3 Right-Handed Bats Minnesota Twins Should Target at MLB Trade Deadline

[Matthew Taylor]

Image courtesy of © Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Exactly what the Minnesota Twins will do at the trade deadline remains anyone's guess. With just a week and a half remaining before the August 3 deadline, the Twins continue to hover around the 20% mark in playoff odds. A good week could convince the front office to add pieces for a postseason push. A bad week could just as easily send them toward selling. There is still plenty left to decide.

If the Twins determine they are buyers, the biggest needs are fairly obvious. Starting pitching and relief pitching both stand out as areas that need reinforcements. One need that has received much less attention, however, is another right-handed bat.

For what feels like the fifth consecutive season, the Twins simply have not been able to hit left-handed pitching. Entering the deadline, they rank 28th in the majors with a .227 batting average against southpaws and 27th with a .677 OPS. It has become one of the biggest flaws in an otherwise solid offense, and has left opposing managers free to lean heavily on left-handed pitching late in games.

The two spots where a right-handed hitter would fit best are corner outfield and second base. Trevor Larnach has become an important top-of-the-order bat against right-handed pitching, but the production disappears when a lefty is on the mound. Larnach owns just a .588 career OPS against left-handed pitchers. Austin Martin has received many of those starts this season and has done an admirable job, but much of his production came very early in the season, and even at his best, his lack of power is limiting.

Second base presents another opportunity. Kody Clemens has been one of the better stories of the Twins' season, but he's still best utilized in a platoon role. While Clemens owns a respectable .733 OPS against lefties this season, his career numbers paint a different picture. He has just a .628 career OPS against southpaws and managed only a .482 OPS against them a year ago.

The Twins do have an intriguing internal option waiting in Triple-A. Kaelen Culpepper has the versatility to play all over the infield and could eventually provide the right-handed bat Minnesota is looking for. However, injuries have interrupted much of his season, making it difficult to know exactly what the Twins can expect from him over the final two months. If the front office isn't comfortable relying on a rookie returning from injury to make his debut during a playoff race, adding a veteran infielder becomes a much more appealing option.

If Minnesota decides to buy, these three players should be among the names at the top of their list.

Lane Thomas, OF, Royals
DiamondCentric's Trade Candidate Rank: 55

Quote

In his walk year last season with Cleveland, Thomas was just never right. He played through injuries at times, and couldn’t even manage to do so at others. That cast him out into free agency under the worst possible circumstances, and he found a home that has proved unhappy in Kansas City. He’s hit well for that moribund outfit, rediscovering the ability to make contact in the zone that deserted him after a wrist injury in 2025. He’s no great slugger, but he’ll mash lefties, can acquit himself at all three outfield spots, accepts a walk, and is beloved by teammates. That profile is easy to fit into playoff-caliber teams at this time of year.

Lane Thomas has long felt like a natural fit for the Twins because of his ability to punish left-handed pitching. For his career, Thomas owns an .848 OPS against southpaws and has continued that success this season. He has also been swinging one of the hotter bats in baseball lately, posting an .843 OPS since June 1.

His defensive versatility only adds to the appeal. Thomas can handle either corner outfield position while also filling in at center field whenever Byron Buxton needs a day off. Perhaps most importantly, Thomas is scheduled to become a free agent after the season, meaning he should be obtainable without an overwhelming prospect package. He checks nearly every box Minnesota should be looking for in a deadline addition.

Taylor Ward, OF, Orioles
DiamondCentric's Trade Candidate Rank: 48

Quote

Everyone knows that you have to swing to be a good hitter. What Taylor Ward dares to ask is, what if you don’t? He got one look at the strike zone compressed by the advent of ABS this season and said, “Well, that’s my job done.” And he’s basically been right. He was a dangerous power hitter with the Angels over the last two seasons; that part of his game has been neutered by the shift toward extreme patience at the plate. But he’s running one of the game’s highest walk rates, and doing it in very sustainable fashion. He’s a complementary piece for a great team, but a strong one, capable of mashing lefties but not someone you need to platoon altogether. The Orioles won’t want to give him a qualifying offer this winter, anyway. They need to get something for him while they can.

Taylor Ward offers many of the same qualities as Thomas, with perhaps even more offensive upside. Ward has been one of baseball's better hitters against left-handed pitching throughout his career, compiling an .835 OPS against southpaws. He has been even better this season, posting a .900 OPS against lefties.

A natural left fielder, Ward would fit perfectly into a platoon with Larnach for the remainder of the season. Shelton could continue starting Larnach against right-handed pitching while turning to Ward whenever a lefty takes the mound, giving the lineup considerably more balance. Like Thomas, Ward is set to reach free agency following the season, making him an attractive rental option for a Twins club that may not want to sacrifice premium prospects.

