Minnesota Twins Offseason Trade Partner Profile: Miami Marlins

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 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 already explored possibilities with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels, and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Next up is the Miami Marlins.

The Marlins are in the early stages of a major rebuild. Even after trading a lot of players the last couple seasons there are still a few players on the team that would be of interest to the Twins. The Marlins won’t be interested in any of the veterans on the Twins roster as the Marlins one and only goal is to lose games and gain more prospects. So in this article, all 3 trades will be to help the Twins this season.

Trade Proposal #1

Minnesota Twins trade RHP Brusdar Graterol, 2B/SS Nick Gordon, LHP Stephen Gonsalves and OF Akil Baddoo for C J.T. Realmuto.

This is the biggest trade of all. Realmuto is far and away the best trade chip left that the Marlins haven’t cashed in on yet. Odds are Realmuto will finally be traded this offseason as he has said no to every contract extension the Marlins have offered. To make this trade worth the Twins while Realmuto would have to agree to a contract extension as he is a free agent in 2021.

While this trade puts a major dent in the Twins prospect cache, Realmuto is a proven major league player that instantly upgrades the offense and gives the Twins a future at catcher. Even this much of a package might not be enough for the Marlins to trade their star catcher. Graterol gives the Marlins a future rotation piece along with Gonsalves. Gordon and Baddoo give the Marlins 2 future hitters to add to their minor league system.

Trade Proposal #2

Minnesota Twins trade OF Akil Baddoo and 1B/OF Luke Raley to the Marlins for LHP Adam Conley.

This trade can either help the rotation or the bullpen as Conley has pitched in both roles in the majors. While he doesn’t have the best career stats he could be a second lefty behind Rogers in the bullpen. The Twins would be trading from a prospect position of strength to gain another good reliever.

Trade Proposal #3

Minnesota Twins trade 1B Lewin Diaz and 2B/3B Travis Blankenhorn to the Miami Marlins for RHP Dan Straily.

This type of move would make sense if the Twins don’t want to start the season with a minor league prospect as the #5 starter and don’t find a suitable option in free agency. I think there are better options than Straily to fill that role but he’s an option available.