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Three types of trade packages the Minnesota Twins could offer

By Tyler Kruse |
DETROIT, MI - September 19: Stephen Gonsalves #59 of the Minnesota Twins throws a second inning pitch while playing the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 19, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - September 19: Stephen Gonsalves #59 of the Minnesota Twins throws a second inning pitch while playing the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 19, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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It seems more and more likely the Minnesota Twins will make a deadline move. What are some packages the Twins could offer to get deals done?

The first type of trade package –

The most ideal type of trade the Twins make is for a star to bolster the bullpen or starting rotation, hopefully putting some emphasis on the bullpen. With that said, there are a few players they could target such as Madison Bumgarner or Will Smith. Rumor has it that the Twins aren’t willing to part with any of their top 3 prospects in Royce Lewis, Alex Kirilloff or Brusdar Graterol. If not them, who?

I think the most ideal trade package the Twins can form, would be of a few guys that have the potential to be everyday players but aren’t shoe-ins. Guys like Nick Gordon, Brent Rooker, and Stephen Gonsalves are the first few that come to mind here. Those three could be the exact kind of package the Twins are willing to ship out.

With quite a bit of depth at the pitching position and more on the way, the Twins could afford to part ways with Gonsalves. Brent Rooker is the closest outfielder to the majors in the organization but given the depth of the current outfield, time is on the Twins side. With Trevor Larnach flying through the ranks and Luke Raley on the shelf with an injury, the Twins aren’t risking much by giving up Rooker. The power is there but he strikeouts out a ton, sound familiar?

Gordon is in the same boat here as the other two. Solid potential but not a guarantee to be a star at the next level. A package of these 3, mixed with one or two more guys not on the Twins’ top 30 list, could easily land a star at the deadline.

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The second type of trade package –

The 3 players that I described in the first trade package are big-league ready and could be dealt to a team already well into their rebuild. The next package I picture is one with guys that are well on their way to being top prospects in the organization but have some growing to do. Lewin Diaz, Keoni Cavaco, and Jordan Balazovic all come to mind here. Oh and Trevor Larnach anyone? Though it’s easy to argue he’s already a star.

Lewin Diaz is mashing in the minors this year. After dealing with injury last year and not being able to find his stroke consistently, Diaz has turned the corner. Well on his way to being back in the Twins’ top 30 prospects list, Diaz could headline a trade of guys that are farther away from the majors yet well on their way to the show.

It’s hard to see Cavaco being traded considering he was just drafted and is from the prep ranks. With not much playing time under his belt, and already a bit of a reach in the first round being a “pop-up” prospect, it’s hard to see a team trading for Keoni. Balazovic, on the other hand, is definitely on most teams radars around the league. Recently throwing a clean outing in the futures game, Balazovic is well on his way to being a big-league arm.

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The third type of trade package –

If the Twins felt the need to land more than one player as a part of a package deal from a team, they could bite the bullet and part ways with one of the top prospects. Sending out Royce Lewis or Alex Kirilloff along with a couple of lower-tier prospects should be more than enough to get the job done.

With the Twins one of the biggest surprises in baseball, the front office may be hesitant to part ways with their future and rightfully so. The Twins locked up Jorge Polanco long term which may be one of the best signings in a long time around Twins territory so the need for Lewis soon isn’t a necessity. Though, if you ask me, the Twins should only part ways with a top prospect if they land a player with some team control.

Next. Rosario lifts Twins with a massive pinch-hit homer. dark

I can’t see them parting ways with the future for a rental type of player who’s in the last year of his contract unless it’s a future HOF. Of course, with a plethora of solid prospects in the organization, the Twins’ future trade packages aren’t exactly crystal clear. What would you do if you were in charge? Anything necessary to land the star? Top-prospects off-limits? Let me know in the comments and I’ll let you know what I think.

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