Gleyber Torres, 2B, Tigers
DiamondCentric's Trade Candidate Rank: 56

Quote

Torres’s rehab from an oblique strain needs to continue to go well, but if he can get on the field for a fortnight before the deadline (and if the Tigers don’t surge back into serious playoff contention) (and if Torres continues to hit as well as he has when healthy this year), he could be a very nice pickup for any team needing to lengthen their lineup. There always seem to be a lot of ‘ifs’ around Torres, and that’s still true this summer. Here’s one more: If Detroit does end up more seller than buyer, Torres will almost certainly find a new home, because he’s already playing on a qualifying offer and will surely leave via free agency this winter, anyway.

Intra-division trades don't happen often, but they aren't unheard of, either. The Twins and Tigers have completed deals before, most notably the Michael Fulmer trade, and could be willing to do business again if Detroit decides to move veterans.

Torres has built a career on hitting left-handed pitching. He owns an .852 career OPS against southpaws and continues to produce offensively with a .787 OPS this season. He is also just one year removed from an All-Star campaign, proving there is still plenty of offensive value in his bat.

The biggest question surrounding a move like this is Kaelen Culpepper. If the Twins believe Culpepper is healthy enough to come up and contribute during the stretch run, they may choose to stick with their top prospect. But if injuries have created enough uncertainty that the organization isn't comfortable counting on him in a playoff race, Torres becomes an intriguing alternative. He would give Minnesota a proven right-handed bat who could platoon with Clemens at second base while also receiving regular at-bats at designated hitter.

None of these players would solve every problem facing the Twins. Starting pitching and bullpen help would still need to be addressed if Minnesota hopes to make a legitimate postseason run.

Still, adding another proven right-handed bat could quietly become one of the most impactful moves the front office makes. The Twins' struggles against left-handed pitching have been impossible to ignore, and each of Thomas, Ward, and Torres would directly address one of the roster's biggest weaknesses while fitting naturally into the Twins' lineup.

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Which right-handed bat would you like to see the Twins target? Is there another player you think deserves to be on this list? Leave a comment below and start the conversation!

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[IndianaTwin]

To clarify, we should give someone a modest prospect in order to get a rental right-handed bat?

While a lot of folks on TD suggest we trade Jeffers for a modest prospect?

it seems like it would be easier to just keep Jeffers. 

[DJL44]

The Twins should not be trading for another outfielder. The low hanging fruit for improving the roster is run prevention, not run scoring.

[Matthew Taylor]

Just now, IndianaTwin said:

To clarify, we should give someone a modest prospect in order to get a rental right-handed bat?

While a lot of folks on TD suggest we trade Jeffers for a modest prospect?

it seems like it would be easier to just keep Jeffers. 

Twins could really go in either direction at this point. Playoff odds are at 26%. Easily a world in which they buy and easily a world in which they sell.

IMO buying a right handed bat AND selling Jeffers doesn’t make sense.

[Riverbrian]

42 minutes ago, Matthew Taylor said:

For what feels like the fifth consecutive season, the Twins simply have not been able to hit left-handed pitching. Entering the deadline, they rank 28th in the majors with a .227 batting average against southpaws and 27th with a .677 OPS. It has become one of the biggest flaws in an otherwise solid offense, and has left opposing managers free to lean heavily on left-handed pitching late in games.

How can that be? We have 8 players standing in the right handed batters box every time a left handed starter takes the mound. We have strip mined and therefore compromised the futures and (future trade value) of every left handed hitting prospect just to handcuff them to player occupying a limited roster spot whose primary purpose is to be a "lefty killer" to face 28% of the pitching. How can that be? The Twins have already declined future development for Austin Martin by limiting his exposure to right handed pitching so how can that be? The 2nd most AB's vs Left Handers belongs to switch hitter Brooks Lee who has a .610 OPS against them. But he is able to stand in the correct batters box so how can that be?

We have 7 Right handed hitters and we have 3 Switch hitters but you want to add another one as we focus on the 28% problem. 

42 minutes ago, Matthew Taylor said:

Second base presents another opportunity. Kody Clemens has been one of the better stories of the Twins' season, but he's still best utilized in a platoon role. While Clemens owns a respectable .733 OPS against lefties this season, his career numbers paint a different picture. He has just a .628 career OPS against southpaws and managed only a .482 OPS against them a year ago.

