Twins Still Exploring Adding Multiple Pitchers, Could Trade Trevor Larnach and Call Up Walker Jenkins

[Matthew Trueblood]

Image courtesy of Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

There's nothing better than a three-team division race in August and September. This looks like the rare one where there might not even be a soft landing in a Wild Card spot for the losers; that makes it extra juicy. The Twins are locked in a fierce battle for the AL Central title, entering Sunday trailing the White Sox by three games and in a dead heat with the Guardians—though, in a rare bit of good news about that matchup, they hold the edge on Cleveland in the season series, so they'd need to win just one of their final three games against them to secure the tiebreaker. (They have six games left against the Sox, and need to win four of them to gain the tiebreaker edge there.)

If that race wasn't already feeling heated, it gained both intensity and clarity this weekend. The Twins made trades on Thursday and Friday njights to add pitchers A.J. Minter and Dean Kremer. On Saturday morning, the Guardians took a turn, swinging a four-player swap with the Brewers that clears the runway a bit for another move to bolster their roster in the next day or so. Then, on Saturday night, the White Sox dealt for veteran Mariners starter Luis Castillo, who should reinforce their rotation nicely—a move sandwiched by trades in which the Royals (Lane Thomas and Bailey Falter to the team from just outside Atlanta) and Tigers (Tarik Skubal to the Dodgers) began their selloffs. Every team in the division has selected their direction; every team now has to make good on that direction by making more moves in the next 30 hours or so.

The Twins, for their part, are still working hard to make a major addition before the deadline. They really did have a deal in place with the Astros that would have sent Trevor Larnach to Houston in exchange for right-handed reliever Bryan Abreu, a source confirmed. That was first reported on Twitter Saturday morning and more robustly documented by Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star-Tribune later in the day. Their efforts to move Larnach haven't stopped with that thwarted transaction, though. Larnach has been a topic of discussion with multiple other teams, a source familiar with the conversations said, including the Padres.

Ideally, the Twins would swap their current platoon left fielder for a relief arm with high-leverage potential, like Abreu or Padres righty Jeremiah Estrada. As intriguing as that kind of trade itself, however, is what sources within the organization say would happen if the club can find the right deal for Larnach: a call-up of top prospect Walker Jenkins to take on an everyday role in the outfield, That could mean playing Jenkins in left field, or having him take over center, with Austin Martin, Alan Roden, Kody Clemens and Luke Keaschall flanking him, depending on matchups. 

If the team can't get either a solid reliever or a strong prospect return for Larnach, however, they're content to keep him and leave their outfield mix intact. The priority is not to create space for Jenkins, though they're ready to do so if he continues to push the envelope; it's to improve the bullpen. Minnesota remains active in talks with multiple teams about hurlers who would round out their relief corps, multiple league sources said late Saturday night.

That could mean ousted Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman, a strikeout machine with a filthy slider whom the team briefly had in camp years ago, before he broke out with the Phillies. It could mean old friend Tyler Wells, whom the Twins lost to Baltimore via the Rule 5 Draft ahead of the 2021 season. Wells, a high-slot righty with a pitch mix that fits what the Twins like to get from relievers, comes with a year of team control beyond this one, as does Hoffman (though Hoffman's comes via an expensive contractual obligation). Estrada is a controllable high-octane arm, too. The Twins have even checked in on Luke Weaver, perhaps the most accomplished and expensive reliever on the market, though they feel the asking price will rise beyond their willingness to pay. Nor has the team foreclosed on the possibility of a combo deal wherein they would add both another important relieve and more help for the starting rotation; that could be a truly transformative splash.

It's a bit of a mudfight, this division battle. The leading White Sox would be at least seven games out of first place in four of the other five divisions in the majors. The thing is there to be won, though, and the Guardians, Twins and White Sox all have ample motivation to win it. For Minnesota, the upside is huge. Take home a division title, and you not only get that achievement itself, but earn the goodwill of many fans who had all but abandoned the team. As a bonus (maybe more than a bonus, if your surname is Pohlad), you also get to host a playoff series. Even if you lose it, that's a handsome revenue infusion. And don't overlook this bit: The two byes past the Wild Card Series go to the two best records among division winners. If the Twins play well enough to beat the White Sox, they have as good a chance as any team in the AL West (currently paced by those renegade Astros, at 57-55) to be that second-best division winner. A fastt pass to the Division Series is a big prize worth paying for; the Twins are ready to pay for it.

