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Minnesota Twins 2018-2019 Trade Partner Profile: Houston Astros

By Ian Stoever

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 23: Kyle Gibson #44 of the Minnesota Twins pitches against the Oakland Athletics in the bottom of the first inning at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 23, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 23: Kyle Gibson #44 of the Minnesota Twins pitches against the Oakland Athletics in the bottom of the first inning at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 23, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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The Minnesota Twins 2018-2019 offseason is here. Here we explore who could be their trade partners as they look to return to the playoffs.

With the Minnesota Twins looking to re-tool their roster this offseason, there are many trades and free agent moves to be made. The Twins could go in two different directions, either try to contend this year or trade away some players to gear up for a run next season.

We have been going through every team in the majors here at Puckett’s Pond trying to find some trade fits for the Twins. We have already taken a look at the Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, and the Kansas City Royals. Next in line are the Houston Astros.

The Astros are coming off another strong season but have some holes on their own roster to fill as they are being hit hard by free agency eligible players. In this article, we will highlight 3 different deals for the Twins two for a rebuild and one to help contend.

Trade Proposal #1

Twins trade SP Kyle Gibson to the Astros for SP J.B. Bukauskas and SS/2B Jonathan Arauz.

Gibson, who will be a free agent at year’s end, could be a prime trade candidate. The Twins could stand to clear some room in their rotation to let the young kids have their shot. Bukauskas is a potential #2/#3 starter that is still fairly young at 22 and is probably a year, maybe two away. There’s a chance Bukauskas won’t stick as a starter but could become a fireball throwing closer. This trade would hinder the chances of contending this year but adds yet another starter for the future.

Trade Proposal #2

Twins trade C Jason Castro to the Astros for OF Alex McKenna.

The Astros have a need at backup catcher and their former catcher might not be a bad fit. The Twins could add either a top catcher like Yasmani Grandal or roll with Mitch Garver at starter and add a backup like Robinson Chirinos who has been connected to the Twins already. A trade of Castro won’t help the Twins add much but it could open up full playing time for Garver and it would clear $8 Million from the payroll even though the Twins have plenty of payroll room already.

Next. Robbie Grossman non-tendered. dark

Trade Proposal #3

Twins trade 1B Lewin Diaz and 3B Andrew Bechtold to the Astros for 1B AJ Reed.

While the Twins just claimed C.J. Cron from the Rays it doesn’t mean Twins are necessarily done adding to the 1B/DH position. Tyler Austin would be a good platoon/rotating option. So in theory 3 players could rotate between 2 positions. Diaz is still a ways off so he is a lottery ticket type and Bechtold is probably an organization filler that could become a super utility type player.

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