Ignore the respectable 4th best .733 happening right now in order to place more weight on the past? Attack the problem by attacking the part that isn't a problem? Call up Culpepper to play 2B as a short sider? Trade for Glayber Torres to play 2B as a short sider?  

We can currently put 10 Right Handed hitters in the box against left handed pitching. 11 ought to solve the problem. 

I'd suggest finding talent period... but in the meantime... I'd spend less time worrying about the 28% and focus more on the 72%. It's a bigger number. 

. 

[JBK]

Trade a prospect for Luis Arraez for every day 2B and leadoff or hit second.  Playing great 2B this year.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

15 minutes ago, JBK said:

Trade a prospect for Luis Arraez for every day 2B and leadoff or hit second.  Playing great 2B this year.

I was just going to say this. In the playoffs what we have lacked is professional hitters. Working counts getting hits when you need it. He will be reasonable to get and raises the floor on the entire team. It also removes some risk of Lewis reverts to previous form. 

[JD-TWINS]

35 minutes ago, IndianaTwin said:

To clarify, we should give someone a modest prospect in order to get a rental right-handed bat?

While a lot of folks on TD suggest we trade Jeffers for a modest prospect?

it seems like it would be easier to just keep Jeffers. 

Jeffers, to date, has been part of the poor OPS v. lefties this year - trying to improve would be the reasoning to acquire Thomas.

Dont see Baltimore or Detroit helping the Twins - both are seemingly still in the hunt.

[JD-TWINS]

21 minutes ago, JBK said:

Trade a prospect for Luis Arraez for every day 2B and leadoff or hit second.  Playing great 2B this year.

My very same take - due to low speed, I’d have him hit 3rd or maybe 5th to protect someone and get hits with others on base though.

[DJL44]

5 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

My very same take - due to low speed, I’d have him hit 3rd or maybe 5th to protect someone and get hits with others on base though.

Isn’t that Brooks Lee’s current job?

[Patzky]

48 minutes ago, IndianaTwin said:

To clarify, we should give someone a modest prospect in order to get a rental right-handed bat?

While a lot of folks on TD suggest we trade Jeffers for a modest prospect?

it seems like it would be easier to just keep Jeffers. 

Modesty.

[JD-TWINS]

25 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

How can that be? We have 8 players standing in the right handed batters box every time a left handed starter takes the mound. We have strip mined and therefore compromised the futures and (future trade value) of every left handed hitting prospect just to handcuff them to player occupying a limited roster spot whose primary purpose is to be a "lefty killer" to face 28% of the pitching. How can that be? The Twins have already declined future development for Austin Martin by limiting his exposure to right handed pitching so how can that be? The 2nd most AB's vs Left Handers belongs to switch hitter Brooks Lee who has a .610 OPS against them. But he is able to stand in the correct batters box so how can that be?

We have 7 Right handed hitters and we have 3 Switch hitters but you want to add another one as we focus on the 28% problem. 

Ignore the respectable 4th best .733 happening right now in order to place more weight on the past? Attack the problem by attacking the part that isn't a problem? Call up Culpepper to play 2B as a short sider? Trade for Glayber Torres to play 2B as a short sider?  

We can currently put 10 Right Handed hitters in the box against left handed pitching. 11 ought to solve the problem. 

I'd suggest finding talent period... but in the meantime... I'd spend less time worrying about the 28% and focus more on the 72%. It's a bigger number. 

. 

Preach!!

100% agree ……. Thomas wouldn’t be a terrible addition but with Keaschall & Martin available on either side of Buxton, an acquisition like this seems less productive than adding Michael Wacha ($17M in ‘27) or Brady Singer (FA in ‘27)! …….. my assumption is a few clubs might approach Reds for Singer as a depth piece …… I live in Cincinnati and over last few weeks he’s been way better than previously - much better than overall ‘26 stats…… will he sustain?? Playing for a Team that has a chance is a motivator.

Should inquire on Singer…..Matthews or Prielipp would become the “addition to the PEN”.

[MinnInPa]

nope ..let Larnach hit..even against lefties...what we need is First Baseman that can hit 

[Geno48]

Whatever help the  Twins can get for a reasonable price would be helpful.    My idea would be to unload Royce Lewis.  Twins have wasted way too much much time and effort on an oft injured reserve.   It is painful to watch Royce in a meaningful at bat.   Any return at all would be great.

[HarmonK03]

19 minutes ago, Geno48 said:

Whatever help the  Twins can get for a reasonable price would be helpful.    My idea would be to unload Royce Lewis.  Twins have wasted way too much much time and effort on an oft injured reserve.   It is painful to watch Royce in a meaningful at bat.   Any return at all would be great.

