Twins 2026 Trade Deadline Needs: Ranking Minnesota's Biggest Priorities

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of © Jordan Johnson-Imagn Images

The MLB trade deadline is only a few weeks away, and the Twins once again find themselves walking the line between buying and selling. Minnesota remains in the thick of the American League Wild Card race despite battling injuries across nearly every area of the roster, making this year's deadline more about targeted additions than blockbuster moves.

If the Twins continue to hover around playoff position, adding the right pieces could be enough to extend meaningful baseball into September. They don't need to overhaul the roster, but there are clearly areas where reinforcements would have the biggest impact. Here's how the Twins' roster needs rank heading toward the deadline.

3. Bats

Of the three major areas on the roster, adding offense feels like the least likely scenario. In fact, there's a better chance Minnesota subtracts from this group than adds to it. Ryan Jeffers and Josh Bell are both free agents, making each a logical trade candidate if the front office believes it can replace their production internally while improving another area of the roster.

That isn't without risk. Veteran production carries value during a playoff chase, and replacing experienced hitters with unproven players always introduces some uncertainty. This is similar to what small-market teams do at the trade deadline as they balance buying and selling. Still, the organization has positioned itself well for exactly this scenario.

The Twins lead the American League in runs scored, despite several core hitters enduring lengthy slumps during the first half. That's an encouraging sign, because even more offensive help could be arriving from within.

Walker Jenkins has done everything necessary to put himself on the doorstep of the major leagues at Triple-A St. Paul. Alan Roden, acquired at last year's trade deadline, has looked like a quality depth option since returning from injury. Meanwhile, Matt Wallner appears to have rediscovered his swing after being sent to Triple-A, earning International League Player of the Month honors for June. Not every contender can point to that kind of offensive depth waiting in the wings (though, of course, Byron Buxton's injury has already forced Roden to join the active roster). 

2. Starting Pitching

The Twins have managed to survive a wave of rotation injuries, but asking them to continue doing so for another two months feels optimistic.

Connor Prielipp has been impressive at times, but the organization will almost certainly have to monitor his workload as he approaches an innings limit during the second half. At the same time, Minnesota has already lost a trio of pitchers for the year, including Pablo López, David Festa, and Mick Abel. This has forced the coaching staff to piece together stretches of the schedule with regular bullpen games.

Bailey Ober is expected back soon, which should stabilize the rotation, but one healthy return doesn't erase the lack of depth behind the current starters. Kendry Rojas and John Klein are already on the 40-man roster, but both have primarily been used in long relief, rather than traditional starting roles. Ryan Gallagher, another pitcher acquired at last year's deadline, has intriguing upside at Triple-A but needs to demonstrate more consistency before earning a promotion. He's also not yet on the 40-man roster.

One dependable veteran starter could dramatically change the outlook for Minnesota's rotation. It would reduce the strain on younger arms, lessen the need for bullpen games, and provide valuable stability over the season's final two months.

1. Bullpen

The bullpen has been Minnesota's biggest need for nearly a full calendar year. That reality became even more painful when Jhoan Duran and Louis Varland were both selected as first-time All-Stars in 2026. Either one would be anchoring the back end of the Twins' bullpen right now, had they remained in the organization. Instead, Minnesota entered the season already searching for reliable late-inning depth, before injuries created an even bigger problem. Anthony Banda had settled into the primary setup role after a difficult April, posting a sparkling 1.00 ERA over 20 appearances since May 10. Just as he found his groove, a significant lat strain knocked him out for multiple months, leaving another major hole in the bullpen.

Cole Sands has also been unavailable for most of the season after suffering a mild right forearm strain in early May. He has appeared in only 12 games this year. He's now out on a rehab assignment and could be back in the majors almost right away, but there's no guarantee that he'll be the best version of himself when he returns—and the team needs that version of him, or something even better.

Even before those injuries, the bullpen lacked enough trustworthy options behind the late-inning arms. Now, the group could benefit from reinforcements from both the right and left sides. The encouraging part is that relief pitching is often the easiest area to address at the trade deadline. Contending teams routinely shuffle bullpen pieces, and quality relievers can usually be acquired without paying the premium attached to starting pitchers.

If the Twins ultimately decide to make only one significant addition before the deadline, it should be a reliever capable of handling meaningful outs in the seventh, eighth, or ninth. Improving the bullpen would not only strengthen the relief corps, but also protect a rotation that has already absorbed more than its share of injuries.

Minnesota's offense has carried the club through stretches of the first half, giving the front office the flexibility to focus almost exclusively on pitching before the deadline. A veteran starter would provide welcome stability, but the bullpen remains the clear priority. Between injuries, a lack of dependable depth, and the increased workload created by bullpen games, the Twins need more reliable relief options if they're serious about staying in the postseason race.

A couple of smart, targeted pitching additions could be enough to support an offense that has already proven capable of carrying its share of the load. If the Twins remain in contention over the next few weeks, that's exactly the type of deadline approach fans should expect.

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Do you agree with the rankings? What would be a perfect trade deadline for the Twins? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

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[Cory Engelhardt]

Bullpen, if they truly are going to try, needs at least 2 dependable additions prior to August 3, and maybe even 3.

I'd LOVE another starter. If Ober looks good in his return tomorrow AND Mick Abel can reasonably be counted on to come back prior to August 3, then this is maybe less of a need. But I'd love the idea of adding a guy who can go 6 on the regular.

With bats, you didn't mention Kaelen Culpepper. Just throwing that out. I do not know if adding a bat is a need right now, but I suppose you always have to listen. But I do think trading Larnach makes all the sense in the world regardless. I also don't know how much longer Josh Bell can hit like he has, but he has looked good in the dh spot for a while now.

[weitz41]

I'm in on taking a calculated shot at a WC or the division. 2 BP arms and some underperforming starter would be as far as I'd go.

Jeffers, I'd try to extend. If that's a no go like Berrios was, I'd move him. No point in losing him to free agency for zip. I've seen the Yankees stuff about Jeffers. If that happens I don't see them parting with any BP arms on the 26-man roster. They are trying to get to the WS. SO, you have to pick from the 40 man and minors. There's a few that fit the Twins needs.

