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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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    Matthew Taylor
    The Minnesota Twins are wasting little time challenging their top draft pick. Shortstop Marek Houston, the 16th overall selection in July’s draft, has been promoted to High-A Cedar Rapids after just 12 games with the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels.
    Houston impressed immediately in Low-A, slashing .370/.424/.444 with 13 strikeouts, five walks, and plenty of highlight plays in the field. His advanced glove work, considered the best among shortstops in this year’s draft, was a major factor in the Twins selecting him in the first round.
    He now joins a Kernels team that already has its ticket punched for the postseason after winning the Midwest League West Division’s first half. Houston will get a taste of playoff baseball right away, with 18 regular-season games left plus Cedar Rapids’ postseason run. His High-A debut could come as soon as tomorrow, August 19, when the Kernels visit the South Bend Cubs.
    What do you think of Houston’s early showing in the Twins organization? Is he tracking even faster than expected? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
    Matthew Taylor
    In his latest article, Bobby Nightengale reported that the Twins had talks with the Mariners at the trade deadline, but a deal never came together because Seattle was unwilling to include two of their best prospects. Minnesota’s ask? Two top-100 prospects.
    Nightengale also noted that the Twins actually preferred 18-year-old catcher Eduardo Tait over Phillies shortstop prospect Aidan Miller. The hesitation with Miller, ranked #17 in baseball by MLB Pipeline, came from concerns about his ability to stick at shortstop long-term. Miller, currently in Double A, has posted a .740 OPS this season. The Twins felt Tait carried more upside and made him their request from Philadelphia instead.
    You can read the rest of Bobby’s piece here.
    What do you think, do you like Tait over Miller?
    Matthew Taylor
    After a dramatic trade deadline selloff, whispers are growing louder that ownership might be nearing a deal, though nothing is confirmed.
    Minnesota Twins fans were still reeling from a flurry of deadline trades, 11 players moved in a week, including eight on deadline day, when a new report from Front Office Sports added fuel to an already simmering rumor: the Pohlads could be closing in on a sale of the team.
    According to FOS, a source claimed a transaction “could be weeks away.” Nothing is official, and no parties have publicly confirmed talks, but the timing has certainly raised eyebrows.
    MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred stirred the pot during All-Star week, telling reporters: “I know some things that you don’t know… There will be a transaction. We just need to be patient while they rework.”
    Earlier efforts to sell the team reportedly stalled Justin Ishbia backed out and redirected their focus to the White Sox. But since then, several unnamed suitors have reportedly toured Target Field and met with the Pohlad family as recently as May.
    Whether this is smoke or fire remains to be seen, but for now the front office’s moves and the whispers behind the scenes have fans watching closely.
    Matthew Trueblood
    Wednesday has seen a barrage of trades involving relief pitchers, but if reports are to be believed, the Twins might be about to raise the stakes on that substantially. Several reports (some of which we at Twins Daily can independently confirm) indicate that Jhoan Duran is expected to be dealt by the end of the day, and that the Dodgers and Mariners are especially aggressive in pursuit of him.
    Mark Feinsand of MLB.com has one such report.
    Joel Sherman has a very similar set of conjectures to share.
    Our sources suggest that the Dodgers are in the lead for Duran, but there's still time for Seattle to up their offer. The timeline of a deal is not clear, but it does look likely that Duran will be moved before the deadline—and maybe even within the next few hours.
    Matthew Taylor
    The Phillies have reportedly pivoted from Jhoan Duran to Griffin Jax in their search for bullpen help, according to Jayson Stark in a radio interview with 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia.
    According to Stark, talks between the Twins and Phillies regarding Duran hit a snag when Minnesota asked for top Phillies pitching prospect Andrew Painter in return. Painter is currently ranked as the number eight prospect in baseball by Baseball America, and Philadelphia has been unwilling to put him on the table. As a result, this has led them to refocus on Jax, whom they may view as more attainable.
