Minnesota Twins: Five potential bullpen targets at the MLB trade deadline

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA – JUNE 07: Will Smith #13 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates after the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park on June 7, 2019 in San Francisco, California. The San Francisco Giants defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /

Will Smith – San Francisco Giants

Rumors have swirled about the Twins being on the trail of Madison Bumgarner, but Minnesota could also be making a call to the San Francisco Giants to inquire about Will Smith. After being traded from the Milwaukee Brewers to San Francisco in 2016, Smith has been rock solid at the back end of the bullpen compiling a 2.49 ERA and racking up 35 saves since being installed as the Giants closer in 2018.

While he’s been great since arriving in San Francisco, the 2019 season has been what’s sent Smith’s trade value through the roof. While his standard stats of of a 2.16 ERA and 21 saves are good, a deeper dive shows that Smith is having a career year in K/9 (13.77) and holding opposing batters to a .164 average according to Fangraphs.

Those numbers have any team looking to upgrade their bullpen salivating, but the Twins should be ready to throw everything they can to make this happen. Adding Smith could relegate Taylor Rogers, May and Parker to set-up roles, which could also pave the way to having a more reliable end game in using Smith.

If the Twins are also interested in acquiring Bumgarner, there could be a blockbuster deal on the horizon, but getting Smith would be a huge boost to their bullpen.

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