Is Trevor Larnach a Fit for the Houston Astros?

[Matthew Lenz]

Trevor Larnach is in the midst of a career year, having gone from non tender candidate to an above average hitter and serviceable left fielder in a matter of months. Is now the right time to move on from him and create an opening for a top prospect?

Chandler Rome of The Athletic is reporting that the "[Houston] Astros focus at the trade deadline is a left-handed hitting outfielder." While their farm system isn't strong, the Astros have a bevy of southpaw relievers that they could look to move...something the Minnesota Twins are in need of.

Though the Minnesota Twins may not be true "buyers" at the deadline, they will seemingly be in the playoff hunt in the second half of the season. If they were to make a move, it would make sense for them to deal from a position of depth to strengthen the weakest position group on the roster. 
 

For Larnach, he is currently slashing .247/.326/.412 with 13 home runs and a pair of stolen bases across 75 games. Though it's still not great, he has improved his defensive contributions this season to a more serviceable level. Having been a league-average (or slightly better) hitter for years now, the improved defense has made him a more reliable everyday player. He is controllable through 2027.

Should the Minnesota Twins look to trade Trevor Lawrence? Join the conversation in the comments!

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[dxpavelka]

And cut down to only a half dozen left handed hitting corner outfielders?  That seems ballsy.

[thelanges5]

Larnach is hitting 

.289

.384

.443

and has 6 HR, 130 OPS+

Trevor Lawrence?

[Patrick Slator]

Yeah guys, there's enough factual errors here that you might want to take this one down

 

[olerud]

42 minutes ago, Patrick Slator said:

Yeah guys, there's enough factual errors here that you might want to take this one down

 

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[DJL44]

For Bryan King, sure. For Steven Okert, no thanks.

[Cris E]

Editing is for the weak. Stay the course!

Actually I have it on good advice that Trevor Lawrence threw seven innings in junior college (7 K, 4 BB, 8 hits) and that he threw out a first pitch before the home opener for the AAA Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp in 2023. So that's Yes he's probably available to pitch this week but No the Twins shouldn't try to pry him away from football.

[mnfireman]

I don't believe you make a trade with one of the teams you are chasing for a play-off spot...

[DataNerd]

I think trading Larnach would be a smart move in a deadline where we mix buying and selling.  I don't think this team is good enough to deal anyone in the org top 10, but it could be a good move to trade from strength (C, LHH OF) to address the pen.

[Dman]

If we are trading Larnach it would be for pen help and Houston's system is pretty bare.  I think Larnach could really help Houston a lot and he hit well in that park.  I just don't know what they could give or would be willing to give us that would make it worth it for us to trade him.

As noted if we are chasing them for the last wild card spot it makes even less sense to give them a leg up.

[mrtwinsfan]

9 hours ago, thelanges5 said:

Larnach is hitting 

.289

.384

.443

and has 6 HR, 130 OPS+

Trevor Lawrence?

Give us Josh Hader and im in !!!

[bean5302]

Larnach is probably like a +12 surplus player right now. Teams looking to add aren't also trading MLB talent back. MLB for MLB trades don't generally happen.

Larnach was a non-tender candidate not because he wasn't worth $5MM, but because he wasn't worth $5MM to the Twins and the front office has been utterly incompetent when it comes to trading guys like Larnach when they could.

[Mike Sixel]

3 hours ago, Dman said:

If we are trading Larnach it would be for pen help and Houston's system is pretty bare.  I think Larnach could really help Houston a lot and he hot well in that park.  I just don't know what they could give or would be willing to give us that would make it worth it for us to trade him.

As noted if we are chasing them for the last wild card spot it makes even less sense to give them a leg up.

Will Bush or Bryce Meyer, plus a PTBNL, random low A guy. 

[ashbury]

8 hours ago, mnfireman said:

I don't believe you make a trade with one of the teams you are chasing for a play-off spot...

What if they want to strip mine our bullpen (aside from a few we mark as untouchable)?

[Dman]

2 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

Will Bush or Bryce Meyer, plus a PTBNL, random low A guy. 

Meyer would work IMO.  Still if Houston is as pitching needy as they seem to be I don't know if they would do that deal.  That would be the kind of return I'd be looking for though.  74 K's in 52 innings.  That's some good stuff.

[Mike Sixel]

10 minutes ago, Dman said:

Meyer would work IMO.  Still if Houston is as pitching needy as they seem to be I don't know if they would do that deal.  That would be the kind of return I'd be looking for though.  74 K's in 52 innings.  That's some good stuff.

If I  can't get a pitcher or catcher, I'm not sure I deal Trevor?

[TopGunn#22]

A trade with the Red Sox that brings the Twins Sonny Gray and Aroldis Chapman may be an unreachable dream.  But it's also one that requires a 3rd team as the Twins surplus of LH hitting OF (Larnach, Wallner, E-Rod etc...) needed to make a deal, doesn't align with Boston exclusively.  Maybe Houston is that 3rd team.  Part of the proposed deal would send Ryan Jeffers and Dasan Hill to the Red Sox.  Larnach could be sent to Houston.  It would probably require a lot more but...

I don't do anything with Baseball Trade Values anymore.  If someone does (Doc Bauer??) maybe a suggested 3 team trade with Boston and Houston could be presented for conversation.