    Jax has taken a step back this year in terms of ERA and Win Probability Added, but his underlying metrics paint a different picture. His strikeout and walk rates remain strong, and advanced numbers like xERA suggest he’s been pitching better than the results indicate. He’s been snakebitten by some poor luck, not regression in stuff or command.
    Jax remains under team control through 2027 and has been a high-leverage staple for the past three seasons. Trading him would be a notable blow to the bullpen depth, but if the return is meaningful, it could be the right move.
    Would you move Jax in the right deal? Should the Twins keep pressing for a Painter/Duran deal? Drop your thoughts below.
    Matthew Trueblood
    Carlos Correa's contract is team-friendly. That's an important thing to keep in mind. The salaries might be too high to accommodate for many teams, but the structure of the deal—front-loaded, with team options of diminishing values beginning in 2029—makes the terms favorable to the team. That's why the Twins were willing to jump back in and sign Correa, after he nearly agreed to deals with the Giants and Mets in the winter of 2022-23.
    Keep that in mind today, because Bob Nightengale of USA Today has a report this morning that the Astros are pondering a reunion with Correa, via trade. Correa has a full no-trade clause in there, too, but Nightengale says that he would waive it to go back to Houston. The other key detail of the report is that the Astros would demand that the Twins pay a significant portion of the remaining money on Correa's deal. Therein lies the rub, it seems.
    There's a case to be made for that position, but if the Twins aren't getting either huge savings or a significant prospect in return for Correa, it would seem like a massive mistake to trade him this summer, at a nadir in his value. We'll see what (if anything) comes of this.
    Matthew Taylor
    The Twins may be one of the busiest teams in baseball over the next 48 hours. According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, multiple contenders are aggressively pursuing Minnesota as a trade partner. The Red Sox, Yankees, Blue Jays, Phillies, and Mariners have all been in regular contact with the front office, showing serious interest in a wide range of players.
    Among the most talked-about names are Joe Ryan, several key bullpen arms, Willi Castro, and Harrison Bader. That level of widespread demand suggests the Twins could be busy over the next few days. With such a deep list of in-demand assets, Minnesota is suddenly positioned as a potential centerpiece of this year’s trade deadline.
    Whether the front office chooses to fully lean into selling or sticks to it's impending free agents remains to be seen. Either way, the next move could shift the tone of the season.
    Where do you stand on it? Drop your thoughts below.
    Brock Beauchamp
    Jorge Castillo of ESPN has written that both New York teams are interested in acquiring Twins outfielder Harrison Bader, who has emerged as one of the most sought-after position players this deadline. In 93 games for the Twins, the 31-year-old right-hander is batting .254/.337/.439 with 12 homers and a .776 OPS. FanGraphs has him at a .340 weighted on-base average and a 118 wRC+, while his 2.0 wins above replacement rank among the top 30 major-league outfielders. Statcast credits Bader with +5 Outs Above Average, underscoring the defense that has defined his career. He has logged innings in left, center, and right this season. 
    The Yankees are monitoring Bader closely as they seek a right-handed bat to stabilize their outfield after placing Aaron Judge on the injured list with a flexor strain on July 27. Manager Aaron Boone has patched together playing time for Trent Grisham and Oswaldo Cabrera. Still, the club lacks a true center fielder.
    Across town, Mets president David Stearns is evaluating upgrades in the same spot. FanGraphs Depth Charts list Tyrone Taylor, Starling Marte, and prospect Jett Williams as the current center-field options, a trio that has combined for modest production. Bader is owed roughly $2 million for the remainder of a one-year, $6.25 million contract that carries only a mutual option for 2026. 
    Matthew Lenz
    The Minnesota Twins are reportedly "seriously listening" to offers on their expiring deals - namely, Willi Castro, Harrison Bader, and Danny Coulombe. However, the rumor mill has been fairly mum regarding any of those names.
    In recent days, the New York Yankees have reportedly been interested in Willi Castro, but that's really the only rumor swirling, excluding Joe Ryan, Jhoan Duran, and Griffin Jax.
