Minnesota Twins: Ranking the Twins’ 3 Biggest Trade Needs

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Tyler Mahle pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks. (Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Tyler Mahle pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks. (Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)
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Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Tyler Duffey reacts during the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Target Field. (Jordan Johnson-USA TODAY Sports)

Minnesota Twins Position of Need No. 1: Relief Pitcher

Now this is a position that the team desperately needs. The Twins have a duo in Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax who are playoff quality relievers, but the rest of the pen has a lot of question marks. Caleb Thielbar, Emilio Pagan, Joe Smith, and Danny Coulombe are best used as middle relievers due to those question marks.

Jovani Moran and Thielbar can be high-leverage guys as well, but the Twins need another high-leverage guy or two as well, even if it’s not a closer. Lucky for the Twins, the market is flooded with them.

Lou Trivino of the Athletics, Mark Melancon of the Diamondbacks, and Mychal Givens of the Chicago Cubs would all be cheap additions who would look good in Minnesota. If you’re looking for higher end guys who have performed this year, Tanner Rainey of the Washington Nationals, Daniel Bard of the Colorado Rockies, and Matt Moore of the Texas Rangers would serve well.

The bottom line for the Twins is that they need to add a couple of bullpen arms and possibly a fifth starter if they’re looking to truly compete in the playoffs this year. They could do it without having to give up major talent if they wanted, or they could go all out. As the deadline slowly marches closer, we’ll see which way they decide to go.

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