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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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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 13: Kirby Yates #39 of the San Diego Padres reacts to striking out Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning of a game at PETCO Park on July 13, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 13: Kirby Yates #39 of the San Diego Padres reacts to striking out Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning of a game at PETCO Park on July 13, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Kirby Yates (or any other reliever)

The Twins could go after multiple relievers at the deadline, but the big names of San Francisco’s Will Smith and Pittsburgh’s Felipe Vazquez appear to be staying put. Edwin Diaz could also be a target of the Twins, but does the front office really want to deal with Brodie Van Wagenen one more time?

The one name that might have enough steam to get a deal done is Kirby Yates. Yates has been lights out for the San Diego Padres this season after being a journeyman for the majority of his career. In 2019, Yates leads Major League Baseball with 31 saves and his a 1.02 ERA that suggests he’s throwing aspirin tablets on the mound.

Another added bonus is that Yates is under control through the 2020 season, but much like the other names on this list, that should drive the price up. With Yates’ dominance, it’s going to take a massive offer to bring him to Minnesota and with the Twins reluctant to hand out top prospects to bolster their roster, it might be more of a pipe dream.

Next. 3 questions for the Twins heading into the trade deadline. dark

There could be plenty of names that aren’t even on this list, but in any event, this should be an eventful deadline for the Twins as they look to make a sustained playoff push for the first time in 17 years.

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