    Now, Bob Nightengale of USA Today is reporting that the Los Angeles Dodgers have expressed interest in Harrison Bader.
    Bader has appeared in 88 games this season, holding a .251 batting average with a .330 OBP and a .435 SLG. He has hit 12 home runs. He was named an SIS Defensive Player of the Month for March/April 2025, leading all players with 7 Defensive Runs Saved and all outfielders with 9 Good Fielding Plays during that period. His defensive play has included diving catches. His wRC+ is 114, and his wOBA is .335.
    Matthew Lenz
    Byron Buxton, in the midst of an MVP caliber season, has also been having the healthiest year of his career.
    While we don't know a lot of information at this time, the Twins.TV broadcast reported that Buxton exited Saturday's game in the top of the seventh inning with soreness in his left side. Trevor Larnach replaced Buxton, which in turn shifted Willi Castro to left field and Harrison Bader to center field. There didn't seem to be any specific play that led to Buxton being pulled from the game. One silver lining is that it doesn't sound like it's a lower body injury, which has plagued Buxton for a majority of his career.
    Buxton has been on a tear this year with an OPS of .951, including 23 home runs. He's added 17 stolen bases and continues to contribute platinum glove level defense. If he were to miss time, it would almost certainly force the Twins hand to sell their expiring contracts - something that has been rumored but to this point there's been just one report indicating a team is interested in one of those players.
    Stay tuned to Twins Daily for updates on Buxton's status.
    Matthew Lenz
    There haven't been a lot of verified rumors regarding the expendable contracts on the Minnesota Twins roster. Teams are extremely interested in Joe Ryan, Jhoan Duran, and Griffin Jax, however not a lot has been rumored regarding the likes of Harrison Bader, Willi Castro, or Danny Coulombe. Until today.
    Chris Kirschner of The Athletic is reporting that the "Yankees have expressed interest in Minnesota Twins utilityman Willi Castro."
    In 81 games, Castro has an OPS of .765. He has hit 10 home runs and has accumulated 45 runs scored and 27 runs batted in. On the basepaths, Castro has been a threat, recording 8 stolen bases. His ability to play second base, third base, shortstop, and all three outfield spots will provide significant defensive value to any team acquiring him.
    What do you think the Twins should get for Castro? Join the conversation in the comments?
     
    Matthew Lenz
    Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax have not been officially made available to clubs, although the Minnesota Twins are reportedly open to offers on both players. Moreover, it has been reported that the Twins are seeking at least multiple top-100 prospects for either of the relievers, if they were to be dealt.
    Alden Gonzalez of ESPN took things a step further yesterday, reporting that "the sense is one of [Jhoan Duran or Griffin Jax] will be traded." Aside from Cleveland Guardians' closer Emmanuel Clase, Duran and Jax are the two best relievers potentially available on the market. In addition to elite production, both players are controllable through the 2027 season, which makes their value that much more significant.
    Through 46 appearances and 46.1 innings pitched, Duran boasts an impressive 1.94 ERA with 16 saves plus holds to boot. The fire baller has maintained his high-strikeout, relatively low-walk profile with a K% of 26.4% and a BB% of 8.3%, resulting in a solid K-BB% of 18.1%. Notably, he allowed his first home run in more than 76 innings pitched (dating back to 2024) against Shohei Ohtani earlier this week.
    Jax's surface-level stats are still recovering from a tough start to the season, but the righty carries a 4.09 ERA of 44 innings with 20 holds on the season. He boasts a K% of 37.9% while maintaining a strong BB% of 5.6%, which results in an outstanding K-BB% of 32.3%. 
    Do you think the Twins should trade one, both, or neither of there elite relievers. Join the conversation in the comments!

    Matthew Taylor
    The Minnesota Twins have begun locking in their 2025 draft class, announcing the signings of three of their top selections, including their first-rounder, just days after the MLB Draft.
