Twins Should Look to Baltimore for First Base Help

[KirbyDome89]

4 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

Mountcastle would be such a disappointing move, but I think it's probably a realistic one. I don't think Mayo is realistic. Mayo would cost current pitching talent, and if the Twins are moving that they need to go full rebuild and they don't appear to have any real plans to do that. Mountcastle would be yet another uninspiring, 1 year addition that doesn't move the needle in a meaningful way.

Unfortunately, I think Mountcastle is a real possibility if they can't get Hoskins, Goldschmidt, or whatever other uninspiring FA 1B. It's what they do. Run back nearly the exact same disappointing roster from the previous year, tell us they believe in the talent of the core, and add 1 year, bargain bin guys. Rince and repeat.

Literally Lucy pulling the football. 

I'm morbidly curious to see how the FO sycophants spin Mountcastle as a positive. At $7ish million he isn't "good value." 

[KirbyDome89]

4 hours ago, DJL44 said:

It doesn't really matter if Julien is named the starter. If he's on the roster, he'll get 400 plate appearances. Replacing Julien and Outman with better players is low hanging fruit for improving their overall win total.

Eh, Idk about that. He barely cracked 200 PAs last year. The Twins, at least based on playing time last year, seem to be just about done with Julien. 

[weitz41]

Mountcastle is a rental, so it fits the FO's MO at 1st base. Maybe a part of a bigger deal. Moving some starting pitching (say Ober or SWR) for Mountcastle and prospects wouldn't be the worst idea.

[Blyleven2011]

Mountcastle would fill the 1st base position for a year ...

I don't think any trade will happen,  the FO since 2022 deadline has horded their prospects and they just acquired a bunch at last year's deadline  ...

There are some free agents that the twins should go after first and once they are off the table then maybe trade for 1st baseman  ...

Goldschmidt , Hosken  , bell , o Hearn  and ??? 

A right handed 1st baseman should be the priority cause they have shown there love for Kody by stating he's our first baseman  ...

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, KirbyDome89 said:

Eh, Idk about that. He barely cracked 200 PAs last year. The Twins, at least based on playing time last year, seem to be just about done with Julien. 

He had options last year. Manny Margot got over 300 PAs because he didn't have options.

[nova_twins]

Mountcastle is probably better than Hoskins, and cheaper if O's pick up some salary. I'm not a big fan but it's not the worst idea at low cost.

Mayo has always had skeptics among scouts despite his power, and with his struggles I don't see teams offering much for him. 

[purplesoldier4u]

Mayo? Yes, but he's not going anywhere. Mountcastle? Nope.

[DocBauer]

Pre 2025 Mountcastle is a solid player, even though there was a sight decline in 2023-24. But at 29yo for 2026 I'm willing to bet on a bounce back version of him for a prospect deal. Maybe it starts with Matthews, for example?

Mayo may have power and projection, and might be a long term solution, but I don't like moving a part of the rotation for a 1B only prospect unless I feel really confident he's going to turn out. I mean, there's a pretty reasonable chance he does, but SWR is about the highest offer I can think to offer. I don't like filling 1 hole and then creating another one in the rotation, unless the Twins are feeling pretty confident about Bradley, Matthews, Abel, and Morris stepping up in 2026. Truth be told, they SHOULD feel good about them all taking that next step, or something has gone wrong. 

Considering the relative youth of the Orioles, I'd still begin the discussion with someone like Matthews and then...gulp...maybe someone like Soto as a high ceiling arm a couple years away, but with tremendous potential?

But then I reflect on just spending some $ on O'Hearn or Lowe for 2yrs to stabilize the position and KEEP the rotation and prospects instead. And I guess that's where my head is at.

[mikelink45]

So we are in the position to trade for rejects?  The Orioles did not think they were that good, but we do?  We should do better. 

[tony&rodney]

52 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

So we are in the position to trade for rejects?  The Orioles did not think they were that good, but we do?  We should do better. 

Not really rejects but rather boring additions. Ryan O'Hearn is almost certainly the best of those players who play first base. 

[Fatbat]

Coby Mayo would be a very nice piece to trade for.  Since the O’s want young pitchers, he might cost us Festa and Raya or some other combo. Analysts might view Mayo as worth more in a trade, the fact is, he has a small sample size of MLB production. There is downside risk to trading for him. The downside probably isnt Jose Miranda size but its still there. Mayo’s ceiling is very high…. Risk vs. reward is real. 
Since we are trending young, why not swing big on a 24 yo that profiles exactly what we are missing? 

