Sherry Cerny

This past week, the club lost two of its most valuable assets on the pitching staff, Sonny Gray and Kenta Maeda. Both pitchers had impressive seasons, considering Maeda was returning after an 18-month recovery from Tommy John surgery in 2021. The club has suffered so long without good pitching, so why would the front office allow such difficult departures? Because it was a part of the plan all along.
There have been articles and rumors about the Twins wanting to cut a large chunk of their payroll, and even with keeping Max Kepler and Jorge Polanco, the Twin's front office right now has an $88-million dollar payroll, a far cry from the 2023 $154-million Opening Day figure.
The front office was well aware that three things would happen: They were going to lose Gray and Maeda, they would need more pitching, and they would need to trade some pieces to obtain new arms. Enter the club options of Polanco and Kepler.
The Twins first picked up the options for Polanco ($10 million) and Kepler ($10.5 million), two of the Twins' cornerstone players and a fan-favorite duo. Kepler and Polanco have been a part of the Twins organization for 14 seasons, both signing as international free agents from Germany and the Dominican Republic, respectively. They were roommates in spring training for the 2010 season, forming what has proved to be an unbreakable bond. Naturally, when their options were picked up, fans were relieved and excited, but that’s not the end of the story. 
Polanco and Kepler are huge trade pieces for the Twins. Both players had their ups and downs in 2023. There are reasons why each is an imperfect fit for the 2024 team, but they each have considerable trade value.
Kepler played the entire season, starting slowly in the first half, then finding his stride after the All-Star break. He had his best season since 2019, with 24 homers and a .260/.332/.484 line. Kepler hit in the second half of the season like he knew his job was in jeopardy and he’s still one of the best defensive right fielders in the league, but is it enough?
Unlike the potential in the infield, the Twins don’t have much immediate help coming in the way of outfielders. With Trevor Larnach being the other option for right field, trading away Kepler would be difficult to justify. The best option would be to bring in someone who would become a full-time outfielder for years to come and be ready to release Kepler after the 2024 season.   
The infield has some of the best players, and while Polanco is a fantastic, versatile player and a switch-hitter, the club has a lot of young talent that stepped up for the consistently injured veterans--and there is still more at Triple-A St. Paul. Brooks Lee and Austin Martin, both of whom have been improving and showing why they should get their shot in 2024, are knocking on the door.
Polanco only played 80 games in the 2023 season due to a long and strenuous battle with injury, but when he was in the game, he produced at the plate and was able to cover second base and the hot corner. Polanco has another club option for 2025, worth $12.5 million with a $750,000 buyout. So, what’s out there that would allow the Twins to get value for Polanco and not to miss Kepler after his deal is up? 
Only a few pieces are needed to boost the Twins to where they are looking to be, and they don’t have to go far to find that talent. The Brewers have a lot of talent in their farm system, and some that have seen MLB time and who helped them reach the postseason in 2023. A small-market team with a surfeit of both relief pitchers and outfielders, they make perfect suitors. Based on the Twins’ need to replace so many high-quality innings, someone like Bryse Wilson, a rubber-armed long reliever, would be an excellent acquisition. 
Wilson, a righty who will turn 26 years old this month, has been in the league since 2018, having been drafted in 2016 by the Braves. He spent his formative years in Atlanta before being traded to Pittsburgh, who flipped him to Milwaukee last winter for a minimal return. Last season, Wilson pitched 76 2/3 innings, with six wins and no losses. One of his best games was a 10-6 win over the Padres late in August, in which he worked four scoreless innings of emergency long relief and struck out four, allowing only three baserunners. Wilson ended his season with some of the best numbers of his career: a 2.58 ERA, a1.10 WHIP, a 4.17 FIP. He’ll make around $1.5 million in his first trip through arbitration in 2024, but he’s a decent bargain at that price.
Wilson needn’t be the centerpiece of a trade, though. Joey Wiemer, a loose cannon at the plate and in the outfield, still has a lot of potential and could be a huge acquisition. Weimer is a really strong hitter, but he struggled a lot throughout the season. Looking at his numbers, his best month at the plate was in June (.233/.337/.512) and that gives a small glimpse into what kind of player he is. Even with the poor numbers in July and August, Wiemer crushed it against lefties (.267/.298/.517) through the whole season, which is a huge asset to the lineup. He also has outstanding defensive metrics, with five total Defensive Runs Saved in 1,026 innings as a rookie, showing that he has room to grow offensively and defensively with plenty of years left to play.  
The Brewers’ surplus of young outfielders may be the blessing the Twins seek. With Kepler being a free agent next year, being 31 years old, and the unknown of Buxton, contributing to the overall inconsistency of the outfield, a player like Weimer could solve many problems for the team. Over at Brewer Fanatic, writer Ryan Pollak even made the case Thursday afternoon that Wiemer will become trade bait.
One pipe dream would be to acquire Corbin Burnes in a trade for Polanco. There is still uncertainty as to whether the Brewers are looking to trade Burnes, but based on the information out there, it would take at least $250 million for the Brewers to retain him in free agency after 2024. He’ll make in excess of $15 million via arbitration in 2024, an onerous amount for the Brewers at their expected payroll level The Twins could “rent” him for a year, but the Brewers know what he’s worth, and the package for Burnes would likely include a lot more than Polanco, such as the Twins’ 2024 competitive-balance draft pick or prospects. The front office has been known to shock the fan base in the offseason, so they could shock us again, but it’s more than likely that the Twins would rather hold onto the prospects and trade for controllable assets that would provide long-term solutions, like Wilson and Wiemer. 
With so many things up in the air, it’s really hard to say which way the Twins front office will go, but one thing for sure is to use Polanco and/or Kepler as trade pieces at some point to get the pitching that they need. It’s all part of the plan.

This past week, the club lost two of its most valuable assets on the pitching staff, Sonny Gray and Kenta Maeda. Both pitchers had impressive seasons, considering Maeda was returning after an 18-month recovery from Tommy John surgery in 2021. The club has suffered so long without good pitching, so why would the front office allow such difficult departures? Because it was a part of the plan all along.
There have been articles and rumors about the Twins wanting to cut a large chunk of their payroll, and even with keeping Max Kepler and Jorge Polanco, the Twin's front office right now has an $88-million dollar payroll, a far cry from the 2023 $154-million Opening Day figure.
The front office was well aware that three things would happen: They were going to lose Gray and Maeda, they would need more pitching, and they would need to trade some pieces to obtain new arms. Enter the club options of Polanco and Kepler.
The Twins first picked up the options for Polanco ($10 million) and Kepler ($10.5 million), two of the Twins' cornerstone players and a fan-favorite duo. Kepler and Polanco have been a part of the Twins organization for 14 seasons, both signing as international free agents from Germany and the Dominican Republic, respectively. They were roommates in spring training for the 2010 season, forming what has proved to be an unbreakable bond. Naturally, when their options were picked up, fans were relieved and excited, but that’s not the end of the story. 
Polanco and Kepler are huge trade pieces for the Twins. Both players had their ups and downs in 2023. There are reasons why each is an imperfect fit for the 2024 team, but they each have considerable trade value.
Kepler played the entire season, starting slowly in the first half, then finding his stride after the All-Star break. He had his best season since 2019, with 24 homers and a .260/.332/.484 line. Kepler hit in the second half of the season like he knew his job was in jeopardy and he’s still one of the best defensive right fielders in the league, but is it enough?
Unlike the potential in the infield, the Twins don’t have much immediate help coming in the way of outfielders. With Trevor Larnach being the other option for right field, trading away Kepler would be difficult to justify. The best option would be to bring in someone who would become a full-time outfielder for years to come and be ready to release Kepler after the 2024 season.   
The infield has some of the best players, and while Polanco is a fantastic, versatile player and a switch-hitter, the club has a lot of young talent that stepped up for the consistently injured veterans--and there is still more at Triple-A St. Paul. Brooks Lee and Austin Martin, both of whom have been improving and showing why they should get their shot in 2024, are knocking on the door.
Polanco only played 80 games in the 2023 season due to a long and strenuous battle with injury, but when he was in the game, he produced at the plate and was able to cover second base and the hot corner. Polanco has another club option for 2025, worth $12.5 million with a $750,000 buyout. So, what’s out there that would allow the Twins to get value for Polanco and not to miss Kepler after his deal is up? 
Only a few pieces are needed to boost the Twins to where they are looking to be, and they don’t have to go far to find that talent. The Brewers have a lot of talent in their farm system, and some that have seen MLB time and who helped them reach the postseason in 2023. A small-market team with a surfeit of both relief pitchers and outfielders, they make perfect suitors. Based on the Twins’ need to replace so many high-quality innings, someone like Bryse Wilson, a rubber-armed long reliever, would be an excellent acquisition. 
Wilson, a righty who will turn 26 years old this month, has been in the league since 2018, having been drafted in 2016 by the Braves. He spent his formative years in Atlanta before being traded to Pittsburgh, who flipped him to Milwaukee last winter for a minimal return. Last season, Wilson pitched 76 2/3 innings, with six wins and no losses. One of his best games was a 10-6 win over the Padres late in August, in which he worked four scoreless innings of emergency long relief and struck out four, allowing only three baserunners. Wilson ended his season with some of the best numbers of his career: a 2.58 ERA, a1.10 WHIP, a 4.17 FIP. He’ll make around $1.5 million in his first trip through arbitration in 2024, but he’s a decent bargain at that price.
Wilson needn’t be the centerpiece of a trade, though. Joey Wiemer, a loose cannon at the plate and in the outfield, still has a lot of potential and could be a huge acquisition. Weimer is a really strong hitter, but he struggled a lot throughout the season. Looking at his numbers, his best month at the plate was in June (.233/.337/.512) and that gives a small glimpse into what kind of player he is. Even with the poor numbers in July and August, Wiemer crushed it against lefties (.267/.298/.517) through the whole season, which is a huge asset to the lineup. He also has outstanding defensive metrics, with five total Defensive Runs Saved in 1,026 innings as a rookie, showing that he has room to grow offensively and defensively with plenty of years left to play.  
The Brewers’ surplus of young outfielders may be the blessing the Twins seek. With Kepler being a free agent next year, being 31 years old, and the unknown of Buxton, contributing to the overall inconsistency of the outfield, a player like Weimer could solve many problems for the team. Over at Brewer Fanatic, writer Ryan Pollak even made the case Thursday afternoon that Wiemer will become trade bait.
One pipe dream would be to acquire Corbin Burnes in a trade for Polanco. There is still uncertainty as to whether the Brewers are looking to trade Burnes, but based on the information out there, it would take at least $250 million for the Brewers to retain him in free agency after 2024. He’ll make in excess of $15 million via arbitration in 2024, an onerous amount for the Brewers at their expected payroll level The Twins could “rent” him for a year, but the Brewers know what he’s worth, and the package for Burnes would likely include a lot more than Polanco, such as the Twins’ 2024 competitive-balance draft pick or prospects. The front office has been known to shock the fan base in the offseason, so they could shock us again, but it’s more than likely that the Twins would rather hold onto the prospects and trade for controllable assets that would provide long-term solutions, like Wilson and Wiemer. 
With so many things up in the air, it’s really hard to say which way the Twins front office will go, but one thing for sure is to use Polanco and/or Kepler as trade pieces at some point to get the pitching that they need. It’s all part of the plan.

This past week, the club lost two of its most valuable assets on the pitching staff, Sonny Gray and Kenta Maeda. Both pitchers had impressive seasons, considering Maeda was returning after an 18-month recovery from Tommy John surgery in 2021. The club has suffered so long without good pitching, so why would the front office allow such difficult departures? Because it was a part of the plan all along.
There have been articles and rumors about the Twins wanting to cut a large chunk of their payroll, and even with keeping Max Kepler and Jorge Polanco, the Twin's front office right now has an $88-million dollar payroll, a far cry from the 2023 $154-million Opening Day figure.
The front office was well aware that three things would happen: They were going to lose Gray and Maeda, they would need more pitching, and they would need to trade some pieces to obtain new arms. Enter the club options of Polanco and Kepler.
The Twins first picked up the options for Polanco ($10 million) and Kepler ($10.5 million), two of the Twins' cornerstone players and a fan-favorite duo. Kepler and Polanco have been a part of the Twins organization for 14 seasons, both signing as international free agents from Germany and the Dominican Republic, respectively. They were roommates in spring training for the 2010 season, forming what has proved to be an unbreakable bond. Naturally, when their options were picked up, fans were relieved and excited, but that’s not the end of the story. 
Polanco and Kepler are huge trade pieces for the Twins. Both players had their ups and downs in 2023. There are reasons why each is an imperfect fit for the 2024 team, but they each have considerable trade value.
Kepler played the entire season, starting slowly in the first half, then finding his stride after the All-Star break. He had his best season since 2019, with 24 homers and a .260/.332/.484 line. Kepler hit in the second half of the season like he knew his job was in jeopardy and he’s still one of the best defensive right fielders in the league, but is it enough?
Unlike the potential in the infield, the Twins don’t have much immediate help coming in the way of outfielders. With Trevor Larnach being the other option for right field, trading away Kepler would be difficult to justify. The best option would be to bring in someone who would become a full-time outfielder for years to come and be ready to release Kepler after the 2024 season.   
The infield has some of the best players, and while Polanco is a fantastic, versatile player and a switch-hitter, the club has a lot of young talent that stepped up for the consistently injured veterans--and there is still more at Triple-A St. Paul. Brooks Lee and Austin Martin, both of whom have been improving and showing why they should get their shot in 2024, are knocking on the door.
Polanco only played 80 games in the 2023 season due to a long and strenuous battle with injury, but when he was in the game, he produced at the plate and was able to cover second base and the hot corner. Polanco has another club option for 2025, worth $12.5 million with a $750,000 buyout. So, what’s out there that would allow the Twins to get value for Polanco and not to miss Kepler after his deal is up? 
Only a few pieces are needed to boost the Twins to where they are looking to be, and they don’t have to go far to find that talent. The Brewers have a lot of talent in their farm system, and some that have seen MLB time and who helped them reach the postseason in 2023. A small-market team with a surfeit of both relief pitchers and outfielders, they make perfect suitors. Based on the Twins’ need to replace so many high-quality innings, someone like Bryse Wilson, a rubber-armed long reliever, would be an excellent acquisition. 
Wilson, a righty who will turn 26 years old this month, has been in the league since 2018, having been drafted in 2016 by the Braves. He spent his formative years in Atlanta before being traded to Pittsburgh, who flipped him to Milwaukee last winter for a minimal return. Last season, Wilson pitched 76 2/3 innings, with six wins and no losses. One of his best games was a 10-6 win over the Padres late in August, in which he worked four scoreless innings of emergency long relief and struck out four, allowing only three baserunners. Wilson ended his season with some of the best numbers of his career: a 2.58 ERA, a1.10 WHIP, a 4.17 FIP. He’ll make around $1.5 million in his first trip through arbitration in 2024, but he’s a decent bargain at that price.
Wilson needn’t be the centerpiece of a trade, though. Joey Wiemer, a loose cannon at the plate and in the outfield, still has a lot of potential and could be a huge acquisition. Weimer is a really strong hitter, but he struggled a lot throughout the season. Looking at his numbers, his best month at the plate was in June (.233/.337/.512) and that gives a small glimpse into what kind of player he is. Even with the poor numbers in July and August, Wiemer crushed it against lefties (.267/.298/.517) through the whole season, which is a huge asset to the lineup. He also has outstanding defensive metrics, with five total Defensive Runs Saved in 1,026 innings as a rookie, showing that he has room to grow offensively and defensively with plenty of years left to play.  
The Brewers’ surplus of young outfielders may be the blessing the Twins seek. With Kepler being a free agent next year, being 31 years old, and the unknown of Buxton, contributing to the overall inconsistency of the outfield, a player like Weimer could solve many problems for the team. Over at Brewer Fanatic, writer Ryan Pollak even made the case Thursday afternoon that Wiemer will become trade bait.
One pipe dream would be to acquire Corbin Burnes in a trade for Polanco. There is still uncertainty as to whether the Brewers are looking to trade Burnes, but based on the information out there, it would take at least $250 million for the Brewers to retain him in free agency after 2024. He’ll make in excess of $15 million via arbitration in 2024, an onerous amount for the Brewers at their expected payroll level The Twins could “rent” him for a year, but the Brewers know what he’s worth, and the package for Burnes would likely include a lot more than Polanco, such as the Twins’ 2024 competitive-balance draft pick or prospects. The front office has been known to shock the fan base in the offseason, so they could shock us again, but it’s more than likely that the Twins would rather hold onto the prospects and trade for controllable assets that would provide long-term solutions, like Wilson and Wiemer. 
With so many things up in the air, it’s really hard to say which way the Twins front office will go, but one thing for sure is to use Polanco and/or Kepler as trade pieces at some point to get the pitching that they need. It’s all part of the plan.

