Matthew Lenz

The Minnesota Twins head into the All-Star break as a roughly .500 club, though it's been a rough first half aside from a 13-game win streak. Should they buy, sell, or retool at the deadline? View full video

The Minnesota Twins will enter the All Star break as a .500 club, sitting just a few games out of an American League Wild Card spot. We can assume the Twins won't be buyers, but it's not clear if they'll look to improve the team for a playoff push or look to the future - whether it be a retool for 2026 or a bigger rebuild. One things is for certain, there will be a significant market for bullpen aces Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax. Bob Nightengale of USA Today is reporting that the Philadelphia Phillies are "extensively scouting" the duo, hoping to acquire at least one of them. He notes the Twins are also receiving strong interest from the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds. Duran has maintained an elite level of performance, recording 15 saves and 18 holds. His effectiveness is highlighted by a remarkable 1.49 ERA and a 2.21 FIP. Duran's strikeout-minus-walk rate (K-BB%) stands at 17.8%, reflecting his ability to generate strikeouts while limiting free passes. Jax has also contributed significantly, registering 18 holds and zero saves. While his ERA sits at 4.02, his underlying metrics suggest better performance, with a strong 1.89 FIP. Jax has demonstrated impressive control and strikeout capability, posting a K-BB% of 32.2% (38.0% K% and 5.8% BB%). Do you think the Twins should deal their high-leverage relievers? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

It can be pretty well assumed that the Minnesota Twins will not be buyers at the trade deadline, though the jury is still out on whether they will be sellers. Moreover, if they are sellers, will they be looking to retool for 2026 or enter a larger, multi year rebuild? If they are looking at more of a rebuild, then I would think any non-pre-arbitration player could be up for grabs. Jon Morosi of MLB Network is reporting that Joe Ryan is being monitored "by a number of teams." Ryan, 29, is having an impressive 2025 season. Through 18 games (17 starts), he boasts a strong 2.76 ERA over 104.1 innings pitched. His FIP stands at 3.25, suggesting his excellent ERA is well-supported by his underlying metrics. Ryan has maintained a high strikeout rate with 116 strikeouts against just 21 walks, resulting in an excellent strikeout-minus-wall rate of 23.4% He's consistently limited walks, contributing to a stellar 0.89 WHIP - third best in all of baseball. Despite all of that, he was not elected to the MLB All-Star game. He is controllable through the 2027 season. What approach do you think the Twins should take at the upcoming trade deadline? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

In the latest update of the sale of the Minnesota Twins, Charley Walters is citing industry sources who say "the [Minnesota] Twins have an offer on the table." He goes on to say that "Major League Baseball is expected to guarantee the Twins' debt reportedly more than $400 million." So, why isn't this bigger news? Well, it's not been confirmed outside of an "industry source" and it's in the "Don't print that" section of the article linked in the tweet above. At this point, it's just a rumor. What does it mean that MLB is "expected to guarantee the Twins' debt?" Well, that answer is also a bit unclear, but our own @Peter Labuza did some speculating and digging saying "If I had to guess, MLB would "buy" the debt and then have the team pay MLB rather than the Pohlad's...?" He goes on to cite the Debt Service Rule from the Atlanta Braves public filings: "Each MLB Club is subject to certain MLB imposed restrictions on its ability to incur indebtedness in amounts that exceed specified thresholds. In particular, each MLB Club is generally required to keep outstanding indebtedness minus a certain amount of excludable indebtedness at or below 8.0x available cash flow (or in the case of MLB Clubs which have a new stadium, at or below 12.0x available cash flow), with the amount of excludable indebtedness for fiscal year 2023 set at $125 million and for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2026 set at $100 million. This is referred to as the Debt Service Rule. MLB Clubs must certify compliance with the Debt Service Rule annually and the failure of an MLB Club to comply during two consecutive fiscal years may lead to certain remedial measures being imposed by the Commissioner of Baseball, including, but not limited to, prohibitions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness and repayment of outstanding indebtedness." Moreover, using the NFL as an example, Labuza says "[NFL] owners can "borrow" from the league at a cheaper interest rates than banks, etc." On the other hand, @John Bonnes speculates at a more simple explanation, asking "rather than come up 1.5B cash, [maybe prospective owners] can come up with 1.1B cash and take on the $400M loan gradually?" While it's our speculation and educated guesses on our end, it helps provide a little bit of clarity on a somewhat vague and unclear statement from Walters piece. Do you have any insight on the matter? Please share in the comments! View full rumor

