Twins

An X factor is “a variable in any given situation that could have the most significant impact on the outcome.” Who fits that description for the Twins in the second half?

The Minnesota Twins are guaranteed to be active during the next week. They have some significant roster decisions to address, both from an internal and talent acquisition standpoint. Looking at a few possibilities, all of the options could send substantial waves throughout the organization.

The Twins lost 7-6 to the Brewers on Tuesday. Despite an excellent fightback and a solid overall offensive performance, the Twins couldn't overcome a poor start from Dylan Bundy, and ran out of effective relivers at the end of the game.

For whatever reason, it continues to get thrown out there that the Twins should explore trading Carlos Correa. While he is signed to a three-year contract, his opt-outs have always effectively made the deal a one-year pact. If they do want to move him at the deadline, what type of value are we actually talking about?

The Athletics made no secret of their intention to tank this year and they've followed through brilliantly, with a 106-loss pace through the All-Star break. Oddly, they willingly embarked on this futile path while holding onto their ultra-valuable ace Frankie Montas, who's heading for free agency after next season. Montas figures to be one of the biggest prizes available at this deadline, and the Twins were known to be very interested in him during the offseason.

The Minnesota Twins zoned in on collegiate players through the first 10 rounds of the 2022 Major League Baseball draft. They didn’t deviate from that decision with either of the next two picks, but they went back-to-back with catchers and took Arizona State’s Nate Baez in Round 12.

The Twins have at least seven prospects they'd need to be added to the 40-man to protect from this winter's Rule 5 Draft. How will those names play into the team's trade deadline strategy?

Out since April 30, Minnesota Twins slugger Miguel Sano is set to return to the lineup. After suffering a knee injury which led to surgery repairing a meniscus injury, Sano completes his rehab assignment and rejoins a first place Twins club.

With the trade deadline just a week away, this is a massive stretch for the Twins minor league system. Opposing scouts will be doing final assessments, and players could find themselves moved to a new organization. While the expectation would be that talent goes from Single-A and above, the short-season leagues were on display today. Unfortunately, both got bludgeoned in a major way.

The Royals are ushering in their top prospect Bobby Witt and he's looked good, which is one of the few highlights of another dismal season in KC. They've got a ways to go if they want to reach the level of the top dogs in the Central, and even Detroit looks more well stocked in its rebuild. Kansas City needs to acquire impact prospect capital wherever they can find it ... maybe even from within the division.

The Twins are 5th in baseball in team OPS but only 13th in runs scored per game. An additional 0.19 runs per game would move them to 5th in run scored per game, suggesting there are 18 missing runs. Where are they and why are they missing?

Minnesota’s trade deadline shopping list should include multiple pitchers, but that doesn’t mean other parts of the roster can’t be addressed. Here are five veteran catchers expected to be available at the deadline.