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  • Minnesota Twins Free Agent & Trade Rumors, Notes, & Tidbits

    The latest Minnesota Twins free agent and trade rumors, along with notes and tidbits about the team.
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    Brock Beauchamp
    Mark Feinsand of MLB.com wrote up a list of trade deadline candidates whose stock is rising.
    He only lists one candidate as a potential fit for the Twins and it's an intriguing one: Jesse Winker.
    Winker, once a promising rising star with Cincinnati, fell upon hard times in 2022 after joining the Seattle Mariners. He was later traded to the Milwaukee Brewers and had an even worse season in 2023. He signed with the Nationals hoping for a rebound season and he has accomplished exactly that: a 134 OPS+ on the back of a .263/.377/.425 triple-slash line.
    Winker, a left-handed outfielder (who is better positioned as a designated hitter, frankly), would slot nicely into the Twins lineup, which is elite against left-handed pitching while slightly above-average against right-handed pitching.
    Hit the link above to check out the rest of Feinsand's list.
    Brock Beauchamp
    Appearing on Skor North's The Scoop, Doogie Wolfson of KSTP 5 mentioned that the Twins are receiving calls on minor-league outfielder Matt Wallner. Wallner, after a highly successful half-season in 2023, stumbled out of the gate in 2024 and was demoted back to the Triple-A St Paul Saints where he has rebounded nicely, posting an .869 OPS in 64 games played.
    While the Twins may be fielding calls on Wallner, it's hard to imagine them actually trading the Minnesota native. He has less than a year of service time under his belt and with the expiring contract of Max Kepler looming, the Twins will need another left-handed bat as soon as next year.
    It can be argued that the Twins don't need Wallner next season, they need him today. While the Twins have done an excellent job of mashing left-handed pitching (.799 OPS, 2nd in MLB), they're merely adequate against right-handed pitching (.720 OPS, 10th in MLB). Wallner's left-handed power stature could play well in the Twins lineup in the second half of the season.
    Ultimately, it will boil down to the front office deciding whether Wallner is more critical than the Twins' immediate need of pitching help, both in the rotation and bullpen.
     
    Matthew Lenz
    While rumors of Kelley Jansen being in the market have been swirling since the offseason, it may have been assumed he was off the market considering the Red Sox unexpected success in 2024. Instead, Jim Bowden of The Athletic wrote that rival executives believe "...there could be 'buyer-to-buyer' type trade this year..."
    While the price tag is hefty in both salary and player capital, the former elite reliever has done exceptional this year sporting a 2.30/2.13 ERA/FIP with a 19.1-percent K-BB and locking down 15/16 save opportunities. He would be an expensive but great addition for any team who needs bullpen help. While relievers are volatile creatures, it's an added bonus that an acquiring team would only be tied to him for this season.
    Cover photo credit: © Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
    Brock Beauchamp
    Most years, not a lot happens in June trade-wise but this June has been particularly slow, with almost no note-worthy trades happening between teams.
    That's primarily due to two reasons:
    The new postseason format, as many predicted, is keeping more teams in the postseason race than ever before. The ridiculous amount of parity in the leagues, particularly the National League. As of this writing, only three American League teams and just two National League teams are clear sellers: Oakland, the White Sox, and the Angels in the AL, while Colorado and Miami are the only clear sellers in the NL.
    In the American League, 12 of the 15 teams are in a postseason position or within 7.5 games of the third Wild Card spot. In the National League, 13 of the 15 teams are in a postseason position or within just 3.0 games of the third Wild Card spot.
    As we head into July, it's likely we will see more stratification amongst the contenders and some teams will drop out of the race and eventually trade expiring contracts but it's hard to imagine many high-profile names moving in the first half of July. We could also see savvy teams like the Rays, currently 4.0 games out of the third Wild Card, take advantage of the seller's market and intentionally bow out of the race. On the other hand, some GMs/PoBOs should be concerned about their jobs, such as Jed Hoyer and the Cubs, and they may try to avoid making the obvious long-term decision of selling assets to improve in later seasons.
    Time will tell how this all plays out but don't expect much to happen in the coming days or even weeks.
    Brock Beauchamp
    Two weeks ago, the Mets looked like they were on a path to being clear sellers at the trade deadline; several games under .500 and well back of the Wild Card, most expected David Stearns to sell. A small warm-streak later, they're still under .500 but now only two games out of the third Wild Card spot in the National League.
    Why should a Twins fan care? Well, because the Mets have starting pitching, and a lot of it. Mike Puma of the New York Post tweeted that it's possible the Mets may look to move starters while also trying to contend. They have several starters coming back from injury or in the minors (see below) but also have several starters on expiring or short-term contracts: Luis Severino (3.52 ERA, free agent after the season), Jose Quintana (4.58 ERA, free agent after the season), and Sean Manaea (4.16 ERA, $13.5 million option for 2025) are three options the Metropolitans could use as bait to beef up their middle-of-the-pack offense.
     