This past week, the club lost two of its most valuable assets on the pitching staff, Sonny Gray and Kenta Maeda. Both pitchers had impressive seasons, considering Maeda was returning after an 18-month recovery from Tommy John surgery in 2021. The club has suffered so long without good pitching, so why would the front office allow such difficult departures? Because it was a part of the plan all along.
There have been articles and rumors about the Twins wanting to cut a large chunk of their payroll, and even with keeping Max Kepler and Jorge Polanco, the Twin's front office right now has an $88-million dollar payroll, a far cry from the 2023 $154-million Opening Day figure.
The front office was well aware that three things would happen: They were going to lose Gray and Maeda, they would need more pitching, and they would need to trade some pieces to obtain new arms. Enter the club options of Polanco and Kepler.
The Twins first picked up the options for Polanco ($10 million) and Kepler ($10.5 million), two of the Twins' cornerstone players and a fan-favorite duo. Kepler and Polanco have been a part of the Twins organization for 14 seasons, both signing as international free agents from Germany and the Dominican Republic, respectively. They were roommates in spring training for the 2010 season, forming what has proved to be an unbreakable bond. Naturally, when their options were picked up, fans were relieved and excited, but that’s not the end of the story. 
Polanco and Kepler are huge trade pieces for the Twins. Both players had their ups and downs in 2023. There are reasons why each is an imperfect fit for the 2024 team, but they each have considerable trade value.
Kepler played the entire season, starting slowly in the first half, then finding his stride after the All-Star break. He had his best season since 2019, with 24 homers and a .260/.332/.484 line. Kepler hit in the second half of the season like he knew his job was in jeopardy and he’s still one of the best defensive right fielders in the league, but is it enough?
Unlike the potential in the infield, the Twins don’t have much immediate help coming in the way of outfielders. With Trevor Larnach being the other option for right field, trading away Kepler would be difficult to justify. The best option would be to bring in someone who would become a full-time outfielder for years to come and be ready to release Kepler after the 2024 season.   
The infield has some of the best players, and while Polanco is a fantastic, versatile player and a switch-hitter, the club has a lot of young talent that stepped up for the consistently injured veterans--and there is still more at Triple-A St. Paul. Brooks Lee and Austin Martin, both of whom have been improving and showing why they should get their shot in 2024, are knocking on the door.
Polanco only played 80 games in the 2023 season due to a long and strenuous battle with injury, but when he was in the game, he produced at the plate and was able to cover second base and the hot corner. Polanco has another club option for 2025, worth $12.5 million with a $750,000 buyout. So, what’s out there that would allow the Twins to get value for Polanco and not to miss Kepler after his deal is up? 
Only a few pieces are needed to boost the Twins to where they are looking to be, and they don’t have to go far to find that talent. The Brewers have a lot of talent in their farm system, and some that have seen MLB time and who helped them reach the postseason in 2023. A small-market team with a surfeit of both relief pitchers and outfielders, they make perfect suitors. Based on the Twins’ need to replace so many high-quality innings, someone like Bryse Wilson, a rubber-armed long reliever, would be an excellent acquisition. 
Wilson, a righty who will turn 26 years old this month, has been in the league since 2018, having been drafted in 2016 by the Braves. He spent his formative years in Atlanta before being traded to Pittsburgh, who flipped him to Milwaukee last winter for a minimal return. Last season, Wilson pitched 76 2/3 innings, with six wins and no losses. One of his best games was a 10-6 win over the Padres late in August, in which he worked four scoreless innings of emergency long relief and struck out four, allowing only three baserunners. Wilson ended his season with some of the best numbers of his career: a 2.58 ERA, a1.10 WHIP, a 4.17 FIP. He’ll make around $1.5 million in his first trip through arbitration in 2024, but he’s a decent bargain at that price.
Wilson needn’t be the centerpiece of a trade, though. Joey Wiemer, a loose cannon at the plate and in the outfield, still has a lot of potential and could be a huge acquisition. Weimer is a really strong hitter, but he struggled a lot throughout the season. Looking at his numbers, his best month at the plate was in June (.233/.337/.512) and that gives a small glimpse into what kind of player he is. Even with the poor numbers in July and August, Wiemer crushed it against lefties (.267/.298/.517) through the whole season, which is a huge asset to the lineup. He also has outstanding defensive metrics, with five total Defensive Runs Saved in 1,026 innings as a rookie, showing that he has room to grow offensively and defensively with plenty of years left to play.  
The Brewers’ surplus of young outfielders may be the blessing the Twins seek. With Kepler being a free agent next year, being 31 years old, and the unknown of Buxton, contributing to the overall inconsistency of the outfield, a player like Weimer could solve many problems for the team. Over at Brewer Fanatic, writer Ryan Pollak even made the case Thursday afternoon that Wiemer will become trade bait.
One pipe dream would be to acquire Corbin Burnes in a trade for Polanco. There is still uncertainty as to whether the Brewers are looking to trade Burnes, but based on the information out there, it would take at least $250 million for the Brewers to retain him in free agency after 2024. He’ll make in excess of $15 million via arbitration in 2024, an onerous amount for the Brewers at their expected payroll level The Twins could “rent” him for a year, but the Brewers know what he’s worth, and the package for Burnes would likely include a lot more than Polanco, such as the Twins’ 2024 competitive-balance draft pick or prospects. The front office has been known to shock the fan base in the offseason, so they could shock us again, but it’s more than likely that the Twins would rather hold onto the prospects and trade for controllable assets that would provide long-term solutions, like Wilson and Wiemer. 
With so many things up in the air, it’s really hard to say which way the Twins front office will go, but one thing for sure is to use Polanco and/or Kepler as trade pieces at some point to get the pitching that they need. It’s all part of the plan.

This past week, the club lost two of its most valuable assets on the pitching staff, Sonny Gray and Kenta Maeda. Both pitchers had impressive seasons, considering Maeda was returning after an 18-month recovery from Tommy John surgery in 2021. The club has suffered so long without good pitching, so why would the front office allow such difficult departures? Because it was a part of the plan all along.
There have been articles and rumors about the Twins wanting to cut a large chunk of their payroll, and even with keeping Max Kepler and Jorge Polanco, the Twin's front office right now has an $88-million dollar payroll, a far cry from the 2023 $154-million Opening Day figure.
The front office was well aware that three things would happen: They were going to lose Gray and Maeda, they would need more pitching, and they would need to trade some pieces to obtain new arms. Enter the club options of Polanco and Kepler.
The Twins first picked up the options for Polanco ($10 million) and Kepler ($10.5 million), two of the Twins' cornerstone players and a fan-favorite duo. Kepler and Polanco have been a part of the Twins organization for 14 seasons, both signing as international free agents from Germany and the Dominican Republic, respectively. They were roommates in spring training for the 2010 season, forming what has proved to be an unbreakable bond. Naturally, when their options were picked up, fans were relieved and excited, but that’s not the end of the story. 
Polanco and Kepler are huge trade pieces for the Twins. Both players had their ups and downs in 2023. There are reasons why each is an imperfect fit for the 2024 team, but they each have considerable trade value.
Kepler played the entire season, starting slowly in the first half, then finding his stride after the All-Star break. He had his best season since 2019, with 24 homers and a .260/.332/.484 line. Kepler hit in the second half of the season like he knew his job was in jeopardy and he’s still one of the best defensive right fielders in the league, but is it enough?
Unlike the potential in the infield, the Twins don’t have much immediate help coming in the way of outfielders. With Trevor Larnach being the other option for right field, trading away Kepler would be difficult to justify. The best option would be to bring in someone who would become a full-time outfielder for years to come and be ready to release Kepler after the 2024 season.   
The infield has some of the best players, and while Polanco is a fantastic, versatile player and a switch-hitter, the club has a lot of young talent that stepped up for the consistently injured veterans--and there is still more at Triple-A St. Paul. Brooks Lee and Austin Martin, both of whom have been improving and showing why they should get their shot in 2024, are knocking on the door.
Polanco only played 80 games in the 2023 season due to a long and strenuous battle with injury, but when he was in the game, he produced at the plate and was able to cover second base and the hot corner. Polanco has another club option for 2025, worth $12.5 million with a $750,000 buyout. So, what’s out there that would allow the Twins to get value for Polanco and not to miss Kepler after his deal is up? 
Only a few pieces are needed to boost the Twins to where they are looking to be, and they don’t have to go far to find that talent. The Brewers have a lot of talent in their farm system, and some that have seen MLB time and who helped them reach the postseason in 2023. A small-market team with a surfeit of both relief pitchers and outfielders, they make perfect suitors. Based on the Twins’ need to replace so many high-quality innings, someone like Bryse Wilson, a rubber-armed long reliever, would be an excellent acquisition. 
Wilson, a righty who will turn 26 years old this month, has been in the league since 2018, having been drafted in 2016 by the Braves. He spent his formative years in Atlanta before being traded to Pittsburgh, who flipped him to Milwaukee last winter for a minimal return. Last season, Wilson pitched 76 2/3 innings, with six wins and no losses. One of his best games was a 10-6 win over the Padres late in August, in which he worked four scoreless innings of emergency long relief and struck out four, allowing only three baserunners. Wilson ended his season with some of the best numbers of his career: a 2.58 ERA, a1.10 WHIP, a 4.17 FIP. He’ll make around $1.5 million in his first trip through arbitration in 2024, but he’s a decent bargain at that price.
Wilson needn’t be the centerpiece of a trade, though. Joey Wiemer, a loose cannon at the plate and in the outfield, still has a lot of potential and could be a huge acquisition. Weimer is a really strong hitter, but he struggled a lot throughout the season. Looking at his numbers, his best month at the plate was in June (.233/.337/.512) and that gives a small glimpse into what kind of player he is. Even with the poor numbers in July and August, Wiemer crushed it against lefties (.267/.298/.517) through the whole season, which is a huge asset to the lineup. He also has outstanding defensive metrics, with five total Defensive Runs Saved in 1,026 innings as a rookie, showing that he has room to grow offensively and defensively with plenty of years left to play.  
The Brewers’ surplus of young outfielders may be the blessing the Twins seek. With Kepler being a free agent next year, being 31 years old, and the unknown of Buxton, contributing to the overall inconsistency of the outfield, a player like Weimer could solve many problems for the team. Over at Brewer Fanatic, writer Ryan Pollak even made the case Thursday afternoon that Wiemer will become trade bait.
One pipe dream would be to acquire Corbin Burnes in a trade for Polanco. There is still uncertainty as to whether the Brewers are looking to trade Burnes, but based on the information out there, it would take at least $250 million for the Brewers to retain him in free agency after 2024. He’ll make in excess of $15 million via arbitration in 2024, an onerous amount for the Brewers at their expected payroll level The Twins could “rent” him for a year, but the Brewers know what he’s worth, and the package for Burnes would likely include a lot more than Polanco, such as the Twins’ 2024 competitive-balance draft pick or prospects. The front office has been known to shock the fan base in the offseason, so they could shock us again, but it’s more than likely that the Twins would rather hold onto the prospects and trade for controllable assets that would provide long-term solutions, like Wilson and Wiemer. 
With so many things up in the air, it’s really hard to say which way the Twins front office will go, but one thing for sure is to use Polanco and/or Kepler as trade pieces at some point to get the pitching that they need. It’s all part of the plan.

