Minnesota Twins: Top 5 Trade Candidates for the 2022 Offseason

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The Minnesota Twins decided that this season would be a lost one when they became sellers at this year’s trade deadline, but when the team decide to move Jose Berrios, who was under contract for next year, they suggested that 2022 may be a lost season as well.

With extension talks with Byron Buxton stalled and rumors that the Twins tried to move several other veterans that were under contract for the next few seasons, the Twins could open up some playing time and enter a full re-tool mode going forward. Kenta Maeda’s injury news makes that re-tool sound even more appealing.

The Twins’ top prospects and current pitching situation suggest that the team won’t be able to sign the help they need to compete. Alex Kirilloff, Royce Lewis, Austin Martin, Trevor Larnach, Jose Miranda, and a wealth of pitching prospects all should see the field within the next year. The team needs innings for them to play.

It’s clear the Minnesota Twins should move some more veterans before 2022. Who is most likely to go?

The team doesn’t have many veterans under contract for next season, but the team would be well served to move some of them while they can. Kenta Maeda is likely out of the mix with his injury, and Willians Astudillo, Jake Cave, Kyle Garlick, and most of the relievers all offer little to no trade value, meaning they probably won’t be moved.

Luis Arraez, Jorge Polanco, Mitch Garver, and Caleb Thielbar, should all be untouchable as well, as the team shouldn’t offload talent with that much team control. This does leave five players that could bring back considerable value if the team decided to let them go, so let’s take a look at the top five trade candidates for the 2022 offseason.

Max Kepler of the Minnesota Twins advances to second base after hitting a double against the Milwaukee Brewers in the fourth inning of the game at Target Field on August 27, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Brewers 2-0. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /

Minnesota Twins Trade Candidate No. 5: Max Kepler

Max Kepler might not seem like someone the Twins would want to let go, given his above average defense, speed, and power, especially with his contract, but it may be in the Twins’ best interest to take a look at some other options.

Kepler is currently slashing an abysmal .210/.308/.429, which isn’t significantly worse than his career average of .234/.318/.442, but are among the lowest marks on the team. Of the players who have played 60 games for the team, Kepler’s average ranks 11th, his on-base percentage is tied for 8th, and his slugging percentage is 6th. That’s not great for your team’s fifth highest-paid player.

He hits homers, as he’s on pace to have his third 20-homer season, but that’s not good enough to merit a consistent starting job when two of your best young players (Kirilloff and Larnach) need outfield innings in 2022. Luis Arraez, Brent Rooker, and possibly even Jose Miranda could contend for time in the corners as well.

While he doesn’t fit perfectly with the Twins, Kepler offers good value as a trade chip. He’s under contract until 2024 at an extremely reasonable rate, and most contending teams could use a Max Kepler: A strong defender who crushes right-handed pitching. That’s good for the postseason.

Bottom line, Max Kepler is nearly 29 and will not be improving much as a player, which is the main reason he’s listed here. He could be a valuable trade asset, but if the Twins don’t get the right offer, he’s still a fan favorite and could enjoy playing out the next 2-3 years as a very solid corner outfielder. He likely won’t be moved in 2022.

Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Tyler Duffey pitches during the seventh inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

Minnesota Twins Trade Candidate No. 4: Tyler Duffey

If the Twins want to re-tool, that process will likely take a couple years, and most teams that are moving towards young talent decide to sell high on valuable relievers. Tyler Duffey should be the first name they consider.

If the Twins believe they can contend in 2022, this will not be a move the team makes in the offseason. Duffey is a very good reliever, and despite an up-and-down 2021, he’s probably the second best reliever the team has. If the team doesn’t believe they’ll win in 2022, Duffey should be the first name moved.

While Duffey’s value as a reliever is patently clear, he can become a free agent after the 2022 season, and with teams far more likely to give up better prospects for a full season of a reliever than a couple months as a rental, moving him early could result in a better prospect haul.

