What If The Minnesota Twins Are Sellers At The Deadline?

[Dman]

1 minute ago, Mike Sixel said:

Lottery tickets pay off sometimes. Expiring contracts doing give then anything.

Everyone should be available at this point that has less than three years of control. 

Sure for guys like Vasquez, Clemens, France I would say take what you can get.  For Castro and Coulombe I'd want more than that.  I wouldn't cave on those two. 

If Bader could start hitting again I think he could return something decent as well.  He might just because of his defense and he can hit Home runs. 

Paddack I don't know.  He is still a starter and he has pitched pretty well since mid May.  Should be worth more than lotto's.

To your point anything is better than nothing, but if you go in with that frame of mind you won't get much.  Sometimes you have to say no and mean it so that next time teams know they need to pony up if they want the player. If you miss out on a Lotto not too big of deal IMO. They don't hit very often.  It is usually a game of chicken at the deadline.  Win some, lose some. If the other team won't meet the value you have for the player then I think it is fine to say no even if you get nothing in the end. It at least sets a bar and helps you not to get lowballed.

 

[DJL44]

59 minutes ago, Dman said:

Sure for guys like Vasquez, Clemens, France I would say take what you can get. 

Fun fact - Kody Clemens doesn't even hit arbitration until 2027. If they sell all the expiring contracts they're going to need Clemens just to play out the remaining games.

[Dman]

5 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Fun fact - Kody Clemens doesn't even hit arbitration until 2027. If they sell all the expiring contracts they're going to need Clemens just to play out the remaining games.

Clemens is going to be 30 years old next year and he hasn't played a ton.  His highest OPS until this year was .705.   The Twins Acquired him for cash considerations so if they get something in return for him I would do it.

They have Jullien in AAA and Keaschal should be back at some point.  They'll have Lee, Lewis and Correa still there.  They could bring up Fitzgerald like they did before as well.  Next year they'll have Schobel and possibly Culpepper if he keeps preforming as well as he has been.  I think they'll be OK without Clemens.

[dxpavelka]

I have little interest in turning our farm system into the best in baseball.  We've been top 10 or better over half of this century.  Let's build a big league club.

[Peter]

NO selling!!!!

[TopGunn#22]

I think we need to get over the notion that if we sell, especially on the fringes, we will will fall apart as a team.  We're already falling apart and some of the players we could get back would have the potential to help us.  Guys like Lewis and Keaschall are coming back.  We're not going anywhere unless some of our young pitching prospects (Festa, Matthews, SWR, maybe Morris) step up.

Duran, Castro, Paddack and Bader should all be dealt.  Guys like Julien and Miranda have no future with the Twins.  France is a maybe.  If I'm getting a solid return for Duran, I do it and make Jax my closer.  Paddack should be moved to give someone like Festa a chance. 

They are still mathematically in the Wild Card race, but this roster is still horribly constructed.  We can be sellers and STILL compete for a Wild Card.  This is as much about 2026 as it is this season.  I'd rather have a completely different FO making these decisions, but we're stuck with what we got until new ownership.   

[NYCTK]

On 6/29/2025 at 9:51 AM, DJL44 said:

I would rather have Duran in the bullpen on that 2027 team.

The issue is we know he's going to be due a significant raise, I'd bet north of $10 Million in 2027 and the odds of even a stellar RP being worth that in two seasons time is a poor bet to make. Relievers are finicky and a sudden change in fortune is not only uncommon, it's expected. 

Remember when Mason Miller was unhittable? Devin Williams? Ryan Helsley? Jeff Hoffman? 

Best bet for every mid to small market team is to trade these players away before they become expensive unless you truly believe they are borderline HOF material, like Joe Nathan. And maybe you view Duran that way, which is fair. But I don't that's the general view of him on this website, nor for me. 

 

[BillyBallLives]

14 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

The Twins are just stuck in the middle.  It is time to trade in assets for younger players and try to build something like Detroit.

Tigers started their rebuild in 2017.
Q #1
Are you ready for 5-7 years of pain before seeing the fruit, and even that's not guaranteed?   
If yes.....

Q #2 Do you trust Falvey and Rocco to pull it off? 

[Major League Ready]

12 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

I have little interest in turning our farm system into the best in baseball.  We've been top 10 or better over half of this century.  Let's build a big league club.

It's not possible to build a big league club in a mid-market without a great farm system.  So, while this sounds witty, it completely ignores reality.  Show us an example of a successful mid market team built on trading for established players and/or expensive free agents.  

The table below shows the acquisition method for 2025 Detroit players that are on pace to produce 1.5 WAR or greater.

