Could the Twins Surprise Everyone at the Trade Deadline?

[Sam Caulder]

Image courtesy of Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

There's been a lot of speculation surrounding what the Minnesota Twins are going to do at this year's trade deadline.

In most seasons, the answer would feel pretty straightforward. A team that's below .500 and sitting in third place in its own division at the All-Star break is usually preparing to sell. Expiring contracts get moved, veterans become trade chips, and the focus shifts toward the future. But this year feels different. Despite sitting a game below .500, the Twins are only three games behind both the White Sox and Guardians in the AL Central. They're also firmly in the wide-open Wild Card race if they don't end up winning the division. This isn't a team that's buried in the standings; they're very much in the mix.

That makes the next few weeks especially interesting. I've talked recently about why it could make sense for the Twins to trade certain players, like Trevor Larnach or Kody Clemens. Both have short-term value, and moving one or both could help clear future roster logjams while bringing back pieces that fit the organization's long-term plans. But what if Tom Pohlad throws all of that out the window? What if instead of selling, the Twins decide to buy?

As strange as that might have sounded a month or two ago, it's becoming a much more realistic possibility. This is a Twins team that feels surprisingly close to putting everything together. The record doesn't necessarily reflect it, but there are plenty of reasons for optimism.

Minnesota has scored more runs than any other team in the American League this season. That's impressive enough on its own, but it becomes even more encouraging when you consider they've done it while dealing with injuries to key offensive contributors like Byron Buxton and Ryan Jeffers. The lineup has proven it can produce. If those players return healthy and perform anywhere near their usual levels, the offense can become even more dangerous over the final two months of the season.

The top of the rotation is another reason to believe. Joe Ryan has continued to establish himself as one of the best pitchers in the American League, and Taj Bradley has looked like a quality number two option. Having a true one-two punch in a postseason race changes the outlook of an entire team. When those two are on the mound, the Twins have a chance to beat anyone.

Now, that doesn't mean the roster is perfect. The back end of the rotation has been inconsistent for much of the year, and the bullpen has been the team's biggest weakness. Late leads have slipped away too often, and reliable relief pitching remains an obvious need. The good news is that this is exactly the time of year when pitching becomes available. Every trade deadline sees teams move veteran starters and relievers, and Minnesota has already shown it's willing to make additions. Just last week, the Twins acquired reliever Tommy Nance. It's not exactly the type of blockbuster move that's going to dominate national headlines, but it could be telling.

 

I'm not sure that trade happens unless Tom Pohlad and the Twins' front office believe this team has a legitimate shot at reaching the postseason. If they thought selling was inevitable, there wouldn't be much reason to start adding bullpen depth before the deadline window even arrives. Pohlad's comments from last week only added more intrigue. When asked about the trade deadline, he said:

Quote

"I think the barometer for success in the past has been, 'Let's just try to be competitive.' The barometer for success going forward is, 'Let's win a championship.' And that's going to require us to make decisions, whether it's at a Trade Deadline or in the offseason, that look probably pretty different than decisions we would have made in the past."

Those comments shouldn't be interpreted as Pohlad promising an all-in approach over the next few weeks. No one should expect the Twins to empty the farm system or chase the biggest names on the market just because of one quote. But if he truly means what he says, it does open the door to a different kind of deadline than many fans expected. Maybe the obvious selling moves aren't actually in the organization's plans.

If the Twins don't want to take a step back when they're only a few games out of first place, that's certainly not an unreasonable thought. Maybe they believe a couple of bullpen additions and another starting pitcher or two are enough to make a legitimate run over the final two months. The offense is already producing at one of the highest levels in baseball. The top of the rotation is capable of shutting down any lineup on any given night. If the Twins can simply stabilize the late innings and get more consistent production from the back end of the rotation, this could become a much more complete team.

Of course, all of this is still speculation. The standings can change quickly, and the Twins will tell us a lot over the next few weeks leading up to the August 3rd trade deadline. A hot stretch could push them firmly into buying territory, while a prolonged slump could make selling unavoidable. But as things stand today, there's a legitimate case for Minnesota to be aggressive.

For a team that's been hovering around .500 for much of the season, the Twins feel a lot closer to contention than their record suggests. If the front office believes that too, don't be surprised if the deadline ends up looking very different from what everyone expected.

