The Major League Baseball Trade Deadline is taking center stage for the conversations among MLB insiders, and the Minnesota Twins quietly began their trade activity on Wednesday night. In a smaller move, the Twins dealt disappointing relief pitcher Jorge Alcalá to the Boston Red Sox for minor-league utility player Andy Lugo. In the overall outlook for the Twins ahead of the deadline, it would seem that they will be in the market for starting pitching help, and potentially, a power hitter for the middle of their lineup.
Nevertheless, the Twins were completely ignored by Jim Bowden in his latest intel for The Athletic. Working his way through 20 things he is hearing ahead of the deadline, Bowden gives no mention of the Twins. This being the same Bowden who, just this week, penned Miami Marlins' outfielder Kyle Stowers as the perfect deadline target for the Twins.
Entering June, it would have been a safe assumption that if the Twins were going to be buyers at the deadline, they would look for upgrades on offense. However, injuries to Pablo Lopez and Zebby Mathews may have changed that outlook. Now, it seems clear that the Twins will look to upgrade the backend of their rotation while they wait for Lopez and Matthews to return.
No love for the Twins in The Athletic's MLB Trade Deadline preview
As for the rest of the division, Bowden mentions that the Detroit Tigers will be aggressive at the deadline and will be in the market for a third baseman, the Kansas City Royals will be looking for help in the outfield, and the same applies for the Cleveland Guardians. Even the White Sox get a mention, however, a comical one. Bowden mentions that teams viewed as buyers are underwhelmed by the offerings of the true sellers, such as the White Sox. However, it does seem that Luis Robert Jr. will be on the move.
Bowden's snub of the Twins may be tied to how Minnesota is expected to operate at the deadline. While viewed as buyers, it's also not expected that the Twins will be among the newsmakers at the deadline. Circling back to their need for rotation help, a move for a pitcher like Tyler Anderson would be welcome but likely lost among bigger moves by other teams at the deadline.