Larnach...I actually was for keeping him in the offseason. My reasoning was if the kids can't beat him out, hold till the trade deadline. Now it's a few weeks away. The Twins will need to find the right team to do a trade that helps this season and beyond. I'm looking at the Astros as the best target. Same as the Yankees. But they have a few minor league arms that might fill a BP spot.

Now the tricky part, The Twins have way too many outfielders looking for a spot in the majors. If they are trying to win now and build for 2027+ they have to decide who has a future in Minesota...Jenkins is off limits. But after that who? Something has to give. I'll just point to the Giants as my choice to help the BP and another starter. I'm going to lose a few here...Tyler Mahle or Robbie Ray would fill the starter to save inning on the young arms. They have a few MLB BP arms I could see them parting with.

[killercarewoliva]

44 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Bullpen, if they truly are going to try, needs at least 2 dependable additions prior to August 3, and maybe even 3.

I'd LOVE another starter. If Ober looks good in his return tomorrow AND Mick Abel can reasonably be counted on to come back prior to August 3, then this is maybe less of a need. But I'd love the idea of adding a guy who can go 6 on the regular.

With bats, you didn't mention Kaelen Culpepper. Just throwing that out. I do not know if adding a bat is a need right now, but I suppose you always have to listen. But I do think trading Larnach makes all the sense in the world regardless. I also don't know how much longer Josh Bell can hit like he has, but he has looked good in the dh spot for a while now.

Abel I loved to see but he is probably out for the rest of the season..

 

[Cory Engelhardt]

3 minutes ago, killercarewoliva said:

Abel I loved to see but he is probably out for the rest of the season..

 

You are probably right. Just saying, if he can be pitching again soon then a starter isn't as big a need. But really, time is running out and I can't see a way he is back in the majors before the end of the month regardless.

 

 

[tony&rodney]

#3 - bullpen. 

#2 - bullpen.

#1 - bullpen.

I'm not sure what teams are willing to give up a good relief pitcher. Maybe San Diego or Pittsburgh. Perhaps Wallner returns something useful or Jeffers a bigger piece.

One outside shot would be to offer Dasan Hill for Sonny Gray. Gray pushes Rojas to pen duty. 

I'm holding off until the end of the month unless a really good deal falls in my lap if I am the Twins.

[LA Vikes Fan]

I agree with the bullpen as the biggest need but trading for a starting pitcher would kill 2 birds with one stone. We need BP help, but it's expensive for unreliable guys and unpredictable results. Plus, our surplus is quality OFs that are worth more than a BP pitcher unless we're getting a dependable closer. I think we can vastly improve the bullpen if we trade for a Starting Pitcher and move Prielipp into the BP along with Ober replacing Paredes who also goes to the BP. Why Preilipp? Because his innings have to be managed coming off injury and he'll be shut down before the end of the season. Moving him to the BP gets him through the season and gives us a valuable BP arm, even a late inning arm. The Dodgers have done this a bunch of times with Sasaki, Maeda, Stripling, Sheehan, even Glasnow. We did it successfully a couple of years ago with The Sheriff. The Angels appear willing to trade controllable starting pitching for young, controllable quality hitting.  

With that in mind, here's my proposal:

Emma for Reid Detmers or Jose Soriano of the Angels. Alternatively, Emma and either Wallner or Ross for Detmers (or Soriano) and Sam Bachman or Kirby Yates. 

Why Emma? Because he's worth a lot, like a quality SP with 2.5 years of control left like Soriano or Detmers, and we have a glut of LH hitting OFs. I realize that Emma is out of options after this year, has been hurt a lot and hasn't seen the MLB field yet, so his value is down a little and we might have to sweeten the pot just to get Detmers or Soriano . We are going to have to keep or DFA Emma next season and we haven't even had the chance to see if he can hit MLB pitching. He's also fallen behind Jenkins, Roden, and probably Mendez in the LH hitting OF hierarchy for the reasons his value is a little down. Conversely, the Angels need hitters bad, can be patient while he develops, and Soriano's and Detmers 2.5 year controllable timeline ends before they are likely to be relevant while our guys 6 year clock hasn't even started yet. I l think it's a win/win short and medium term for us, longer term for them. What do you think? 

[Brandon]

49 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

#3 - bullpen. 

#2 - bullpen.

#1 - bullpen.

I'm not sure what teams are willing to give up a good relief pitcher. Maybe San Diego or Pittsburgh. Perhaps Wallner returns something useful or Jeffers a bigger piece.

One outside shot would be to offer Dasan Hill for Sonny Gray. Gray pushes Rojas to pen duty. 

I'm holding off until the end of the month unless a really good deal falls in my lap if I am the Twins.

I had pitching, pitching and more pitching. 

Offense is good.  Upgrade in RF maybe or SS/ IF but there are options ready in AAA.

[DJL44]

Buying or selling, they will be shopping Wallner.

[Colbeh]

I like the Rays as a trade partner this year.

Let them and the Yanks get in a bit of a trading war for Jeffers, but let the Rays win (Boo Yanks). They need a catcher and an OFer, so we could look to include Larnach to sweeten the deal.

Rays have a couple pitchers close to the show. Brody Hopkins has talent but has 64 walks in 67 innings. <.200 BAA, doesnt give up much homers and is a elite SO guy. Forret is a little lower on the rankings but is similar to Hopkins but without the walk issues. Either could be a good option to get their feet wet in the majors either as a BP arm or the 5th starter when Prielipp needs to cut down the innings.

Im also slightly in favor of trading Emma as well, his injury history is concerning as a Twins fan and if another team ask for him then id like to get a solid pitcher with atleast 1.5-2.5 years of control.

[Riverbrian]

My favorite band of all time is Led Zeppelin. 

If I had to make a list of the best Rock bands of all time. 

Led Zeppelin would be #1 and my #2 would have to be the sixth best because Led Zeppelin gets the first 5 slots. 

The Twins Led Zeppelin would be the bullpen. 

If anyone understands what I meant by that. 

The follow up question would be... how did I manage to compare the brilliance of Led Zeppelin to our not as brilliant 2026 bullpen and do it correctly. 

