Cody Christie

Image courtesy of William Parmeter (Photo of Riley Quick) Every trade deadline brings difficult conversations between front offices. Contenders want immediate help. Sellers want premium young talent. Somewhere in the middle, organizations have to decide which prospects are untouchable and which ones they are willing to move. The challenge is that prospect value rarely stays static throughout the season. Players who entered the year as intriguing names can quickly become coveted trade chips after making adjustments, adding velocity, unlocking power, or simply proving they belong against better competition. Rival evaluators notice those changes just as quickly as the organizations developing them. These are the players with "steam." The Twins have one of baseball's deepest farm systems, giving general manager Jeremy Zoll plenty of options if they decide to pursue upgrades before Monday's trade deadline. While names like Walker Jenkins and Vahn Lackey understandably dominate headlines, several other prospects have significantly boosted their stock during the 2026 season. Here are four Twins prospects carrying plenty of momentum into deadline week. SS Marek Houston TD Prospect Rank: No. 5 Few prospects have done more to change their offensive outlook than Houston. When the Twins selected Houston in the first round last summer, scouts universally praised his elite defense and baseball instincts. The biggest question centered around whether he'd ever hit enough to become an everyday shortstop in the majors. He's done plenty to answer those concerns. Houston revamped his swing over the offseason, making mechanical adjustments that have translated into harder contact, more extra-base hits, and a much more dangerous offensive profile. In 83 games, he has a 129 wRC+, .402 wOBA, and 38 stolen bases. Instead of profiling as a defense-first shortstop, he's beginning to look like a complete player capable of impacting the game on both sides of the ball. His defensive reputation was already among the best in the minors. Now that the bat is catching up, Houston has rapidly climbed national prospect rankings and looks increasingly like Minnesota's shortstop of the future. That combination also makes him exactly the type of prospect opposing front offices would love to acquire. RHP Riley Quick TD Prospect Rank: No. 6 Despite his injury history, the Twins believed Riley Quick had first-round talent when they drafted him in the competitive balance round of the 2025 MLB Draft. This season has shown why. Quick has consistently overpowered hitters with an upper-90s fastball and a swing-and-miss slider that projects as a legitimate plus pitch. In 22 starts, he has a 3.68 ERA with 35.9 K% and a 13.8 BB%. More importantly, he's answered durability questions by handling a larger workload (51 1/3 IP), while maintaining his premium stuff throughout the summer. Power arms are among the most coveted assets in baseball, and Quick has looked every bit like a future major league starter with top-of-the-rotation upside. Even if the Twins ultimately envision him remaining in their rotation, it's easy to understand why opposing clubs would ask about him in virtually every trade conversation. OF Hendry Mendez TD Prospect Rank: No. 10 Mendez arrived in Minnesota as one piece at last year's deadline fire sale, and he's only strengthened his value since then. The left-handed hitter has continued developing into one of the organization's most polished offensive prospects. In 71 games this season, he has an .844 OPS, a 117 wRC+, an 11.4 BB%, and a 18.3 K%. His mature approach, ability to control the strike zone, and improving power have allowed him to produce consistently while reaching Triple-A. Perhaps most encouraging has been the continued growth in his overall offensive impact. Rather than simply projecting as a high-contact hitter, Mendez is driving the baseball with greater authority while maintaining the disciplined approach that made him attractive in the first place. He's beginning to look like an everyday corner outfielder who can contribute in multiple ways offensively. That’s a profile every organization covets. C Khadim Diaw TD Prospect Rank: No. 14 Catchers who can both defend and hit are among the rarest commodities in professional baseball. That's why Diaw has become one of the more intriguing names in Minnesota's system. Diaw has taken significant steps forward offensively. In 86 games, he has posted a 123 wRC+ with an .837 OPS. His athleticism has always stood out, but the offensive improvements have elevated his ceiling considerably. Young catchers often require years of development, making patience essential. The 22-year-old Diaw's progress has accelerated that timeline enough for outside evaluators to take notice. Minnesota also added multiple catching prospects in the 2026 MLB Draft, making Diaw more