Which Injured Twins Will Return Soonest, and How Will They Affect Team's Deadline Plans?

Our biggest need is the bullpen and maybe 6th starter.  Brock and Topa could fix the pen but acquiring a good arm like Chapman or Yates would really help.  Also converting Varland to the pen as well.  
 

I’m not sure what to do about the rotation.  I don’t think we will pay the cost to get a top of rotation starter and our rotation is ok and if we stack the pen is where our playoff advantage comes from.  
 

we don’t need to get hitting.  I don’t know who we trade maybe trade Kepler but I suspect we keep him.  
 

Topa and Stewart being effective would eliminate the need to trade for a right handed reliever.. They really can’t make a trade to replace Lewis. Kirilloff may be replaced by Wallner as a LHB. That leaves Martin. As they trade for a RHB for the outfield. Since the FO got Margot, I don’t see them making a trade, unless any of these players are trade bait in a trade for a frontline starter or LH reliever 

I'd like to see us add another starter.  He doesn't have to be front line.  If we can get a middle of the pack starter we should at least get into the playoffs.

9 minutes ago, Fat Calvin said:

I'd like to see us add another starter.  He doesn't have to be front line.  If we can get a middle of the pack starter we should at least get into the playoffs.

Who gets bounced from the rotation if we get a mid-rotation starter?

Royce Lewis could be spending a lot of time at DH to finish this season.

26 minutes ago, Brandon said:

Who gets bounced from the rotation if we get a mid-rotation starter?

Paddack for sure.  

49 minutes ago, Hubie29 said:

Paddack for sure.  

We’ll know a lot more about Paddack in the coming weeks. 

I think bull pen help and depth is key and agree paddock is the odd man out if we aquire a starter, he could even be included in a trade to a third team along with farmer to offset added payroll from acquiring pitching

6 hours ago, Brandon said:

Who gets bounced from the rotation if we get a mid-rotation starter?

I'd say either Paddock or the three-letter guy.  I don't trust either one to finish out the year.  And you could stash either one in AAA.

You asked the question: Which player will impact the Twins most in the second half? ... and I gotta think that has to be Royce Lewis. Having him back in the lineup will be huge. But yes, the bullpen is a concern too. As USAFchief said, depending on guys like Stewart to Topa to bounce back from injuries, when neither one has pitched much (or any) this year might be much too optimistic. Another strong arm would be welcome, but I'm not keen on trading any top prospects for someone to pitch only a few innings. 

47 minutes ago, Doctor Wu said:

You asked the question: Which player will impact the Twins most in the second half? ... and I gotta think that has to be Royce Lewis. Having him back in the lineup will be huge. But yes, the bullpen is a concern too. As USAFchief said, depending on guys like Stewart to Topa to bounce back from injuries, when neither one has pitched much (or any) this year might be much too optimistic. Another strong arm would be welcome, but I'm not keen on trading any top prospects for someone to pitch only a few innings. 

You’re trading for the reliever for their performance in the playoffs.  We have to win 11 games or so to get the prize.  

When Lewis returns, Farmer has to go. As far as pitchers, we need a dependable starter and, as I have mentioned somewhere else, I'd see if Jameson Taillon is available. The Cubs need hitting and we need a dependable, veteran starter.

The returning pitchers are the only ones that would affect trade deadline plans.  If both return and can pitch to expectations there is little need for a high leverage arm from right side.  We would still need upgrade from left side.  The position players are covered by our depth.  It may allow us to use some of our depth to trade for a pitcher if needed though. 

It's good to know Stewart should be back by the end of July and Topa sometime in early August.  Counting on either however is risky, especially Stewart.  When he's "dealing" he's tremendous.  But staying healthy has been an issue his entire career,

Varland could be a big help, or a total flop.  One thing IS certain.  They need a dependable LHP in the pen.  Funderburk and Okert have not impressed.  Thielbar is soon to be DFA'd in my opinion.  They need a lefty.

The offense is clicking now even without Lewis.  It's gonna hurt that he will miss as much time as he will but he will be the "deadline bat" this front office adds.  Wallner mashing would also be a tremendous boost.  

Of course, Royce is our ace in the hole. I expect Steward to come back as good as ever like before. If Topa comes back he should be used in lower-leverage until he proves he can handle higher-leverage. But like Pagan, Jorge Lopez & Colume', this FO will put him in the spotlight which never works out. Varland's problem is his secondary stuff, his primary stuff has never been in doubt by me. So his stuff will most certainly work at least 1X through the order. Both Martin & Kiriloff probably won't make the roster when they heal up, which is a crying shame. Martin & Kiriloff's problems were due to minor injuries, not mechanics, They need the playing time & the Twins need them on the field.

This is very much a seller's market, it'd be prudent to trade any veterans on expiring contracts (NYY & HOU need a 1Bman, PHIL & LAD need a OFer) & make room for our superior younger players who'll make up our future. Besides it'll free up money to be better used elsewhere. We can get to the dance (bar any major injury to our catching & top rotation core) with what we have got but to advance IMO we need a set-up LHRP & a top-tier potential SP. I'd trade Gonzales as a primary trade piece because he's peaked in trade value & will trend down from now on & he has no path to MLB with us. 

I think our offense is good enough. What we need is an impact starter who can take the rotation spot from Paddack and move Paddack to the bullpen the rest of the year. With him, Stewart and Topa, we've got plenty of righties. We need to find a solid late inning lefty and I'll feel good about our playoff chances. Need a starter and lefty reliever. If we can dump Farmer for anything at all, even better...

12 hours ago, Brandon said:

Who gets bounced from the rotation if we get a mid-rotation starter?

whomever isn't pitching well.

2 hours ago, CCHOF5yearstoolate said:

I highly doubt they will DFA Thielbar this year unless he really blows up again. 

Thielbar got a break from June 12 to June 20. Since then he has 6 straight scoreless appearances and has given up 1 hit to his last 20 batters. His last 3 innings he's faced the minimum 3 batters in each inning while striking out 4 of the 9.