How likely is it that the Minnesota Twins will make a major transaction before the MLB trade deadline on July 30?
While shortstop Carlos Correa has publicly urged the executive management to improve the team’s pitching, baseball insiders are skeptical that the Twins will go aggressive. What’s keeping them back? It might be money.
“It remains to be seen whether Minnesota can add much to the payroll, but acquiring a rental starting pitcher would make sense for the Twins, whose 4.47 rotation ERA ranks 23rd in the Majors,” according to MLB Network’s Mark Feinsand. “Adding a left-handed reliever and a right-handed bat could also be in the cards for Minnesota.”
ESPN’s Jeff Passan takes the same tone, writing Tuesday that the Twins are one of a few teams that may try to add and subtract before the deadline, with money playing a significant role in any future decision.
“Money issues continue to hinder any shot at a big move, and it’s why the Twins are an add-and-subtract team and not simply an add team like they ought to be,” according to Passan. “If the opportunity to acquire a higher-salary player presents itself, they would need to offload salary from their major league roster in that deal or another to cancel out the expense.”
Passon goes on to say that the Twins may regard the return of injured players as “deadline additions” that “come from within.” Infielders Royce Lewis and Jose Miranda could return to the Twins by the weekend, while shortstop Carlos Correa isn’t expected to miss much more time with plantar fasciitis. They are also on the verge of returning right-handed reliever Brock Stewart from a rehab stint with the Triple-A St. Paul Saints.
When healthy, the lineup is among the best in the majors. Lewis at third base, Correa at shortstop, Brooks Lee at second, and Miranda at first comprise a formidable infield. Carlos Santana has been resurgent and clutch as a first baseman/designated hitter, while Ryan Jeffers is one of the game’s best hitting catchers. The outfield is extremely formidable, featuring All-Stars Willi Castro, Byron Buxton, and Max Kepler.
Minnesota’s bullpen should be top-tier when Stewart returns since they can rely on him, Jorge Alcala, Caleb Thielar (who has struggled), Griffin Jax, and Jhoan Duran late in games. That leaves starting pitching as the most critical need.
Pablo Lopez was terrific in his first start after the All-Star break, and if this is a harbinger of things to come, it will be beneficial to the starting staff. Bailey Ober has a 2.23 ERA in his previous seven starts, and Joe Ryan has been strong, but unless Lopez can regularly pitch at a high level, the Twins will be without a reliable, top-end starting pitcher down the stretch and in the playoffs.
According to Baseball Prospectus, the Twins’ payroll this season is $127.3 million, which is about $27 million less than in 2023, owing primarily to the lack of a long-term television contract with Diamond Sports-controlled Bally Sports North.
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