Part of the Core, or Out the Door? Ranking Minnesota Twins Trade Candidates, 6-10

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of © Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Last season, when I approached this series, the Twins’ roster was in a very different place. Minnesota looked like a playoff contender for much of the 2024 season, before an epic collapse. In 2025, the fall came much earlier, and the front office dealt away multiple core pieces at the trade deadline. It’s tough not to wonder if the winning window has abruptly shut on the current core. 

As the Minnesota Twins gear up for the 2026 season, the focus shifts to the core group of players who form the backbone of the roster. Some players have cemented their place as long-term building blocks, while others could be valuable trade assets. In this article, we rank the Twins' most important pieces at the big-league level, considering their impact and the likelihood of them being traded before the 2026 season.

10. RP Cole Sands
Pros: Sands emerged as one of Minnesota’s most reliable bullpen arms in 2025, giving the team late-inning stability at a time when it desperately needed it. His splitter was worth seven runs, and his 6.4% walk rate was among the best quartile in the league. With three years of team control remaining, Sands offers cost-effective value at a position that constantly turns over.

Cons: The Twins have limited options for the bullpen, so it seems unlikely that the front office will trade another reliever. While Sands was a needed bright spot, his track record is still inconsistent. As the Twins showed at the deadline, teams often look to sell high on relievers, and middle reliever is a high-volatility, non-premium role. A club searching for bullpen help could view Sands as an appealing second piece in a larger deal. His limited ceiling compared to other controllable pitchers also factors into Minnesota's long-term roster building.

Trade Likelihood: Low
Minnesota values the role Sands fills, and unless a trade package specifically targets him, it is hard to see the team pushing him out the door.

9. 3B Royce Lewis
Pros: When healthy, Lewis remains one of the most dynamic talents in the organization. Last season, I ranked him at the top of this list, but his 2025 performance dropped him. The Twins hoped that his early-career offensive performance would make him a franchise cornerstone. Even in 2025, Lewis showed improved defense at third base, with one OAA. Offensively, his 73.6 bat speed was in the 72nd percentile, and the rate at which he pulled the ball in the air (24.5%) continued to rank well. 

Cons: Durability remains the defining question. Multiple significant injuries have kept Lewis off the field, and Minnesota must evaluate how much they can count on him. Even with this season’s improvements, his defensive future is unclear, and depending on roster construction, the Twins may question whether he fits best at third base, designated hitter, or somewhere else entirely. If the front office believes another club is willing to pay full value for his upside, the door is at least cracked open.

Trade Likelihood: Medium
While the Twins are far from eager to move Lewis, he is one of the few players who could be traded to shake up the team’s offensive core. That keeps the possibility in play.

8. SS Brooks Lee
Pros: Lee took over the team’s starting shortstop role after the club dumped Carlos Correa at the trade deadline. His athletic ability is worse than Correa’s at shortstop, but he can hold down the position, with -1 OAA in nearly 600 innings. Before his big-league debut, scouts praised him for his ability to control the zone, hit for average, and produce tough, professional at-bats. This season, he ranked in the 74th percentile or higher in both avoiding strikeouts and squaring up the ball, thereby getting the most out of his bat speed. The Twins have no other options for shortstop, so they would need to be blown away by a trade offer for Lee. With five years of control remaining, Lee looks like a core piece in the making.

Cons: His ceiling may not be as high as some of Minnesota’s other young hitters, and that could make him expendable in the right deal. If another club views Lee as a ready-made solution at a premium position, the Twins might have the opportunity to address a glaring organizational need. There is also the looming question of where Lee fits long-term if the front office believes he can’t stick at shortstop.

Trade Likelihood: Low
The Twins have little incentive to trade Lee, and would require a significant return to even consider it.

7. SP Bailey Ober
Pros: Entering last season, Ober looked like he had established himself as a dependable mid-rotation starter. He had impressive strike-throwing ability and a track record of durability. His size, delivery and command make him uniquely difficult for hitters to time. Last year, his walk rate, chase rate, and extension toward the plate at release ranked in the 93rd percentile or higher. With two years remaining in team control, he continues to be cost-effective.

Cons: Ober’s margin for error remains thinner than that of the typical front-line starter. He struggled with a hip injury last season, which seemed to throw off his mechanics. When his fastball command wavers, hitters can elevate against him and produce damage quickly. His stuff is more solid than electric, which may make him more replaceable in the long term as top prospects move closer to the majors. 

Trade Likelihood: Medium-Low
The Twins like what Ober brings, but as they reshape the rotation, they could listen if a team makes a compelling offer. However, his trade value might be at an all-time low.  

