Should the Twins Deal from Their Rotation Depth?

[Cody Pirkl]

Image courtesy of © Denny Medley-Imagn Images

The Twins' rotation is far from finalized, but with as good a one-two punch as any team and a wealth of options to fill out the final three spots, they should feel great about their rotation depth headed into 2026. Should they take advantage of this and use their depth to fill out the roster elsewhere?

Despite being less than perfect, the rotation was far from the biggest reason the team struggled in 2025. A lack of performance and depth in the lineup plagued the Twins for much of last season, and those concerns remain heading into 2026. With starting pitching always in high demand and the Twins likely to once again reduce the payroll, dealing from their group of potential rotation pieces is a creative way to take some swings at improving the lineup.

 

Bailey Ober stands out as perhaps the most puzzling member of the potentially tradable group of starting pitchers. This year was an abject disaster for him: After a strong start, Ober became untenable in the rotation and was eventually placed on the IL due to a hip injury. He would return and look a bit better down the stretch, but his reduced velocity stayed that way, and he would finish the season with a career-worst 5.10 ERA and 19.2% strikeout rate.

On one hand, Ober has been a durable mid-rotation starter for years, and it may be worth writing off one bad season in hopes of a rebound. On the other hand, Ober has battled injuries throughout his career, and there’s a chance it may have caught up to him at age 30. His fastball averaged just a touch over 90 mph and often sank into the high 80s in the middle innings in 2025.

A pitching-needy team may see a worthwhile gamble in Ober. He won’t bring a star in return, but one rough season shouldn't totally torpedo his value. He may be the best option to trade for an MLB-ready position player, if the Twins feel comfortable letting him go.

 

Another starter the Twins could ship out is Simeon Woods Richardson. Now out of options, Woods Richardson has to be carried on the roster out of camp. This lack of flexibility could push the Twins in the direction of trading him to a team with fewer candidates to fill out the back end of their rotation.

 

Like Ober, Woods Richardson would not bring back premium value, but the return would have to make sense. He’s cheap, team-controlled, and capable of taking another step at just 25 years old. He may have already shown signs of doing so last season, as his new splitter became a weapon for him down the stretch. He offers a higher floor than many of the younger rotation options and may not be as lacking in upside as we once thought. If the Twins can find a position player version of Woods Richardson, a swap may be hard to pass up. The Astros could be interested in a swap like that, and Woods Richardson is a Houston-area native. The Athletics could fit on a deal. So could the Rangers.

The less established rotation options can be grouped together when making a case to trade them. The Twins likely have their favorites among Zebby Matthews, David Festa, Mick Abel, Taj Bradley, and Andrew Morris, and it would come down to matching up how they value these names in comparison to other pitching-needy teams.

 

Perhaps the Twins would be less inclined to deal from this group, before seeing them put together a bigger sample size. If another team is in love with one of them and is willing to blow them away to get their guy, though, the Twins may be wise to take a chance and improve their roster while reducing the logjam they currently have in the rotation. As things stand, it’s hard to find immediate space for everyone between both the Triple-A and big-league rotations. Some of them may transition to the bullpen, but there simply aren’t enough spots for everyone on paper.

 

It’s possible the Twins' convictions about competing in 2026 are not as strong as we’d like to think. If that’s the case, they may very well choose not to get creative in trading team-controlled assets until at least the trade deadline. If they’re serious about getting this roster in shape, though, dealing from the rotation may be the best way to do it.

---

Should the Twins dig into the starting rotation depth to try to build a more competitive roster in 2026? Are some of these potential rotation pieces better trade candidates than others? Let us know below!

 

View full article

[bunsen82]

I still stand by I would be ok with a Joe Ryan trade.  I think at this point Buxton is not willing to be the only elite player on the team.  This team is being built for 2028 and moving forward. 

[Cory Engelhardt]

Depending on the return, that makes sense.

[Whitey333]

As usual the teams philosophy this year is to build on hype and hope . These time is right to trade both Ryan and Lopez while they can still get something decent in return.  