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[LA Vikes Fan]

Well said. I’d like to see controlled aggression. Keep who we have, and make two trades of prospects for pitching, one starter and one reliever. Everyone’s on the table except Jenkins. Houston makes Culpepper available, but only in a trade for a controllable frontline starter like Detmers. I want either him, Soriano, or a lesser mid top 30 prospect traded for Robbie Ray. Then trade 2 15-30 prospects for Luke Weaver. The let’s see what happens. 

[Dawgzilla]

No!  Team will be under .500 at season end, maybe 10 games under.  They had a chance, especially with a good group of solid guys whom have really overachieved!  Shame on the Twins ownership for basically giving the fans the double barrel middle fingers when this division was the easiest of all to win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Middle finger back to them!  Actually, at start if season, I thought they would go 70-92, but kudos to the guys!

[twinstalker]

Clemens has three years of team control left after this year.  You consider that short-term value?  He'll be a young 33 in that last year, but that seems a decent transition player for the Twins.  Plus, 2B is open.

Trade Larnach, sure, but exactly what will you get?  The return will be so little it won't matter because you could figure out another way to get that exact return without trading your 2nd best lefty stick.  Same goes for Josh Bell.  The biggest reason to trade these two if the Twins were clearly out of it is to open space for Jenkins, not really to get good future value (because they won't).

[CRF]

At some point, they have to make some room for the kids on the farm. They can't keep them buried down there forever. 

[twinstalker]

17 minutes ago, LA Vikes Fan said:

Well said. I’d like to see controlled aggression. Keep who we have, and make two trades of prospects for pitching, one starter and one reliever. Everyone’s on the table except Jenkins. Houston makes Culpepper available, but only in a trade for a controllable frontline starter like Detmers. I want either him, Soriano, or a lesser mid top 30 prospect traded for Robbie Ray. Then trade 2 15-30 prospects for Luke Weaver. The let’s see what happens. 

I'm not even a Culpepper fan, but no, Houston does not make Culpepper available.  I would be thrilled, however, if the Twins made Houston available.  That would be a trade that would be hard to lose.

Twins just need to be very careful.  They need to trade Jeffers, and they need to get value for him, not near-term value, but the best value they can get.

[Fatbat]

The organization needs to commit one way or the other. Either they want a long term competitive team (which means not selling prospects) or they sell prospects for a shorter competitive window. Our window isn’t even open now except for the tunnel vision of a horrible American League full of non competitive teams just like us.  Yeah, let’s sell the future to be the best of the worst in ‘26. 

 

[Blyleven2011]

Sam , the twins are playing better exciting baseball since , it's been quite awhile since the second half of 2023 into the playoffs that they played exciting baseball , they may not be buried in the standings but they just are not a consistent winning team , a 500 team that might sneak into the post season and get lucky but most likely in the post season they will be crushed by a contending team ( contending is the key word , the twins are not ) ...

The twins have improved on offense , the starting pitching is good but not the strength it once was ,the bullpen has nothing to offer , the team lacks some defense and fundamental issues ...

Can we make trades , sure we can ...

Twins have proven they can play without jeffers  , what jeffers will bring back will probably be just prospects that won't help the team immediately , they should trade for immediate help to strengthen the holes in the team ...

Larnach is having a good year at the plate , his defense was better at one point this season but lately it has been alittle like his old self , holding back and letting to many catchable balls drop in front of him , larnach is expendable to allow a Gonzales or roden to show us what their future may bring  ...

We are a competitive 500 team at the this time , if the twins could be savvy enough and get some quality major league bullpen arms in trades of jeffers and larnach it definitely could change the outcome  , we have a surplus of outfielders and left handed bats , find a righthanded bat that can hit lefties well , why we struggle against lefties is anyone's guess , our pitching depth could use a boost but please no dumpster  , AAAA pitchers ...

I've enjoyed the games this year ...

Yesterday's ninth inning fiasco I did not ...

[High heat]

I think moving guys like Larnach and/or Roden. And getting back a failed starter or someone you feel can transition into the bullpen like a Morris or Ryan Galligher. 
 

Freeing up space for guys who don’t fit in long term plans and can add a piece that may help us this yr, but is more of a future looking bullpen build.

 

This takes some foresight and advanced scouting but it is the one move at the deadline that can help in the short term and has more long term asset.

 

[Mike Sixel]

If the goal is really championships.... They need to sell. This is not a team one or two players from a championship this year. 

[tony&rodney]

These type of articles should make a few suggestions. Some of the folks who comment have done so.