This past week, the club lost two of its most valuable assets on the pitching staff, Sonny Gray and Kenta Maeda. Both pitchers had impressive seasons, considering Maeda was returning after an 18-month recovery from Tommy John surgery in 2021. The club has suffered so long without good pitching, so why would the front office allow such difficult departures? Because it was a part of the plan all along.
There have been articles and rumors about the Twins wanting to cut a large chunk of their payroll, and even with keeping Max Kepler and Jorge Polanco, the Twin's front office right now has an $88-million dollar payroll, a far cry from the 2023 $154-million Opening Day figure.
The front office was well aware that three things would happen: They were going to lose Gray and Maeda, they would need more pitching, and they would need to trade some pieces to obtain new arms. Enter the club options of Polanco and Kepler.
The Twins first picked up the options for Polanco ($10 million) and Kepler ($10.5 million), two of the Twins' cornerstone players and a fan-favorite duo. Kepler and Polanco have been a part of the Twins organization for 14 seasons, both signing as international free agents from Germany and the Dominican Republic, respectively. They were roommates in spring training for the 2010 season, forming what has proved to be an unbreakable bond. Naturally, when their options were picked up, fans were relieved and excited, but that’s not the end of the story. 
Polanco and Kepler are huge trade pieces for the Twins. Both players had their ups and downs in 2023. There are reasons why each is an imperfect fit for the 2024 team, but they each have considerable trade value.
Kepler played the entire season, starting slowly in the first half, then finding his stride after the All-Star break. He had his best season since 2019, with 24 homers and a .260/.332/.484 line. Kepler hit in the second half of the season like he knew his job was in jeopardy and he’s still one of the best defensive right fielders in the league, but is it enough?
Unlike the potential in the infield, the Twins don’t have much immediate help coming in the way of outfielders. With Trevor Larnach being the other option for right field, trading away Kepler would be difficult to justify. The best option would be to bring in someone who would become a full-time outfielder for years to come and be ready to release Kepler after the 2024 season.   
The infield has some of the best players, and while Polanco is a fantastic, versatile player and a switch-hitter, the club has a lot of young talent that stepped up for the consistently injured veterans--and there is still more at Triple-A St. Paul. Brooks Lee and Austin Martin, both of whom have been improving and showing why they should get their shot in 2024, are knocking on the door.
Polanco only played 80 games in the 2023 season due to a long and strenuous battle with injury, but when he was in the game, he produced at the plate and was able to cover second base and the hot corner. Polanco has another club option for 2025, worth $12.5 million with a $750,000 buyout. So, what’s out there that would allow the Twins to get value for Polanco and not to miss Kepler after his deal is up? 
Only a few pieces are needed to boost the Twins to where they are looking to be, and they don’t have to go far to find that talent. The Brewers have a lot of talent in their farm system, and some that have seen MLB time and who helped them reach the postseason in 2023. A small-market team with a surfeit of both relief pitchers and outfielders, they make perfect suitors. Based on the Twins’ need to replace so many high-quality innings, someone like Bryse Wilson, a rubber-armed long reliever, would be an excellent acquisition. 
Wilson, a righty who will turn 26 years old this month, has been in the league since 2018, having been drafted in 2016 by the Braves. He spent his formative years in Atlanta before being traded to Pittsburgh, who flipped him to Milwaukee last winter for a minimal return. Last season, Wilson pitched 76 2/3 innings, with six wins and no losses. One of his best games was a 10-6 win over the Padres late in August, in which he worked four scoreless innings of emergency long relief and struck out four, allowing only three baserunners. Wilson ended his season with some of the best numbers of his career: a 2.58 ERA, a1.10 WHIP, a 4.17 FIP. He’ll make around $1.5 million in his first trip through arbitration in 2024, but he’s a decent bargain at that price.
Wilson needn’t be the centerpiece of a trade, though. Joey Wiemer, a loose cannon at the plate and in the outfield, still has a lot of potential and could be a huge acquisition. Weimer is a really strong hitter, but he struggled a lot throughout the season. Looking at his numbers, his best month at the plate was in June (.233/.337/.512) and that gives a small glimpse into what kind of player he is. Even with the poor numbers in July and August, Wiemer crushed it against lefties (.267/.298/.517) through the whole season, which is a huge asset to the lineup. He also has outstanding defensive metrics, with five total Defensive Runs Saved in 1,026 innings as a rookie, showing that he has room to grow offensively and defensively with plenty of years left to play.  
The Brewers’ surplus of young outfielders may be the blessing the Twins seek. With Kepler being a free agent next year, being 31 years old, and the unknown of Buxton, contributing to the overall inconsistency of the outfield, a player like Weimer could solve many problems for the team. Over at Brewer Fanatic, writer Ryan Pollak even made the case Thursday afternoon that Wiemer will become trade bait.
One pipe dream would be to acquire Corbin Burnes in a trade for Polanco. There is still uncertainty as to whether the Brewers are looking to trade Burnes, but based on the information out there, it would take at least $250 million for the Brewers to retain him in free agency after 2024. He’ll make in excess of $15 million via arbitration in 2024, an onerous amount for the Brewers at their expected payroll level The Twins could “rent” him for a year, but the Brewers know what he’s worth, and the package for Burnes would likely include a lot more than Polanco, such as the Twins’ 2024 competitive-balance draft pick or prospects. The front office has been known to shock the fan base in the offseason, so they could shock us again, but it’s more than likely that the Twins would rather hold onto the prospects and trade for controllable assets that would provide long-term solutions, like Wilson and Wiemer. 
With so many things up in the air, it’s really hard to say which way the Twins front office will go, but one thing for sure is to use Polanco and/or Kepler as trade pieces at some point to get the pitching that they need. It’s all part of the plan.

This past week, the club lost two of its most valuable assets on the pitching staff, Sonny Gray and Kenta Maeda. Both pitchers had impressive seasons, considering Maeda was returning after an 18-month recovery from Tommy John surgery in 2021. The club has suffered so long without good pitching, so why would the front office allow such difficult departures? Because it was a part of the plan all along.
There have been articles and rumors about the Twins wanting to cut a large chunk of their payroll, and even with keeping Max Kepler and Jorge Polanco, the Twin's front office right now has an $88-million dollar payroll, a far cry from the 2023 $154-million Opening Day figure.
The front office was well aware that three things would happen: They were going to lose Gray and Maeda, they would need more pitching, and they would need to trade some pieces to obtain new arms. Enter the club options of Polanco and Kepler.
The Twins first picked up the options for Polanco ($10 million) and Kepler ($10.5 million), two of the Twins' cornerstone players and a fan-favorite duo. Kepler and Polanco have been a part of the Twins organization for 14 seasons, both signing as international free agents from Germany and the Dominican Republic, respectively. They were roommates in spring training for the 2010 season, forming what has proved to be an unbreakable bond. Naturally, when their options were picked up, fans were relieved and excited, but that’s not the end of the story. 
Polanco and Kepler are huge trade pieces for the Twins. Both players had their ups and downs in 2023. There are reasons why each is an imperfect fit for the 2024 team, but they each have considerable trade value.
Kepler played the entire season, starting slowly in the first half, then finding his stride after the All-Star break. He had his best season since 2019, with 24 homers and a .260/.332/.484 line. Kepler hit in the second half of the season like he knew his job was in jeopardy and he’s still one of the best defensive right fielders in the league, but is it enough?
Unlike the potential in the infield, the Twins don’t have much immediate help coming in the way of outfielders. With Trevor Larnach being the other option for right field, trading away Kepler would be difficult to justify. The best option would be to bring in someone who would become a full-time outfielder for years to come and be ready to release Kepler after the 2024 season.   
The infield has some of the best players, and while Polanco is a fantastic, versatile player and a switch-hitter, the club has a lot of young talent that stepped up for the consistently injured veterans--and there is still more at Triple-A St. Paul. Brooks Lee and Austin Martin, both of whom have been improving and showing why they should get their shot in 2024, are knocking on the door.
Polanco only played 80 games in the 2023 season due to a long and strenuous battle with injury, but when he was in the game, he produced at the plate and was able to cover second base and the hot corner. Polanco has another club option for 2025, worth $12.5 million with a $750,000 buyout. So, what’s out there that would allow the Twins to get value for Polanco and not to miss Kepler after his deal is up? 
Only a few pieces are needed to boost the Twins to where they are looking to be, and they don’t have to go far to find that talent. The Brewers have a lot of talent in their farm system, and some that have seen MLB time and who helped them reach the postseason in 2023. A small-market team with a surfeit of both relief pitchers and outfielders, they make perfect suitors. Based on the Twins’ need to replace so many high-quality innings, someone like Bryse Wilson, a rubber-armed long reliever, would be an excellent acquisition. 
Wilson, a righty who will turn 26 years old this month, has been in the league since 2018, having been drafted in 2016 by the Braves. He spent his formative years in Atlanta before being traded to Pittsburgh, who flipped him to Milwaukee last winter for a minimal return. Last season, Wilson pitched 76 2/3 innings, with six wins and no losses. One of his best games was a 10-6 win over the Padres late in August, in which he worked four scoreless innings of emergency long relief and struck out four, allowing only three baserunners. Wilson ended his season with some of the best numbers of his career: a 2.58 ERA, a1.10 WHIP, a 4.17 FIP. He’ll make around $1.5 million in his first trip through arbitration in 2024, but he’s a decent bargain at that price.
Wilson needn’t be the centerpiece of a trade, though. Joey Wiemer, a loose cannon at the plate and in the outfield, still has a lot of potential and could be a huge acquisition. Weimer is a really strong hitter, but he struggled a lot throughout the season. Looking at his numbers, his best month at the plate was in June (.233/.337/.512) and that gives a small glimpse into what kind of player he is. Even with the poor numbers in July and August, Wiemer crushed it against lefties (.267/.298/.517) through the whole season, which is a huge asset to the lineup. He also has outstanding defensive metrics, with five total Defensive Runs Saved in 1,026 innings as a rookie, showing that he has room to grow offensively and defensively with plenty of years left to play.  
The Brewers’ surplus of young outfielders may be the blessing the Twins seek. With Kepler being a free agent next year, being 31 years old, and the unknown of Buxton, contributing to the overall inconsistency of the outfield, a player like Weimer could solve many problems for the team. Over at Brewer Fanatic, writer Ryan Pollak even made the case Thursday afternoon that Wiemer will become trade bait.
One pipe dream would be to acquire Corbin Burnes in a trade for Polanco. There is still uncertainty as to whether the Brewers are looking to trade Burnes, but based on the information out there, it would take at least $250 million for the Brewers to retain him in free agency after 2024. He’ll make in excess of $15 million via arbitration in 2024, an onerous amount for the Brewers at their expected payroll level The Twins could “rent” him for a year, but the Brewers know what he’s worth, and the package for Burnes would likely include a lot more than Polanco, such as the Twins’ 2024 competitive-balance draft pick or prospects. The front office has been known to shock the fan base in the offseason, so they could shock us again, but it’s more than likely that the Twins would rather hold onto the prospects and trade for controllable assets that would provide long-term solutions, like Wilson and Wiemer. 
With so many things up in the air, it’s really hard to say which way the Twins front office will go, but one thing for sure is to use Polanco and/or Kepler as trade pieces at some point to get the pitching that they need. It’s all part of the plan.

This past week, the club lost two of its most valuable assets on the pitching staff, Sonny Gray and Kenta Maeda. Both pitchers had impressive seasons, considering Maeda was returning after an 18-month recovery from Tommy John surgery in 2021. The club has suffered so long without good pitching, so why would the front office allow such difficult departures? Because it was a part of the plan all along.
There have been articles and rumors about the Twins wanting to cut a large chunk of their payroll, and even with keeping Max Kepler and Jorge Polanco, the Twin's front office right now has an $88-million dollar payroll, a far cry from the 2023 $154-million Opening Day figure.
The front office was well aware that three things would happen: They were going to lose Gray and Maeda, they would need more pitching, and they would need to trade some pieces to obtain new arms. Enter the club options of Polanco and Kepler.
The Twins first picked up the options for Polanco ($10 million) and Kepler ($10.5 million), two of the Twins' cornerstone players and a fan-favorite duo. Kepler and Polanco have been a part of the Twins organization for 14 seasons, both signing as international free agents from Germany and the Dominican Republic, respectively. They were roommates in spring training for the 2010 season, forming what has proved to be an unbreakable bond. Naturally, when their options were picked up, fans were relieved and excited, but that’s not the end of the story. 
Polanco and Kepler are huge trade pieces for the Twins. Both players had their ups and downs in 2023. There are reasons why each is an imperfect fit for the 2024 team, but they each have considerable trade value.
Kepler played the entire season, starting slowly in the first half, then finding his stride after the All-Star break. He had his best season since 2019, with 24 homers and a .260/.332/.484 line. Kepler hit in the second half of the season like he knew his job was in jeopardy and he’s still one of the best defensive right fielders in the league, but is it enough?
Unlike the potential in the infield, the Twins don’t have much immediate help coming in the way of outfielders. With Trevor Larnach being the other option for right field, trading away Kepler would be difficult to justify. The best option would be to bring in someone who would become a full-time outfielder for years to come and be ready to release Kepler after the 2024 season.   
The infield has some of the best players, and while Polanco is a fantastic, versatile player and a switch-hitter, the club has a lot of young talent that stepped up for the consistently injured veterans--and there is still more at Triple-A St. Paul. Brooks Lee and Austin Martin, both of whom have been improving and showing why they should get their shot in 2024, are knocking on the door.
Polanco only played 80 games in the 2023 season due to a long and strenuous battle with injury, but when he was in the game, he produced at the plate and was able to cover second base and the hot corner. Polanco has another club option for 2025, worth $12.5 million with a $750,000 buyout. So, what’s out there that would allow the Twins to get value for Polanco and not to miss Kepler after his deal is up? 
Only a few pieces are needed to boost the Twins to where they are looking to be, and they don’t have to go far to find that talent. The Brewers have a lot of talent in their farm system, and some that have seen MLB time and who helped them reach the postseason in 2023. A small-market team with a surfeit of both relief pitchers and outfielders, they make perfect suitors. Based on the Twins’ need to replace so many high-quality innings, someone like Bryse Wilson, a rubber-armed long reliever, would be an excellent acquisition. 
Wilson, a righty who will turn 26 years old this month, has been in the league since 2018, having been drafted in 2016 by the Braves. He spent his formative years in Atlanta before being traded to Pittsburgh, who flipped him to Milwaukee last winter for a minimal return. Last season, Wilson pitched 76 2/3 innings, with six wins and no losses. One of his best games was a 10-6 win over the Padres late in August, in which he worked four scoreless innings of emergency long relief and struck out four, allowing only three baserunners. Wilson ended his season with some of the best numbers of his career: a 2.58 ERA, a1.10 WHIP, a 4.17 FIP. He’ll make around $1.5 million in his first trip through arbitration in 2024, but he’s a decent bargain at that price.
Wilson needn’t be the centerpiece of a trade, though. Joey Wiemer, a loose cannon at the plate and in the outfield, still has a lot of potential and could be a huge acquisition. Weimer is a really strong hitter, but he struggled a lot throughout the season. Looking at his numbers, his best month at the plate was in June (.233/.337/.512) and that gives a small glimpse into what kind of player he is. Even with the poor numbers in July and August, Wiemer crushed it against lefties (.267/.298/.517) through the whole season, which is a huge asset to the lineup. He also has outstanding defensive metrics, with five total Defensive Runs Saved in 1,026 innings as a rookie, showing that he has room to grow offensively and defensively with plenty of years left to play.  
The Brewers’ surplus of young outfielders may be the blessing the Twins seek. With Kepler being a free agent next year, being 31 years old, and the unknown of Buxton, contributing to the overall inconsistency of the outfield, a player like Weimer could solve many problems for the team. Over at Brewer Fanatic, writer Ryan Pollak even made the case Thursday afternoon that Wiemer will become trade bait.
One pipe dream would be to acquire Corbin Burnes in a trade for Polanco. There is still uncertainty as to whether the Brewers are looking to trade Burnes, but based on the information out there, it would take at least $250 million for the Brewers to retain him in free agency after 2024. He’ll make in excess of $15 million via arbitration in 2024, an onerous amount for the Brewers at their expected payroll level The Twins could “rent” him for a year, but the Brewers know what he’s worth, and the package for Burnes would likely include a lot more than Polanco, such as the Twins’ 2024 competitive-balance draft pick or prospects. The front office has been known to shock the fan base in the offseason, so they could shock us again, but it’s more than likely that the Twins would rather hold onto the prospects and trade for controllable assets that would provide long-term solutions, like Wilson and Wiemer. 
With so many things up in the air, it’s really hard to say which way the Twins front office will go, but one thing for sure is to use Polanco and/or Kepler as trade pieces at some point to get the pitching that they need. It’s all part of the plan.