expendable. With quality catching prospects always in short supply, his value has climbed substantially over the past several months. The Twins Have Valuable Trade Currency The Twins don't have to trade any of these prospects before Monday's deadline. However, having multiple young players whose value is trending upward gives the front office flexibility. Organizations looking to add impact talent often have to surrender prospects whose stock is peaking rather than those whose value has stalled. That's exactly where Minnesota finds itself. Houston is proving he can hit. Quick continues looking like a frontline arm. Mendez is becoming one of the system's steadiest bats. Diaw is emerging at one of baseball's thinnest positions. Whether they remain Twins or become part of a blockbuster deal, all four have significantly increased their value during the 2026 season, and rival front offices have undoubtedly noticed. What other names should be added to the list? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Tinney had quite the first professional hit:

Image courtesy of © Matt Blewett-Imagn Images The Minnesota Twins continued building momentum in July, posting a 15-9 record (.625) to secure a second consecutive winning month. After spending much of the first half trying to climb back into contention, Minnesota now finds itself firmly in the postseason race with a legitimate opportunity to chase both an American League Central title or a Wild Card berth. That surge hasn't happened by accident. The Twins have fielded one of baseball's most productive offenses throughout the season, and July was no exception. Whether it was timely home runs, elite on-base ability, or clutch moments in big games, several hitters played significant roles in helping Minnesota continue its ascent. Here are the Twins Daily Hitter of the Month rankings for July. 4. Trevor Larnach 20 G, .281/.352/.484 (.837), 3 HR, 4 2B, 7 BB, 12 K, 134 wRC+ Larnach followed up his outstanding June with another productive month at the plate. While he wasn't quite as scorching as the previous month (when he hit above .340), he remained one of Minnesota's most dependable offensive contributors. His OPS dipped from .918 in June to .837 in July, but those numbers still represent an above-average middle-of-the-order bat. The Twins have continued to shield Larnach from left-handed pitching, as he's logged only 42 plate appearances against southpaws all season. Against right-handed pitchers, however, he has rewarded that strategy by posting an .842 OPS. His future remains one of the more intriguing storylines heading into the trade deadline. With younger corner outfielders pushing for opportunities, Minnesota will have to decide whether Larnach's current production is more valuable in its lineup or as part of a trade package that addresses another need. 3. Ryan Jeffers 12 G, .289/.360/.533 (.893), 3 HR, 2 2B, 4 BB, 9 K, 149 wRC+ Jeffers wasted little time reminding everyone how important he is after returning from the injured list. Despite appearing in only 12 games, he tied for second on the club in home runs during July while producing an outstanding .893 OPS. Had he been healthy for the entire month, there's a strong argument that he could have challenged for the top spot on this list. Instead, he packed an impressive amount of production into a limited sample and continued what has been one of the best offensive seasons of his career. Of course, his name has remained in trade speculation as the deadline approaches. Given how well he's swinging the bat, however, it would be difficult to justify moving one of the club's best offensive players while simultaneously trying to reach the postseason. 2. Kody Clemens 23 G, .239/.273/.544 (.816), 6 HR, 3 3B, 4 2B, 4 BB, 25 K, 117 wRC+ No player produced more memorable fireworks than Clemens. His unforgettable ultimate grand slam against Kansas City instantly became one of the most iconic moments in Target Field history, but his impact extended well beyond one swing. Clemens led the Twins with six home runs and paced the club in slugging percentage during July, hitting twice as many home runs as any other Minnesota hitter. His season has quietly evolved into an impressive turnaround. After managing just a .663 OPS in April, Clemens has now posted an OPS above .800 in three straight months. Over the past two months, he's slugged .520 or better while emerging as one of the lineup's biggest power threats. At exactly the time Minnesota needed another bat to step forward, Clemens has become one of the offense's most dangerous hitters. 