TopGunn#22

Guys like Castro, Bader, Coulombe HAVE to be traded. Get whatever you can for Paddack and certainly move Vasquez if you're making a deal that brings you a catcher. When it comes to controllable assets like Ryan, Duran and Jax I'd have to be blown away with a deal. You always trade when an asset is at it's highest. That is Joe Ryan. A trade of Ryan would take a LOT. I'm more in favor of building around him and signing him to an extension...BUT...some people on TD have raised a good point. Will the Twins new ownership pony up enough money to sign him to an extension? That is not a given. If not, trade him NOW. I'm going to operate under the assumption that new ownership WILL sign Ryan to an extension. He's part of a successful Twins future. However, Duran and Jax will never have higher values either. Relief pitchers, especially closer types have a particularly enhanced value at the deadline. One of them SHOULD be traded. I think you can probably get more for Duran than Jax but it depends on the team and the players coming back. When it comes to the new Twins ownership, FO and Manager, I think they will probably have a similar philosophy as the current regime regarding relief pitchers. They will pay for a SP but not a RP. This is why I see the Twins trading one of Duran or Jax and maximizing the return. The Twins aren't keeping and paying both. Especially with the emergence of Varland. The other Wildcard is Brock Stewart. When he's been healthy he's been very productive. But his health history worries me. I'd sell high on him as well. I'd get a few young arms up for a look in September (Prielipp, Raya) and in addition to the expiring contract guys, deal Duran to the Dodgers or Phillies and leverage Coulombe and Stewart as well. I'm hanging on to Joe Ryan. This is a tremendous opportunity to enhance the 40 man roster with some young talent that could transform the Twins into a solid contender and a much better constructed roster. We've focused primarily on pitchers. But Brooks Lee and Ryan Jeffers, Larnach or Wallner would be a couple guys I'd consider adding to a deal if I was getting something back I really liked.

This soreness is a result of competing in the HR Derby. Changing your swing to loft balls out of the stadium is never helpful. Byron was clearly tired out after competing. It just took a little while to manifest itself.

It's not like I'm anxious to trade either Duran or Jax but as Cody illustrated, The Market Is Speaking !! I would trade Duran if the deal included Rushing and a little more. I'd rather keep Jax. He's more consistent and appears to be more durable. With Varland blossoming, the Twins have the ability to leverage a team strength to fill a big void...a young catcher with an impressive hit tool and improving defensive ability. We don't know what the new owners, new FO and coaching will bring, but the current regime has never paid bullpen arms. Duran is going to start getting expensive. The current regime will not pay him. It's time to leverage Duran for a nice return. The Dodgers are reeling. Let's take advantage of this opportunity. The deal starts with Rushing. The Twins include Vasquez as we would have Rushing coming back. What else could the Twins get?? Let's find out.

It would start with Rushing but the Twins should be getting Rushing and then some. The Dodgers want to repeat. They need a stud at the end of their BP. Cleveland will NOT be trading Clase. The only other closer in Duran's league is Mason Miller and it's unclear if the A's would move him. Rushing secures the Twins "Catcher of the Future" and he WILL hit. What else do the Dodgers have? I would focus on players that can't help the Dodgers win now but that have the potential to be very good. The Dodgers are in a hyper "Win Now" mode, so maybe a pitcher sidelined all season like Gavin Stone (as opposed to Sheehan who can help them win now). Another pitcher I'd ask for as a throw in is Bobby Miller. He's 26 with a 98 mph fastball and was hit in the head by a Michael Busch line drive in spring training. He was a top prospect who's had some struggles recently (not to mention getting hit in the head with a line drive) but his arm and stuff are very intriguing. Rushing for immediate help (include Vasquez in the deal with Duran) and then a couple lottery picks in pitchers Gavin Stone and Bobby Miller. With all the arms the Dodgers have stockpiled, they might just include Stone and Miller.

I think Doc Bauer makes a great point about his base. It’s hard to be an effective hitter or player in general if you are unsure of your ability to perform due to lingering injury issues. He may never make it all the way back, but I sure hope he does. I’m hoping for a Paul Molitor type of career. I think Byron Buxton is a great comp. Although Buxton still has his tremendous speed. I would NOT give up on Lewis and hope an off season plan gets him on the right track.