6. OF Matt Wallner
Pros: Like many Twins hitters, Wallner struggled in 2025—but he was still among the team’s best hitters, with a 110 OPS+. According to Baseball Reference, he was worth 6, relative to an average batter. He has game-changing power, with his Barrel rate, bat speed, and walk rate ranking in the 84th percentile or higher. His elite arm adds to his defensive value. When he is locked in, Wallner looks like the type of middle-of-the-order bat that Minnesota has been desperate to develop internally.

Cons: His track record still contains peaks and valleys. Wallner’s offensive success relies heavily on his ability to maintain strike-zone discipline, and slumps get especially ugly. For instance, before going down at the end of the year, Wallner batted just .163/.293/.347 in September. With Minnesota’s growing outfield depth and the emergence of other left-handed bats, the front office must decide whether Wallner fits the long-term puzzle or represents one of their best trade chips. A club looking for controllable power could push for his inclusion.

Trade Likelihood: Medium
Wallner remains part of the Twins' plans, but his combination of upside and uncertainty makes him a realistic trade candidate, depending on the team’s offseason priorities.

The Twins have a strong core for 2026, but that doesn’t mean they won’t explore trades to reshape the roster. Lee and Wallner are young, foundational players the team will probably build around, while others like Sands, Ober, and Lewis could be moved to fill other needs. The offseason will be critical, as the front office balances improving the team without disrupting its future success.

---

Will any of the players above be traded this winter? Which player is the most critical building block? Leave a comment and start the discussion

View full article

[Doctor Gast]

I wouldn't trade anybody, especially Lewis. I see the change in the coaching staff as a big improvement for the team. I may consider trading Wallner, but I would rather see if he could breakout hitting under the new hitting coach.  

[arby58]

I'm not sure 'strong' is the word I would use to describe the Twins core. Inconsistent sounds closer to the mark. If you line up 2024 and 2025, Buxton is the only one who has put together two solid seasons, and even then, he missed 60 games in 2024 (but still put up a WAR of 3.6). Ryan had a great 2025 but missed much of 2024, Lopez was the opposite, great in 2024 but missed much of 2025. Ober battled injuries all year and had an ERA north of 5, Wallner's OPS was league average this year after a strong 2024, etc,, etc.

[Cory Engelhardt]

My first thought when seeing this headline was "Wait, did the front office not think of this before right now? Are they not evaluating their players all the time?" And then I remembered this is just at a twins sight that I go to daily :)

I will argue a little on Lee though, at least in comparison to Lewis. I don't know that Lee is definitely a SS a the major league level. I also don't think he is a superior defensive player at 3b compared to Lewis. Because of those two things, I would very much be open to moving Lee in the right deal. Lewis, for every injury over the last year plus, has at least shown solid defense at 3rd, and back in 2023 into 2024 showed high end production.

[mikelink45]

At this stage none of them are very valuable.  But they should only be moved if they are pushed out by someone better and I do not see that happening.  The core is Ryan, Lopez, Buxton, Jeffers and that is it.  Jeffers because there is no other catcher in the organization to take his spot.  

[Cory Engelhardt]

4 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

At this stage none of them are very valuable.  But they should only be moved if they are pushed out by someone better and I do not see that happening.  The core is Ryan, Lopez, Buxton, Jeffers and that is it.  Jeffers because there is no other catcher in the organization to take his spot.  

Keaschall and Lewis are very much in this grouping. I hope Wallner can be.

[Nashvilletwin]

1. Sands is staying.

2. No reason to trade Lewis (unless his agent is adamant). Why? A. He desperately needed a change at manager. B. He will have virtually no competition to get the playing time to get his career back on track. C. No reason to sell low - the near-term return doesn’t justify foregoing the possible mid/long-term upside.

3. Lee is staying for now. But just because he has five years of control remaining does not necessarily make him a candidate for part of the future core.  He has a lot to prove and will likely need his bat to outweigh his fielding by quite a bit to ever be considered a full-time starter.  SS is his in ‘26.

4. Wallner stays too.  On a team with very little power, Wallner has the potential to step into the gap with authority if he can improve his consistency.  Shelton ideally invests in Wallner’s opportunities against lefties to see if he can become a more regular DH type. If so, the return right now is not worth the hole left in the lineup as well as the possible future upside.

5. Ober stays primarily because he’s cheaper and his tough 2025 campaign crashed his value.  If we move Ryan and/or Lopez (as we should, mind you), we will need the innings. But there are younger, cheaper and potentially better SPs coming fast.

Except for maybe Sands, none of these players should be even close to being considered locks for the post ‘27 lockout core. However, each should get plenty of playing time/opportunity to prove they could be and to really resurrect their careers.  The Rocco dismissal should help them all in that endeavour. 

[Mahoning]

Shelton has said the Twins will rely on young players. These are them.