[TwinsDr2021]

The Twins have rotation depth? IMO they have two (Pablo and Ryan), probably a third (SWR), and a questionable 4th( Ober after last year), and a bunch of good arms and hope. Matthews and Festa are or will be soon on the wrong side of 26, have 25 and 23 starts both with ERA's over 5 and one close to 6. Bradley has been in the majors for three years and has a career ERA of 4.86 (Will be 25 shortly), Abel will be 24 most of the season and a type of guy the Twins love to have in AAA (Ober, Varland), and I like Morris age, but what has he really done to deserve the title "Part of MLB pitching depth"

People seem to be making this harder than it should be, in reality if Ober is healthy you have one spot open, and that goes Bradley because of experience with Abel, Matthews and Morris next man up (Festa likely in the pen), If Ober isn't back to himself Matthews or Abel gets a shot. 

The Twins shouldn't trade anybody unless it is for prospects or somebody that is absolutely better than the guy penciled in start the season at a position.  and doesn't block Jenkins, Erod, Culpepper (Trading Larnach for something is a must). None of the guys except Pablo or Ryan get that done. 

For the Twins to compete this year and the next few years, Wallner, Lewis, Lee, Keaschall, Jenkins, Erod, Culpepper and/or a couple of other offensive prospects need to step up and be real major league starter type players or better. There really is no reason to guys like Clemens and Bell should be anything more than minor bit players because they don't really help you get over the hump. 

[Nashvilletwin]

Based on the lack of activity since last season’s trade deadline massacre and the recent comments from T3 and Falvey, none of the starting staff appear to be getting moved at least until it’s clear this roster is not going to compete this season. So they will roll the dice on risking current at or near peak term trade values for Lopez and Ryan to get the opportunity to see how the season develops.  Is that a good bet? Not clear, but the odds seem to be against them.

Let’s review each candidate anyway:

Lopez - older, expensive, trade value at or near his peak, surely will not be a Twin post ‘27 even though he seems to like it here. Maybe his trade value goes up a bit once his form is reastablished during spring training and his first handful of starts and we see how starter injuries develop across the league early in the year. Conclusion: Trade.

Ryan - a little younger (but age starting to be an issue post ‘27), trade value certainly at its peak.  Not clear he wants to be here anyway. Ryan should be treated like Quinn Hughes: if he can’t be extended either before camp or early in the season, he has to be moved.  Extending Ryan would be about the best PR move T3 could make right now even if not the best longer term baseball strategy move. Conclusion: trade or extend - its one or the other.

Ober - absolutely no reason to trade him now as based on his ‘25 performance he does not have enough value to bring back anyone who reasonably could expect to contribute in ‘28.  Way better to wait to see if he can reestablish his form and increase his value.  He stays for now, particularly if we need innings post a Ryan or Lopez trade. Conclusion: no trade.

SWR - cheap, young, controllable, limited current trade value and has upside - just what the Twins are seeking,  He 100% could be a reliable #3-5 in ‘28. Conclusion: he stays.

The Youngsters - they are all auditioning over the next season and likely ‘27 as well to be part of the core starting staff or maybe the bullpen,  Since they all are cheap and controllable, we keep them all and see what shakes out. Conclusion: no trades.

 

[arby58]

There was a similar column at the start of last season extolling the team's starting pitching depth and suggesting using that in a trade for a position player(s). Then Lopez and Ober went down, and then Festa went down . . .  so much for starting pitching depth.

Ober is coming off a poor year, his velocity is down, and he's 30 - he's not bringing anything back of note. Better for the Twins to work to bring him back to past form.

I still don't understand the general disdain for SWR. Other than Ryan, he was their best starting pitcher last year - 22 starts, 4.04 ERA, 7-4 record, about a K per inning, and he's only 25 years old, inexpensive, and controllable. I don't care if he's out of options, I'm putting him in the starting rotation at the start of the year and keeping him there. 

