The MLB trade deadline is one week away, and it seems that the Minnesota Twins have settled into being sellers. The expectation is that the Twins will move any player who is a free agent after the season, but larger deals involving cost-controlled pitchers remain on the table.
The circumstances facing the Twins this season are quite different from last season as they approached the deadline.
At the time of the deadline last year, the Twins felt like a lock to make the postseason, but the front office failed to bring in any reinforcements of substance. The result was the Twins collapsing during the closing months of the season and missing the postseason.
This season , the Twins remain in the middle of a crowded American League Wild-Card picture; however, losing 6 of their last 10 games has them trending in the wrong direction. The trend has brought some clarity to the Twins' situation as the deadline approaches, and makes it certain there are scenario that just can't happen.
Writing’s on the wall for Twins disaster if trade deadline goes wrong
- Twins can't be exclusive buyers at the deadline
There's no argument to be made for the Twins to be exclusive buyers at the deadline. The goal for the front office shouldn't be to make additions that provide a false sense of hope for the 2025 season. The focus needs to be on getting the roster in shape to contend as early as 2026. A scenario where the Twins thread the needle between moving rentals and adding players under contract beyond this season would be fine, but not one where they focus on adding rentals.
- Don't settle on asking prices for cost-controlled pitchers
Given the lack of defined sellers with the deadline quickly approaching, the Twins are in a position to potentially maximize the returns for Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax, and Joe Ryan. Duran and Jax seem more likely to go than Ryan, but all three pitchers could land the Twins a haul of prospects who should provide an impact in the immediate future. There's no reason for the Twins to lower their asking price if they aren't getting the offer they desire.
- Standing pat at the deadline
The Twins doing nothing at the deadline would be equally as bad as if they were exclusive buyers. The Twins have become complacent over the last year, and that has created a sense of purgatory for the roster where they have talent, but not good enough to be a postseason contender. The status quo has not been working for the Twins, and the deadline needs to disrupt that.