meaningful on their own so the question is more about their willingness to trade from other "depth" in the org. 

[rdehring]

Interesting.

Add me to the list of those that like this idea.  Should EmRod return and have a good month, would consider moving him.  Why?  Because he is injured way too much.  But would only do that if he would be part of a move bringing back a good player who has at least 2+ years control.

Would also consider Larnach.  Neither he or Wallner are good defensively.  With the season Larnach is having, just might be time to move on.  Would also free up playing time for Keaschall when he returns next month.

[terrydactyls]

As @chpettite29 said above, the Twins are probably an 80-85 win team.  I personally cannot understand why the Twins would trade anyone of significance just to get 2-3 additional wins.  This team, if they make it to postseason, won't be in it long.

[DJL44]

Bader isn't even mentioned in the article and he's been the 2nd best outfielder on the team.

[DJL44]

Gabriel Gonzalez is the guy I'd be looking to trade. He's increased his value this season. He's not going to beat out Walker Jenkins for a job.

[Fire Dan Gladden]

People pushing for a move quickly forget that Buxton is a sneeze away from a long term injury, Bader is overachieving, and Kiersey and McCusker are not trusted at this level.

Put the brakes on folks

[Jocko87]

I'd rather finally push some of the outfield depth to a long term future at first base. 

[Rod Carews Birthday]

16 minutes ago, Fire Dan Gladden said:

People pushing for a move quickly forget that Buxton is a sneeze away from a long term injury, Bader is overachieving, and Kiersey and McCusker are not trusted at this level.

Put the brakes on folks

Exactly.  Remember the “2nd base logjam”?  That certainly worked itself out quickly.

What people sometimes fail to realize is that Player X, with this flaw or that flaw that makes you not want him, isn’t going to command a tremendous value from another team that sees those same flaws.  That other team is also likely to send you Player Y, who has this flaw or that flaw that makes them not want him.  I get this is why players are packaged for big trades and that there are few one for one challenge trades, Arraez for Lopez notwithstanding.  The reality is that the players who really have tremendous value in a trade are usually on a team’s untouchable list for trades.  

[tony&rodney]

Depth and core players - these are misunderstood by me or misused by folks.

Looking quickly down the pitching and hitting stats for the Minnesota Twins, I see nearly identical statistics for two players. One is a core player, the other now in AAA and reviled by most on Twins Daily.

My own perusal of the Twins roster brings me to the conclusion the team has real depth at DH.

[MesaTwinsFan]

McCrusher could become a Brent Rooker given the chance. It would be great to see our corner outfielders with cannon arms like him and Wallner have move Larnach to first ŵith no experience he should be able to be as good or better than Mr. Slow France. Sell off France with Gonzalez throw in another mid prospect and just maybe get a back of the order starter to fill the gap til mid August when hopefully we will start to get pitchers healthy

[jorgenswest]

I think they need to add a top of the line up bat. If that bat is an outfielder there is still space for Castro, Larnach, Wallner and Buxton in the line up.

[Road trip]

I wouldn't trade any of the guys on the MLB roster unless it's a blockbuster... need them now.

Keaschall would be hard to part with, but his value may never be higher than it is today after that hot start he showed a month ago.

But EmRod?  Yeah, available for the right price.  I don't think any of the fringe guys at AAA bring back anything meaningful, but if it sweetens the pot to get the right return of course you make them available.

Of the younger guys, Gabriel Gonzalez?  Absolutely, I'll trade him for the right price.  Same really for any of them except perhaps Jenkins.

You've got to open the store if you want to find a buyer... then then they buyer has to offer the right price.

[LA Vikes Fan]

2 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

I prefer the word "depth" to the phrase "log jam," I guess. But, generally speaking, there will never be a time that any team has too much of any talent on either the hitting or pitching side of things. Or at any one position. Or at any group of positions (infield or outfield). Never. Not ever. Not a single moment.

