Cody Schoenmann

As MLB's trade deadline nears, left-handed reliever Danny Coulombe, right-handed hitting outfielder Harrison Bader, and switch-hitting utility player Willi Castro are the players most likely to no longer be Minnesota Twins come Aug. 1. All three players should net sizable returns for Minnesota. Yet, given his defensive versatility and platoon-proof offensive profile, Castro is the rental option most likely to generate the most substantial package for Twins decision-makers. Hitting .257/.346/.429 with 14 doubles, 10 home runs, a 24.8% strikeout rate, and 118 wRC+ over 319 plate appearances, Castro has been one of Minnesota's most productive hitters, resulting in him consistently hitting in the top half of the club's order. Performing 18% better than league-average at the plate, Castro's defensive versatility has yet again been in full effect, with the 28-year-old netting starts at the following positions: Second base - 26 starts Left field - 25 starts Right field - 16 starts Third base - nine starts Shortstop - two starts Admittedly, Castro hasn't provided plus value at these positions, sporting a cumulative -5 Outs Above Average (OAA). Even though he has regressed into a subpar defender this season, he is nevertheless serviceable. He can start or be inserted into a game as a defensive substitution at any of the five aforementioned positions, still making him an incredibly valuable asset. Possessing this value, contending teams will actively be vying for Castro's services. Which teams will be most aggressive in their pursuit? What type of packages could Minnesota net? Let's take a look. Milwaukee Brewers The first potential destination for Castro is Minnesota's "border rival," the Milwaukee Brewers. Concluding an 11-game win streak after a 1-0 loss against Logan Gilbert and the Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee has propelled itself into World Series contender status, sitting one game ahead of the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central standings at 60-41. Nineteen games above .500, Milwaukee's success has been driven by an above-average starting rotation, elite bullpen, and assortment of unexpected offensive contributors, including Isaac Collins, Caleb Durbin, and (very recently) Andrew Vaughn. The Brewers are a very deep team enriched with young, team-controlled talent. Yet, if there is one area of weakness, it would be the club's bench, which is highlighted by a lack of a viable utility player. As of now, Andruw Monasterio and Anthony Seigler are receiving the most opportunities off Milwaukee's bench. However, the two position players have generated a combined 47 wRC+ over 76 plate appearances. These two players are effectively unplayable, especially for a club contending for a division title. That being the case, Milwaukee would significantly benefit from acquiring a plus utility player: enter Castro. If acquired, Castro would likely slot primarily in the corner outfield and third base for Milwaukee, given that Brice Turang possesses a stronghold over second base. Castro could also mix in at shortstop. However, with primary starting shortstop Joey Ortiz's strong start out of the All-Star break and superb range at the position, there is reason to believe manager Pat Murphy will continue to provide the 27-year-old extended opportunities at the position. Nevertheless, Castro would be an exceptionally valuable acquisition for Milwaukee. Club decision-makers could demote one of Monasterio or Seigler to Triple-A Nashville and insert Castro's plus bat into the lineup on a game-to-game basis. Milwaukee possesses a deep prospect pool, meaning Minnesota could net a substantial package if it elects to send the 28-year-old utility player to the 414. That being the case, the Twins front office could poach two top-30 prospects from Milwaukee's farm system, with a package potentially being headlined by starting pitching prospect Tyson Hardin or infield prospect Blake Burke. San Diego Padres As long as AJ Preller is San Diego's head baseball executive, the Padres will be incredibly active at the trade deadline, and this season's deadline shouldn't be any different. Despite operating under significant spending restrictions, Preller will get creative in patching the holes in the Padres' 26-man roster. Interestingly, Castro could be the solution to nearly all of San Diego's position player shortcomings, sans catcher (which, don't rule out Ryan Jeffers to San Diego). Instead of an upgrade at a specific position, San Diego needs MLB-caliber hitters to insert into the bottom half of its order. If traded to the Padres, Castro could become the club's primary starting left fielder, the position he has netted the second-most starts at for Minnesota. Inserting Castro into left field would give San Diego another competent bat to complement the top half of its order. The Padres have one of the worst farm systems in baseball and one of the most aggressive executives in baseball, meaning that if Castro were sent to San Diego, the Twins front office could potentially poach one or multiple of their top prospects or MLB-ready talent, such as right-handed starting pitching prospects Ryan Bergert and Braden Nett or young, high-potential position player prospects in Cobb Hightower and Kale Fountain. Cincinnati Reds Despite operating as a super utility player in 2023 and 2024 for Minnesota, Castro has been limited to playing second base, third base, and the corner outfield this season, with third base arguably being the position he presently provides the most value at. Interestingly, Cincinnati is in the market for third base and corner outfield help, making Castro a viable solution to the club's most pressing needs. Now, labeling the Reds as "buyers" could be deemed a far-fetched proclamation. Yet, after going 15-11 in June and manufacturing a commendable 9-9 record so far in July, Cincinnati sits at 52-47 and just 1 1/2 games out of the final NL Wild Card spot. Possessing an 11% chance of earning an NL Wild Card spot, according to FanGraphs, the Reds hold worse playoff odds than Minnesota, which possesses a 12.6% chance of earning an AL Wild Card spot. Still, with Reds' General Manager Brad Meador stating the club could buy and sell at the deadline, Castro could end up in the Queen City. Unlike San Diego, Cincinnati has a robust farm system, meaning Minnesota could net a more alluring package for the versatile position player's services. Despite possessing a significant amount of high-end starting pitching prospects, Minnesota should target position player prospects with high-upside bats. That being the case, left-handed hitting outfield prospect Héctor Rodríguez would be the ideal headliner of a return package, with fellow left-handed hitting outfield prospects Carlos Jorge and Ethan O'Donnell being intriguing options, too.