We need bullpen! Arms... Plural

 

 

 

 

[chpettit19]

1 hour ago, LA Vikes Fan said:

I agree with the bullpen as the biggest need but trading for a starting pitcher would kill 2 birds with one stone. We need BP help, but it's expensive for unreliable guys and unpredictable results. Plus, our surplus is quality OFs that are worth more than a BP pitcher unless we're getting a dependable closer. I think we can vastly improve the bullpen if we trade for a Starting Pitcher and move Prielipp into the BP along with Ober replacing Paredes who also goes to the BP. Why Preilipp? Because his innings have to be managed coming off injury and he'll be shut down before the end of the season. Moving him to the BP gets him through the season and gives us a valuable BP arm, even a late inning arm. The Dodgers have done this a bunch of times with Sasaki, Maeda, Stripling, Sheehan, even Glasnow. We did it successfully a couple of years ago with The Sheriff. The Angels appear willing to trade controllable starting pitching for young, controllable quality hitting.  

With that in mind, here's my proposal:

Emma for Reid Detmers or Jose Soriano of the Angels. Alternatively, Emma and either Wallner or Ross for Detmers (or Soriano) and Sam Bachman or Kirby Yates. 

Why Emma? Because he's worth a lot, like a quality SP with 2.5 years of control left like Soriano or Detmers, and we have a glut of LH hitting OFs. I realize that Emma is out of options after this year, has been hurt a lot and hasn't seen the MLB field yet, so his value is down a little and we might have to sweeten the pot just to get Detmers or Soriano . We are going to have to keep or DFA Emma next season and we haven't even had the chance to see if he can hit MLB pitching. He's also fallen behind Jenkins, Roden, and probably Mendez in the LH hitting OF hierarchy for the reasons his value is a little down. Conversely, the Angels need hitters bad, can be patient while he develops, and Soriano's and Detmers 2.5 year controllable timeline ends before they are likely to be relevant while our guys 6 year clock hasn't even started yet. I l think it's a win/win short and medium term for us, longer term for them. What do you think? 

You're going to have to give up significantly more than just Emma to get a quality SP with 2.5 years of control left. Like Culpepper, Tait, Quick, or Houston. Somebody in or close to the top 100ish prospects.

I don't have a problem trading Emma, but he's not valuable enough to front a package for the type of arm you're talking about. If he can bring back Soriano or Detmers, they should be doing that deal tonight. And Wallner isn't really worth anything meaningful. He's in AAA at the age of 28. Doesn't fit a rebuilding team's timeline and win now teams aren't going to give anything up to see if he can figure out how to hit MLB pitching again immediately.

[tony&rodney]

54 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

You're going to have to give up significantly more than just Emma to get a quality SP with 2.5 years of control left. Like Culpepper, Tait, Quick, or Houston. Somebody in or close to the top 100ish prospects.

I don't have a problem trading Emma, but he's not valuable enough to front a package for the type of arm you're talking about. If he can bring back Soriano or Detmers, they should be doing that deal tonight. And Wallner isn't really worth anything meaningful. He's in AAA at the age of 28. Doesn't fit a rebuilding team's timeline and win now teams aren't going to give anything up to see if he can figure out how to hit MLB pitching again immediately.

Detmers or Soriano will cost a couple of top prospects for sure. As much as these two are good pitchers, I'm not sure they are a need or what the Twins should be looking at right now. 

What do people think about a reboot of the Sonny Gray trade? This time is would be Dasan Hill or Charlee Soto going to Boston. What would it take to acquire Gray?

[Brandon]

The pitching available this deadline is going to be deep.  Skuball and Gray and Chapman and the two Angels pitchers, KC could make some trades.  There should be plenty of starting pitchers to choose from.  But we really need bullpen. Skuball with Ryan and Taj make for a great playoff rotation and we just need to pick up a few arms... Let's go we have the top ranked offense.  

[DocBauer]

I think moving Larnach can open a spot for someone like Roden...if he PROVES he's as good as he appears to be...and bring something back. But he's only going to bring back someone's 4th or 5th pen arm, unless you want to settle for a prospect. But maybe someone else's 4th or 5th arm is a young Varland?

He's more replaceable than Bell is. Bell brings back a prospect. Just promoting a prospect to fill his roster spot doesn't help this season.

Jeffers brings back the most, if traded. But again, what are you expecting back? A team looking to keep winning and have a chance for the playoffs, much less a potential WS appearance, PROBABLY doesn't have anything to offer other than a couple really good prospects, or again, maybe a #4-5 RP that is Varland junior. And that might be fine for 2027 and beyond with Caratini and Jackson as at least competent replacements. 

I'm not saying the Twins CAN'T get a solid RP with talent, and upside, and control who might help this season, but it might be difficult. Again, what playoff contender wants to weaken their bullpen to acquire a necessary bat? Well, as stated, maybe they have a 4th or 5th arm with potential they are willing to move. But that's cutting a very thin slice of opportunity. 

But a couple decent arms that might contribute in 2027 is NOT out of the equation. 

A BAT isn't going to happen in trade without moving prospects.

A SP that can eat some innings similar to Keuchal a couple years ago might be acquired for next to nothing. SOMEWHERE there is a veteran SP on a lonely team without playoff hopes that would love to have even a decent prospect for someone to eat the rest of his 2026 salary. That could help the Twins eat up innings, and help conserve Prielipp, who MIGHT finish the season in the BP just to monitor his IP.

But the bullpen is probably not going to be addressed for THIS SEASON by trading Larnach, or Jeffers, unless we get a nice surprise. THOSE potential trades would be for prospects that might be CLOSE but probably not on a current roster. 

That doesn't mean trading them would be a mistake. They might bring back help for 2027.

But if the Twins really want to add to the bullpen, you need to look back to 2019 when they traded a handful of decent, but not TOP prospects to acquire Romo and Dyson. 

Let's forget the fact that Dyson was hiding and injury and turned out to be a bad human being. On paper, he was a good rental on the cheap. Romo turned out to be a cheap addition to help and was good enough to bring back. 