It’s time to take off the rose colored glasses and admit that this team is going nowhere this season. Heck, we’ve had our clocks cleaned by the ROCKIES to open the second half. Trade Coulombe, Bader, Castro, Vasquez and Paddack for sure. Whether a Larnach, Wallner, Duran as well is a fair debate. But the guys who are short-timers are essential to move. I like the idea of targeting the positions that others have mentioned as well as the pitchers who have potential with a move to the BP. Let’s get some younger players up who would have a 2-month window to show us something. I’d also look to move France, Julien and Miranda. It’s time to turn the page on several players.

I was really surprised they didn't take a single catcher when they appear to really need some in their system. Noah Cardenas looks like he's got the defensive chops but needs work with his hitting. Hardly anyone else sticks out. Hot Take: I think the Twins are going to make a bid at the deadline to bring in their "Catcher of the Future." Whether it's a deal built around Jhoan Duran for Dalton Rushing or a Quero or Kyle Teel...there is SOMEBODY out there that I think the Twins have their eye on and who they think they have a strong feeling they'll get him. I've complained in the past about this Twins FO seemingly NOT having an off season plan. In this instance, I'm hoping they have a trade deadline plan.

I'd like to see a LOT of movement come the trade deadline. Bader, Castro, Coulombe, and Paddack FOR SURE. But I'd also be interested in moving one of Duran, Jax or Ryan...IF THE PRICE WAS RIGHT. The first 4 guys NEED to be dealt. There is no need to move any of Duran, Jax or Ryan unless the Twins are getting an overpay from the Dodgers, Phillies, Red Sox or Cubs. Those teams are all serious World Series contenders. If they want any of Duran, Jax or Ryan, they are going to have to win the bidding war. Names like Jarren Duran, Dalton Rushing and Andrew Painter only BEGIN the conversation. And it's not like the Twins should only expect crumbs for Castro, Bader or Coulombe. Paddack...maybe. But the other 3 will be hot commodities. The Twins FO has an opportunity to really refresh the talent on their roster with some talent going out they would be losing anyway and a couple guys (Ryan & Duran) who's value has never been higher. I don't have a lot of confidence in this FO but that is no excuse for not having a plan and taking advantage of the opportunity.

I like this pick. Good Size and the ability to fill out and add strength. The key with any pitcher is confidence, command and control. He's got the arm. Can the Twins develop the 3 "C's."

Nobody on this team is untouchable. Based on the season he's having, Byron Buxton is probably the only one who would qualify, and much of that is his incredibly team friendly contract. I'm not advocating the Twins trade Ryan. I like him, and he's pitching well this year. He might just finish this season with more IP and more K's, wins and an ERA better than he ever has. Still, his season high IP is only about 160. It really comes down to what you could get in return. If you're trading for prospects that are 2-4 years away, that's a tough pill to swallow. But if the Red Sox are willing to trade an All Star outfielder like Jarren Duran (and a little something more) then I'm willing to talk. The Red Sox have a LOT of good young outfielders right now and there is no way they can play them all. Especially with Yoshida set to "occupy" the DH spot. Duran is just the type of player the Twins desperately need. Bader has been a revelation in LF and CF, but he's going to be traded. Duran would step right in batting leadoff and playing LF and would be the insurance for Buxton in CF if he got hurt. Are the Pohlad's willing to sign Ryan to a 5 year extension? Would the new owners green light that? If there is ANY hesitation, and you can trade a SP who pitches 160 innings for an All Star OF like Jarren Duran as the key piece coming back...you have to heavily consider it. Duran is only available because the Red Sox have Anthony, Abreu and Rafaela, all under the age of 24 and are DYING for a SP. Ryan's value has never been higher. In 2026 the Twins would still have Lopez, Ober, Festa, Matthews, SWR, and maybe Raya. Maybe you sign a Kyle Gibson type (or the real McCoy...Gibson) to eat innings for you at a known level of mediocrity. But you've got Jarren Duran leading off and playing a solid LF. I'm not trying to trade Joe Ryan. But I'd like to know how serious some of the contending teams are for a SP with immense value. I'm not trying to trade Jhoan Duran either. But if the Dodgers would send us Dalton Rushing and a little more and I've still got Jax, Varland and Sands? I'd listen to that as well.