Yes, there is more optimism right now than there was one year ago but the club is a little short on talent.

There are two weeks to go and how the team performs will almost certainly direct whatever coarse of action ensues.

The Twins have a large number of OF/DH guys on their 40 person roster. That is too many people.

[Jacksson]

"the team lacks some defense and fundamental issues". Two-thirds of the season is gone.

Lets look back at the player positions at the beginning of the season:

Bell = sharing 1B, NOW DH & desperation 1B  (Bet he doesn't weigh any 260 pounds)

Clemons = sharing 1B, NOW 2B, RF, CF

Keaschall 2B, NOW RF & CF

Lee = SS, NOW 3B

Lewis = 3B, NOW 1B

Wallner = RF, NOW AAA (and on a path OUT of the organization)

Martin = Platoon OF, NOW platoon RF & LF (because he bats RH and has TANKED)

Buxton = CF, NOW on the IL for already the 3rd time this season

Larnach = LF, NOW LF (but a weak defensive OF)

Outman = 4th OF, NOW out of the organization

Kreidler = B/U infield & backup CF/OF, NOW platoon SS & backup CF/OF

Gray = B/U infield, NOW platoon SS

Roden = AAA, NOW 4th or 5th OF

Is it any wonder the team is weak defensively and suffers an inordinately large number of defensive miscues (which are charitably  scored as hits, not errors and offensive mental errors in both execution at the bat, - (performance with RISP) and baserunning gaffes.  With all of those position shifts taking place on-the-fly during the season, how can ANY player be expected to be a defensive wizard?  The defensive positions S/H/B evaluated in Spring Training and way back to the time when the on-field management team was put in place.  Across the board, the rostered pitchers DO NOT field their position well.

All of this is clearly on the Manager, his Coaches, Team Management and Ownership.

 

 

[HerbieFan]

Um, yes.  They could.....

[Mike Sixel]

10 minutes ago, Jacksson said:

"the team lacks some defense and fundamental issues". Two-thirds of the season is gone.

Lets look back at the player positions at the beginning of the season:

Bell = sharing 1B, NOW DH & desperation 1B  (Bet he doesn't weigh any 260 pounds)

Clemons = sharing 1B, NOW 2B, RF, CF

Keaschall 2B, NOW RF & CF

Lee = SS, NOW 3B

Lewis = 3B, NOW 1B

Wallner = RF, NOW AAA (and on a path OUT of the organization)

Martin = Platoon OF, NOW platoon RF & LF (because he bats RH and has TANKED)

Buxton = CF, NOW on the IL for already the 3rd time this season

Larnach = LF, NOW LF (but a weak defensive OF)

Outman = 4th OF, NOW out of the organization

Kreidler = B/U infield & backup CF/OF, NOW platoon SS & backup CF/OF

Gray = B/U infield, NOW platoon SS

Roden = AAA, NOW 4th or 5th OF

Is it any wonder the team is weak defensively and suffers an inordinately large number of defensive miscues (which are charitably  scored as hits, not errors and offensive mental errors in both execution at the bat, - (performance with RISP) and baserunning gaffes.  With all of those position shifts taking place on-the-fly during the season, how can ANY player be expected to be a defensive wizard?  The defensive positions S/H/B evaluated in Spring Training and way back to the time when the on-field management team was put in place.  Across the board, the rostered pitchers DO NOT field their position well.

All of this is clearly on the Manager, his Coaches, Team Management and Ownership.

 

 

I have no idea how this is on the manager. 

[mark allen]

I think we could sell and still have a chance to make playoffs. Not Ryan butt  Jeffers, Bell, Larnach, and Rogers. Let the top prospects come up.

[tony&rodney]

5 hours ago, Jacksson said:

"the team lacks some defense and fundamental issues". Two-thirds of the season is gone.