1. Luke Keaschall 22 G, .323/.447/.462 (.909), 2 HR, 3 2B, 10 BB, 12 K, 161 wRC+ Keaschall may not have matched Clemens' home run total, but no Twins hitter put together a more complete offensive month. After never posting an OPS higher than .790 during any previous month this season, Keaschall elevated every aspect of his game in July. He slashed .323/.447/.462 while leading the club with a 161 wRC+, thanks largely to an outstanding approach at the plate. His 11.8% walk rate helped produce a remarkable .447 on-base percentage, the fifth-highest mark in Major League Baseball during the month. He also finished July as the team leader in both wOBA and wRC+. Perhaps even more impressive is that he's doing all of this while adjusting to a larger defensive workload in the outfield. With Byron Buxton on the injured list, the Twins have regularly asked Keaschall to patrol center field, a demanding position for any player, let alone one still establishing himself in the major leagues. Instead of allowing the added responsibility to affect his offense, Keaschall delivered the best month of his sophomore campaign and established himself as one of the driving forces behind Minnesota's playoff push. The Twins' offense has been one of the biggest reasons they're playing meaningful baseball entering August, and these four hitters were at the center of that success. Veterans like Larnach and Jeffers provided stability, Clemens supplied game-changing power, and Keaschall emerged as the lineup's most complete offensive performer. If Minnesota hopes to continue its climb through the AL playoff race over the final two months, it will need this group to keep producing. July proved the Twins have the offensive firepower to compete with anyone. Now they'll look to carry that momentum into the stretch run when every game carries postseason implications. How would your ballot look for the month? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

The Minnesota Twins have already been one of baseball's busiest teams leading up to the August 3 trade deadline, but it doesn't sound like they're finished yet. After adding three pitchers in recent days, Minnesota continues to scour the market for bullpen upgrades. According to multiple reports, the front office remains engaged in trade discussions centered on acquiring another right-handed reliever. One of those conversations came remarkably close to producing another deal before it was halted from the top of the Houston Astros organization. Trevor Larnach appeared to be at the center of one of the more surprising trade discussions of deadline season. According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, Larnach learned through social media that Astros owner Jim Crane blocked a trade that would have sent reliever Bryan Abreu to Minnesota in exchange for the veteran outfielder. A league source familiar with the discussions confirmed both the proposed deal and Crane's involvement. The Astros entered Saturday atop the American League West standings, making it understandable why ownership may have been reluctant to move one of its most experienced late-inning relievers, even amid an inconsistent season. For the Twins, the proposal made plenty of sense. Trevor Larnach's Value Has Never Been Higher Larnach has quietly put together the best season of his major league career while significantly outperforming expectations. After being somewhat surprisingly tendered a contract last offseason, the former first-round pick agreed to a $4.48 million salary for 2026. He remains under club control through the 2027 season, making him an affordable option beyond this year. Through 92 games, the 29-year-old is batting .284 with nine home runs, 19 doubles, 39 RBI and an .843 OPS. His 128 OPS+ reflects a hitter who has been comfortably above league average all season. Even with only modest home run production, Larnach has become one of Minnesota's most productive hitters over the past two months. Larnach was able to block out the rumors in Seattle on Saturday when he launched a solo home run in the sixth inning before drawing a one-out walk in the eighth. Why the Twins Were Willing to Listen Trading one of the team's hottest hitters might seem counterintuitive for a club firmly in the postseason race, but Minnesota's roster construction makes Larnach one of its most logical trade chips. The Twins possess an enviable collection of left-handed corner outfielders. Matt Wallner has performed well at Triple-A, Alan Roden has emerged as another capable option, and top prospect Walker Jenkins is viewed as a cornerstone piece for the future. With that surplus, moving Larnach for a premium bullpen arm would address one of the club's biggest weaknesses without significantly weakening the organization's long-term outlook. Considering he's under team control through next season at a reasonable salary, Larnach's value may never be higher. Bryan Abreu Fits Exactly What Minnesota Needs It's easy to understand why Minnesota targeted Abreu despite his uneven 2026 campaign. The hard-throwing right-hander owns a 4.74 ERA and 5.41 FIP this season, but those numbers don't tell the entire story. Over