But that also shouldn't stop a team from thinking about trades, talking about trades, or making trades. There are times where teams can feel more comfortable with their "depth" than other times, but there's never a time where they say they have too much talent and need to get rid of some of it just because of the position somebody plays at that particular time and what your major league roster looks like at that particular time. It's the same thing with the draft. Draft for talent and upside. Best player available. Not what you major league team or system looks like. Because things change quickly. 

So, can the Twins "finally" leverage their outfield "depth" at the deadline? Maybe. Who knows what that depth will look like at the deadline. Will Emma be playing baseball by then? What will the Twins roster look like? Will McCusker be McCrusher? Will Jenkins be lighting AA on fire and having us calling for a AAA promotion already? Will Martin be back? And what will the Twins place in the standings look like?

As others have said, many of the guys in the minors aren't actually worth much of anything. And trading the ones who are is incredibly risky because developing your own cheap talent is the #1 key to success for every major league team (yes, even the Dodgers and Yankees). As of today, I wouldn't make any meaningful trades. This team looks like exactly what most of us thought they were. A low- to mid-80s win team. That's not a team I'm sacrificing future pieces for. And, honestly, it'd take a lot over the next month and a half to change my mind on that. And without Pablo and Zebby that's even more unlikely. The offense looks exactly like what many of us thought it was. Multiple middle of the order bats away from being consistently dangerous enough to be a real threat. 

So, sure, they could make some trades from outfield pieces throughout the organization. But that's been true forever. Jenkins and Keaschall could bring back a lot, but are likely "untouchable." Emma is in a really weird spot right now. And the rest aren't bringing back anything meaningful on their own so the question is more about their willingness to trade from other "depth" in the org. 

I agree except that I think this is a mid to high 80s win team - 83-89. There always seems to be a desire to "do something" at the deadline to make the team better, almost regardless of cost or opportunity. Other than trading a couple of 10-20 prospects for a guy like Sandy Alcantra (probably a pipe dream), there isn't likely to be a lot of value out there to get. Besides, we need a #3 or 4 hitter and a consistent #3 or 4 starter, and could use 1 more backend reliever. Those guys are really expensive and often times don't work out like the trade for Tyler Mahle. Getting a Tommy Pham or Taylor Ward doesn't really address the batting need, and pitchers like Tyler Anderson, Merrill Kelly, Aroldis Chapman, and Jake Bird are going to cost a fortune. We just don't have the young player fortune to trade.

I see a very quiet deadline for the Twins unless we get a middle inning reliever. If we get that #3 or 4 bat for the second half it's going to be Royce Lewis and/or Luke Keaschall. If it happens, that #3 or 4 starter is going to be David Festa or Zebby Matthews, and the backend bullpen piece is going to be Louie Varland. And you know what, that's the right answer for where this team is right now. We are a solid to good team but need our young guys to take a big step forward to be a contending team. They can't step forward if they don't play.        

Let's quit looking elsewhere for the pieces we need and overpaying for slightly above average players. Let's play the guys we have and see if they are those pieces. This is the year to find that out, not the year to trade from alleged "surplus" in the hope we can go from 85 wins to 90.   

[Riverbrian]

First off... Depth is momentary. Injuries can erase that definition in a heart beat. It wasn't long ago that we were talking about our pitching depth and could we move starting pitching.

True Depth... Multiple guys who can play the game is what every team should strive for. If we got 5 guys who can play the game and right now it appears that we do... that's a good thing. 

Second off... Come trade time... Are we in contention or not in contention? If in contention we shouldn't be moving major league talent to acquire major league talent. We would move minor league talent to acquire major league talent. If not in contention... then we could move major league talent to acquire young talent. Buyers Buy and Sellers sell. 

Third off... If we do find a trading match so two team can shore up weak spots... what contending team is actually willing to trade decent pitching for decent outfielder... are our OF options actually enough to acquire a difference maker even if you found a team willing to move HEALTHY pitching.  

Buxton is probably the most tradable piece with a decent contract and his hopefully new found health could probably fetch a decent pitcher. Trading the face of the franchise is a pretty ballsy move. 