Coming out of the All-Star break, your 2025 Minnesota Twins continue to stumble. The club has lost three of its first five games, sinking to a mere 17.6% chance of earning an AL Wild Card spot, according to FanGraphs. Eight teams in the American League have better odds, and four of the six playoff spots seem completely sewn up. The Twins' best-case scenario is a road Wild Card Series. With the 2025 season all but lost, the Twins are seemingly becoming more open to the idea of selling come next week's trade deadline, as reported by MLB insider Jon Heyman below: The front office "seriously listening" to offers on veterans with expiring contracts in Danny Coulombe, Harrison Bader, and Willi Castro is an unsurprising development. Yet, Heyman, noting that the club "will listen" to offers on star closer Jhoan Duran and All-Star starting pitcher Joe Ryan constitutes a noteworthy shift in how President of Business and Baseball Operations Derek Falvey and General Manager Jeremy Zoll appear to perceive Minnesota's short- and medium-term ability to compete in the AL. Although taking this approach to the trade deadline can be seen as an admission of failure or inadequacy, it is nevertheless the correct approach for the front office to take. Minnesota's core is critically flawed, and significant changes are needed. That being the case, the front office would be wise to trade one or more of their core pieces, with Ryan being the apple of pursuing teams' eyes. Ryan has blossomed into an ace with Minnesota this season, generating a 2.63 ERA, 3.13 FIP, 0.90 WHIP, and 132-to-32 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 116 1/3 innings pitched and earning the first All-Star nod in his career. The 29-year-old achieved his best first-half performance by sporting the most effective four-seam fastball in baseball, tweaking his breaking and offspeed pitches, and significantly decreasing his proclivity to allow home runs. Indeed, he's yielding a career-best 1.01 home runs per nine innings pitched (HR/9). Under team control for two and a half more seasons at below-market rates set by the league's salary arbitration system, Ryan has become an increasingly sought-after trade deadline prize. Given Heyman's report, he is more available than previously thought. Ryan has been credibly linked to multiple teams, including the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets. However, no organization makes more sense as a destination for Ryan than the Chicago Cubs. Sitting at 60-41, Chicago stands tied with the Milwaukee Brewers atop the NL Central. They're near-locks to make the playoffs, but there are several similarly strong teams in the National League and they could easily slip to the second or third Wild Card without some reinforcements. Much of Chicago's success has been driven by its formidable offense, which ranks first in team Wins Above Replacement at FanGraphs (fWAR) and second in team wRC+, only behind the New York Yankees. Their starting rotation, however, is not the strength the team hoped it would be before the season began. According to FanGraphs, the Cubs have the eighth-worst starting rotation, according to fWAR, while ranking 12th in team ERA and 22nd in team FIP. Veteran left-handed starters Shota Imanaga and Matthew Boyd function as viable top-of-the-rotation arms, but without Justin Steele (who underwent Tommy John surgery in April), they're at least one high-end hurler short of a postseason-ready starting staff. That being the case, the club would be wise to acquire Ryan. Again, Minnesota would need to be blown away by an offer to justify parting ways with their beloved ace. Despite possessing a mid-tier farm system, Chicago has the top-end prospects necessary to appease Minnesota's demands. Here's the essential framework of a possible deal. Chicago receives: right-handed starting pitcher Joe Ryan Minnesota receives: catching/first base prospect Moisés Ballesteros, right-handed pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins Ranked as Chicago's top prospect, according to North Side Baseball, Ballesteros would headline Chicago's return package to Minnesota. He struggled in 18 plate appearances with the Cubs earlier this season, but the left-handed hitting prospect has excelled in Triple-A Iowa, hitting .339/.397/.500 with 24 doubles, eight home runs, and a 130 wRC+ over 348 plate appearances. MTZxTVJfWGw0TUFRPT1fQWdJRUFWd0VCMU1BQ0ZCUUFnQUhVdzhIQUZoWFdnQUFBd0FNQlFjQkNBQlRVUU1E.mp4 While excelling at the plate at Triple-A, the 21-year-old has registered 426 1/3 innings at catcher, 19 innings at first base, and 24 games started at designated hitter. Given that Minnesota will be thin at catcher and first base next season, with the impending departures of Christian Vázquez and Ty France, the Cubs' top prospect could receive ample opportunity with Minnesota in 2026. Possessing a near-elite max exit velocity, strikeout rate, and zone swing rate, Ballesteros possesses the plate discipline and hard-hit tool necessary to hit at an above-average rate at the major-league level. There is reason to believe the 21-year-old will blossom into an above-average major-league hitter in the very near future. Ballesteros would be an exceptionally valuable acquisition for Minnesota, especially given the aforementioned uncertainty surrounding the club's short- and medium-term future at his two primary positions, catcher and first base. There are concerns over whether "Big Mo" will be able to stay at catcher long-term. If he can, though, he's a future All-Star, and even if he's restricted to first base and designated hitter, Minnesota would considerably benefit from obtaining a young, controllable bat of his caliber. FanGraphs lead prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen only graded 18 prospects this year as having at least a 40-grade present hit tool; a 50-grade (average) future hit tool; and a 50-grade future game power tool. Six of those players are already established big-leaguers, two-thirds of the way into the season. Of the other 12, Ballesteros is the fourth-youngest. He has a bat that can be special, especially if his approach can be refined and/or he can catch on at least a part-time basis. Drafted 68th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft out of the University of Arkansas, Wiggins has quickly moved through Chicago's farm system, progressing from starting last season with the Cubs' Complex League team to earning a promotion to Double-A Knoxville this May. The hard-throwing righty has excelled in Knoxville, generating a 2.25 ERA, 2.11 FIP, and a 48-to-15 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 62 1/3 innings pitched. According to North Side Baseball, Wiggins slots in just four slots below Ballesteros as Chicago's fifth-ranked prospect. The 23-year-old's fastball is near-elite, possessing a 70-grade value on FanGraphs's 20-80 grading scale. He complements his exceptional fastball with an above-average slider and changeup. Sporting a three-pitch mix, Wiggins is similar to Ryan in that he relies heavily on his plus fastball while utilizing an array of effective secondary pitches. Similar to concerns surrounding Ballesteros's viability at catcher, there is some fear that Wiggins could need to transition into a reliever due to control issues. Still, Wiggins possesses frontline stuff, and there is reason to believe he could quickly join Minnesota's pitching staff, potentially becoming a primary contributor alongside Ballesteros early next season. Again, Twins decision-makers will justifiably need to be blown away to part ways with Ryan. They'd probably need a small third piece included even to accept these two impressive pieces. Yet, receiving one of the best-hitting high-minors prospects in baseball and a hard-throwing arm who could be ready to join a major-league rotation early next season could be enough for Minnesota to send Ryan to Wrigleyville, as Chicago attempts to return to the World Series for the first time since 2016.

