The Minnesota Twins are many things as we approach the MLB trade deadline. They are playoff and divisional contenders. They’re pitching starved. They also have no money. Well, not technically broken. But essentially.
We don’t yet know whether they’ll be deadline buyers. They should be, but it is difficult to buy when your owners refuse to pay you any money. Derek Falvey, President of Baseball Operations, isn’t going to let that stop him from attempting to acquire the type of pitching help this team requires in order to make a playoff push.
Minnesota Twins focused on pitching at MLB Trade Deadline
Falvey verified to Bobby Nightengale (Star Tribune) what we all previously knew. The Twins require pitching assistance, which is where they are currently focusing their trade conversations.
“We’ve been focused on [pitching]. Everyone is always looking for pitching, right? If there are ways to add to your pitching group because of the realities of health and some of the challenges you deal with, that would be a hope in terms of how you navigate this.”
Derek Falvey (via the Star Tribune)
We know that the Twins front staff and players in the clubhouse are looking for pitching help. Everyone understands that is exactly what Minnesota requires to be a World Series contender. However, this does not guarantee Falvey will be able to find one that fits within his budget.
With Chris Paddack back on the disabled list, the starting rotation might benefit from additional front- and back-end depth. However, it is vital to realize that while adding four or five starters may address a short-term deficit, it would not enhance their postseason rotation, which should be the primary emphasis.
What do Twins have to offer at deadline?
It’s unlikely they’ll sell Brooks Lee, but the Twins’ depth of young, big league-caliber sluggers — Eddie Julien, Matt Wallner, Alex Kirilloff, and Trevor Larnach — makes them all viable trade options, according to the Twins’ general manager.
No trade is imminent, Falvey said, but the Twins have the prospect capital to swing a deal with one of baseball’s best farm systems. They’ll have some major league position player depth when Royce Lewis, Jose Miranda and Correa are activated from the IL, creating another potential avenue for a trade.
Bobby Nightengale – Star Tribune
The most difficult part of Falvey’s task over the next week will be finding a trade partner willing to accept back equal salary on anything they send to the Twins. But there is no doubt that they have the potential capital to make a significant move.
The Minnesota Twins will play a noon game at Target Field against the Philadelphia Phillies, a series that is now knotted 1-1. Then they will have Thursday off before traveling to Detroit for a three-game weekend series.
This is a critical stretch for the organization, both on and off the field. Not only must the Twins have a successful trade deadline, but they must also win enough games while Royce Lewis and Carlos Correa are out of the lineup to avoid falling behind in the division race and maintain their status as an AL wildcard.
