I agree that this is an outlier year and I would be very careful trading away most of our hitters. I think other GMs are going to try to under bid everyone anyway sensing blood in the water. Pitching is our problem, much more than hitting. Might also need new field management. Not blaming RB but you cant fire the team so you fire the manager. 

With Buxton and Kepler due back and Gordon showing (so far) he can handle MLB pitching, and Garver due back in July, I would for sure entertain offers for Cruz and Simmons. I don't think Sano will draw any interest, but DFAing him should also be considered. The everyday line-up could look something like this: C - Jeffers, 1B - Kirilloff, 2B - Arraez, SS - Polanco, 3B - Donaldson, LF - Larnach, CF - Buxton, RF - Kepler, DH - Garver. Bench players would be Gordon, Astudillo, Refsnyder, and take your pick of Garlick/Rooker/Riddle or whoever may have been acquired in one of the trades.

Yes to trading Happ, Shoemaker and probably Colome, assuming you can get anything for them. (I say probably on Colome as he's been unusually poor but is showing life as of late. Can he build trade value yet?) I don't WANT to trade Cruz but he may have value to a handful of contending teams and couple bring a decent A level prospect or a AA level pitcher with a live arm transitioning to the pen.

IMO, nobody will want Donaldson, not because he isn't z fine player, but because of the contract. And by the Twins kick in enough $ to make a trade palatable, I'm not sure the return is better than keeping him. He's actually, probably, more tradeable in 2023 with some cash to cover a potential 2024 buyout. 

Sano, IMO is a more likely enticement to teams that woukd be willing to gamble on his production and age, 29yo in July, and some upside knowing how good he can be. But like Donaldson, are the Twins better off then just keeping him? Or do they feel enough roster crunch and want to free up some $ for 2022?

Pineda might actually bring back a decent A or AA prospect of similar nature as Cruz, but only if he gets healthy again.

Will probably need a SS for 2022. There will be options in the off-season to consider, including bringing back Simmons. If you could get something for him now, take it. 

Personally, I think re-signing the 30yo Robles for next season will bring greater value than whatever they might acquire via trade.

In a year where everything that could go wrong and seemingly has gone wrong, the Twins, unfortunately,  don't really have many/any valuable trade assets unless they begin to gut the roster. And even if they wanted to do that, I would expect it to take place in the off-season to allow for better evaluation of the roster and the system. Plus, we still have 2/3 of the season to play. I don't see a gut of the team at this point, if at all.

I know it's an unpopular position with a lot of people, but considering the total aberration that I feel this season is, I'm pretty much in favor of bringing back anyone not on a 1yr deal while continuing to play the prospects on the roster right now, and continue 2nd half promotions to AAA for a number of players and auditions for at least a handful of pitchers once Happ, Shoemaker and potentially others are gone.

THEN we consider a couple keybp FA signings and maybe a trade or two if it makes sense.

First if you can't get Buxton to agree to an extension you have to trade him if it works.  My guess with next year being unknown you will not get good value for him (unless you can find a bidding war).  Gordon right  now is SSS, give it another month before deciding what to do with him.  He or Polanco could man short for a year until Lewis or Javier (hope, hope) arrive and take the position.  Sano has no trade value except as a give away or a throw in.  Kepler could be the odd man out in the outfield if you are able to extend Buxton, and you have to find a spot for Arraez.  Cruz is as good as gone along with Simmons.  We still have a month, so this list may change, but that is what I see.  

I agree with your take on Buxton.  I don't think you can get another team to pay what he is truly worth in prospects because of the injury history and uncertainty of signing him long term.  He likely generates a comp pick after the 2022 season.  

I think if the Twins can get a reasonable deal done for Donaldson they should do it.  He was supposed to be the missing piece defensively at third and be Cruz part two for HR power.  It feels like he has failed at both so far and been injured more than healthy to this point.  If another team want to take that on and we need to trade contracts or throw some money in I think it should be seriously looked at because I don't see him helping us they way we envisioned.

I am torn on Sano.  He has been better at drawing walks and he has had decent pitches to hit he just can't seem to hit them.  I agree he is pretty much a black hole bat right now but also feel he could get back to that rookie year performance where his eye and contact rate were All-Star worthy.  It seems like we would be selling incredibly low but given his lack of production it could be addition by subtraction.

Everyone left on a one year deal if a deal can be struck then do it.  If someone will take on Happs salary I would just dump him.  We need the 40 man space to audition other guys.

I would do everything I could to move Sano.  SOMEBODY will be intrigued by his power and I'd take ANYTHING as long as they took on the remainder of his contract.  If I could move Sano and his contract I'd consider keeping Donaldson, but if I could get a reasonable return for Donaldson as well (and I wouldn't be looking for much) I'd send him packing as well. I need the Donaldson/Sano money to try to retain Buxton/Berrios.

Cruz---I love Nellie but it's time to send hi to a contender.

Happ & Shoemaker--If anyone wants them GREAT.  I doubt they do.  DFA 'em.

Simmons---Move him.  Play Polanco & Gorden at SS the rest of the year.  maybe give Wander Javier a look in Sept.  In 2022 we either need to spend some serious money on a FA SS or consider bringing Simmons back for cheap.

Pineda---He could bring something of value back.  Move him and entertain bringing him back in FA.

Robles---Ditto Pineda.

BUXTON/BERRIOS----these guys are the absolute key to what the Twins are for 2022, 2023 and maybe 2024.  We either invest in both going forward (in other words pay them handsomely) or move them both in trades that bring back a TON of young potential.  Both of these guys could get some serious talent back, but it put the Twins near the bottom of the division for a minimum of 2022 & 2023.  After winning the last two division titles I'm not sure I'm willing to do that.  We're not as bad as we've shown in 2021, but we certainly have MAJOR roster reconstruction to consider.  Our FO has failed far more than they've succeeded.  We built Target Field to KEEP players like Buxton & Berrios.  It's time for the Pohlad family to UP the payroll to keep this team relevant.  

How about this package. Twins trade Simmons, Pineda and Kepler to the Yankees for Devi Garcia, Gleber Torres (or Miguel Andujar) and a minor leaguer or significant cash. The Yankees need a pitcher who can keep them in games and a left handed hitter. If I were the Twins GM I would extend Buxton, sign Cruz for 2022 now and never, never trade for Jackie Bradley Jr. We don't need him- ever. I would also not trade Donaldson at this time. Being sellers does not mean gutting the team. Most teams who are sellers don't compete for years- if ever. I know we will see what we can get for Cruz but I would not trade him (and sign him instead before the deadline) if a solid deal isn't there by July 20. I also might keep Shoemaker. i know he's been pretty bad but he hasn't pitched in several years, seems ok for long relief and has had to regain his footing. And probably nobody would want him. Happ won't get us anything but is not in our future plans. I'd also like to keep Simmons for defense but he's likely to go.