Following Friday and Saturday nights' losses to the Colorado Rockies in Coors Field (wherein the Minnesota Twins' punchless offense was frustrated to no end by two of MLB's most ineffective starting pitchers), the dreaded reality surrounding this club became even more apparent: Minnesota should sell at the trade deadline. Possessing a 13.2% chance of clinching a Wild Card spot, according to FanGraphs, your 2025 Twins are not out of the playoff mix, yet. However, times are becoming increasingly dire, and the front office should strongly consider undergoing a 2017-style retooling, if not a full-scale overhaul. If team decision-makers were to venture down that path, veterans in the final years of their contracts could become expendable. Willi Castro, Chris Paddack, and Danny Coulombe are veterans who fit that mold and will generate interest on the trade market later this month. Yet, none (besides Castro) are more intriguing than veteran outfielder Harrison Bader. Signed to a one-year, $6.5-million contract this past offseason, the 31-year-old outfielder has excelled in Minnesota, hitting .251/.330/.431 with 11 home runs and a 113 wRC+ over 270 plate appearances. In other words, Bader has hit 13% better than league average at the plate while providing elite outfield defense, primarily patrolling left field. Bader has provided a significant amount of value to Minnesota at the plate and in the field while playing on an expiring contract. That being the case, there is reason to believe the Twins could net a substantial return package if they elect to trade Bader at the July 31 trade deadline. According to The Athletic's MLB trade deadline Big Board 2.0, curated by Tim Britton, Chad Jennings, and Twins beat writer Aaron Gleeman, Bader is the 29th-most desirable trade piece this deadline season, with Cleveland, Philadelphia, and Tampa Bay listed as his best fits. With Cleveland listening to trade offers on star relievers Emmanuel Clase and Cade Smith, however, signs point toward the Guardians selling later this month. Also, since being recalled to Tampa Bay on Jun. 24, Chandler Simpson has impressed, posting a 138 wRC+ over 75 plate appearances and showing plus range in center field. The 24-year-old has entrenched himself as the club's starting center fielder of the present and future. Philadelphia seems like the most clear-cut destination for Bader. Right now, the Phillies' primary outfield construction consists of Nick Castellanos patrolling right field, with the left-handed hitting Brandon Marsh occupying center and (tell me if you've heard this name before) Max Kepler receiving most of the opportunities in left. The three of these veterans converge to be incredibly average, with a 94 wRC+ over 949 combined plate appearances. Kepler, however, has been the least effective of the bunch, running an 87 wRC+ over 317 plate appearances and playing spotty corner outfield defense. Johan Rojas mixes in as the club's fourth outfielder, who plays plus defense in center field. However, the right-handed-hitting 24-year-old has yet to produce offensively in his three major-league seasons, restricting him to a part-time role. Philadelphia would strongly benefit from inserting an above-average, right-handed-hitting outfielder who could provide plus range at all three outfield positions. Again, with Bader being on an expiring contract, Minnesota won't be able to net a major haul for him. Still, they should be able to get more than a low-minors lottery ticket. Twins decision-makers would be wise to target a position player who can impact the major-league club immediately, while still possessing minor-league options. Interestingly, Philadelphia possesses an intriguing position player who perfectly fits that mold in Otto Kemp. QXdhWk9fWGw0TUFRPT1fQVFOWUJWY0dBQW9BQUZkUVVnQUhCMU1FQUFBQkIxa0FBMUFNQTFJRUIxRUFCQVZV.mp4 Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2022, Kemp quickly moved through Philadelphia's farm system, progressing from Low-A Clearwater to Triple-A Lehigh Valley last season. The 25-year-old made his major-league debut on Jun. 7 and has maintained a spot on the club's 26-man roster since, hitting .250/.324/.348 with 23 hits, six doubles, one home run, a 28.4% strikeout rate, and a 91 wRC+ over 102 plate appearances. The right-handed hitting Phillie also possesses significant flexibility, playing 15 games at first base, nine in left field, and five at third base since joining the club a month-and-a-half ago. d2VXVlFfWGw0TUFRPT1fVWdaWEIxRUJVVkVBQUZFS0JBQUhCUThBQUFOUVZsZ0FCVndBQWdFTUF3SlhVUUlD.mp4 Given how the Twins swoon over versatility, Kemp could blossom into an actual target for Minnesota. Also, considering the fact that Philadelphia has its sights set on winning a championship this season, there is reason to believe top baseball executive Dave Dombrowski would be willing to part ways with a young, controllable asset to acquire Bader's services as the club attempts to fend off the New York Mets for the NL East title and make a deep playoff push. Despite being below-average at the plate this season, Kemp and his defensive flexibility would provide immediate value to Minnesota. He could be mixed into the corner outfield, at third base, and at first base. He also has experience playing second base at Triple A, meaning he could mix into the keystone position, too. With Willi Castro's departure looming, Kemp could assume his super-utility role, as the right-handed hitting 25-year-old can play every position except shortstop, center field, and catcher. Swapping Bader for Kemp could be a savvy one-for-one swap for Minnesota and Philadelphia, especially considering the significantly different competitive stages the two organizations are in.