Look, I know it's been 7yrs, but Romo cost the Twins 1B Lewin Diaz, a power bat on the upswing at the time. That would be the equivalent today of Sabato. 

Dyson cost OF Jaylin Davis, also on the upswing, and a couple of low A MILB prospects. Today, that would probably be Rosario and a flier or 2 from the FCL.

Romo was a great acquisition. Dyson could have been.

The Twins just aren't going to get immediate bullpen help from trades of Larnach and Jeffers. Or Bell, who I don't think they will move. But they might get future help.

BUT they have the choice to get veteran rentals, eating what's left on their contracts, that they can choose to resign, or younger arms that have control. But it's going to cost prospects. Or maybe there's a few cheaper but solid options similar to Romo and Dyson out there.

I'm not crazy about rentals unless they come cheap. I don't want to wreck the MILB system for a rental at this point. But what if a Rosario and a solid A prospect could bring back a Varland junior from a sub .500 team looking for younger talent? Who knows, maybe Fedko is better than paying a veteran another couple $M guaranteed next year for the Angels or some team.

My whole point is, BULLPEN is what's needed. But the best way to find arms for NOW is to trade prospects to get them from teams that don't figure in to any playoff structure for 2026. 

The question is are you looking for rentals? Or someone you have control of for a couple of years? The cost changes depending. And how much are you willing to pay for either avenue? 

Again, like Romo, you might just get someone cheap that you can resign again. But to add to the pen for THIS SEASON, what you're really looking for is non contending teams looking for some prospects. The veterans the Twins might move are going to bring in prospects for 2027 and beyond.

[DataNerd]

Trying to fit a MLB for MLB trade for Jeffers/Larnach is tough because the teams trading for them want to win now.  I would probably move them for prospects (trying to get at least 1 who is a low upside AAA arm who can get called up), then make separate moves to get a couple bullpen arms.

[soyouresayingtheresachance]

My main target would be Aroldis Chapman. Hes signed through next season and would be the shutdown closer we need. Im not sure what it would take, but IMO, he would be the best place to start. BP guys can be volatile, but he has a proven track record of success. 

Then Gomez and Morris can handle the 7th and 8th. Just need another reliable arm or 2 and you have a much improved BP

 

[TopGunn#22]

BINGO !!  Was just thinking the same thing before I got to end and saw your comment "soyour."  If Pohlad REALLY wants to go BIG or GO HOME, the trade should be for Chapman and Sonny Gray.  That would be taking on a LOT of payroll.  But isn't that the definition of "GO BIG or GO HOME??"

Ryan Jeffers would headline. (enough talk about extending him, Boras would NOT allow it).  Then you have to piece things together from there.  Dasan Hill makes since (would hate to give him up but we're going BIG here).  Boston already has too many OF's so Larnach and E-Rod don't work.  Walker Jenkins is off the table.  

The NBA does three team trades all the time.  This might be a prime example of a 3rd team being needed to put together a deal for Chapman and Gray.  Chapman is the Closer for the rest of this season and next year.  Gray has a $30 million option with a $10 million buyout.  But he has a full no-trade clause.  To get out of Boston, I think he'd waive it.  Pick up the $30 million dollar option for 2027 and you have a rotation of Ryan, Gray, Pablo, Taj Bradley and whoever the best man for the #5 spot is (I'll say Abel vs Zebby).  

THAT'S one heck of a Starting Rotation with Chapman closing games out.  With Jenkins, Culpepper, Roden and others a part of the 2027 lineup I think the outlook for Baseball in Minnesota changes dramatically for the better.  A sale of the team in the off season would be the cherry on top.  

[chpettit19]

10 hours ago, tony&amp;rodney said:

Detmers or Soriano will cost a couple of top prospects for sure. As much as these two are good pitchers, I'm not sure they are a need or what the Twins should be looking at right now. 

What do people think about a reboot of the Sonny Gray trade? This time is would be Dasan Hill or Charlee Soto going to Boston. What would it take to acquire Gray?

I'd have no interest in selling an actual prospect for Sonny Gray. Or any other rental. Sonny reworked his deal when he was traded to Boston and has a mutual option for next year. Mutual options are essentially never picked up. He should be viewed as a rental. 

I know others disagree, but I'm not giving up anybody with any kind of chance of helping future Twins teams to get a rental for this team. I'm not sold they can continue to so significantly outperform their normal numbers in RISP situations. And they're still below .500 (maybe that changes today!). They haven't been at .500 since April 22. There being a bunch of other bad teams in the AL is not a good selling point for me to want to give up future assets for the 2026 MN Twins to try to sneak into the playoffs with 84 wins. It's exactly how you keep staying in this no man's land middle ground of high 70s to mid 80s wins. I'm not interested in it.

But, yes, I'd think Hill or Soto would return Gray. It's entirely possible that neither Soto nor Hill even makes the majors, but they are real prospects with real chances to make the majors. I'm just not giving up real prospects for anything intended to only boost the 2026 team.

[tony&rodney]

33 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

I'd have no interest in selling an actual prospect for Sonny Gray. Or any other rental. Sonny reworked his deal when he was traded to Boston and has a mutual option for next year. Mutual options are essentially never picked up. He should be viewed as a rental. 

I know others disagree, but I'm not giving up anybody with any kind of chance of helping future Twins teams to get a rental for this team. I'm not sold they can continue to so significantly outperform their normal numbers in RISP situations. And they're still below .500 (maybe that changes today!). They haven't been at .500 since April 22. There being a bunch of other bad teams in the AL is not a good selling point for me to want to give up future assets for the 2026 MN Twins to try to sneak into the playoffs with 84 wins. It's exactly how you keep staying in this no man's land middle ground of high 70s to mid 80s wins. I'm not interested in it.

But, yes, I'd think Hill or Soto would return Gray. It's entirely possible that neither Soto nor Hill even makes the majors, but they are real prospects with real chances to make the majors. I'm just not giving up real prospects for anything intended to only boost the 2026 team.

Ok, that makes sense as one way to look at it. I can live with using some of the prospects already within the system. 

