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

By Chris Schad

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 28: Will Smith #13 of the San Francisco Giants shakes hands with Buster Posey #28 after they won their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Oracle Park on June 28, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 28: Will Smith #13 of the San Francisco Giants shakes hands with Buster Posey #28 after they won their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Oracle Park on June 28, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, COLORADO – JUNE 16: Pitcher Kirby Yates #39 of the San Diego Padres celebrates the last out against the Colorado Rockies in the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on June 16, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – JUNE 16: Pitcher Kirby Yates #39 of the San Diego Padres celebrates the last out against the Colorado Rockies in the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on June 16, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Kirby Yates – San Diego Padres

While Giles and Smith are the more popular trade targets among casual baseball fans, many might not know of the name of Kirby Yates. The 32-year old has been twirling in obscurity in San Diego this season, but has put together a season that helped him earn his first All-Star appearance.

In 35 games this season, Yates has put together a 1.27 ERA and a National League-leading 27 saves. Perhaps the best part of his game is that he strikes out 14.3 batters per nine innings, but also limits damage on the base paths with a 1.69 ERA and 0.84 WHIP via Fangraphs. This is also not a one-time occurrence as Yates put together a solid season in 2018 twirling a 2.14 ERA as the Padres’ set-up man.

The bad news for the Twins (in terms of potential cost) is that Yates is under arbitration control for 2020, which makes sense that the Padres want to be overwhelmed in any potential offer. That may be tough to do in a market that is crowded with several solid relievers, but the Twins would be wise to at least take a swing.

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