As for the rest, they will necessarily need depth, and none of the others has stood out enough to get much in return anyway.

[JBK]

Don't let Falvey make the trade

[Blyleven2011]

I'm getting alittle tired of reading about we shoulda,  woulda , coulda articles ...

Trade all the twins daily writers named Cody and see what we get in return , same old crap different day ...

We have 2 more months to establish a team and I'm just going to wait and see what develops  , can we put together a winning team , YES , can we put together a contending team,  I  DONT THINK SO ...

Every year the twins construct a team to win enough games to draw interest to the fans to fill the seats,  nothing has changed yet over the years , will this be the year Tom terrific changes the formula,  it would be nice to be a solid contender  ...

Speculate all you want on trading Ober but he has no current value to trade for a useful return , he's just better off with the twins and if healthy can rebound from his 2025 season ...

[old nurse]

If at the trade deadline the Twins thought that Morris, Festa, Mathews and Prielipp were going to be MLB starters for the next 3-6 years they would not have sought the return they did for what they traded, If someone were to offer something of decent value any of those 4 could be traded. Those kinds of trades are probably unlikely to materialize until spring training. When other teams see their fringe starters are a lot less than they expected. If the Twins think it is possible that their position players will be playing closer to their ceiling they actually could contend in a weak central, especially if Kwan is traded. The thinking could also be they think the above 4 could be the next Duran and Jax. Time will tell. The people with pitchforks and machetes are not that patient. 

[Riverbrian]

Should they? Yes... They should cash in Joe Ryan this off-season. 

Will They? No... This team is going for it. 

If they are going for it. They will need the depth because it takes 8 to 10 starters to get through a season. 

 

[Heiny]

What's the old saying?  You can't have too much pitching!  And there is no projectable future HOF'ers on this squad.  There are always injuries.  There are always down years.  I would not trade any of them as it is possible that they may all get some needed time in the rotation or some quality innings out of the pen, especially the youngsters.  We've built some depth at a position and I don't see them bringing back anything worth while.  Continue development.  At least until the trade deadline, then re-evaluate.

 

[ziggy]

well they sure are not going to trade from relief pitching depth.

[DJL44]

It depends on how many starters they decide to move to the bullpen.

There is a good argument to be made that Ober should move to the bullpen to regain his lost velocity and the effectiveness that comes with that velocity. He didn't have the stamina to maintain his fastball last season. Put him in the bullpen and he could be the closer.

Festa should move to the bullpen. He's never had the ability to put up a lot of innings as a starter. The thoracic outlet syndrome means it makes sense to limit his innings. If his stuff plays up at all he could replace Jax.

Prielipp should also move to the bullpen to keep him healthy and increase his effectiveness. He could be an all-star in relief.

Raya is the final arm who has a future as a reliever, though I think he'll need more time in AAA to figure it out.

That leaves Lopez, Ryan, Bradley, Woods Richardson, Matthews and Abel for the rotation with Morris, Rojas and Culpepper for depth.

Bullpen would be Ober, Festa, Prielipp, Topa, Funderburk, Sands and Orze with one spot open for Raya/Klein/Ohl/Adams.

[jorgenswest]

If there is a surplus of major league quality starting pitching they have a need for those arms in the pen where there is a deficit. I wouldn’t be actively trying to trade starting pitching. I would be actively trying to trade at least one corner outfielder.

[tony&rodney]

TwinsDr2021 and Nashevilletwin pretty much covered most views on the Twins starters.

The one thing we don't know is how other clubs value any of the Twins starting pitchers. Last July effective relief pitchers were traded for Taj Bradley, Mick Abel, and Kendry Rojas. It would seem like Bradley, Abel, and Matthews might be looked on favorably for rotation spots ...... or as trade chips. We don't know the view.

The reason many people, including me, have suggested trades is because the position side of the team is just plain deficient. Unless all of Luke Keaschall, Kaelen Culpepper, Emmanuel. Rodriguez, and Walker Jenkins are everyday players on Day 1, the team needs help. Josh Bell isn't help.

