Minnesota Twins Prospect Tiers for the 2024 Trade Deadline

I want the Twins to keep top prospects but they seem to have a harder time getting them ready for the MLB.

Don't be trading any pitching prospects. Period. 

Why? Unless something changes dramatically, the Twins are as likely to be sellers as buyers, hoping some team sees marginal value in Farmer or Santana, or sees valuable unlocked potential in a Kirilloff, Larnach, Julien, etc.

It's probably just time to be patient and try to coach up and see if we have a pitching pipeline in Ryan, Ober, Festa, Matthews, Lewis et al, or just a pitching pipe dream. And ditto with the position players. Right now, the Twins are in an awkward, hard to watch middle ground.    

This summers draft could be lights out with the balanced pick position and comp picks. A deep successful draft will likely add to 3-4 of these tiers. 
Being buyers in august is definitely possible because 7 teams are chasing us to get into the October show.  Getting a controllable MLB pitcher that is lights out should be goal #1.  
Selling underperforming vet(s) should also be considered! We need to bring up or in someone that will kickstart the offense. 
With one or two call ups or trades, this season could take an immediate turn towards a deep playoff run!

E-ROD should be on the list untouchable 

42 minutes ago, dogsday said:

Why? Unless something changes dramatically, the Twins are as likely to be sellers as buyers, hoping some team sees marginal value in Farmer or Santana, or sees valuable unlocked potential in a Kirilloff, Larnach, Julien, etc.

It's probably just time to be patient and try to coach up and see if we have a pitching pipeline in Ryan, Ober, Festa, Matthews, Lewis et al, or just a pitching pipe dream. And ditto with the position players. Right now, the Twins are in an awkward, hard to watch middle ground.    

I fully agree with you.  I think the Twins can make the playoffs, but they have too many holes to go deep.  Don't trade any future major leaguer(s) to make a push when it's most unlikely that they can get past the Yankees, Guardians, or Orioles.

It's difficult to determine just how good these prospects/suspects are since so many are injured. I'd hate to give up someone who could be helpful later on for a rental to chase a pipe dream. Are we gonna be better than the O's or Yanks this year? If we get hot and get to the WS, can we compete with the Dodgers, Braves or even Padres? It would be nice to see but it's not likely to happen.

I wouldn’t trade anyone in tier 1 or 2 (or maybe even 3) this year.  We have way too many holes to make a run. Anyone we bring in would just more us from average to pretty good. I’d rather sell (Santana, Margot, etc) and bring up some kids to see what they do. 

4 minutes ago, saviking said:

You might want to double-check. I'm pretty sure Connor Prielipp's right arm has completely fallen off.

Centerino as well. Been in the system like 5 years now- does he have 100 innings pitched yet? 
 

The Twins at this time need to protect Jair Cammargo and any other catcher with a pulse.   There is a lack of available depth at this position. Christian Vasquez is not producing and an injury to Ryan Jeffers would put the team in a bad position.  

41 minutes ago, Brandon27 said:

E-ROD should be on the list untouchable 

I would swap him with Lee. With Kepler leaving the Twins need Emmanuel Rodriguez more than they need SS/3B Lee who is blocked by Correa and Lewis. That said, there are no untouchables, just different levels of unlikely. This team shouldn't be buying much at the deadline which means the top 3 tiers are all unlikely to be traded.

I don't think they'll go all in as buyers or sellers. Probably try to dump some expiring contracts while picking up a bullpen arm or two. Although I'd like to see a solid starter with control added like Luzardo or Crochet.

10 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Just saying, I don't subscribe to this defeatist mentality. If we have the chance to be in the playoffs, anything can happen.

I certainly hope they attempt to add before the deadline, and the goal every year SHOULD be to be playing your best come September/October.

Agree completely with this sentiment. MLB is a super competitive and balanced league for the most part. The best teams (Yankees, Phillies, Dodgers, Braves, Orioles) will win the most games during the long season but the nature of the playoffs make it possible to have a Rangers versus Diamondbacks World Series.

Opinions vary on this sight about the ability or willingness for the Twins to add salary. There are always opportunities to make trades though. It will be interesting to see how many games the team can gain in their schedule up to the All Star Game and then how the Twins play in their first five games versus the Brewers and Phillies immediately after the break. These may be the indicators of whether the team makes some trades.

The Twins have likely determined that Walker Jenkins is untouchable, similar to their past views on Buxton and Lewis. I would not be surprised at all by a trade that included either Lee or Soto. Emmanuel Rodriguez probably causes the most disagreement among discussions within the organization because he seemingly gets better and more dominant as he moves up each level but also still has warts in his game. It has been odd how AA pitchers basically refuse to pitch to him.

I vote to keep David Festa and Zeb Matthews at this time. as well as Luke Keaschall. It isn't totally clear where these three are headed but they all look pretty good.

1 hour ago, dogsday said:

It's probably just time to be patient and try to coach up and see if we have a pitching pipeline in Ryan, Ober, Festa, Matthews, Lewis et al, or just a pitching pipe dream. And ditto with the position players. Right now, the Twins are in an awkward, hard to watch middle ground.    

Patient? How long has this front office been here? I get not trading just to trade or giving up top tier assets for rentals. but most of the best players the Twins have, have been acquired though trades, they haven't been great at developing players. (don't get me wrong their have been a few)

2 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

I think they will/should be open to adding a right handed hitter who can be 1b/corner outfield with some pop. I like Miranda's season so far, but they need one more option that can fill in somewhere.

I also think they should be open to a starting pitcher. I don't know if that means Luzardo, but he would be awesome here.

After that, I could also see moving off some veterans. It wouldn't be "selling" per se, but that makes sense to me too.

 

 

The team sure could use a reliable performer in LF/1B/DH but other than a breakout from someone already in the organization I cannot think of who is available at a salary and prospect cost the Twins would see as amenable.

Luzardo would be a nice addition. His salary may be doable now but can the team absorb his rising costs? Lee and Soto should be enough to haul in Luzardo.

Are there any teams who are willing to take on a veteran from the current roster or do the Twins just swallow those contracts? Gallo was held until the end (never was released during the season).

1 hour ago, Brandon27 said:

E-ROD should be on the list untouchable 

When you look at what they accomplished/ upside depending how much you favor one over the other is very close. IMO Emma, Lee & Jenkins are untouchable. 

Keaschall is no doubt a good hitter but there's a glut at 2B with pseudo-SSs, and INFers that don't have a great glove, but a good bat. Any with a good glove along with a good bat will have preference. Like Spencer he's expendable. Priority should be Gonzales, who is still ranked high but will drop hard & fast.

With the addition of Santana & Margot, it's really difficult to evaluate what we have in the superior in-house players. With inconsistency in the BP, rotation & lineup, it's too early to see if all 3 areas will gel or not, to find out whether we need a top-end SP or stand pat.

1 hour ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

I think they will/should be open to adding a right handed hitter who can be 1b/corner outfield with some pop. I like Miranda's season so far, but they need one more option that can fill in somewhere.

I think they need a LH bat who can be 1B/corner OF with some pop. Santana and Miranda should be enough from the RH side and Margot has been doing the job lately as well.