the previous four seasons, Abreu established himself as one of baseball's premier setup relievers, posting a combined 2.30 ERA with a 2.79 FIP while playing a key role in Houston's 2022 World Series championship. His recent performance suggests he may be rediscovering that form. Over his last 18⅔ innings, Abreu has allowed only four earned runs, good for a sparkling 1.45 ERA. As an impending free agent making $5.85 million this season, Minnesota would have been responsible for only the prorated remainder of his salary while potentially adding another high-leverage weapon to a bullpen that has already received multiple reinforcements. Could the Talks Resume? Whether Houston revisits the framework before Monday's deadline remains to be seen. The Twins and Astros already completed one notable transaction when Minnesota sent Carlos Correa back to Houston last season in a salary-clearing move. That recent history shows the two organizations are certainly willing to do business with one another. With the Twins continuing to pursue another right-handed reliever, it wouldn't be surprising if they circle back with Houston or explore similar deals involving Larnach. Minnesota's front office has made it clear that adding pitching remains the priority. Even after acquiring three new arms, the Twins don't appear ready to stop until they've addressed every bullpen need they can before the trade deadline arrives. View full rumor

The Minnesota Twins have made it clear they aren't sitting still at the trade deadline. Beginning with a July 10 trade for Tommy Nance, the club has added three pitchers over the last three weeks, acquiring Tommy Nance, A.J. Minter, and Dean Kremer in an effort to strengthen a roster that has climbed back into the American League Wild Card race. Yet even after those additions, Minnesota is reportedly still searching for another late-inning, right-handed reliever before Monday's deadline. That aggressive approach creates an uncomfortable question: Could the Twins still move one of their best hitters? Ryan Jeffers remains one of the more intriguing names to watch over the final hours before the deadline. While trading an everyday catcher in the middle of a playoff push feels counterintuitive, a new report from The Athletic highlights why Minnesota's front office may still have to listen. According to Dan Hayes of The Athletic: "If a bidding war began, the Twins would receive more compensation by trading Jeffers than by offering him a qualifying offer ahead of free agency. However, by making him a qualifying offer, one team source close to Jeffers said the catcher would reject, the Twins would at least receive a compensatory draft pick when he departs via free agency." The key takeaway isn't simply that Jeffers is expected to reject a qualifying offer—it's that the Twins now have a clearer picture of his future. If the organization already believes he'll be playing elsewhere in 2027, the decision becomes whether a compensatory draft pick is enough return for one of the league's better offensive catchers, or if another club is willing to offer considerably more right now. Jeffers certainly isn't hurting his value. He's hitting .293/.396/.539 with 10 home runs and 36 RBIs in 198 plate appearances. Since returning from the injured list last month, he's posted a .893 OPS while collecting five extra-base hits and 10 RBIs in just 50 plate appearances. Those numbers would make him attractive in any market. This year, they may make him the premier catcher available. Normally, rental players don't command massive returns, and rental catchers have historically brought back even less. The circumstances this season, however, are different. Catching help is scarce, and contenders such as the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers all have reason to explore upgrades behind the plate. If multiple clubs decide Jeffers is the missing piece, the Twins could find themselves in the middle of the type of bidding war Hayes referenced. Of course, that doesn't make the decision any easier. A team chasing the postseason rarely chooses to subtract from one of its biggest strengths. Jeffers has been one of Minnesota's most productive hitters when healthy, and removing him from the lineup would leave a noticeable void during the season's most important stretch. Even if the return improves the organization's long-term outlook, it would be a difficult pill to swallow for a clubhouse trying to end a postseason drought. The Twins don't have to trade him. If they hold onto Jeffers through the remainder of the season, they could still extend a qualifying offer and potentially receive a compensatory draft pick after he signs elsewhere. But if Minnesota truly believes Jeffers is headed for free agency regardless, and another club is willing to pay a premium because of a thin catching market, the calculus changes. The Twins have spent the last three weeks buying, adding pieces to strengthen a playoff contender. Trading Jeffers would send a far different message, but it wouldn't necessarily signal surrender. Instead, it would reflect a front office attempting to maximize an asset whose long-term future appears increasingly clear. Whether Minnesota ultimately keeps its middle-of-the-order catcher or cashes in on his value, the report that Jeffers is expected to reject a qualifying offer has added another fascinating layer to one of the organization's toughest trade deadline decisions. View full rumor