    Marek Houston, the Twins' first-round pick at No. 16 overall, has officially signed for $4,497,500, slightly under the assigned slot value of $4,929,600. Houston, widely regarded as the best defensive shortstop in the class, brings elite glove work and advanced instincts to the organization. Though questions remain about the bat, his athleticism and polish make him a potential fast mover in the system.
    Joining him is Riley Quick, the Twins' supplemental first-rounder out of Alabama, who signed for his full slot value of $2,692,000. A hard-throwing righty with a deep pitch mix, Quick profiles as a potential rotation mainstay with multiple plus offerings and a competitive SEC pedigree.
    Second-round pick Quentin Young, the nephew of former Twin Delmon Young, also signed for full slot value at $1,761,600. One of the more intriguing upside plays in the class, Young brings raw but electric tools, boasting elite athleticism and massive power potential. If the Twins can refine his approach, he could become a high-ceiling force in the lineup down the line.
    The Twins are expected to announce additional signings in the coming days as they work to finalize the rest of their 2025 class.
    Stay up-to-date on the 2025 MLB Draft with Twins Daily's draft tracker.
    Matthew Lenz
    Yesterday, Jon Heyman reported that the Minnesota Twins are seriously listening to offers regarding some of their rental players. However, those players are far from the best assets on the club.
    In his latest, Jeff Pasan of ESPN identifies Jhoan Duran as the teams most valuable asset, assuming that Joe Ryan is largely unavailable unless the Twins are completely swept off their feet by an offer. In the same breath as Duran, Passan identify jacks as another high-end asset who would require multiple top 100 prospects in return for either of the reliever services.
    While it may be all but official that the twins will be sellers at the deadline, they still have decisions to make on what the future of this team looks like. Do they think the core of this team can be a playoff contender and just needs to be retooled for 2026? Or, are they thinking a larger rebuild may be necessary? While we won't get in an explicit answer to those questions, how they navigate this trade deadline will provide a pretty clear direction for the club.
     
    If they retain all of the names mentioned above, that's a signal that they believe in the core of this roster to compete in 2026 and beyond. If they move any of the pieces above, especially Ryan, then they are essentially waving the white flag for 2026 and maybe even 2027 as they await the next wave of prospects.
    How do you think the Minnesota Twins should approach this deadline? Join the conversation in the comments!

    Matthew Taylor
    According to Jon Heyman of The New York Post and MLB Network, the Twins are now “seriously listening” on several of their rental players, including Harrison Bader, Willi Castro, and Danny Coulombe. Given the team’s inconsistent play and recent slide heading into the deadline, this shift is hardly surprising.
    Heyman also notes that Minnesota is willing to listen on bigger names like Joe Ryan and Jhoan Duran, though it would take a significant offer to pry either away — especially Ryan, who’s under team control through 2027.
    This doesn’t appear to be a full-scale fire sale, but it’s a clear sign the Twins are preparing to pivot if their deadline outlook continues to dim. With no extension talks brewing for their rentals and a tough stretch of games underway, the front office looks ready to retool if the right offers come along.
    What do you think the Twins should do? Leave a comment and start the conversation!
    Brock Beauchamp
    Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that the Dodgers are pursuing high-leverage relievers and have called the Twins on righties Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax.
    It's not surprising the Dodgers are pursuing pitching. Between injuries and underperformance, what looked like an untouchable staff has been rather pedestrian thus far in 2025. Tanner Scott, owner of a shiny new multi-year deal, is pitching to a 4.00 ERA and has a handful of blown saves.
    Duran and Jax will be costly. As two of the most elite late-inning relievers in baseball, both will be highly sought after if the Twins decide to sell at the deadline. Both Jax and Duran are under team control through the 2027 season and have displayed late-inning dominance for multiple years, along with relative health. As far as relievers go, they're both the entire package with few flaws to detract from their trade value.
    What would you ask for in return for either Jax or Duran?
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