Kind of like when Buxton struck out yesterday with the go ahead runs on base.  Many on here love to single out Royce when many others have not succeeded in the same situations.  He has been hitting since he came back from St. Paul until the All Star break.  He has started out slow like many others since they came back.  

[bean5302]

I don't see any middling upgrade being a good target. Taylor Ward is the best of the 3, but this is just another problem with nobody on the team having a set position.

What position do the Twins actually need help, other than SS?  

 

[Riverbrian]

35 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Preach!!

100% agree ……. Thomas wouldn’t be a terrible addition but with Keaschall & Martin available on either side of Buxton, an acquisition like this seems less productive than adding Michael Wacha ($17M in ‘27) or Brady Singer (FA in ‘27)! …….. my assumption is a few clubs might approach Reds for Singer as a depth piece …… I live in Cincinnati and over last few weeks he’s been way better than previously - much better than overall ‘26 stats…… will he sustain?? Playing for a Team that has a chance is a motivator.

Should inquire on Singer…..Matthews or Prielipp would become the “addition to the PEN”.

I have no problem with any of the suggestions made as individuals. Improvement is improvement and I have no problem with improvement but the idea of wasting our prospect resources on Taylor Ward to platoon as a short sider with Larnach is... just a waste period. You trade for Ward to make the team better every game the rest of the season. 

But, before you trade for Ward. I'd rather that they prioritize need first and that prioritization should be pitching followed by pitching followed by pitching and before the prioritization finally makes it way down past our pitching needs... infield should come before outfield and it isn't even close.  

We have Lewis, Clemens, Kreidler and Lee and Gray down in the minor leagues. Beyond that? With three catchers on the roster... Caratini is playing 1B which shuffles the infield and I'm ok with the shuffling when necessary. However... what happens when injuries occur on the dirt? Culpepper probably isn't coming up with labor uncertainty next year because I'm not sure it's sensible to burn a year if he ends up golfing in 2027. We have Gray in the minors who is probably the first phone call when we trade a catcher. The infield depth is incredibly light. Two injuries and we are calling Arcia. 

However... you are correct. Pitching is the first priority. Bullpen and Starters are the priority. 

I posted this in another thread: 

Team starting pitching is ranked 24th in baseball in ERA.

Our Bullpen is ranked 27th in ERA. 

We are 5th in Team OPS vs Right Handed Pitching. (7th Today after yesterdays quiet performance). 

We are 26th in Team OPS vs Left Handed Pitching. 

Our performance against right handed pitching is the only thing keeping us alive. Our performance against left handed hitting isn't good but it's the lower percentage play. We need pitching. 

 

 

 

 

[TJSweens]

I will say again, the idea that the Twins are in position to be buyers is fool's gold. They need to stay the course and put the pieces in place for the next season, whether that is 2027 or 2028. 

[amjgt]

2 hours ago, IndianaTwin said:

To clarify, we should give someone a modest prospect in order to get a rental right-handed bat?

While a lot of folks on TD suggest we trade Jeffers for a modest prospect?

it seems like it would be easier to just keep Jeffers. 

It feels like the word "modest" is covering a pretty wide spectrum of prospects here.

[amjgt]

4 minutes ago, TJSweens said:

I will say again, the idea that the Twins are in position to be buyers is fool's gold. They need to stay the course and put the pieces in place for the next season, whether that is 2027 or 2028. 

Does that mean you're trading Joe Ryan or not trading Joe Ryan?

[Greglw3]

1 hour ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

I was just going to say this. In the playoffs what we have lacked is professional hitters. Working counts getting hits when you need it. He will be reasonable to get and raises the floor on the entire team. It also removes some risk of Lewis reverts to previous form. 

I think Lewis is reverting to previous form.

I noticed he’s raised the bat back up higher than the adjustment he had made in lowering it when he returned from AAA, thus giving a shorter and more reliable swing path to the ball.

It seems he’s raised it back up, lengthening his swing again, and thus lowering contact and taking a "sell out for power approach", as he had been before.

He’s stalled at around a .215 batting average for the season. It’s worth considering whether the Twins can do better than that.

[Twins GFP]

Let me get this straight...

The Twins have scored the most runs in the AL this year and we are suggesting we trade away prospects for rental OF, a position at which the Twins have depth in the minors?

This team has been lacking RP all season and the Pohlad's have done absolutely nothing to help it. Why would we-as-fans think they would do anything to strengthen a lineup that is nowhere near the top of the priority list?

Ownership has zero interest in upgrading this team in any capacity. They are more likely to cut salary and trade the Ryan/Jeffers/Larnach/Bell group. Articles like this are great discussion, but complete fantasy. 