[miracleb]

I don't have the stats...but I would guess that Mountcastle's stats would be similar to the combined efforts of whoever the Twins put at 1st base last year.....so not really an upgrade.  I think the Cody Clemens experiment is over......so we do need an upgrade.  Baltimore doesn't have as many options with Mayo so I don't think he would be as expensive as several think.....unless he could be a legitimate 3rd baseman(which would change the dynamic and make him "un-gettable" for the Twins)

[Otaknam]

20 hours ago, bunsen82 said:

Mayo has a value of 18

Mountcastle is a -3 

Mountcastle has upside as much as Hoskins.  I would still prefer O'Hearn,  but If you got Cash and Mountcastle for a lottery ticket - with a net salary around 3-4 Million.   It wouldn't be a terrible option.  He is one of the best defensive 1st baseman.   With Mayo are you willing to give up Lopez?  

 

Give up Lopez, a solid number 2 starter, for Mayo? No thanks! Lopez is worth a lot more to a contender than a young unproven first baseman. 

[Otaknam]

I would take either one for the right price.. Baseball players can have bounce back seasons with a change of scenery or just a reset season. So if Mountcastle can be signed on a one year contract for a manageable price, that would be a better option than they have. As for Mayo, developing young players always intrigues me. So acquiring him for the right price would make sense. Would SWR be enough as a number five starter who can win 10-12 games with a decent team? He has proven more than Mayo has in his career, and has been durable. The Twins have enough young starter depth that this wouldn’t weaken their staff. 

[bunsen82]

SWR is probably a little light but you never know, just look at what Seattle did with Ford for Ferrer. 
 

I think we have to have a few trades. SP seems to be too deep and I don’t see Larnach remaining on the roster, but I may be wrong. Still a lot of bats and outfielders available before we would get clarity on that.  

[Otaknam]

I don’t know why the strong negativity on Mountcastle if he can be acquired for a reasonable price. He is better than anyone they have at first, and they are already playing Clemons out of position at first because of lack of options. He bats right handed and has some power. He’s not Pete Alonso, but he’s an actual first baseman, with a decent ML track record, that they don’t currently have. 

[rv78]

You haven't been listening to Falvey. Kody Clemens has 1st base covered, hook, line, and stinker.

[JD-TWINS]

18 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Lopez or Ryan for Mayo? Did someone mean Holliday or Henderson? 

Mayo may be rated higher than an Alan Roden but he will not be rated as high as Emmanuel Rodriguez. Baltimore wants pitching and Bailey Ober must have about the same or slightly more value than Mayo. Mountcastle? I'm guessing Julien or Larnach are similar in value.

I don’t follow “player values”, wherever that info can be found but if Julien & Larnach are similarly rated, it’s a bad system.

Agreed, Lopez or Ryan for Mayo is laughable. Organization doesn’t need to move effective players for “potential prospects”, particularly a guy that’s hit .201 over 102 games!

I’d seriously consider Lopez for Rutschman as the O’s extended the guy behind Rutschman at Catcher & they have Alonso cemented at 1B.

Twins take $$ saved on moving Lopez to get another bat (Arraez-O’Hearn) and they could have the best Catcher combo in the game in short term. Still leaves $15M to spend on PEN & SS depth in FA market…………it’s a potential path to consider, but I would really prefer to keep Lopez and spend up to $125M on player salaries while keeping good core players on roster.

[Elliot]

I would be fine with a Larnach for Mountcastle type of trade. Similar logjam situations for both teams.  Not a fan of paying a high prospect or pitching price for upside potential at 1B. Too many current and coming Twins who do not have clear defensive homes but could end up there (Keaschel , Lee, Gonzalez, Winkour, …)

[Otaknam]

13 minutes ago, rv78 said:

You haven't been listening to Falvey. Kody Clemens has 1st base covered, hook, line, and stinker.

That’s what I’m worried about, the front office thinking Clemons, playing out of position, solves their first base problem. 

[tony&rodney]

12 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

I don’t follow “player values”, wherever that info can be found but if Julien & Larnach are similarly rated, it’s a bad system.

My using Julien and Larnach was roughly based on what others have stated BaseballTradeValues.com has for numbers. I don't subscribe to BBTV and see issues with some of their numbers which people use in comments on this site. Low value for Lopez and Buxton are examples. However, it is always worth giving space to the system, just as so many do to the various and sundry analytic numbers. I guess the numbers are just a rough guideline and as such they are fine.