It’s possible that Duffey may want to re-sign with the only MLB club he’s played for, but if that indication isn’t there, continuing to use the collection of relief prospects the team has could result in a few new young arms for the bullpen of the future.

With his level of value, it would be more surprising to see him moved than any of the other players on this list, but it could be a move that moves them towards a bright future, rather than the somewhat dim outlook 2022 offers.

Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Taylor Rogers delivers a pitch in the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Minnesota Twins Trade Candidate No. 3: Taylor Rogers

Trading Tyler Duffey would be one thing, but shipping out his fellow reliever Taylor Rogers would be another. One of the Twins’ All-Star representatives from 2021, Rogers would command an impressive prospect haul if the team did decide to pull the trigger on the reliever.

One of the best left-handed relievers in baseball, Rogers often posts underwhelming ERA numbers, but posts a sub-3.00 FIP every year and elite strikeout numbers. Analytics love him, and he’s capable of closing out games if he needs to.

He’s even more valuable than Duffey is, but he’s also in the same boat as far as contracts go. He’s likely in line for a one-year, $7.5 million deal through arbitration before hitting free agency the next year, where he’ll likely command a multi-year deal a little larger than the one that Trevor May earned after leaving the Twins last year.

Just like Duffey, Rogers has spent his entire career with one team, drafted by the Twins all the way back in 2012. If he feels like Minnesota is still a good spot for him and wants to return, inking him to a new deal that will extend past next year should be a no-brainer. If not, moving on in the offseason would be better than losing him for nothing.

Minnesota Twins designated hitter Josh Donaldson reacts after hitting a two run home run during the tenth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

Minnesota Twins Trade Candidate No. 2: Josh Donaldson

Now we’re into the guys who are probably going to be moved. Josh Donaldson has been one of the Twins’ best hitters this season, sitting at third in batting average, on-base percentage, homers, and RBI while landing second to Nelson Cruz in slugging percentage and OPS. He also leads the team in walks.

Why would a player that’s helping drive the offense be someone you want to move? Well, his contract would be a start. Donaldson is the highest paid Twin, making $42 million over the next two years. That’s an acceptable number for a contender to be paying, but for the team in fifth place in the American League Central, it’s an albatross.

The second reason to trade him would be to free up innings. Jose Miranda has nothing left to prove in the minors and could easily step into an everyday role. Luis Arraez could add some innings there too. The Twins aren’t lacking for players to take up his innings.

The third reason would be to benefit Donaldson. Donaldson should be on a contender as he enters the twilight of his career (he’s nearly 36). A trade would allow him to compete for the next two years, a position the Twins may not be in for a while.

Let me be clear. I like Donaldson a lot. I think that he’s provided exactly what the Twins thought they were getting when they offered him that contract. But the Minnesota Twins as a team aren’t built to compete right now, so an offseason trade might be the smartest fit for the team.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton fields a fly ball against the Milwaukee Brewers in the second inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

Minnesota Twins Trade Candidate No. 1: Byron Buxton

The most valuable trade chip the Minnesota Twins have is the one that will hurt Twins fans the most to see go. Byron Buxton‘s time in the Twin Cities is likely coming to an end, as the Twins and Buxton’s agents have failed to come to an agreement.

The former No. 2 overall pick has said that he would prefer to stay in Minnesota and finish his career here, but with his lengthy injury history and reportedly high asking price, the team is now looking at possible trade options with an extension unlikely.

The team probably wouldn’t get as much as Twins Territory would want in a potential deal, but moving the star center fielder is better than watching him walk for nothing in free agency. The Twins would also keep their books free for the future in letting him go.

The Twins have the 17th-highest roster number in the MLB, and over $40 million coming off the books at the end of this year and even more likely to depart at the end of 2022, not paying Byron Buxton seems short-sighted at best and negligent at worst.

He’s had his problems staying healthy, but he’s one of the most electric players in all of baseball when he’s on the field. Regardless, he stands alone as the most likely trade candidate for this offseason.

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