[HarmonK03]

3 minutes ago, Twins GFP said:

the Pohlad's have done absolutely nothing to help it

Do you think the Pohlads are out there scouting and evaluating the options.  It is Zoll's job to set the roster and the Pohlads to say yay or nay if not within budget.  We have no idea of the conversations between Zoll and Tom P.  I would assume he would be open to reasonable moves based on his comments.  

[Greglw3]

Matthew,

I agree with all 3 of your suggestions. The bottom line is the lack of production you convincingly described is unacceptable. The key is it wouldn’t take any of the premium prospects such as GG, E-Rod, Mendez or Jenkins to acquire any of these guys.

And I don’t think it’s an either or proposition. I heard someone say, "Go big or go home". So, I would try to acquire all three of those guys, a #3 type starter (I saw Seattle was making Emerson Hancock available, excellent starter right up there with Ryan and Taj and I’’m guessing at least 2 years controllable? I wonder if wee could get him for E-Rod and Wallner and maybe a high A prospect?

After the 3 Lefty problem-solvers you suggested and Hancock, I get two solid relievers.

I also might take a crack at Larnach for Peter Lambert of the Astros.

Let’s go Jeremy Zoll! Finally, I have confidence in the Twins front office!

 

[laloesch]

2 hours ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

I was just going to say this. In the playoffs what we have lacked is professional hitters. Working counts getting hits when you need it. He will be reasonable to get and raises the floor on the entire team. It also removes some risk of Lewis reverts to previous form. 

If you could get him for a reasonable prospect cost and the objective is to beef up the lineup for the post season, I'd say do it.  

[Twins GFP]

2 minutes ago, HarmonK03 said:

It is Zoll's job to set the roster and the Pohlads to say yay or nay if not within budget.
  
I would assume he would be open to reasonable moves based on his comments.  

Please tell me how Zoll can make any moves of quality when the ownership refuses to invest in payroll?

His comments are part of the problem. Saying that they need to invest in the team and not actually allowing any increased payroll to acquire good players pretty much says it all.

We have no clue about the level of quality of Zoll as a GM, it will probably take a few years to get a better handle on him.

[terrydactyls]

48 minutes ago, amjgt said:

Does that mean you're trading Joe Ryan or not trading Joe Ryan?

Is Ryan going to sign an extension in the next 10 days?  If yes, then don't trade him.  If no, then out the door he goes.

[HarmonK03]

4 minutes ago, Twins GFP said:

Please tell me how Zoll can make any moves of quality when the ownership refuses to invest in payroll?

His comments are part of the problem. Saying that they need to invest in the team and not actually allowing any increased payroll to acquire good players pretty much says it all.

We have no clue about the level of quality of Zoll as a GM, it will probably take a few years to get a better handle on him.

Since Zoll has taken over in February when payroll was already set for the year has he been denied taking on any additional payroll if the moves would help the team.  Let me answer that for you, we don't know.  We also don't know what the conversations are.  If you have to wait for a few years to judge Zoll after you have already have had almost three years then this organization may never recover.

It is easy to blame ownership, but you have to work within the resources given.  Other GM's have been able to do it like Milwaukee with the one of the best records in baseball and a below average payroll.  Falvey and Zoll have not done a good job of producing a winning team consistently.

 

[HarmonK03]

18 minutes ago, Greglw3 said:

Let’s go Jeremy Zoll! Finally, I have confidence in the Twins front office!

What has changed in the front office, you still have all the same personnel.  The only change is Falvey is gone.  And Zoll has been a key Falvey confidante for the last 5 years at least.  Why would you expect a change in philosophy now.

[bean5302]

46 minutes ago, Greglw3 said:

I think Lewis is reverting to previous form.

I noticed he’s raised the bat back up higher than the adjustment he had made in lowering it when he returned from AAA, thus giving a shorter and more reliable swing path to the ball.

It seems he’s raised it back up, lengthening his swing again, and thus lowering contact and taking a "sell out for power approach", as he had been before.

He’s stalled at around a .215 batting average for the season. It’s worth considering whether the Twins can do better than that.

I think Lewis will continue to make adjustments to improve his results and improve his swing path. Either you can be critical of his low batting average or you can criticize swing adjustments to attempt to produce more line drives which will increase his batting average.

Lewis' body is changing. He's healthy, his leg strength is returning. His speed is returning. This will allow him to make approach and swing changes that can take advantage of it. Since re-joining the team, he's been an above average hitter at the plate, and there's reason to believe there's more in the tank.