Let's Go Trade Deadline Shopping For The Twins: American League Sellers

[Matthew Lenz]

While we are still about a month and a half away from the trade deadline, it's starting to get late early for some teams across Major League Baseball. With the trade deadline set for July 31, we are roughly a month away from the hot stove reaching its inferno. However, there are a handful of teams that we can pretty confidently say are going to be sellers around the deadline. Who are they, what do they have to offer, and how could the Minnesota Twins benefit? Let's dive in.

Chicago White Sox
The White Sox are 12 games below .500 and 13 games out of the playoff spot. They acknowledged a multi-year rebuild over the off-season, so it shouldn't be surprising that they are sellers once again. Potential rentals include outfielders Michael A. Taylor and Austin Slater as well as recently acquired starter Aaron Civale. Otherwise, intriguing players who are controlled beyond 2025 include infielder Josh Rojas and outfielder Mike Tauchman. However, it’s more realistic that teams aggressively kick the tires on outfielder Luis Robert Jr., who has been the subject of trade speculation for a while now. Robert Jr. signed a pre-arbitration extension that included $20 million in team options for 2026 and 2027, which can be bought out for $2 million. Once a top prospect in baseball, the 28-year-old has had a hard time staying healthy throughout his career and has struggled at the plate over the last two seasons.

Athletics
The Athletics are in a free fall ever since they started their season 22-20. In their last 28 games they have just four wins. While they are a young team with some exciting talent, they're obviously not ready yet and have a handful of rentals that teams could kick the tires on. Most notably are utility players Miguel Andujar and Luis Urias who have both produced above average at the plate this season. Third baseman Gio Urshela is more than two years removed from his last productive season and has a mediocre glove at the hot corner, but could be an intriguing option to handle the short side of a platoon. On the mound, Jose Leclerc and T.J. McFarland are two potential reliever rentals, though Leclerc has been sidelined with a lat strain since April and McFarland has been plain bad. It seems likely that at least one of Andujar, Urias, or Urshela are traded ahead of the deadline.

Baltimore Orioles
Injuries aside, it's still pretty shocking to see the Orioles struggling this much. After winning 91 games and earning a playoff berth in 2024, they are currently 13 games below .500 and 8.5 games out of a playoff spot. The difference here is that the Orioles are not in the midst of a rebuild, so it's likely they limit their moves to players on expiring deals. Those names include: pitchers Zach Eflin, Charlie Morton, Tomoyuki Sugano, and Gregory Soto as well as outfielder Cedric Mullins. Of those players, Eflin, Sugano, and Soro are having successful seasons on the mound and will draw significant trade interest. However, two names that have been the subject of trade rumors but are controllable beyond 2025 are first baseman Ryan Mountcastle and outfielder Heston Kjerstad. Mountcastle, who will miss the next 8-12 weeks with a hamstring strain, is having a down year with a .628 OPS and two home runs. Kjerstad, who was recently optioned to Triple-A Norfolk, has also struggled this season but has often found himself as the odd man out of a stacked group of young talent.

Twins Needs
Like the last few seasons, the offense has been inconsistent which would explain the Twins peaks and valleys as a team. Generally speaking, they don’t have one specific weakness but could benefit from an improvement in their lineup. However, it's hard to see where that might happen. Twins third baseman have one of the lowest OPS’ of any team’s third baseman in baseball, but they're surely not taking Royce Lewis out of the lineup. They don't have a solid answer at second base, but that position has produced the ninth highest OPS in baseball. Catcher has been a bit of a black hole but it's hard to see them bringing in someone without dealing one of Jeffers or Vazquez (and who's trading for one of them?). That leaves designated hitter, but the Twins roster construction isn't built for a full-time DH. They need to improve their offense but I don't see how that happens without dealing one of their regular offensive contributors. On the other side of the ball, if this were two weeks ago, the Twins would have been potentially looking to flip a starter for a hitter. Now, the Twins are one injury away from (such as a Bailey Ober hip issue) from being in a very, very bad spot. All of that said and we haven't even broached the topic of money.

Ultimately, money will be the reason why the Twins are (once again) quiet at the trade deadline. Not only that, but they'll have the built in excuse of Pablo López returning from injury. Could they benefit from Zach Eflin or Miguel Andujar? I think so, but we all know how this plays out.

How do you think the Twins will handle the trade deadline? Join the conversation in the comments!