My thoughts on acquiring Sonny Gray are more related to how he allows the team to bring in a mentor for the young pitchers at the same time as he allows for a shift of someone to the bullpen where help is needed. We don't know what will become of Dasan Hill. He is all over the place right now. When I watch him pitch I see a guy who is totally inexperienced and struggling to repeat any pitches for much duration, but also an arm that throws unhittable pitches. Soto has been out too much to get much of a feel for. So, both Hill and Soto could be really good. The idea was to more or less match the Chase Petty transaction. In the end I'm ok with a few gambles. It isn't just to win now but to bring in someone to help our young pitchers. Bradley, Prielipp, Matthews, Rojas, Abel, and others are a fair base of a staff going forward. No such thing as too much pitching.

I do think Ryan Jeffers, Trevor Larnach, and Matt Wallner could be moved although Larnach has looked decent this year. I'm not trading Jeffers just to trade him but losing Jackson might be a mistake.

It will be interesting to see which direction the Twins take this year. I was very frustrated by the lack of moves after the 2023, 2024, and 2025 seasons.

[chpettit19]

27 minutes ago, tony&amp;rodney said:

Ok, that makes sense as one way to look at it. I can live with using some of the prospects already within the system. 

My thoughts on acquiring Sonny Gray are more related to how he allows the team to bring in a mentor for the young pitchers at the same time as he allows for a shift of someone to the bullpen where help is needed. We don't know what will become of Dasan Hill. He is all over the place right now. When I watch him pitch I see a guy who is totally inexperienced and struggling to repeat any pitches for much duration, but also an arm that throws unhittable pitches. Soto has been out too much to get much of a feel for. So, both Hill and Soto could be really good. The idea was to more or less match the Chase Petty transaction. In the end I'm ok with a few gambles. It isn't just to win now but to bring in someone to help our young pitchers. Bradley, Prielipp, Matthews, Rojas, Abel, and others are a fair base of a staff going forward. No such thing as too much pitching.

I do think Ryan Jeffers, Trevor Larnach, and Matt Wallner could be moved although Larnach has looked decent this year. I'm not trading Jeffers just to trade him but losing Jackson might be a mistake.

It will be interesting to see which direction the Twins take this year. I was very frustrated by the lack of moves after the 2023, 2024, and 2025 seasons.

Pablo is with the team all the time. Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober are veterans. Taylor Rogers is about 100 years old. I'm not sold on the idea of needing a mentor for young pitchers. Especially for just half a season. If the Twins can't guide their pitchers with Lopez, Ryan, Ober, Rogers, and a team full of coaches, I don't think Sonny Gray saves them. I'd rather spend far less prospect value on an actual reliever or 2. The Petty trade was getting multiple years of Gray, not 2 months. I don't see how getting Sonny Gray on a rental deal is anything other than winning now. I just don't buy the "help our young pitchers" argument when the roster is full of veteran pitchers already.

I don't think Wallner has any value. What team would want him? Rebuilding teams don't because he's 28 and in AAA. Win now teams don't because he's in AAA. Jeffers certainly has value. Him or Jackson would be in a Yankees or Rays jersey before the teams are back from the break if I were in charge. I am certainly not going to claim Jackson is any kind of world beater but losing him on waivers just to lose Jeffers at the end of the year would be bad roster management, in my opinion. Larnach could maybe fetch a lottery ticket as a rental platoon bat, but he's been on the block for years and nobody has ever been willing to give them anything. Was pretty widely reported last year they tried to deal him at the deadline and couldn't get a buyer. He's more expensive with less control now.

Agree on the lack of moves the last few years. But I hope they don't use that as a reason to take away future pieces to help a team that can't get or stay above .500.

[LA Vikes Fan]

I agree with the idea that acquiring a starting pitcher could be a twofer by both strengthening the rotation and moving a quality starter like Preilipp into the bullpen. Prielipp will not last the season in the rotation because he is on an innings limit this year after the injuries and surgeries, so I think following the Dodgers model of having him start into August and then moving him to the bullpen is a great idea. It has worked really well for the Dodgers.

The part I can't understand is that I see a lot of sentiment here towards acquiring Sonny Gray. I just don't think he's a realistic target and I think acquiring him isn't a very good idea considering what is likely to cost. We have to remember that he has a no trade clause and publicly stated a desire to go to Atlanta since I think he's originally from that area or a surrounding state. He doesn't have to come to the Twins if he doesn't want to. Moreover, he is going to be expensive both in his $31 million salary ($10 million of which is being paid by St. Louis) plus $10 million buyout for next year if either side declines his $30 million mutual option, and in terms of prospect cost. I think you have to assume that he is going to cost one of our top five prospects other than Jenkins plus a 10 to 15 prospect. Think something like Culpepper or Emma plus Mendez or Riley Quick. And that's just for Gray, we don't get Chapman with that. Chapman will fetch a top 10 prospect just all by himself. Add to that the fact that Gray is 36 and I just don't think he makes sense given our competitive timeline either. 

I think it makes a lot more sense to target younger starter if available, and the rumor is that the Angels are willing to entertain trading either José Soriano or Reid Detmers for controllable bats. The prospect cost might very well be the same, but the player we would be getting back is substantially younger and controllable through arbitration for the next 2.5 years, although not as accomplished. Still, they would fit our timeline better. The Angels also need an outfielder and guess what, we have lots of those. I would be much more interested in trading an Emma plus say Mendez or Young type package for one of those two guys. That's the trade I would be pursuing.

[Brett]

#1A - infield defense? 

[LA Vikes Fan]

13 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

You're going to have to give up significantly more than just Emma to get a quality SP with 2.5 years of control left. Like Culpepper, Tait, Quick, or Houston. Somebody in or close to the top 100ish prospects.

I don't have a problem trading Emma, but he's not valuable enough to front a package for the type of arm you're talking about. If he can bring back Soriano or Detmers, they should be doing that deal tonight. And Wallner isn't really worth anything meaningful. He's in AAA at the age of 28. Doesn't fit a rebuilding team's timeline and win now teams aren't going to give anything up to see if he can figure out how to hit MLB pitching again immediately.