I can agree that we have a good pitching staff. I can agree that there can never be too much pitching. I can agree that the Twins need all of their arms and give the inexperienced players some time to see what they have. That's all good .....

..... except the Twins badly need guys to catch and throw behind the pitchers. The Twins badly need someone who can hit. The Twins need someone who can run. The Twins need talent on the position side of the roster. It is a classic Catch-22. There isn't an easy answer. Only the prospects hold any promise whatsoever of saving the team. That is why some of us on Twins Daily have suggested trades. We like our pitchers. It was just too painful to watch the folly of how the position guys fielded their positions. That necessitates some change.

How? Who? That is where trades get suggested and frankly many of them have no chance and may be be slightly ridiculous. Rolling back the same basic roster as last September seems ridiculous too. On that Twins Daily is split.

Are there options? They are dwindling. If Pablo Lopez was traded for a Jonah Tong, that hurts and may not even be possible. It also allows the Twins to sign Bo Bichette, a player who would stabilize the roster. If Joe Ryan was traded we would cry foul but there are options potentially to strengthen the team. A wild guess of a blockbuster sends Ryan, Bradley, Roden, and Rojas to Sacramento for Soderstrom and De Vries. All I'm saying is that the current roster is over matched and that there are options within a budget of $115M. 

I would love to see this current roster win the division and go on to win the World Series. I will be hoping for the best no matter how things play out. I'm just skeptical that rolling it back for a third year brings about a different result.

[mickster]

1 hour ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Based on the lack of activity since last season’s trade deadline massacre and the recent comments from T3 and Falvey, none of the starting staff appear to be getting moved at least until it’s clear this roster is not going to compete this season. So they will roll the dice on risking current at or near peak term trade values for Lopez and Ryan to get the opportunity to see how the season develops.  Is that a good bet? Not clear, but the odds seem to be against them.

Let’s review each candidate anyway:

Lopez - older, expensive, trade value at or near his peak, surely will not be a Twin post ‘27 even though he seems to like it here. Maybe his trade value goes up a bit once his form is reastablished during spring training and his first handful of starts and we see how starter injuries develop across the league early in the year. Conclusion: Trade.

Ryan - a little younger (but age starting to be an issue post ‘27), trade value certainly at its peak.  Not clear he wants to be here anyway. Ryan should be treated like Quinn Hughes: if he can’t be extended either before camp or early in the season, he has to be moved.  Extending Ryan would be about the best PR move T3 could make right now even if not the best longer term baseball strategy move. Conclusion: trade or extend - its one or the other.

Ober - absolutely no reason to trade him now as based on his ‘25 performance he does not have enough value to bring back anyone who reasonably could expect to contribute in ‘28.  Way better to wait to see if he can reestablish his form and increase his value.  He stays for now, particularly if we need innings post a Ryan or Lopez trade. Conclusion: no trade.

SWR - cheap, young, controllable, limited current trade value and has upside - just what the Twins are seeking,  He 100% could be a reliable #3-5 in ‘28. Conclusion: he stays.

The Youngsters - they are all auditioning over the next season and likely ‘27 as well to be part of the core starting staff or maybe the bullpen,  Since they all are cheap and controllable, we keep them all and see what shakes out. Conclusion: no trades.

 

I agree for the most part.   I think there may be a good chance Lopez will resign, but no need to do it now.    A long term extension for Ryan would be a great move IF he wants to be here.  If he has zero desire of signing a long term deal, then unfortunately the Twins need to maximize his value in a trade.   The rest are sell low candidates, and the stable of younger arms accumulated will be needed for the season.   I would like to see Bradley start as our #5, with Abel and Zebby waiting in the wings.   Festa to the bullpen for BP depth and most likely where his career arc is headed.    This is the depth that will be tested if Ryan wants out and he gets flipped.

[rdehring]

Interesting question, Cody.  Loved several, heck most of the comments, especially those from Nashville, Arby and DJL.  Thanks for saying it so much better than I.