I'm with you chpettit19. I like this pick a LOT. Houston is either the #1 or #2 defensive SS of this draft. He's a college player so he will move quickly in the system. It may be that Houston (or Culpepper) are the plan for when Correa has to move to 3B.

Those are good counter points Indiana Twin. Yes, there will be arbitration increases, but also some money coming OFF the books as well. And some of that money could come off sooner if trades happen at the deadline. The Twins wouldn't necessarily be only getting players 2-4 years away from the major leagues. That may be true if the players traded were Castro, Bader, Paddack and Coulombe. But the hot rumor right now if Ryan was traded to the Red Sox is that it would bring All Star Jarren Duran back. With his 2025 not quite as awesome as his 2024 to this point, I think the Red Sox would need to come up with more than just Jarren Duran to get Ryan. The Red Sox have a BIG logjam of outfielders with young talent like Anthony and Abreu, along with Ceddane Rafaela. Something has to give. I wonder what additional players could be included in a Ryan deal along with Jarren Duran. If the Twins made Jhoan Duran available I think they could get catcher Dalton Rushing from the Dodgers. Throw in Willi Castro and the Twins could get quite a haul from L.A. The Twins seem to be on a bit of a roll as we cruise into the All Star game. But the trade deadline offers an opportunity to re-tool the roster and still contend. Even if the return for Buxton was a possible major league Ace in Andrew Painter and a CF rerplacement like Crawford from the Phillies, I just can't see any possibility of a Buxton trade. If Byron can somehow replicate Paul Molitor's better health in his 30's than in his 20's and you factor in the team friendly contract Buxton is one, there's just no way a FO with any brains at all would even consider trading him.

THIS is the Byron Buxton Twins fans have been imagining and waiting on. Buck is the kind of player that more fans will show up just to see the guy play, regardless of the standings or playoff chances. My fingers are crossed that Byron will take a Paul Molitor career track and find himself able to stay healthier as he approaches his 30's as opposed to his 20's. If Molitor can do it, Buxton surely can. The Twins have some momentum going into the All Star break. Here's hoping they can stay on a roll all the way to the trade deadline. I still think Castro, Bader, Paddack and Coulombe need to traded. Keaschall, Lopez, Ober...ALL of these guys, along with a resurgent Royce Lewis could keep the Twins in the Wild Card race. If the new ownership and FO next season feel the Twins really need Castro and/or Bader, they can re-sign them. But it's time to cash those chips in for the best return possible.

Excellent point Patzky. Of course Dalton Rushing would be a key target. But an arm like Bobby Miller, who has struggled with health issues and just some bad pitching, but who still has a 98 mph fastball is the kind of "throw in" talent the Twins should be looking at. You could always include Castro in a deal with Duran to maximize your return. There is talent to be had from the Dodgers, especially as this current losing streak advances. I think the Dodgers are a bit panicky, and I think pushing their buttons SOONER rather than waiting for the deadline is a good strategy and would also set the Twins up for what they might be looking at for more expected deals involving Bader, Paddack and Coulombe.

This team just isn't good enough to be buyers and the mediocrity we've been blessed with the last 5 years tells me the leadership isn't the answer either. New Owners, New FO, New Manager and coaching staff, and, some new talent on the field after some deadline deals. I'm all for trading Duran. His value has never been higher. He's going to be very expensive starting next season, and we have Jax and Varland who are closer material. The premise of this article is a trade with the Blue Jays. I respect the thought that went into the article, but in the final analysis, the Blue Jays can't compete with the Dodgers, Red Sox or Phillies. The Red Sox have Aroldis Chapman and probably need SP more. But they could be interested in building their own "Super Bullpen" for 2025 and they probably won't have Chapman in 2026. The Dodgers have all sorts of closer types in their BP but injuries and ineffective pitching have left them with no clear "Stud" to close games. The Phillies are also lacking that "Stud" to close and Jose Alvarado is ineligible to pitch in the post season. There is no way even the Twins FO should screw up a massive bidding war for an arm like Duran at the deadline. My money is on the Dodgers, but Boston and the Phillies could make it interesting. It's pretty obvious that the Red Sox think their biggest trade chip is outfielder Jarren Duran. An All Star last year, his play has dipped a bit, his OPS this year is .745. It was .834 in 2024 and .828 in 2023. He can take over LF after Bader is traded and be the primary backup to Buxton in CF. He's very athletic and a great defender. The Red Sox OF is overflowing with talent. They need to trade someone. I'd make Duran a target. And I'd be aggressive in getting Jarren Duran. It opens up the ability to trade Bader and even Larnach or Wallner if the FO was open to it. Making trades has a domino effect on a roster. ONE trade usually fixes something, but a series of trades with a purpose and plan in mind should always be the strategy.