Minnesota's roster makeover continued Saturday. Less than 24 hours after adding another starting pitcher before the trade deadline, the Twins announced another round of transactions ahead of their matchup with the Seattle Mariners. The headline move was expected: newly acquired left-handed reliever A.J. Minter was officially activated. To make room on the 26-man roster, the Twins optioned right-hander Zebby Matthews to Triple-A St. Paul. The move isn't necessarily an indictment of Matthews' performance on Friday night. He gave Minnesota five innings, allowed three earned runs, and struck out an impressive 10 hitters against Seattle. However, his overall July results painted a different picture. Across 24 2/3 innings, Matthews posted a 7.66 ERA and 5.69 FIP while recording 23 strikeouts against 14 walks. With Dean Kremer acquired to bolster the rotation, Matthews became the logical candidate to head back to Triple-A. The timing gives the Twins a fresh bullpen arm in Minter while creating what appears to be a clear opening for Kremer to slide into the starting rotation. Minnesota also made a change to its 40-man roster, designating right-hander Cody Laweryson for assignment. Laweryson appeared in 15 games for the Twins this season, logging 16 2/3 innings with a 4.86 ERA and 5.08 FIP while striking out 18 and walking eight. Although he flashed intriguing stuff at times, injuries have impacted him this season. A right forearm strain sidelined Laweryson for much of April and May, and after he was optioned to Triple-A in early July, Laweryson has been on the St. Paul injured list since July 19. His departure immediately created room for another pitcher. Right-hander Garrett Acton was reinstated from the 60-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A St. Paul. Minnesota acquired Acton from the Miami Marlins this spring in exchange for Logan Whitaker, but he has been limited to four appearances after suffering a right shoulder strain that landed him on the injured list at the end of April. Acton's rehab assignment offered plenty of encouragement. In six innings for St. Paul, he surrendered just one earned run while striking out eight and walking only one. Opponents managed just a .053 batting average against him during that stretch. If the shoulder continues to respond well, Acton could quickly emerge as another bullpen option for a Twins club that has spent the past week aggressively reshaping its pitching staff. With Minter now in the bullpen, Kremer expected to join the rotation, and additional depth returning from injury, Minnesota's pitching staff looks noticeably different than it did just a few days ago, and the Twins might not be done adding before Monday’s deadline. View full rumor

For years, one of the biggest questions surrounding the Minnesota Twins at the trade deadline wasn't whether they would make a move—it was whether they were willing to spend the money necessary to improve the roster. This deadline feels different. Less than 24 hours after strengthening the bullpen, the Twins addressed another glaring need Friday night by acquiring Baltimore Orioles starter Dean Kremer in exchange for a rookie-level outfielder. It wasn't the splashiest addition available, but it provided the rotation with badly needed depth as Minnesota continues its push toward an American League Wild Card spot. The move came on the heels of Thursday night's trade for left-handed reliever A.J. Minter from the New York Mets. Rather than limiting the financial commitment, the Twins assumed the remainder of both contracts, taking on approximately $5 million combined between Minter and Kremer. If sources are correct, the spending may not be finished. According to Dan Hayes and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic: “Though they’ve already been one of the more active teams at the deadline, the Twins next want to add a right-handed, late-inning reliever before Monday’s trade deadline, a Twins source said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the team’s thinking. The source said Twins chairman Tom Pohlad has authorized general manager Jeremy Zoll to add even more payroll if necessary.” Those developments back up what chairman Tom Pohlad said in the middle of July when he spoke about taking a more