With Christmas a few days away, spring training will soon be open.  Go Twins!  Win the Central in '26!

[bunsen82]

2 hours ago, Whitey333 said:

As usual the teams philosophy this year is to build on hype and hope . These time is right to trade both Ryan and Lopez while they can still get something decent in return.  

If you are trading for the right time - Its Buxton and Ryan they are both at extremely high trade valuations.  Keep Ober and Lopez and see if they show they are #2 or #1 pitchers again to increase their value.   

[LA Vikes Fan]

2 hours ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

The Twins have rotation depth? IMO they have two (Pablo and Ryan), probably a third (SWR), and a questionable 4th( Ober after last year), and a bunch of good arms and hope. Matthews and Festa are or will be soon on the wrong side of 26, have 25 and 23 starts both with ERA's over 5 and one close to 6. Bradley has been in the majors for three years and has a career ERA of 4.86 (Will be 25 shortly), Abel will be 24 most of the season and a type of guy the Twins love to have in AAA (Ober, Varland), and I like Morris age, but what has he really done to deserve the title "Part of MLB pitching depth"

People seem to be making this harder than it should be, in reality if Ober is healthy you have one spot open, and that goes Bradley because of experience with Abel, Matthews and Morris next man up (Festa likely in the pen), If Ober isn't back to himself Matthews or Abel gets a shot. 

The Twins shouldn't trade anybody unless it is for prospects or somebody that is absolutely better than the guy penciled in start the season at a position.  and doesn't block Jenkins, Erod, Culpepper (Trading Larnach for something is a must). None of the guys except Pablo or Ryan get that done. 

For the Twins to compete this year and the next few years, Wallner, Lewis, Lee, Keaschall, Jenkins, Erod, Culpepper and/or a couple of other offensive prospects need to step up and be real major league starter type players or better. There really is no reason to guys like Clemens and Bell should be anything more than minor bit players because they don't really help you get over the hump. 

I have to agree with your basic premise - the kind of player that will really improve the team is not going to be available for the Ober on down starting pitchers. I also agree that we shouldn't trade starting pitching for anything other than a premium prospect(s) or an MLB ready guy who is better than the guy we now have in that position. We should NOT trade starting pitching for relief pitching or depth players. I think a trade of starting pithing that meets those parameters is very unlikely and I'm against anything less.  

[Cris E]

I think Ober is fine and just tried pitching through a minor injury while others were out to be a team guy, but it ended up getting worse and wrecking his season. Dumb by him but really dumb by the staff for letting him. His hip should be better by now and I expect his 26 to be back to normal. 

I think Ryan should be extended unless he really doesn't want to stay. It'll take some convincing by Tom P that they really think they can win, and I think Buxton has to be part of that discussion. That means budget plans and expectations for what the CBA will produce for 27, and I'm not certain how that would go. 

Otherwise I believe a huge trade for a top 1B prospect like Eldridge with a team that need pitching like SF is a must. I'd do multiple youth rather than Ryan or Lopez, but it should be doable for a position where we have a clear need and no heir apparent. 

[miller761]

What would SWR and Larnach get us back? Or Ober and Larnach?

[TwinsDr2021]

24 minutes ago, mickster said:

I agree for the most part.   I think there may be a good chance Lopez will resign, but no need to do it now.    A long term extension for Ryan would be a great move IF he wants to be here.  If he has zero desire of signing a long term deal, then unfortunately the Twins need to maximize his value in a trade.   The rest are sell low candidates, and the stable of younger arms accumulated will be needed for the season.   I would like to see Bradley start as our #5, with Abel and Zebby waiting in the wings.   Festa to the bullpen for BP depth and most likely where his career arc is headed.    This is the depth that will be tested if Ryan wants out and he gets flipped.

What does a extension look like for Lopez and Ryan?

The Twins have have Lopez for the next two seasons at 43.5 million and will be a Free Agent at age 32. Lets say they extend him to the FA contract signed, 3/75, Is that what people are thinking? 

