5 Trevor Larnach Trade Suitors for Minnesota Twins in Wake of Pablo López Injury

[Matthew Trueblood]

Image courtesy of © Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins are in a terrible predicament. With Pablo López likely to undergo Tommy John surgery before the end of the month, they're suddenly short a frontline starting pitcher, in a rotation mix that was meant to be the team's utmost strength heading into 2026. New chairman Tom Pohlad has issued a clear (though unfunded) mandate that the team be competitive this season, but it's hard to see how they can do so with the personnel on hand, given the staggering injury to their leader and ace.

Compounding the loss of López is the fact that he is the highest-paid player on a team defined and constrained by its lack of payroll flexibility. López is due $21.5 million in 2026; the Twins won't pay any other player more than $15 million. López and Byron Buxton are the only guys making more than $6.7 million this year. It's possible that the team will recoup some of the lost salary via an insurance claim, but it's unlikely that they'll be given substantial money with which to recruit any representative replacement of their star righty.

One way they could do so, however, would be to trade Trevor Larnach for pitching help. Larnach, soon to turn 29, is set to make nearly $4.5 million this year, but his role on the team has been obviated by the acquisitions of Josh Bell and Victor Caratini. He batted a respectable .254/.330/.428 against right-handed pitchers last season, but he has little defensive value and is not likely to be substantially better than Bell or Caratini as a DH in 2026. He has no place to play in the crowded (if underwhelming) Twins outfield mix, and is an injury risk even when he manages to lumber underneath a ball out in left field.

With two years of team control remaining and coming off a season in which he made an apparently unconscious, ill-advised swing change, Larnach probably has some appeal to teams as a reclamation project. Until now, the Twins have been uninterested in trading him on those terms, holding out instead for a robust return that reflects the potential they saw in him when they made him a first-round pick and (over the years) a priority piece of the roster. If they come down on their asking price, though, they could match up with another team on a deal that would move them forward in the short term and the long term.

Five teams stand out as having a surfeit of pitching depth and a need for left-handed help at DH or in left field. That doesn't mean they could find a perfect fit with the Twins on a trade, but these clubs make promising suitors if the team wants to offload Larnach. Moving him would need to bring back a pitcher who augments their depth, though it wouldn't bring anyone similar to López. The other, ancillary benefit of such a move would be freeing up a few million dollars to spend, perhaps on a last-second bullpen addition.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Somewhat shockingly, the Diamondbacks have brought back both Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen in free agency. That leaves them with a bunch of good options in the starting rotation, especially once Corbin Burnes returns from the Tommy John surgery he underwent last spring. It wasn't really what the team initially planned to do, though. As a result, they'd already brought in Michael Soroka to round out a rotation that also includes compelling young arms Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson.

Meanwhile, the team dealt away outfielder Jake McCarthy and utility option Blaze Alexander, leaving them with extremely shaky options for the corner outfield spots and at DH. They'll go with Pavin Smith as the DH against most righties, and defense-first youngster Jorge Barrosa in left field. If Corbin Carroll is at all delayed in his return from a broken hamate bone, the team's corner outfield outlook will get truly destitute.

Earlier this winter, Minnesota had interest in right-handed journeyman Taylor Clarke, who ultimately signed with Arizona. The low-wattage version of a deal sending Larnach to Arizona would be to get Clarke in exchange, filling innings and giving the Twins a small amount of upside, plus the aforementioned monetary savings to put toward relief help. The alternative version would make the team more expensive, not less so, but it would be buzzier: Minnesota could take on some portion of the $46 million left on the contract of left-handed starter Eduardo Rodríguez.

Rodríguez, who will turn 33 in April, has posted an ERA just over 5.00 in his first two seasons with Arizona, but when he's right, he can still be a solid mid-rotation starter. He'd be a sponge for innings, rather than a respectable candidate for a playoff rotation spot, but the Twins could find multiple ways to extract value from him, if they found the right unlocks for a misused arsenal. The Diamondbacks would have to eat much of the money owed to Rodríguez, but that's not out of the question.