 

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[HarmonK03]

Jenkins could be up here today even with Larnach on the roster.  An outfield of Larnach, Jenkins and Keaschall is the best outfield we could play currently.  If anyone should go to clear playing time it is Bell.  But is there any market for him.

[weitz41]

E Rod says HEY don't forget about me!

Shaping up to be an exciting 30 hrs ahead.

[TopGunn#22]

Notably absent in this discussion is Ryan Jeffers.  I would expect he would be needed to make any kind of deal to bring back an impact RP or a starter. (or both)  The Yankees are still the team the Twins could be dealing with and with their injuries to OF's both Jeffers and Trevor Larnach could be in play.  The Yankees have a surplus of SP, especially with Carlos Rodon set to come off the IL in about a week.  

The idea of getting Bryan Abreu for Larnach straight up would have been exciting.  I would have liked to know why the Astros backed out.  They certainly need Larnach's bat.  But Abreu is only 29 and has been a stellar reliever with the exception being this year.  He struggled right out of the gate as the closer when Hadar began the season on the IL. 

But in the last 4 years he's been a 100 K RP (except for one season of 88 !!) and has been dominant.  I would like to see the Twins revisit the talks and give a little more to close the deal.  Abreu would be just what the Twins need to close games.  

There's also a chance the Twins are still talking to the Angels as well.  So far, very little has been given up (with the exception of the "potential" for Reyes).  It just feels like there is something BIGGER brewing for the Twins.  Not having Buxton in the lineup right now complicates things as does Joe Ryan's "tired arm."  But with names like Abreu, Neto, Luke Weaver and others being bandied about, it's going to be an exciting 24 hours.  

[TL]

Or designate Gray. Larnach has been good at the plate so I’d prefer, all else equal, to keep his bat in the lineup - but getting him out of left field should also be a priority. In my view you can make 3 moves to really go for it:

IN: Culpepper, Jenkins, higher leverage reliever

OUT: Larnach, Bell, Gray (Or swap out Martin and keep one of Larnach / Bell)

Result: Improved defense and bullpen, comparable hitting 

[TNtwins85]

26 minutes ago, HarmonK03 said:

Jenkins could be up here today even with Larnach on the roster.  An outfield of Larnach, Jenkins and Keaschall is the best outfield we could play currently.  If anyone should go to clear playing time it is Bell.  But is there any market for him.

They’ve gotta clear the OF glut but I’m not sure which to trade. Larnach probably gets you more back than Bell but Bell clears numerous spots by simply not holding that DH spot day to day. They both come up with solid hits when needed and with the offense the way it has been lately do you really upgrade bringing up Jenkins? Defensively yes but even as good of a prospect as he his can you rely on him down the stretch? Can you rely on Bell/Larnach? It’s gonna get interesting for sure!

[Matthew Trueblood]

23 minutes ago, TopGunn#22 said:

Notably absent in this discussion is Ryan Jeffers.  I would expect he would be needed to make any kind of deal to bring back an impact RP or a starter. (or both)  The Yankees are still the team the Twins could be dealing with and with their injuries to OF's both Jeffers and Trevor Larnach could be in play.  The Yankees have a surplus of SP, especially with Carlos Rodon set to come off the IL in about a week.  

The Twins certainly COULD trade Jeffers, the same way they could trade Larnach. But he absolutely is NOT *needed* to get the kind of deal they want to do done, and in fact, they could pay the price to get the reliever they want, keep Jeffers and lose him for nothing this winter and still be fine, depth-wise.

I won't be stunned either way, but I'd put the odds of a Jeffers trade under 40%. I think he sticks around.

[Bangkok Twins Fan]

27 minutes ago, TNtwins85 said:

They’ve gotta clear the OF glut but I’m not sure which to trade. Larnach probably gets you more back than Bell but Bell clears numerous spots by simply not holding that DH spot day to day.

