Jeff Passan Identifies Two Potential Twins Trade Targets

[Cody Christie]

The MLB trade deadline is quickly approaching, but identifying buyers and sellers has rarely been more difficult. With the American League playoff picture packed tightly together, a single hot streak can transform a fringe contender into a postseason favorite. That uncertainty has made projecting deadline moves especially challenging, and the Twins are one of the biggest surprises in the mix.

After a disappointing start to the season, Minnesota has clawed its way back toward the .500 mark and remains firmly in the Wild Card conversation. Even with obvious flaws, the Twins have stayed within striking distance in an American League that has lacked dominant contenders beyond the top teams.

With that in mind, ESPN's Jeff Passan recently outlined the ideal deadline additions for playoff hopefuls, and he believes Minnesota's biggest need is clear: starting pitching.

The most realistic fit on Passan's list is Nationals left-hander Foster Griffin, a pitcher who has quietly become one of baseball's better breakout stories.

After spending the previous three seasons pitching in Japan, Griffin returned to Major League Baseball by signing with Washington before the 2026 season. The results have been outstanding. Across 110 1/3 innings, the left-hander owns a 2.77 ERA while pairing it with a 4.04 FIP, a sparkling 1.02 WHIP, a 24.5% strikeout rate, and an excellent 5.8% walk rate.

Just as importantly for Minnesota, Griffin isn't simply a rental. He won't be eligible for arbitration until 2028 and isn't scheduled to become a free agent until after the 2030 season. That type of club control would make him valuable beyond this year's playoff race and could help stabilize a rotation that has battled inconsistency and injuries throughout the season.

Adding Griffin would also fit the Twins' typical approach under their front office. Rather than paying premium prospect prices for a short-term acquisition, Minnesota has often targeted controllable players who can contribute for multiple seasons.

Of course, Passan also included a much bigger name. His "dream" acquisition for the Twins is veteran right-hander Kevin Gausman of the Blue Jays. On paper, it's easy to understand why. Gausman has the experience and swing-and-miss arsenal to front a postseason rotation despite a somewhat uneven regular season.

Through 106 1/3 innings, Gausman has compiled a 4.32 ERA, but his underlying numbers remain encouraging. He owns a 3.77 FIP, a 1.22 WHIP, a 24.3 percent strikeout rate, and a 6.5 percent walk rate while heading toward free agency this winter.

Passan summed up the appeal simply: "If Toronto does wind up dumping its impending free agents, Minnesota adding Gausman to (Joe) Ryan and Taj Bradley in a three-game wild-card series certainly would play."

The obstacle, however, is obvious. Toronto sits only a couple of games behind Minnesota in the standings and is chasing a postseason berth of its own after falling just short in last year's World Series. Unless the Blue Jays suffer a significant collapse over the next few weeks, it is difficult to imagine them moving one of their veteran starters to a direct Wild Card competitor. That makes Griffin feel like the more attainable target.

Whether the Twins ultimately pursue Griffin, aim higher for a bigger name, or stand pat will depend on where they sit as August 3 approaches. But if Minnesota intends to capitalize on an unexpectedly competitive season, improving the rotation should be at the top of the priority list. Griffin may not be the flashiest deadline acquisition, but he could be exactly the type of move that helps the Twins turn a surprising season into a legitimate playoff run.

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[Cory Engelhardt]

First, Griffin is an unrestricted free agent after the season. He would not be team controlled after this year.

That said, I like the idea of adding a starter if they truly are not selling their big pieces. If they could turn their glut of aaa outfielders (not including Jenkins) into some additional arms, that would be awesome

[ashbury]

17 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

First, Griffin is an unrestricted free agent after the season. He would not be team controlled after this year.

Is he?  I admit I don't know the ins and outs under the current CBA of what happens when a player goes off to Japan for a time and then comes back and signs a one-year contract.  The sources I can find indicate he has just over 1 year of major league service at the beginning of 2026, making him maybe eligible for arbitration soon but not free agency.  Just because a major league team has released him doesn't mean he is forever free of the rules regarding free agency - or does it?

[Wizard11]

Not likely that Griffin is available.  The Nats are 2 games over .500 and have a better record than the Twins.  They are 3.5 back in the WC.  I appreciate Passan dreaming on some helpful Twins trades but don’t see either of these as realistic options.

[Cory Engelhardt]

3 minutes ago, ashbury said:

Is he?  I admit I don't know the ins and outs under the current CBA of what happens when a player goes off to Japan for a time and then comes back and signs a one-year contract.  The sources I can find indicate he has just over 1 year of major league service at the beginning of 2026, making him maybe eligible for arbitration soon but not free agency.  Just because a major league team has released him doesn't mean he is forever free of the rules regarding free agency - or does it?

Spotrac has his listed as a ufa after this season. Thats what I am going on. If I am wrong, I’ll blame spotrac

https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/player/_/id/17704/foster-griffin

[Cory Engelhardt]

1 minute ago, Wizard11 said:

Not likely that Griffin is available.  The Nats are 2 games over .500 and have a better record than the Twins.  They are 3.5 back in the WC.  I appreciate Passan dreaming on some helpful Twins trades but don’t see either of these as realistic options.