With the July 31st trade deadline looming on the horizon, urgency will begin to mount for many Major League Baseball teams. While some clubs are firmly entrenched in playoff contention and will be looking to bolster their rosters, there is a distinct group already facing the reality of a lost season. So, who are the likely sellers from the National League? What valuable assets might they put on the market, and how could the Toronto Blue Jays leverage these opportunities to their advantage? Let's delve into the teams poised to ignite the hot stove and the potential impact on the Blue Jays’ playoff aspirations. Colorado Rockies The Rockies are on pace for all sorts of records - and not in a good way. The Rockies don't have much in the form of rentals, with starters German Márquez (6.62 ERA) and Austin Gomber (just returned from a shoulder injury) the only expiring deals, but that's not to say they don't have trade chips. Most notably, I anticipate many teams will be calling about starter Kyle Freeland (controlled through 2026) and third baseman Ryan McMahon (controlled through 2027). Freeland’s surface numbers are heavily inflated by pitching in Coors. On the road, the lefty has a 3.64 ERA (3.31 FIP) and a 14.6% strikeout minus walk rate. Concerning McMahon, Bob Nightengale of USA Today has reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs have already shown interest in the 30-year-old. Like Freeland, McMahon’s surface stats are also impacted by Coors - a .739 OPS overall drops by nearly 200 points on the road. Other less notable names that could be available are infielders Thairo Estrada and Kyle Farmer, who both have mutual options for 2026. Miami Marlins The Marlins are 15 games under .500 and well outside of the playoff picture. However, they are the youngest team in Major League Baseball, which makes it a challenge to know how much they're willing to sell. Kyle Stowers, Connor Norby, and Agustín Ramírez have all been great, but they're also in their pre-arbitration years. Would the rebuilding Marlins really sell what looks to be a solid core of hitters? I doubt it. On the other hand, starting pitchers Cal Quantrill (a free agent at season's end) and Sandy Alcántara (controllable through 2026) could be attractive “buy low” options at the deadline. Quantrill has an ERA minus FIP of 1.27 and Alcántara, a former Cy Young award winner, has underperformed his ERA by 2.43 runs. However, both have well below average strikeout minus walk rates, suggesting their upside might be limited with some tweaking of their pitch profiles. The Marlins have gotten some good production out of their bullpen from guys like Ronny Henriquez, Janson Junk, and Patrick Monteverde. While these guys are controllable, it would make sense for the Marlins to listen to offers on any relievers. Pittsburgh Pirates The Pirates are in a race for second worst team in the NL with the Marlins. There's been (mostly sarcastic) speculation that they may trade starter Paul Skenes, but I don't think they will do that - for now. Instead, they have a few assets who will likely have a market over the next month and a half. There's already been rumors floating around regarding infielder Isiah Kiner-Faleda, who has a solid (but empty) .714 OPS. Other solid players on expiring deals include outfielders Andrew McCutchen and Tommy Pham, as well as starter Andrew Heaney, and reliever Ryan Burocki. Aside from Burocki, whose peripherals suggest some positive regression, all players have been more than serviceable this season. However, the most valuable realistic trade chip is current closer David Bednar, who is controlled through the 2026 season. In 20 appearances, the righty has a 3.42 ERA, 2.14 FIP, and a 29.2% strikeout minus walk rate. He may end up being the most sought after reliever on the market. Twins' Needs The Twins' inconsistent offense continues to drive their up-and-down performance this season, and now they're dealing with a whole lot of uncertainty from their rotation. With Royce Lewis' latest injury, a third base solution might be on the shopping list, though Luke Keaschall's return could offer an internal option and more roster flexibility. Interestingly, second base, despite lacking a clear starter, has been productive, ranking ninth in OPS across MLB. Catcher, however, remains a weakness, but a trade for a new backstop seems unlikely without moving either Jeffers or Vazquez—a tough sell. A full-time designated hitter doesn't fit the Twins' current roster design. Offensive improvement is needed, but it likely means trading a current contributor without adding to the payrolls On the pitching side, what was once a potential strength to trade for hitting has become precarious; one more injury )like a Bailey Ober hip issue) would put them in a dire situation. And of course, this all overlooks the financial implications. All that being said, I think it's fools gold to think the Twins will make noise at the deadline. Expect them to be quiet due to financial limitations, a move they can easily justify with Pablo López's return from injury. What is the ceiling of the Twins current roster If they stand pat? Join the conversation in the comments! View full article