As for Joe Ryan the Twins also have him for the next two season at around 20 million or so and will be a Free Agent at age 32. Would he accept 3/75 or buy out his last two years at 5/100. 

Is that what mid market teams should be doing with guys 32 and older? 

[LambchoP]

I would trade one of our redundant LH corner outfielders before I started trading away pitching. Of course most of those guys don't have much in the way of trade value other than Larnach, who should be traded for bullpen help 

[1985Fan]

22 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

TwinsDr2021 and Nashevilletwin pretty much covered most views on the Twins starters.

The one thing we don't know is how other clubs value any of the Twins starting pitchers. Last July effective relief pitchers were traded for Taj Bradley, Mick Abel, and Kendry Rojas. It would seem like Bradley, Abel, and Matthews might be looked on favorably for rotation spots ...... or as trade chips. We don't know the view.

The reason many people, including me, have suggested trades is because the position side of the team is just plain deficient. Unless all of Luke Keaschall, Kaelen Culpepper, Emmanuel. Rodriguez, and Walker Jenkins are everyday players on Day 1, the team needs help. Josh Bell isn't help.

I can agree that we have a good pitching staff. I can agree that there can never be too much pitching. I can agree that the Twins need all of their arms and give the inexperienced players some time to see what they have. That's all good .....

..... except the Twins badly need guys to catch and throw behind the pitchers. The Twins badly need someone who can hit. The Twins need someone who can run. The Twins need talent on the position side of the roster. It is a classic Catch-22. There isn't an easy answer. Only the prospects hold any promise whatsoever of saving the team. That is why some of us on Twins Daily have suggested trades. We like our pitchers. It was just too painful to watch the folly of how the position guys fielded their positions. That necessitates some change.

How? Who? That is where trades get suggested and frankly many of them have no chance and may be be slightly ridiculous. Rolling back the same basic roster as last September seems ridiculous too. On that Twins Daily is split.

Are there options? They are dwindling. If Pablo Lopez was traded for a Jonah Tong, that hurts and may not even be possible. It also allows the Twins to sign Bo Bichette, a player who would stabilize the roster. If Joe Ryan was traded we would cry foul but there are options potentially to strengthen the team. A wild guess of a blockbuster sends Ryan, Bradley, Roden, and Rojas to Sacramento for Soderstrom and De Vries. All I'm saying is that the current roster is over matched and that there are options within a budget of $115M. 

I would love to see this current roster win the division and go on to win the World Series. I will be hoping for the best no matter how things play out. I'm just skeptical that rolling it back for a third year brings about a different result.

I like the idea of trading for Soderstrom from the A’s. They need pitching, so that may motivate them to move a key player like Soderstrom. He’s blocked at 1B and catcher by two key players, so he makes sense as a trade candidate. DeVries would also be a great get and is also blocked. Both would be clear upgrades to the roster and could slot in as starters, which would push Bell to DH only. Both are young and Soderstrom has positional flexibility.
I agree that the Twins need talent on the position player side of the roster. The players they have now aren’t MLB ready players and probably wouldn’t be starters on a contending team. Buxton, Jeffers, and Keaschall are the exceptions.

To get a player like Soderstrom, Twins would have to give up a good pitcher and probably some prospects. Not sure exactly what it would take, but hopefully Ryan and prospect or two would be enough. Adding in DeVries give the Twins insurance at SS in case Culpepper takes longer, is injured, or doesn’t pan out. Adding him adds significant costs to trade, but could be worth it. I’d prefer Twins trade from their supposedly top rated farm system, but trading Ryan now makes sense. But that assumes Twins/Falvey are serious about contending. I don’t think they are, they’re just trying to sell tickets. 

[GNess]

Trying to contend in the current AL Central is a much different task than contending for a World Series title.

I know that is stating the obvious, but it does frame the. discussion somewhat and better describes what path the Twins might be pursuing.

