Minnesota Twins: Winter Meeting moves that should be explored

The Minnesota Twins front office is headed to Vegas for the Winter Meetings this week and here are some Trades and Free Agents that should be explored

While the Minnesota Twins have made one of few moves of note so far this offseason the Winter Meetings is where the action truly starts. During these meetings there is usually some big signings and trades and there are also some ideas planted that come to fruition later in the offseason.

In some of my other posts I have been a fan of possibly making some moves to contend next season but with the recent news of the Indians looking to trade some of their players to clear some payroll and undergo a fast rebuild/retool I think the Twins really need to consider making their move and going for contention this season.

There are plenty of players available in trade and free agency that could really push the needle for the Twins to vault into postseason mode. In this article I am going to highlight some moves that change the view of this Twins team.

Trades

Potential Trade: Twins trade 2B/SS Nick Gordon, OF Akil Baddoo, and 1B Lewin Diaz to the Toronto Blue Jays for SP Marcus Stroman.

Twins should look to make a deal for Marcus Stroman. The Twins need to add at least one starter this offseason and Stroman immediately slots into the #1 starter role for Minnesota and changes the landscape of the rotation immediately. While adding a player like Stroman would hurt the prospect cache he would pay immediate dividends to the outlook for the starters.

Potential Trade: Twins trade SP Adalberto Mejia and 2B/OF Luis Arraez to the Yankees for SP Sonny Gray

Sonny Gray is another player that the Twins have been connected to and would help upgrade the rotation quite a bit. While his stats weren’t very good last season a change of scenery could be the ingredient for him to return to the Oakland A’s version of Sonny Gray.

Potential Trade: Twins trade SP Kyle Gibson or SP Jake Odorizzi and SP Adalberto Mejia to the Rockies for 1B/3B/2B Ryan McMahon.

This next trade might make you wonder why would the team make this move if they are going to contend. This move would hinge on the Twins acquiring 2 starters which isn’t necessarily out of the question. The return would need to be some immediate big league help at an offensive position.

Potential Trade: Twins trade SP Stephen Gonsalves, 2B/3B Travis Blankenhorn, and 1B Lewin Diaz to the Diamondbacks for SP Zack Greinke and cash.

Another pitcher that is on the trade block is Zack Greinke of the Arizona Diamondbacks. This trade would take some bigger name prospects even with Greinke’s big contract. This would give the Twins a bonafide ace for the next few years.

Free Agents

There is still a few holes for the Twins to fill even after all of those trade possibilities. Players whose agents the Twins should talk to at the Winter meetings if they don’t acquire someone via trade.

Dallas Keuchel– he is also going to command a lot of money but is also worth a look for the Twins.

JA Happ- will command decent money and is one of the oldest starters available, so I’d avoid him.

After those two there isn’t much left on the starting market that represents a significant upgrade over the current options. There is a whole host of #5 starter options but I would personally prefer rolling with Fernando Romero, Gonsalves, Mejia or Aaron Slegers

Relief pitchers

Cody Allen– a good bounce back candidate with whom Derek Falvey has some previous connections.

David Robertson– the Twins need a closer and Robertson is one of the best available.

Kelvin Herrera– another bounce back candidate after some injuries and he could step into the closer role as well.

Joe Kelly– a flame throwing reliever that would be a welcome change of pace in the Twins bullpen. Hasn’t had the best numbers but is a very solid reliever.

Hitters

After the signing of Jonathan Schoop there isn’t much of a need for hitters unless they decide to add a DH. They already have CJ Cron and Tyler Austin but neither one of them is guaranteed a spot on the team.

Mike Moustakas– would plug the hole at 3B clearing a path for Sano to either move to 1B or DH.

Nelson Cruz– strictly a DH these days but is still a power hitting option at DH.

Matt Adams– a good platoon option if the Twins move on from CJ Cron at little cost.