It's been two weeks since Royce Lewis strained his left hamstring leaving the Minnesota Twins scrambling to cover the hot corner. In a positive development, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic is reporting that Lewis will begin a rehab assignment in Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, June 27th. While Lewis struggled to find his bat after missing the first month of the season, but seemed to be turning a corner before his latest injury. In the meantime, Brooks Lee has been a solid replacement for Lewis and is recently enjoyed an 18-game hitting streak and his hit safely in 22 of his last 23 games. Once Lewis' rehab assignment is over, should he join the Twins ASAP or get extra reps in St. Paul? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

As Twins fans have gotten used to in recent seasons, it's been a roller coaster ride of a season. With a peak that included a 13-game win streak and valleys for a majority of the games before and after that winning streak. Now, sitting below .500 and 4.5 games out of an AL Wild Card spot, many are wondering if the Twins would be sellers at the deadline. In a recent article by Matthew Leach of MLB.com, he shares that Twins President of Baseball Operations, Derek Falvey, is not focused on selling at the deadline. The Twins are 3-14 in their last 17 games and their starting rotation, who carried the team through the 13-game win streak, has been one of the worst in the league for the month of June. While it's clear the team needs a jump start, perhaps by adding at the trade deadline, it's not expected the Twins will be legitimate buyers. It's well known that the Pohlad family is not only trying to sell the team, but also has pushed back on adding to the payroll. Any likely moves made at the deadline will be similar to those of previous seasons - low impact players on cheap deals. Any meaningful reinforcements will need to come from the injured list (Pablo López, Zebby Matthews, Luke Keaschall, and/or Royce Lewis) or from their farm system. View full rumor

The Minnesota Twins depth took another hit today, but this time it comes on the offensive side of the ball. After missing multiple games this weekend, Mickey Gasper, has been placed on the Triple-A injured list with plantar fasciitis. An issued that has plagued All-Star shortstop Carlos Correa in previous seasons. With the Twins in a 3-13 funk, some speculated whether recalling Gasper from Triple-A St. Paul could help the big-league club. Gasper, 30, was dominating with the Saints slashing .318/.418/.609 with 10 home runs. His production has resulted in a 165 wRC+. However, the same hasn't been true in his cup of coffee with the Twins this season. In 39 plate appearances, the switch hitter has a .488 OPS with just one extra base hit - a double - good for a wRC+ of 47. If the Twins plan to change things up, they may have to look at getting slugger Carson McCusker some at-bats, though he doesn't answer the Twins need for help on the dirt. Ryan Fitzgerald may be the next man up to fill that need, who has also been very productive for the Saints. Do you think anyone currently in Triple-A could help the Twins right the ship? View full rumor

Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic is reporting that Minnesota Twins starting pitcher prospect, Andrew Morris, was placed on the 15-day IL with a right forearm strain. The news is yet another pitcher injury for the Twins, who recently lost Pablo Lopez and Zebby Matthews to injury. In addition, Bailey Ober recently mentioned a hip issue that's impacting his mechanics, though he's been able to continue pitching. Morris has been very up and down for Triple-A St. Paul with five starts of four earned runs or more and seven starts of two earned runs or less. In all, it had amounted to a 4.41 ERA across 63 1/3 innings. With all the injuries, Morris was on the short list of pitchers who could be next in line to head West down 94 to Target Field. Now, we await to learn the severity of his injury but it's safe to assume he'll be shut down for awhile. Do you think there is something to all these injuries or is it just coincidence? View full rumor

With a little over a month until the trade deadline, the hot stove is going to start heating up. Who will be sellers from the American League? Will the Twins swing any deals? View full video

Walker JenkinsLuke KeaschallDasan HillConnor PrielippKaelen CulpepperKyle DeBargeEmmanuel RodriguezCharlee SotoBrandon WinokurAndrew MorrisBilly AmickMarco RayaPayton EelesCJ CulpepperEduardo BeltreGabriel GonzalezCory LewisRicardo OlivarKhadim DiawDanny De Andrade

Walker JenkinsLuke KeaschallDasan HillConnor PrielippKaelen CulpepperKyle DeBargeEmmanuel RodriguezCharlee SotoBrandon WinokurAndrew MorrisBilly AmickMarco RayaPayton EelesCJ CulpepperEduardo BeltreGabriel GonzalezCory LewisRicardo OlivarKhadim DiawDanny De Andrade