Last Sunday night, the Minnesota Twins (led by Vice President of Amateur Scouting Sean Johnson) selected Alabama Crimson Tide starting pitcher Riley Quick with the 36th selection in the first Competitive Balance Round. In recent drafts, Johnson has shown a proclivity to draft amateur arms in this area, evidenced by the club selecting right-handed high school arm Charlee Soto 34th overall in 2023 and fellow former Alabama pitcher Connor Prielipp 48th overall in 2022. Ranked 32nd on Jamie Cameron's MLB mock draft consensus board, Quick was selected in the range draft pundits predicted him to be. It was a reasonable selection from a draft slot perspective for Minnesota, then, but interestingly, Quick bucks a trend in what type of pitching arsenal Johnson and club decision-makers tend to prefer when assessing which young arms to select. Consider Soto, Prielipp, and fellow recent high draft pick Dasan Hill. Interestingly, all three young arms sport the same arsenal, relying on fastballs, sliders, and changeups as their primary pitches. Quick's primary three pitches are also his fastball, slider, and changeup. Yet, the type of primary fastballs he throws differentiates him from Hill, Soto, and Prielipp. Instead of relying on a four-seam fastball with plus vertical movement, Quick utilizes a sinker and cutter, two fastball variations that have been uncommon among amateur arms selected by Minnesota. Now, selecting young pitchers who throw high-velocity fastballs with plus Induced Vertical Break (IVB) is a sound process. Minnesota's three best starting pitchers (Joe Ryan, Pablo López, and Bailey Ober) all possess fastballs with plus IVB. Also, the best starting pitchers in baseball (Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal, Zack Wheeler) tend to show that shape. The best pitchers on the Twins and the sport itself rely on pounding their fastballs high in the zone. Yet, there is also another, less common path to being a plus starting pitcher, which is what Quick could bring to Minnesota. Over the past five seasons, some of the most effective east-to-west starting pitchers who rely on their sinker and cutter as their primary fastball shapes include Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, and Yu Darvish. Despite being unconventional in the modern game, these three pitchers (and others who rely on sinkers and cutters) have been incredibly effective. Burnes won the NL Cy Young Award as a Milwaukee Brewer in 2021, Darvish is a multi-time All-Star who finished second in NL Cy Young voting as a Chicago Cub in 2020, and Fried is presently one of the favorites for the 2025 AL Cy Young Award in his first season as a New York Yankee. I'm not here to predict Quick will have a career like Burnes, Fried, or Darvish. What I am saying, however, is that there is proof of concept of Quick's arsenal working in the majors. Given the organization's willingness to push college arms quickly through its farm system (David Festa and Zebby Matthews, for example), there is reason to believe the 21-year-old could be in the high minors early next season and make his major-league debut just one season after being drafted. To go into further depth on Quick's pitch arsenal, here are the IVB and Horizontal Break (HB) profiles of his five-pitch mix, illustrated by the previously cited Cameron below: Quick used his cutter sparingly. However, there is meaningful data on the pitch, shown below: 93.1 MPH, 8.0 IVB, 2.5 HB, 5.7 ft release height, 28% Whiff, 9% usage rate He doesn't rely on his cutter as often as his sinker, slider, and changeup. Yet, given the recent shift in clubs inserting differing fastball variations into starting pitchers' arsenals for the sake of expanding their pitch mix, even if those pitches aren't necessarily plus offerings (evidenced by Ryan adding a sinker to his arsenal to use against right-handed hitters this season), there is reason to believe Minnesota's pitching development program will encourage Quick to continue tinkering with his cutter and using it in-game. Assuming that's the case, he could (no pun intended) quickly become Minnesota's first highly-regarded east-to-west starting pitcher since Johnson became Minnesota's scouting chief in 2022. As the Twins face a crossroads within what they've hoped would be a wide winning window, this arm could be one example of the team embracing a different way to succeed on the mound.