This past week, the club lost two of its most valuable assets on the pitching staff, Sonny Gray and Kenta Maeda. Both pitchers had impressive seasons, considering Maeda was returning after an 18-month recovery from Tommy John surgery in 2021. The club has suffered so long without good pitching, so why would the front office allow such difficult departures? Because it was a part of the plan all along.
There have been articles and rumors about the Twins wanting to cut a large chunk of their payroll, and even with keeping Max Kepler and Jorge Polanco, the Twin's front office right now has an $88-million dollar payroll, a far cry from the 2023 $154-million Opening Day figure.
The front office was well aware that three things would happen: They were going to lose Gray and Maeda, they would need more pitching, and they would need to trade some pieces to obtain new arms. Enter the club options of Polanco and Kepler.
The Twins first picked up the options for Polanco ($10 million) and Kepler ($10.5 million), two of the Twins' cornerstone players and a fan-favorite duo. Kepler and Polanco have been a part of the Twins organization for 14 seasons, both signing as international free agents from Germany and the Dominican Republic, respectively. They were roommates in spring training for the 2010 season, forming what has proved to be an unbreakable bond. Naturally, when their options were picked up, fans were relieved and excited, but that’s not the end of the story. 
Polanco and Kepler are huge trade pieces for the Twins. Both players had their ups and downs in 2023. There are reasons why each is an imperfect fit for the 2024 team, but they each have considerable trade value.
Kepler played the entire season, starting slowly in the first half, then finding his stride after the All-Star break. He had his best season since 2019, with 24 homers and a .260/.332/.484 line. Kepler hit in the second half of the season like he knew his job was in jeopardy and he’s still one of the best defensive right fielders in the league, but is it enough?
Unlike the potential in the infield, the Twins don’t have much immediate help coming in the way of outfielders. With Trevor Larnach being the other option for right field, trading away Kepler would be difficult to justify. The best option would be to bring in someone who would become a full-time outfielder for years to come and be ready to release Kepler after the 2024 season.   
The infield has some of the best players, and while Polanco is a fantastic, versatile player and a switch-hitter, the club has a lot of young talent that stepped up for the consistently injured veterans--and there is still more at Triple-A St. Paul. Brooks Lee and Austin Martin, both of whom have been improving and showing why they should get their shot in 2024, are knocking on the door.
Polanco only played 80 games in the 2023 season due to a long and strenuous battle with injury, but when he was in the game, he produced at the plate and was able to cover second base and the hot corner. Polanco has another club option for 2025, worth $12.5 million with a $750,000 buyout. So, what’s out there that would allow the Twins to get value for Polanco and not to miss Kepler after his deal is up? 
Only a few pieces are needed to boost the Twins to where they are looking to be, and they don’t have to go far to find that talent. The Brewers have a lot of talent in their farm system, and some that have seen MLB time and who helped them reach the postseason in 2023. A small-market team with a surfeit of both relief pitchers and outfielders, they make perfect suitors. Based on the Twins’ need to replace so many high-quality innings, someone like Bryse Wilson, a rubber-armed long reliever, would be an excellent acquisition. 
Wilson, a righty who will turn 26 years old this month, has been in the league since 2018, having been drafted in 2016 by the Braves. He spent his formative years in Atlanta before being traded to Pittsburgh, who flipped him to Milwaukee last winter for a minimal return. Last season, Wilson pitched 76 2/3 innings, with six wins and no losses. One of his best games was a 10-6 win over the Padres late in August, in which he worked four scoreless innings of emergency long relief and struck out four, allowing only three baserunners. Wilson ended his season with some of the best numbers of his career: a 2.58 ERA, a1.10 WHIP, a 4.17 FIP. He’ll make around $1.5 million in his first trip through arbitration in 2024, but he’s a decent bargain at that price.
Wilson needn’t be the centerpiece of a trade, though. Joey Wiemer, a loose cannon at the plate and in the outfield, still has a lot of potential and could be a huge acquisition. Weimer is a really strong hitter, but he struggled a lot throughout the season. Looking at his numbers, his best month at the plate was in June (.233/.337/.512) and that gives a small glimpse into what kind of player he is. Even with the poor numbers in July and August, Wiemer crushed it against lefties (.267/.298/.517) through the whole season, which is a huge asset to the lineup. He also has outstanding defensive metrics, with five total Defensive Runs Saved in 1,026 innings as a rookie, showing that he has room to grow offensively and defensively with plenty of years left to play.  
The Brewers’ surplus of young outfielders may be the blessing the Twins seek. With Kepler being a free agent next year, being 31 years old, and the unknown of Buxton, contributing to the overall inconsistency of the outfield, a player like Weimer could solve many problems for the team. Over at Brewer Fanatic, writer Ryan Pollak even made the case Thursday afternoon that Wiemer will become trade bait.
One pipe dream would be to acquire Corbin Burnes in a trade for Polanco. There is still uncertainty as to whether the Brewers are looking to trade Burnes, but based on the information out there, it would take at least $250 million for the Brewers to retain him in free agency after 2024. He’ll make in excess of $15 million via arbitration in 2024, an onerous amount for the Brewers at their expected payroll level The Twins could “rent” him for a year, but the Brewers know what he’s worth, and the package for Burnes would likely include a lot more than Polanco, such as the Twins’ 2024 competitive-balance draft pick or prospects. The front office has been known to shock the fan base in the offseason, so they could shock us again, but it’s more than likely that the Twins would rather hold onto the prospects and trade for controllable assets that would provide long-term solutions, like Wilson and Wiemer. 
With so many things up in the air, it’s really hard to say which way the Twins front office will go, but one thing for sure is to use Polanco and/or Kepler as trade pieces at some point to get the pitching that they need. It’s all part of the plan.

Box Score
SP: Sonny Gray 4 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K (55 pitches, 33 strikes (60%))
Home Runs: None
Top 3 WPA: Willi Castro (.11), Sonny Gray (.08), Louie Varland (.03)
Bottom 3 WPA: Ryan Jeffers (-.019), Michael A. Taylor (-.08), Donovan Solano (-.06)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

A Different Look to the Pitching
Sonny Gray started his appearance, allowing a few hits, but ultimately had a scoreless inning to start the game. It was a nice outing and a short one for his final regular-season start. Gray only pitched four innings to bring in Kenta Maeda, as the Twins are moving around some of the pitching for the postseason and seeing how pitchers perform in different roles and situations. 
Maeda came in in the fifth inning as a reliever, but it's not new for him. Maeda pitched in relief with the Dodgers; he had 20 appearances with Los Angeles out of the bullpen (22 innings), only giving up three runs over those games. 
Maeda did well in his first inning in the relief spot with a 1-2-3 inning. Still, Maeda's second inning looked a little less like the first, drawing two walks and struggling a bit to get out of the top of the sixth, but he returned for the seventh, throwing 50 pitches in his three innings, but did so with no runs added to the board.
A Battle of the Bats
The Athletics strung together some singles and sacrifices to get on the board first in the top of the second inning, but Gray kept the score at one run during his appearance. Gray silenced the A's, but the Twins offense struggled to get things going.
Today's Twins offensive lineup was full of rookies, sprinkled in with a few veterans and acquisitions. It was one of the season's more unique and fun lineups and indicative of the roster's depth heading into the postseason. Many 'regular' players could rest to prepare for the postseason. 
The Athletic pitcher Luis Medina and the defense, specifically former Twin Brent Rooker in right field, kept the Twins from getting on the board. Kyle Farmer was the only player with a hit through five innings, but the Twins stayed scoreless through six innings.
Castro got a base hit off his bunt for the Twins' second hit of the game, just for Donovan Solano to come in and hit a liner to left to advance Castro and land on first. With no outs on the board and two on, Alex Kirilloff was hit-by-pitch to load the bases for Wallner, who hit into a double play to bring Castro home to tie up the game.
A Little Late Excitement
With the game tied up in the sixth, the Twins kept the seventh inning interesting, battling with Athletics pitcher Lucas Erceg. The Twins worked back and loaded up the bases for Solano with two outs and two on base. Solano battled by making the Oakland reliever throw twelve pitches but ultimately struck out to end the inning. 
With the game tied and potential for a sweep, the Twins brought Maeda back out but was retired quickly after giving up a solo home run to Ryan Noda. Louie Varland, another starter turned reliever, came out to replace Maeda and finished the inning and a repeat performance in the ninth with no more damage. Varland struck out three in his 1 2/3 innings of relief.
The A's called on old friend Trevor May to hold on to the 2-1 lead. May effectively shut his former team down to end the game and the series. 
What's Next? 
The Twins head to Colorado to finish their regular season, leaving behind some of the "A" team players from the roster to rest and prepare for the postseason push.
 
Friday 7:10 pm CDT: RHP Joe Ryan (11-10, 4.31 ERA) vs. LHP Ty Blach (3-3, 5.42 ERA)
Saturday 6:10 pm CDT: RHP Pablo Lopez (10-7, 3.43 ERA) vs. RHP Karl Kauffmann (2-4, 7.04 ERA)
Sunday 1:10 pm CDT: RHP Bailey Ober (8-6, 3.53 ERA) vs. RHP Chase Anderson (1-6, 5.42 ERA)
Postgame Interviews
Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

 
 

Box Score
SP: Kenta Maeda 7 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K (105 pitches, 66 strikes (66%)
Home Runs:  Edouard Julien (13), Royce Lewis (13), Kyle Farmer
Top 3 WPA: Kenta Maeda (.341), Edouard Julien (.87), Royce Lewis (.71)
Bottom 3 WPA: Jorge Polanco (-.052), Christian Vazquez (-.032), Max Kepler (-.026)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

Rookies Rake Again
Edouard Julien hit a solo home run dead center in the fourth inning. A batter later, Royce Lewis smashed a ball into the left-field bleachers for the second run. 
Lewis's home run traveled 426 feet, the longest shot of his young career. 
As he rounded the bases with his 426-foot home run, he paid homage to his character from Wednesday night's annual rookie night, Dr. Evil, by putting his pinky to his mouth as he rounded third. 
The Twins offense reset again. Alex Kirilloff got a fastball over the plate that went into center field after deflecting off the glove of Lenyn Sosa. Willi Castro followed with a line drive double, moving Kirilloff to third. 
With only one out and Wallner sitting on two strikes, Wallner hit a line drive past the infield, and Kirilloff and Castro made it home, adding two more runs to the board to make it 4-0. The fun wasn't over yet. In fear of being left out of the party, Kyle Farmer launched a two-run home run, pushing the score to 6-0. 
Maeda SHINES
Kenta Maeda has been consistent throughout the comeback. His last five games have been up and down, and tonight, in the second inning, it took him 19 pitches to get out of the inning, nine of them going to Andrew Vaughn. His third and fourth innings were much smoother and easier to execute, keeping the White Sox off the board. 
After the second inning and grimacing through his pitches, Maeda made his third trip to the order almost seamlessly. Strikes were striking, and the defense chased down the grounders and fly balls. Maeda had allowed two base runners in the fifth but kept his scoreless innings alive as a fly-out ended the inning.
With a nice lead, the Twins brought Maeda back out for the seventh inning, but he walked Yoan Moncada, showing some visible frustration thinking a strike did not get called, which returned to haunt: Vaughn caught a slider for a two-run home run to put the White Sox on the board 6-2. 
This outing was Maeda's second quality start after the win against the Mets, and he was on fire. While he looked at times unhappy with a pitch or a call, he stayed consistent and focused, had six scoreless innings, and pitched undoubtedly one of his best games of the season. 
Josh Winder came in to relieve Maeda in the eighth inning, only allowing one base run and working around Tim Anderson, Andrew Benintendi, and Luis Robert to close out the inning, only throwing 14 pitches. 
Baseball is Weird
The ninth inning was the longest, but craziest of the game. Farmer made it to first base on a dropped third strikeout error from catcher Korey Lee during his at-bat. 
With two outs, Polanco grounded to Anderson at short but hustled down the line to make a close play. Initially, Polanco was punched out, but a timely challenge showed that the Twins' switch-hitter was safe by a step. 
On the play, Tommy Watkins wheeled Farmer home, a headsy play knowing that the White Sox would likely not have a return throw home. 
The game cracked wide open at that point. The White Sox burned through two relievers, which saw a bases-loaded walk from Lewis and a 2-run single from Kirilloff making the score 10-2. 
Brent Headrick came out to finish the game for the Twins, and a lead-off double got the White Sox fans thinking there was life left in the game, but Headrick and the defense shut them and the team down, bringing the magic number to eight.
What’s Next? 
Friday 6:40 pm CDT: RHP Bailey Ober (6-6, 3.67 ERA) vs. RHP Jesse Scholtens (1-8, 4.44 ERA)
Saturday 6:10 pm CDT: RHP Pablo Lopez (10-7, 3.43 ERA) vs. RHP Touki Toussaint (3-7, 5.65 ERA)
Sunday 1:10 pm CDT: RHP Sonny Gray (7-7, 2.96 ERA) vs. RHP Dylan Cease (7-7, 4.87 ERA)
Postgame Interviews
Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