[Nashvilletwin]

29 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

At this stage none of them are very valuable.  But they should only be moved if they are pushed out by someone better and I do not see that happening.  The core is Ryan, Lopez, Buxton, Jeffers and that is it.  Jeffers because there is no other catcher in the organization to take his spot.  

Those four players - Ryan, Lopez, Buxton, and Jeffers - you correctly point out would be the core on a mediocre at best ‘26 team.  But there is a high likelihood that none of them are on the Twin’s roster after the trade deadline at the latest.  And there is virtually zero chance any of them are part of the true future core post the ‘27 lockout.  Including Buxton.

Given that reality, coupled with each of their trade values being at or near peak value as well as their cash costs, there is little reason to keep them for another forecasted dismal campaign.  When the top 5 trade candidates article comes out soon, they will be #s 1-4 on the list, and rightly so.

[Maybebaby]

No to trading either Lewis or Wallner.  I realize potential in only a word but if those two reach it the power they possess would go along way to making this team relevant; at least offensively.  My 2¢¢ worth.

[TwinsDr2021]

Here is an idea, lets run out the same team that collapsed in 2024 and won 70 games in 25 and say 26 could be different. Besides the relief pitchers that are gone the rest of the roster is exactly that with a bunch of other guys that are either fairly old, not good or both on the 40. So if somebody sees something in Lewis, Lee, or Wallner and the return is good to great pull the trigger. 

[rdehring]

Misunderstood what you were getting at when reading your headline, Cody.  Thought you would be talking about who the Twins core is.  Or should be?

I don't see any of this group as part of their core.  Lewis might be, but they need him to play like he should most of next year for that to be a fact.  The problem then will be his approaching free agency and likely out the door should he be who he should be.  So no, he probably isn't part of their core either. 

So that means none of these are part of their core to build around.  At least in my opinion.  Expect some or most of your #1-#5 will be. 

[Blyleven2011]

Every player is tradable if you have another talent to replace them , we don't  ...

Pitching is our strength but that even dwindled at the deadline ...

With a new manager and some new coaches , there is reason to be alittle optimistic on some of the 6 through 10 players having better seasons in 2026 if falvey stays out of the way and let's the coaches coach ...

We got to find a way to relax these players and have them produce in the clutch , it seemed like under our previous manager they were always walking on egg shells in these situations ...

If wallner is to be considered a game changer he is going to have to hit more 3 run homers , the solo homeruns don't cut it  ( sure hope he is working on something this off season to be better at the plate when he DH's everyday , he lacks confidence as a hitter and it shows in his face and reactions to the pitches )

 

[stringer bell]

Don't trade players when their value is down. That would apply to every one of these players. 

[DJL44]

2 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Don't trade players when their value is down. That would apply to every one of these players. 

Unless their value will be even lower later, which might be the case for Bailey Ober.

[stringer bell]

7 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Unless their value will be even lower later, which might be the case for Bailey Ober.

I think Ober will be the Twins' problem unless he is non-tendered. No organization wants to take on a guy who has lost velocity and effectiveness unless there is evidence that he can get the velo back. Ober finished the season with a fastball that couldn't get to 90, so I don't think any team will want him. He's also expected to get a nice bump in salary despite his ineffectiveness last year. 

[tony&rodney]

2 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

I wouldn't trade anybody, especially Lewis. I see the change in the coaching staff as a big improvement for the team. I may consider trading Wallner, but I would rather see if he could breakout hitting under the new hitting coach.  

The new manager and changes to the coaching staff are real positives in my opinion. Yes, Hallberg would be the best shortstop and Rabelo the best catcher but they will be coaching and not playing.

The Twins have some decent young prospects that could be ready or may need one more year of minor league ball before their debut. In the meantime the 2026 budget is still up in the air. If the Twins can add two significant relief pitchers and two significant position players the roster could be much improved. Those moves would require a budget closer to what the team spent the last few years (@$140+M) than to the much discussed budget of around $100-110M. The budget is key to any other moves.

Barring significant roster additions via free agency, the team must 'get creative' with trades that include currently rostered players to address imbalances and build toward a future that might include winning more than 81 games. The current team was on full display in August and September, projecting a 55-75 win team if the roster is just rolled back out in a similar fashion to the last two years. I'm listening on everyone.

[Major League Ready]

18 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Unless their value will be even lower later, which might be the case for Bailey Ober.

Agree but is almost nothing really any different than nothing?

[Road trip]

When does ownership and FO next plan to compete for a playoff run?  That's the "core" question, and impacts who you hold on to vs who you trade.

It is safe to say there is no realistic plan to compete in '26, despite what the marketers will tell ticket buyers (which is not the marketer's fault...every team sells hope).

I find it a little unlikely that they will be able to compete in '27.  It isn't impossible, but a lot of younger players would need to get better quickly, and ownership would need to be willing to spend a little more to acquire or retain talent.  My guess is that this is what Falvey is aiming for, or hoping for, because he probably won't survive in his job if the Twins can't compete by '27.  I have no idea if ownership will invest for '27 though.