While we are still about a month and a half away from the trade deadline, it's starting to get late early for some teams across Major League Baseball. With the trade deadline set for July 31, we are roughly a month away from the hot stove reaching its inferno. However, there are a handful of teams that we can pretty confidently say are going to be sellers around the deadline. Who are they, what do they have to offer, and how could the Minnesota Twins benefit? Let's dive in. Chicago White Sox The White Sox are 12 games below .500 and 13 games out of the playoff spot. They acknowledged a multi-year rebuild over the off-season, so it shouldn't be surprising that they are sellers once again. Potential rentals include outfielders Michael A. Taylor and Austin Slater as well as recently acquired starter Aaron Civale. Otherwise, intriguing players who are controlled beyond 2025 include infielder Josh Rojas and outfielder Mike Tauchman. However, it’s more realistic that teams aggressively kick the tires on outfielder Luis Robert Jr., who has been the subject of trade speculation for a while now. Robert Jr. signed a pre-arbitration extension that included $20 million in team options for 2026 and 2027, which can be bought out for $2 million. Once a top prospect in baseball, the 28-year-old has had a hard time staying healthy throughout his career and has struggled at the plate over the last two seasons. Athletics The Athletics are in a free fall ever since they started their season 22-20. In their last 28 games they have just four wins. While they are a young team with some exciting talent, they're obviously not ready yet and have a handful of rentals that teams could kick the tires on. Most notably are utility players Miguel Andujar and Luis Urias who have both produced above average at the plate this season. Third baseman Gio Urshela is more than two years removed from his last productive season and has a mediocre glove at the hot corner, but could be an intriguing option to handle the short side of a platoon. On the mound, Jose Leclerc and T.J. McFarland are two potential reliever rentals, though Leclerc has been sidelined with a lat strain since April and McFarland has been plain bad. It seems likely that at least one of Andujar, Urias, or Urshela are traded ahead of the deadline. Baltimore Orioles Injuries aside, it's still pretty shocking to see the Orioles struggling this much. After winning 91 games and earning a playoff berth in 2024, they are currently 13 games below .500 and 8.5 games out of a playoff spot. The difference here is that the Orioles are not in the midst of a rebuild, so it's likely they limit their moves to players on expiring deals. Those names include: pitchers Zach Eflin, Charlie Morton, Tomoyuki Sugano, and Gregory Soto as well as outfielder Cedric Mullins. Of those players, Eflin, Sugano, and Soro are having successful seasons on the mound and will draw significant trade interest. However, two names that have been the subject of trade rumors but are controllable beyond 2025 are first baseman Ryan Mountcastle and outfielder Heston Kjerstad. Mountcastle, who will miss the next 8-12 weeks with a hamstring strain, is having a down year with a .628 OPS and two home runs. Kjerstad, who was recently optioned to Triple-A Norfolk, has also struggled this season but has often found himself as the odd man out of a stacked group of young talent. Twins Needs Like the last few seasons, the offense has been inconsistent which would explain the Twins peaks and valleys as a team. Generally speaking, they don’t have one specific weakness but could benefit from an improvement in their lineup. However, it's hard to see where that might happen. Twins third baseman have one of the lowest OPS’ of any team’s third baseman in baseball, but they're surely not taking Royce Lewis out of the lineup. They don't have a solid answer at second base, but that position has produced the ninth highest OPS in baseball. Catcher has been a bit of a black hole but it's hard to see them bringing in someone without dealing one of Jeffers or Vazquez (and who's trading for one of them?). That leaves designated hitter, but the Twins roster construction isn't built for a full-time DH. They need to improve their offense but I don't see how that happens without dealing one of their regular offensive contributors. On the other side of the ball, if this were two weeks ago, the Twins would have been potentially looking to flip a starter for a hitter. Now, the Twins are one injury away from (such as a Bailey Ober hip issue) from being in a very, very bad spot. All of that said and we haven't even broached the topic of money. Ultimately, money will be the reason why the Twins are (once again) quiet at the trade deadline. Not only that, but they'll have the built in excuse of Pablo López returning from injury. Could they benefit from Zach Eflin or Miguel Andujar? I think so, but we all know how this plays out. How do you think the Twins will handle the trade deadline? Join the conversation in the comments! View full article

Yep, I think that's the perspective to take. It's not exciting but if he can eat innings that's really what the Twins need right now to tread water.