Lets look back at the player positions at the beginning of the season:

Bell = sharing 1B, NOW DH & desperation 1B  (Bet he doesn't weigh any 260 pounds)

Clemons = sharing 1B, NOW 2B, RF, CF

Keaschall 2B, NOW RF & CF

Lee = SS, NOW 3B

Lewis = 3B, NOW 1B

Wallner = RF, NOW AAA (and on a path OUT of the organization)

Martin = Platoon OF, NOW platoon RF & LF (because he bats RH and has TANKED)

Buxton = CF, NOW on the IL for already the 3rd time this season

Larnach = LF, NOW LF (but a weak defensive OF)

Outman = 4th OF, NOW out of the organization

Kreidler = B/U infield & backup CF/OF, NOW platoon SS & backup CF/OF

Gray = B/U infield, NOW platoon SS

Roden = AAA, NOW 4th or 5th OF

Is it any wonder the team is weak defensively and suffers an inordinately large number of defensive miscues (which are charitably  scored as hits, not errors and offensive mental errors in both execution at the bat, - (performance with RISP) and baserunning gaffes.  With all of those position shifts taking place on-the-fly during the season, how can ANY player be expected to be a defensive wizard?  The defensive positions S/H/B evaluated in Spring Training and way back to the time when the on-field management team was put in place.  Across the board, the rostered pitchers DO NOT field their position well.

All of this is clearly on the Manager, his Coaches, Team Management and Ownership.

 

 

You don't seem to have followed the team closely. The players who stood in their positions in April were holdovers who were getting an opportunity to earn a long term hold on their spots. A number of players, being put into positions previously were not up to the job. This was apparent to Shelton and his staff. The dugout staff work with the players they are dealt, they don't get to choose the team. MLB is not high school or college. 

After giving a lengthy time for the holdovers, staff made numerous changes. The differences from April to late July are stark, particularly to those of us who have lengthy experience as coaches and players but also to most casual fans. The Twins were the worst team in baseball at numerous defensive positions and the upgrades have resulted in a resurgence for the team. Currently the Twins are clearly better today at 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, and RF. C, LF, and CF are a wash.

There will be further changes in August and perhaps next season as well. The current manager and coaching staff have done an amazing job with the talent on hand. I will remind you that more pundits picked the Twins to lose 100 games than picked them to win close to 80 games. Tune in and watch.

[Jacksson]

5 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

I have no idea how this is on the manager. 

The manager runs the team of players and coaches.  He is the chief evaluator of on field talent, he directs the coaches on who needs work and on what.  Manager and coaches had benefit, not only of reviewing video of the team's performance in 2025 but also of seeing first hand  the player performances in Spring Training.  Team's underwhelming performance is clearly on the Manager, his Coaches, Team Management and Ownership.

[Jacksson]

18 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

"the Twins are clearly better today at 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, and RF. C, LF, and CF are a wash."

The current manager and coaching staff have disappointed in that it took them until 2/3 of the season was gone to make positional decisions that could have and should have been made at the end of Spring Training. Pundits don't play the game.  This is Major League Baseball, players, managers and coaches are well compensated for what they do and that is to put players on the field that gives  the team the best opportunity to win.  Where would the team be if the current player positions had occupied those positions on the first day of the season?

Team's underwhelming performance is clearly on the Manager, his Coaches, Team Management and Ownership.

 

[DocBauer]

Trading Larnach and Bell would bring back a pretty small return, but not necessarily C level prospects. They might actually get a couple solid B prospects for teams that could really use one of those bats to augment their lineup for a push. Byt they aren't going to bring back somone to help this season. 2027? Maybe. More like late 2027 or 2028, but they might replace a couple prospects dealt for pen arms over the next couple of weeks.

IMO, the Twins have 2 realistic options over the next 2 1/2 weeks to augment this team.

1] I think we need to reflect back to 2019 when the Twins made a pair of trades to add to the bullpen.

The first was OF Jaylin Davis and a pair of A ball pitchers (Prelander Berroa and Kai-Wei Teng) to the Giants for Sam Dyson.

The second was 1B Lewin Diaz to the Marlins for Sergio Romo and Chris Vallimont.

Both were solid, proven, 30yo plus veterans on expiring deals. Forget the fact that Dyson turned out to be a horrible person, had he not been injured...and hiding it from the Giants and Twins...he would have been a good get.

Romo fit in so well, he earned another deal with the Twins.

Has the cost for a couple of 30yo plus rentals on expiring deals changed so much the past few years? Maybe. But comparable deals TODAY would have been something like Fedko or Rosario, and a couple a couple arms from Ft Myers or the FCL squad. And Sabato might actually be better than Lewin Diaz as a 1B option.

But even if the prospect cost is a little higher today than 2019, the Twins can afford something at least similar for a couple veteran set up types with expiring contracts. And maybe someone deserves an extension the way Romo did.