In early July, your 2025 Minnesota Twins traveled to South Florida to begin a three-game series against Peter Bendix's up-and-coming Miami Marlins. Minnesota ultimately lost the series two games to one, falling victim to incredible starts by hard-throwing budding stars in Edward Cabrera and Eury Pérez. Yet, something potentially more consequential arose from the club's disappointing three-game set in Miami: a shift in how manager Rocco Baldelli is approaching first base. Entering the season, offseason addition Ty France projected to be the club's primary starting baseman. It's largely played out that way, with the 31-year-old netting 83 of the club's 96 starts at the position. Yet, since the beginning of the Miami series on Jul. 1, early-season addition Kody Clemens has started six games at first base, which is only one fewer than France. Now, Clemens receiving more opportunities at first base than France could have merely been the product of Baldelli attempting to get the platoon advantage by deploying the left-handed hitting Clemens against right-handed starting pitchers, as the club faced only one left-handed starting pitcher (Shota Imanaga on Jul. 8). Yet, given the significant difference in the two veterans' recent performance at the plate, there is reason to believe Clemens has usurped France as the club's primary starting first baseman. Here is how the two bats have performed since Jul. 1: France - .080/.148/.120, 27 plate appearances, two hits, one double, zero home runs, one walk, 22.2% strikeout rate, -26 wRC+ Clemens - .261/.261/.652, 23 plate appearances, six hits, zero doubles, three home runs, zero walks, 34.8% strikeout rate, 148 wRC+ Despite being a more disciplined hitter, France has been significantly outproduced since the beginning of July. Clemens outperforming France at the plate has been a consistent trend since the former Philadelphia Phillie made his first appearance as a Twin on Apr. 28. He has a 125 wRC+ over 163 plate appearances, compared to France's 87 wRC+ over 242 plate appearances during the same stretch. An interesting statistic that distinguishes Clemens from France is his ability to perform significantly better than France in low- and medium-leverage situations, which typically occur during the first six to seven innings of games. Since joining Minnesota, Clemens has generated a 94 wRC+ over 80 low-leverage plate appearances, compared to France running a 59 wRC+ over 150 low-leverage plate appearances during that same stretch. France's performance improves during medium-leverage situations, to a 98 wRC+ over 111 plate appearances. Yet, Clemens again outperforms him, earning a 145 wRC+ over 68 plate appearances. Now, what differentiates France from nearly every MLB batter is that he effectively turns into Cal Raleigh during high-leverage scenarios, generating a 200 wRC+ over 30 high-leverage plate appearances since the beginning of his 2025 campaign and an even more surprising 214 wRC+ in 18 high-leverage scenarios since Clemens joined the club. Interestingly, Clemens also essentially turns into Raleigh in high-leverage scenarios since joining Minnesota, netting a similarly improbable 203 wRC+ over 15 plate appearances. These samples are tiny and (on their own) meaningless, but this is something France has done throughout his career. A player's ability to be clutch is largely random, and neither France nor Clemens (nor any MLB player for that matter) possesses a unique clutch gene, per se. Yet, both have been incredible in high-leverage scenarios for Minnesota. The separator between them is that Clemens has been solidly above-average the rest of the time, too, whereas France is quite poor unless the game is on the line. Again, there is value in being able to produce in high-leverage scenarios. However, one's ability to produce in those scenarios is highly volatile. That being the case, with Clemens performing 41% better than France in low- and medium-leverage situations (the majority of every position player's plate appearances) while not being a significant dropoff defensively, there is reason to believe he could receive more playing time at first base than the former Mariner over the second half of the season. Clemens's versatility will enable Baldelli to still use him at second base and in the corner outfield as future platoon matchups, injuries, and performance concerns arise. Still, don't be surprised if he continues to receive more opportunities than France at first base as the club resumes play on July 18 against the Colorado Rockies.

As MLB's trade deadline looms, your 2025 Minnesota Twins grow increasingly likely to undergo their first substantial sell-off since parting ways with then-ace starting pitcher José Berríos and beloved slugger Nelson Cruz at the 2021 trade deadline. Veteran players in the final season of their contracts (Harrison Bader, Danny Coulombe, Willi Castro and Chris Paddack) are the most likely candidates to depart from the land of 10,000 lakes. Yet, if the club were to push the envelope and undergo a genuinely significant change, Twins Territory could be subject to witnessing fan favorites like Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax, or Joe Ryan bid adieu to 1 Twins Way. Trading any of those high-value, controllable hurlers is a longshot, but the Twins could find themselves in a unique position to test new methods of operation come August. If they've essentially pivoted toward next season by then, team decision-makers should consider revisiting a roster shakeup they were exploring early last offseason: converting Griffin Jax back into a starting pitcher. For those who don't remember (amid the emotional whirlwind that has been the first half of the 2025 regular season), Jax and the Twins were contemplating converting the starter-turned-reliever back into a starting pitcher. Ultimately, the 30-year-old elected to stay in the bullpen in late January. Despite possessing a subpar 4.12 ERA, Jax has performed well as Minnesota's primary set-up reliever, generating a 1.91 FIP and 64-to-10 strikeout-to-walk ratio while possessing some of the best raw stuff in the sport. Pitching backwards, the hard-tossing righty has been able to effectively attack hitters of either handedness, utilizing his elite sweeper and changeup. Jax still possesses a well-above-average fastball velocity. However, the pitch has been hit hard this season, resulting in him using it less (16% of the time) than ever. Another reason Jax's fastball usage rate is down is that he has implemented a sinker and cutter this season—pitches he's used a combined 13% of the time. The Air Force product naturally utilizes his sinker as a fastball variation to move in on right-handed hitters, and the cutter as a fastball variation to dive in on left-handed hitters. Considering he now has three fastballs, Jax is functionally using his fastball at 29% of the time, which resides in the same