Minnesota Twins: Top 3B Trade Candidates for the Twins to Target

The Minnesota Twins remain atop the American League Central, holding a solid lead over the Cleveland Guardians. The team is buoyed by a strong (though often inconsistent) offense and the ability to cruise through a weak division.

Unfortunately, if the team wants to compete in the playoffs and end their streak of 18 consecutive playoff losses, they need to go after three or four positions to upgrade the team. To help look at some options, we’re going to look at some players the team can go after.

When looking at different players, we aren’t looking at players from contending rosters. So this means all current contenders and most potential contenders were off limits. The first position we’re taking a look at is third base then lead up to the desperate need: relievers.

We rank the Top 3 Third Basemen for the Minnesota Twins to go after before the trade deadline.

In the lineup, the Twins are set in the outfield with Byron Buxton, Alex Kirilloff, Gilberto Celestino, Kyle Garlick, Nick Gordon, and (eventually) Trevor Larnach. Jorge Polanco, Luis Arraez, Carlos Correa, and Kirilloff/Gordon again take care of the infield. Ryan Jeffers and Gary Sanchez are the catchers. That leaves third base.

Jose Miranda and Gio Urshela are both fine options, with Miranda coming off a strong month of June and Urshela being the definition of average with a .258/.310/.406 slashline and 105 OPS+. Neither is a very good defender though, and the Twins could use an upgrade at the position.

With this in mind, we broke down three third basemen the Twins could go after and probably get for pretty cheap considering they’re not premier level players. Let’s get into this, starting with the number three option on the market.

Minnesota Twins 3B Trade Candidate No. 3: Brian Anderson, Miami Marlins

The first player on this list won’t be the only one from the Miami Marlins, but will be a sizeable upgrade over the team’s current options. Brian Anderson is a great choice here for the Twins to make a moderate upgrade if the Marlins are willing to listen.

Anderson is currently in the midst of one of his worst defensive years, but it’s not like he hasn’t been a productive defender in the past. At the same time though, neither Gio Urshela (despite his flashiness) nor Jose Miranda is particularly strong defensively, so if Anderson could be solid playing next to all-world shortstop Carlos Correa, he could be a boost on defense.

On offense, he’s a clear upgrade over Gio Urshela. His .268/.374/.402 slashline and 120 OPS+ shows just how good he is at getting on base, and despite a lack of homers this season, he’s still getting some solid contact.

On top of this, if Jose Miranda is dealt as part of a deal to bring back some pitching, Anderson would be a good option to take over third base and fill-in as a corner outfielder for the next year and a half, as he’s not a free agent until 2024. If the Twins can get him for cheap, it’s a good deal.

Minnesota Twins 3B Trade Candidate No. 1: Brandon Drury, Cincinnati Reds

The last candidate on this list is Brandon Drury, and he’s easily the best fit for the Minnesota Twins on this list. Signed for $700k to start the season by the Reds, Drury has been playing at an all-star level for the Reds.

The almost thirty-year old is currently slashing .274/.332/.532 with a 127 OPS, and despite this being a career season for him, he’s been very good for the past two years, so it’s likely he’d be able to keep it going in a new city.

He’s not a great defender at third for sure, but the offensive boost he would bring to the team is massively important, and given that he’d be essentially a two-month rental, the Twins would be able to get him without giving up a top prospect. The team should go after this move.