It might cost a little more, but it sure would be nice to find another team's "Varland" who is around 26yo and has just started a pen conversion, or is about to, because he just hasn't taken a grip on a rotation spot.

2] The Twins could make a very interesting move for a decent, solid, veteran pitcher on an expiring deal to slot in behind Bradley, allow Prielipp to finish the season in the bullpen to keep him at 100-ish IP, and then make a move for a 30yo veteran setup type on an expiring deal. Said SP veteran provides rotation depth, allows Prielipp to keep throwing without encountering any IP issue, helps the bullpen, and they still add a solid veteran to help with the backend of the bullpen.

Just for conversation sake, what if the Twins were willing to pay the last $8.5M for Sonny Gray for a couple of solid prospects that don't hurt too much? (Not sure about any team option buyout $ numbers). That's probably too high of a target, but Gray enjoyed his time here and it would definitely be a "surprise" move. But I think they'd probably target someone a little less expensive

IMO, those are the likely 2 scenarios. I believe TP and the FO are willing to add in an attempt to fortify the STAFF as a whole, in whatever scenario transpires. And either move can help this team win another 3-5 games by simply not blowing winnable games. POTENTIALLY, it's enough to win the ALC if someone doesn't suddenly run away with it, much less a possible WC playoff spot.

The FO/ownership actually helps this current team compete more strongly, but they don't damage the overall structure of the TOP 20 prospect lists. NOW, if they target some hard throwing up and comer, young and under control, from a team not in contention and it costs them something like Mendez/Gonzalez plus a Soto/Hill I'm willing to listen at least.

The team could probably absorb the loss of Larnach or Bell. I don't think they could absorb the loss of both if they're still fighting for contention. But again, a couple decent prospects could help replace what is traded away, potentially. 

But the great big elephant in the room remains Jeffers. And I wish it wasn't true as I really like Jeffers, and always have. I love his offense. But even more, I just love the way he handles the STAFF and how they trust him. I have NO CLUE about how ownership and the FO view his situation. 

IF he's traded, they can "withstand" playing without him because Caratini is OK, and Jackson remains a solid backup option. While 3-way trades are rare, Jeffers could be a quasi 3 team trade when you factor in solid prospects coming back...probably at least ONE top 100 talent...and those prospects could supplement the prospects sent out in various bullpen trades.

That would be the Twins as sellers AND buyers. It could work. It could be beneficial. But I'm 50/50 we see it happen. Just a gut feeling, but if the team is in contention, I see the Twins keeping Jeffers, riding it out, and then deciding after the season what to do.

While not a difference maker, I still liked the addition of Nance as a middle reliever with a good background. And I like the idea of NOT waiting for the deadline to make moves. NOT making early moves only helps fulfill the destiny of NOT being in the playoffs. 

But I'm in favor of point #1 in my post. Deal for a couple solid veteran setup man types to give this team a chance. And again, maybe someone deserves a new deal.

In the last 50 years plus of following the Twins, I can only remember the team ever trading for a "closer". And that would be Davis and Reardon. And if I've missed someone, please correct me.

Nathan was an unknown when acquired with potential. Aguilera was a SP who became one of the best closers we've had. Guardardo and Perkins were LHSP who "failed" as SP and became closers. Even Trombley was briefly a decent closer for goodness sake.

Duran was SUPPOSED to be a STUD SP. But he just wasn't built for that role. Jax...a fireman but sometimes closer...was a mediocre SP who became something much more.

I know there are some that will accuse me of living in a fantasy world. And that's OK.

But in the modern history of the Twins, they have generally developed RP and depth from within, while also finding good value where others didn't always see it. I'm so tempted to go "Back to the Future" for examples but won't.  How about Thielbar as a FA that Detroit ignored, good for the Twins. And then you get Stewart for a while. And then we get a gift of Gomez, who could still end up better as a setup man.

Right NOW, they need a couple of veteran arms. How about another Dyson and Romo trade that doesn't greatly affect the prospect depth?

I think it's OK to ask for ideas. But that's up the FO to decide who makes sense.

Again, living in a fantasy world, I really think the FO was blindsighted by the sudden Lopez injury. Despite decent rotation depth, I really think they had a "supposedly" healthy Festa still ready to be a late inning bullpen option. It just made sense, and still does if he can get healthy for 2027. But then he wasn't ready. And Lewis wasn't ready for what I also consider to be a natural pen conversion arm. And the Ober arrived at ST throwing 88-89 even though he was throwing 90-91 in the offseasn. And on top of it all, SWR was suddenly mediocre to poor.