Amen Chief ! How is it that many of us on TD had a better understanding of what this team was LONG before Rocco?? It's hard to discern what John B is actually saying here. Is he lauding Rocco for finally figuring this out? Or is it a subtle message like "why did it take so long to figure this out??" All the points John B makes are valid. But it's the FO and manager who constructed a roster with only 3 guys who can be aggressive on the bases and one other guy who's hitting about .100 on the season to pinch run and play late inning defense. Injuries to the rotation have been tough, but there are plenty of teams in MLB who are suffering the same calamity. We read a lot about how good the Twins BP would be this year and with the exception of Jax at the beginning of the year (he's back to his awesome self) the BP has been outstanding. Add the BP to Buxton having his best year ever and the Twins are still below .500. This "new philosophy" is too little, too late for me. I'm ready for a housecleaning after the team is sold. It can start with the FO and continue to Rocco and the entire coaching staff. Something also needs to be done in the minor leagues where our player development seems to be lacking. Rocco may be managing differently than he has in the past, but when you only have Buxton, Castro and Bader who can make something happen on the bases, and Bader and Castro will probably (should probably) be traded at the deadline, what's Rocco going to do then??

I'm not in favor of trading Joe Ryan. But I agree with tony&rodney, it all depends on what the return is. A pitcher like Ryan, with his stock as high as it's ever been right now, would have the potential to bring a "franchise altering haul" in talent back. The key word there is "potential." Do we trust the current FO to make a good trade? That's another very interesting topic. A team like the Dodgers could probably overwhelm any offer from other teams. The players that tony&rodney listed from the Dodgers would have the potential to make a tremendously positive impact on the Twins roster. Remember, the Seattle Mariners moved on from Ken Griffey Jr. Randy Johnson and A-Rod in the span of 2 seasons, and then set an American League record with 116 wins. I've always liked Jarren Duran, but he alone one-for-for wouldn't be enough for Joe Ryan. I believe that Ryan and Lopez are the foundation for a very good #1 & #2 atop the Twins rotation. But if you have any doubts the Twins will pony up the kind of money to re-sign Ryan before he gets to test free agency, then you have to be willing to at least consider what you could get back with him at peak value.

In the current state the Twins find themselves in, I'd do this trade. Anyone who has watched the Twins play this year knows this team is flawed. Stewart has been outstanding when healthy and I think Dinges is a good target. Honestly, fringe players, especially on the last year of their contract---Bader, Castro, Coulombe, Paddack...ALL of these guys should be dealt. Stewart, while controlled for a couple more years is a good piece to get something good back. I agree that I could see the Twins trade one of Duran or Jax, keeping the other one for your closer in 2026. I wouldn't think of moving Varland. I'd even consider moving SWR if I liked what was coming back. This is a time to rebalance the roster. Bring in some prospects from "A" ball to AAA ball and see if we can bring a skill set or three we don't currently have. The Twins can be sellers and still possibly contend for a Wild Card if Lopez, Keaschall, E-Rod and others get healthy and are brought up to see what they can do. Lewis getting healthier and hitting would be a big plus. Wallner as well.

