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

[Western SD Fan]

Seems like I remember seeing this thread before.  The year was 2022 and we were discussing all of this OF depth.  We had Buxton, Kepler, Kirilloff, Wallner, Larnach, Cave, Garlick, Nick Gordon, and Celestino.  By September 2nd, our outfield was wiped out with injuries and our starting outfielders consisted of Jake Cave, Celestino, and Kepler.  Agree with previous posters to pump the brakes at least until we are closer to the trade deadline so see if we are even in contention to make the upgrades.  I would also push back on pooing the guy that will only give us 2-3 more wins.  In a tangled AL wildcard where there are currently 9 teams within 6 games of each other, 2-3 more wins likely gets us a playoff spot.

Edited June 12, 2025 by Western SD Fan
Changed to correct the date

[Doctor Gast]

I like our OF depth. You forgot Bader on your list. He's an important part of our OF. I disagree a little with your priority. I'm open to trading from that depth. MIA is shopping Alcantra, he's still recovering from TJ. He could be had & find himself to pitch tremendously from now & into the future. I'm also for developing our own players. I think we could get by with an inning-eater for depth. But this FO doesn't like to take chances at the deadline (unless they're selling), so I don't expect anything to happen.

[Twinsrtheworst]

3 hours ago, Rod Carews Birthday said:

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.  

Yes, we are better off to fix the known flaw in our player or at least minimize it…in my opinion.

[Twinsrtheworst]

I say stay the course.  If at the trade deadline we stay afloat AND it looks like Lopez and Mathews are recovering as expected.  Then we trade prospects for a bat if there is a trade to be had.  Until then we continue to develop our pitchers like Festa and SWR.  If our depth can keep us in contention until the deadline and return of 2 SP we have a shot.  If we are out of it or Pablo and Zebby are not recovering as anticipated, there really is no reason to believe any sensible trade could save the season at that point.  Just my thoughts.

[old nurse]

Bader and Castro are the only 2 outfielders that the team control ends at the end of the season. They would be the trade for prospects players. They may be playing well enough to get a decent prospect, that is someone with an upside more than a low leverage reliever. In all of their deadline trades Duran ad Ryan have been the only 2 who have worked out. Bader and Castro continue their success, it may well lead to a trade even if the Twins are in contention for the last wildcard spot. They might actually get their third useful piece.  Yes other prospects obtained have appeared in the majors, but not as sustained success for the Twins.

If they trade from their plethora of prospects it is only because the team does not think they will be long term (the controllable years) starters.  

[gman]

I'd trade the same three guys as last winter, for the same reasons. Vasquez, Castro & Paddock. I don't think we'll resign any of them and if someone comes calling I'd trade them. I don't think that will improve this years team, but with Pablo missing up to 2 months and Ober looking iffy, I think we might as well see what we can get for them.