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[Patzky]

But.. surely they are taking Royce Lewis out of the lineup. :( 😕 

[NYCTK]

Should probably be talking about selling instead. This team isn't a piece or two from being a contender. But they do have a lot of pieces that could be moved:

Duran 

Coulombe

Bader 

Paddack 

Topa 

Larnach 

Stewart 

France 

Castro 

Vazquez 

I'm way more intrigued by doing a small reset, largely with the bullpen, building up the system a little bit, and trying again next season (with a new owner?!). 

In reality, they'll likely trade for some Lane Thomas type of OF, call it a day, and then act surprised that 82 wins wasn't enough to make the playoffs. 

 

[Fire Dan Gladden]

I think the SP injuries, along with the continued lack of consistent production at the plate, will turn this  team into sellers by the deadline.

I had always said that the Twins shouldn't trade any of the Lopez, Ober, Ryan, Buxton, Correa, and Lewis group. I would be close to taking Lewis off that list and adding Jeffers. Not that Jeffers is a world-beater, but solid catchers are not as easy to come by. Everyone else can be had for the right price (including Wallner, Jax, and Duran) 

Any move the Twins make, buy or sell, will be (at best) a salary-neutral move. Expect more picking over of the DFA list.

[thelanges5]

Twins definitely looking like sellers right now. What a weird team. Likely not as bad as they are playing right now and not as good as they were during the win streak. This season has played out exactly like 2024 only the collapse has happened much sooner. 
 

Long list of names to sell in the previous post. Not much to feel good about right now. 

[Eris]

7 minutes ago, thelanges5 said:

Not much to feel good about right now. 

The Twins are only 9 games out of 1st place in the division and are 1/2 games up in the wild card standings. It wasn’t that long ago that the Yankees preferred the wild card position because it provided a more favorable matchup in the playoffs. 

[CRF]

I don't think we're gonna be buyers.

[Doctor Gast]

I have really liked our core. But like always, the Twins look at their WAR & OPS on their spreadsheets & say we need big bats. While we were w/o Wallner & Keaschall & Lewis, Correa & Castro hadn't kicked in yet & Julien was sent down to AAA. We put together a 13-game winning streak by pitching, defense, aggressive baserunning, clutch hitting & chemistry that even when they were behind, we knew we were going to win the game. We have to figure it out & regain that. Even if it means finding another identity.

OF from the beginning was strong defensively with Buxton, Bader, Keirsey & Castro plus Wallner & Larnach's bats. INF has been fragile & was terrible when Julien was at 2B, hopefully it can be managed internally. Pitching has been our forte, but pitching is fragile when not properly managed. I was concerned with the amount of innings that Festa (early fatigue arm), Matthews, Simms, & Paddack (arm history) would be able to pitch. I strongly advocated for incorporating long relief even before spring training to save the rotation & BP. The only attempt of long relief was wrongly extending Alcala to 2 innings. I was hoping for more innings from Lopez, but he has become our 1st casualty. Things can & is starting to unravel with Matthews & maybe Ober going on the IL. Plus poor performance from Paddack. We need to incorporate some form of long relief as soon as possible & IMO we need another SP as soon as possible if we want to compete. 

Vazquez has been a pretty good defensive catcher & he has come through with some key hits. Jeffers is a very good-hitting catcher & can be solid defensively but he doesn't have the stamina to catch as much as the Twins want w/o wearing down. IMO, it's a big concern & what if either one gets hurt? We're cooked. I'd love for Jeffers to sign a reasonable extension but I'm not sure that'll happen & Vazquez, his contract is up next season. Our catching situation is totally up in the air with no MLB-ready catcher cemented on the roster, unless they string Jeffers along another year w/o an extension. I have seen this problem a mile away but the Twins fail to address the problem. (I don't consider getting a bunch of fringe AAA catchers to see if one sticks), I'd prefer for them to seriously address this problem sooner but better late than never.

I projected at the beginning of the year that if they don't do anything to solve these problems, they won't be in the postseason. They haven't & it's getting late very quickly.

[tony&rodney]

The Twins have 6-7 players for the DH spot and Miguel anduhar may be available?

Falvey already has the team he wants .... stand pat.

[Otaknam]

From a 13 ga,me winning streak to what looks lopike another free fall, similar to the last 41 games last year. The pitching has blown up, two starters out, Lewis injured AGAIN, and below average offense. If things don’t improve fast, I think they are sellers and need to admit a rebuild is coming. Larnach, France, Bader, Vasquez, Paddock, and any bullpen arms could be on the block. Even the high leverage arms like Duran, Jax, Sands, and Stewart could be considered for the right price. 

