Make Some Trades
Trade Adalberto Mejia, Tyler Jay, Akil Badoo, and Luis Arreaz to the Blue Jays for Marcus Stroman
This trade is much more a quantity over quality for the Jays. It would be a rough dent into the prospect cache but Marcus Stroman would be a major upgrade to a mediocre rotation. Last season was rough for Stroman but he also had a lot of injury issues.
Mejia has been passed up by multiple starters recently mainly because of his own injury issues. Jay might get picked in the Rule V draft so looking trade him before then could be beneficial. Badoo is a solid up and coming prospect but is blocked by a lot of other outfielders in the Twins system. Arreaz is another up and comer for the twins but is also blocked right now. A lot of players to trade but in order to keep the top guys like Lewis, Kiriloff, Romero, and Graterol you have to part with a higher number of lower rated guys.
Trade Jake Reed, Lewin Diaz, and Alan Busenitz to the Yankees for Sonny Gray
Reed was left unprotected from Rule V draft last season so I’d say Twins front office sees him as expendable. Diaz is still a ways off so is more of a lottery ticket type. Reed has been passed over twice now when he could’ve been added to 40 man so I think front office sees him as expendable. Alan Busenitz had a rough end to the season and might be out of roster spot. Sonny Gray is a good rebound candidate as he may not be able to handle the “Yankees Stadium” factor.
Trade Zack Granite and Tyler Duffey to the Astros for AJ Reed
AJ Reed is mainly a case of blocked on a top major league roster. If he can get some at bats he could be a solid major league producer that would platoon nicely with Tyler Austin. Zack Granite is blocked on twins roster with Jake Cave and others around. Tyler Duffey has run out of chances with Twins and might just need a change of scenery.
Trade Kyle Gibson to the Cardinals for Andrew Knizner
Parting with Kyle Gibson hurts but while also adding need to keep in mind the future as well. Castro is a free agent after next season and Andrew Kinizner is a solid future at catcher as well as Garver.
This puts the 40-man at 37.