I mean, what the hell happened?

Suddenly Prielipp is pushed earlier than expected, Abel looks like the STUD we hoped for, and then he suddenly gets hurt as well. Thankfully, Ober kinda/sorta looks like a Radke/Silva clone. 

I'm not sure how the conversation of MILB talent arms that was intended could of turned out worse. Gomez has been a developmental gift. Morris is doing everything he can to prove he's a top option. At this time, Festa coulda/shoulda been a top BP arm. I sure hope he can get fully healthy again, because there's so much potential there.

Unfortunately, Raya was ACTUALLY on a path to show his potential before he also got injured. He's already on a rehab assignment. And CJ Culpepper is not quite ready, but his bullpen convertion is going well.

My whole point, foe anyone still reading, is the INITIAL BP plan has been blown up and delayed. But we are starting to see glimpses of the plan finally taking hold.

The bullpen we finish with this season is probably not the bullpen we see to begin 2027. Things just haven't turned out as expected.  And that includes injuries. BUT even 2 solid veteran, solid additions could make a difference for 2026. 

I just don't think the FO has to go crazy to add to the bullpen for 2026 and still come away with a couple solid additions. And I'd applaud them for making moves BEFORE the deadline to help the team NOW.

I just don't want them to trade away too much only for this season, unless they can bring in an under developed arm. There's just too much potential for the 2027 pen that I don't want to get prospect crazy on trades for this season.

 

 

 

[TopGunn#22]

Jacksson, you make some good points but I give Shelton and his staff credit for having the courage to make the changes the team made.  The real fault lies with a FO who supplied the sorry collection of talent for Shelton and his staff to work with from the get-go.

Actually, I'm quite happy with Shelton and his staff.  I had VERY LOW expectations for the Twins this season.  Add to that the loss of Lopez (a solid #1 or #2 and All Star caliber Pitcher) and Abel (a talented young pitching prospect) and with absolutely no bullpen and it's amazing the Twins are where they're at right now.

This is why selling at the trade deadline makes more sense than buying, but why I'm hoping they do both.  Signing Joe Ryan to an extension would be the best news possible.  Unfortunately, you need two to tango and I'm not sure Joe Ryan WANTS to sign an extension.  I'd be doing everything I could to make it happen, while at the same time, if it looks increasingly unlikely, I'd consider trading him if I'm blown away by the offer.  

Change is coming at the deadline.  More change should come this off-season.  There is reason for some optimism for the Twins in the future.  Shelton and his staff have guided the Twins to a better season than I expected.  Problems remain, but I give them credit for a fine job so far.   

[tony&rodney]

10 hours ago, Jacksson said:

 

Clearly confusing high school or college with professional baseball or simply doesn't understand the difference.

[DJL44]

8 hours ago, DocBauer said:

In the last 50 years plus of following the Twins, I can only remember the team ever trading for a "closer". And that would be Davis and Reardon. And if I've missed someone, please correct me.

Matt Capps

[dxpavelka]

21 hours ago, LA Vikes Fan said:

Well said. I’d like to see controlled aggression. Keep who we have, and make two trades of prospects for pitching, one starter and one reliever. Everyone’s on the table except Jenkins. Houston makes Culpepper available, but only in a trade for a controllable frontline starter like Detmers. I want either him, Soriano, or a lesser mid top 30 prospect traded for Robbie Ray. Then trade 2 15-30 prospects for Luke Weaver. The let’s see what happens. 

Moving Culpepper also leaves Kreidler & Gray entrenched because Houston is likely at least a year and a half away.  Unless you have a strong feeling that there will NOT be a 2027 season that doesn't feel good.

[HarmonK03]

17 hours ago, Jacksson said:

All of this is clearly on the Manager, his Coaches, Team Management and Ownership.

I agree these moves should have been done in spring training.  My only nitpick is what does ownership have to do with where players play.  Other than changing the personnel making these decisions, which was already done before the season, what are they supposed to do.

[JD-TWINS]

12 hours ago, mark allen said:

I think we could sell and still have a chance to make playoffs. Not Ryan butt  Jeffers, Bell, Larnach, and Rogers. Let the top prospects come up.

Who??

Jenkins is 21 & fringe ready at best.

Culpepper is hurt.

Rodriguez is always hurt.

Roden IS up.