[DJL44]

35 minutes ago, Eris said:

The Twins are only 9 games out of 1st place in the division and are 1/2 games up in the wild card standings. It wasn’t that long ago that the Yankees preferred the wild card position because it provided a more favorable matchup in the playoffs. 

"only 9 games out of 1st place" is a lot of games out of 1st place.

I think there is merit to dealing this year and pushing chips in on next year. My list wouldn't be as long as the list above (keep Larnach and Duran) but I'd be open to selling if the team is .500 at the deadline. If they slip below .500 again, it's a clear sell. You can't count on another 13 game win streak.

It's a difficult decision. This team has been streaky as hell so you can't rule out a win streak in October.

[TheLeviathan]

I was in the buying camp but that was when we had a full rotation.

I think selling on Vazquez, Paddock, Castro, and France makes sense.  Then see what Correa can fetch you too.

[NYCTK]

12 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

"only 9 games out of 1st place" is a lot of games out of 1st place.

I think there is merit to dealing this year and pushing chips in on next year. My list wouldn't be as long as the list above (keep Larnach and Duran) but I'd be open to selling if the team is .500 at the deadline. If they slip below .500 again, it's a clear sell. You can't count on another 13 game win streak.

It's a difficult decision. This team has been streaky as hell so you can't rule out a win streak in October.

I don't think it's necessary to trade Duran. But I think considering he's due 7.5 million or more next season, and looking at what the Marlins received in exchange for Tanner Scott — especially in comparison to what the Brewers received for Devin Williams — I think exploring his trade market would be very wise. 

Larnach is just one of those fringe players I don't really like. Terrible defense. Bad baserunner. Decent but unremarkable hitter. Can't hit lefties. Due basically market rate next season. But we also have a fairly decent comp from last trade deadline in Jesse Winker who returned a mediocre AA SP prospect. Meh. 

[LambchoP]

Unless we somehow go on a winning streak before the deadline, I expect the team to do a bit of both. Probably look to sell on guys that have expiring contracts while at the same time, see if we can pick up some major league talent for next year. That's what they should do, but we all know they'll probably pick up a waiver wire arm and call it a day, citing all the "returning talent" as just as good as a trade lol. This team has no fight at all, and you can't really blame them when it all starts with ownership looking to do the bare minimum on a bare minimum budget.

[Vanimal46]

2 hours ago, NYCTK said:

Should probably be talking about selling instead. This team isn't a piece or two from being a contender. But they do have a lot of pieces that could be moved:

Duran 

Coulombe

Bader 

Paddack 

Topa 

Larnach 

Stewart 

France 

Castro 

Vazquez 

I'm way more intrigued by doing a small reset, largely with the bullpen, building up the system a little bit, and trying again next season (with a new owner?!). 

In reality, they'll likely trade for some Lane Thomas type of OF, call it a day, and then act surprised that 82 wins wasn't enough to make the playoffs. 

 

I’m right there with you. The $10 million question is do we want Falvey to make these trades? For all we know he is out when a new owner is announced. I have my doubts… and it appears he has some doubts as well since he hasn’t tried any ground breaking trade in 3 years. 

[NYCTK]

24 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

I’m right there with you. The $10 million question is do we want Falvey to make these trades? For all we know he is out when a new owner is announced. I have my doubts… and it appears he has some doubts as well since he hasn’t tried any ground breaking trade in 3 years. 

As a seller there's only a limited amount of damage you can possibly do. 

[AKTwinsFan]

We should be talking about the poor move of trading Alcala for nothing. Yes he's struggled but who hasn't besides Duran, France, Buxton, Larnach and Castro this season. It's time to clean house and rebuild around some pitching depth.

[Mike Sixel]

30 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

I’m right there with you. The $10 million question is do we want Falvey to make these trades? For all we know he is out when a new owner is announced. I have my doubts… and it appears he has some doubts as well since he hasn’t tried any ground breaking trade in 3 years. 

I'm guessing it's not doubts, but constraints. Also, other than first and maybe catcher, who are you replacing before the year starts the last two years? 

I wouldn't be buyers this year. And they likely won't be. But they'll be sick in the same position next year, wondering if Royce is healthy, and Buxton, and CC, and looking for a first baseman and catcher. It's a vicious cycle right now.