ballpark as his prior usage rates. With what is essentially a three-pitch mix while being able to add extra horizontal movement to his fastball variations, Jax possesses the diverse arsenal necessary to transition into a starting pitcher. In the past, Jax has mentioned that he is an adrenaline-based pitcher, meaning he believes he thrives in high-leverage scenarios and can add more velocity and movement to his pitches. While this is likely one factor behind his significantly improved velocity and movement profiles on his breaking and offspeed pitches since turning into a reliever, there is reason to believe he makes more mistakes due to the rush of adrenaline he endures, like misplaying balls that should be easily fielded or overthrowing first base on what should be routine plays for a major-league pitcher. Again, Jax possesses the arsenal and frame necessary to stick in the rotation, and if the club elects to part ways with Paddack at the July 31 deadline, a rotation spot could open up for Jax. Barring further injury, the impending return of Pablo López and Zebby Matthews will crowd the starting rotation. Yet, with uncertainty surrounding when or if Bailey Ober will rejoin the mix and performance concerns surrounding David Festa and Simeon Woods Richardson, there could be more space to maneuver Jax back into the rotation than previously anticipated. Jax departing from the bullpen would meaningfully thin the unit. Yet, with fellow high-leverage arms Duran, Louis Varland, and Brock Stewart also performing well, the club could absorb the impact of losing one of their late-inning right-handed throwers. They could stretch him out slowly over the balance of the season, getting him up to four innings per appearance or so by late September. That would give him a solid platform of volume, so that he's not artificially limited in terms of seasonal workload come 2026. Minnesota still has multiple years of team control left for frontline arms López, Ryan, and (hopefully) Ober. Yet, adding another possible ace to the mix would further bolster Minnesota's chances of returning to the postseason, while mitigating the growing pains younger arms like Festa, Woods Richardson, and Matthews are still enduring at the major-league level. It could also make it easier to stomach trading one of those pitchers, be it this month or this winter.

Entering the All-Star break, border "rivals" Minnesota Twins and Milwaukee Brewers are headed in different directions. Sitting 4 games back of the final Wild Card spot, currently held by the Seattle Mariners, the struggling Twins currently possess a 22.2% chance of making the postseason. Milwaukee, on the other hand, sits just 2 1/2 games back of the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs while in sole possession of the NL's second wild card spot, sporting a 68.7% chance of earning a postseason spot. Now, Minnesota and Milwaukee's respective standings and situations could shift significantly by the July 31 MLB trade deadline, for better or worse. That said, as things stand, Minnesota is preparing to become sellers, while Milwaukee will be looking to fortify its club as it chases down Chicago for the NL Central crown. Milwaukee's second-most pressing need (after acquiring a power bat who can play first base and the corner outfield, a department in which the Twins unfortunately cannot assist them) is reinforcing the back end of its bullpen. Trevor Megill is enshrined as the club's closer, with Abner Uribe and Nick Mears functioning as the other high-leverage right-handed relievers. The Crew would benefit from one more right-handed late-inning reliever. Enter: Minnesota. Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax are the most appealing arms in the back end of the Twins' bullpen, but given the significant price it would cost to acquire either high-leverage reliever's services, there is reason to believe Milwaukee (like almost every other team) will be unwilling to meet Minnesota's demands. Brock Stewart, however, would fit perfectly in the Brewers' bullpen. Since getting activated off the 15-day IL on Apr. 19, Stewart has been incredible for Minnesota, sporting a 2.67 ERA, 2.71 FIP, and a 36-to-10 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 27 innings pitched. The 33-year-old has played an integral role in the Twins having the second-best bullpen FIP and Wins Above Replacement (fWAR) in baseball, according to FanGraphs. Nevertheless, rostering Duran, Jax, Louis Varland, Cole Sands, and Danny Coulombe (who could also be moved at the deadline), Minnesota possesses the bullpen depth necessary to sustain the blow of parting ways with Stewart, making a trade with Milwaukee realistic. If Minnesota and Milwaukee were to align on a deal, there is reason to believe Twins decision-makers would opt to acquire a position player prospect, given how good the organization's pitching depth has become. Minnesota has become rich in outfield and infield prospects, with Walker Jenkins, Luke Keaschall, Kaelen Culpepper, and the oft-injured Emmanuel Rodriguez becoming near-consensus Top 100 prospects over the last two seasons. Alas, the organization's catching depth has become incredibly thin. Interestingly, a young, recently drafted catcher has quickly risen through Milwaukee's system this season, making plausible this swap: Brewers receive: right-handed reliever Brock Stewart Twins receive: catching prospect Marco Dinges Drafted in the fourth round of the 2024 MLB Draft out of Florida State University, Dinges had a robust start to his 2025 campaign, posting a 202 wRC+ over 112 plate appearances at Low-A Carolina. The 21-year-old has since earned a promotion to High-A Wisconsin, posting a similarly impressive 164 wRC+ over 244 plate appearances in Appleton. Ranked as Milwaukee's ninth-best prospect, according to Brewer Fanatic, Dinges possesses plus bat speed and raw speed and could develop into a 20+ home run hitter at the major-league level. Despite limited experience as a backstop (he began catching his senior year of high school), he's a plus athlete who possesses a near-elite arm and could stay at the position in the majors. Even if Dinges is unable to stick at catcher, there is reason to believe his bat could play at first base or in the corner outfield, making him an intriguing potential acquisition for Minnesota. Again, Stewart has been an incredible reliever (when healthy) since joining Minnesota halfway through the 2023 season. He's still under team control for two and a half years, although he can't be optioned to the minors and those injury issues are a real consideration. Asking Milwaukee to part ways with Dinges during his breakout 2025 campaign would be bold, and the Twins might need to throw in more on their side to get it done. Yet, given that Stewart remains controllable and cheap, this potential trade could make sense for both organizations' short- and long-term plans.