I appreciate how Western SD Fan laid out the 5 pitchers, 3 of whom were All Star selections and two of whom (Ryan and Eovaldi) were not. It's interesting to note that Ryan has the highest mid-season WAR of all of them (although with deGrom having better stats top to bottom than Ryan, I'm not sure what the calculation for WAR is missing there). Clearly, with Bobby Witt Jr. making the team, Ryan should have been selected over Bubic. Like the Twins, the Royals have really been floundering lately, but I would have ranked Ryan's snub equal to the snub of Maikal Garcia. He's CLEARLY had a better season than Jazz Chisolm. This is what is frustrating as a baseball fan. You see a Yankee selected over a Royal and it's infuriating. But just as you're getting ready to have a slow boil over "New York Favoritism," you see a stud like the Mets Juan Soto passed over and you just throw your hands up in exasperated confusion. I will ALWAYS love the Baseball All Star Game. It's the best of them all by a mile. But I guess there will always be controversy over who makes the team and who does not. Especially with a rule that says every team must be represented no matter how lacking in talent that team is.

As I was reading this I was thinking...is Gonzalez a RH version of Arraez? I got some kind of validation from Matt at the end. This season, he has displayed excellent bat-to-ball skills, something sorely lacking at the major league level for the Twins. He's not overly athletic, so he may have limitations defensively as far as range. But he has the best ARM in our minor leagues and is probably on a par with Buxton and Wallner. Having a cannon for an arm does not make for a defensive ace for a team. (Wallner is exhibit "A") But it doesn't hurt at all either. If Gonzalez can consistently catch what he gets to, he may be more Rocky Colovito in the outfield than early career Frank Howard. That he's a RH hitter leads you to believe he can hit LH or RH pitching, unlike Wallner and Larnach who still seem overmatched by LH pitchers. As far as trading Bader, I'm all for it. He had a GREAT game yesterday and I've enjoyed his stellar defense in LF all season. But this team is not good. Bader's value keeps edging upward. Sell him for as much as you can get. New ownership can always make a bid to sign him in the off season. Remember how many times the Twins traded Rick Aguilara late in his career, only to re-sign him in the off season?

I always appreciate these articles even if I don't agree with the proposed trade. It's like when we were kids trading baseball cards with the guys from our neighborhood. Sometimes you got some pretty one sided offers, but the discussion that followed (I'm not trading you Tony Oliva for Felipe Alou!!!) was priceless, and sometimes I learned that Felipe Alou wasn't a bad player, just someone I didn't know enough about. I'm not looking to trade Buxton, but I appreciate the opinion that the discussion BEGINS with Andrew Painter, one of the top pitching prospects in MLB, not just for the Phillies (and not Abel) and that additional prospects would have to be part of the deal. I agree with La-Z-Boy. I appreciate reading a little about what prospects could realistically be coming back from the Yankees for Willi Castro. I like the LH Starting Pitcher as a starting point. Even if I don't agree with someone's post, I'll still give a thumbs up if his argument was solid and made sense. And really, isn't that why we come to TD EVERY DAY? To read the articles and then read the comments from guys we're all familiar with from their previous comments?? The writers at TD need to put out articles EVERY DAY. Sometimes it may seem like it's "click bait" but don't we all love talking about baseball?? Let's tone down the negativity and look more for the positive even if we don't agree with what someone is saying. I'm in the camp that the Twins should be selling. I just don't want to sell core pieces like Buxton, Correa, Ryan and Lopez. Castro, Bader, Coulumbe, Jeffers, Larnach, Wallner, SWR, and such, I'm O.K. with entertaining offers. I'm looking forward to new owners, new leadership, new style of play, new philosophy...New Everything. It bugs me that the current leadership will be making some key decisions THIS trade deadline. But I'm also betting that the new owners aren't going to want the moribund "status quo" of the current regime. The Twins can be "sellers" and still plug some holes in this season's roster and hopefully make the 2026 roster far superior to the current model.

Most trade ideas I appreciate. It's fun to do some quick mental analysis and make a determination. This didn't take much time to say...NO.