Chicago Cubs
With a loaded rotation, the Cubs will send at least three intriguing starters to Triple-A Iowa this spring, barring a spate of injuries. If 2021 first-round pick Jordan Wicks were panning out as hoped, he'd be more in the thick of the battle for a rotation spot, but as it is, he's a sturdy lefty with a plus changeup whose velocity has ticked up into the mid-90s in recent stints. Lanky right-handed starter Ben Brown would form a perfect trio with Taj Bradley and Mick Abel: three hard-throwing righties with tantalizing starter ceilings but major risk of ending up as a reliever, instead. Kitchen-sink swingman Javier Assad is nearing age 30 and still hasn't gotten a proper chance to establish himself in Chicago, despite putting up good numbers every time the team gives him a shot. None of the three are making significant sums in 2026. All three can be optioned to the minors. Chicago projects to have an all-right-handed-hitting bench, and currently has no choice but to slot Moisés Ballesteros in as their regular DH—a daunting proposition not only because Ballesteros is young and inexperienced, but because the Venezuelan prospect hasn't yet made it to Cubs camp due to visa issues. Larnach for one of Brown, Wicks or Assad could work out perfectly for both sides.

Cincinnati Reds
How much are you missing Chase Petty these days? He's not looking like a future star, but he remains an optionable arm with upside. Like Wicks, he was a 2021 first-round pick but hasn't yet found his stride in the majors. Like Brown, though, he has real promise even if he needs to be converted to the bullpen. Cincinnati's top starters are too good for the Twins to snatch them up in exchange for Larnach, but in addition to Petty, they have some relief arms they could spare and who would be notable upgrades for Minnesota.

Houston Astros
Loaded though they are on the infield, the Astros have a sketchy outfield picture to deal with. If the season began today, they'd give lots of at-bats to the likes of Joey Loperfido and Zach Cole in the corner spots, especially when facing right-handed pitchers. Larnach is slightly better and slightly cheaper than Jesús Sánchez, whom Houston traded for Loperfido at the beginning of camp as they rearrange deck chairs. He'd be a good fit for their home park.

Meanwhile, the Astros are awash in flawed but useful starting pitching. Jason Alexander, Spencer Arrighetti, AJ Blubaugh, Colton Gordon, Kai-Wei Teng and Miguel Ullola are all optionable, but none are in line for many starts in the majors with Houston. In varying degrees and ways, all six are worth a look for the Twins. Swapping Larnach for one of them would give the team more controllable pitching and that financial flexibility they might need to improve the bullpen.

Washington Nationals
This would be something akin to a challenge trade. The rebuilding Nationals aren't going to surrender good pitchers under long-term control for a player like Larnach. However, he would solve some problems for them in filling out the lineup on a day-to-day basis, and they have some post-hype arms who might appeal to the Twins. Former All-Star (even if it was largely an obligatory selection, based on the rule that every team must be represented) Josiah Gray hasn't recovered as hoped from an injury detour, and only has the same amount of team control left that Larnach has, but he's also set to make $1.35 million this year, so he'd bring the team substantial savings. Righty Jake Irvin comes with Minnesota connections and more team control than Gray, though he, too, has been rough lately.

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Larnach can't command an especially rich return in a trade. The Twins are past the point of deluding themselves on that front. However, he could still net the team some viable pitching depth, which has become a more salient and serious need in the wake of Tuesday's news about López. General manager Jeremy Zoll will have to do something to repair the rupture of his roster. Finally moving Larnach might be the best way to go about it.

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[LastOnePicked]

No. Rehabilitate Larnach's trade value, and then trade him. There is no urgency. This team was going nowhere even with Lopez in the rotation. 

[bean5302]

Has no value. Could just DFA and hope a team claims him?

[Mahoning]

Couldn't the Pirates use a left-handed bat with some power?

[Rufus]

The Twins are supposedly so deep in starting pitching prospects.  Some of these guys are in their mid 20's.  It is time for at least one of them to step up.  

[Brandon]

We have good pitching prospects ready to go.  If we don't sign someone like Scherzer, Littel or Giolito then we know who the real Tom Pohlad is and we don't have to give him more chances and we might as well go with the young guys.  There is no in between in this situation because we need top talent to replace the top talent and if we don't have it then we need to go with youth.

[arby58]

17 minutes ago, Rufus said:

The Twins are supposedly so deep in starting pitching prospects.  Some of these guys are in their mid 20's.  It is time for at least one of them to step up.  

We were hoping at least one would step up, now it has to be two. Larnach has little real trade value and also little value to the Twins. Lots of baseball commentators thought the Twins would not tender a contract to him - still don't see how he 'fits' into their plans, given his defensive liability and their surplus of left handed bats to DH. So, if any of these trades would pan out, more power to the Twins.

[Twodogs]

You guys have shown that you guys don't want him.  Why would anyone else??  I mean all kinds of teams would give him a shot, but i don't see anyone trading anything of real value for him.  

[Twodogs]

I mean if he is hitting .275 with 12 - 15 homeruns around the All Star break, then I could see someone shooting the Twins a AA player that once had some potential.   But right now, they wouldn't get anything for him.