In the ninth inning of Friday night's 4-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins catcher Christian Vázquez was hit by a pitch on his right arm, causing him to grimace while walking up the first base line as assistant trainer Masa Abe and manager Rocco Baldelli checked on him. Vázquez remained in the game and caught Jhoan Duran's save. The 34-year-old narrowly avoided serious injury. However, watching him nearly leave Friday night's contest raised a serious question regarding Minnesota's depth: who is the club's third catching option? Earlier this season, the answer was Triple-A backstop Jair Camargo. However, the 25-year-old will be sidelined for the rest of the 2025 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery earlier this month. Emergency catcher Mickey Gasper would have been a viable option in a pinch, too. Unfortunately, he was recently placed on the 7-day IL with bilateral plantar fasciitis, similarly sidelining the 29-year-old for what figures to be an extended period. The organization's Triple-A catching depth has been spread thin, resulting in recent catching opportunities for prospects Noah Cardenas and Patrick Winkel. Since Gasper was placed on the IL on June 23, Cardenas has been rewarded two starts behind the plate, compared to Winkel's one. Fellow young catcher Diego Cartaya will factor into the Triple-A catching mix, too. Yet, given his recent placement on the development list and inability to hit Triple-A pitching (58.5% strikeout rate over 65 plate appearances), Cartaya is not a serious promotion candidate. Cardenas and Winkel are the two backstops likely to receive an opportunity if Jeffers or Vázquez were to get placed on the injured list. Interestingly, Cardenas might have the edge. Beginning his 2025 campaign at Double-A Wichita, Cardenas hit .257/.409/.416 with 26 hits, seven doubles, three home runs, and a 137 wRC+ over 127 plate appearances. The 25-year-old was promoted to Triple-A on June 10. Since joining St. Paul, the former eighth-round pick has hit .185/.267/.556, with five hits, one double, three home runs, and a 102 wRC+ over 30 plate appearances. Cardenas's subpar batting average and on-base percentage are somewhat concerning. Yet, his ability to hit for power in the high minors has impressed, lending merit to the idea that he could produce offensively in the majors. Cardenas has demonstrated an ability to hit at an above-average rate since joining the organization in 2021. Interestingly, though, his calling card out of college was his glove, and his defense has remained superb throughout the high minors. The UCLA product is an above-average receiver who sports a strong arm. Plus defensive catchers who can hit are a rare archetype. Yet, there is reason to believe Cardenas could develop into one at the major-league level. If Jeffers or Vázquez were forced to miss time later this season, Cardenas would seemingly be the next backstop up. Also, with Vázquez set to depart from Minnesota after this season, there is reason to believe Cardenas could succeed the veteran as Jeffers's backup.

There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen. And no, I am not referring to the results of the New York City Democratic mayoral primary. Instead, I am discussing the flurry of minor-league starting pitching transactions that Twins' decision-makers have made over the past week. On Monday, Minnesota claimed right-handed starting pitcher Connor Gillispie off waivers from the Miami Marlins, before optioning him to Triple-A St. Paul. One day later, the club signed journeyman pitcher José Ureña to a minor-league contract, similarly assigning him to Triple-A. Ureña, 33, began his 2025 campaign as a member of the New York Mets’ Triple-A affiliate in Syracuse. He would eventually appear in one game for New York, before bouncing between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers and subsequently joining Minnesota earlier this week. Between New York, Toronto, and Los Angeles (all teams on playoff trajectories, mind you), Ureña generated a 5.40 ERA, 6.35 FIP, and 10-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 18 1/3 innings pitched. Despite starting and opening a game for Toronto in early May, the hard-tossing righty has primarily functioned as a low-leverage reliever this season, pitching in one-to-two-inning spurts. akQ5TlhfWGw0TUFRPT1fVUZkV0FGY0RYd3NBWGdRSFV3QUhBZ1pTQUFCVFYxSUFCZ1JVVmdCUkExSlNBUUJX.mp4 For those who have followed baseball closely over the past decade, Ureña has become a household name (of sorts), pitching for a total of nine organizations over his 10-season career. The now 33-year-old is most well-known for his early career success in Miami, particularly his 2017 campaign, wherein he generated 1.7 Wins Above Replacement at FanGraphs (fWAR) over 169 2/3 innings pitched. Ureña still possesses a plus slider and high-velocity fastball. Unfortunately, however, his career has since spiraled, with him generating just 1.5 fWAR in the seven seasons since. TndaV09fWGw0TUFRPT1fVlZWUVZBVUZVRk1BV2xJRUFBQUFDUUpTQUFCUkJnSUFWZ1lCQlFVQUFRdFJCMVpl.mp4 Similar to Gillispie, Ureña gracing the mound in Twins attire would be an unfortunate outcome. Yet, given the rotation's recent trend of early-inning implosions, there is reason to believe team decision-makers could soon purchase the veteran's contract to function as a long reliever, similar to what the Dodgers did earlier this month. Given that Gillispie and fellow long-relief candidate Travis Adams already possess 40-man roster spots, Ureña is seemingly behind them on the organizational depth chart. With players like Ryan Fitzgerald, Joey Wentz, and Gillispie taking up spots on the 40-man right now, though, the club could make room for Ureña fairly easily. Again, Minnesota's starting pitching depth has become razor-thin. That said, the organization still possesses ample bullpen depth. Similar to Adams and Gillispie, Ureña exists between the two, in that he can operate as a starting pitcher, long reliever, or short reliever. Despite enduring one of the worst pitching months in franchise history and losing 10 of their last 12 games, Minnesota remains just 3 1/2 games out of the final Wild Card spot and maintains a 23.9% chance of making the playoffs. The club will need arms to eat innings until Pablo López and Zebby Matthews return from their respective injuries later this season. Adams, Gillispie, and Ureña won't save Minnesota's season. Yet, they could play a vital role in sponging up work while the starting rotation attempts to return to its early-season form.