The deadline isn’t July 9th. It’s August 3rd. A lot will change between now and then for every team, including the twins. This is just a talking point but a fun one

[twinstalker]

Griffin is a free agent at end of year.  Negotiated into his contract after coming back from Japan.

[LA Vikes Fan]

Good concept by Passan, wrong guys. Use some of our better minor-league assets and trade for Reid Detmers or Jose Soriano of the Angels. Both are controllable for 2.5 seasons and the rumor is both are available for the right package of MLB ready talent. The Angels need hitters, including outfielders, which happens to be what we actually have to trade. We will probably have to give up some of our favorite children but trade a package highlighted by Emma, GG or Roden (basically anyone other than Jenkins or Culpepper), and add in a top 15 guy like Young, Quick, or Ellwanger. Throw in Wallner if they need another warm body. He needs to go somewhere, he's done here. That's who you concentrate on, not a rental

[TheLeviathan]

Getting Cole Sands back is just like making a trade.

[Mike Sixel]

I mean, we already have a thread on this. Maybe write something not already written?

[Cory Engelhardt]

4 minutes ago, LA Vikes Fan said:

Good concept by Passan, wrong guys. Use some of our better minor-league assets and trade for Reid Detmers or Jose Soriano of the Angels. Both are controllable for 2.5 seasons and the rumor is both are available for the right package of MLB ready talent. The Angels need hitters, including outfielders, which happens to be what we actually have to trade. We will probably have to give up some of our favorite children but trade a package highlighted by Emma, GG or Roden (basically anyone other than Jenkins or Culpepper), and add in a top 15 guy like Young, Quick, or Ellwanger. Throw in Wallner if they need another warm body. He needs to go somewhere, he's done here. That's who you concentrate on, not a rental

I'm not giving up the world for Reid Detmers. I know he's been good this year. I don't want to meet that price. 

[ashbury]

25 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Spotrac has his listed as a ufa after this season. Thats what I am going on. If I am wrong, I’ll blame spotrac

https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/player/_/id/17704/foster-griffin

Interesting.  b-r.com lists his earliest free agency as before the 2031 season.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/grifffo01.shtml#all_br-salaries

[ashbury]

29 minutes ago, twinstalker said:

Griffin is a free agent at end of year.  Negotiated into his contract after coming back from Japan.

Wouldn't such a clause in the contract violate the CBA?

[Wizard11]

Per FanGraphs roster resource Griffin is a free agent at the end of this season..

[Mike Sixel]

8 minutes ago, Wizard11 said:

Per FanGraphs roster resource Griffin is a free agent at the end of this season..

Yup. I stand corrected on my earlier post. I still doubt they trade for him. 

[Bangkok Twins Fan]

But ... quality relief pitchers are what we need more of. 

[dxpavelka]

10 hours ago, TheLeviathan said:

Getting Cole Sands back is just like making a trade.

Maybe better.  And cheaper. 

[JD-TWINS]

11 hours ago, ashbury said:

Wouldn't such a clause in the contract violate the CBA?

I looked up Foster Griffin …,, he signed a “one year, $5.5M, straight forward contract” Dec. ‘25 & is a UFA after this year ……….no “MLB control” left

[JD-TWINS]

As others pointed out, the Nationals probably won’t be in PUNT mode in 3 weeks, so best pitcher stays with them through season.

IMO, even if they stagnate the rest of July, they have enough solid young hitters to hang on to Wildcard as the goal. If they buy a key piece they have a good chance, even in a competitive NL.

After watching the Twins light up Gausman 3-4 times over the last 3 years, he doesn’t move the needle for me. Not with his contract. …… he throws harder than Ober but doesn’t really get guys out at any better rate. His WHIP & low walk rate are good so the hits must be damaging to have a 4.3 ERA.

[srlarson]

don't think they need to add starting pitching......actually a bright spot this year....our young guys are doing pretty well....this team cannot compete for a title....so let's not fool ourselves...and just enjoy some good baseball.....bullpen help...completely different story!!  

[Jkeady12]

Dies passing even pay attention? Relievers not starting pitching period.  If we have had any relief help this year the Twins would be tied or leading the central. 

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

15 hours ago, TheLeviathan said:

Getting Cole Sands back is just like making a trade.

Just wait until Buck comes back!

[soyouresayingtheresachance]

Im fine with a starter, but it wont do much good if we don't have a BP. That is where I would start. 

While we are putting together dream trade scenarios, Im calling Boston and doing whatever it takes to acquire Aroldis Chapman. He can be our shutdown closer and he can dominate in the playoffs. Allowing Gomez and Morris to cover the 7th and 8th innings. Hopefully atleast 1 other solid arm. 

After that, absolutely find a 3rd playoff caliber starter. At this time, I 100% feel Ryan and Taj will keep us competitive in a playoff game and theyre capable of dominating, as well. We need that 3rd guy you can trust. Our younger starters are mostly performing well and what they're giving us is perfectly acceptable for the regular season, but come playoff time, we need guys that are a little less unpredictable.