	2025 Tigers		Acquired	WAR
	Riley Greene		Drafted	3.0
	Zach McKinstry		AaP	2.6
	Gleyber Torres		FA	2.3
	Dillon Dingler		Drafted	2.0
	Javier Baez		FA	1.8
	Spencer Torkelson		Drafted	1.4
	Wenceel Perez		Intl	1.0
	Colt Keith		Drafted	0.9
	Kerry Carpenter		Drafted	0.8
	Tarik Skubal		Drafted	4.3
	Reese Olson		AaP	1.2
	Casey Mize		Drafted	1.1
	Will Vest		Drafted	1.1
	Acquired by:
	Drafted		8	62.1%
	International Draft		1	4.3%
	Acquired as Prospect		2	16.2%
	Trade for Proven		0	0.0%
	Free Agent		2	17.4%

[saviking]

On 6/29/2025 at 9:21 AM, Thumbs Down Guy said:

He is guaranteed to be here through 2028 season with four years of vesting/team options after that.

Here are the terms according to sportrac. https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/player/_/id/14168/carlos-correa

Thanks Thumbs 👍 

[Riverbrian]

20 hours ago, BillyBallLives said:

Tigers started their rebuild in 2017.
Q #1
Are you ready for 5-7 years of pain before seeing the fruit, and even that's not guaranteed?   
If yes.....

Q #2 Do you trust Falvey and Rocco to pull it off? 

I'm not sure what you did there. I see my name username attached to the quote but that isn't my quote but it looks official.  

Since I was asked... I'll answer the questions just for fun. 

#1 -  I'm not sure 2017 is accurate for this 2024/2025 version of the Tigers. I think they clearly started a rebuild in 2017 under Al Avila. The Upton type signings went away for a bit.

But, I think that rebuild was officially over when they signed Javier Baez and E Rod to big contracts. They were rolling out vet names like Barnhart, Schoop, Candelerio, Victor Reyes and Grossman on the daily lineup card IN 2022. It didn't work very well but the Tigers had a 2nd run at it last year at the deadline and that's when I think this version of the Tigers began.  

Granted, they had been growing some prospects on the farm along the way but it wasn't like the Tigers farm system was overflowing with talent and it wasn't like the Tigers were opening the door for youth but for a select few like Riley Greene and Colt Keith who was really struggling at the time on the offensive and of course Tarik Skubal and Reese Olson on the pitching side. Then they traded away the moveable vets at the deadline which provided playing time for the youth and BOOM. 

That's the long answer... the short answer. I don't want to see a rebuild. I'd like them to get better at development so we are less reliant on the yearly supplement of cheap vets on one year contracts.

I don't know if its an internal development issue or a risk aversion/lack of trust preventing major league deployment of developing players at the major league level. Either way... it's not good and we are currently behind a good chunk of teams in MLB and it's leading to a cycle of cheap vet filler, which will collapse at some point because the system has to produce because WE ALL KNOW THAT WE CAN'T AFFORD players developed by other teams via free agency. The system hasn't produced a Riley Greene. Falvey has had 8 years and the best we can do is an oft injured potential superstar in almost a year long funk and a couple of left handed hitters that are not allowed to face left handers.   

So... to answer question #2. If we enter a rebuild. I do not trust Falvey and Rocco to pull it off. I think Falvey has done a good job on the pitching side... I think the offensive side is a mess and the GM for a rebuild needs to be able to develop both and quit strip mining players for parts. 

 

 

[Mike Sixel]

7 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

I'm not sure what you did there. I see my name username attached to the quote but that isn't my quote but it looks official.  

Since I was asked... I'll answer the questions just for fun. 

#1 -  I'm not sure 2017 is accurate for this 2024/2025 version of the Tigers. I think they clearly started a rebuild in 2017 under Al Avila. The Upton type signings went away for a bit.

But, I think that rebuild was officially over when they signed Javier Baez and E Rod to big contracts. They were rolling out vet names like Barnhart, Schoop, Candelerio, Victor Reyes and Grossman on the daily lineup card IN 2022. It didn't work very well but the Tigers had a 2nd run at it last year at the deadlinea nd that's when I think this version of the Tigers began.  

Granted, they had been growing some prospects on the farm along the way but it wasn't like the Tigers farm system was overflowing with talent and it wasn't like the Tigers were opening the door for youth but for a select few like Riley Greene and Colt Keith who was really struggling at the time on the offensive and of course Tarik Skubal and Reese Olson on the pitching side. Then they traded away the moveable vets at the deadline which provided playing time for the youth and BOOM. 

That's the long answer... the short answer. I don't want to see a rebuild. I'd like them to get better at development so we are less reliant on the yearly supplement of cheap vets on one year contracts.

I don't know if its and internal development issue or a risk aversion/lack of trust preventing major league deployment of developing players at the major league level. Either way... it's not good and we are currently behind a good chunk of teams in MLB and it's leading to a cycle of cheap vet filler, which will collapse at some point because the system has to produce because WE ALL KNOW THAT WE CAN'T AFFORD players developed by other teams via free agency. The system hasn't produced a Riley Greene. Falvey has had 8 years and the best we can do is an oft injured potential superstar in almost a year long funk and a couple of left handed hitters that are not allowed to face right handers.   

So... to answer question #2. If we enter a rebuild. I do not trust Falvey and Rocco to pull it off. I think Falvey has done a good job on the pitching side... I think the offensive side is a mess and the GM for a rebuild needs to be able to develop both and quit strip mining players for parts. 