As far as first base goes, there are ways to make a few moves that improve the team. The past practice of signing "value" veterans who might return to a past performance that was acceptable seems less than ideal.. Of the lot, Ryan O'Hearn is clearly the best player for now, but he will be a 2-3 year contract at $12-15M per year. Is that what the Twins want to do?

It seems unlikely that Baltimore would trade their catcher for Lopez, but that would decrease the Twins current roster payroll by about $13M to $83M total. Given the recent statements by the front office indicated an ability to spend to around $110-115M, a contract like Bo Bichette works (8/$200M) if Lopez is moved. Additionally, the Twins could move Larnach and Ober for further financial room without hurting the team too much, especially if the returns were decent. In any event, I'm not tied to any series of deals. My comments are merely to say that there are a host of possibilities to improve the roster without resorting to the past prospects of signing guys on the downside of their careers.

[Gamblerssoftball]

Starting pitching is the area of highest quality depth for the Twins. That would be the reason for any optimism in 2026. Since management has us believing that they want to compete this year, why on earth would we trade any of our top starters. Obtaining a quality bat at first base can be done while keeping our starters intact. There's a lot of trade proposals on here that want to give away much more than we get back. It's a head scratcher for me.

[Jeff K]

20 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Lopez or Ryan for Mayo? Did someone mean Holliday or Henderson? 

Mayo may be rated higher than a Alan Roden but he will not be rated as high as Emmanuel Rodriguez. Baltimore wants pitching and Bailey Ober must have about the same or slightly more value than Mayo. Mountcastle? I'm guessing Julien or Larnach are similar in value.

I've seen a couple of comments that indicate Lopez or Ryan for Mayo.  Glad they are not the GM.  Ober would be worth it to see if Mayo can perform.  I like Ober, but his loss of velocity is a big concern.

[Bob Twins Fan Since 61]

Baseball trades often evolve from trading quality depth in one position to improve another position of weakness.  For the Twins, starting pitchers is the biggest position of strength.  First base, along with relief pitching are positions of weakness.  I did some research on Mountcastle on Oriole sites.  His fall off in performance was due mainly to injury.  He should be healthy for 2026.  Plus, the Twins will get access to his medical records before finalizing the trade.  He is right-handed hitter also.  Would consider trading Ober, who is coming off down year also (likely injury related) for him.  Since Ober has one more year of team control.  To balance the trade Baltimore adding in a 20-30 range ranking prospect makes sense.  The salaries would be close so any budget money to spend can be used on free agent relievers.  Not on a free agent first baseman.  Last thought I see similar chance to trade either Larnach or Wallner to either Pittsburgh or San Francisco for viable, relief pitcher, Twins have a glut of left-handed corner outfielders.  Both those teams have needs for one.  

[tony&rodney]

52 minutes ago, Jeff K said:

I've seen a couple of comments that indicate Lopez or Ryan for Mayo.  Glad they are not the GM.  Ober would be worth it to see if Mayo can perform.  I like Ober, but his loss of velocity is a big concern.

Mayo is similar in some ways to Matt Wallner. The difference is that Big Matt has already shown that he is capable of reaching a .800 OPS despite his struggles. Mayo hasn't shown anything. He is all projection but no longer 22 years old. I'm not saying Mayo is old (he is not/24) but Coby is a big gamble. I'm guessing there is a slightly larger value to Wallner. A Bailey Ober for Coby Mayo trade almost certainly benefits the Orioles. Mountcastle? Please no.

People can ignore those Ryan or Lopez rumors which are almost surely an East Coast idea. Look up what Mets and Yankee fans are sending to Detroit for Tarik Skubal if you need a good laugh. 

Edit to add. I think the Orioles would be smart to offer Coby Mayo to the Twins for Andrew Morris and Kyle DeBarge. I wouldn't take that trade if i was the Twins GM because I like Morris, but I'm sure plenty of other people on TD would see it as a good move.

[Riverbrian]

Mountcastle is estimated to make 8 million in his final year of arbitration. Now that the Orioles have landed Alonso.

The Orioles would love to have that 8 million back.

We could probably trade that guy we got in the Correa deal for him. 

He would end up being a one year rental. You would be spending 8 million to see if he can sharply reverse what has been consistently declining numbers. 