 

Box Score
SP: Kenta Maeda 7 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K (105 pitches, 66 strikes (66%)
Home Runs:  Edouard Julien (13), Royce Lewis (13), Kyle Farmer
Top 3 WPA: Kenta Maeda (.341), Edouard Julien (.87), Royce Lewis (.71)
Bottom 3 WPA: Jorge Polanco (-.052), Christian Vazquez (-.032), Max Kepler (-.026)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

Rookies Rake Again
Edouard Julien hit a solo home run dead center in the fourth inning. A batter later, Royce Lewis smashed a ball into the left-field bleachers for the second run. 
Lewis's home run traveled 426 feet, the longest shot of his young career. 
As he rounded the bases with his 426-foot home run, he paid homage to his character from Wednesday night's annual rookie night, Dr. Evil, by putting his pinky to his mouth as he rounded third. 
The Twins offense reset again. Alex Kirilloff got a fastball over the plate that went into center field after deflecting off the glove of Lenyn Sosa. Willi Castro followed with a line drive double, moving Kirilloff to third. 
With only one out and Wallner sitting on two strikes, Wallner hit a line drive past the infield, and Kirilloff and Castro made it home, adding two more runs to the board to make it 4-0. The fun wasn't over yet. In fear of being left out of the party, Kyle Farmer launched a two-run home run, pushing the score to 6-0. 
Maeda SHINES
Kenta Maeda has been consistent throughout the comeback. His last five games have been up and down, and tonight, in the second inning, it took him 19 pitches to get out of the inning, nine of them going to Andrew Vaughn. His third and fourth innings were much smoother and easier to execute, keeping the White Sox off the board. 
After the second inning and grimacing through his pitches, Maeda made his third trip to the order almost seamlessly. Strikes were striking, and the defense chased down the grounders and fly balls. Maeda had allowed two base runners in the fifth but kept his scoreless innings alive as a fly-out ended the inning.
With a nice lead, the Twins brought Maeda back out for the seventh inning, but he walked Yoan Moncada, showing some visible frustration thinking a strike did not get called, which returned to haunt: Vaughn caught a slider for a two-run home run to put the White Sox on the board 6-2. 
This outing was Maeda's second quality start after the win against the Mets, and he was on fire. While he looked at times unhappy with a pitch or a call, he stayed consistent and focused, had six scoreless innings, and pitched undoubtedly one of his best games of the season. 
Josh Winder came in to relieve Maeda in the eighth inning, only allowing one base run and working around Tim Anderson, Andrew Benintendi, and Luis Robert to close out the inning, only throwing 14 pitches. 
Baseball is Weird
The ninth inning was the longest, but craziest of the game. Farmer made it to first base on a dropped third strikeout error from catcher Korey Lee during his at-bat. 
With two outs, Polanco grounded to Anderson at short but hustled down the line to make a close play. Initially, Polanco was punched out, but a timely challenge showed that the Twins' switch-hitter was safe by a step. 
On the play, Tommy Watkins wheeled Farmer home, a headsy play knowing that the White Sox would likely not have a return throw home. 
The game cracked wide open at that point. The White Sox burned through two relievers, which saw a bases-loaded walk from Lewis and a 2-run single from Kirilloff making the score 10-2. 
Brent Headrick came out to finish the game for the Twins, and a lead-off double got the White Sox fans thinking there was life left in the game, but Headrick and the defense shut them and the team down, bringing the magic number to eight.
What’s Next? 
Friday 6:40 pm CDT: RHP Bailey Ober (6-6, 3.67 ERA) vs. RHP Jesse Scholtens (1-8, 4.44 ERA)
Saturday 6:10 pm CDT: RHP Pablo Lopez (10-7, 3.43 ERA) vs. RHP Touki Toussaint (3-7, 5.65 ERA)
Sunday 1:10 pm CDT: RHP Sonny Gray (7-7, 2.96 ERA) vs. RHP Dylan Cease (7-7, 4.87 ERA)
Postgame Interviews
Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

 

Box Score
SP: Joe Ryan 5 IP, 5 H,  1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K (80 pitches, 51 strikes (63%)
Home Runs:   Jorge Polanco (9)
Top 3 WPA: Jorge Polanco (.155), Joe Ryan (.153), Jhoan Duran (.103)
Bottom 3 WPA: Griffin Jax (-.457), Caleb Thielbar (-.115), Matt Wallner (-.085) 
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

Joe Ryan returned to the mound tonight from the IL (groin) and got out his first two hitters on strikeouts. He allowed a single before striking out the last pitcher to end the inning. A solid start coming off injury. His velocity was a little lower than we saw in the beginning of the season, sitting between 91 mph and 94 mph, which could be an issue later. However, maybe it was his change of pace for music for his walk up. 
Max Scherzer, who came to the Rangers in a trade deadline move, was backed up with Mitch Garver who has caught all his games since the trade. Scherzer looked good in the bottom of the first getting two outs before Max Kepler shot a single into the centerfield gap for a single and then walked Carlos Correa. Scherzer’s walks have been up this season, and in a slump-breaking situation, walks will haunt. 
Ryan worked up his pitch count in the second inning, struggled a bit with the velocity still, and allowed low hanging fruit to create opportunities for the Rangers. The first was a home run by Mitch Garver to put the Rangers on the board first. Frustratingly, Garver got the Rangers on the board first with a home run on Friday night too. The Twins defense kept things tight as Robbie Grossman hit a line drive double to Kepler, and as Ezequiel Duran rounded the bases and dug for home, a relay from Max Kepler to Correa before a cannon to home to get Duran out. 
Edouard Julien hadn't seen Scherzer before this game and struck out looking in his first at-bat, but fought back in the third and got a double to start out the inning followed by a solid hit to center field gap from Kepler, scoring Julien to tie up the game. 
The Twins and Rangers stayed tied through. Both pitchers and defenses stayed tight, Ryan continued to stay in command of the strike zone as he settled in. 
Caleb Thielbar came out in the sixth inning to give Ryan a break. Undoubtedly manager Rocco Baldelli is working Ryan back to more pitches. Thielbar gave up a home run to Adolis Garcia , giving the Rangers the lead, but nothing else, closing out the inning with minimal damage and a chance to come back, and come back they did with a solo home run from Jorge Polanco in the bottom of the sixth to tie-up the game again. 
Emilio Pagan replaced Thielbar in the top of the seventh inning and as he has done so many times the past three months in these set-up positions, got out of the inning with no damage. Both threw 10 pitches in their appearances, and for Thielbar, eight of those were strikes. The Minnesota Twins bullpen has been getting stronger, better and hopefully ready for a postseason push. 
The game remained tied and the Twins brought out Jhoan Duran in the eighth inning, which led this writer to believe that he would subsequently be back out for the ninth, but instead the Twins brought out Griffin Jax. The Twins flame-thrower Duran has struggled when in situations when he has to relieve in two innings. Jax has had a funny season. Lots of up and down, high highs and low lows, but as evidenced by his relief appearance on Thursday, he still has "it". Jax has been worked a lot this week, the most of the relievers (three relief appearances and 57 pitches) and his momentum quickly faded. 
The ninth inning was messy. Jax had two runners on base with no outs when Pete Maki made a visit to the mound, to relax his reliever. Jax initially focused in and then threw a pitch that got Duran on the soft part of the elbow to load the bases. Tie game, one out, bases loaded and Robbie Grossman up to bat, the infield came to the mound to discuss how to get shut down Grossman and out of the inning with no damage, maybe hit into a double play and move to the tenth inning. The meeting didn't work and Grossman was walked to put the Rangers up 3-2,  but the damage was far from over.
Jax walked another player with the bases loaded giving the Rangers another run for a two run lead. Dylan Floro came in to replace Jax, who left the mound with his head hanging. Floro came into the inning with the bases loaded, but in a repeat performance, Floro hit Marcus Semien in the elbow and reloaded the bases and bringing in another walk for a 5-2 lead. The bleeding finally stopped with a 6-2 lead for the Rangers. 
The pitching wasn't the only thing to blame in this demise, the Twins bats were quiet and offense didn't show up outside of a double and solo home run, giving the pitchers no cushion to allow for runs. With the amount of usage the bullpen got this week, the bats needed to show up just as much. 
The Rangers sent out Aroldis Chapman to face the four five six batters and the Twins made some adjustments with Jordan Luplow in the number five spot. Luplow walked and it looked like Donovan Solano squared up enough to send the ball out for a homerun, but he got just under it and it fell into the glove of Garcia in right field to end the game and the pain. 
What’s Next? 
The Twins continue their homestand with one more game from Texas in this series before coming head to head with Cleveland.
Sunday 12:35 pm CDT: RHP Bailey Ober (6-6, 3.41 ERA) vs. LHP Jordan Montgomery (8-10, 3.12 ERA)
Postgame Interviews

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet


 

Box Score
SP: Pablo Lopez 5 IP, 10 H,  5 ER, 1 BB, 4 K (91 pitches, 58 strikes (66%)
Home Runs:   Royce Lewis (6), Kyle Farmer (8), Ryan Jeffers (10), Matthew A. Taylor (19)
Top 3 WPA: Ryan Jeffers (.341), Carlos Correa (.256), Royce Lewis (.219)
Bottom 3 WPA: Max Kepler (-.291), Pablo Lopez (-.325), Jordan Luplow (-.70)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

Pablo Lopez, who came into tonight's game with 19 straight scoreless innings, had the streak abruptly ended with Marcus Semien's home run off his first offering of the night.
The Rangers kept the pressure on throughout the game, but the Twins countered with timely defense. In the second inning, Travis Jankowski bunted for a base hit and went first to third on a single from Ezequiel Duran to right. With the Rangers threatening, Lopez induced an inning-ending double play, proving that it will be vital for the Twins' defense to make key plays in this series. 
The heat and humidity Minnesota is experiencing likely aided in the baseball carrying at Target Field, and there was no lack of action. 
Kyle Farmer matched Semien's solo home run to tie up the game. 
But the Rangers weren't done. Lopez struggled heavily in the third inning. Corey Seager added another solo shot, and Texas followed with a pair of singles and a walk to load the bases. Jankowski drove in two more, putting the Rangers up 4-1. 
The Twins battled back with a solo home run from Michael A. Taylor, bringing the score closer to 4-2, but Leody Taveras answered back with his solo home run -- the third home run of the night on Lopez -- and the Rangers a 5-2 lead. In the 5th, Michael A. Taylor added another solo home run to close the gap, 5-3. 
Lewis continued to help the Twins battle back with another solo home run in the bottom of the sixth, closing the gap to a one-run game and the Twins fourth home run. 
The Twins called on Josh Winder in the sixth inning. Winder hasn't seen action in eight days, but as a Virginia kid, he has played in this heat his whole life and seemed unphased as he gave the Twins their first 1-2-3 inning of the game. Winder did well and returned to have another scoreless seventh and eighth. It was the first time Winder had gone that long all season, and it provided a much-needed rest for a bullpen that was depleted in the Milwaukee series!
In the eighth inning, Matt Wallner and Carlos Correa matched doubles to tie the game with no outs. 
With the bases loaded, the Rangers brought lefty Will Smith to face Max Kepler and Edouard Julien. The Twins called on Ryan Jeffers as a pinch hitter. Jeffers hit a go-ahead two-run home run to push the Twins ahead 7-5, complete with an epic bat flip! Jeffers is now a .571 hitter in pinch-hit situations. 
The Twins got a strong finish, and it was fun watching Griffin Jax come out in the ninth inning to close out the game, and he did so in fiery fashion. 
Griffin struck out Semien before walking Seager, and he was visibly frustrated as the officiating appeared questionable to both sides all night. Lowe grounded into a double play to Donovan Solano, Carlos Correa and ended with Joey Gallo on first base. The crowd erupted as the Twins won their first of the four-game series and handed the Rangers their seventh loss in a row.
 
See you all tomorrow night!
What’s Next? 
The Twins continue their homestand with three more games from Texas in this series before coming head to head with Cleveland.