    Matthew Lenz
    Lately, we've been covering teams who the Twins could make a deal with to make up ground and win the division. Or, at the very least, stay at the top of the Wild Card standings.
    Well, assuming they will be buyers, they are not the only AL Central team looking for the same results. Per The Windup Podcast and shared by MLB Trade Rumors, the Royals GM (J.J. Picollo) revealed that the Royals will be in search of bullpen and utility depth. The Royals bullpen ranks near in the bottom third of the league in WAR, ERA, K rate, and BB rate. While we think the Twins are in need of bullpen help, the Royals have a far greater need but don't have the farm system to match the asking price of some of the power arms that may be available in a month.

    On the offensive end, the Royals are similar to the Twins in that they love to play matchups and splits. While they need OF help specifically, Picollo noted that they're looking for utility bats that can deepen their bench and fit with their matchup based philosophy. Unlike the bullpen, the Twins and Royals likely won't in the market for the same offensive additions in the trade market.
    Brock Beauchamp
    Ken Rosenthal in his recent roundup for The Athletic, mentioned that it's likely the Miami Marlins will be looking to deal pitchers at this trade deadline. They already moved Luis Arraez to the San Diego Padres early in the season and with new President of Baseball Operations Peter Bendix tasked with rebuilding a painfully depleted Marlins farm system, it's likely he will use the trade deadline to build out the farm system.
    Three names mentioned are starting pitchers Jesus Luzardo and Braxton Garrett while reliever Tanner Scott is also likely to be dealt. Scott is on an expiring contract this season but starters Luzardo (free agent after 2026 season) and Garrett (free agent after 2028 season) are long-term pieces that would require a hefty prospect price.
    While it's questionable whether the Twins will be in the starter market at the trade deadline, their volatile bullpen performance could make Scott an appealing trade pickup.
    C-Gangster
    Kirloff is hoping that would be the case but that might not be the case. balldelli says "Setting health aside for a minute, whoever's the better defensive first baseman is going to play more at first base,” so I assume this means Santana will play more time at first while kirloff will play more DH. Because Kirloff has -8 OAA. While Santan has 2 OAA. Balldeli also said Kirloff might get some more time in The outfield. There's also probably only room for 1 of them vs a LHP. Balldeli says when the time comes they will figure it out. He also says ,” Baldelli said. “Both are going to end up playing a good amount of first base, but the guy that is going to do the best job for us on that side of the ball is the one that's going to play more". So in conclusion I think this offense would be really good and also I'm really glad we signed Santana. I think it was a good dedication by the Twins. 
    wiguy94
    According to Ken Rosenthal, the Twins are one of four teams that Kiké Hernandez will decide from for 2024 alongside the Angels, Padres, and Giants. Hernandez is 32 and coming off double-hernia surgery in October of 2023. He has played all 8 positions in the field in 2023, but struggled to -1.3 fWAR. 
    Should the Twins try to acquire his services for 2024 and if they do what role should he play?
     