aggressive approach. After consecutive trade deadlines left both the clubhouse and fan base frustrated, the organization appears determined to change the narrative. Whether it's adding talent for the stretch run or demonstrating a greater willingness to increase payroll, the Twins are making moves that haven't traditionally been associated with this front office. While Kremer won't generate the same excitement as a frontline starter, his value shouldn't be overlooked. Minnesota's rotation has quietly been stretched thin, particularly with rookie Connor Prielipp entering uncharted territory. Between Triple-A St. Paul and the major leagues, Prielipp has already logged 91 innings this season. That's a significant workload for a pitcher who threw only 112 2/3 innings combined over his first four professional seasons. Adding Kremer gives manager Derek Shelton another dependable arm capable of absorbing innings, allowing the Twins to better manage Prielipp's workload over the final two months. Even if Kremer slots into the back of the rotation, his presence could prevent Minnesota from overextending one of its most important young pitchers. There is also a chance the Twins could move Prielipp or another starter to the bullpen. The Twins have already checked two major boxes by adding a late-inning left-hander and rotation depth. If Hayes and Rosenthal's reporting proves accurate, another bullpen addition could be coming before Monday's deadline. For the first time in several years, the biggest story isn't just that the Twins are buying. It's that they're spending like they mean it. What else do the Twins need to add before Monday? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full rumor

The Minnesota Twins entered last summer's trade deadline looking to reshape their roster. One year later, one of those decisions continues to loom larger with every dominant outing from Louis Varland. Varland has blossomed into one of baseball's premier relief pitchers since joining the Toronto Blue Jays. Through 49 appearances this season, the St. Paul native owns a microscopic 0.98 ERA, has already accumulated 3.2 bWAR, converted 23 saves, and earned his first career All-Star selection. Few relievers in baseball have been as valuable. Minnesota sent Varland and veteran first baseman Ty France to Toronto at last year's trade deadline in exchange for outfielder Alan Roden and pitching prospect Kendrys Rojas. At the time, the Twins believed they were adding long-term value while moving a reliever whose role had fluctuated between the rotation and bullpen. Now, the deal looks dramatically different. As Minnesota fights to remain in the American League playoff picture, the bullpen has become one of the club's biggest weaknesses. Ironically, the solution may have been wearing a Twins uniform all along. USA Today's Bob Nightengale recently reported that the organization is still feeling the sting of that decision. "The Minnesota Twins, who are hanging around the AL Central race, still are having nightmares about trading away reliever Louis Varland a year ago. Varland, their popular homegrown kid, has become an All-Star closer in Toronto. If the Twins had kept him, they might be running away with the AL Central, but instead are desperately scrambling for bullpen help," Nightengale wrote. It's difficult to argue with that assessment. Varland has been worth 3.62 WPA, second among relievers to San Diego’s Mason Miller. Minnesota’s bullpen as a whole has been worth 1.03 WPA, so adding Varland to that total could be worth multiple wins. The Twins have spent much of this season searching for reliable late-inning options and have made bullpen upgrades a clear priority ahead of this year's trade deadline. Meanwhile, Varland has emerged as exactly the type of dominant, swing-and-miss reliever every contender covets. Of course, player development is rarely linear. It's fair to wonder whether Varland reaches this level had he remained in Minnesota. Sometimes a new organization, a different coaching staff, or a defined role can unlock another level. There's no guarantee his breakout would have happened with the Twins. That nuance doesn't make the trade any easier to swallow. Toronto acquired a controllable reliever who has developed into one of the game's elite closers, while Minnesota is once again spending valuable deadline resources trying to acquire the type of pitcher it already had. That's a difficult cycle for any front office to explain. The trade may eventually look more balanced if Roden or Rojas develops into an impact major leaguer. Prospect evaluations often take years before a winner can truly be declared. For now, though, every scoreless inning Varland throws north of the border serves as another reminder of what the Twins gave away, and why it's a move the organization almost certainly wishes it could have back. View full rumor