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.
The Minnesota Twins need to make some moves with the offseason now upon us. Free agents will attract a lot of the attention over the next several weeks as there are several big name free agents potentially looking for a new team and new big and shiny deal.
The Twins should very much be able to be in the conversation with many free agent names, but what will be just as if not more important for the Twins is the trade market. The Twins front office has pointed to the Twins minor league assets as a strength to help them acquire some additions to their roster. We will attempt to work through each team in baseball and find some trades that work for both sides.
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, Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, and New York Mets. Next up is the New York Yankees.
Yankees 2018
The Yankees looked loaded up for a big 2018 after the acquisition of outfielder Giancarlo Stanton. They certainly didn’t have a bad season as they finished 100-62, but the presence of the Boston Red Sox resulted in second place in the AL East and a divisional round playoff exit.
Stanton didn’t disappoint as he hit .266/.343/.509 and 34 home runs. Aaron Judge paired with Stanton and hit is own 22 home runs with a .278/.392/.528 slash line. Rookie Miguel Andujar came on strong throughout the season to hit .297/.328/.527 and 27 home runs.
Luis Severino continued to work as the Yankees ace and tossed 191.1 innings with a 3.39 ERA and a 10.3 K/9. J.A. Happ was a midseason addition who in 11 starts turned in a great 2.69 ERA. Aroldis Chapman anchored the bullpen with 32 saves and a 2.45 ERA.
Possible Trade Interest
Yankees may want: The Yankees are another club that is always looking for championship type upgrades. Sometimes that means collecting talent so they can go trade for higher level talent. With players that are seemingly being blocked from a major league spot, the Twins could help the Yankees acquire more talent.
Twins may want: The Twins could add pitching which is an area the Yankees could help with. The Twins also continue to need an impact bat for the middle of the lineup.
Trade Proposals
Trade Proposal #1: SP Sonny Gray for RHP Jorge Alcala and OF Gilberto Celestino
When trying to assemble these trades there are two approaches to take. What is the other team asking that would certainly seal the deal or what seems fair and matches what I feel willing to give up for said player. This trade falls in the latter as the Yankees have reportedly asked for a lot in return for Sonny Gray.
More from Puckett's Pond
- Minnesota Twins: Does the MLB or the Twins have a Spending Problem?
- Minnesota Twins: 2 Possible Free Agent Reunions for 2023
- Minnesota Twins: Holiday Wish List for the rest of the Offseason
- Minnesota Twins: After signing with the Mets, Correa spurns Twins again
- Minnesota Twins: You Spin Me Right Round, Right Round
We did a bit of a deeper look at Gray as a potential trade target for the Twins several weeks ago when rumors first started to circle around the right-hander. His home-road splits give promise that Gray may still be the coveted pitcher he was in Oakland before being moved to New York.
Alcala and Celestino are two players who are no sure lock to make the majors yet, but are also two quality players out of that quality depth the Twins have built up. I could see swapping out Stephen Gonsalves for Alcala, but would not touch the aforementioned asking price of the Yankees to the Reds of a top-20 MLB prospect for Gray.
Trade Proposal #2: 3B Miguel Andujar for RHP Blayne Enlow, 2B/SS Yunior Severino, and a third high upside prospect.
The asking price is reportedly high for Miguel Andujar just like it is for Gray. Andujar’s ability to field third base is certainly in question which can be concerning considering the question marks surround current Twins third baseman Miguel Sano. Andujar’s bat is at least after 2018 performing better than Sano’s after slashing .297/.328/.527 and logging a .855 OPS.
Since I don’t believe the Twins have much in the way of major league talent that the Yankees would be interested in this trade would have the Yankees looking to collect talent. Enlow and Severino are both players with pretty high ceilings. I wouldn’t be opposed to the Yankees asking for Nick Gordon, Brent Rooker, or Wander Javier, but this would be my starting point.
Trade Proposal #3: SP Chance Adams for 1B Lewin Diaz and LHP Tyler Jay
It seems for some time Chance Adams has been in the discussion for the Yankees rotation. After the resigning of J.A. Happ and the acquisition of James Paxton there clearly is no longer room for Adams in the Yankees rotation. The Twins have a bit of a logjam but could always look to add talent to the group of pitchers they have.
I chose Diaz and Jay for the trade but it could become a combination of prospects around this level of the Twins farm system.