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Minnesota Twins rumors: 5 names to watch heading into the deadline

By Chris Schad

PEORIA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 21: Pitcher Kirby Yates #39 of the San Diego Padres poses for a portrait during photo day at Peoria Stadium on February 21, 2019 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PEORIA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 21: Pitcher Kirby Yates #39 of the San Diego Padres poses for a portrait during photo day at Peoria Stadium on February 21, 2019 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – JULY 03: Ken Giles #51 of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts after the final out a MLB game against the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre on July 03, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – JULY 03: Ken Giles #51 of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts after the final out a MLB game against the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre on July 03, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Ken Giles & Daniel Hudson

The Twins failed in their pursuit to land Marcus Stroman, but it only means that they have the phone number of Toronto General Manager Ross Atkins on speed dial. Shortly after our first trade target ranking list dropped, the Twins were reportedly interested in making a package deal with the Blue Jays for Stroman and closer Ken Giles. Stroman is off to the Big Apple, but the interest in Giles is still there.

Giles has had a strong season in Toronto as he collected 14 saves with a 1.54 ERA entering Tuesday. While his numbers including a 14.9 K/9 ratio definitely check out as someone that could help the Twins’ bullpen, there’s plenty of reason for concern as we inch closer thanks to a balky elbow injury that put him on the injured list in mid-May and shut him down for a couple days after the All-Star break when it was aggravated during a massage.

If the Twins are leery of Giles’ elbow, they could go with a cheaper alternative in Daniel Hudson. Hudson’s numbers aren’t as impressive as Giles’, but he may be just as effective with a 2.87 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP in 47 innings. Hudson also doesn’t strike out the same amount of guys with a 9.2 K/9 ratio, but his elbow is presumably much healthier than Giles’.

If the Twins can get past the Blue Jays asking for either Royce Lewis or Alex Kirilloff in a deal for Stroman, they might be able to get something done with Atkins based off their earlier conversations leading up to the deadline.

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