Castro is a free agent next year and would be the most likely candidate to be dealt. It would actually make sense to move him if we are not in contention. He's a two month rental... What kind of value does he break back? Can Castro be enough to actually acquire a starting pitcher with talent. I doubt it, all teams like the flexibility that he offers but how much will they pay for it. Is Castro the type of player that puts another team over the top for the stretch run that they will give up anything significant for a 2 month rental? You trade Castro if out of contention... if in contention... you utilize his flexibility abilities to mitigate this OF depth issue and that will help us get the best lineup on the field for the stretch run.   

Bader could be moved. He won't fetch a big name by himself but he's playing well enough to get thrown into the pile of other outfielders available at the trade deadline.   

Larnach and Wallner will be back next year. They have been strip mined for parts which minimizes their value to other clubs. The other 29 teams will not be giving up a truck load of talent for a player that only plays 75% of the time. If they were willing to pay a lot for them... it'll be because they feel the Twins were wrong in how they handled them the past two years. And if a team is willing to pay lot... how much would they be willing to pay if allowed to develop facing both right and left arms. We compromised those two and the other 29 teams are not going to come bail us out of that. 

 

[nicksaviking]

Depth or no depth, I don't see any logical scenario for a meaningful trade. 

Does anyone actually think the Pohlad's will take on a significant contract for the front of the rotation or the middle of the order? Because if not, then they'd have to sell the farm for a cheap and controllable established young player. And I'd find it highly unlikely that any such player would even be made available anyway.

And if they aren't looking for a middle of the order bat or front of the rotation arm, don't bother. More back-end starters and platoon bats aren't going to put this team over the hump. 

[AKTwinsFan]

I'd hate to lose any of our outfielders. We do have McCrusher though who could with other prospects bring in a veteran pitcher. 

[thelanges5]

I think I’d rather see Wallner or Larnach move to 1B in the off season to stop the carousel there. OF could be manned by Keaschall, Buck, prospect who is ready, pick up Bader’s mutual option. 
 

Would also love to see them sign or find a Nelson Cruz type to be the regular DH but I know how they like to cycle players through that spot.

[tony&rodney]

I have not seen one name included in suggestions to bring in a top pitcher or middle of the order bat. Furthermore, I cannot think of a single player available who is someone who makes a difference. I'm wondering how making a trade for a back end veteran starter or a bat to hit in the 6, 7, or 8 spots in the order is worthwhile.

[Doc Lenz]

Nothing makes sense anymore.

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Buxton's a lifer with the Twins.

Wallner and Larnach aren't untouchable and perhaps one of them could be packaged with prospects to bring back a starting pitcher that could slot in behind Ryan-Paddack-Ober...but I'd be surprised if the Twins went that route.

Castro has his flaws but his versatility is a must-have when you consider the injury histories of Buxton, Correa, and Lewis. Other than 1B and C, there's no where that Willi can't play.

Keirsey and McCusker, IYAM, are AAA+ players and if they're traded, they'll be nothing more than lottery tickets for another team and they're not moving the needle if the Twins are trying to acquire MLB ready talent. Austin Martin's close to being in the same category so not sure what value he could bring back.

Keaschall is an IF, or at least appears to be, and for now, should be untouchable.

That leaves Jenkins, Rodriguez, Gonzalez and Winokur and I'd be shocked if the Twins traded any of them this summer.

[mluebker]

A while ago it was why the Twins should trade pitching. Good thing they didn't. Now it's why the Twins should trade outfielders--current or prospects--for pitching. Good thing they didn't trade those pitchers before.

What about maybe not looking to trade anyone unless there's a really good reason or a really good deal to be had? No sense trading away someone they might need later for the sake of making a deal.

(And hey, great, now they have another surplus outfielder in a who-cares? deal for Alcala. I'm guessing that won't calm the zeal that seems to be bubbling up for making a trade, any trade.)

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, Riverbrian said:

Can Castro be enough to actually acquire a starting pitcher with talent. 

Yes, but not one above A-ball. You usually have to choose between floor and ceiling when acquiring prospects.