Friday 7:10 pm CDT: RHP Sonny Gray (6-6, 3.15 ERA) vs. RHP Dane Dunning (9-5, 3.19 ERA)
Saturday 6:15 pm CDT: RHP XX (7-6, 3.77 ERA) vs. RHP Max Scherzer (7-6, 3.77 ERA)
Sunday 12:35 pm CDT: RHP Bailey Ober (6-6, 3.41 ERA) vs. LHP Jordan Montgomery (8-10, 3.12 ERA)
Postgame Interviews
 
Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

 

Box Score
SP: Kenta Maeda 6 IP, 3 H,  1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K (89 pitches, 58 strikes (65%)
Home Runs:   -0-
Top 3 WPA: Kenta Maeda .146, Christian Vazquez .051, Carlos Correa .023 
Bottom 3 WPA: Dylan Floro -.139, Edouard Julien -.137, Willi Castro -.083
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

Kenta Maeda has had a great past few games. While he has given up nine earned runs, the Twins have won four in the five games he has started. His success has come with getting run support from the offense. But that would be different for Maeda this time. The Twins' offense started slow, and Maeda came onto the mound with no run support to begin his first inning, allowing a few hitters to get on base, but he got out with no damage and a clean first inning. 
Multiple times throughout the game, the Twins' offense looked like it would give Maeda support, but pitcher Reese Olson from the Tigers pitched six scoreless innings and kept the Twins from doing anything to get on the board. 
The Twins looked like they would get something going in the fourth inning. Jorge Polanco got a single to start the inning. Then Carlos Correa ripped a ball into center field off a two-seam fastball, almost taking out pitcher Olson on the return for a single. Now Correa and Polanco would be in scoring position with no outs. 
Correa has been turning a corner since the All-Star Break. In his past five appearances, he has made contact with the ball in every game and got four runs in three, but he was responsible for eight RBIs. He also continues to make outstanding defensive plays. 
After the Tigers visited a mound, Olson locked in and quickly struck out Max Kepler and Ryan Jeffers. Matt Wallner battled at the plate but just got under the ball for a pop-out and was the third out of the inning, stranding Correa and Polanco. 
Joey Gallo was walked in the fifth, and the most unexpected thing happened with Christian Vazquez at the plate. As Vazquez was mid-swing, Gallo took off from first base. As the ball whizzed by Gallo as he rounded second, he continued to third. Vazquez's single put runners on the corners to start the inning and, once again, the hope of offensive production. But once again, the Twins came up empty, leaving the inning after two strikeouts from Edouard Julien and Polanco. 
Meada's struggle with strikes started around the bottom of the fourth, and even though he didn't allow any runs, by the bottom of the sixth inning, he was grimacing on his release. His pitches loaded up quickly as the Tigers lineup started to swing and foul off pitches until an 81 mph slider to lefty Riley Greene ended in a solo home run to get the Tigers on the board 1-0 in the bottom of the sixth inning. 
Dylan Floro came out of the bullpen to relieve Maeda, and it was not pretty. After the first out, the Tigers got three straight singles to load up the bases, and pitching coach Pete Maki came out to hopefully talk Floro down off whatever ledge he was on and pitch out of the inning. It didn't happen that easily, not before another single deep to center would score two runs to get the Tigers up 3-0. 
Jhoan Duran came into the game in the bottom of the eighth. He has yet to have a hitless outing in quite a while, and right away, Greene hit a slap to left field on pitch one to get a double to start the bottom of the eighth. Duran and the defense kept the Tigers from any runs or further damage, and the Twins would have one more chance to come back with Correa leading off in the ninth. 
But the Twins couldn't battle back. The Twins were swept in Detroit and lost the season series to Detroit 7-4. The Twins must fight a surging Phillies team to keep the Guardians from catching up. 
What's Next? 
The Twins continue their road series with a trip to Philadelphia to take on the Phillies, who are coming off some hot games, including their 14th no-hitter by former Tigers pitcher Michael Lorenzen. 
Friday 6:05 pm CDT: LHP Dallas Keuchel (6-6, 1.80 ERA) vs. LHP Christopher Sanchez (0-3, 3.44 ERA)
Saturday 5:05 pm CDT: RHP Pablo Lopez (7-6, 3.81 ERA) vs. Taijuan Walker (13-4, 3.98 ERA)
Sunday 12:35 pm CDT: RHP Sonny Gray (5-5, 3.18 ERA) vs. Zack Wheeler (9-5, 3.74 ERA)
 
Postgame Interviews
Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

 

Box Score
SP: Kenta Maeda 6 IP, 3 H,  1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K (89 pitches, 58 strikes (65%)
Home Runs:   -0-
Top 3 WPA: Kenta Maeda .146, Christian Vazquez .051, Carlos Correa .023 
Bottom 3 WPA: Dylan Floro -.139, Edouard Julien -.137, Willi Castro -.083
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

Kenta Maeda has had a great past few games. While he has given up nine earned runs, the Twins have won four in the five games he has started. His success has come with getting run support from the offense. But that would be different for Maeda this time. The Twins' offense started slow, and Maeda came onto the mound with no run support to begin his first inning, allowing a few hitters to get on base, but he got out with no damage and a clean first inning. 
Multiple times throughout the game, the Twins' offense looked like it would give Maeda support, but pitcher Reese Olson from the Tigers pitched six scoreless innings and kept the Twins from doing anything to get on the board. 
The Twins looked like they would get something going in the fourth inning. Jorge Polanco got a single to start the inning. Then Carlos Correa ripped a ball into center field off a two-seam fastball, almost taking out pitcher Olson on the return for a single. Now Correa and Polanco would be in scoring position with no outs. 
Correa has been turning a corner since the All-Star Break. In his past five appearances, he has made contact with the ball in every game and got four runs in three, but he was responsible for eight RBIs. He also continues to make outstanding defensive plays. 
After the Tigers visited a mound, Olson locked in and quickly struck out Max Kepler and Ryan Jeffers. Matt Wallner battled at the plate but just got under the ball for a pop-out and was the third out of the inning, stranding Correa and Polanco. 
Joey Gallo was walked in the fifth, and the most unexpected thing happened with Christian Vazquez at the plate. As Vazquez was mid-swing, Gallo took off from first base. As the ball whizzed by Gallo as he rounded second, he continued to third. Vazquez's single put runners on the corners to start the inning and, once again, the hope of offensive production. But once again, the Twins came up empty, leaving the inning after two strikeouts from Edouard Julien and Polanco. 
Meada's struggle with strikes started around the bottom of the fourth, and even though he didn't allow any runs, by the bottom of the sixth inning, he was grimacing on his release. His pitches loaded up quickly as the Tigers lineup started to swing and foul off pitches until an 81 mph slider to lefty Riley Greene ended in a solo home run to get the Tigers on the board 1-0 in the bottom of the sixth inning. 
Dylan Floro came out of the bullpen to relieve Maeda, and it was not pretty. After the first out, the Tigers got three straight singles to load up the bases, and pitching coach Pete Maki came out to hopefully talk Floro down off whatever ledge he was on and pitch out of the inning. It didn't happen that easily, not before another single deep to center would score two runs to get the Tigers up 3-0. 
Jhoan Duran came into the game in the bottom of the eighth. He has yet to have a hitless outing in quite a while, and right away, Greene hit a slap to left field on pitch one to get a double to start the bottom of the eighth. Duran and the defense kept the Tigers from any runs or further damage, and the Twins would have one more chance to come back with Correa leading off in the ninth. 
But the Twins couldn't battle back. The Twins were swept in Detroit and lost the season series to Detroit 7-4. The Twins must fight a surging Phillies team to keep the Guardians from catching up. 
What's Next? 
The Twins continue their road series with a trip to Philadelphia to take on the Phillies, who are coming off some hot games, including their 14th no-hitter by former Tigers pitcher Michael Lorenzen. 
Friday 6:05 pm CDT: LHP Dallas Keuchel (6-6, 1.80 ERA) vs. LHP Christopher Sanchez (0-3, 3.44 ERA)
Saturday 5:05 pm CDT: RHP Pablo Lopez (7-6, 3.81 ERA) vs. Taijuan Walker (13-4, 3.98 ERA)
Sunday 12:35 pm CDT: RHP Sonny Gray (5-5, 3.18 ERA) vs. Zack Wheeler (9-5, 3.74 ERA)
 
Postgame Interviews
Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

 

A Battle Back
Dallas Keuchel had an ugly 2022. So ugly that Twins fans sighed a breath of relief watching him implode after so many clamored to snag him in the off-season of 2020. Last year he registered a 9.20 ERA going 2-9 in 14 starts with three separate teams. Instead of retiring, Keuchel spent his downtime working hard with Driveline Baseball, one of baseball's best player development companies, and fought back to pitch in Triple-A.
Rocco Baldelli noted that Keuchel isn't doing this for accolades or awards; he won everything he can, including the Cy Young award in 2015, and is playing because he loves the game and wants to keep playing baseball. But he wants to be back in the game at the top level. Triple-A wasn't enough for him, and Keuchel let that be known. He joined the Twins as one of his top picks for their organization and structure, but he opted out of his contract when the club didn't immediately pick him up.
 
It looked like the Twins wouldn't pick up Keuchel after an outstanding performance in St. Paul. But Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan admitted that he had struggled the past seven starts due to groin pain. When Ryan was sent to the IL at the last minute on Thursday, August 3, the Twins bought Keuchel's contract, and he was on his way back up to the big leagues.
His first game was Sunday against the Diamondbacks, and even if he didn't get the win, he showed that he still deserved a place on the mound. He's one of a few pitchers to throw low and slow and be successful. Keuchel is who he is, take him or leave him. 
First Game Back is a Success
Much like Greg Maddux, he doesn't throw fast, and he doesn't throw hard. He is calculated and intentional. A lot of what he throws is slow-moving and not hit hard. According to Fangraphs, only 48% of his pitches were hit "hard"; everything else was categorized as "soft" contact.
The majority of his induced contact stayed in the infield. The hardest hit ball on Sunday was thrown to Emmanuel Rivera at 89 mph with an exit velocity of 118 mph and stopped by Willi Castro at third base. The harder he throws the ball, the harder they hit it, and he knows it and adjusts. 
Keuchel is known for throwing hitters ground balls, so there will be contact, but the defense stepped up and helped him keep the runs off the board. Keuchel stayed scoreless through four innings. His final stat line for his first game back, Keuchel registered a 1.80 ERA, had eight hits, one earned run, two walks, two double plays, and zero strikeouts. 
Keuchel has never been a strikeout guy, and the defense has to be well aware of the grounders that will be coming, and they were: 50% of Keuchel's pitches were ground balls. He makes the defense work, and the defense typically likes that. They enjoy having a pitcher that allows them to get into the game. 
His performance on Sunday is something the Twins and fans should be happy with. 
He's a Keeper
The front office may be reluctant to have a six-starter rotation. Still, Keuchel's appearance shows that he not only fits in with the club but also how his arm would be an asset to the pitching staff, specifically as a lefty, and making a six man-rotation would be an intelligent move by the Twins, especially with their drive for a postseason opportunity. 
Because of their solid starting staff, Keuchel does not have to strive to be an "ace," but he still has so much potential to help this rotation out, and he already looks like he fits in with the guys and the uniform.
He also works hard. Instead of accepting that he could no longer compete at the highest level, he did what it took to fix what was wrong and worked above and beyond to improve where he needed to be. Keuchel's work ethic is an example for the younger guys.
In his post-game interview with Bally Sports North, Keuchel explained how glad he was to be a part of this organization, how he was impressed with everyone, and how they came together to help him. He said he had a few butterflies, but seeing Carlos Correa helped ease those nerves. He struggled with having nine days off, but he knows the more time on the mound and reps, the better and more crisp he will be. 
Yes, he didn't get the win on Sunday, but he certainly won the hearts of the people and the team.
 

A Battle Back
Dallas Keuchel had an ugly 2022. So ugly that Twins fans sighed a breath of relief watching him implode after so many clamored to snag him in the off-season of 2020. Last year he registered a 9.20 ERA going 2-9 in 14 starts with three separate teams. Instead of retiring, Keuchel spent his downtime working hard with Driveline Baseball, one of baseball's best player development companies, and fought back to pitch in Triple-A.
Rocco Baldelli noted that Keuchel isn't doing this for accolades or awards; he won everything he can, including the Cy Young award in 2015, and is playing because he loves the game and wants to keep playing baseball. But he wants to be back in the game at the top level. Triple-A wasn't enough for him, and Keuchel let that be known. He joined the Twins as one of his top picks for their organization and structure, but he opted out of his contract when the club didn't immediately pick him up.
 
It looked like the Twins wouldn't pick up Keuchel after an outstanding performance in St. Paul. But Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan admitted that he had struggled the past seven starts due to groin pain. When Ryan was sent to the IL at the last minute on Thursday, August 3, the Twins bought Keuchel's contract, and he was on his way back up to the big leagues.
His first game was Sunday against the Diamondbacks, and even if he didn't get the win, he showed that he still deserved a place on the mound. He's one of a few pitchers to throw low and slow and be successful. Keuchel is who he is, take him or leave him. 
First Game Back is a Success
Much like Greg Maddux, he doesn't throw fast, and he doesn't throw hard. He is calculated and intentional. A lot of what he throws is slow-moving and not hit hard. According to Fangraphs, only 48% of his pitches were hit "hard"; everything else was categorized as "soft" contact.
The majority of his induced contact stayed in the infield. The hardest hit ball on Sunday was thrown to Emmanuel Rivera at 89 mph with an exit velocity of 118 mph and stopped by Willi Castro at third base. The harder he throws the ball, the harder they hit it, and he knows it and adjusts. 
Keuchel is known for throwing hitters ground balls, so there will be contact, but the defense stepped up and helped him keep the runs off the board. Keuchel stayed scoreless through four innings. His final stat line for his first game back, Keuchel registered a 1.80 ERA, had eight hits, one earned run, two walks, two double plays, and zero strikeouts. 
Keuchel has never been a strikeout guy, and the defense has to be well aware of the grounders that will be coming, and they were: 50% of Keuchel's pitches were ground balls. He makes the defense work, and the defense typically likes that. They enjoy having a pitcher that allows them to get into the game. 
His performance on Sunday is something the Twins and fans should be happy with. 
He's a Keeper
The front office may be reluctant to have a six-starter rotation. Still, Keuchel's appearance shows that he not only fits in with the club but also how his arm would be an asset to the pitching staff, specifically as a lefty, and making a six man-rotation would be an intelligent move by the Twins, especially with their drive for a postseason opportunity. 
Because of their solid starting staff, Keuchel does not have to strive to be an "ace," but he still has so much potential to help this rotation out, and he already looks like he fits in with the guys and the uniform.
He also works hard. Instead of accepting that he could no longer compete at the highest level, he did what it took to fix what was wrong and worked above and beyond to improve where he needed to be. Keuchel's work ethic is an example for the younger guys.
In his post-game interview with Bally Sports North, Keuchel explained how glad he was to be a part of this organization, how he was impressed with everyone, and how they came together to help him. He said he had a few butterflies, but seeing Carlos Correa helped ease those nerves. He struggled with having nine days off, but he knows the more time on the mound and reps, the better and more crisp he will be. 
Yes, he didn't get the win on Sunday, but he certainly won the hearts of the people and the team.
 

A Battle Back
Dallas Keuchel had an ugly 2022. So ugly that Twins fans sighed a breath of relief watching him implode after so many clamored to snag him in the off-season of 2020. Last year he registered a 9.20 ERA going 2-9 in 14 starts with three separate teams. Instead of retiring, Keuchel spent his downtime working hard with Driveline Baseball, one of baseball's best player development companies, and fought back to pitch in Triple-A.
Rocco Baldelli noted that Keuchel isn't doing this for accolades or awards; he won everything he can, including the Cy Young award in 2015, and is playing because he loves the game and wants to keep playing baseball. But he wants to be back in the game at the top level. Triple-A wasn't enough for him, and Keuchel let that be known. He joined the Twins as one of his top picks for their organization and structure, but he opted out of his contract when the club didn't immediately pick him up.
 