You may be right on the cost and it's a cost I think we should be willing to pay for Detmers or Soriano. I would be willing to trade Emma plus someone in the 10 – 15 range to get one of those two players, say, Emma plus Young or Riley Quick (or Mendez but why would they want to left-handed hitting outfielders). If we do that we are trading from surplus to get what we need and it really is a twofer because the acquired player slides into the rotation for the next 2.5 years, and some of our starting pitching candidates then become high-octane relievers and fallback options if we can't re-sign Ryan or Lopez, or Lopez can't come back from the Tommy John surgery. To me, that is exactly the kind of deal we should pursue - trading from our surplus of high potential AAA outfielders to get younger, proven quality controllable pitching.

I really don't like the idea of trading a top 15 prospect or more for an aging reliever, even Aroldis Chapman, although he might be worth it since he has a vesting option for next year at $13 million that looks likely to vest so you might actually get a 1.5 year quality backend guy. Still, at age 38 he could fall off the cliff at any moment. The other guys that have been mentioned like Kirby Yates, Kenley Jansen, or if it's a starter, Sonny Gray, Seth Lugo, or Robbie Ray, leave me pretty cold. I would rather not trade even top 30 prospects for one of those guys and a guy like Sonny Gray may cost two top 15 prospects. This year's Twins team is becoming fun and exciting to watch but let's be realistic, the ceiling is likely a Wild Card or winning a weak division, one competitive playoff series that they could actually win, and then getting hammered by one of the big boys. Still fun stuff, but I'm not willing to trade a lot of the immediate future just to improve our chances of reaching that level. I want to trade in a way that makes is better over the next two or three years, or more if possible, not for a quick fix for just 2026 and maaaaybe 2027, and also not for guys who aren't going to help us until 2029 or later. I know that's tough to find but we're not so desperate that we have to sacrifice the short-term future for either a quick fix or something that can't help us until the long term. Plus, we are likely trading Jeffers for prospects so replenishing the farm is already in the works.

I hope they've already talked to the Angels about the price for Soriano or Detmers, and also the price on a lower wattage trade like for Yates or Bachman, and are thinking about getting one of the starters. To me, that's the one possible trade I've heard about that makes a lot of sense other than trading Jeffers, which they have to do.

[D.C Twins]

Perhaps we should check in to see if Toronto is willing to trade us Varland for.... just spit balling here... Rojas and Roden?

[chpettit19]

1 hour ago, LA Vikes Fan said:

You may be right on the cost and it's a cost I think we should be willing to pay for Detmers or Soriano. I would be willing to trade Emma plus someone in the 10 – 15 range to get one of those two players, say, Emma plus Young or Riley Quick (or Mendez but why would they want to left-handed hitting outfielders). If we do that we are trading from surplus to get what we need and it really is a twofer because the acquired player slides into the rotation for the next 2.5 years, and some of our starting pitching candidates then become high-octane relievers and fallback options if we can't re-sign Ryan or Lopez, or Lopez can't come back from the Tommy John surgery. To me, that is exactly the kind of deal we should pursue - trading from our surplus of high potential AAA outfielders to get younger, proven quality controllable pitching.

I really don't like the idea of trading a top 15 prospect or more for an aging reliever, even Aroldis Chapman, although he might be worth it since he has a vesting option for next year at $13 million that looks likely to vest so you might actually get a 1.5 year quality backend guy. Still, at age 38 he could fall off the cliff at any moment. The other guys that have been mentioned like Kirby Yates, Kenley Jansen, or if it's a starter, Sonny Gray, Seth Lugo, or Robbie Ray, leave me pretty cold. I would rather not trade even top 30 prospects for one of those guys and a guy like Sonny Gray may cost two top 15 prospects. This year's Twins team is becoming fun and exciting to watch but let's be realistic, the ceiling is likely a Wild Card or winning a weak division, one competitive playoff series that they could actually win, and then getting hammered by one of the big boys. Still fun stuff, but I'm not willing to trade a lot of the immediate future just to improve our chances of reaching that level. I want to trade in a way that makes is better over the next two or three years, or more if possible, not for a quick fix for just 2026 and maaaaybe 2027, and also not for guys who aren't going to help us until 2029 or later. I know that's tough to find but we're not so desperate that we have to sacrifice the short-term future for either a quick fix or something that can't help us until the long term. Plus, we are likely trading Jeffers for prospects so replenishing the farm is already in the works.

I hope they've already talked to the Angels about the price for Soriano or Detmers, and also the price on a lower wattage trade like for Yates or Bachman, and are thinking about getting one of the starters. To me, that's the one possible trade I've heard about that makes a lot of sense other than trading Jeffers, which they have to do.

Emma has been the guy I've been suggesting they trade for a few years now. Because he couldn't stay on the field. But now that he hasn't stayed on the field even more, his value is lower. I have no problem trading him, but I'll never buy the "surplus" argument. We've supposedly had a "surplus" of lefty corner guys for years. Yet every year we end up with guys nobody wants playing corner spots. And if you guess wrong on the prospects and trade the wrong one, you're really in trouble. 

There's never enough talent. People love to say there's no such thing as too much pitching, but I think there's no such thing as too much talent. Injuries happen. People spent all offseason debating trading from our pitching "surplus." Now we're talking about trading from our OF "surplus" because we don't have enough pitching. The "trading from surplus" argument just isn't something I go for. You certainly have to be willing to trade guys, but I don't buy that we have too many OFers.

I'd prefer Soriano and Detmers type trades over a Gray trade, but I wouldn't buy anything beyond a couple relievers if I did any buying. I don't think this is the team to invest in. And I don't want short-term PR to be a reason they make moves. I don't think it's crazy that people want to be buyers to some level, but it's just not what I'd do. I'm glad the team has performed well enough to at least make it reasonable to take either side of the argument, though. I'd trade Jeffers and Ryan still. If I can get a reliever for a song, I'd do that, too. But I wouldn't give up any "real" prospects for anything.

[LA Vikes Fan]

8 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Emma has been the guy I've been suggesting they trade for a few years now. Because he couldn't stay on the field. But not that he hasn't stayed on the field even more, his value is lower. I have no problem trading him, but I'll never buy the "surplus" argument. We've supposedly had a "surplus" of lefty corner guys for years. Yet every year we end up with guys nobody wants playing corner spots. And if you guess wrong on the prospects and trade the wrong one, you're really in trouble. 