I've been advocating making Duran available to the Dodgers in a deal for Rushing for quite some time. I think the Dodgers would look at Duran as a final piece to repeating as World Series Champs. The guy who locks down their BP and every one of the good arms they currently have in their BP leads to Duran closing the game. Here's a suggestion that others who have access to BBTV can critique and expand on. Even though the Dodgers are giving up Rushing, I think a small overpay for them to get get Duran makes a trade like this possible. Dodgers Get: Duran 19.1 Jeffers 19.4 Castro 10.5 Total 49.0 (these are my most current figures and may not be completely accurate. Castro's value especially may have risen). Twins Get: Rushing 43.1 Bobby Miller 0.0 and Gavin Stone 6.7. Stone and Miller have been 2 highly touted Dodger pitchers who are battling injuries. Much like Brock Stewart, a former Dodger SP with great potential who the Twins acquired, Miller and Stone are gambles for the Twins but could be acceptable throw-ins for the Dodgers. Last I saw, Miller's value had cratered to zero. Stone, in my opinion is incredibly low at 6.7. He's injured and missing the entire year. His value would begin to grow once he starts demonstrating improved health. Rushing is the key piece. We send Jeffers off to back up All Star Will Smith and Rushing steps into the primary catcher position with Vasquez behind him. Miller and Stone with their electric arms can rest and rehab until next year. If progress with their health is made, the Twins have 2 more young SP's to add to a potential staff led by Lopez and Ryan with a healthier Ober for 2026. This would give the Twins a MUCH deeper pitching staff as well as add their "Catcher of the Future" who should be an impact bat in the middle of their lineup. The Dodgers get their stud closer to lead their BP. They get a decent offensive catcher to back up Will Smith, and they get the kind of versatile player they love in Willi Castro, setting up a successful run to a 2nd consecutive World Series Championship. The selling point to the Dodgers for giving up a top prospect like Rushing as well as a couple of promising, yet injury hampered arms, is the successful defense of their World Series Championship. That's all that should matter to the Dodgers. They can use their deep pockets and rich farm system to simply reload for 2026. The Twins should be dealing Bader and Paddack for sure. One of Larnach or Wallner is interesting to consider. Guys like Julien and Miranda should be strongly considered in any package. It's time to start re-working this roster. Buxton, Correa, Lopez, Ryan, they should be staying. With Duran going, I make Jax the closer. I think he can handle it. It would be preferable to have a new ownership with a new FO and a new manager and coaching staff making these decisions but that's not possible. A new approach, a new philosophy, a new vision for how the game should be played is needed. It would be best to have that new manager and coaching staff determine what that roster would look like and the kinds of players needed to make it a reality. But that is not OUR reality as fans right now. We need change. Let that change have it's beginning at the trade deadline and once new ownership is a reality, let them further refine what the Twins will ultimately become.

I agree Jeff K. Why does the SP have to come from St. Paul?? John Klein intrigues me. Good Size, smooth delivery hitting 97 on the radar gun. You need a guy for ONE spot start? AA is as good as AAA in many situations. Give the ball to John Klein. The Twins have never had a "Klein" on their team. Maybe it's time.

I love the idea of a Bremmer or Gage Wood with that first pick ! A college arm, oozing "stuff" with a minimum of rough edges to iron out. We really need Dasan Hill or Connor Prielipp to develop into something as well. As others have said, if we become sellers at the deadline and we add some minor league hitters at positions of need to the big league club in the very near future, I wouldn't be opposed to going heavy with pitching prospects. I'm primarily focused on "value" in whatever slot we're drafting. If a Bremmer or Wood ends up as our top pick, I would look to who is the best value at the #36 comp pick. If it's the Indiana slugger, a High School SS, or as Doc Gast so consistently points out, a Catcher...who will STAY at Catcher, I'm all for it. I have suggested in the past that I would offer the Dodgers Jhoan Duran and additional pieces for their #1 catching prospect Dalton Rushing. Rushing has become the primary back up to All Star Will Smith. Rushing has also shown the athletic ability to play some LF and could probably handle 1B as well. But Rushing's top skill is his hitting ability. The Dodgers are failing to capitalize on this because his playing time has been sporadic. The Dodgers could also use a true closer like Duran to allow the odds and ends assortment of their bullpen to just line up behind Duran. It could be the one trade piece that pushes the Dodgers to a 2nd consecutive World Series victory. They just might part with Rushing. Maybe we throw in Vasquez so they have a defense-first veteran backup catcher as they have had with Austin Barnes in the past. Getting a bat with the potential of Rushing in any kind of deadline deal would be making a move to win in 2025 in addition to future years. A combo of Rushing and Jeffers would be an offensive PLUS from the catcher position, although neither are considered Bench/Molina/Pudge material. Rushing at least profiles as "better" than Jeffers defensively.