That is the dilemma. As you noted, Larnach would get us a much better return than Bell, but Bell has been a steady RBI machine most of the year, plus I like his veteran presence in the clubhouse. I also think Jenkins is ready, but we have to be prepared for some initial struggles if he's called up this month. No easy decisions. 

[Matthew Trueblood]

24 minutes ago, Bangkok Twins Fan said:

That is the dilemma. As you noted, Larnach would get us a much better return than Bell, but Bell has been a steady RBI machine most of the year, plus I like his veteran presence in the clubhouse. I also think Jenkins is ready, but we have to be prepared for some initial struggles if he's called up this month. No easy decisions. 

You kinda put a 'but' where an 'and' goes, no? Larnach would net the better return. Bell is the more popular and powerful clubhouse presence. 

I don't think they view this as an either/or, by the way. They really aren't even considering trading Bell. That could change, but they'd have to hear an offer they don't expect to hear AT ALL. Larnach can get them a reliever, or the kind of extra prospect juice that makes one less painful to acquire, and they like their replacement for him (obviously). The only place where trading Bell instead of Larnach is being entertained is here on the web.

[Maybe Next Year]

Why would you trade Larnach? He’s only 29 and is now just coming into his prime years. It has taken a few years to find his groove but he seems to have found it. He hit .259 in 2024 and .250 in 2025 which aren’t horrible numbers. This year he leads the Twins with a .284 average. Not too shabby. In addition he won’t become a free agent until 2028. 
Contrary to the belief of many I don’t believe the Twins have an abundance of major league ready outfielders. Yes, some are ok defensively but how many can perform at the plate. I don’t believe Larnach will bring a top notch veteran pitcher in a trade. Call me stupid but to trade Larnach for a pitcher on the downside of his career doesn’t make sense to me. We will need Larnach’s bat more than a mediocre/ average pitcher if we want to make a run at the playoffs. 

 

[mike8791]

So glad that Houston owner 86ed the trade for Larnach.  While our bullpen could certainly use an established RH late-inning reliever,  the pen has morphed into a league-average group recently.    For the stretch run, right now, the Twins biggest weakness is their offense.  Just take a look at their run production since the AS break.  Need more input, look at the lack of run production in the KC series.  Two miracle comebacks in the 9th are hardly indicative of offensive prowess.  With Buxton on the IL and Larnach gone, does anyone believe that Jenkins is ready to step in immediately and replace Larnach's offense?

Trading Larnach would further stress a depleted lineup, especially if the return was a reliever.  No doubt, addition of an established closer would strengthen the pen, but is the cost of Larnach worth it?  With Jeffers approaching FA and with decent catching depth present, if we were to trade offense for pitching, he is the one to be traded.  Not for a reliever but as part of a trade for  a solid mid-starter.  If such a return is not feasible than Tom has to put $ into the equation to pay down the remaining salary of one of several available, established starters like Ray, Peralta, Gausman or May to lessen the cost of such an acquisition to perhaps, prospects, rather than Larnach or Jeffers.  This is the way that Twins become true contenders for the playoffs.

 

[tony&rodney]

12 minutes ago, Matthew Trueblood said:

The only place where trading Bell instead of Larnach is being entertained is here on the web.

This. Have been stating that Bell stays for weeks. 

[TL]

3 minutes ago, Maybe Next Year said:

Why would you trade Larnach?

It’s possible it hurts this year (though debatable given he’s put up these numbers in a platoon and plays bad defense). But 8MM he’ll earn next year could be better used elsewhere when you have Jenkins and E-Rod waiting. Put it into a QO for Jeffers!

[rdehring]

Never one to speculate on specific trades, I for one am looking forward to the next 31 hours.  Remain hopeful it will be both exciting and productive.

[LambchoP]

I wish we'd get a controllable playoff caliber SP. Someone like Detmers or Soriano. Hancock to a lesser degree. Gives us another starter in the rotation and also strengthens our pen by allowing us to move someone like Zebby or Prelipp into relief roles. Not to mention, if we trade Joe Ryan in the off-season, we're going to need someone solid to replace him. 