There's never enough talent. People love to say there's no such thing as too much pitching, but I think there's no such thing as too much talent. Injuries happen. People spent all offseason debating trading from our pitching "surplus." Now we're talking about trading from our OF "surplus" because we don't have enough pitching. The "trading from surplus" argument just isn't something I go for. You certainly have to be willing to trade guys, but I don't buy that we have too many OFers.

I'd prefer Soriano and Detmers type trades over a Gray trade, but I wouldn't buy anything beyond a couple relievers if I did any buying. I don't think this is the team to invest in. And I don't want short-term PR to be a reason they make moves. I don't think it's crazy that people want to be buyers to some level, but it's just not what I'd do. I'm glad the team has performed well enough to at least make it reasonable to take either side of the argument, though. I'd trade Jeffers and Ryan still. If I can get a reliever for a song, I'd do that, too. But I wouldn't give up any "real" prospects for anything.

I respect your opinion because it actually makes sense based on your premise, but I don't agree with your basic premise. I do think this is a team worth investing in. Perhaps not so much for this year, but I think they've actually begun to put together a core group that can be competitive for the next two or three years and maybe longer. Lee, Keaschall, and Martin all look like solid MLB contributors at various levels, and I think Buxton, Larnach, Caratini, and Clemens will still be effective contributors for the next two or three years. The Starting pitching staff is coming together and one can actually begin to see outlines of a younger group that can be part of an effective bullpen. Don't get me wrong, we are a few players away from having a truly competitive core but I think it's only a few, not several. We need a long-term answer at SS, 1B (or 2B if the Lewis experiment fails and Clemens moves back to 1B), two mid to late 20s late inning bullpen pieces, one more long-term mid rotation starter, and the solid middle of the order bat regardless of position. That's not a ridiculous shopping list and some of that may come internally from guys like Culpepper, Houston, Roden, Jenkins, GG, etc. on the field position side, and Abel, Rojas, Matthews, Festa, and others on the pitching side.

That's why my outlook for this trade deadline is focused on getting guys will help us over the next 2 to 3 years, not guys for just this year and not guys who are 3 to 4 years out from really helping us. Even if we trade for a guy at AA or AAA and he advances quickly, he probably needs at least another year of minor league ball and then a year or two of experience at the MLB level before he can really help us. Brooks Lee now really helps us; two years ago and even last year he had some tantalizing upside but was of limited current utility.

I'm willing to make a move now by trading guys 2 to 4 years out to get guys that will help us over the next 3 to 4 years. I think the pipeline's robust enough to support trading from it, especially when you have to think were going to get at least two pretty good prospects from the Yankees or someone else when we trade Jeffers. Let's invest in this group. 

[chpettit19]

10 minutes ago, LA Vikes Fan said:

I respect your opinion because it actually makes sense based on your premise, but I don't agree with your basic premise. I do think this is a team worth investing in. Perhaps not so much for this year, but I think they've actually begun to put together a core group that can be competitive for the next two or three years and maybe longer. Lee, Keaschall, and Martin all look like solid MLB contributors at various levels, and I think Buxton, Larnach, Caratini, and Clemens will still be effective contributors for the next two or three years. The Starting pitching staff is coming together and one can actually begin to see outlines of a younger group that can be part of an effective bullpen. Don't get me wrong, we are a few players away from having a truly competitive core but I think it's only a few, not several. We need a long-term answer at SS, 1B (or 2B if the Lewis experiment fails and Clemens moves back to 1B), two mid to late 20s late inning bullpen pieces, one more long-term mid rotation starter, and the solid middle of the order bat regardless of position. That's not a ridiculous shopping list and some of that may come internally from guys like Culpepper, Houston, Roden, Jenkins, GG, etc. on the field position side, and Abel, Rojas, Matthews, Festa, and others on the pitching side.

That's why my outlook for this trade deadline is focused on getting guys will help us over the next 2 to 3 years, not guys for just this year and not guys who are 3 to 4 years out from really helping us. Even if we trade for a guy at AA or AAA and he advances quickly, he probably needs at least another year of minor league ball and then a year or two of experience at the MLB level before he can really help us. Brooks Lee now really helps us; two years ago and even last year he had some tantalizing upside but was of limited current utility.

I'm willing to make a move now by trading guys 2 to 4 years out to get guys that will help us over the next 3 to 4 years. I think the pipeline's robust enough to support trading from it, especially when you have to think were going to get at least two pretty good prospects from the Yankees or someone else when we trade Jeffers. Let's invest in this group. 

When I say "this team," I mean this specific season. It's why I have no interest in rentals and why I said I'd prefer Soriano or Detmers type deals if they made any. There's at least 1 poster suggesting they should go after Skubal. There's lots of talk of Sonny Gray. I have no desire to make those kinds of trades. I wouldn't give up anyone with a decent chance of providing any future value for a rental. None. Not a single one. Soriano or Detmers are a more interesting thought. I think they'd cost something like Emma and Culpepper, though, and I wouldn't go that far to get them.

I don't think we're terribly far off in our views of the team. I disagree that getting a AA or AAA guy wouldn't be a good move, though. I'd trade both Ryan and Jeffers in an attempt to get more of those guys. I think the next 2 to 4 years is heavily reliant on the actually young guys. Buxton is a star. They have no other stars on offense. None. They need more to truly open the window. Larnach, Clemens, Lee, Keaschall, Martin, etc. are all at their likely ceilings. The offense is significantly out performing their numbers by putting up unsustainable numbers with RISP. The chances of those guys putting up these run totals next year is not great. Or even good. They need young guys to come up and raise the ceiling. This is pretty much best case scenario for this core and they're struggling to get to or stay above .500. Running it back and hoping they take the next step is what they've been doing for years and it's lead them to this same exact 75-85 win range. They need guys with higher ceilings to come from the minors and perform.