If the Twins are going to wait to compete until '28 or '29 or beyond then there is little reason to hold on to any of the current core.  Sure, holding the core will allow the Twins to hope for 80 wins instead of 70, but is that a meaningful difference?  Might as well continue to trade them for prospects as was done with Duran, Jax, etc. and hope that your scouts correctly identified good young players in return.  I don't love this answer, but I fear its the realistic one.

[MGX]

Core or out the door

1. Cole Sands - Neither - For the 2026 team it wouldn't make any sense to trade Sands as we have plenty of spots to fill in the bullpen currently & his trade value would be very low. If he is to be a core contributor a big step forward is needed otherwise he'll be easily replaced.

2. Royce Lewis - Unsure - Trading him now would be selling low & 2026 gives him an opportunity to get his career back on track. This is a prove it season for Lewis.

3. Brooks Lee - Unsure - If he could be packaged in a deal to get us a SS then I'd trade him. It's hard to see him as part of the core going forward. He needs to improve his offensive production & find a defensive home, which I don't believe is SS.

4. Bailey Ober - Trade - He is the starter I'd be looking to trade. He has enough of track record to interest some teams & is very inexpensive.

5. Matt Wallner - Both - Along with Buxton they are the power source for this team. So far in his career vs RHP he has 767 PA's & slashed - .245/.362/.519 for .881 OPS with 44 HR's. In 2025, which was his least productive season overall, he was given 97 PA's vs LHP & he had a .790 OPS. As a full time player he has 35+ HR potential. I'm sure other teams see the potential so he could bring something really useful in a trade. Either way Wallner can provide value to this team.

[mikelink45]

2 hours ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Keaschall and Lewis are very much in this grouping. I hope Wallner can be.

Keaschall needs to prove he is not in the start fast and fade groups that we have seen too often.  I am really excited by him, but Twin skepticism holds me back. Wallner and Lewis need to prove their first years are who they are and not the subsequent downturns. 

[jjswol]

I would not trade any of these guys at this time until we see how they play under Shelton as their manager. If a trade is warranted than do so at the trading deadline. Yes there is a chance one or more of these guys will not perform up to expectation and your trade return will be less. That said, I am willing to take take less on a young player that fails than trade a young guy too early and lose years of good play.

[Parfigliano]

Out of this list Ober will be the 1st traded.  Teams are always looking for starting pitchers.  Some team will think they have the approach/coach to get him back on track to being an above average 4-5 slot starter.  He's also in MLB terms cheap so affordable for many teams.

[PDX Twin]

2 hours ago, Maybebaby said:

My 2¢¢ worth

With the demise of the penny, one wouldn't actually be able to pay two cents in cash for anything! Would you accept a check or a credit card?

[PatPfund]

The only one sitting on  limited (stress on limited) value and any roster depth at all is Wallner. Lee and Sands have more value for this team than anyone else given our 'pen and SS. Lewis in an overall #1 at the bottom of his value. Ober might not be in the league a year from now.

[old nurse]

3 hours ago, Maybebaby said:

No to trading either Lewis or Wallner.  I realize potential in only a word but if those two reach it the power they possess would go along way to making this team relevant; at least offensively.  My 2¢¢ worth.

The 2 cents ain’t even worth a plugged nickel 

[KBJ1]

Sure, it would great to have a team of talented youngsters with 5 hrs control each. Owners pipe dream. Reality: this team has very little talent. Walner isn't Juan Soto, Jeffers isn't Raleigh. 

Keaschall & Lewis, along with Buxton, are the only possible "Star" caliber hitters they have. They have 2 proven SP, 4 or 5 maybes and 1 useful pitcher in the bullpen.  Half of there 26 man roster would not be on any contending team.  That's really the only metric that matters to the fans.

[arby58]

My guess is 5. Jeffers, 4. Keaschall, 3.Lopez, 2.Ryan, 1.Buxton.

[Jeff K]

5 hours ago, stringer bell said:

Don't trade players when their value is down. That would apply to every one of these players. 

Exactly.  Royce Lewis was listed as medium and that would mean that they are selling at his (hopefully) low point in value.  It would be bizarre if any team came up with a trade for Lewis that matches his hopeful ceiling.  

[tony&rodney]

50 minutes ago, Jeff K said:

Exactly.  Royce Lewis was listed as medium and that would mean that they are selling at his (hopefully) low point in value.  It would be bizarre if any team came up with a trade for Lewis that matches his hopeful ceiling.  

Yes, except for there are always going to be separate thoughts on any players's ceiling from year to year, even among each of the 30 MLB clubs evaluators. Is Lewis at his ceiling now? Those are the conversations.