[TwinsDr2021]

5 minutes ago, Cris E said:

 

I think Ryan should be extended unless he really doesn't want to stay.

 

At what cost? people keep throwing out Ryan should be extended, but they leave out numbers, What if Ryan says sure I would love to stay in a Twins and sign an extension and the number is 5/140 are you doing it? 

[TopGunn#22]

I have been on the same page as tony&rodney in this debate.  Yes, we do have some depth from the rotational side, but we so gutted our BP that some of that depth (Festa, Prielipp, Raya) needs to be seriously considered for important BP roles.

Here is a list of these pitchers and a ballpark trade value based on BBTV:

Abel  10.1            Has shown flashes. Needs better command.                                                                          Morris 4.1            I agree he's shown little to be even listed.  Throw in guy in a larger trade at best.            Taj Bradley 43.1  Griffin Jax had a value of about 24-26 at the time of the trade.                                          Ober  21.0           While his velocity is down, his value for trade purposes is still solid.                                Matthews  25.3   Love his stuff, but like Abel and Bradley better command is needed.

Festa   12.2  His raw stuff is the equal of Abel, Matthews and Bradley. Needs to spend 2026 in the BP. Lopez  16.5  Value is down due to injury marred 2025.  I suspect he would bring far more value back. 

Connor Prielipp  15.6  Decent value.  Like Festa needs a season in the BP to stay healthy.  A healthy, effective season out of the BP would build value for Prielipp and Festa.  Both are STILL rotation worthy.

Dasan Hill  13.6  I list this guy because he's one of my favorite prospects.  Drafted in 2024 his ETA is 2028.

Marco Raya  4.2  His inability to consistently throw 3-4 innings limits his value and makes BP his ceiling.

I also hold the view that we are a terrible fielding team that can't make consistent contact.  We can hope Jenkins, Culpepper, E-Rod, Marek Houston and others make the jump and succeed, but what are the odds the Twins go 4 for 4?  A strategic trade of an asset like Ober, who still should have value to teams looking to fill out a rotation should at least be explored.

I liked what I saw from SWR down the stretch last season and as a guy who was pushing to trade him OFTEN, I wouldn't deal him now.  Ober should be moved to open opportunities for Bradley, Abel and Matthews.  I already consider SWR IN the rotation.  It's interesting to see the value we got back in the Jax for Bradley trade.  Taj Bradley is allegedly our 2nd most valuable SP behind only Joe Ryan. 

Even if the season goes off the rails by June 1st (which I think is more likely than the Twins being 2 games behind the Tigers in 2nd place) I still think there is a high probability that Ryan gets traded.  I would expect that trade to return at least one position player and a young replacement SP/another position player.  If Lopez is pitching well and we're still floundering in 4th place, his value will go from 16.5 to somewhere around 25-35 and some nice, young talent can come back in that deal.

The trade partners at the top of the list would remain the Red Sox, Mets, Orioles, Yankees and Cubs. There could be rotation injuries that spur need well before the trade deadline.  Of course, the Twins could be in last place with injuries to Ryan, Lopez and Ober and left holding the bag for a much harder rebuild after the 2026 housecleaning.   

[bean5302]

Joe Ryan is Arb 2 this year. An extension would probably add another 3 years to his contract at $30MM per year, plus buying out his existing arbitration eligibility.

So guessing about 5yrs $108MM-ish? right now ($8MM, $15MM, $25MM, $30MM, $30MM), all of which will be for a non-durable post-prime age 30+ pitcher. At the end of the deal, Ryan will have pitched through his age 34 season making $30MM. Ryan has a career ERA/FIP of 3.80, but if you limited it to his last two seasons, you could make the case he's a 3.50-3.60 ERA/FIP, solid #2 pitcher.

If the Twins already had a cost controlled ace and a proven core with a $160MM payroll max, this would make sense. The Twins don't have either item.

[Major League Ready]

2 hours ago, JBK said:

Don't let Falvey make the trade

Don't let the guy who traded for Ryan and Lopez be the guy to trade them?