    wiguy94
    Twins' owner Joe Pohlad said in an appearance with WCCO radio’s Jason DeRusha yesterday that his club isn’t likely to make a significant late splash. Pohlad stated, “…We’re not going to go out and spend $30MM on a player right now”. While he did not mention Boras Big Four by name he also stated, “The players that are out there right now that probably a bunch of fans are talking about, we are not in the market for those players”.
    The Twins however have reportedly expressed interest in Michael Lorenzen, Adam Duvall, and Michael A. Taylor. In addition to those three, the Twins also watched Jake Odorizzi's recent workout in his attempted comeback.
    Do the Twins have more moves to come before the start of the 2024 season?
     
    Brock Beauchamp
    Jon Morosi tweeted today that embattled Blue Jays starter Alek Manoah will not be traded, as the Jays expect him to be in their 2024 rotation.
    Manoah, only 26 years old with several years of team control remaining, was phenomenal in his first two years with Toronto before collapsing in 2023, pitching to a 5.87 ERA in 19 starts.
    It has been rumored the Twins are still interested in playoff-caliber starting pitchers, particularly with the recent news that it's likely they will stay with Bally Sports this season, giving them a last-minute influx of cash to spend on payroll.
    It appears we can now cross Manoah off the possible list of acquisition targets.
     
    Brock Beauchamp
    Jon Morosi tweeted earlier that Seattle inquired about outfielder Max Kepler during Jorge Polanco trade talks as part of an even larger deal than the five-player swap that happened.
    Kepler has been involved in trade rumors for years now but Minnesota execs seem to prize the 30-year-old lefty and remain firm at a high asking price. Unlike Polanco, trading Kepler would raise serious questions about the Opening Day outfield for the hometown nine. While Edouard Julien and Brooks Lee are available to play second base, the Twins would have to fall back on the likes of Trevor Larnach, Nick Gordon, or a free agent acquisition to fill Kepler's role.
    Kepler has one year remaining on his contract. Would you trade the veteran left-hander or keep him in 2024?
    Brock Beauchamp
    On Monday evening, the news Twins fans were waiting three months to hear finally happened: Jorge Polanco had been traded. In a five-player swap, Minnesota freed up approximately $6 million of salary, which should allow them to pursue help in other areas.
    Jon Heyman speculated today that Donovan Solano might be in the mix. Other rumors have circulated that the Twins could pursue a low-cost designated hitter, perhaps Joey Votto or Carlos Santana.
    What Heyman seems more sure about is that the Twins are looking for outfield help, probably in center field. With the oft-injured Byron Buxton perpetually a question mark, a backup center field option could be prudent.
    Are we looking at a return of Michael A. Taylor in 2024?
     
    Brock Beauchamp
    While Twins General Manager Thad Levine couched his statements with excitement about the current starting rotation, he admitted that with the loss of so many starting pitchers to free agency - Sonny Gray, Kenta Maeda, Tyler Mahle - the Twins could use some help in the rotation by Opening Day.
    There are several pitchers who have been rumored to be on the block, led by Corbin Burnes and one of the Marlins starters. Unfortunately, two of the most readily available arms (Dylan Cease, Shane Bieber) play for teams in the AL Central, which makes a trade trickier for the Twins front office to pull off.
    Listen to the clip from Levine on MLB Network Radio below:
    Brock Beauchamp
    Dan Hayes over at The Athletic (subscribe if you don't already, Hayes and Gleeman produce outstanding Twins content) wrote up the current trade situation in Minnesota.
    As always, it talks about the patience of Derek Falvey and Thad Levine and their willingness to ride right into Fort Myers with the roster they have in place if no deals materialize. What I found most interesting is that the Twins appear unwilling to move Jorge Polanco, Max Kepler, or Kyle Farmer for prospects. They are seeking trades that fill "need-for-need" with other MLB teams; in other words, swapping big-league players.
    This strategy could place significant limitations on their ability to swing a deal this offseason.
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