[Whitey333]

Twins are in a tough spot.  They are "contenders" with a lot of other "pretenders".  Are the Twins good or has mediocrity sucked them in?  We need some additions but at what cost?  If you trade people like Larnach and Bell you better get something good back.  This team would not be in "contention" without them.  Jenkins?  He probably should have been called up already.  Recalling Gray was a slap in the face to Jenkins and fans.  However keep in mind Jenkins has not played in the major leagues yet.  To guarantee his success and future stardom at this point in his career is ridiculous.  But I must say get him here and see what he does.  Maybe he will be a star.

[Maybe Next Year]

51 minutes ago, TL said:

It’s possible it hurts this year (though debatable given he’s put up these numbers in a platoon and plays bad defense). But 8MM he’ll earn next year could be better used elsewhere when you have Jenkins and E-Rod waiting. Put it into a QO for Jeffers!

If the CBA gets approved for the 2027 season with a minimum payroll of $171 million the $8 m for Larnach won’t matter. The Twins will need to spend $60 million more than they are this year. 

[TL]

16 minutes ago, Maybe Next Year said:

If the CBA gets approved for the 2027 season with a minimum payroll of $171 million the $8 m for Larnach won’t matter. The Twins will need to spend $60 million more than they are this year. 

I doubt it would jump to that immediately but in any event it’s still 8MM for a platoon left fielder who plays bad defense when you have two younger and higher upside guys ready. 

[DocBauer]

IMO:

1] We have another RHRP still coming, whether a trade of prospects or Larnach or a small package doesn't matter. 

2] I won't advocate a trade of Larnach. But if it takes moving him to get something good, he's one of the easier guys to replace. Between a platoon of Roden/Martin in LF, Jenkins brought up, and/or Rodriguez brought up the end of August. I think Larnach has had maybe his best defensive season ever, but he's still only average. Considering what he's been doing at the plate since about May 1st and his speed, maybe Keaschall takes over the leadoff spot if Larnach is moved? Is it time?

Again, not advocating a move of Larnach. But between young OF on hand, better speed and defense, higher ceilings, and not paying $7-8M for a platoon OF in 2027...(there's really NO CLUE how the new CBA is going to go)...he's the easiest veteran player to move that has value not named Jeffers.

3] I think Jeffers is kept. He's too important to this team/season. And if the reports we are hearing are correct, the Twins can offer him the QO knowing he will reject it for a longer term deal elsewhere, and the Twins recoup the draft pick for his rejection.

4] Just my hunch, but I don't see a trade for a front line or middle SP at this time. I can see it in the offseason, but I just don't see it happening now. It would feel almost "rushed" to me at this point. I think Zoll...if they make such a move...would prefer to make such a move after the season.

[langerr]

I like Larnach … IMHO, they should alternate him and Bell at the DH …

Bring up Jenkins & put him in left field. Alternate, whomever, in centerfield until Byron gets back for his occasional appearance, Right field should be whomever, based upon platoon’s, degree of hotness”, etc. …

  I also think we should keep Jeffers …. Offer him a decent extension and if he doesn’t like it, he can feel free to move on …

Ditto on Joe Ryan. How often do you get to keep an exciting frontline pitcher?

Look at it this way - the team is, as it is now, OK, if not better than OK …

Last year‘s trade deadline was devastating for this Twins fan …

Put some fans in the seats, win alot of games, and watch the team gel! Go Twins!!!

Edited 52 minutes ago by langerr
Cleanup punctuation!

[HarmonK03]

2 hours ago, TL said:

It’s possible it hurts this year (though debatable given he’s put up these numbers in a platoon and plays bad defense). But 8MM he’ll earn next year could be better used elsewhere when you have Jenkins and E-Rod waiting. Put it into a QO for Jeffers!

You are assuming that 8MM would be sent in a wise manner.  Remember last year with $14m available they signed Bell to play 1B and Caratini when they already had a backup catcher.  So maybe it would be worth it to sign Larnach.  

But they do have something with the excess of outfielders on the 40 man roster, there is just not enough AB's to go around between St. Paul and Minneapolis.  At least two probably three need to be removed and you still have depth for injuries.  This needs to be done before next season at some point.