[Rod Carews Birthday]

First of all, the thought of getting a viable starting pitcher for Trevor Larnach seems pretty unlikely.  I would take almost every one of these trades and then RUN, not walk, away with my newfound bounty.  If you can actually make ANY of these happen, it's a fantastic return for a guy who has very little value and no real place on the team except in the payroll.  I'm not holding my breath.  A serviceable reliever would be about the maximum return that I could ever imagine.  

Second, IF we are confident in the young/inexperienced starting pitchers that we are touting as next up, then acquiring a starter who is roughly the same age/pedigree/experience level should not be on the list.  If they decided that they need a veteran because they don't want that many innings in the hands of the rookies and rookies+, then that could make some sense.  Trading him for an old prospect seems a lot like acquiring ANOTHER left-handed hitting outfielder.

[LewFordLives]

Interesting article, but I don't see what a Larnach trade has to do with Lopez. The fact is they can't replace Lopez. There is no available free agent as good as Lopez and Larnach has little trade value. As others alluded to above, the Twins have a large stable of young starters. It's time to see who can play and who can't.

 

[raaschjt]

This is unlikely, for reasons stated above, also, it would be uncharacteristically proactive for whatever remains of the front office.
I think they are in an extended “wait and see“ status….

[RaoulDuke]

I think Larnach would have been traded already if anyone was offering any MLB level reliever for him. 

[Parfigliano]

2 hours ago, LastOnePicked said:

No. Rehabilitate Larnach's trade value, and then trade him. There is no urgency. This team was going nowhere even with Lopez in the rotation. 

You didn't get the memo?  They are competing this year.  Pohlad said so.  It's gotta be true.  A Pohlad wouldn't lie.

[Parfigliano]

1 hour ago, Brandon said:

We have good pitching prospects ready to go.  If we don't sign someone like Scherzer, Littel or Giolito then we know who the real Tom Pohlad is and we don't have to give him more chances and we might as well go with the young guys.  There is no in between in this situation because we need top talent to replace the top talent and if we don't have it then we need to go with youth.

Go with the youth and see if there is a MLB arm or three amongst the youth.

[chpettit19]

Does anyone want to argue that Trevor Larnach brings value hitting against left-handed pitching, on the base paths, or in the field? I'm going to assume not. Or at least very, very few people are going to make any of those arguments.

His only value is at the plate when a right-handed pitcher is on the mound. Here are some numbers to consider:

71 out of 109
60 out of 88
43 out of 54

Those are Trevor Larnach's ranks amongst left-handed hitters against right-handed pitchers in terms of wRC+ last year when it comes to hitters with 200, 300, and 400 such plate appearances. Those are the 35th, 32nd, and 21st percentiles. 

Larnach having a 110 wRC+ against righties is good. It's better than it being a 90 wRC+. But when it comes to lefty hitters, it's nothing at all to write home about. And when he provides no other value and you're no longer paying him league minimum, it makes his trade value incredibly low.

If the Twins are offered any of these deals they should file the paperwork immediately. Trevor Larnach does not have trade value. The Twins being so lacking in talent that he continually hits towards the top of their lineup does not automatically mean he is a valuable trade chip. Chase Petty just debuted in the majors at the age of 22 after having appeared on the back end of a couple top 100 lists. My goodness. If the Reds are offering Chase Petty for Trevor Larnach and the Twins are turning them down we need to just pack this thing up and go home.

[twinstalker]

I can give you 4,450,000 reasons why it's impossible to trade Trevor Larnach.  Twins are trying to save money, but they don't understand the simplest:  Larnach doesn't add value, or what little value he might add if used optimally doesn't get you extra wins.

They could have dropped him and put that money toward their debt.  Stupid.  I'm betting the Twins will realize this and non-tender an actually good player in the future, a la David Ortiz.   (and yes, he was to me the best hitter on the team and coming into his prime)

[soyouresayingtheresachance]

Im all for trading Larnach. He is redundant on this team. However, if we're adding a pitcher, I'd prefer just signing Giolito. He seems to be better than any of the options listed. 

[Danchat]

Trading for Chase Petty would be a funny reminder that even the best of our pitching pipeline has mostly pumped out AAAA starters who have too much upside to move to the pen, but still aren't good enough to start in the majors.

At this point I think you flip Larnach for the best prospect you can get. Not gonna be a top 20 guy on any team's prospect list, but they should take what they can get.