 

[Mike Sixel]

2 minutes ago, AKTwinsFan said:

We should be talking about the poor move of trading Alcala for nothing. Yes he's struggled but who hasn't besides Duran, France, Buxton, Larnach and Castro this season. It's time to clean house and rebuild around some pitching depth.

It was time to move on. Getting anything was amazing. 

[AKTwinsFan]

Man your telling me we can make a trade for not even a top 20 Sox system for a 100mph reliever. But we can't make a trade for Civale from the brewers but the bum White Sox can? 

[RpR]

1 hour ago, Otaknam said:

From a 13 ga,me winning streak to what looks lopike another free fall, similar to the last 41 games last year. The pitching has blown up, two starters out, Lewis injured AGAIN, and below average offense. If things don’t improve fast, I think they are sellers and need to admit a rebuild is coming. Larnach, France, Bader, Vasquez, Paddock, and any bullpen arms could be on the block. Even the high leverage arms like Duran, Jax, Sands, and Stewart could be considered for the right price. 

IF they lose France and Bader they will look like the Colorado Rockies and not just this year.

[Mike Sixel]

2 minutes ago, AKTwinsFan said:

Man your telling me we can make a trade for not even a top 20 Sox system for a 100mph reliever. But we can't make a trade for Civale from the brewers but the bum White Sox can? 

Or they didn't want him because he's not been good.

[RpR]

I had no access to a computer for several day but listened to the games on the radio.

I would laugh to myself at the probably wailing and gnashing of teeth that was probably going on , on TD.

Most of what has been written on this thread was totally what I expected.

Most of the rookies , so many here thought were the next best, have turned out to be round steak vs filet mignon, but the same get this, that and the other dude is still the pie-in-the-sky attitude pushed by so many.😏

[Doctor Gast]

For examples; I'd like to dream on Eovaldi, Gallen might be too expensive too even as a rental. Both of them, we'd have to wait. IMO, we shouldn't wait. Alcantra would be a bargain for what you'll get. At the very least, we need an inning-eater, Kyle Gibson had a disappointing early season because he had no spring training. He could eat innings, he's great in the clubhouse & cheap. I don't know if the Twins'll do anything but they should. If the Pohlads are around next season, Falvey will be safe.

[Major League Ready]

Ask me in 6 weeks. The players on expiring contracts are not going to bring back high-profile prospects.  However, if their play suggests this team is not ready to contend, this is an opportunity to clean house a bit and audition players that could possibly contribute to a winner even if it's in a bench role.  There are a few pitchers (Morris/Adams and possibly Prielipp) that could get a look as well.

Coulombe and Bader could fetch a decent prospect.  France maybe brings back something if he plays particularly well between now and the deadline but who would we audition at 1B.  Someone posted McCusker was taking fielding practice at 1B.  That would be interesting.  Seriously, his stretch would get you a few extra outs.  If Rodriquez auditions well, Larnach could be added to this group.  Duran and Jax are not FAs until 2028 so those two should not be considered unless it's an absolute haul. 

[Vanimal46]

27 minutes ago, NYCTK said:

As a seller there's only a limited amount of damage you can possibly do. 

For expiring contracts correct. But I’m not sure Falvey will get the value back for players with multiple years left like Duran, Ryan, etc. 

[Mike Sixel]

13 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

For expiring contracts correct. But I’m not sure Falvey will get the value back for players with multiple years left like Duran, Ryan, etc. 

To be clear, my earlier post was not trying to say I trust the front office.... So I'm with you. 

[Eris]

31 minutes ago, AKTwinsFan said:

But we can't make a trade for Civale from the brewers but the bum White Sox can? 

The Brewers had a say in this trade as well. One possible explanation is to send a message to other potential malcontents who might demand a trade in the future. Be careful what you demand. 

[Dennesey55347]

The Twins have one of the more chronically pedestrian offenses, so selling will always make sense until a future star or two self-teaches the art of the RBI. Nellie Cruz was the last man I felt confident sending to the plate with men on...or single-handedly start a rally. If not for pitching, we'd be in Orioles territory or worse, which means a late-season surge is out of the question. Sell. Sell. Sell.

[Eris]

2 hours ago, TheLeviathan said:

Then see what Correa can fetch you too.

Weak hitting shortstops (Correa’s WRC+ of 85 is 40th in the league) even with stellar defense who are paid $35 million dollars do not have much trade value. If the Twins are lucky there will be a rich market team in need of a SS and is willing to take on his contract. Most likely the Twins would need to kick in $$ for a trade. Correa also has a no trade clause in his contract.