LA VIkes Fan’s 2025 Trade Deadline Blueprint:

[LA Vikes Fan]

 

Trade for Prospects - Castro, Paddack, Bader, Coulombe, and France. The return won't be great except maybe for the first two, but none of these guys are part of the 2026 team. I would try to re-sign Castro but I don't think he'll sign on the cusp of free agency and it's hard to commit to future payroll with the team up for sale. All of the trades are for prospects and I want as much quality as possible so I trade for better guys farther away if we can. None of the prospects we get are on the MLB roster until at least 2026. You could also substitute Stewart for Coulombe but we need to keep one and trade one. 

DFA/Use as Trade Add-Ons - Clemens, Wentz, Vasquez, Keirsey (or send him back to AAA). I don't think any team will want these guys but who knows, they might go as part of a package with one of the guys above. Catching is always hard to find so maybe some one will a want or need a catcher badly enough to give up something for Vasquez? Ahhh, probably not.  

Players back from Il - Matthews, Keaschall. Both are supposed to return in July so I assume they will do so, have their rehab at AAA and be back with the Twins. 

Up From AAA - Noah Cardenas (C), Travis Adams (RP/long man), Austin Martin (OF), Emmanuel Rodriguez (CF), Anthony Prato (UTL), Pierson Ohl (RP). 

• C: Ryan Jeffers ($4.70M)
• 1B: Luke Keaschall ($0.80M)
• 2B: Brooks Lee ($0.80M)
• 3B: Royce Lewis ($2.30M)
• SS: Carlos Correa ($36.00M)
• LF: Trevor Larnach ($2.10M)
• CF: Byron Buxton ($15.00M)
• RF: Matt Wallner ($0.80M)
• DH: Austin Martin ($0.80M)
• 4th OF: Emmanuel Rodriguez ($0.80M)
• Utility: Anthony Prato ($0.80M)
• Utility: Eduard Julien ($0.80M)
• Backup C: Noah Cardenas ($0.80M)
• NA: Dead Money Here ($0.00M)
• SP1: David Festa ($0.80M)
• SP2: Joe Ryan ($3.80M)
• SP3: Bailey Ober ($4.30M)
• SP4: Zebby Matthews ($0.80M)
• SP5: Simeon Woods Richardson ($0.80M)
• RP: Jhoan Duran ($3.70M)
• RP: Brock Stewart ($0.80M)
• RP: Griffin Jax ($2.60M)
• RP: Pierson Ohl ($0.80M)
• RP: Cole Sands ($0.80M)
• RP: Justin Topa ($1.30M)
• RP: Louie Varland ($0.80M)
• RP: Travis Adams ($0.80M)
• NA: Dead Money Here ($0.00M)

Payroll is 38.90% under budget.

This is the "let's play for 2026 and beyond and who knows, maybe we'll be this year's version of last year's Tigers" approach. Or it could be this year's version of last year's White Sox. The current group just isn't good enough to contend. This group might be or might not be either but let's find out. 

 

[S Bart]

"If the front office is worried about job security, it could be motivated to fight for a playoff spot despite poor odds and wouldn’t be inclined to trade veterans," writes Gleeman. "And if the front office may not be sticking around, why empower it to make big trades — buying or selling — with future ramifications?"

[S Bart]

BADER TATER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Vanimal46]

The only expiring contract guy I will push back on is Bader. And not just because of today with his 2 HRs willing the team to a win. This dude has everything you want to round out a team. Constant hustle plays offensively and defensively. He can play all over the OF. Just enough power to be dangerous. I am more than willing to extend him 2-3 years. 

The only thing I don’t know about is if he personally doesn’t want to be here for the next couple of years. 

[LA Vikes Fan]

I hear you on Bader. He is a great fourth outfielder. I just think he wants to go someplace where he can start and/or make closer to 8 to 10m a year rather than 6 million a year. If they can re-sign him for two or three years at an appropriate price, I’d be fine with keeping him on the team. I just don’t think they can so I would like to get some value for him.