 

 

[TopGunn#22]

I think Mountcastle could bounce back.  He's a reliable glove at 1B which is also a plus.  Guys on TD who think Wallner or Larnach can just pick up a 1B glove, take a few throws and field a couple grounders and be good to go just don't understand the intricacies of playing the position.  Teams put guys that don't move well, don't cover much territory well at 1B.  But infielders KNOW how valuable a GOOD 1B is.

The player the Orioles have that I really like is Jordan Westburg.  He's young (26) can play a good 2B or 3B.  He hits, and he hits with power.  My trade with Baltimore would be Jordan Westburg 50.2, Mountcastle -3.4 (that's a negative value) and either CF Enrique Bradfield 9.3 (24 y/0) or 22 year old Catcher Caden Bodine (MLB RTA 2028) Total 56.1     For Joe Ryan 52.5.  

I still like signing Nathaniel Lowe for $5-$6 million, I think it's a value with upside.  But if the Twins FO doesn't like that, then the above deal works for me.  The Orioles are desperate for SP and Ryan would be their Ace.  They SHOULD overpay to some degree.  The Twins add a starting 1B (Mountcastle) a starting 2B (Westburg) and a near future CF (Bradfield) or a future Catcher (the switch hitting Bodine).  

Westburg hits #2 thru #5 for years to come.  Keaschall can settle in as the LF with 2B/1B flexibility.  Bradfield or Bodine adds a quality prospect.  

I'm still not sure the Twins aren't going to unload one or two SP's.  My order of preference for what the talent they could bring to the Twins is Ober (20.4) Ryan 52.5 and then Lopez 16.5 (I think Lopez is far too low so I wouldn't trade him unless I was blown away).  

If I can bring back a 1-2 year starting 1B, a young hitter/good fielder who becomes part of my core lineup for the next 10 years, and a solid CF or C prospect for Ryan, I make that deal.  It would be the same kind of deal I'd make with the A's in a Ryan trade for a young, good hitting position player like 24 year old Tyler Soderstrom.  A young, ascending hitter/fielder for a 30 year old All Star SP.

[Nashvilletwin]

Well, we could’ve had Polanco at 1B/DH, but the Mets signed him to a 2/$40 to fill that role.  

[TNtwins85]

23 hours ago, Chembry said:

Would you be interested in Mountcastle if the Twins could extend him at a rate $5-7M average AAV? I assume the extension would include opt outs at various phases.  I would be in on Mountcastle if we could avoid arbitration and renegotiate a 2-3 year contract with options.  I understand not everyone would like that, but it would stabilize 1B and he is only 28.  He still has good upside.

On the other hand, Mayo would would require Lopez or Ryan.   

I don’t think Mayo requires either. He has no place to play, he’s still only 23 and needs AB’s. He’s like a much younger much higher ceiling Wallner who plays a more sought after position for the Twins. I think he could be had for a package like Ober or SWR. They might even get Mayo and a lotto ticket for one of those guys. They want to win the East. How do they get there? Infuse a legit veteran bat(Alonso) and load up on impact pitching. Mayo would be a perfect complement to Clemons and is young enough to really excell for years to come if he figures out RHP. These 2 teams match up really well depending on how deep you wanna go. I’d definitely be willing to sell any pitcher not named Lopez or Ryan to bet high on Mayo.

[TNtwins85]

49 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

Mayo is similar in some ways to Matt Wallner. The difference is that Big Matt has already shown that he is capable of reaching a .800 OPS despite his struggles. Mayo hasn't shown anything. He is all projection but no longer 22 years old. I'm not saying Mayo is old (he is not/24) but Coby is a big gamble. I'm guessing there is a slightly larger value to Wallner. A Bailey Ober for Coby Mayo trade almost certainly benefits the Orioles. Mountcastle? Please no.

People can ignore those Ryan or Lopez rumors which are almost surely an East Coast idea. Look up what Mets and Yankee fans are sending to Detroit for Tarik Skubal if you need a good laugh. 

Edit to add. I think the Orioles would be smart to offer Coby Mayo to the Twins for Andrew Morris and Kyle DeBarge. I wouldn't take that trade if i was the Twins GM because I like Morris, but I'm sure plenty of other people on TD would see it as a good move.

Literally just posted this comparison haha! Morris and Debarge would be a good trade package. I think it takes just a bit more but I was thinking a guy like Morris with C/B level prospect or Zebby straight up. Possibly Ober/ SWR straight up to get Mayo and a high risk high reward lotto ticket as well in a deal.