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.