This Monday, the Minnesota Twins claimed right-handed starting pitcher Connor Gillispie off waivers from the Miami Marlins and immediately optioned him to Triple-A St. Paul. Minnesota claimed the 27-year-old one day after starting pitching prospect Andrew Morris (who was next in line to join the Twins' starting rotation) was placed on the Triple-A injured list with a right forearm strain, signaling team decision-makers acquired the former Marlin to fortify their starting pitching depth. Ideally, Gillispie will not grace the mound at 1 Twins Way this season. However, given Minnesota's starting pitchers' recent proclivity for landing on the injured list and frontline starter Bailey Ober undergoing significant performance struggles while nursing a left hip injury, Twins decision-makers could soon be forced to yet again call upon minor-league reinforcements to fill out the five-pitcher starting rotation. NXkybjNfWGw0TUFRPT1fQkZJQ1ZnSlFCVk1BV1ZCWEFnQUhBUVJTQUFOUUFnUUFDbE5VVVFwVUJ3TldDQVpW.mp4 If another injury occurred, Travis Adams (who possesses a 40-man roster spot) could be the next Triple-A starting pitcher to make a spot start or join the rotation. Given the fact that Gillispie also occupies a 40-man roster spot and has started six major-league games this season, the soft-tossing righty may have usurped Adams on the organizational starting pitcher depth chart. As noted earlier, though, relying on Gillispie would be an undesirable outcome, evidenced by his early-season struggles with Miami. Over 26 innings pitched, Gillispie ran up an 8.65 ERA, 5.69 FIP, and a 23-to-11 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Generating a below-average 9.8% K-BB rate, Gillispie's struggles were primarily the product of him possessing five subpar pitches. The VCU product most prominently utilizes his sweeper and four-seamer, trailed by a cutter, a changeup, and occasional sinkers and curves. Only the fastball grades out decently. As noted earlier, none of Gillispie's primary or secondary pitchers are effective, evidenced by all of them generating positive run value per 100 pitches according to StuffPro (negative is better): The reason Gillispie's pitches have generated poor results this season is the unfortunate combination of him possessing below-average Stuff+, Location+, and velocity on all five pitches. Gillispie's pitches that generate the highest Stuff+ are his four-seam fastball (94 Stuff+) and sweeper (96 Stuff+). Given the club's longstanding ability to assist pitchers in maximizing their fastballs and sweepers/sliders, Gillispie could generate more favorable results with Minnesota after fine-tuning his repertoire in St. Paul. He's nothing more than emergency starting pitching depth. Yet, due to recent injury and performance concerns, Twins Territory could soon be forced to familiarize themselves with the former Marlin.

On Jun. 6's Friday night home game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins utility player Willi Castro sported eye black resembling the Trans Pride Flag, shown below: Days and weeks after the Friday night game, Castro's gesture gradually garnered national attention, including star actor Pedro Pascal posting a picture of Castro on his Instagram story: Witnessing Castro wear eye black resembling the Trans Pride flag (the night before Pride Day at Target Field, no less) was a welcome sight, especially considering the national shift against trans rights from both major political parties. However, when asked about his gesture, Castro stated he was unaware of the implications of the color scheme. Now, we can all maintain our personal opinions of the honesty of that claim (and trust me, I have many). Yet, just as we should accept people for who they tell us they are, we should accept Castro's explanation as what he prefers to present to the world and respect his choice. The real issue (or predicament, if you will) here is not what Castro knew or intended, nor what he chose to say or not say. Instead, this incident perfectly embodies people's preferred mode of operation these days in that it's more about what we all saw and felt, rather than what Castro actually did. A mere decade ago, Pride (and the notion of LGBTQIA+ rights) had become widely normalized, most notably proven by the United States Supreme Court's 2015 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states. Acceptance was spreading, and equity was gaining a foothold. What this tea-kettle maelstrom exposes is how desperate people from the trans community now feel, all over again, for even a semi-visible, notable ally. It's about the fact that the question of many people's basic humanity and right to exist on the same terms as everyone else has been unjustly brought back to the table, as if it's a valid thing to question. If you felt seen and supported by Castro, that makes us here at Twins Daily very happy. We hope you still do, and we hope you feel seen and supported here, as well. Twins Territory doesn't know Castro's intentions, and won't attribute any advocacy to him that he declined to claim. Mostly, we hope that one day we can return to celebrating diversity and identity during festivals like Pride, rather than worrying that MLB will eliminate Pride Day at the park altogether or that those outside the league will make it an annual source of controversy. Trans rights are human rights, and if Castro's eyeblack meant something positive to you, let it continue to do so. That said, athletes cannot effect all the cultural and policy change we need right now, so don't count too heavily on Castro (or any athlete) being an activist, even if his advocacy would be a welcomed development at a time when the masses appear to be spiraling in a regressive direction. That we live in a moment that might need such activists is a problem those would(n't)-be activists can't solve. It's on all of us to do so, instead.