Minnesota Twins: Top 25 RP Trade Candidates for the Twins to Target

Minnesota Twins Trade Targets No. 9-No. 1: Elite Relievers

The last group of relievers here are the top shelf talents. These guys will all cost a king’s ransom to bring to Minnesota, but if the team can land any of them, they’d be far more set for a playoff run as a true contender.

No. 9: Michael Fulmer, Detroit Tigers, RHP

The 2016 Rookie of the Year and 2017 All-Star has long been listed as a potential trade candidate, but with him heading to free agency this year, the Tigers have to be considering moving the reliever with 2.15 ERA and 1.023 WHIP. He’d be a stellar setup man to put in front of Jhoan Duran.

No. 8: Josh Staumont, Kansas City Royals, RHP

Josh Staumont’s overall numbers might not be stellar outside of ERA and K/9, as his control has always been something that gets in the way of his all-world stuff. With that being said, if the Kansas City Royals will give up the 2026 free agent, the Minnesota Twins need to be in the conversation.

No. 7: Gregory Soto, Detroit Tigers, RHP

The top lefty on the market, Gregory Soto has a dominant fastball and looks poised to become the the Detroit Tigers’ All-Star representative for a second year in a row. His strikeouts are down, walks are up, but he’s under contract until 2026. He’d cost a ton, but if the Tigers would deal him within the division, the Minnesota Twins have to be interested.

No. 6: Anthony Bass, Miami Marlins, RHP

Anthony Bass might not strike out a ton of batters, but his control has made him into a stellar reliever. Bass currently has a 1.60 ERA, 2.34 FIP, 1.010 WHIP, 1.87 BB/9, and his baseball savant page shows him in the 80th percentile or higher in nearly every category. He’s looked really good, and with a $3 million team option for 2023, the Minnesota Twins would have him for two strong years.

No. 5: David Robertson, Chicago Cubs, RHP

One reliever that has been talked about a lot for the Minnesota Twins is David Robertson, and it’s clear to see why. Robertson has a 1.72 ERA (3.28 FIP), an 11.78 K/9 rate, and 11 saves. The Twins could use a guy like that, and the only reason he’s number five on this list is because he’s a free agent at the end of 2023 (which could work in the Twins’ favor too)

No. 4: Scott Barlow, Kansas City Royals, RHP

Similar to Staumont, Scott Barlow might not be available for trade if the Royals decide to hold onto him. If they do, it’ll make sense. Barlow has a 2.25 ERA, 3.26 xERA, 3.64 FIP, 3.65 xFIP, 9.0 K/9, and just 2.75 BB/9. He’s been dominant this year, just like he was last year.

Barlow is a legitimate lockdown reliever and would be good enough to get into competition with Duran for the role of closer. He’s exactly the kind of arm that the Twins need, and one they should pay through the nose to get if he becomes available.

No. 3: Paul Sewald, Seattle Mariners, RHP

Another pitcher whose team might opt to hold on to him at the deadline and opt to compete in the next two years of his contract, Paul Sewald has been an extremely reliable reliever for the Seattle Mariners in 2022.

Sewald racks up strikeouts and limits walks, leading to his 32-7 K-BB ratio, 0.708 WHIP, and 2.73 ERA (2.48 xERA). Similar to the other relievers near the top of this list, he’d be a huge upgrade for the Twins bullpen, and if Seattle falls apart, the Twins should be poking around.

No. 2: Jorge Lopez, Baltimore Orioles, RHP

Despite his recent collapses over the past week Jorge Lopez has had a dominant season as a part of a surprisingly good bullpen in 2022. With a 1.69 ERA, 0.964 WHIP, and a 40-14 K-BB ratio, the Twins should go after the pitcher who’s not a free agent until 2025.

No. 1: David Bednar, Pittsburgh Pirates, RHP

Easily the number one trade target on the market for any team in need of a reliever, David Bednar has spent the past two seasons as one of the Top 10 relievers in baseball and the Minnesota Twins would be adding a legitimate weapon to the back end of the bullpen. There’s a big holdup though

He currently has a 2.43 ERA (2.52 FIP), 1.000 WHIP, 12.16 K/9, 2.92 BB/9, and 12 saves. He’s under contract through 2026. Whichever team makes a deal for Bednar will be paying a massive price. If the Twins can afford to meet it, they should.