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This year, the expectation was that there would be few meaningful trades just due to timing and also because of not being able to see prospects play this year. While there haven’t been any real big names traded (yet), there have been quite a few mid-level trades. And there are definitely rumors that some big-name players could be dealt by today’s 3:00 deadline.
So what does that mean for the Twins? Again, until recently, the thought was that the Twins had a strong offense, solid starting pitchers and a well-above-average bullpen, with depth in each of those areas. Right now, the Twins are on a five-game losing streak and with a plethora of injuries and under-performance, that depth is being far overused. Instead of leading the division, the Twins find themselves in third place in the American League Central division.
AL Central Standings
Chicago 21-13
Cleveland 21-13
Minnesota 20-15 (-1.5)
Detroit 16-16 (-4.0)
Kansas City 13-21 (-8.0)
Following a sweep in Detroit at the hands of the Tigers, the Twins now head back to Target Field, but they get to play the red-hot Chicago White Sox. The Twins will not only face the White Sox young, powerful offense, but on Monday night they will face Lucas Giolito in his first start since throwing a no-hitter. On Tuesday, Michael Pineda will return from his suspension and start against Dallas Keuchel. The Twins have really struggled against left-handers.
Twins Daily Trade Deadline Articles
Over the past couple of weeks, there has been a lot of trade deadline coverage. Here are the articles for you to peruse this morning.
- This Trade Deadline if Going to be a Mess
- Dylan Bundy Could be the Perfect Target at the Trade Deadline
- The One Player Minnesota Shouldn’t Trade For
- The Only Starting Pitcher the Twins Should Trade For
- Twins Most Impactful Roster Additions Will Likely Come from St. Paul
- Three Right-Handed Batters the Twins Should Target This Week
- Three Former Twins That Could Return to Minnesota This Trade Deadline
- Twins Daily 2020 Trade Deadline Preview
- MLB Trade Deadline: Three More Bats Twins Should Target
- The Case for Lance Lynn
- Four Left-Handed Relievers the Twins Should Target Before the Trade Deadline
- Four Right-Handed Relievers the Twins Should Target Before the Trade Deadline
- Identifying the Twins Most Tradable Assets
- The Potential Trade for a Relief Ace Nobody is Talking About
Completed Trades
To this point, I think we would have to say that we are pleasantly surprised with how active teams have been leading up to the trade deadline. The names to this point have not been big names, relievers and role players. Will there be bigger names and more impactful players dealt on Monday?
- The San Diego Padres acquired Catcher Austin Nola and RH relievers Austin Adams and Dan Altavilla in exchange for OF Taylor Trammell, iF Ty France, catcher Luis Torrens and pitcher Andres Torres.
- Nola will be the Padres #2 catcher as they also acquired Jason Castro from the Angels in exchange for RH RP Gerardo Reyes.
- The Rockies traded minor league infielders Tyler Nevin and Terrin Vavra to the Orioles in exchange for RH RP Mychal Givens. Nevin is the son of former Twins DH Phil Nevin and Vavra is the son of former Twins coach (and current Tigers hitting coach) Joe Vavra.
- The Padres acquired 1B Mitch Moreland from the Red Sox in exchange for Jeisson Rosario and Hudson Potts.
- The Cubs acquired DH Jose Martinez from the Rays in exchange for two Players to be Named Later.
- The Orioles traded former Twins lefty Tommy Milone to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for two Players to be Named Later.
- A day earlier, the Padres traded outfield prospect Edward Olivares and a Player to be Named Later to the Royals for RH RP Trevor Rosenthal.
- The A’s acquired infielder Tommy LaStella from the Angels for infielder Franklin Borreta.
Players Rumored to be Shopped
- Mike Clevinger - He’s really good. Cleveland just apparently got tired of him doing and saying dumb things, so they’re mkaing him available. They should get a ton for him, and it is very likely he will be dealt.
- Joey Gallo - the powerful Rangers slugger might be available in the right deal.
- Josh Hader - The Brewers have struggled, and Hader has been one of the top relievers in baseball the last few years. He’s got years remaining on his contract which makes him very attractive.
- Dylan Bundy - Once a top prospect, Bundy has thrived in 2020 with the Angels. The Twins have been linked to him, but so have a lot of teams.
- Austin Hedges/Francisco Mejia - The Padres went out and got both Jason Castro and Austin Nola which might make Hedges and Mejia available. Both have options so they don’t have to trade either as well.
- Daniel Norris - forever a pitching prospect, Norris has become a solid reliever and could attract some attention.
- Starling Marte - Diamondbacks outfielder is right-handed. The Twins need right-handed bats and power. Marte does those things.
- Kevin Pillar - Another right-handed bat, Pillar is can play around the outfield. Could fit the Twins roster well because of his right-handedness and ability to play center field.
- Archie Bradley - He has been very good since moving to the bullpens, especially the last year or so.
- Jackie Bradley, Jr. - A defensive wizard, and he switch-hits.
- Lance Lynn - He was clearly upset about settling for a one-year deal with the Twins in 2018 and it showed. However, he got the three year deal from Texas last offseason and has been one of baseball’s best starters since.
- Mike Minor - Hey, if the Rangers are making Lynn available, might as well ask about Minor as well.
- Robbie Ray - The Twins were connected to Ray in the offseason though the asking price was very high.
- Caleb Smith/Elieser Hernandez - The Twins were reportedly interested and may have even had discussions regarding these Marlins starters in the offseason.
As has been pointed out, the Twins often have acquired lesser known players, especially relief pitchers, and turned them into very reliable contributors.
So, will the Twins make a trade?? Should they??
Consider or Discuss these questions:
- What is the goal for the season? Even with the struggles of late and the AL Central competition,the goal remains the playoffs and a deep run with the ultimate goal of the World Series.
- What are the Twins biggest needs? Right-handed hitting? Any hitting? Starters of Relievers?
- How do injured players fit into the plans over the final 25 games and into the playoffs?
- It is likely that Cleveland and Chicago could be active at the trade deadline. Is it necessary for the Twins to try to match them?
Keep up with the rumors throughout the day in the comments below and share your thoughts on how the Twins need to handle the deadline.
(If the Twins do make a trade or three, we will be sure to include a new article for each transaction. Stop by Twins Daily throughout the day.)
Monday Updates:
https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/1300415776936153088
https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/1300417556679974912
https://twitter.com/DWolfsonKSTP/status/1300427913263755266
https://twitter.com/ByRobertMurray/status/1300451494576164866
https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/1300456278838456322
https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/1300470977353179142
https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/1300492418081533958
https://twitter.com/CraigMish/status/1300507377632980992
https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/1300509876884512768
https://twitter.com/Feinsand/status/1300509368706887680
https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1300515729645752321
https://twitter.com/Feinsand/status/1300517633037676546
https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1300521127387828224
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