Brooks Lee is actually a great example. He's been valuable this year because he's been unbelievable with RISP. Significantly out performing the rest of his numbers and every predictor data point you can come up with. Is it possible that he maintains this for much of his career and is just a statistical outlier? Sure. Anything can happen. But it isn't likely. And building a team is about giving yourself the best odds.

If the team performance right now was more solidly backed up by a reasonable expectation that it'd be the same moving forward, I'd agree with you. I wouldn't have a problem with moving some of the A+ level type prospects. But I don't think it's sustainable. Happy to be wrong, but I'm not sold yet. And I simply don't buy the "pipeline is robust enough" argument. Ever. The calculation for me is always what the odds are of success in a given time period. I don't like the odds of this "success" (they haven't been at .500 since April 22, so let's keep this "success" in perspective) continuing are great. And there is very real risk in trading from what people think is a "logjam," or whatever term they want to use, and trading the 1 guy that actually hits their ceiling and being left with the ones who don't. Prospects fail at too high a clip to ever think you have enough.

Again, I don't think you're crazy for wanting to follow the strategy you've laid out. It's just not what I would do.

[LA Vikes Fan]

3 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

I'd have no interest in selling an actual prospect for Sonny Gray. Or any other rental. Sonny reworked his deal when he was traded to Boston and has a mutual option for next year. Mutual options are essentially never picked up. He should be viewed as a rental. 

I know others disagree, but I'm not giving up anybody with any kind of chance of helping future Twins teams to get a rental for this team. I'm not sold they can continue to so significantly outperform their normal numbers in RISP situations. And they're still below .500 (maybe that changes today!). They haven't been at .500 since April 22. There being a bunch of other bad teams in the AL is not a good selling point for me to want to give up future assets for the 2026 MN Twins to try to sneak into the playoffs with 84 wins. It's exactly how you keep staying in this no man's land middle ground of high 70s to mid 80s wins. I'm not interested in it.

But, yes, I'd think Hill or Soto would return Gray. It's entirely possible that neither Soto nor Hill even makes the majors, but they are real prospects with real chances to make the majors. I'm just not giving up real prospects for anything intended to only boost the 2026 team.

Agreed in part. No giving up top prospects for Sonny Gray and his $30 million salary with a $10 million buyout for next year. Besides, he is a no trade clause and wants to go to Atlanta. Let's stop talking about Sonny Gray; he is not coming to Minnesota even if we wanted him.  I wouldn't trade to top 15 prospects to get him. Boston ain't trading Gray for a couple of 15 – 30 prospects. He will probably cost a top-five prospect other than Jenkins and another in the top 15. Think Culpeper and Mendez. That's the price, deal with it.

Don't agree with you on Chapman if the price is right. I wouldn't give up a top 10 prospect, but someone in the 12 to 30 range would be worth it, or two guys if neither is in the top 15. Maybe even go as high as Young or Ellwanger (#s 12 and 14), just not a top 10 guy. That may mean we can't get him, but I can live with that.

[LA Vikes Fan]

2 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

When I say "this team," I mean this specific season. It's why I have no interest in rentals and why I said I'd prefer Soriano or Detmers type deals if they made any. There's at least 1 poster suggesting they should go after Skubal. There's lots of talk of Sonny Gray. I have no desire to make those kinds of trades. I wouldn't give up anyone with a decent chance of providing any future value for a rental. None. Not a single one. Soriano or Detmers are a more interesting thought. I think they'd cost something like Emma and Culpepper, though, and I wouldn't go that far to get them.

I don't think we're terribly far off in our views of the team. I disagree that getting a AA or AAA guy wouldn't be a good move, though. I'd trade both Ryan and Jeffers in an attempt to get more of those guys. I think the next 2 to 4 years is heavily reliant on the actually young guys. Buxton is a star. They have no other stars on offense. None. They need more to truly open the window. Larnach, Clemens, Lee, Keaschall, Martin, etc. are all at their likely ceilings. The offense is significantly out performing their numbers by putting up unsustainable numbers with RISP. The chances of those guys putting up these run totals next year is not great. Or even good. They need young guys to come up and raise the ceiling. This is pretty much best case scenario for this core and they're struggling to get to or stay above .500. Running it back and hoping they take the next step is what they've been doing for years and it's lead them to this same exact 75-85 win range. They need guys with higher ceilings to come from the minors and perform.

Brooks Lee is actually a great example. He's been valuable this year because he's been unbelievable with RISP. Significantly out performing the rest of his numbers and every predictor data point you can come up with. Is it possible that he maintains this for much of his career and is just a statistical outlier? Sure. Anything can happen. But it isn't likely. And building a team is about giving yourself the best odds.

If the team performance right now was more solidly backed up by a reasonable expectation that it'd be the same moving forward, I'd agree with you. I wouldn't have a problem with moving some of the A+ level type prospects. But I don't think it's sustainable. Happy to be wrong, but I'm not sold yet. And I simply don't buy the "pipeline is robust enough" argument. Ever. The calculation for me is always what the odds are of success in a given time period. I don't like the odds of this "success" (they haven't been at .500 since April 22, so let's keep this "success" in perspective) continuing are great. And there is very real risk in trading from what people think is a "logjam," or whatever term they want to use, and trading the 1 guy that actually hits their ceiling and being left with the ones who don't. Prospects fail at too high a clip to ever think you have enough.

Again, I don't think you're crazy for wanting to follow the strategy you've laid out. It's just not what I would do.

I agree that were not too far off. I want to add that I do think we should trade Jeffers for prospects assuming he's not going to be re-signed. My beef was more with trading top 10 or top 15 prospects for guys like Sonny Gray. I think you and I are in agreement that that's just not smart. This year and next year's team are not worth that kind of investment and he won't be worth much after next year, maybe not even after this year at his age.

I am intrigued by the idea of trading even two top 15 prospects plus others for a real star. I just haven't seen anybody like that being mentioned as available. If there was a true middle of the order bat or established top of the rotation starter under 30 with at least a couple years still in the arbitration process or on an affordable contract with at least a couple of years left after this one, I would be all over trading pretty much anyone we got except for Jenkins for that player. I actually don't care what position he plays, we'll make room. I just haven't read anywhere that there is a guy like that available. I love to hear about someone like that if there is and I just have missed it.