Minnesota Twins: 3 Candidates for the Team to Trade in 2020

With the Minnesota Twins unable to play baseball for the time being, we took a look at three potential trade candidates for 2020.

Even though transactions in major league baseball, the Minnesota Twins are likely still making plans to do some wheeling and dealing during this upcoming season. With the team having a lot of depth for their lineup and bullpen, starting pitching is their key concern.

With this in mind, we took a look at three trade candidates for the team to look at trading, including one outfielder and two prospects. Let’s get to it.

Minnesota Twins Trade Candidate No. 1: Eddie Rosario

The first candidate is arguably the most obvious one. Eddie Rosario has been a solid member of the Twins for five seasons now, and is thought of highly throughout the organization. What makes him such an easy call for first on this list?

First, team control. Eddie Rosario is already almost 29 and scheduled to be a free agent after the 2021 season. Of the Twins core from the past several seasons (Rosario, Miguel Sano, Max Kepler, Byron Buxton, Jorge Polanco, Jose Berrios), Rosario is the oldest and the closest to free agency.

Second, Outfield Value. The Twins are blessed to have Rosario, Buxton, Kepler, and a decent fourth outfielder in Jake Cave. Unfortunately, Alex Kirilloff and Royce Lewis are breaking down the door to get into the majors.

Kirilloff could play first, but with the signing of Josh Donaldson and the move of Sano to first, it seems Kirilloff will stay in the outfield. In all likelihood, here is what the ideal lineup would look like for the Twins in 2021: Mitch Garver at catcher, Sano at first, Polanco at second, Lewis at short, Luis Arraez at third and then Kepler, Kirilloff and Buxton in the outfield.

With new free agent addition Josh Donaldson fitting in at DH, third, and where ever else he’s needed, this makes Rosario the odd man out. He’s still a very good player, so he can be traded, but it’s hard to see him as a Twin for long.

Minnesota Twins Trade Candidate No. 2: Jhoan Duran

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Trading Jhoan Duran is a tougher pill for the Twins to swallow and would need an elite starter for the team to let go, but as far as trades go, this one would make sense. To get an elite starter, the Twins would have to give up elite prospects, and Duran fits the bill best.

The Twins really don’t want to give up Kirilloff and Lewis, even if it would bring back significant talent. Jordan Balazovic is just about major league ready and is more ready to be a big league starter than Duran, so he doesn’t make a lot of sense, leaving Duran as the option.

The Twins’ fifth-ranked prospect, Duran has a lot of potential, which would be appealing to a trade partner, and the Twins could build a package around him. Though it would be sad to see him go, the move makes sense.

Minnesota Twins Trade Candidate No. 3: Brent Rooker

The player with the best power in the Twins minor league system, Brent Rooker is a very good hitter. Unfortunately for him, the Twins have  an abundance of players ahead of him for a spot at first base, corner outfielder, and designated hitter, the only spots for him as a defender.

Rooker is currently situated at AAA after a very good year there, but will turn 26 later this year, making it hard to see him remaining with the Twins for very long. If the Twins end up making a deal for middle of the pack starter or decent reliever, Rooker would be an excellent choice for a trade.

All three of these players either are or could become very good major leaguers, but for a team with one specific need, the Twins will likely be forced to move at least one of these players before the playoffs begin (whenever they do begin).