Gonzalez isn’t exactly on fire.

[JD-TWINS]

Will Buxton be back and ready this week?

Exchange somebody for Roden from AAA.

They play Royals & A’s at home…..6 games, after 4 in Cleveland. Split in Cleveland and win 4 of 6 at home and back at .500 and IN it enough to buy.

2 runs Saturday & 1 run Sunday……… need Buxton and others need to perform. Trading Larnach &/or Clemens helps nothing. Trading Bell & a prospect arm & Roden for real PEN help makes sense to open the DH spot for Jeffers/Caratini.

No decisions until after the home stand ending July 30.

[Trov]

The issue with "buying" right now is that it is such a sellers market.  There is only 6 teams that will be looking to sell, there are a few teams that may be willing to shuffle around(trade from depth but buy where they need), and the rest will be full buyers.  

The fight for pen pitching will, as always around deadline, be what every buying team will be seeking, as you can never have enough.  Top line starters will be few and far between. There are a couple of teams that 2 to 4 weeks ago would be sellers, but then they got hot.  Mainly Boston and Detroit. Both were looking to win this season, so with recent surges I expect they will be buyers if they think they need it. 

I am all for buying, as long as it is pen help as that is where we need it.  We have enough starters to get through season, maybe not be a top team in playoffs, but even if we got say Skubel, we still would need a huge pen increase to win. 

[nicksaviking]

12 hours ago, Jacksson said:

The manager runs the team of players and coaches.  He is the chief evaluator of on field talent, he directs the coaches on who needs work and on what.  Manager and coaches had benefit, not only of reviewing video of the team's performance in 2025 but also of seeing first hand  the player performances in Spring Training.  Team's underwhelming performance is clearly on the Manager, his Coaches, Team Management and Ownership.

He has nothing to do with assembling a poorly planned 40-man roster full of poorly fitted pieces. The team has no identity. At all. Are they a club that relies on a deep and dynamic rotation? Shut down bullpen? Are they piranhas making trouble on the bases? A brick-wall defense? Are they a Bomba Squad? Maybe an on-base machine that never let's the pressure off of the other team's pitcher? Maybe a veteran squad grinding for that missing championship on their resume?  Or a team full of young players with boundless energy and too naive to feel the pressure?

This might be the most randomly constructed roster this franchise has ever had. They're just grabbing random parts and forcing the manger to plug them into atypical spots because it's the only option he has.

[LA Vikes Fan]

2 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

Moving Culpepper also leaves Kreidler & Gray entrenched because Houston is likely at least a year and a half away.  Unless you have a strong feeling that there will NOT be a 2027 season that doesn't feel good.

I think where we disagree is I’m actually fine with Kreidler starting at shortstop for the rest of the season and into next year. Gray can and should go, but we can pick up a veteran utility guy who can play shortstop in free agency or even promote Ben Ross. I would only trade Culpepper for a controllable front line starting pitcher like Reid Detmers. I wouldn’t put him in a package for a reliever or a rental starter by any stretch, or even for an older starter with another year left but if there is an available frontline starting pitcher with 2+ years of control left I would consider trading Culpepper, and someone towards the back end of the top 30. Alternatively, I wouldn’t mind putting Houston  in that kind of trade as part of a package.

My general feeling is that pretty much anyone except Jenkins should be available but only in the right trade. We have a well stocked farm system at the moment on the hitting side, not so much on the pitching side after the injuries. We particularly have a lot of outfielders, especially left-handed hitting outfielders, and we actually have two shortstops who look like future major league players. I would love to keep them, but I would be open to trading one from either of those positions if, and only if, the return is a controllable established Frontline starter. 

[LA Vikes Fan]

19 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

If the goal is really championships.... They need to sell. This is not a team one or two players from a championship this year. 

I agree that we shouldn’t trade players because we think we’re gonna win the championship this year. But to me, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t consider a trade. I would be more interested in a pitcher that’s got a couple plus more years of control. This is why I keep coming back to Reid Detmers and Jose Soriano. I’m sure there are others. We should certainly explore the market. But I’m with you, let’s not trade a good prospect for some 32 year-old plus reliever or for some older rental starter. If we can get one of those guys for somebody not in our top 20-25 prospects, OK, but otherwise, no. I would look in on the price for a guy like Robbie, Ray or Kevin Gausman because who knows, maybe a guy at the way back end of the top thirty or beyond that might be enough. If not, not this year.