 

 

I think they either changed philosophy, or it is a coincidence, three years ago. Mostly no more big lumbering guys early.....IF Keaschell and EROD were healthy, I think we'd all feel different about the hitting development right now (though I can't explain Julien and Miranda falling off a cliff). 

[Riverbrian]

2 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

I think they either changed philosophy, or it is a coincidence, three years ago. Mostly no more big lumbering guys early.....IF Keaschell and EROD were healthy, I think we'd all feel different about the hitting development right now (though I can't explain Julien and Miranda falling off a cliff). 

I'd like to feel better about hitting development but I can't until I start seeing better results.

Keashell looked great but so did Julien. He needs to be kept in the lineup when he heals but the future is far from certain.

Erod? I hear good things but he's left handed and I have no reason to feel that the Twins won't strip mine him for parts. Same for Jenkins... Neither Jenkins or Erod are here yet but I'm sure the Twins will be looking for those right handed bats when they get here. 

And making McCusker watch from the bench for his brief cup of coffee in the sun. Signing Bride and Clemons instead... even with Julien and Miranda falling off a cliff certainly doesn't feel like a philosophy change.

It seems like they don't believe in who they are developing and I want to know why? If the players are not good enough for their tastes. Is it their taste or their cooking?   

[Mike Sixel]

3 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

I'd like to feel better about hitting development but I can't until I start seeing better results.

Keashell looked great but so did Julien. He needs to be kept in the lineup when he heals but the future is far from certain.

Erod? I hear good things but he's left handed and I have no reason to feel that the Twins won't strip mine him for parts. Same for Jenkins... Neither Jenkins or Erod are here yet but I'm sure the Twins will be looking for those right handed bats when they get here. 

And making McCusker watch from the bench for his brief cup of coffee in the sun. Signing Bride and Clemons instead... even with Julien and Miranda falling off a cliff certainly doesn't feel like a philosophy change.

It seems like they don't believe in who they are developing and I want to know why? If the players are not good enough for their tastes. Is it their taste or their cooking?   

McCusker isn't a poster child for development and drafting at all, one way or the other. 

They promoted Miranda, Julien, Lee and Keashcell quickly because they were young and good. It didn't always work, and we don't know if it will. 

I can remain hopeful that at some point they realize LHH should play.......

All I literally said was that they seemed to change philosophy three years ago......not that they were good at it. I've called for their heads repeatedly.....

[Clear Lake Twinsfan]

10 hours ago, TopGunn#22 said:

I think we need to get over the notion that if we sell, especially on the fringes, we will will fall apart as a team.  We're already falling apart and some of the players we could get back would have the potential to help us.  Guys like Lewis and Keaschall are coming back.  We're not going anywhere unless some of our young pitching prospects (Festa, Matthews, SWR, maybe Morris) step up.

Duran, Castro, Paddack and Bader should all be dealt.  Guys like Julien and Miranda have no future with the Twins.  France is a maybe.  If I'm getting a solid return for Duran, I do it and make Jax my closer.  Paddack should be moved to give someone like Festa a chance. 

They are still mathematically in the Wild Card race, but this roster is still horribly constructed.  We can be sellers and STILL compete for a Wild Card.  This is as much about 2026 as it is this season.  I'd rather have a completely different FO making these decisions, but we're stuck with what we got until new ownership.   

I agree with TopGunn#22.  I think that we can be sellers and still compete for the Wild Card this year and set us up for 2026.  I'd trade Castro, Paddack, Bader, France and Coulombe for the best offers that I could find.  Some of those will be nothing more than taking a flier on a low level prospect, but some of these guys should bring back guys who might help the Twins sooner.  I'd send Julien and Miranda to the Rockies, Marlins or Pirates for whatever I could get.  I'd be much more targeted with Duran.  If the Dodgers would be interested in him I'd want their #1 prospect Dalton Rushing, a left handed hitting catcher, included in the deal.  I think that he would pair well with Jeffers this year and in the future.  Heck, after Will Smith and Rushing, the Dodgers don't have another catcher on their 40 man roster, so maybe they'd even take Vasquez in the deal.  

[LyleCole]

The normal analysis should be that the Twins should be sellers.   No matter where they sit right now, this is simply not a very good team.  And 9 times out of 10 I would agree, and perhaps there are a couple of players that could move to open up spots for players like Emmanuel Rodriguez and perhaps give a look to some of the AA/AAA pitchers that have pitched well.

But this is the 1 time that I don't.  Maybe it isn't this season's fate, but I say lets run it back one more time and see if we can actually put together a healthy lineup for one damn time in this Twins' era.

Buxton, Lewis, Correa, Wallner, Keaschall, Brooks Lee in the field.  Lopes, Ryan, a healthy/bounceback Bailey Ober, and Johan as the closer.  If those guys were healthy and they put it together they are a contender in 2026, especially if we give a shot to some of the prospects and they develop.  But, in 2026, if it is still falling apart at the seams, sell and sell hard.