It looked like the Twins wouldn't pick up Keuchel after an outstanding performance in St. Paul. But Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan admitted that he had struggled the past seven starts due to groin pain. When Ryan was sent to the IL at the last minute on Thursday, August 3, the Twins bought Keuchel's contract, and he was on his way back up to the big leagues.
His first game was Sunday against the Diamondbacks, and even if he didn't get the win, he showed that he still deserved a place on the mound. He's one of a few pitchers to throw low and slow and be successful. Keuchel is who he is, take him or leave him. 
First Game Back is a Success
Much like Greg Maddux, he doesn't throw fast, and he doesn't throw hard. He is calculated and intentional. A lot of what he throws is slow-moving and not hit hard. According to Fangraphs, only 48% of his pitches were hit "hard"; everything else was categorized as "soft" contact.
The majority of his induced contact stayed in the infield. The hardest hit ball on Sunday was thrown to Emmanuel Rivera at 89 mph with an exit velocity of 118 mph and stopped by Willi Castro at third base. The harder he throws the ball, the harder they hit it, and he knows it and adjusts. 
Keuchel is known for throwing hitters ground balls, so there will be contact, but the defense stepped up and helped him keep the runs off the board. Keuchel stayed scoreless through four innings. His final stat line for his first game back, Keuchel registered a 1.80 ERA, had eight hits, one earned run, two walks, two double plays, and zero strikeouts. 
Keuchel has never been a strikeout guy, and the defense has to be well aware of the grounders that will be coming, and they were: 50% of Keuchel's pitches were ground balls. He makes the defense work, and the defense typically likes that. They enjoy having a pitcher that allows them to get into the game. 
His performance on Sunday is something the Twins and fans should be happy with. 
He's a Keeper
The front office may be reluctant to have a six-starter rotation. Still, Keuchel's appearance shows that he not only fits in with the club but also how his arm would be an asset to the pitching staff, specifically as a lefty, and making a six man-rotation would be an intelligent move by the Twins, especially with their drive for a postseason opportunity. 
Because of their solid starting staff, Keuchel does not have to strive to be an "ace," but he still has so much potential to help this rotation out, and he already looks like he fits in with the guys and the uniform.
He also works hard. Instead of accepting that he could no longer compete at the highest level, he did what it took to fix what was wrong and worked above and beyond to improve where he needed to be. Keuchel's work ethic is an example for the younger guys.
In his post-game interview with Bally Sports North, Keuchel explained how glad he was to be a part of this organization, how he was impressed with everyone, and how they came together to help him. He said he had a few butterflies, but seeing Carlos Correa helped ease those nerves. He struggled with having nine days off, but he knows the more time on the mound and reps, the better and more crisp he will be. 
Yes, he didn't get the win on Sunday, but he certainly won the hearts of the people and the team.
 

Box Score
SP: Dallas Keuchel 5 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K (74 pitches, 46 strikes (60%)
Home Runs: Max Kepler (18), Matt Wallner (7, Walk-Off)
Top 3 WPA: Max Kepler (0.396), Matt Wallner (0.200), Dallas Keuchel (0.114)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

While it's been a while since Keuchel has seen a big-league mound, he found himself settling in early in the game. Keuchel is known for throwing a ton of ground balls and that’s exactly what he did. He did what was expected out of him and managed to go scoreless through three innings and only allowed one run over all in his first appearance with the Twins. He didn’t get his first win, but he certainly showed fans and the club alike that he still has what it takes to be on the mound. 
Defense Shows Up
The game was a pitcher's duel, forcing both defenses to put in the effort to keep the other team off the board, and it stayed that way through the first four innings. The Twins' defense got a workout with Keuchel on the mound, with 50% of his outs coming via the ground ball, the balls were spraying all over the infield. Keuchel's fastest pitch was an 89 mph sinker to Emmanuel Rivera that went into left field. 
More than once, the defense made outstanding plays to help Keuchel keep runs off the board. In the second inning, the first hard-hit ball was from Emmanuel Rivera to Willi Castro, who lunged into the ball in a flying motion for the out. 
In the fourth inning, Wallner and Castro both went after the fly ball hit by Jake McCarthy and in an acrobatic move, Wallner slid under Castro to grab the ball as Castro hurdled over him, avoiding a collision. 
In the fifth inning, Keuchel allowed a few more hits than the first four, and the defense was a little late with throw-outs and tag-outs. Carson Kelly hit a double off Keuchel's sinker, starting a run of singles that allowed the Diamondbacks to get on the board first with a force out from Tommy Pham, scoring Kelly before the end of the inning. 
He had an excellent first game back, only allowing one run, seven hits and no walks, but he also didn't strike anyone out. 
The Game Must Go On
Dylan Floro replaced Keuchel in the sixth inning. Floro, who was acquired for Jorge Lopez, threw 20 pitches in his inning but managed to get out of the sixth with no damage even with a single, a walk and double steal. The Diamondbacks had two double steals against Keuchel as well, and stole bases eight times in the game, six of them double steals. 
Zac Gallen struggled in the sixth inning, and the Twins showed up to take advantage starting with a long hit to right field from Castro that was cut off by McCarthy, but not before Castro got to second base for the Twins first extra-base of the game and Castro’s 13th double. During Julien's at bat, Castro advanced to third on a poorly blocked pitch from Kelly before Julien was walked. With two outs and runners in scoring position, Correa came up to bat and hit a ball into the gap of left field for a two-run hit, putting the Twins out in front of the Diamondbacks 2-1. 
It's Not Over Until It's Over
Emilio Pagan was back in the early relief position in the seventh inning, where he has been effective over the past few months. He walked his first batter, Corbin Carroll, who scored on a double from Lourdes Gurriel Jr. which tied the game 2-2. Sunday was the first time Pagan allowed a run since July 25th, and before that was July 3rd. 
The Twins couldn’t make anything happen in response to the Diamondbacks game-tying run in the seventh, but Jeffers hit the snot out of a grounder and got to show off his "wheels" with an infield single. The Twins moved to the eighth with Griffin Jax on the mound. The inning was ugly and Jax, another pitcher victim to a stolen base by the Diamondbacks, managed to get out of the inning with no runs. 
Caleb Theilbar came in the ninth inning and gave up a line drive home run to Christian Walker that put the Diamondbacks in front 3-2. The Twins would need to show up in the ninth inning, and they did. 
Max Kepler, whose bat had been silent during the game but hot since the All-Star break, led off the top of the ninth for the Twins. He smashed a home run deep to right field to tie the score and really excite the crowd.
And then, in what seemed like a storybook ending, Matt Wallner stepped up to the plate and finished the game and the series sweep with a walk-off home run. It marked the Forest Lake star's first walk-off home run of his career, another hometown hero!!! 
What’s Next? 
The Twins will start a long road trip starting with a four-game series in Detroit. The Tigers continue their struggles, and have no dog in the play-off fight except as a spoiler. Now is not the time to get complacent. 
Monday 5:40 pm CDT: RHP Pablo Lopez (6-6, 4.01 ERA) vs. RHP Joey Wentz (2-9, 6.37 ERA)
Tuesday 5:40 pm CDT: RHP Sonny Gray (5-4, 3.18 ERA) vs. RHP Eduardo Rodriguez (7-5, 2.96 ERA)
Wednesday 5:40 pm CDT: RHP Bailey Ober (6-5, 3.21 ERA) vs. TBD
Thursday 12:10 pm CDT: Kenta Maeda (3-6, 4.22 ERA) vs. RHP Reese Olson (1-5, 4.94 ERA
Postgame Interviews
 
 
Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

 
 

Box Score
SP: Dallas Keuchel 5 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K (74 pitches, 46 strikes (60%)
Home Runs: Max Kepler (18), Matt Wallner (7, Walk-Off)
Top 3 WPA: Max Kepler (0.396), Matt Wallner (0.200), Dallas Keuchel (0.114)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

While it's been a while since Keuchel has seen a big-league mound, he found himself settling in early in the game. Keuchel is known for throwing a ton of ground balls and that’s exactly what he did. He did what was expected out of him and managed to go scoreless through three innings and only allowed one run over all in his first appearance with the Twins. He didn’t get his first win, but he certainly showed fans and the club alike that he still has what it takes to be on the mound. 
Defense Shows Up
The game was a pitcher's duel, forcing both defenses to put in the effort to keep the other team off the board, and it stayed that way through the first four innings. The Twins' defense got a workout with Keuchel on the mound, with 50% of his outs coming via the ground ball, the balls were spraying all over the infield. Keuchel's fastest pitch was an 89 mph sinker to Emmanuel Rivera that went into left field. 
More than once, the defense made outstanding plays to help Keuchel keep runs off the board. In the second inning, the first hard-hit ball was from Emmanuel Rivera to Willi Castro, who lunged into the ball in a flying motion for the out. 
In the fourth inning, Wallner and Castro both went after the fly ball hit by Jake McCarthy and in an acrobatic move, Wallner slid under Castro to grab the ball as Castro hurdled over him, avoiding a collision. 
In the fifth inning, Keuchel allowed a few more hits than the first four, and the defense was a little late with throw-outs and tag-outs. Carson Kelly hit a double off Keuchel's sinker, starting a run of singles that allowed the Diamondbacks to get on the board first with a force out from Tommy Pham, scoring Kelly before the end of the inning. 
He had an excellent first game back, only allowing one run, seven hits and no walks, but he also didn't strike anyone out. 
The Game Must Go On
Dylan Floro replaced Keuchel in the sixth inning. Floro, who was acquired for Jorge Lopez, threw 20 pitches in his inning but managed to get out of the sixth with no damage even with a single, a walk and double steal. The Diamondbacks had two double steals against Keuchel as well, and stole bases eight times in the game, six of them double steals. 
Zac Gallen struggled in the sixth inning, and the Twins showed up to take advantage starting with a long hit to right field from Castro that was cut off by McCarthy, but not before Castro got to second base for the Twins first extra-base of the game and Castro’s 13th double. During Julien's at bat, Castro advanced to third on a poorly blocked pitch from Kelly before Julien was walked. With two outs and runners in scoring position, Correa came up to bat and hit a ball into the gap of left field for a two-run hit, putting the Twins out in front of the Diamondbacks 2-1. 
It's Not Over Until It's Over
Emilio Pagan was back in the early relief position in the seventh inning, where he has been effective over the past few months. He walked his first batter, Corbin Carroll, who scored on a double from Lourdes Gurriel Jr. which tied the game 2-2. Sunday was the first time Pagan allowed a run since July 25th, and before that was July 3rd. 
The Twins couldn’t make anything happen in response to the Diamondbacks game-tying run in the seventh, but Jeffers hit the snot out of a grounder and got to show off his "wheels" with an infield single. The Twins moved to the eighth with Griffin Jax on the mound. The inning was ugly and Jax, another pitcher victim to a stolen base by the Diamondbacks, managed to get out of the inning with no runs. 
Caleb Theilbar came in the ninth inning and gave up a line drive home run to Christian Walker that put the Diamondbacks in front 3-2. The Twins would need to show up in the ninth inning, and they did. 
Max Kepler, whose bat had been silent during the game but hot since the All-Star break, led off the top of the ninth for the Twins. He smashed a home run deep to right field to tie the score and really excite the crowd.
And then, in what seemed like a storybook ending, Matt Wallner stepped up to the plate and finished the game and the series sweep with a walk-off home run. It marked the Forest Lake star's first walk-off home run of his career, another hometown hero!!! 
What’s Next? 
The Twins will start a long road trip starting with a four-game series in Detroit. The Tigers continue their struggles, and have no dog in the play-off fight except as a spoiler. Now is not the time to get complacent. 
Monday 5:40 pm CDT: RHP Pablo Lopez (6-6, 4.01 ERA) vs. RHP Joey Wentz (2-9, 6.37 ERA)
Tuesday 5:40 pm CDT: RHP Sonny Gray (5-4, 3.18 ERA) vs. RHP Eduardo Rodriguez (7-5, 2.96 ERA)
Wednesday 5:40 pm CDT: RHP Bailey Ober (6-5, 3.21 ERA) vs. TBD
Thursday 12:10 pm CDT: Kenta Maeda (3-6, 4.22 ERA) vs. RHP Reese Olson (1-5, 4.94 ERA
Postgame Interviews
 
 
Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

 
 

Box Score
SP: Sonny Gray 7 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K (77 pitches, 55 strikes (71%)
Home Runs:  Ryan Jeffers (6), Michael A. Taylor (13) 
Top 3 WPA: Sonny Gray .201, Ryan Jeffers .161, Michael A. Taylor .141
Bottom 3 WPA: Edouard Julien -.043, Carlos Correa -.042, Kyle Farmer -.038
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