[Jacksson]

Tom Pohlad offered the Second Opionion on Lopez.
Pohlad stated, “He’s just fine and will pitch all season long”.
He further stated, “The Twins are serious contenders for the American League Central Division Championship; we will win it in a walk.” “Start ordering your 2026 Play-off and World Series Tickets NOW !!” “Be sure to lock down your 2026 Season Tickets now; they’re going fast.”

[Linus]

Trevor Larnach has little to no trade value. The idea that he can be traded for any pitcher of value is laughable. The decision to tender him is another example of why Falvey is unemployed. 

[GNess]

Since there is zero chance trading Larnach for a SP even remotely close to Lopez its time to surrender the pipe dream of being a serious contender. 

If Larnach can fetch an upside arm or an under the radar. SS prospect he should be dealt. Otherwise just keep him and hope what the Twins have apparently seen in him manifests itself prior to the all star break and revisit dealing him then.

[UK Twin]

The only way we can get value in a Larnach trade right now is to include a highly rated prospect. His bat is nowhere near good enough to compensate for his non-existent defense. We'd have to dangle someone like Soto or Gonzalez, someone who's stock is rising. 

[dxpavelka]

Since only 5% of the fan base has any belief that this can be anything other than a lost season ride Ryan, Ober, SWR, Taj, Zebby, Prielipp?, Morris, Rojas, Abel, Raya, Festa, (Soto, Hill, Quick) as far as they will take you and see who shakes out as viable MLB starters.  No different than having traded Joe Ryan, a move that was most likely not going to return a major league ready starter anyway.

[killercarewoliva]

11 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

Does anyone want to argue that Trevor Larnach brings value hitting against left-handed pitching, on the base paths, or in the field? I'm going to assume not. Or at least very, very few people are going to make any of those arguments.

His only value is at the plate when a right-handed pitcher is on the mound. Here are some numbers to consider:

71 out of 109
60 out of 88
43 out of 54

Those are Trevor Larnach's ranks amongst left-handed hitters against right-handed pitchers in terms of wRC+ last year when it comes to hitters with 200, 300, and 400 such plate appearances. Those are the 35th, 32nd, and 21st percentiles. 

Larnach having a 110 wRC+ against righties is good. It's better than it being a 90 wRC+. But when it comes to lefty hitters, it's nothing at all to write home about. And when he provides no other value and you're no longer paying him league minimum, it makes his trade value incredibly low.

If the Twins are offered any of these deals they should file the paperwork immediately. Trevor Larnach does not have trade value. The Twins being so lacking in talent that he continually hits towards the top of their lineup does not automatically mean he is a valuable trade chip. Chase Petty just debuted in the majors at the age of 22 after having appeared on the back end of a couple top 100 lists. My goodness. If the Reds are offering Chase Petty for Trevor Larnach and the Twins are turning them down we need to just pack this thing up and go home.

very well said.

[TJSweens]

It's unrealistic to think Larnach could be the main piece in a deal that would yield anything more than a mid 30's rag arm. The kind of pitcher who would block a spot better used on developing young pitchers.

Chase Petty? Wouldn't that be something to trade him away for Sonny Gray and get him back for Trevor Larnach?

[Woof Bronzer]

14 hours ago, Mahoning said:

Couldn't the Pirates use a left-handed bat with some power?

Larnach for Skenes, let's do it!

[DJL44]

15 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Has no value. Could just DFA and hope a team claims him?

I don't know if there are five teams who would claim him for the waiver fee.

[jmlease1]

I'd love to move on from Larnach, who seems to have little ceiling left at this point and if he's not mashing RHP adds basically nothing else to the roster since he's seen as primarily being a DH (no speed, no defense, can't hit LHP), but trying to flip him for a quality starting pitcher is a fool's errand.

No one is giving up a rotation piece for Larnach. I mean, I'd deal Larnach for a 5th starter if one was on offer, but just because someone will need one before the season starts when a starter gets inevitably injured in spring training, and they'd be easier to move than Larnach. 

I'd still love to flip Larnach for a reliever. We have space in the bullpen for sure, and I'd much rather open up competition between the young guys to have someone WIN an OF job, not be handed one on scholarship. Make it possible for Bell & Wallner to DH more. Maybe it's one of the RH OF bats we have pushing their way up the minors. Maybe it's one of the LH bats that can actually cover CF. But let's sort it out, rather than give Larnach 120 games of league average offense at DH....

[Brandon]

Larnarch would be a massive improvement for Kansas City's OF... likely RF.  So much so that I bet they would trade a reliever for him.  With the money saved and insurance money from Lopez the Twins should be able to afford Giolito for the rotation.  If not they might as well lower payroll some more....no one is going to their games.