 
The first inning of the game moved rather quickly for both sides. The Twins led off with Carlos Correa back in the lineup, but Matthew Liberatore didn't mess around and promptly shut down the offense. Sonny Gray started his appearance against Lars Nootbaar, striking him out with a 1-2-3 and getting the next two hitters retiring with pop-out flies. 
Jorge Polanco started off the second inning with a walk which came in handy as Ryan Jeffers got his sixth home run off Liberatore's curveball. Jeffers has not performed well against lefties (.649 OPS vs. LHP coming into tonight's contest), so a two-run home run was a great start and provided Gray with immediate run support (something he doesn't get much of from this team). 
Willi Castro, who has been keeping the Twins' offense alive lately, got a double when Libertore deflected the ball to left fielder Nootbaar. During Michael A. Taylor's at-bat, Castro saw an opportunity and stole his 27th base of the season. With Castro on third, Taylor launched his 13th home run deep into left field. The Twins ended the second inning with four runs of padding for Gray. 
The second inning looked like the Twins may have a battle on their hands as Gray's pitches turned into singles, leaving the Cardinals in constant scoring position. With one out and Tommy Edman on first base, Dylan Carlson hit a line drive into left field, past Castro for a double, scoring Edman from first base, closing the Cardinals' 4-1 gap. Sonny and the defense got out of the inning without any further damage. 
Both pitchers slowed the lineups through the fifth inning, but things started to get away from Liberatore in the sixth inning with a couple of singles from Donovan Solano and Edouard Julien. 
With one out and Jeffers up to bat, they took a mound break to determine the best move. Knowing what a threat Jeffers was, Liberatore adjusted, throwing low, getting him to chase, and mitigating Jeffers' potential damage, but then walking Castro to load the bases. With bases loaded, the Cardinals brought in Drew VerHagen. 
VerHagen walked Taylor, pushing across a run to put the Twins back up by four runs. 
The Cardinals returned within three in the sixth inning with a solo home run from Alec Burleson to get the Cardinals up 5-2. Still, again, Gray got out of the inning with no other issues and was back for the seventh with complete domination to close out his appearance. Gray indeed appeared a lot more confident and in control of this game, and it showed. The run support from the Twins also allowed him to lessen his stress and keep things tight. 
Griffin Jax threw just an exceptional inning. Even though a few players threatened, the defense came in strong when needed. Jax threw two pitches to Paul Goldschmidt that were absolute heat and got out of the inning, securing the Twins lead for at least another inning.  
Jhoan Duran put the Cardinals to rest but struggled to do so quickly and without damage. Duran has had a weird road series and the past few games with the Twins, and tonight the oddity continued as he threw a wild pitch that prompted a towel wipe down to control his sweat and inability to grip the ball. 
After a complete wipedown of the arms, delivery of a fresh rosin bag, and mound visit, Duran fired off a fastball that was shot directly to Correa on a hop, who fired an absolute canon to Solano, who masterfully picked it perfectly to retire Dylan Carlson. Burleson scored on the play, making it a 5-3 game.
The ninth inning was a little too close for comfort, but Duran got out of the game with only 15 pitches thrown. 
A win not only for the Twins but it was also Sonny Gray's first win since April. 
What's Next? 
Tomorrow the Twins start a series back home against the Diamondbacks, who just loaded up their lineup in hopes of a postseason run. Arizona will be a good team, and the Twins need to continue to dig deep and find that fire, especially against their pitching. 
Friday 7:10 pm: RHP Bailey Ober (6-5, 3.19 ERA) vs. RHP Merrill Kelly (9-5, 3.23 ERA)
Saturday 6:10 pm: RHP Kenta Maeda (2-6, 4.53 ERA) vs. RHP Ryne Nelson (6-5, 4.84 ERA)
Sunday 1:10 pm: RHP Jorge Lopez (6-6, 4.01 ERA) vs. RHP Zac Gallen (11-5, 3.41 ERA)
 
Postgame Interviews


 
Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

For many, it's the most wonderful time of the baseball year. Along with the playoffs and the winter meetings, and even the draft, are also great times of the year. The trade deadline is great in many ways whether your team is a buyer or a seller. 
7:59pm, Sunday July 30th, Metsmerized editor Mike Mayer tweeted that the Mets have shown interest in Trevor Larnach, with Athletic writer Dan Hayes as the source in a report.
Larnach has been a topic of discussion among Twins fans over the past month, specifically since the All-Star Break. Larnach is hitting .216/.314/.401 (.715) in his big-league time this year, and has covered left field and right field quite well. The Twins need hitters, and while the Oregon State alum has shown flashes of big power, he has been inconsistent. With the Twins, he has moved up and down between the Twins and Saints the last couple of seasons. He needs consistent opportunities. Will that be available with the Twins? Maybe a trade will suit him as a AAA player who keeps riding the “option” train. 
If the Twins were to deal Larnach, what might the return be? The Mets are one of the teams that have shown some interest in the slugger. The Twins would undoubtedly need a bat back, a more heavy-hitting bat, and bullpen assistance. The Twins could never trade away enough to make a Justin Verlander trade (I could be wrong - looking back at the Carlos Correa surprise), but Verlander certainly would make not only a splash but give the bullpen a break. Verlander would cost a lot more than Larnach.
What else do the Mets have that could help us this season? Two players come to mind that could make a huge impact immediately offensively. 
Tommy Pham. Pham is having not only one of the best seasons at the plate, but he is also an outfielder that is effective and dominant. In 76 games, Pham is currently leading the team with a .816 OPS, 35 RBI, 15 doubles, and 11 stolen bases. He also has come in as the designated hitter and could be a potential option for getting Byron Buxton worked back into center field if that is an option. 
Something that could be used to compliment the already illustrious base-stealing duo of Michael A. Taylor and Willi Castro. He has not spent time on the IL this season and would be a consistent body in the outfield and at the plate. 
Pham signed only a one-year deal for $6 million with the Mets, making him an unrestricted free agent. 
Brooks Raley. The Mets southpaw reliever has been the most dependable on the Mets club. He has 43 appearances, a 2.57 ERA, and 38 strikeouts in his 35 innings. Righties are batting .177 against him, compared to lefty’s .250 average, and he has a WHIP of 1.26. With a solid middle reliever and one who doesn’t fold in high-pressure situations, the Twins could push further than the already struggling first-place “lead” at .505. It would be great to move into a position to be competitive to try for a post-season win. 
Raley is currently playing in the second year of a two-year, $10 million contract. His base salary this season in $4.5 million. The Mets have an option for him in 2024 at $6.25 million (with a buyout at $1.25 million).  
It’s hard to estimate what a package involving Larnach might look like. The Mets threw so much money around this past offseason; the best option might be to send Larnach to the Mets, and maybe with a prospect. The best thing about these two players (Pham and Raley) is they nearing the end of their contracts and make the most sense for what the Twins need. 
The Mets barely know what they want, so they may be an excellent club to trade with now. 

For many, it's the most wonderful time of the baseball year. Along with the playoffs and the winter meetings, and even the draft, are also great times of the year. The trade deadline is great in many ways whether your team is a buyer or a seller. 
7:59pm, Sunday July 30th, Metsmerized editor Mike Mayer tweeted that the Mets have shown interest in Trevor Larnach, with Athletic writer Dan Hayes as the source in a report.
Larnach has been a topic of discussion among Twins fans over the past month, specifically since the All-Star Break. Larnach is hitting .216/.314/.401 (.715) in his big-league time this year, and has covered left field and right field quite well. The Twins need hitters, and while the Oregon State alum has shown flashes of big power, he has been inconsistent. With the Twins, he has moved up and down between the Twins and Saints the last couple of seasons. He needs consistent opportunities. Will that be available with the Twins? Maybe a trade will suit him as a AAA player who keeps riding the “option” train. 
If the Twins were to deal Larnach, what might the return be? The Mets are one of the teams that have shown some interest in the slugger. The Twins would undoubtedly need a bat back, a more heavy-hitting bat, and bullpen assistance. The Twins could never trade away enough to make a Justin Verlander trade (I could be wrong - looking back at the Carlos Correa surprise), but Verlander certainly would make not only a splash but give the bullpen a break. Verlander would cost a lot more than Larnach.
What else do the Mets have that could help us this season? Two players come to mind that could make a huge impact immediately offensively. 
Tommy Pham. Pham is having not only one of the best seasons at the plate, but he is also an outfielder that is effective and dominant. In 76 games, Pham is currently leading the team with a .816 OPS, 35 RBI, 15 doubles, and 11 stolen bases. He also has come in as the designated hitter and could be a potential option for getting Byron Buxton worked back into center field if that is an option. 
Something that could be used to compliment the already illustrious base-stealing duo of Michael A. Taylor and Willi Castro. He has not spent time on the IL this season and would be a consistent body in the outfield and at the plate. 
Pham signed only a one-year deal for $6 million with the Mets, making him an unrestricted free agent. 
Brooks Raley. The Mets southpaw reliever has been the most dependable on the Mets club. He has 43 appearances, a 2.57 ERA, and 38 strikeouts in his 35 innings. Righties are batting .177 against him, compared to lefty’s .250 average, and he has a WHIP of 1.26. With a solid middle reliever and one who doesn’t fold in high-pressure situations, the Twins could push further than the already struggling first-place “lead” at .505. It would be great to move into a position to be competitive to try for a post-season win. 
Raley is currently playing in the second year of a two-year, $10 million contract. His base salary this season in $4.5 million. The Mets have an option for him in 2024 at $6.25 million (with a buyout at $1.25 million).  
It’s hard to estimate what a package involving Larnach might look like. The Mets threw so much money around this past offseason; the best option might be to send Larnach to the Mets, and maybe with a prospect. The best thing about these two players (Pham and Raley) is they nearing the end of their contracts and make the most sense for what the Twins need. 
The Mets barely know what they want, so they may be an excellent club to trade with now. 

The Twins past three weeks have been stressful, with strikeouts, and injury to hitters and pitchers. The good news is that the Braves have also been on a Merry-go-Round of pitching, sending two starters and two relievers to the IL, and having a weak bullpen is something that the Twins offense can exploit. Despite pitching woes for both teams, they are both in first place in their divisions, and have series wins coming into this series. So prepare for a series of pitching duels and potentially low-scoring games.
While the Twins have teeter-tottered around the .500 mark, Atlanta's 50-27 record is best in the National League and second to only the Rays in MLB. They have one of the best offenses in baseball thanks to a loaded lineup of players locked up to long-term deals. Overall, their lineup has hit .271/.341/.484 (.825). They lead baseball in On-Base Percentage, Slugging Percentage and OPS, and they're just one point behind Texas in batting average. Their 139 homers are 15 more than any other team in baseball. They are third in Runs behind the Rangers and Rays. They are 11th in Walks and have the eighth-fewest strikeouts. 
To contrast, the Twins are hitting .232/.310/.403 (.713). They rank 23rd in batting average, 12th in on-base percentage, eighth in slugging percentage and 20th in OPS. Their 103 homers rank seventh in MLB. They rank 17th overall with 340 runs scored. They rank 12th in Walks with 264, and well, they strike out a ton! 
Ronald Acuna is one of the best players in baseball. He's hitting .328/.402/.561 (.963) with 23 doubles, 16 homers, and 47 RBI. He is also 35-for-41 in Stolen Base attempts. Catcher Sean Murphy also has an OPS over .900 (.919) with 14 doubles and 12 homers. 1B Matt Olson (.891 OPS), LF Eddie Rosario (.840), C Travis d'Arnaud (.839), SS Orlando Arcia (.832), 2B Ozzie Albies (.821), DH Marcell Ozuna (.817) have been good. In addition, 3B Austin Riley (.773) has been an All Star and MVP candidate the last couple of season. And the 2022 National League Rookie of the Year Mike Harris (.706) is hitting .350/.369/.588 (.957) in June with five doubles, a triple, and four home runs. His OPS is well over 1.000 over the past three weeks. 
In comparison, Royce Lewis (.863 in 22 games) and Ryan Jeffers (.824 in 46 games) are the only Twins with an OPS over .800 for the season. 
Weather Factor: It's hot and humid in Atlanta. Atlanta carries a lot of humidity, which means there could be a lot of high, flying balls, making for some potentially interesting at-bats.  
Pitching Probables
Game 1 – Monday, June 26th, 2023 – 7:20 pm CDT –  To start the series, the Twins send Sonny Gray (4-1, 2.56 ERA) to the mound. Gray started the season with a record-setting ERA, but in his past three outings, he hasn't worked into the sixth inning. Gray is by no means a liability, but he has recused himself from the game in his past two outings because he was "feeling off”. Nothing official has been told about his condition or if there is one. Gray and the defense must be aggressive to set the tone, get out in front of the count from the mound and get on the board first.
Stepping up against the Twins hitters is RHP Spencer Strider (8-2. 3.93 ERA). Strider doesn't go far into games; in his past five appearances, he has only gone into the sixth inning and thrown at least 97 pitches an appearance. Strider had a rough few starts in early June, but on June 20th, he bounced back in his outing against the Phillies striking out nine and earning the win.
The Twins will need good defensive positioning and their high-leverage bullpen options must be ready to give the offense the best opportunity for the win. 
Game 2 –Tuesday, June 27th, 2023 – 7:20 pm CDT -  Game 2 features Minnesota's "Ace" Joe Ryan (8-1 2.89 ERA). In his most recent outing against the Red Sox, which resulted in his first Complete Game Shutout, Ryan threw mainly two pitches, his four-seamer and his splitter. Ryan has been holding his opponents to an overall batting average of .136 since perfecting his splitter. Ryan is the Twins best pitching opportunity at beating the Braves and the potential to take the series.
The biggest problem the Twins will face in Game 2 is RHP Bryce Elder (5-1, 2.40 ERA), who has been on a tear lately. In his last game, he struck out six and threw seven scoreless innings. Elder plays with a chip on his shoulder and uses his sinker and slider more often than his fastball and change-up. His pitches barely reach 90 MPH but he has been able to get batters to swing and miss. His slider is his most dangerous pitch with a 32% WHIFF rate. 
The Twins lineup has struck out more than any other major league team (27.2%), and against Elder, it could be a problem. The Twins will have to start their lineup with some of their best hitters at the front, and throw in some bunting, which players like Michael A. Taylor are exceptional at. Playing small ball with a ton of singles and running up his pitch count to get to the bullpen early. 
Game 3 - Wednesday, June 28th, 2023 – 12:20 pm CDT - The final game of the series features Kenta Maeda (1-4, 6.86 ERA). Maeda looked like an old version of himself in his appearance against Detroit. In his return, Maeda struck out eight, allowed three hits and two walks, and was a beast on the mound with five scoreless innings. Maeda used the entire strike zone, a similar release point for all his pitches, and five different pitches to maintain control and get the win over the Tigers. Maeda last faced the Braves in 2016, striking out nine and recording a win. 
The Braves will send rookie AJ Smith-Shawver to the mound in the final game. Smith-Shawver, has pitched in three games since being called up at the beginning of June and registered his first win on June 15th. He favors his fastball but gets hitters to chase his change-up the most (50%). Smith-Shawver struggles against left-handed batters much more than right-handed, which could be an advantage for the Twins lineup. 
If the Twins lineup is left-handed heavy, it could be a chance to dominate the rookie and allow players like Gallo and Julien to potentially manufacture hits. Gallo and Julien, both power-hitters, have been struggling as of late, much like the rest of the line-up, but these two, as well as Max Kepler, seem to make things happen against pitchers who struggle with lefties. 
Prediction Time!
This series really could be anyone's to win. Both teams were at the top of their division, but one division was "heavier" in difficulty than the other. Both face pitching rotation woes and injury but also have strong hitters in their lineup. The Twins typically play up or down to who they play, so how do you think this series will go? Can the Twins stay about .500? Can the line-up be changed to dominate the Braves? Leave your thoughts in the comments.